Personal Lines · SR-22
SR-22 in Texas: what it actually is, and how long you're stuck with it.
Plenty of agencies won't quote you. We work with the markets built for exactly this.
The short version
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It's a certificate your insurance company files with the Texas Department of Public Safety proving you carry the coverage the state requires. You don't buy an SR-22 — you buy an auto policy, and your carrier files the certificate.
In Texas it must be maintained for two years, running from the date of the conviction that triggered it — or, if it came from a crash judgment, two years from the date the judgment was rendered. If the coverage lapses, your license is re-suspended and reinstating it requires a new SR-22 plus a $100 reinstatement fee. A new qualifying conviction can extend the period.
The Basics
What triggers it, and what it costs.
The filing itself is cheap. The premium behind it is the real expense.
What triggers an SR-22
Commonly a DWI or other alcohol-related offense, driving without insurance, driving while your license is invalid, an unsatisfied judgment from a crash, or accumulating too many violations.
The filing fee is small
Carriers charge a modest fee to make the filing. That is not what makes an SR-22 expensive.
The premium is the real cost
You now price as a high-risk driver, and standard carriers may decline you entirely. That's the actual financial impact, and it's temporary.
Not every insurer will file one
Many won't. That's why drivers get bounced between agencies — it isn't personal, those carriers simply don't participate in this market.
Two Years
How the clock actually runs.
The single most common misunderstanding is when the two years start.
From conviction, not from filing
The two years run from the date of the conviction that required the SR-22 — or from the date the judgment was rendered in a crash judgment. Not from the day you bought the policy.
A lapse resets everything
Let coverage lapse and your license or driving privilege is re-suspended. Reinstating requires a new SR-22 and a $100 reinstatement fee. Never let this policy cancel for non-payment.
Your carrier tells the state
The filing works both ways. When a policy cancels, the insurer notifies DPS. There is no window where nobody notices.
A new conviction extends it
If another qualifying conviction is reported, the requirement can be extended. The clock is not guaranteed to be the one you started with.
Straight Talk
What nobody tells you about the two years.
Set it to autopay and don't touch it
The single worst outcome here is a cancellation for non-payment, because it restarts the whole process and adds a fee. Treat this policy differently from your other bills.
Don't cancel the day the two years end
Confirm with DPS that the requirement is satisfied before you drop it. Cancelling a day early can cost you the entire period.
This ends, and you should re-shop when it does
Once the requirement is behind you and the violation ages, you're a different risk. Plenty of drivers stay in non-standard markets years longer than they need to because nobody told them to look again.
You may not need a car to need this
Non-owner SR-22 policies exist for drivers who must maintain the filing but don't own a vehicle. Worth asking about rather than buying coverage on a car you don't have.
Get Started
Request an SR-22 quote.
We'll quote the policy and handle the filing. Tell us what happened and we'll work with the markets that write it.
Reach us directly
You'll hear back from a real person on our team, not a call center.
Plano, TX 75074
SR-22 FAQ
Questions we hear often.
What is an SR-22 in Texas?
It isn't insurance. It's a certificate your insurance company files with the Texas Department of Public Safety proving you carry the coverage the state requires.
How long do I need an SR-22 in Texas?
Two years, running from the date of the conviction that required it — or two years from the date the judgment was rendered if it came from a crash judgment. A new qualifying conviction can extend it.
What happens if my SR-22 insurance lapses?
Your license or driving privilege is re-suspended. Reinstating requires a new SR-22 filing and a $100 reinstatement fee, and the insurer notifies the state when a policy cancels.
Is an SR-22 expensive?
The filing fee itself is small. The cost is the underlying policy, because you now price as a high-risk driver and some carriers won't write you at all.
Can I get an SR-22 without owning a car?
Yes. Non-owner SR-22 policies exist for drivers who must maintain the filing but don't own a vehicle.
Why won't my insurance company file an SR-22?
Many carriers don't participate in this market. It isn't about you specifically — it's why drivers often get turned away several times before finding an agency that works with non-standard markets.
When can I drop my SR-22?
Once the requirement is satisfied. Confirm with DPS before cancelling — dropping it early can cost you the whole period.