What SR-22 Insurance Is and Why Washington Requires It
SR-22 insurance in Washington is a certificate that proves you carry the minimum liability coverage the state requires. It is not a type of insurance itself — it is a form your insurance company files with the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) to show you are insured after a serious driving violation or accident.
Washington requires an SR-22 when you have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, or causing an accident without insurance. The state uses the SR-22 to monitor that you maintain continuous coverage for a set period, usually three years from the date of the violation or conviction.
If your insurance lapses even for a day during that period, your insurer must notify the DOL, and your license can be suspended again. This is why SR-22 is often called a "high-risk" requirement — it signals to insurers that you have already broken traffic law, and they price your policy accordingly.
Key Takeaways
- SR-22 is a filing your insurance company sends to the Washington Department of Licensing, not a separate policy, and it proves you meet the state's minimum liability coverage.
- Washington requires SR-22 after DUI, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, or uninsured accidents, and you must maintain it for three years from your conviction or violation date.
- Your insurance company files the SR-22 form for you at no extra charge, but you will pay higher premiums because insurers classify you as high-risk.
- If your coverage lapses for even one day while you are required to carry SR-22, the insurer notifies the DOL and your license suspension can be reinstated.
- You can shop for SR-22 insurance through standard insurers, specialty high-risk carriers, or your current insurer, and rates vary significantly by company and driving history.
How to Get SR-22 Insurance in Washington
Contact an insurance company licensed to write policies in Washington and tell them you need SR-22 coverage. You do not need to find a special SR-22 provider — most standard insurers offer it, though some focus on high-risk drivers and may have faster processing or more flexible underwriting.
When you buy the policy, tell your agent you need the SR-22 form filed. The insurance company will complete the form (called an SR-22 or SR-22A, depending on whether you own the vehicle or are a listed driver on someone else's policy) and send it to the Washington DOL. This filing is free — your insurer does it as part of the policy.
The DOL typically receives and processes the form within one to two weeks. You do not file it yourself. Once the DOL has it on record, your license reinstatement can proceed if it was suspended, or your current license remains valid if it was not yet suspended.
What SR-22 Costs and Why Premiums Are Higher
There is no set price for SR-22 insurance in Washington. Your premium depends on your age, driving record, the violation that triggered the requirement, the type of vehicle, and the insurer you choose. A driver in their 40s with one DUI five years ago will pay far less than a 22-year-old with a recent DUI and multiple speeding tickets.
Insurers charge more because statistics show drivers who have violated traffic law are more likely to have another accident or violation. Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and may offer lower rates than mainstream insurers, though their customer service or coverage options might differ. It is worth calling three to five companies to compare quotes.
You will also need to maintain continuous coverage for the full three-year SR-22 period. If you cancel or let the policy lapse, you will have to start the three-year clock over from the date you reinstate coverage. This makes it expensive to stop and restart — plan to keep the same policy active throughout.
The Three-Year SR-22 Period and What Happens After
The three-year clock starts on the date of your conviction or violation, not the date you buy insurance. If you were convicted of DUI on March 15, 2024, you must carry SR-22 until March 15, 2027, even if you buy the insurance months later.
During those three years, you must not let your coverage lapse. Your insurer is required by law to notify the Washington DOL within 10 days if you cancel, miss a payment, or let the policy expire. The DOL will then suspend your license again, and you will have to go through reinstatement a second time.
After three years, you can drop the SR-22 requirement by straightforward letting your policy renew without the form. You do not need to file anything with the DOL — the requirement expires automatically. However, you can continue to carry regular insurance (without SR-22) for as long as you want. Many drivers do, because the cost difference between high-risk and standard insurance shrinks over time if you drive without violations.
SR-22 for Drivers Who Do Not Own a Vehicle
If you do not own a car but need to drive, you have two options. You can buy a non-owner SR-22 policy, which covers you as a driver on any vehicle you operate. This is cheaper than a standard policy because it does not cover a specific car, and it is useful if you borrow vehicles or rent cars occasionally.
Alternatively, you can be listed as a driver on someone else's policy, and they can file an SR-22A form (the form for drivers who do not own the vehicle). The vehicle owner's insurer files this form, and it covers you when you drive that specific car. This option works only if the owner agrees and their insurer allows it.
Non-owner policies are usually easier to set up and do not depend on someone else's cooperation. If you plan to drive multiple vehicles or do not have a regular car to use, a non-owner policy is the simpler route.
What Happens If Your Coverage Lapses
If you miss a payment, cancel your policy, or let it expire for any reason while you are required to carry SR-22, your insurer must notify the Washington DOL within 10 days. The DOL will then suspend your license, and you will be unable to drive legally.
To reinstate your license after a lapse, you will have to go through the reinstatement process again: buy a new SR-22 policy, have your insurer file the form, wait for the DOL to process it, and then explore for reinstatement at the DOL office or online. This can take two to four weeks, and you cannot drive during that time.
More importantly, a lapse resets your three-year clock. If you were two years into your SR-22 requirement and your coverage lapses, you start over at year one. This is why it is critical to set up automatic payments and keep your policy active without interruption.
Choosing an Insurer and Getting the Best Rate
Not all insurers offer SR-22, and those that do price it differently. Call or visit websites for at least three companies to get quotes. Major insurers like State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO offer SR-22 in Washington, as do specialty high-risk carriers like SR-22 Now, SafeAuto, and National General.
When you call, have your driver's license and the details of your violation or conviction ready. Be honest about the reason you need SR-22 — insurers will find out anyway through the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), and lying can void your policy. Ask each company for their rate for your specific situation, how long processing takes, and whether they offer discounts for defensive driving courses or bundling with other policies.
Some insurers offer a discount if you complete a state-approved defensive driving course. In Washington, these courses can reduce your insurance premium by 5 to 10 percent at some companies, though the discount varies. The course costs between $20 and $50 and takes a few hours online or in person. If you are shopping for rates, factor in the cost of the course against the discount to see if it makes financial sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get SR-22 insurance if I have been denied by other insurers?
Yes. Specialty high-risk insurers exist specifically to cover drivers that mainstream companies reject. They may charge more, but they will write the policy. If you are turned down, contact an independent insurance agent who works with multiple high-risk carriers — they can place you faster than calling companies one by one.
Do I have to buy SR-22 from the same company that insured me before?
No. You can switch to any insurer licensed in Washington. If your current insurer dropped you or quoted a very high rate, shop around. Different companies price high-risk drivers differently, and you may find a better rate elsewhere.
What if I move out of Washington while I still need SR-22?
You will need to file SR-22 with your new state instead. Contact the Department of Licensing in your new state to find out what form they require and when you need to file it. Your Washington SR-22 does not transfer, and driving in another state without that state's required filing can result in license suspension there as well.
Can I get my license back before the three years are up?
Your license reinstatement happens when you file the SR-22 form, not after three years. The three-year requirement means you must keep SR-22 coverage for three years to avoid another suspension. You can drive when ready once the DOL processes your SR-22 filing, but you must maintain the coverage for the full three-year period.
Does SR-22 affect my ability to get other types of insurance?
SR-22 does not prevent you from buying homeowners, renters, or other insurance. However, some insurers may be reluctant to insure you in other areas if you have an active SR-22, because it signals recent serious violations. Shop around if you need other coverage — many companies will write it without issue.