UPDATED: JANUARY 03, 2023 | 2 MIN READ
Illinois requires SR-22 insurance from drivers with a DUI, reckless driving, and other serious driving violations, including driving while uninsured. If the state suspends your driver’s license, they require SR-22 insurance for reinstatement. If you need SR-22 insurance in Illinois, read to learn what SR-22 insurance entails, how much SR-22 costs, and the carriers with affordable rates.
SR-22 insurance: What You Need to Know
The word “SR-22 insurance” is a bit of a misnomer, as it’s not a form of auto insurance. An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that certifies you meet the minimum state liability insurance requirements. Illinois requires an SR-22 certificate from a driver’s insurance company after they commit a serious driving violation, such as a DUI. If you lose your driving privileges, the state of Illinois requires the SR-22 for reinstatement.
How much does an SR-22 cost in Illinois?
Illinois car insurance rates for minimum liability insurance are lower than the national average, but high-risk drivers with an SR-22 pay higher rates. The average cost for Illinois SR-22 insurance is around $96 a month or $1,149 annually. An SR-22 insurance policy costs more than a standard auto insurance policy. A driver with an SR-22 in Illinois can expect to pay almost double the insurance premiums compared to motorists with good driving records.
Many insurance companies offer SR-22s. State Farm offers Illinois’s cheapest SR-22 insurance coverage at $82 a month or $994 a year. The rate represents a 65% increase over standard insurance rates for good drivers without an SR-22 form. One of Illinois’s most expensive SR-22 insurance providers is GEICO at $2,190 a year, or $183 a month. Your rate for SR-22 coverage will vary based on your vehicle, age, gender, and location.
| Company | Avg. Cost per Month With an SR-22 & DUI | Avg. Cost Increase After a DUI |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $82 | 65% |
| Progressive | $84 | 16% |
| USAA | $89 | 117% |
| American Family | $102 | 78% |
| GEICO | $183 | 70% |
When are you required to get SR-22 certificate in Illinois?
You need SR-22 insurance after several driving offenses. These driving violations include a DUI, a lapse in a previous SR-22 form, and multiple speeding tickets. SR-22 insurance also applies with:
- History of running red lights
- Repeat offenses of driving without insurance
- History of at-fault accidents without insurance
- Failure to pay damages after at-fault accident
Illinois may also require an SR-22 for drivers with unpaid child support judgments or a history of repeatedly evading toll fares.
How long do you have to carry an SR-22 in Illinois?
Illinois requires drivers have an SR-22 for a minimum of three years. Depending on your driving offense, the state may require an SR-22 for more than three years. Your SR-22 in Illinois must remain active the entire time of its requirement.
How a DUI impacts your car insurance rates in Illinois
A charge for driving under the influence leads to an SR-22 in Illinois. The penalties for a DUI include an SR-22, which you file for license reinstatement. DUI convictions increase your car insurance rates by 15% or more, with most increases over 60%. Illinois also keeps the DUI on your driving record for life, which can affect your insurance premium for up to five years.
Driving without insurance
Operating a car without the proper Illinois liability insurance often results in an SR-22 requirement. The charge may include suspension of your driver’s license for up to three months, and Illinois requires an SR-22 form for reinstatement. Providing false insurance information also results in an SR-22 in Illinois.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance
Licensed Illinois drivers with a DUI or other serious driving offenses may need an SR-22 even if they don’t own a car. The SR-22 insurance for drivers without a car is called non-owner SR-22 insurance in Illinois. Although SR-22 non-owner insurance costs less than traditional SR-22 insurance, it’s still expensive compared to a regular car insurance policy for good drivers. If you live in a household with someone who owns a car, you’re ineligible for non-owner insurance and will need a regular SR-22 policy.
How to get SR-22 insurance
You must tell your insurance company if you need SR-22 coverage in Illinois. Not every auto insurance carrier offers SR-22 insurance, so if yours doesn’t, you will need to find one that does. Next, you will pay a small one-time filing fee of $25. Your insurance carrier will file the form with the Illinois Secretary of State and then increase car insurance rates by 20% or more, depending on your offense. Illinois requires an SR-22 form for a minimum of three years, so you must keep your policy active for at least three years.
FAQs
What is an SR-22 form, and who needs it?
An SR-22 form is a certification you have the required minimum liability insurance in Illinois. Your insurance company files it with the Illinois Secretary of State office if you need an SR-22 for a DUI, driving without insurance, or other major violations.
How much does SR-22 insurance in Illinois cost a year?
The average annual cost for SR-22 insurance in IL is $1,149. Your SR-22 insurance rate will vary based on your carrier, location, age, gender, and vehicle.
Who offers cheap SR-22 coverage in IL?
State Farm features the lowest average SR-22 insurance in Illinois. With average rates of $82 a month, it’s one of the most affordable carriers for SR-22 forms in IL. Your rate may vary.
How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Illinois?
Illinois requires drivers to maintain SR-22 forms for a minimum of three years. If your SR-22 policy lapses, you will need SR-22 coverage again, and the clock starts over. License suspension may also apply if you let your SR-22 insurance lapse before the three years.
Do I need SR-22 insurance if I don’t own a vehicle in Illinois?
If Illinois says you need SR-22 as a licensed driver, you must purchase non-owner SR-22 insurance if you don’t have a car. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is cheaper than traditional SR-22 insurance but more expensive than insurance for drivers with a clean record.
Compare SR-22 insurance in Illinois
Illinois features higher car insurance requirements than other states, and failure to carry proper insurance may result in an SR-22. A DUI or other traffic violations require SR-22 insurance in Illinois, and the requirement often doubles a driver’s car insurance premium. One of the best ways to save on SR-22 coverage in IL is by comparing car insurance rates from multiple insurance agencies. We have everything you need to find a great new rate and save. Use our online tool for your rates now.
