SR-22 insurance in California: Quotes, rankings and information

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#1
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USAA
4.72 ★★★★★
4.72 ★★★★★
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AAA
4.12 ★★★★★
4.12 ★★★★★
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#3
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4.10 ★★★★★
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#4
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4.06 ★★★★★
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#5
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Nationwide
4.04 ★★★★★
4.04 ★★★★★
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allstate
4.00 ★★★★★
4.00 ★★★★★
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#7
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4.00 ★★★★★
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3.98 ★★★★★
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#9
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Esurance, Inc.
3.98 ★★★★★
3.98 ★★★★★
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dairyland
3.82 ★★★★★
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#11
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3.79 ★★★★★
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#12
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3.73 ★★★★★
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3.71 ★★★★★
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3.57 ★★★★★
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3.53 ★★★★★
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3.30 ★★★★★
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3.30 ★★★★★
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3.25 ★★★★★
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2.64 ★★★★★
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2.53 ★★★★★
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2.50 ★★★★★
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#22
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2.49 ★★★★★
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1.94 ★★★★★
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4.50 ★★★★★
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2.93 ★★★★★
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#29
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Nations Insurance
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What are the California SR-22 requirements?

If you need to file an SR-22 form in California, it means you’ve committed a driving violation and have been required by the state or court to file it. If you're convicted of certain violations, you'll be required to buy SR-22 coverage in order to get your driving privileges reinstated.

The SR-22 insurance form is also known as a California Insurance Proof Certificate, and it guarantees to the state that you have the minimum amount of insurance coverages required of you and it allows you to drive in the state.

The insurance company will submit the SR-22 form to the DMW to confirm that your insurance policy meets the minimum liability insurance requirements. If you don't have a car, but need to drive anyway, you would have to purchase a non-owner SR-22 policy that provides only liability coverage.

You’ve likely heard the term SR-22 insurance if you’re required to file an SR22 in California. While SR-22 insurance is not actually a different type of insurance from typical car insurance, the term is often used to describe car insurance coverage for those who need an SR-22 endorsement because an SR22 affects your car insurance coverage and cost.

In California, SR-22 insurance after a DUI conviction costs an average of 166 % more than car insurance for standard drivers. So, the SR-22 cost in California will be higher than what you previously paid for car insurance due to the violation that you caused.

In California, SR22 insurance is required for a minimum of three years. Depending on your offense and case, it’s possible for you to be required to have SR-22 insurance for longer. Your car insurance rates will be increased throughout the duration of your SR-22 filing period. Additionally, you’ll be required to have certain auto insurance coverage.

If you maintain your SR-22 insurance for your required filing period and keep a clean driving record, you won’t need to file the form any longer after your period is up. This could result in your coverage and auto insurance rates returning to normal, depending on your violation. DUIs may stay on your record for much longer.

If your SR22 insurance policy is cancelled at any point, by you or your car insurance company, or if you have a lapse in coverage during your SR-22 filing period, your insurer may file an SR-26 form, saying you no longer have insurance coverage with the company. If your company files an SR-26 before your SR-22 requirement is completed, you may need to start the SR-22 process over again. Any coverage lapse will cause your driving privileges to be suspended again because the insurance company would need to notify the DMV. So, you need to maintain continuous coverage for three to five years.

One of the simplest ways to find affordable rates for SR-22 car insurance is to compare quotes from different car insurance companies. Since every insurance company calculates rates differently, we recommend comparing at least three insurance quotes to make sure you're getting the most affordable option.

Use our comparison tool to compare insurance quotes from multiple companies.

What are SR-22 insurance limits in California?

An SR22 insurance form verifies that you have at least the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage required in California. If you’re required to have SR-22 insurance in California, you’ll be required to have at least the following coverage:

  • $15,000 for bodily injury or death per person
  • $30,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
  • $5,000 for property damage coverage per accident

Failure to file an SR-22 form when required in California may result in the suspension of your vehicle registration, meaning you cannot legally drive in California. If you drive while your registration is suspended, the government in California may possess your vehicle.

Who needs an SR22 in California?

In California, SR22 insurance is required in a few scenarios in order for you to get your license reinstated. SR-22s are required after you’ve committed certain violations with the law. You may even be required to have an SR-22 if you’ve had a series of small violations within a short span of time. You could need SR22 insurance for the following reasons:

  • A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI or DWI)
  • Driving without car insurance
  • Driving with a revoked or suspended license
  • Having repeated traffic violations in a certain amount of time, including speeding tickets
  • Numerous at-fault accidents
  • A fatal at-fault accident or one that results in injuries
  • Dangerous or reckless driving
  • Assignment from a court order
  • Failure to pay fines from tickets
  • Refused consent to breathalyzer or blood alcohol test

In California, you will be unable to drive until you file an SR-22 insurance if you’re required to do so.

What are the California SR-22 insurance rates?

If you need SR-22 insurance, your car insurance rates will likely increase significantly. When you’re required to have an SR22, you get placed into the category of a high-risk or non-standard driver. High-risk drivers tend to pay the highest car insurance rates, but the cost of car insurance can vary by company and by state. There are many other factors that go into the cost of SR-22 insurance such as your age, gender, ZIP code, credit score, vehicle type, marital status and so on.

One of the most common reasons drivers need SR-22 insurance is because of a DUI conviction. On average, drivers with one DUI conviction in California pay $3,822 per year for car insurance. That’s 166 percent more than car insurance for a driver with a clean driving record. However, the insurance cost you pay differs significantly based on the company you buy car insurance from. In the table below, you can find average rates for California drivers who have one DUI conviction from some of the largest insurance providers in the state.

Company Car insurance rate
Mercury $1,874
Safeco $1,956
Progressive $2,581
Geico $2,820
Farmers $3,280
21st Century Insurance Company $3,307
Travelers $3,353
Nationwide $3,640
USAA* $3,753
AAA $4,248
Liberty Mutual $4,264
State Farm $4,749
Allstate $4,782
CSAA $4,881
The Hartford $6,264

*USAA is only available to active and former military members and their families.

These rates are based on a 35-year-old single adult with one driver and one vehicle on a policy. The car used was a 2015 Toyota Highlander LEs. Full coverage was used with 100/300/50 limits and a $500 collision and comprehensive deductible. The driver had 1 DUI on their record. The rates displayed should only be used for comparative purposes as individual rates for high-risk insurance in California will differ. Rate data is provided by Quadrant Information Services.

While SR-22 insurance policies are expensive, if you maintain your car insurance and SR-22 form for the duration needed all while keeping a clean driving record, your rates may go down over time.

How to get SR22 insurance in California?

To get SR22 insurance, you’ll need to contact your car insurance company. An SR-22 can only be obtained through an insurance carrier; you can’t file it on your own. If your auto insurance company offers insurance coverage to drivers who need an SR-22, your company can file the form with your state and offer you car insurance coverage. If not, you’ll need to shop for a new auto insurance policy from a company that offers SR22 insurance coverage.

Even if your company does offer SR22 insurance, it may be a good idea for you to shop around for a new policy. Because SR-22 insurance significantly affects your rates in California and rates can vary by company, you may want to see if a different company can offer you a better rate.

Use the table at the top of this page to find all the car insurance companies that offer SR-22 insurance in California with at least 25 car insurance reviews. If you want to see which companies customers say are the best car insurance companies for SR22 insurance in California, sort the table by highest rated. You can sort through companies and find the ones you want to get quotes from. To get auto insurance quotes, click on the orange “Click for quote” button next to the company, call the number available or visit the company’s website.

If you want to read customer reviews of the company, click the company name in the table and you will be directed to the company’s profile page containing information about the company and reviews.

If you’re unable to get SR22 insurance from an insurance company in California, you can utilize the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) to help you find coverage.

What are some alternatives to SR-22 insurance in California?

There are a few alternatives to SR22 insurance that would exempt you from the obligation of filing an SR-22 in California. For the alternatives, you must set aside $35,000 to the DMV to be used if an accident occurs. To do this, you have to make a cash deposit or a security bond with the DMV and this counts as your financial responsibility in place of an SR-22.

Are there any SR-22 fees in California?

When your insurance company files your SR-22 form with your state, you’ll be required to pay a fee to file it. The fee you pay for the SR22 insurance form depends on the reason you’re required to have it. Additionally, in California, you need to pay a fee in order to get your license reinstated. The most common reissue fee is $55 if your license has been suspended or revoked. You need to pay this fee in order to get your driving privileges in California back after a violation that suspended or revoked it.

How are car insurance rates calculated?

When searching and comparing car insurance quotes, it can be frustrating trying to understand how your insurance rates are calculated. While there is no exact formula that each car insurance company uses when providing you with a quote, there are many factors that do contribute to the price you pay for your insurance. Among the factors that car insurers consider are:

  • Your driving record
  • How much you drive
  • Location
  • Age
  • Marital status
  • Gender
  • Your car’s make, model and year
  • Your credit history (in some states)
  • Amount of car insurance coverage (required coverage and optional add-ons, such as collision and comprehensive)

One of the biggest misunderstandings when it comes to insurance rates is that the history of drivers in your area also contributes to how much you pay. For instance, even if you go two years without an accident, if there were a lot of accidents near you recently, your rates might still go up. Why is that the case?

Insurance companies disperse risk across all policyholders so that when it comes time to pay a claim, they have enough money to pay out. But imagine a scenario where they only raised rates for drivers with an accident. For drivers who had an expensive claim, drivers simply wouldn't be able to afford the raised rates that are based on how much their insurer had to pay after an accident. So instead, insurance companies slightly increase rates across the board to offset the costs, though of course, the at-fault driver may see a larger increase.

How much car insurance do I need?

You certainly don’t want to be underinsured or uninsured while staring at a claim after a car accident or other damage to your car. But at the same time, there’s no sense in paying for more coverage than you need, right? So it begs the question: How much car insurance coverage do you actually need?

The answer, as frustrating as it may be, is it depends. For example, someone insuring a brand-new, leased car is likely required to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage, but for someone driving an older car that doesn’t have much value, it may not make sense to purchase optional coverage. Plus, states have different car insurance requirements. There are 12 no-fault states that require their drivers to purchase personal injury protection (PIP).

So when it comes to determining what car insurance coverage and limits you should purchase, it’s important to do your research. Talk with an insurance agent or your insurance company to determine what makes the most sense for your situation.

How to save money on your car insurance?

At the end of the day, we’d all like to have the best coverage at a cheap, affordable price. While you never want to sacrifice quality to save a couple of dollars, there are some different ways you can lower your car insurance premium.

Here are six ways you may be able to lower your car insurance rates:

  • Bundle your car insurance with other policies
  • Consider raising your deductibles
  • Pay your car insurance policy in full
  • Try usage-based car insurance
  • Monitor price changes to your policy
  • Shop for better insurance rates

How do we rank car insurance companies?

Wondering how Clearsurance determines scores for insurance companies? Our algorithm analyzes a range of inputs from our community of unbiased insurance customers, including:

  • Cost
  • Customer Service
  • Overall Experience
  • Claim service
  • Purchasing experience
  • Likelihood to recommend

Car Insurance Guide

Whether you’re buying your insurance directly or going through an agent, understanding the different car insurance coverage options is a must. Do you know what is covered by comprehensive coverage? Are you familiar with uninsured motorist coverage? Do you know how a deductible works?

We want to make sure you’re equipped with proper knowledge of car insurance, so check out our practical guide to understanding car insurance. Looking for more educational information about car insurance? Check out our blog for more information and topics related to car insurance.

How car insurance rates are calculated

When searching and comparing car insurance quotes, it can be frustrating trying to understand how your insurance rates are calculated. While there is no exact formula that each car insurance company uses when providing you a quote, there are many factors that do contribute to the price you pay for your insurance. Among the factors that car insurers consider are:

  • Your driving record
  • How much you drive
  • Location
  • Age
  • Marital status
  • Gender
  • Your car’s make, model and year
  • Your credit history (in some states)
  • Amount of car insurance coverage (required coverage and optional add-ons, such as collision and comprehensive)

One of the biggest misunderstanding when it comes to insurance rates is that the history of drivers in your area also contributes to how much you pay. For instance, even if you go two years without an accident, if there were a lot of accidents near you recently, your rates might still go up. Why is that the case?

Insurance companies disperse risk across all policyholders so that when it comes time to pay a claim, they have enough money to pay out. But imagine a scenario where they only raised rates for drivers with an accident. For drivers who had an expensive claim, the drivers simply wouldn't be able to afford the raised rates that are based off how much their insurer had to pay after an accident. So instead, insurance companies slightly increase rates across the board to offset the costs, though of course the at-fault driver may see a larger increase.

How much car insurance do I need?

You certainly don’t want to be underinsured or uninsured while staring at a claim after a car accident or other damage to your car. But at the same time, there’s no sense in paying for more coverage than you need, right? So it begs the question: How much car insurance coverage do you actually need?

The answer, as frustrating as it may be, is it depends. For example, someone insuring a brand-new, leased car is likely required to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage, but for someone driving an older car that doesn’t have much value, it may not make sense to purchase optional coverage. Plus, states have different car insurance requirements. There are 12 no-fault states that require its drivers to purchase personal injury protection (PIP).

So when it comes to determining what car insurance coverage and limits you should purchase, it’s important to do your research. Talk with an insurance agent or your insurance company to determine what makes the most sense for your situation.

How to save money on your car insurance

At the end of the day, we’d all like to have the best coverage at a cheap, affordable price. While you never want to sacrifice quality to save a couple of dollars, there are some different ways you can lower your car insurance premium.

Here are six ways you may be able to lower your car insurance rates:

  • Bundle your car insurance with other policies
  • Consider raising your deductibles
  • Pay your car insurance policy in full
  • Try usage-based car insurance
  • Monitor price changes to your policy
  • Shop for better insurance rates

How we rank car insurance companies

Wondering how Clearsurance determines scores for insurance companies? Our algorithm analyzes a range of inputs from our community of unbiased insurance customers, including:

  • Cost
  • Customer Service
  • Overall Experience
  • Claim service
  • Purchasing experience
  • Likelihood to recommend

Guide to understanding car insurance

Whether you’re buying your insurance direct or going through an agent, understanding the different car insurance coverage options is a must. Do you know what is covered by comprehensive coverage? Are you familiar with uninsured motorist coverage? Do you know how a deductible works?

We want to make sure you’re equipped with a proper knowledge of car insurance, so check out our practical guide to understanding car insurance. Looking for more educational information about car insurance? Check out our blog for more information and topics related to car insurance.

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