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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
If you’re involved in a serious traffic violation in the state of Arizona, you may need to hold SR-22 insurance after the violation occurs or if authorities catch you driving without insurance. SR-22 forms let the state know you meet the minimum auto insurance coverage requirements to legally drive in the Grand Canyon State.[1]
Here’s what you need to know about how SR-22 insurance in Arizona works.
SR-22 insurance can increase auto insurance rates, but you can compare quotes to find the best deal.
You must maintain SR-22 insurance for three years in Arizona.
Moving out of Arizona doesn’t free you of an SR-22 requirement.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Arizona
Unfortunately, when hit with an SR-22 requirement, you can expect your auto insurance premium to rise. Comparing quotes with a few different Arizona car insurance companies is a great way to see which company can offer you the right amount of coverage for the best deal.
This table can help you find a few of the best and most affordable auto insurance companies in Arizona.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $63 | $106 |
Mile Auto | $70 | $121 |
State Farm | $78 | $130 |
GEICO | $80 | $135 |
USAA | $87 | $146 |
Metromile | $104 | $174 |
Root | $107 | $168 |
Sun Coast | $110 | $217 |
National General | $115 | $272 |
Allstate | $129 | $217 |
Travelers | $135 | $225 |
Progressive | $136 | $243 |
Mercury | $139 | $238 |
Safeco | $143 | $209 |
Dairyland | $146 | $368 |
Direct Auto | $148 | $323 |
American Family | $152 | $255 |
COUNTRY Financial | $152 | $254 |
Clearcover | $155 | $261 |
The Hartford | $157 | $262 |
Farmers | $158 | $265 |
The General | $161 | $371 |
Bristol West | $174 | $342 |
Nationwide | $176 | $295 |
GAINSCO | $177 | $409 |
Commonwealth Casualty | $220 | $536 |
AssuranceAmerica | $224 | $398 |
Liberty Mutual | $232 | $350 |
Foremost | $290 | $526 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Arizona?
No one likes to get into trouble on the road, but car accidents happen and have consequences. An SR-22 form — which many people refer to as SR-22 insurance — is a certificate of financial responsibility, not an auto insurance policy itself.
If the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) views you as a high-risk driver after committing a major driving violation like a DUI, you may need to file an SR-22 to drive legally in the state.
SR-22 forms prove you meet the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements. This shows you have the insurance coverage you need in the event of an accident behind the wheel.
If you don’t have adequate auto insurance coverage, you may not be able to afford the expenses related to property damage or medical bills that can come after a car accident.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
Arizona drivers won’t ever need to worry about an FR-44 form. Some drivers may need to file an FR-44 form after committing certain driving violations, but that’s true only in Florida and Virginia. In other states like Arizona, an SR-22 form is the standard. Like an SR-22 form, an FR-44 form serves as a certificate of financial responsibility — with some small differentiations.
SR-22 forms guarantee the driver currently carries the state’s minimum liability insurance, while an FR-44 form comes with much stricter requirements (typically double the state minimum). Drivers required to carry an FR-44 have usually committed a severe driving offense.
When you need SR-22 insurance
The state will notify you if you need to file an SR-22 form. This could happen if you’re guilty of any of the following driving violations:
Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI): Engaging in dangerous behavior, like driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, can come with major consequences.
Unpaid child support: An SR-22 form can act as a penalty for failing to make child support payments.
Hardship license: If you’re issued a hardship license, you may also need to file an SR-22 form to continue meeting the appropriate legal requirements to drive. A hardship license is a restricted driver’s license the state issues to people who’ve had their regular license suspended. This license allows them to drive under limited circumstances, such as for work, school, or medical needs.
Frequent traffic violations: Accumulating several traffic infractions in a short period of time may lead to being classified as a high-risk driver and force you to file an SR-22 form.
At-fault accidents: Being responsible for an automobile accident while underinsured can also trigger the need for an SR-22 form.
Lack of insurance: If a police officer pulls you over and you fail to provide proof of insurance, an SR-22 proves to the DMV that you’ve obtained proper coverage.
How to get SR-22 insurance in Arizona
If you need to file an SR-22 form, the process is pretty simple and requires minimum effort. If you must secure SR-22 insurance in Arizona, follow these steps:
1. Ask your insurance company
Ask your auto insurance company whether it can file an SR-22 form on your behalf. If it can’t, you’ll need to buy car insurance from a different insurer.
2. Request an SR-22 filing
Once you find a car insurance company that can file the SR-22 form, request it do so.
3. Pay the filing fee
Your car insurance company may require you to pay a small fee.
4. Maintain coverage
Unless it’s a judgment suspension, you must maintain SR-22 coverage for three years in the state of Arizona.[2]
How long Arizona requires SR-22 insurance
Every state has different requirements regarding how long a driver must maintain SR-22 coverage. Arizona drivers facing an SR-22 requirement have to maintain the required amount of car insurance coverage for three years — unless they experience a judgment suspension. Some drivers may struggle to afford this coverage if they see their car insurance rates rise as a result of driving incidents that led to the SR-22 form filing.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Arizona
If you have a clean driving record, you probably pay the lowest auto insurance rates. But people with a violation on their driving record that leads to an SR-22 requirement should expect their rates to be on the higher side. If Arizona views you as a high-risk driver, it’s likely your car insurance company does as well.
If you’re on the hunt for auto insurance savings, consider some of these tips:
Be a safe driver. Practicing safe driving habits not only helps protect you and other drivers on the road but leads to more affordable car insurance rates.[3] In addition to potential financial trouble, reckless driving can lead to life-or-death consequences.
Ask for discounts. Most car insurance companies offer a handful of potential discounts, so don’t be afraid to ask an insurance agent about which ones you may qualify for.
Take a defensive driving course. See if your auto insurer offers a discount to customers who complete a defensive driving course. You may save money and improve your driving skills in one fell swoop.
Comparison shop for car insurance. It’s always a good idea to request quotes from a few different car insurance companies from time to time to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Arizona SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you’re unsure how an Arizona SR-22 insurance requirement works, let’s look at some frequently asked questions about the topic.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44?
If you need to file an SR-22 or FR-44, your state or local court authorities will contact you to let you know about the requirements. States only require these forms after a serious traffic violation, so this requirement won’t come out of nowhere.
If you’re worried you need to file an SR-22 but don’t receive notice, you can contact the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Most car insurance companies charge customers a small fee to file an SR-22 form on their behalf. When you connect with your car insurer about filing this form, it’ll let you know how much the fee is.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
It varies. How much your car insurance rates rise after you file an SR-22 form depends more so on the driving violation you committed than the form requirement. The more serious or frequent a violation is, the more you can expect to pay for car insurance.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Arizona?
In Arizona, the DMV requires drivers to hold an SR-22 policy for three years. Failing to maintain the proper car insurance coverage for that period can lead to more trouble with the Arizona DMV. That said, every state has different term lengths for SR-22 requirements.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Arizona?
You can’t get rid of an SR-22 in Arizona. If you maintain proper auto insurance coverage for the required time period, you must contact your insurer to let them know you no longer need the SR-22 filing.
What happens to your SR-22 in Arizona if you move?
Moving to a new state doesn’t mean you can avoid Arizona state laws and start fresh with your new DMV. If you move out of Arizona, you still have to maintain SR-22 insurance until the end of the filing period, or you risk the Arizona Department of Transportation filing an SR-26 form with your new state’s DMV. This can lead to issues like not being able to secure a new driver’s license, obtain car insurance, or register a vehicle in the new state.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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More cities in Arizona
Sources
- Arizona Department of Transportation. "What is an SR22?."
- Arizona Department of Transportation. "How long am I required to have an SR22?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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