5+ years of finance writing experience
Certificate of financial planning from Boston University
Erin is a personal finance writer and journalist with work featured in major publications. Her writing explores investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
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Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
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Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
Many states require drivers to file an SR-22 form after a serious motor vehicle violation. SR-22 insurance is a misnomer because it’s not a type of insurance. Instead, an SR-22 form proves that your insurance policy meets your state’s minimum-coverage requirements.
Each state has its different laws and requirements related to SR-22 insurance. Keep reading to learn how SR-22 insurance works in Washington, how to get an SR-22, and how it affects your insurance premiums.
Washington requires high-risk drivers to have SR-22 insurance.
You must maintain SR-22 coverage for three years.
SR-22 insurance typically increases your insurance rates.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Washington
SR-22 insurance is typically more expensive than standard car insurance. But since some insurers may be more affordable than others, it can pay to shop around for SR-22 coverage. The below table shows the cheapest insurance companies for an SR-22 insurance policy in Washington.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $95 | $58 |
State Farm | $147 | $64 |
USAA | $149 | $65 |
Safeco | $155 | $97 |
GEICO | $180 | $79 |
National General | $183 | $102 |
Allstate | $194 | $85 |
Liberty Mutual | $196 | $192 |
The General | $216 | $120 |
American Family | $221 | $96 |
Nationwide | $227 | $100 |
Chubb | $246 | $107 |
Farmers | $258 | $114 |
Travelers | $301 | $132 |
Dairyland | $339 | $151 |
Bristol West | $358 | $157 |
Foremost | $401 | $146 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Washington, and when do you need it?
After a serious violation — like driving under the influence (DUI) or driving without insurance — most states require drivers to file an SR-22 form to restore their license. Washington requires an SR-22 for a three-year period if you drive (or own) a car involved in an accident, failed to pay certain judgments, forfeited bail, or were convicted of certain offenses.[1]
Check with your insurance agent if you’ve committed a serious violation and are unsure if you need to get an SR-22 form.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
Like an SR-22 form, many states require you to file an FR-44 form to prove adequate insurance coverage. But FR-44 insurance often requires higher liability limits than the state’s minimum coverage. Florida and Virginia are the only states that require an FR-44 form.
How to get SR-22 insurance in Washington
After the state notifies you of an SR-22 requirement, you’ll need to take action right away.
Follow these steps to get SR-22 insurance in Washington:
Decide what proof of responsibility is right for you. The state of Washington offers drivers three different options for proof of responsibility. You can choose from SR-22 insurance or get a certificate of deposit or a liability bond (for at least $60,000).
Seek out approved insurance companies. Not all insurance companies offer SR-22 forms. If you have existing insurance, check if SR-22 insurance is available. You can also search the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s list of approved insurance companies.
Sign up for insurance. After choosing an approved insurance company, file your SR-22 form.
How long Washington requires SR-22 insurance
SR-22 insurance rules vary from state to state. Generally speaking, Washington requires drivers to maintain SR-22 coverage for three years.
If your driver’s license was suspended, the three-year clock begins on the date you’re eligible for reinstatement. You can use the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) online database to get information about your driver’s license SR-22 requirements, if applicable.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Washington
Insurance companies consider your driving history as a factor when calculating rates. Having a serious violation on your record usually leads to higher rates for insurance. You may only need to have an SR-22 for three years in Washington. But keep in mind that insurance rates may not go down until the DUI is no longer on your record.[2]
Here are some things you can do to improve your driving record and lower your insurance rates while under an SR-22 requirement:
Shop around for coverage. It’s a good idea to get car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies before signing up for auto insurance — especially if you need an SR-22. Comparing quotes can help you find the right SR-22 insurance for your needs and budget.
Drive safely. Improving your driving habits can help lower your rate. Insurance companies often reward drivers for safe driving and being violation free.
Look for discounts. When comparing quotes, ask about discounts, such as those for safe driving, bundling multiple policies, or paperless billing. The amount you can save varies from company to company but is sometimes upwards of 25%.
Increase your deductible. If you can afford it, consider increasing your insurance deductible. Though you’ll owe more out of pocket if you need to make a claim, you’ll save money on your monthly premiums.[3]
Washington SR-22 insurance FAQs
Before you sign up for SR-22 insurance in Washington, here’s some additional information to help you choose the right coverage for your situation.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 in Washington?
After committing a serious offense, like driving under the influence, the state of Washington will require SR-22 insurance. If you need an SR-22, the state’s insurance commissioner or Department of Licensing will notify you.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost in Washington state?
SR-22 insurance in Washington costs an average of $94 per month, according to Insurify data. Many factors affect your rates, including your driving history. So, if you have a serious violation that requires an SR-22, your rates will likely go up. Shop around to find the best rate for your situation.
What are the requirements for SR-22 in Washington state?
Washington requires an SR-22 form if you’ve been convicted of certain offenses, have failed to pay judgments, or have driven or owned a vehicle that was involved in an accident. The state requires an SR-22 form for three years. You may also opt for a certificate of deposit or liability bond.
How long do you have to have SR-22 insurance in Washington?
After the state suspends your license, Washington requires SR-22 insurance to start on the date you’re eligible for license reinstatement. Otherwise, the three-year period begins immediately.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Washington?
You can’t get rid of an SR-22 in Washington. Instead, you’ll have to wait for the three-year period to pass.
What happens to your SR-22 in Washington if you move?
If you move out of Washington, your SR-22 requirement doesn’t necessarily go away. You’ll still need to have SR-22 insurance in your new state.
If your current insurer is a national company, you can probably keep your insurance. But if you have insurance from a regional insurance company, you may need to switch. To avoid a lapse in coverage, be sure to have your new SR-22 in place before moving.
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 Washington
Sources
- Washington State Department of Licensing. "Financial responsibility (SR-22)."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist based in Madison, Wisconsin. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time. Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
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