Best Washington, D.C. SR-22 Insurance in 2024
Washington, D.C. SR-22 requirements
If you’ve been convicted of a driving violation and your license has been suspended, you’re required to file an SR-22 form in Washington, D.C. After certain violations, such as a DUI or driving without car insurance, you may be required by the court or D.C. authorities to file an SR-22. By requiring you to get this coverage, the authorities are making sure you have enough coverage to meet your financial liabilities if an accident were to happen.
The SR-22 form is an add-on to your current standard auto insurance policy. It’s often called SR22 insurance because it significantly affects your car insurance rates. It’s an expensive policy because you are considered a high-risk driver. On average, the cost of SR22 insurance in Washington, D.C. after a DUI is 56.5 percent higher than car insurance for a driver with a clean record.
Generally, you’re required to have SR-22 insurance for a minimum of three years, but it could possibly be longer depending on your specific infraction. As long as you pay on time and maintain a clean driving record, you will no longer need SR-22 insurance once your required time is up.
Once you no longer need SR-22 insurance, your provider's rate will most likely decrease. If your SR-22 insurance is canceled or another offense occurred during your filing period, you will have to begin the process all over again. Your license and vehicle registration could also be suspended.
SR-22 insurance limits in Washington, D.C.
An SR22 insurance form verifies that you have at least the minimum amount of car insurance coverage required in Washington, D.C. Here is the minimum coverage and limits in the District of Columbia:
- Liability:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability coverage
- Uninsured motorist:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 property damage per accident
Who needs SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C.?
In Washington, D.C., SR22 insurance is required in a few different instances 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 smaller violations within a short span of time. SR-22 insurance is required 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
- Reckless or dangerous driving
- Assignment from a court order
- Failure to pay fines from tickets
- Refused consent to breathalyzer or blood alcohol test
Washington, D.C. SR-22 insurance rates
If you need SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C., your car insurance rates will likely increase significantly. When you’re required to have an SR-22, 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 based on your auto insurance company and by state. There are many other factors that go into the cost of SR-22 insurance such as your age, gender, location, 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 Washington, D.C. pay $2,257 per year for car insurance. That’s 56.5 percent more than car insurance for a driver with a clean driving record. However, the cost you pay differs significantly based on the company you buy car insurance from. In the table below, you can find average rates for Washington, D.C. drivers who have one DUI conviction from some of the largest companies in the state.
| Company | Car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| USAA* | $1,978 |
| Erie | $1,631 |
| Progressive | $1,773 |
| Geico | $1,789 |
| State Farm | $2,663 |
| Nationwide | $3,174 |
| Allstate | $3,660 |
*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 Alabama 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 Washington, D.C.
To obtain an SR-22 insurance form in Washington, D.C., 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 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 increases your rates in Washington, D.C. and rates 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 Washington, D.C. If you want to see which companies customers say are the best car insurance companies for SR22 insurance in Washington, D.C., sort the table by highest rated. You can sort through companies and find the ones you want to get quotes from. To get 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 Washington, D.C., you can utilize the Washington, D.C. Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (DC AIP) to help you find coverage.
SR-22 fees in Washington, D.C.
In addition to increased insurance rates, there’s also a fee most insurance companies charge to file the SR22 form. Typically filing SR22 fees in Washington, D.C. range between $15 and $35, depending on your company.
There are additional fees you may need to pay depending on your conviction. If your license was suspended, the driver’s license reinstatement fee in D.C. is $98. DUI conviction is very costly but is one of the most common reasons people need SR-22 insurance. A DUI in D.C. could mean jail time, points on your license, SR-22 insurance, license revocation and fines.