Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in Kentucky: 2026 Rates and Requirements

Travelers offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Kentucky at $78/mo. Compare rates by violation, city, and coverage level to find the best deal.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: April 23, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Travelers offers the lowest SR-22 minimum coverage rate in Kentucky at $78 per month.

Kentucky drivers with a DUI pay an average of $136 per month for minimum SR-22 coverage, $59 above the clean-record baseline of $77 per month.

Kentucky requires SR-22 filing for three years. A coverage lapse immediately re-suspends your license and restarts the clock.

Cheapest SR-22 Insurance in Kentucky

Travelers offers the lowest SR-22 minimum coverage rate in Kentucky at $78 per month. State Farm is the second-cheapest option at $80 per month, just $2 more per month than Travelers. Both rates fall well below the state average of $111 per month for minimum coverage, representing roughly a 30% to 43% savings compared to the statewide average.

Drivers seeking the lowest rate to reinstate their license should consider Travelers at $78 per month for minimum coverage. Travelers also leads on full coverage at $142 per month for drivers with a financed vehicle who need full coverage car insurance in Kentucky. Drivers with a poor credit history should compare options using our guide to car insurance for drivers with bad credit to find the best rate for their profile.


Travelers	$78	$142	43%
State Farm	$80	$188	30%
Geico	$95	$196	24%
Nationwide	$133	$208	11%
Progressive	$147	$217	5%

Cheapest SR-22 by Violation in Kentucky

Travelers offers the lowest SR-22 rate among providers for drivers with serious violations in Kentucky, with minimum coverage starting at $78 per month. A DUI carries the highest average rate at $136 per month for minimum coverage, a $58 monthly gap compared to the lowest violation category. Drivers convicted of a DUI should review our guide to Kentucky DUI car insurance and car insurance after a DUI for strategies to lower their rate over time.


Drivers With Other Violations	Travelers	$78	$142	39%

Cheapest SR-22 Insurance in Kentucky by City

SR-22 rates in Kentucky vary by city, with drivers in smaller markets generally paying less than those in Louisville or Lexington. Travelers leads as the cheapest SR-22 provider across most Kentucky cities, making it a consistent choice regardless of where you live. Comparing options city by city is the fastest way to find savings. See our full guide to the cheapest car insurance in Kentucky for rates beyond SR-22 drivers.


Lexington	Travelers	$78	$142	40%
Louisville	Travelers	$82	$148	38%
Bowling Green	State Farm	$79	$185	32%
Owensboro	Travelers	$80	$143	39%
Covington	Travelers	$83	$150	37%

Best SR-22 Insurance Companies in Kentucky

Travelers ranks first among SR-22 insurers in Kentucky, leading on affordability with the lowest minimum coverage rate at $78 per month. Its strong presence across Kentucky cities means SR-22 drivers statewide can access its rates without geographic restriction, making it the top choice for drivers who need to reinstate their license at the lowest possible cost.

Progressive ranks second and leads on coverage depth among the top SR-22 providers in Kentucky, making it a good fit for drivers who want broader protection during their three-year filing period. Drivers who want to compare beyond SR-22 options should review our guide to best car insurance in Kentucky and the full list of best car insurance companies to find the right fit after their SR-22 requirement ends.


Travelers	4.87	5	4.5	4.7
Progressive	4.4	4.2	4.8	4.3
State Farm	4.36	4.6	4	4.2
Geico	4.22	4.5	4	4
Nationwide	4.18	4.3	4.4	4.1

Top Pick for Cheapest SR-22 Rates in Kentucky

Travelers

Travelers offers the lowest SR-22 minimum coverage rate in Kentucky at $78 per month, giving drivers with serious violations the most affordable path to license reinstatement. The company's NAIC complaint ratio is 0.68, below the national median of 1.00, indicating fewer complaints than expected for its size. MoneyGeek's research finds Travelers delivers on price without sacrificing baseline service quality for SR-22 policyholders. Travelers holds an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior).

Top Pick for SR-22 Coverage Depth in Kentucky

Progressive

Progressive offers SR-22 rates in Kentucky at $147 per month for minimum coverage and leads the top-ranked providers on coverage breadth, making it a good fit for drivers who want more than bare-minimum protection during their three-year filing period. Progressive's NAIC complaint ratio is 0.88, below the national median, reflecting above-average customer satisfaction for its market size. MoneyGeek's research finds Progressive's wide range of add-on coverage options valuable for SR-22 drivers who also need rideshare or gap coverage. Progressive holds an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior).

How Much Is SR-22 Insurance in Kentucky?

Kentucky drivers with a DUI pay an average of $136 per month for minimum coverage SR-22 insurance, compared to $77 per month for drivers with a clean record, a 77% increase. Other violations such as speeding and texting while driving carry lower SR-22 rates. Review the average cost of car insurance in Kentucky and use the car insurance calculator Kentucky to estimate your personal rate.

Data filtered by:


DUI - BAC >= .08	State Minimum Liability Only	$136	$1,632	+$59/mo
At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)	State Minimum Liability Only	$115	$1,380	+$38/mo
Speeding 11-15 MPH over limit	State Minimum Liability Only	$94	$1,128	+$17/mo
Texting While Driving	State Minimum Liability Only	$91	$1,092	+$14/mo

SR-22 FILING FEE IN KENTUCKY

Kentucky insurers charge a one-time filing fee to submit your SR-22 to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing. Fees typically run $15 to $25. This fee is separate from your insurance premium and from the state reinstatement fee, which varies by violation type.

Kentucky SR-22 Insurance Requirements

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility, not an insurance policy, that your insurer files with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing to confirm you carry the state minimum liability coverage. Kentucky requires the SR-22 for three years from the conviction date. Kentucky does not use FR-44; SR-22 is the only financial responsibility certificate required in the state.

If your coverage lapses at any point during the three-year period, your license is re-suspended immediately and the clock restarts from scratch with no grace period. Reinstating your license requires a new SR-22 on file plus a $40 reinstatement fee paid to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing. Drivers who have been dropped by their insurer can access coverage through the Kentucky Automobile Insurance Plan as a last resort.

Kentucky Minimum Liability Limits

Kentucky's SR-22 requirement means you must carry at least the state minimum liability limits shown below. These are the floor, not a recommendation.

$25,000 Bodily Injury Per Person

Covers injuries to one person in an accident you cause, up to $25,000.

$50,000 Bodily Injury Per Accident

Covers total bodily injury costs for all people injured in a single accident you cause, up to $50,000.

$25,000 Property Damage

Covers damage to another person's property in an accident you cause, up to $25,000. Kentucky's 25/50/25 minimum is below the national average. Drivers with assets to protect should consider higher limits.

SR-22 Filing Types in Kentucky

Kentucky issues two types of SR-22 certificates. The correct type depends on whether you own the vehicle you drive.

Owners Certificate

For drivers who own the vehicle they are insuring. This is the standard SR-22 filed with your auto policy.

Operators Certificate

A non-owner SR-22 for drivers who do not own a vehicle. Filed with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing, it covers any non-owned vehicle you drive. Learn more about non-owner SR-22 insurance and non-owner car insurance in Kentucky.

Fees, Lapse Rules, and Filing Process

Kentucky's $40 reinstatement fee is the lowest in this series, but the three-year clock restart means a missed payment costs far more in time than in money.

SR-22 Filing Fee

$15 to $25, one-time, charged by your insurer at policy inception. This is separate from your premium and from the state reinstatement fee.

Coverage Lapse Consequences

A lapse in coverage triggers immediate license re-suspension. The three-year SR-22 clock restarts from scratch with no grace period, and you must pay the $40 reinstatement fee again before your license can be reissued.

Filing Process

Your insurer files electronically with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing. The filing reaches the state within 24 to 48 hours, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet confirms receipt within three to five business days.

WHAT TO DO IF INSURERS DENY YOU COVERAGE

If two or more standard market insurers have denied you coverage, you may qualify for the Kentucky Automobile Insurance Plan (KAIP). KAIP provides state minimum liability coverage (25/50/25) as a last resort. Apply through any licensed Kentucky insurance agent. Rates are higher than voluntary market rates, but KAIP keeps you legal while your SR-22 is active. Learn more about low-income car insurance in Kentucky.

SR-22 Insurance in Kentucky: Bottom Line

Travelers is the cheapest SR-22 insurer in Kentucky at $78 per month for minimum coverage. Drivers who want broader protection during their three-year filing period, particularly those with a financed vehicle or who value coverage depth, should consider Progressive, which leads on coverage breadth among top-ranked SR-22 providers. Before your SR-22 period ends, confirm with your insurer that the filing has been formally released by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing to avoid any gap in your driving record. Once your SR-22 requirement is complete, compare standard rates with our guide to cheapest car insurance in Kentucky to find better pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions About SR-22 Insurance in Kentucky

Who has the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Kentucky?

Travelers offers the cheapest SR-22 minimum coverage in Kentucky at $78 per month for a 40-year-old driver with good credit. State Farm is a close second at $80 per month. The cheapest provider for minimum coverage may differ from the cheapest for full coverage. Travelers also leads on full coverage at $142 per month.

How much does SR-22 insurance cost after a DUI in Kentucky?

The statewide average for SR-22 minimum coverage after a DUI in Kentucky is $136 per month. This is the average across all providers, not the cheapest available rate. Individual providers may offer rates substantially below the state average. The cheapest rates from individual providers are shown in the table above.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Kentucky?

Kentucky requires SR-22 filing for three years from the conviction date. The clock starts on the conviction date, not the filing date. If your coverage lapses at any point, your license is re-suspended immediately and the three-year period restarts from scratch. There is no grace period.

Does Kentucky allow insurers to use credit scores for SR-22 pricing?

Yes. Kentucky allows insurers to use credit scores as a rating factor for auto insurance, including SR-22 policies. SR-22 drivers with poor credit pay more than those with good credit for the same violation. This differs from California, where Proposition 103 prohibits credit-based pricing. Kentucky insurers must file their credit scoring models with the state insurance department.

What does an SR-22 filing cost in Kentucky?

Kentucky insurers charge a one-time SR-22 filing fee of $15 to $25 at policy inception. This fee is set by the insurer, not the state, and is separate from your premium. You will also owe a $40 reinstatement fee to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing before your license can be reissued. If your coverage lapses and you must refile, both fees apply again.

What happens if no insurer will cover me in Kentucky?

If two or more standard market insurers deny you coverage, you qualify for the Kentucky Automobile Insurance Plan (KAIP). KAIP provides state minimum liability coverage (25/50/25) as a last resort for high-risk drivers. You apply through any licensed Kentucky insurance agent. Rates through KAIP are higher than voluntary market rates, but the plan keeps you legally covered while your SR-22 is active.

MoneyGeek analyzed SR-22 insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services across Kentucky cities and violation types. SR-22 rates reflect coverage for drivers with suspended licenses or serious violations including DUIs, speeding convictions, and at-fault accidents.

Clean record baseline rates reflect a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record, good credit, and a 2012 Toyota Camry LE driving 12,000 miles annually. Coverage levels analyzed: state minimum liability (25/50/25) and full coverage (100/300/100 with $1,000 deductible).

Rates and regulatory information are reviewed and updated periodically. Kentucky regulatory facts were verified from official state sources in April 2026.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.

His insights — on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance — have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR among others.

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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