Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in Washington, D.C. (2024)


State Farm and Erie offer the cheapest minimum coverage SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C., charging an average of $600 and $611 per year, respectively. GEICO and State Farm are the cheapest companies for non-owner SR-22 insurance, with an average cost of $267 and $467 per year, respectively.

SR-22 is not actually a type of car insurance but a mandated certificate of financial responsibility that lets the District of Columbia know that your auto policy meets the district's minimum insurance requirements. Your insurer files it with the DMV on your behalf, and it is generally required following severe violations like a DUI.

MoneyGeek Logo IconCheapest SR-22 InsuranceWashington, DC
2024

Cheapest Companies for SR-22 Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? Our team obtained data from the Washington, D.C., Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to determine the most affordable SR-22 insurance companies for various driver profiles.

6,584Quotes Analyzed
 
8Companies Compared

Cheapest Companies for SR-22 Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

The following insurance providers offer the cheapest minimum coverage policies for drivers with a DUI in Washington, D.C.:

These companies are the most affordable options for full coverage policies:

Insurers generally charge higher rates for drivers with offenses on their record as they are considered high-risk drivers. However, it's still possible to find cheap SR-22 car insurance following a violation by shopping around. drivers can still find affordable insurance by shopping around.

The table below lists the cheapest companies for SR-22 car insurance in Washington, D.C., along with their average costs, ranging from $600 per year to $1,796 per year.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Coverage:
Coverage:Minimum Coverage
Driving Violation:
Driving Violation:DUI
State Farm$600$50
Erie$611$51
Progressive$618$52
Chubb$773$64
Allstate$838$70
GEICO$857$71
Nationwide$1,796$150

What Is SR-22 in Washington, D.C.?

An SR-22 is a mandated certificate of financial responsibility, not a type of insurance policy. You may be required to file an SR-22 in Iowa after a severe moving violation to prove that your insurance policy meets Washington, D.C.’s, minimum auto coverage requirements.

In most cases, you'll need to keep an SR-22 on file for one to five years, depending on the severity of the offense. If you commit repeat offenses, the filing period may be longer.

Following a violation that requires an SR-22, your insurer will file this form with the Washington, D.C., DMV on your behalf. Your insurance rates will likely increase after filing since insurers will consider you a high-risk driver.

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Once the terms of your financial responsibility requirement are completed, your insurance provider must file a Financial Responsibility Cancellation Form to notify the District of Columbia that your mandatory filing period is over.

Cheapest Companies for Non-Owner SR-22 Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

MoneyGeek’s research found that the following insurance providers offer the cheapest non-owner SR-22 car insurance in Washington, D.C.:

Non-owner car insurance can fulfill the liability coverage requirements for drivers who are required to carry SR-22 but don't own a vehicle. If you have a military background, USAA is another great option, with an average annual rate of $461.

In some cases, you may still be required to file an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. You might need non-owner car insurance if your vehicle was totaled or if you need to get your license reinstated.

The cheapest companies for non-owner auto insurance in Washington, D.C., are listed below, along with their average costs. Rates range from $404 per year to $1,198 per year.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Driving Violation:
Driving Violation:Accident $1000-$1999 Prop Dmg
GEICO$404$34
State Farm$540$45
Progressive$894$74
Nationwide$1,198$100
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WHAT IS NON-OWNER CAR INSURANCE?

A non-owner car insurance policy is ideal for drivers who don’t own a vehicle, such as those who frequently rent or borrow cars, professional drivers or non-owner drivers who need to file an SR-22. A non-owner policy provides coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage in an at-fault accident. MoneyGeek compiled the cheapest non-owner car insurance in Washington, D.C., to help you find the best option for your budget.

Average Cost of SR-22 Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

The average cost of SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C., for a driver with a DUI is $870 per year for minimum coverage and $1,917 per year for full coverage. Keep in mind that you might need to file an SR-22 for other offenses like a speeding ticket or an at-fault accident.

Driving offenses can cause your auto insurance rates to increase significantly because insurance companies consider you a riskier driver to insure.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Coverage:
Coverage:Minimum Coverage
Clean$533$44
Ticket$633$53
At-Fault Accident$787$66
DUI$870$73
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Insurance rates change over time, so it’s important to compare quotes from several insurers annually or whenever you renew your policy to ensure that you continue to get the most affordable SR-22 car insurance in Washington, D.C.

How SR-22 Affects Car Insurance Rates in Washington, D.C.

You can expect your rates to increase after you file an SR-22, as insurers consider you a high-risk driver. In Washington, D.C., drivers with a DUI on their record pay an average of $318 more per year for a policy than drivers with clean records.

In addition to moving violations such as DUIs and at-fault accidents, other situations that may require an SR-22 include not complying with court-mandated child support, driving without insurance and reinstating a suspended or revoked license.

Car Insurance Rate Comparison Based on Driving Records in Washington, D.C.

carInsurance
Clean Driving Record

Annual Premium for Minimum Coverage

$5,552
accident2
After a DUI

Annual Premium for Minimum Coverage

$870
Car insurance premiums after a DUI are on average: :$4,682 saved

This is 84% less expensive.

Other Effects of SR-22 on Car Insurance in Washington, D.C.

In addition to leading to an increase in rates, an SR-22 can also impact your car insurance in several other ways.

  1. 1
    Limited insurance options

    An SR-22 indicates to insurers that you are a high-risk driver, so you may have a harder time finding insurance as fewer providers may be willing to insure you.

  2. 2
    Possible policy cancellation

    In some instances, your insurer might cancel the remainder of your policy following an SR-22 filing. You will need to immediately seek coverage elsewhere to avoid a lapse in coverage.

  3. 3
    Length of required filing

    The SR-22 filing period generally ranges from one to three years, but it can extend up to five years for severe violations or repeat offenses. The requirement will reset if there’s a lapse in coverage during this time.

  4. 4
    Filing fees

    Keep in mind that you may need to pay a one-time fee to file an SR-22, which is usually between $15 and $50.

How to Get SR-22 Insurance in Washington, D.C.

Getting car insurance after a moving violation in Washington, D.C., usually involves following these steps:

  • Look for an insurance company offering policies to drivers with violations on their record.
  • Get an insurance policy that meets the minimum auto insurance requirements in Washington, D.C.
  • Ask your insurer to file an SR-22 with the disctrict on your behalf.
  • Pay the necessary fees and be sure to keep the filing up to date.
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WASHINGTON, D.C., LICENSE REINSTATEMENT FEE

In order to reinstate your license after it’s suspended, you'll need to pay a fee. License reinstatement fees vary from state to state but usually range from $75 to $150. These fees are subject to change, so it’s best to check with your local DMV for the most up-to-date information.

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Washington, D.C., After a DUI

Purchasing an insurance policy after a DUI will usually be more expensive, but you can still find affordable SR-22 car insurance by following these steps.

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    Compare quotes immediately

    When looking for SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C., after a DUI, it’s best to compare quotes from many providers. Every insurer evaluates risk differently, so shopping around will help you get the best rate.

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    Complete DUI classes or programs

    You might also qualify for lower rates if you participate in a DUI program, such as those offered by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program. Such programs are designed to help individuals learn low-risk behavior and reduce the likelihood of future offenses.

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    Look for discounts

    Qualifying for discounts can help you reduce your auto insurance expenses, even after a violation. Although you will no longer be eligible for safe-driver or similar discounts, look for an insurer that offers discounts for bundling, installing safety features, insuring multiple cars, paying in full or setting up electronic billing.

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    Practice safe driving

    The best way to qualify for lower rates over time is to practice safe driving habits and avoid future accidents and offenses. If possible, drive less often or reduce your driving distances to reduce the likelihood of a violation.

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    Shop rates over time

    Insurance rates change over time, so even if you currently have the best rate, that may not always be the case. Be sure to shop around when it comes time to renew your policy as another insurer may be offering better rates.

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Drivers with a bad driving history can also consider getting a non-standard auto insurance policy. Such a policy is ideal for drivers with violations on their records, but it will cost significantly more.

Frequently Asked Questions About SR-22 Insurance in Washington, D.C.

MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about SR-22 car insurance in Washington, D.C., to help you learn more.

What are the cheapest SR-22 car insurance options in Washington, D.C.?

How much does filing an SR-22 increase car insurance rates, on average?

How long do you need to have SR-22 in Washington, D.C.?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


sources
  • Washington Regional Alcohol Program. "WRAP." Accessed September 27, 2024.