Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Texas from $77
State Farm offers the cheapest liability insurance for SR-22 holders in Texas, starting at $77 per month.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
A financial responsibility insurance certificate, or an SR-22, is a form your insurance company files with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to prove you have the state’s minimum amount of liability insurance. High-risk drivers who’ve had their driving privileges suspended or revoked due to a car crash, conviction, or judgment typically have to file an SR-22.1
Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 insurance in Texas.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Texas
If you require an SR-22 form, your insurance rates will likely increase. But you can still find affordable coverage. The following table lists some cheap car insurance companies to consider.
What is SR-22 insurance in Texas?
The Texas Department of Insurance may require you to file an SR-22 if you’ve had your license suspended due to a car crash, driving without insurance, or because of a civil judgment filed against you.
The purpose of an SR-22 is to verify that you maintain the minimum amount of liability insurance. In the state of Texas, the minimum liability amounts include:
$30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in one crash
$60,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or two or more people in one crash
$25,000 for damage/destruction of property of others in one crash
An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. Instead, it’s a form the state files to prove that you’ve purchased the minimum amount of car insurance Texas requires. You can get an SR-22 certificate from an insurance company. If you or your insurer cancel your SR-22 coverage, or you allow it to lapse, the insurance company will automatically notify the Texas Department of Insurance.
Even if you don’t own a vehicle but still drive, you might need a non-owner SR-22 policy.
Once you file your SR-22 with the state, your driver eligibility status will change from ineligible to eligible.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
An SR-22 and FR-44 are certificates of financial responsibility that prove you have car insurance and are required for license reinstatement. Unlike an SR-22, only Florida and Virginia use an FR-44 for serious violations, like driving with a suspended license or driving under the influence.
Another difference is an SR-22 only requires you to meet your state’s minimum liability coverage. An FR-44 requires additional coverage beyond your state’s minimum.
For instance, in Virginia, if you need an FR-44, you must carry double the state-required liability insurance.
When you file an FR-44 in Florida, you have to carry $100,000 in bodily injury/death for one person, $300,000 in bodily injury/death coverage for two or more people, and $50,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
When you need SR-22 insurance
Most drivers don’t need an SR-22 certificate. States typically reserve this form for high-risk drivers. Some reasons why you might need to get an SR-22 certificate include:3
Drug offenses
Driving with an invalid license
Multiple convictions for driving without a liability insurance policy
How to get SR-22 insurance in Texas
If you need to get an SR-22 certificate in Texas, follow these steps:
Confirm if your insurance company offers SR-22s. Not all insurance companies offer this form.
If your insurance company offers SR-22s, it’ll file your form with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
You can look for a new insurer if your insurer doesn’t offer SR-22 coverage. You’ll want to compare several companies to find the best deal.
It can take up to 21 business days for the department to process your SR-22. When you go to reinstate your driver’s license, you’ll have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
How long Texas requires SR-22 insurance
In Texas, you have to maintain SR-22 coverage for two years, beginning on the date of your conviction. If you were in a crash and have a judgment against you, you need to hold it for two years from the date the judgment was rendered.
If you fail to maintain your SR-22 certification for two years, you face a resuspension of your driver’s license and driving privileges, and you’ll need a new SR-22, which requires a $100 reinstatement fee.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Texas
High-risk driving behavior will increase your premiums. If you get a conviction for driving while intoxicated or driving with an invalid license, you’ll require an SR-22. You’ll have to maintain a valid SR-22 for two years from the date of your most recent conviction. If you fail to maintain the SR-22 for two years, you can face a resuspension of your driver’s license and driving privileges, and you’ll need a new SR-22, which will require a $100 reinstatement fee.
The better your driving record, the lower your premiums. Having a serious crash or DWI on your record will result in higher insurance costs. In Texas, a DWI remains on your driving record permanently.4
If you want to improve your driving record and work on lowering your insurance rates while under an SR-22, consider the following tips:5