SR22 insurance costs vary dramatically from state to state — in the cheapest states drivers pay half what they would in the most expensive. Here’s the complete ranking and what drives the difference.
The 10 Cheapest States for SR22 Insurance
Based on average monthly premiums for a standard SR22 policy following a first DUI conviction, here are the ten most affordable states for SR22 insurance.
South Dakota leads the nation with average SR22 DUI rates of $162 to $308 per month — the lowest of any state. North Dakota follows closely at $163 to $310 per month. Iowa comes in third at $170 to $320 per month, and also offers one of the shorter SR22 requirements in the country at just 2 years. Indiana rounds out the very cheapest tier at $172 to $328 per month.
The next tier of affordable states includes Nebraska ($170 to $325), Wyoming ($168 to $320), Kansas ($172 to $330), Arkansas ($175 to $335), Vermont ($170 to $325), and Montana ($173 to $330). All of these states offer SR22 rates meaningfully below the national average.
The 10 Most Expensive States for SR22 Insurance
At the other end of the spectrum, Michigan is consistently the most expensive state for SR22 insurance with average DUI SR22 rates of $275 to $520 per month — driven by Michigan’s unique no-fault insurance system with its historically unlimited personal injury protection requirements.
California comes in second at $250 to $470 per month, followed by Louisiana at $268 to $508 per month. New York averages $260 to $490 per month and New Jersey runs $250 to $460 per month.
Rounding out the most expensive tier are Florida ($250 to $480 — higher for DUI requiring FR44), Maryland ($220 to $420), Connecticut ($220 to $420), Rhode Island ($235 to $440), and Massachusetts ($230 to $430).
Why Do SR22 Rates Vary So Much by State?
The massive variation in SR22 costs between states comes down to several factors that affect the overall cost of auto insurance in each state.
Population density is one of the biggest drivers. States with high population density — New Jersey, California, New York — have more accidents, more claims, and higher litigation costs per mile driven. Sparse rural states like South Dakota and Wyoming have fewer claims and dramatically lower premiums as a result.
Insurance system type matters significantly. No-fault states like Michigan, New Jersey, and Kansas require all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which adds to the premium cost. At-fault states typically have lower baseline premiums.
Litigation rates vary enormously by state. Louisiana, Florida, and California have notoriously high insurance litigation rates — lawsuits and settlement costs are ultimately passed on to all policyholders as higher premiums.
State minimum coverage requirements also differ. Maine and Alaska require minimum liability limits of $50,000 per person — significantly higher than most states — which increases the cost of even minimum-coverage policies.
Finally, state regulations on credit scoring affect SR22 costs for drivers with damaged credit. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan prohibit credit-score pricing, which can benefit SR22 drivers with lower credit scores in those states.
Can You Use Your State’s Cheap Rates by Moving?
This is a common question — can you save money on SR22 by moving to a cheaper state? The practical answer is no for most drivers.
Your SR22 requirement is tied to the state where the violation occurred. If you received a DUI in California and move to Iowa, California still requires you to maintain SR22 filed in California for the required duration. Your Iowa insurer may be able to file SR22 in California on your behalf, but you are still subject to California’s requirements and premium factors.
If you are already a resident of a low-cost SR22 state when the violation occurs, you benefit from that state’s lower rates. But moving specifically to reduce SR22 costs is unlikely to achieve significant savings given the complexity and cost of the move itself.
How to Get the Cheapest SR22 Rate in Any State
Regardless of which state you live in, the path to the cheapest available SR22 rate is the same. Shop aggressively — get at least five quotes from different insurers. Rates vary by hundreds of dollars per month between companies for identical coverage. Use a high-risk specialty insurer as your baseline — Progressive, Dairyland, The General, and Bristol West consistently offer competitive SR22 rates. Carry only minimum required liability coverage if your vehicle is older or of low value. Ask about every available discount — defensive driving, low mileage, military, and multi-policy discounts all apply to SR22 policies. Consider a non-owner policy if you do not own a vehicle — typically 40 to 55 percent cheaper than an owner policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles
What is SR22 Insurance? Complete Beginner’s Guide
This article is for educational purposes only. SR22 requirements vary by state and individual circumstances. Always confirm your specific requirements with your state DMV and consult a licensed insurance professional. SR22 Insurance Guide does not sell insurance and is not a licensed insurance agent.