SR-22
A certificate filed by your insurer with the state certifying that you carry the minimum required auto liability insurance.
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance—it is a certificate of financial responsibility filed electronically by your auto insurer with your state's DMV to prove that you carry the legally required minimum liability coverage. States require SR-22 filing after serious driving violations including DUI/DWI convictions, driving without insurance, reckless driving, multiple at-fault accidents, or license suspension.
Not all insurers file SR-22 certificates; some non-standard (high-risk) insurers specialize in them. Because SR-22 status signals elevated risk, premiums typically increase substantially—sometimes doubling or more. The SR-22 requirement usually remains in force for three years from the reinstatement date, during which any lapse in coverage triggers immediate notification to the DMV and re-suspension of your license.
Costs for filing the SR-22 certificate itself are modest ($25–$50 one-time fee); the real cost is the resulting premium increase over the filing period. Maintaining a clean record during the SR-22 period is essential for eventually returning to standard market rates.
Real-World Example
After a DUI conviction, the driver was required to carry an SR-22 for three years; his premium more than doubled from $900 to $2,100 per year.