If you need an SR-22 to get car insurance in California, you aren't alone. This relatively routine legal requirement is triggered by a violation like a DWI conviction, a driving-without-insurance citation, an at-fault collision, a citation for driving with a suspended license, or accumulating too many license points.
Getting affordable insurance coverage with a SR-22 in California might require some effort, but it could pay off. We explored how much a SR-22 certificate usually costs in California and how to go about getting one — let’s dive in.
How much is California SR-22 insurance?
Auto insurance with an SR-22 in California will probably be expensive. This isn't a result of the SR-22 itself — filing fees are usually $15 to $35 — but because of the insurance cost increases from the driving violation that necessitated the SR-22.
Insurance companies charge high-risk motorists more expensive rates to account for the more substantial probability of claims payouts via collisions. The rate increase you will face may depend on the number and severity of infractions — below are average car insurance prices for drivers with SR-22s in California.
CALIFORNIA INSURANCE PREMIUMS AFTER COMMON CITATIONS
| High-risk rating factor | Average annual rate | Increase vs. no violations |
| No citations | $1,868 | — |
| At-fault collision (>$2,000) | $3,281 | $1,413 |
| Speeding (21-25 mph > limit) | $2,627 | $759 |
| Reckless driving | $5,038 | $3,170 |
| Racing | $4,937 | $3,069 |
| Hit-and-run | $5,038 | $3,170 |
| DUI/DWI | $4,937 | $3,069 |
If you are looking for inexpensive car insurance after getting a SR-22, we are here to help. Enter your location below to get individualized auto insurance quotes from top companies.
How to get an SR-22 in California
Already insured
With an active insurance policy, requesting an SR-22 might be easy. Just call your insurance company request they file a SR-22 request on your behalf. If your current insurer declines to request a certificate, you should shop around for a new insurance company.Currently uninsured?
When filing for car insurance, you'll be billed extra to cover the cost of the SR-22 request form and your high-risk driving profile. An SR-22 requirement may disqualify you from buying insurance from some carriers, while others would be happy to sell you a policy.For drivers who don’t own a vehicle
Not owning a vehicle makes it more difficult to obtain an SR-22, as you'll need proof of insurance to obtain a certificate. If this is the case, you should buy a non-owners car insurance policy before filing for an SR-22. A non-owners policy is typically less expensive than a standard policy since it won’t provide protection for physical damage sustained by your vehicle.Methodology and data sources
The Zebra conducted car insurance price analysis via its proprietary quote engine, comprising data from rating platforms and public rate filings. The Zebra surveyed almost 53 million rates to identify trends related to specific car insurance pricing factors across all United States ZIP codes, averaged by state, including Washington, D.C.
Learn more about SR-22 certificate requirements and how they impact insurance premiums.