SR-22 insurance in Illinois
If the Illinois Secretary of State has told you to file an SR-22, you need an insurance company to certify your coverage to the state. We find a carrier that will file it, explain your options, and help you keep it in force for as long as you need it.
What an SR-22 is
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility. It is not a separate type of insurance. It is a form your insurance company files electronically with the Illinois Secretary of State, confirming that you carry at least the liability coverage Illinois requires.
Once the state receives it, the filing stays on record for as long as your policy remains active. If the policy ends early, the insurer has to tell the state.
Who typically needs one
- Drivers convicted of DUI
- Drivers convicted of driving without insurance
- Drivers whose license was suspended for an unpaid crash judgment
- Uninsured drivers involved in a crash
- Drivers with certain other suspensions or revocations
The Secretary of State tells you in writing if an SR-22 is required. Keep that letter. It may also list other steps for reinstatement, such as fees or a hearing.
Illinois minimum liability is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage, plus uninsured motorist coverage. Your SR-22 policy must meet at least these limits.
Owner vs. non-owner SR-22
The right type depends on whether you own a vehicle or have one regularly available to you.
Owner SR-22
For drivers who own or lease a vehicle. The SR-22 is attached to a standard auto policy on your car. You can add collision, comprehensive and other coverages just like any other policy, and you must if the car is financed or leased.
Non-owner (named operator) SR-22
For drivers who don't own a car but need to reinstate or keep their license, and who occasionally drive borrowed or rented vehicles. It provides liability coverage for you as a driver. It typically does not cover damage to the car you're driving, and it is generally not meant for a car you have regular access to, such as one in your household.
How long you need an SR-22
In Illinois, an SR-22 generally must be maintained for 3 years. Your Secretary of State letter is the final word on your dates, and the period can be different in some cases.
Don't cancel the policy the day you think your requirement ends. Confirm with the Secretary of State first, then let us know. We'll help you move to a regular policy without a gap in coverage.
Moving or changing cars
If you replace your vehicle, change address or switch insurance companies, the filing has to stay continuous. When you change carriers, the new carrier should file its SR-22 before the old policy ends. Ask us before making changes and we'll coordinate the timing.
What happens if your SR-22 policy lapses
If your policy cancels for nonpayment or any other reason, the insurance company must notify the Secretary of State by filing an SR-26 cancellation notice. The state can then suspend your driving privileges again.
Getting reinstated usually means buying a new policy, having a new SR-22 filed, and possibly paying reinstatement fees. A lapse may also affect how long you must keep the filing. Ask the Secretary of State how a lapse affects your requirement.
The simplest protection: keep payments current, and call us before a problem becomes a cancellation.
What affects the cost of SR-22 insurance
The filing itself is inexpensive, typically around $25. The bigger factor is the insurance premium, which depends on the record that led to the SR-22.
The underlying violation
A DUI or uninsured crash generally affects your premium more than the SR-22 filing. Insurers look at what happened and how recently.
Your overall record
Other tickets, accidents, claims, years of driving experience and gaps in prior insurance also play a role.
Coverage & vehicle
Your vehicle, where it's garaged, and the limits and deductibles you choose. A non-owner policy is liability-only, so it is generally priced differently from an owner policy.
Not every insurance company writes SR-22 policies, and those that do price them differently. Comparing carriers matters more here than almost anywhere else.
Getting your SR-22 with Lakeshore
Tell us your situation
Share your Secretary of State letter or the reason for the requirement, your driver's license, and your vehicle details if you own one. We'll recommend an owner or non-owner policy.
Compare and choose
We quote carriers that file SR-22s in Illinois and show each option's coverage, fees and payment plan. Quotes are estimates until the carrier underwrites your application.
Bind, file and stay covered
Once the carrier binds your policy, it files the SR-22 with the Secretary of State. We send you confirmation and ID cards, and remind you before renewals and payments.
An SR-22 filing satisfies the insurance part of reinstatement only. The Secretary of State may have other requirements before your driving privileges are restored. Coverage is not in force until the carrier binds the policy and we confirm it to you. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Need an SR-22 filed?
Start a quote and a licensed agent will review your situation, with no judgment.