3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance
7+ years in personal finance and technology
Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
SR-22 insurance isn’t a specific type of insurance policy. Rather, an SR-22 is a form your insurance company files with the Michigan Secretary of State’s office to prove you maintain proper car insurance coverage in Michigan after certain high-risk violations.
Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 coverage in Michigan, including comparing quotes and coverage options.
If your coverage lapses while you have an SR-22, your insurance company has to report your insurance status and the lapse directly to the state.
Most insurance companies offer SR-22 certificates, but some don’t. You’ll have to make sure your company offers SR-22 filing services.
You can check your driving record instantly on the Michigan Secretary of State website.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Michigan
Insurance companies have vastly different pricing strategies and calculate the risk of insuring drivers differently. It’s why shopping from multiple insurers can make a big difference in what you pay — you might find that some companies charge significantly lower rates for the exact same coverage.
Compare quotes for SR-22 insurance from the cheapest insurance companies in Michigan in the table below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $71 | $128 |
USAA | $73 | $129 |
Chubb | $78 | $140 |
GEICO | $108 | $195 |
Safeco | $122 | $202 |
Progressive | $137 | $203 |
Nationwide | $145 | $261 |
State Farm | $148 | $265 |
Direct Auto | $169 | $344 |
Travelers | $172 | $307 |
Bristol West | $208 | $378 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Michigan?
Every Michigan driver needs auto insurance, and an SR-22 acts as proof of financial responsibility for some high-risk drivers.[1] You still need to meet the same minimum insurance requirements, but having an SR-22 with your auto policy adds an extra layer of supervision to make sure you maintain coverage.
While you maintain your coverage with standard insurance, your insurer monitors your SR-22 policy compliance and files proof with the Michigan Department of State.
Your insurance company becomes a direct line of communication with the state. If you miss a payment or your policy lapses, your insurer must notify the state right away — not when you have a run-in with law enforcement or during your next renewal.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
SR-22 and FR-44 are both proof of future financial responsibility forms, but an FR-44 typically requires higher liability limits.
Michigan doesn’t use FR-44 certificates, but some states do. For example, Florida and Virginia reserve FR-44 certificates for more severe violations and can require double the minimum liability insurance coverage of an SR-22.[2]
When you need SR-22 insurance
No one plans on needing an SR-22, but certain driving situations can put you in this position. A few common scenarios that can lead to an SR-22 requirement include:
Multiple speeding tickets in a short time
DUI conviction
Too many points on your driver’s license
License suspension
These traffic offenses and situations can flag you as a high-risk driver. An SR-22 requirement is the state’s way of making sure you don’t skip insurance coverage necessary to protect both you and others on the road.
If you’re not sure where you stand with your driving record, you can request a copy online through Michigan’s Secretary of State (SOS) website, by mail, or at an SOS office. An online order gets you immediate access, while office visits typically take about 20 minutes.[3]
How to get SR-22 insurance in Michigan
Before starting the process, you’ll decide whether you need an owner or operator SR-22 form. An owner’s certificate makes sense when you need coverage for a car you own, but you must have the vehicle registered in your name. An operator’s policy is non-owner SR-22, and it covers you when driving a borrowed car.
Here are the steps to get an SR-22 policy:
Find an insurance company that handles SR-22s (most major insurers do).
Choose your certificate type and get a quote for the best policy that meets your needs and Michigan’s minimum liability requirements.
Purchase your policy and pay the SR 22 filing fee.
Wait for everything to process (usually takes two to four weeks).
Your insurer files the form directly with the state of Michigan, and you’ll need to sit tight until you get the official approval. Proof of applying for insurance isn’t enough to satisfy the requirements.
Some Michigan drivers need both types of SR-22 certificates. For example, if you own a car but also regularly borrow friends’ cars, you’ll need both. It might help to think of it like this: An owner’s SR-22 follows your vehicle, while an operator’s SR-22 follows you. If you have both, your coverage is intact no matter what vehicle you’re driving.
How long Michigan requires SR-22 insurance
Michigan law typically requires you to maintain your SR-22 status for three years, though the specific timeline may increase. If you miss a payment or your insurance lapses, you might find yourself starting the process over again.
Getting back on the road after a serious driving violation isn’t without its challenges. First, buying insurance with an SR-22 isn’t cheap. While you can find SR-22 coverage from most insurers, you’ll likely pay higher car insurance costs due to your high-risk status.
You’ll also face fees: $125 to reinstate your license and costs for a duplicate or new license, depending on your specific circumstances. You may also face a small SR-22 filing fee from your insurer, and you may have to pay court-related charges.[4]
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Michigan
Your insurance company will consider your SR-22 requirement as a risk. With this new high-risk label, you’ll likely have to pay higher car insurance rates.
But you’re not stuck with sky-high rates forever. Here’s how to improve your situation:
Drive carefully and avoid new violations
Think of the next three years as your clean-slate opportunity. Each year without a ticket or car accident helps rebuild your insurance reputation and shows insurers you’re serious about better driving habits.
Look for available discounts
Many insurers reward good choices. Take a defensive driving course, install safety features in your car, or let your insurer track your driving habits through a safe driver program to qualify for discounts.
Maintain continuous coverage
Avoid insurance gaps at all costs. Set up automatic payments if you can — consistent coverage shows auto insurers that you’re responsible.
Consider policy adjustments
While you can’t do anything about state-required liability coverage limits, you might find savings by tweaking other parts of your policy. Re-evaluate the need for optional coverages, and consider a higher deductible if you can afford to pay more out of pocket when filing a claim.
Michigan SR-22 insurance FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about SR-22 requirements in Michigan. It’s important to have a good idea of how the process works.
How do you know if you need an SR-22?
Either a court order or the Michigan SOS will notify you if you need an SR-22. You’ll get an official notice explaining your requirements and any deadlines. This usually happens after a serious driving violation, license, suspension, or accumulating too many points. You won’t have to guess — you’ll receive a clear notification about what you need to do.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. Beyond higher insurance premiums, you’ll pay a one-time SR-22 filing fee to your insurance company. This cost is usually around $25.
Depending on the status of your driver’s license, you may be responsible for a $125 reinstatement fee to the state. Court-related fines could also apply for failure to appear or comply with a court judgment or if you got caught driving without proof of insurance.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
The cost of SR-22 can increase your Michigan auto insurance bill significantly. How much you’ll pay depends on your violation type, driving history, insurance company, and other factors. Some people see their monthly premiums go up several hundred dollars, while others face more modest increases. Shopping from different insurance companies can help you find the best deal.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Michigan?
Michigan state law typically requires you to maintain SR-22 compliance for three years from your conviction date.
But the amount of time you need this extra layer of accountability can vary. For instance, more serious traffic violations like a DUI might lead to a longer SR-22 time period. The state can also extend the length of time if you let your insurance lapse or get another violation during the filing period.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Michigan?
Once you fulfill your SR-22 filing period (usually after three years), you’re on your way to standard car insurance. Contact the Michigan SOS to verify you’ve met all legal requirements. Once it confirms, notify your insurance company to end the SR-22 filings. You can then return to a regular policy without state monitoring.
What happens to your SR-22 in Michigan if you move?
If you have Michigan SR-22 insurance and you move, you’re not off the hook. You must continue to file your SR-22 in Michigan until your supervision period ends, regardless of where you live.
In this case, you’ll need coverage that satisfies your SR-22 requirement and your new state’s minimum liability limits. An insurance agent can help you make sure your new policy meets the minimum requirements in both states.
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.
Related articles
More cities in Michigan
Sources
- Michigan Department of State. "Financial responsibility restricted licenses."
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. "Financial Responsibility Certifications."
- Michigan Department of State. "Driving record."
- Michigan Department of State. "License reinstatement fee."
Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in