Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance

First, let's be clear that an SR-22 isn't insurance. Even though people may use terms like ‘SR-22 Insurance’, it's actually a certificate that proves you carry the minimum required liability insurance. Your insurance company files this form with your state's DMV to verify your coverage meets legal requirements.

You need non-owner SR-22 insurance when the state requires this proof of financial responsibility but you don't own a vehicle. In other words, you need insurance but you don't own a vehicle. Common scenarios include selling your car after a DUI conviction, having your car impounded following a serious violation, relying on public transit or rideshares while your license was suspended, or borrowing cars from family and friends during your SR-22 requirement period. 

Non-owner insurance provides liability coverage when you borrow or rent vehicles. After purchasing a non-owner policy, your insurer files the SR-22 certificate with your state's DMV on your behalf, confirming you meet state minimum insurance requirements even without owning a car.

Here's how to get an SR-22 without a car.

1. Confirm you need an SR-22 filing. Contact your state's DMV to verify the requirement and understand specific coverage requirements. You'll receive official notification either at your court hearing or through a letter from the DMV.

2. Find an insurance company that offers non-owner SR-22 policies. Not all insurers provide non-owner SR-22 coverage, so call multiple companies before applying. Progressive, GEICO and The General commonly offer this coverage for high-risk drivers.

3. Purchase a non-owner car insurance policy meeting your state's minimum liability requirements. You'll need bodily injury and property damage coverage at state-mandated minimums. Most policies cost less than standard auto insurance since they don't include collision or comprehensive coverage.

4. Inform your insurance agent or insurer you need to file a non-owner SR-22. Your insurer will add the SR-22 certificate to your policy and electronically file it with your state's DMV. Some states require mail filing, which takes longer.

5. Pay the SR-22 filing fee, which ranges from $15 to $25. Some insurers charge this fee upfront, while others include it in each policy term. Your insurance company handles all paperwork and filing with the state.

6. Maintain continuous coverage for the required period, usually three years. If your policy lapses, your insurer must notify the DMV immediately. This triggers license suspension and resets your SR-22 requirement timeline, extending how long you'll need the filing.

7. Request an insurance letter of experience when your SR-22 requirement ends. This document verifies your continuous coverage history and helps lower future insurance premiums when you transition to standard coverage.

After a DUI, DWI or other major traffic violation, courts might order drivers to file an SR-22 form that certifies the convicted driver's insurance policy meets the state requirements. Those without vehicles must secure non-owner auto insurance to maintain driving privileges. Any coverage lapse forces drivers to restart the entire process, including purchasing new policies and potentially extending their filing period.

Unlike standard auto insurance that covers a specific vehicle and its regular drivers, non-owner insurance follows you as the driver. The coverage activates as secondary insurance when the vehicle owner's policy won't cover you or provide sufficient limits for damage you cause.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance provides liability-only coverage, which pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Coverage follows you as the driver rather than a specific vehicle. Policies usually include bodily injury liability and property damage liability, with uninsured motorist coverage available as an optional add-on.

Bodily injury liability pays for injuries you cause to others in at-fault accidents, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering damages and legal defense costs. Property damage liability handles damage to others' property: vehicle repairs, structures like buildings and fences, and public property like traffic signals and guardrails.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance only offers liability coverage. It’s designed for occasional drivers who don’t own a car but need to meet SR-22 requirements.

Non-owner SR-22 car insurance benefits drivers who need SR-22 filing without owning a vehicle. This includes people who frequently borrow cars (monthly or more), regularly rent vehicles for business or travel (more than 20 days a year), or are maintaining continuous coverage between vehicles to avoid rate increases of 10% to 50%. You don't need it if you rarely drive, only drive household vehicles, have a company car, or never drive.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance offers a cost-effective way to get your license reinstated and make sure of legal compliance. Several key benefits include:

The national average cost for a non-owner SR-22 insurance policy is approximately $75 per month for a liability-only policy, or around $900 per year. Prices vary by state with estimates for non-owner SR-22 insurance ranging from $30 to $85 per month or $360 to over $1,000 annually. A one-time SR-22 filing fee of $15 to $25 may apply, which increases costs. Find your state below to better understand how much you should pay for coverage without a car.

State regulations create price variations of up to 300% for SR-22 insurance. No-fault states like Florida, New York and New Jersey charge higher premiums because their systems require coverage regardless of which driver is at fault. 

Several other key factors determine your non-owner SR-22 insurance premium:

• Violation type and severity: DUIs increase premiums more than other violations.
• Driving history: Multiple violations mean bigger increases.
• Location: State regulations and local risk factors impact pricing.
• Age and driving experience: Younger drivers pay more.
• Credit history: In most states, poor credit increases premiums by 30% to 50%.
• Coverage limits: Higher limits cost more but provide better protection.
• Insurance company: Rates vary between providers for identical coverage.

SR-22 filing requirements usually occur after DUIs, driving without insurance, multiple violations and at-fault accidents or license suspensions. If you move to another state during your mandated filing period, you must maintain your SR-22 (or alternative form) in the state where it was originally required.

Most states require SR-22 filings for three years, but the duration varies. For example, Alaska and Missouri allow one-year filings for minor violations, while Florida, Indiana and Oregon require up to five years for DUI convictions. Some insurance companies take care of the entire SR-22 filing process for you, while others require you to file through the DMV, pay a fee and provide proof to your insurer.

States use different financial responsibility forms that vary depending on your specific violation, knowing exactly which document you need helps avoid reinstatement delays, unnecessary costs and extended license suspensions. Your state might require one of these alternatives instead of an SR-22:

Travelers offers the best non-owner SR-22 insurance at just $40 monthly for a liability-only policy, with a MoneyGeek score of 98 out of 100. Progressive follows closely at $59 per month with a score of 96, while State Farm is the cheapest at $33 monthly, with a 94 rating.

Not all companies offer non-owner SR-22 insurance. Focus on providers with experience handling high-risk drivers, request quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rates and maintain continuous coverage throughout your required filing period. While limitations exist, non-owner SR-22 insurance offers a practical solution for meeting state requirements without vehicle ownership.

We analyzed data from over 50 insurance providers offering non-owner SR-22 policies across all 50 states. We gathered premium data directly from insurance filings and state departments of insurance, comparing rates across different driver profiles, violation types and coverage levels to show you real-world costs.

We used a 40-year-old driver with one at-fault accident resulting in property damage between $1,000 to $1,999. We collected quotes for minimum liability coverage required in each state, including bodily injury and property damage liability. All reported averages include SR-22 filing fees where applicable, so you see the true total cost.

Why this approach works: Non-owner SR-22 insurance serves drivers in specific situations, such as those with suspended licenses who need to prove financial responsibility to reinstate driving privileges, satisfy court orders or maintain continuous coverage. 

Many major insurers don't offer non-owner policies at all, making it critical to identify which companies actually write this coverage and understand their filing processes.