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Last updated: August 16, 2024
Guide to SR-22s in Texas
When you’ll need one and how much it’ll raise your car insurance premium
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An SR-22 is a form that proves you meet Texas’ minimum liability insurance requirement. On this page, we’ll tell you when you’ll need an SR-22 and exactly how much having one will increase your car insurance rates. An SR-22 will designate you as a high-risk driver, so expect to pay more for the same coverage, no matter which car insurance company you go with.
SR-22 Insurance in Texas
On average, expect rates for car insurance in Texas to increase by 33 percent with an SR-22 compared to when you had a clean driving record. This percentage will vary by company, with possible increases of anywhere from 18 to 74 percent.
| Average annual cost of auto insurance in Texas | Clean record | SR-22 | Percentage difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $639 | $850 | 33% |
| AAA | $563 | $880 | 56% |
| Allstate | $563 | $977 | 74% |
| Farm Bureau | $420 | $672 | 60% |
| Farmers | $420 | $621 | 48% |
| GEICO | $660 | $824 | 25% |
| Mercury | $641 | $924 | 44% |
| Nationwide | $772 | $1,210 | 57% |
| Progressive | $589 | $912 | 55% |
| State Farm | $418 | $638 | 53% |
| The General | $1,252 | $1,481 | 18% |
| USAA | $584 | $966 | 65% |
Non-Owner Insurance
If you don’t own a car, you’ll have to get non-owner SR-22 insurance. Non-owner insurance costs less than regular insurance, as it includes liability insurance only, the minimum the state requires.
| Non-owner SR-22 insurance | Clean record | SR-22 | Percentage difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $254 | $375 | 48% |
| GEICO | $788 | $795 | 1% |
| Nationwide | $881 | $968 | 10% |
Texas SR-22s
You’ll be required to file an SR-22, proof of insurance, or a financial responsibility insurance certificate under the following circumstances/traffic violations:
- Your driving privileges have been suspended due to involvement in a car crash.
- You’ve received a second or subsequent conviction for driving without insurance.
- There has been a civil judgment filed against you.
Whatever the reason, you’ll have to maintain your SR-22 for two years following the date of the conviction or judgment. You’ll also need to pay a $100 license reinstatement fee.1 To get an SR-22, contact your insurance agent. Even if you don’t own a vehicle, if you’re required to get an SR-22, you’ll still need to do so, so look for non-owner car insurance.
How Texas Drivers Can Find Cheap Car Insurance
You may have trouble finding cheap car insurance with an SR-22 in Texas. Insurance costs are always higher with an SR-22, but here’s how to keep them as low as you can.
Get Minimum Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance
Liability coverage with the minimum limits required, detailed below, will cost the least amount of money with any car insurance company.
Raise Your Deductible
If you still have collision/comprehensive coverage, raise your deductible to lower your premium.
Lower Your Limits
Lower limits mean a lower premium (but also less financial protection if you have a claim).
Drop Add-ons
Some car insurance coverages are nice but not necessary, like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and new-car replacement coverage.
Take a Driver Training Class
If you have a teen driver in your household, you can help them improve their driving skills (and possibly unlock an insurance discount) by taking a parent-taught driver education course. You’ll learn how to help your child get a license and drive safely. Courses occur both online and in your car. Find a course in either English or Spanish here: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/dessearch.
Pay Per Mile
If you drive less than 7,500 per year on average, pay-per-mile insurance could save you money. Many companies offer test drives so you can compare rates to regular auto insurance policies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Texans have one of the highest average commuting times in the county, 26 minutes one way. However, if you’re part of the 25 percent who have a commute that is less than 15 minutes, or the 16 percent who work from home, pay-per-mile insurance could lower your premium.2
Get Rewarded for Safe Driving
If you’re a safe driver, you can try usage-based insurance, which takes into account your driving behaviors, like braking, accelerating, and driving while distracted by your phone. Usage-based insurance gathers data either through a mobile app or through a Bluetooth device you’ll plug into your car.
Ask for Discounts
You may not know what discounts you qualify for until you ask your insurance agent.
Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association
High-risk drivers with an SR-22 may have trouble finding car insurance in the private marketplace. If you’ve been rejected by two or more companies in the past 60 days, you are a Texas resident or have a Texas-registered vehicle, and you have a valid license (or need an SR-22 to get one), you are eligible for the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA). Insurance from TAIPA guarantees that you can get minimum liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Especially if you haven’t had any violations in the past year, you can find decent rates with TAIPA. However, once your record is clean for three years, you’re better off shopping in the private marketplace. To apply, talk to your agent, who will apply for you.3
NOTE:
Use TAIPA as a last resort only. It may not be cheaper than other companies, especially if your driving violation was recent. However, it does guarantee coverage for eligible high-risk drivers who may not be able to get it elsewhere.
Minimum Coverage Required
Texas requires minimum car insurance of:
- Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000
- Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000
- Property damage liability coverage per accident: $25,0004
You can save money by getting these minimum liability limits, but keep in mind that they won’t cover any of your (or your passengers’) bodily injuries or your property damages. For those, you’d need personal injury protection, collision, and comprehensive coverage, otherwise known as full coverage car insurance.
Recap
Want to learn more about driving in Texas? Read our article on whether you need Texas registration for car insurance. Or, for more information on SR-22s in Texas specifically, read our frequently asked questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an SR-22 cost in Texas?
It costs about $25 to $50 to have your insurer file an SR-22 with the Texas Department of Public Safety. You will also face a higher car insurance premium as a result of your SR-22 status, which indicates that you are a high-risk driver.
How do I get rid of an SR-22 in Texas?
The only way to get rid of an SR-22, aside from having the conviction or judgment overturned, is to wait two years.
What is the difference between an SR-22 and an SR-22A in Texas?
While an SR-22 proves you have minimum coverage, an SR-22A form certifies that you purchased a six-month prepaid policy with minimum limits. You will need to file an SR-22A only if the SR-22 was required due to a security deposit in a default or crash case, according to the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 37, Part 1, section 25.6.
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.
Citations
Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22). Texas Department of Public Safety. (2023).
https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/financial-responsibility-insurance-certificate-sr-22Commuting Characteristics by Sex. United States Census. (2023).
https://data.census.gov/tableFor Insureds. Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association. (2023).
https://taipa.org/for-insured/Auto insurance guide. Texas Department of Insurance. (2023).
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb020.html
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