Does State Farm Offer SR22 Insurance?

If you’ve had your driver’s license suspended, you may be required by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain an SR22 form, also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR). This proves you have sufficient auto insurance coverage to get your driving privileges reinstated. But does State Farm offer SR22 insurance?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what an SR22 is, why you might need one, how much it costs with State Farm, how long you have to keep it on file, and more. With the proper SR22 insurance in place, you can get back on the road legally and responsibly.

What is an SR22?

An SR22 is not actually a type of insurance. It is simply a form that your insurance company files with the state on your behalf to prove you have active auto insurance coverage.

• SR stands for “Safety Responsibility”
• 22 is the form code

By filing the SR22, your insurer certifies that you have liability insurance meeting your state’s minimum requirements. This is mandatory in order to reinstate a suspended license.

Reasons your license might be suspended and trigger the need for an SR22 include:

• Multiple traffic violations
• DUI/DWI conviction
• Failure to pay traffic tickets
• Causing an accident without insurance
• Too many points on your driving record

The SR22 requirement is the state’s way of ensuring you carry adequate insurance to cover any damage you may cause in an accident. You’ll need to keep the SR22 on file with the DMV for a set period of time, usually 3-5 years.

Does State Farm Offer SR22 Insurance?

Yes, State Farm does provide SR22 filing services in most states for customers who need proof of financial responsibility.

To have State Farm file the SR22, you first need to purchase a standard auto insurance policy from them. This underlying policy provides the liability coverage that the SR22 certifies.

State Farm charges a one-time $15 to $25 SR22 filing fee, depending on your state. This covers the administrative costs of processing and submitting the form to the DMV on your behalf.

In addition to the filing fee, State Farm will likely increase your premium significantly due to the high-risk nature of drivers who need an SR22. We’ll break down estimated costs in more detail shortly.

SR22 Insurance Available Through State Farm

State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the U.S. and widely offers SR22 filing services. However, they do not provide SR22 insurance in Alaska, Hawaii, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia due to state-specific regulations.

If you live in one of those states and need to obtain a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, you’ll have to purchase coverage through another insurer that can provide SR22 filings in your area.

For all other states, State Farm should be able to handle your SR22 insurance needs. Just connect with a local State Farm agent to start the process.

How Much Does State Farm Charge for an SR22?

Drivers who need an SR22 pay more for their auto insurance, since they are considered high risk. State Farm will increase your premium significantly over a standard policy.

Exact rates depend on your personal factors like age, driving record, and location. But on average, State Farm charges the following for SR22 insurance:

• SR22 filing fee: $15 to $25
• Suspended license: $2,248 per year
• Reckless driving: $2,248 per year
• DUI: $2,248 per year
• No prior insurance: $798 per year

This amounts to an average increase of 146% compared to standard auto insurance rates. SR22 insurance through State Farm costs approximately $1,765 per year.

However, these are just ballpark figures. Your actual State Farm premium increase may be higher or lower based on your specific risk profile and policy limits.

Shopping around with other insurers may result in lower pricing for SR22 coverage. But State Farm does offer some ways to reduce costs like:

• Raising your deductible
• Dropping optional coverages temporarily
• Limiting your mileage
• Asking about discounts

How Long Will You Need an SR22 with State Farm?

State Farm must keep your SR22 on file with the DMV for as long as your state requires, typically 3 to 5 years. This mandatory period starts once your license suspension ends and you are legally able to drive again with a valid license.

During this time, it’s critical that you maintain continuous auto insurance coverage through State Farm. If your policy lapses or is canceled, State Farm is obligated to immediately notify the DMV. This will result in another license suspension.

To keep your SR22 active, make sure to pay your State Farm premiums on time each month or quarter. Alert your agent if you need to make any changes to your policy.

After your SR22 requirement period ends, State Farm will automatically remove the filing from your DMV record. You can then shop for standard auto insurance when it comes time to renew.

How to Cancel an SR22 with State Farm

You cannot cancel your State Farm SR22 filing on your own during the mandated time period or your license will be suspended again. The SR22 must remain in effect with the DMV for the full 3-5 years as evidence you are complying with insurance requirements.

Once you reach the end of your SR22 term, State Farm will take care of removing the form from your DMV record. You do not need to take any action to cancel the SR22 after meeting your state’s timeframe.

At this point, you can choose to switch insurance companies if desired. Your new insurer will not need to file an SR22 on your behalf.

The only way to cancel an SR22 early is if you no longer own or drive a vehicle. But this would also cancel your underlying State Farm auto insurance policy. Talk to your agent about your options if you need to stop driving and meet the SR22 requirements another way.

Can You Get an SR22 Without Insurance?

No – the entire purpose of the SR22 is to guarantee you have active auto insurance. The form itself does not provide any coverage. It is merely filed by your insurer to certify that you have the state minimum liability coverage.

There is no way to obtain just the SR22 form without an insurance policy in place. The two go hand in hand.

If your auto insurance lapses, the SR22 is automatically invalidated because you no longer have proof of financial responsibility. Maintaining continuous coverage is essential.

Other Ways to Meet Financial Responsibility Besides SR22 Insurance

In some states, there are alternatives to having your insurer file the SR22 form:

• State-mandated insurance policies – Also known as Compulsory Insurance or Assigned Risk Policies, these are bare minimum coverage plans issued to high-risk drivers. Rates are set by the state rather than insurers.

• Surety bond – This provides guarantee you’ll be financially responsible for any damages/injuries you cause up to the bond amount, usually $30,000. If you fail to pay, the bonding company will cover the costs instead of your insurer.

• Make a cash deposit – Some states let you deposit cash with the DMV to show financial responsibility. The deposit is generally around $60,000 and will be used to pay accident claims if necessary. This option is rare.

• File bankruptcy – May remove the SR22 requirement in some cases if your license was suspended due to unpaid tickets or judgments. Bankruptcy won’t help for suspensions due to major violations like DUIs.

Ask your State Farm agent or DMV if any non-SR22 alternatives apply in your state. But for most drivers, getting SR22 insurance is the only realistic path to restoring your license.

How State Farm SR22 Insurance Can Help

Having your license suspended and needing SR22 insurance can be stressful. But State Farm provides an easy pathway to regain your driving privileges.

Their agents can walk you through getting a standard auto insurance policy, adding the SR22 filing, monitoring your coverage to keep the form active, and eventually removing the SR22 upon completion of the mandatory term set by the DMV.

While SR22 insurance costs more and must be maintained for several years, it gives you the ability to legally operate a vehicle again as long as you follow the requirements. State Farm’s national availability, reputation, and helpful local agents make them a top choice for SR22 coverage.

The Bottom Line

Yes – State Farm does offer SR22 filing services to drivers who need to prove financial responsibility to reinstate their licenses.

Expect to pay State Farm a $15 to $25 filing fee plus significantly higher auto insurance rates compared to a standard policy. Maintain continuous coverage during the 3 to 5 year SR22 requirements period and State Farm will handle the rest.

Connect with a State Farm agent to learn more about SR22 insurance availability in your state. They can walk through all the steps to getting your license suspension lifted so you can drive legally once again.