What happens if you can’t afford SR-22 insurance?

SR-22 insurance is required if you’re a high-risk driver, but what happens if you can’t afford SR-22 insurance? There are many things you can do before you buy SR-22 insurance.

Our guide explains what to do if you can’t afford SR-22 insurance, how you can access cheap SR-22 insurance, and how much it costs per state.

If you can’t afford SR-22 insurance at your current company, enter your ZIP code in the free comparison tool above to find SR-22 insurance quotes today. Or continue reading the article for more information on how you can discover cost-efficient SR-22 insurance.

What happens if you can’t afford SR-22 insurance?

SR-22 insurance is much more expensive than standard car insurance. If you have SR-22 auto insurance, you could pay up to 90% more for auto insurance on average.

If you can’t afford the SR-22 insurance rates, you should contact your auto insurance provider and let them know the premiums are too expensive. You may be eligible for discounts that can lower your monthly rate.

Sometimes, you might be in a desperate situation. Try to arrange payments while you shop around for a cheaper policy. Canceling your policy should be the last thing that you do.

Secure a more affordable policy before you move on to prevent a lapse in car insurance coverage.

What is SR-22 insurance?

SR-22 insurance is a certification proving that you have the minimum car insurance requirements as a high-risk-driver.

You can get SR-22 insurance from auto insurance companies, but some companies may deny you a policy. If you can’t get SR-22 insurance through a company after 60 days of trying to get car insurance, return to the DMV and ask them to appoint a car insurance provider to you.

When you have SR-22 insurance, keep your balance current to maintain your driver’s license. Once you miss a payment, your driving privileges will be suspended.

Why do I need SR-22 insurance?

Drivers who are convicted of DUI, reckless driving, or have too many traffic violations will need SR-22 insurance. To get your driver’s license reinstated, you’ll need to pay DMV fees and get SR-22 insurance from a company.

How much does SR-22 insurance cost a month?

We mentioned how SR-22 insurance rates are 90% more than standard auto insurance earlier. However, it’s only an average. So what does SR-22 insurance look like by state?

Let’s look at the average monthly rates of standard car insurance and non-standard car insurance (SR-22) of each state in the United States. Type in your state in the top right-hand corner for a concentrated view of your state.

Read more: SR-22 Bond Ohio

Maine has the cheapest monthly SR-22 insurance, but Maryland has the most affordable percent increase. Overall, Indiana is the best state for SR-22 insurance costs.

Three Ways to Save if You Can’t Afford SR-22 Insurance

There’s a way around expensive SR-22 insurance. Whatever you do, don’t cancel your auto insurance policy. Instead, check out these three methods to saving money on SR-22 car insurance.

Auto Insurance Discounts

If SR-22 insurance is too expensive, make sure you have all the discounts your auto insurance company can provide you. A high-risk driving status does not disqualify you for discounts.

Maintain a Good Credit Score

You might be a high-risk driver, but if you maintain a good credit history, you can drop your SR-22 insurance by at least five percent.

Why does this matter? According to Experian, car insurance companies see policyholders with good and excellent credit scores as less likely to file a claim. The lower your chances are of filing a claim, the more money the auto insurance company can save.

Drive Less

Auto insurance companies will give you an additional discount if you decide to drive less. Driving less will decrease your risk of getting into an accident.

You can take a more radical approach and decide not to drive a vehicle at all. Ridesharing and public transportation have become more efficient in recent years, so you can avoid driving altogether.

What happens if you can’t afford SR-22 insurance?: The Bottom Line

There’s always a road around expensive auto insurance rates. SR-22 insurance cost is high, but you can take advantage of discounts to get cheaper rates. If you’re in a position to get another vehicle, downgrade to the previous model year.

A high-risk driving status may increase your rates, but you still qualify for affordable car insurance.

Start comparing multiple companies in your area by entering your ZIP code in our free online quote tool if you can’t find affordable SR-22 insurance.