What is an SR22 filing?
An SR22 is not an insurance policy. It is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility — an official document your insurance carrier files electronically with your state's DMV to prove you carry the minimum liability coverage required by law.
How an SR22 Works
When a court or your state DMV mandates an SR22, they are requiring proof that you have active auto liability insurance meeting state minimum coverage limits. Your insurance carrier generates the SR22 certificate and transmits it electronically to the state — the filing itself takes minutes once you have a policy in place.
The SR22 stays attached to your insurance policy for the entire duration of your filing requirement (the length depends on your state and violation). If your policy cancels or lapses for any reason, your carrier must notify the state by filing an SR-26 form, and your license can be suspended.
Who Needs an SR22
An SR22 is typically mandated following serious driving violations:
- DUI or DWI conviction (in states other than Florida and Virginia, which require FR44 instead)
- Driving without insurance
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license
- Accumulating excessive traffic violation points
- At-fault accident without insurance
Not every state uses the SR22 system. The specific form, coverage limits, and filing duration vary by state. We currently file SR22 certificates in 10 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
SR22 vs. Insurance Policy
This is the most common misconception. An SR22 is not a type of insurance — it is a document that accompanies your insurance policy. You still need to purchase an actual auto insurance policy (or a non-owner policy if you don't own a vehicle). The SR22 is the certificate your carrier files with the state proving that policy exists and meets the required coverage limits.
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