Accidents happen in an instant and when we least expect them—often resulting in damage to your vehicle and that of the other party involved.
Whether the accident was due to a brief lapse in your or the other driver’s concentration, having the right auto insurance is important to help you cover unexpected costs.
Most states require that drivers have standard car insurance, but SR-22 auto insurance is something that you may also need at some point.
If, for example, you have to reinstate your driver’s license after it has been suspended or revoked, you may need to get SR-22 insurance from your insurer.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about SR-22 auto insurance in Utah.
What Is SR-22 Car Insurance and What Does It Mean for You?
People are often confused about what SR-22 insurance actually is.
SR-22 insurance, sometimes referred to as ‘financial responsibility insurance’, is not really an insurance policy at all.
Instead, SR-22 is a certificate that your auto insurance company will file with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Utah.
This certificate is an official form that you will need to carry around with you to prove that you have enough car insurance to meet the minimum auto liability coverage requirements of Utah State.
You may be required to obtain an SR-22 certificate as proof of insurance coverage before you can get back on the road.
Key Point: Minimum Auto Liability Coverage Auto liability coverage is a type of insurance that helps to pay for any damage you may cause to property or the injury/death of a third party while driving. Each U.S. state has different minimum liability requirements, but there are always three essential elements included:
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The minimum auto liability insurance requirements in Utah are:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
- $65,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
- $15,000 property damage liability per accident.
- $3,000 personal injury protection.
Every driver in Utah will need to meet these minimum liability requirements.
Drivers failing to meet these state minimum requirements can be fined or their license may be suspended.
SR-22 insurance premiums are often more expensive than standard minimum liability insurance policies due to the severity of the associated traffic violations.
If you haven’t been ordered to carry SR-22 insurance and don’t have a revoked or suspended driver’s license, then you don’t need to carry an SR-22 certificate.
Who Needs SR-22 Insurance and How Long Do They Need It For?
Each state in the U.S. has its own set of violations for which an SR-22 certificate is needed.
If you have been convicted of a DUI, or any other serious traffic offense in Utah, you will be required to carry an SR-22.
This form, filled out by your insurance provider, confirms that you meet the minimum insurance requirements in Utah.
After your first serious traffic offense, you will require an SR-22 certificate for three years. A second offense will result in an SR-22 form being issued for five years.
Any lapse in SR-22 coverage will lead to your insurer reporting to you the state, meaning your SR-22 period will be extended, and you’ll have to pay the required SR-22 fees a second time.
SR-22s are required after you’ve committed certain traffic violations. You may even be required to have an SR-22 if you’ve had a series of small violations logged against you within a short period of time.
You could need SR-22 insurance in Utah for the following reasons:
- Conviction for driving under the influence (DUI or DWI).
- Driving without car insurance.
- Driving with a revoked or suspended license.
- Having committed repeated high-risk traffic violations within a specified length of time, including speeding tickets.
- Numerous at-fault accidents.
- A fatal at-fault accident or one that results in injuries.
- Dangerous or reckless driving.
- Assignment from a court order.
- Failing to pay fines from tickets.
- Refusing consent to a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test.
An SR-22 filing is generally not required for minor violations such as a ticket or standard accident.
How Do You Get SR-22 Insurance in Utah?
If your license has been revoked, or you have committed one of the violations above, your car insurance company will need to file an SR-22 form with the Utah DMV on your behalf.
Some insurers are not willing to file an SR-22 form for you because they may consider you to be a high-risk driver.
Once you’ve received an SR-22 certificate, there is a good chance that you will have to pay higher car insurance rates than before you committed your violation.
Steps to file for SR-22 insurance in Utah
Find an insurance provider
You’ll need to find an insurer willing to file an SR-22 form on your behalf, as many insurers won’t insure high-risk drivers.
Do your research and find a carrier that files SR-22 certificates in Utah.
To find a wide range of SR-22 insurance quotes quickly and easily, simply head to the top of this page and enter your zip code.
Pay the SR-22 fee
Once an insurer has agreed to cover you and file an SR-22 on your behalf, pay the fee so the form can be processed and filed. In Utah, filing fees range from $15 to $25.
Get minimum liability coverage
You’ll need to buy liability insurance that meets or exceeds Utah’s legal requirements before your insurer will file an SR-22 for you.
Submit your SR-22
Once you’ve paid the filing fee, your insurer will file your SR-22 with the Utah DMV. When the filing is accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation letter in the mail from your insurance company.
Once you have your SR-22 certificate in place, it’s important to avoid any lapses in your insurance coverage.
An SR-22 certificate proves that you have sufficient car insurance. A lapse in cover would mean that you are not insured.
If you decide to change your car insurance policy or insurance company, make sure you don’t have any periods of time without coverage.
Types of SR-22 Insurance in Utah
When you apply for an SR-22 certificate, you will need to specify the exact type of SR-22 insurance you need, depending on your circumstances.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of SR-22 insurance below.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance
If you drive a car you do not own, you must file for non-owner car insurance. This is for drivers who:
- Don’t plan to own a car.
- Don’t share a household with someone who owns a car.
- Still want to drive on occasion (e.g., a rental or borrowing a friend’s car).
Owner SR-22 insurance
Owner SR-22 insurance is for Utah drivers who:
- Already own a car or plan to buy one.
- Share a household with someone who does own a car.
- Want to reinstate their driver’s license.
Owner/operator SR-22 insurance
If more than one car is registered in your name or you need to drive cars you do not own as part of your job, you will need to carry owner/operator SR-22 insurance.
Which Is the Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in Utah?
When you get an SR-22 certificate, your car insurance costs will increase as you are now considered a high-risk driver.
It’s important to never settle for the first car insurance quote that you get. We recommend that you shop around and find the cheapest SR-22 car insurance.
Let’s take a look at two of the cheapest SR-22 car insurance rates in Utah.
According to our latest research, Progressive provides the cheapest SR-22 car insurance in Utah, with average monthly premiums of $182.03.
Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in Utah
| Provider | Salt Lake County | Utah County | Davis County | Weber County | Washington County | Average |
| Dairyland | $568.98 | $498.13 | $475.24 | $449.08 | $446.90 | $487.67 |
| Progressive | $239.80 | $174.40 | $172.22 | $165.68 | $158.05 | $182.03 |
| Direct | $567.00 | $477.00 | $478.00 | $490.00 | $498.00 | $502.00 |
Besides shopping around for the cheapest SR-22 insurance, it’s best to get a completely personalized insurance quote. We all have different needs and circumstances.
Most good insurers will tailor your insurance quote to your needs. To get your customized car insurance quote, simply enter your zip code at the top of this page.
Key Point: What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance? Car insurance providers usually look at your driving record, past claims, and vehicle model when deciding on car insurance rates. In Utah, car insurance companies will also consider the following factors:
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How Does an SR-22 Impact Your Insurance in Utah?
We’ve looked at the auto insurance rates offered by various insurers for low-risk drivers to compare them to the rates they offer to drivers who have been convicted of driving-related offenses.
This is how much drivers in Utah with a clean driving record can expect to pay for car insurance:
Cheapest Car Insurance for Good Drivers with Clean Driving Records in Utah
| Provider | Salt Lake County | Utah County | Davis County | Weber County | Washington County | Average |
| Dairyland | $345.53 | $299.75 | $285.58 | $271.41 | $272.50 | $294.95 |
| Farmers | $109.00 | $123.17 | $119.90 | $127.53 | $132.98 | $122.52 |
Here’s how much drivers in Utah can expect to pay if they are considered high-risk drivers:
Cheap Auto Insurance for Bad Drivers in Utah (DUI or Traffic Ticket)
| Provider | Salt Lake County | Utah County | Davis County | Weber County | Washington County | Average |
| Dairyland | $561.35 | $539.55 | $467.61 | $446.90 | $457.80 | $494.64 |
| The General | $355.34 | $340.08 | $312.83 | $318.28 | $324.82 | $330.27 |
Apart from SR-22 Insurance in Utah, What Else Do You Need to Have?
Utah law only requires minimum liability insurance coverage to drive legally in the state, but driving with this cover alone is not recommended.
If you are involved in an accident, the costs for repairs and medical attention tend to be much higher than the cover provided with minimum liability coverage.
Some of the common options for additional coverage include:
Comprehensive coverage: This type of insurance will pay out for vehicle damages caused in non-collision circumstances such as theft or weather-related events.
Collision coverage: If you are involved in a collision, this coverage will pay out whether the collision is with another vehicle or a stationary object.
Medical payments: If you are in an accident, this coverage will help pay toward the medical expenses for both you and those in your vehicle. This coverage is available regardless of fault.
Roadside assistance: This coverage helps if you need a tow, have a flat tire, have a dead battery, or if your car has broken down for any other reason.
How to Save Money on SR-22 Insurance in Utah
Although you will end up paying higher rates as a high-risk driver with an SR-22 certificate in Utah, you can still save money. Here’s how:
- Consider usage-based car insurance: If you don’t drive very often, choose a car insurance policy with premiums that are based on how many miles you drive per month.
- Raise your deductibles: A deductible is the amount of money that you will need to first pay out of pocket before your insurance will kick in. If you are willing to pay more toward covering expenses yourself, your insurer will lower your premiums.
- Bundle your car insurance with other policies: Choose insurers who can offer you great prices on your other insurance needs as well, and go with one company. Ask each insurer whether bundling your insurance in this way will allow you to qualify for a discount.
- Pay your premium in full instead of monthly payments: You could get a percentage discount when you pay your annual insurance premium in full instead of monthly.
FAQs about SR-22 Car Insurance in Utah
What are the minimum auto insurance liability requirements in Utah?
The minimum auto liability insurance requirements in Utah are:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
- $65,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
- $15,000 property damage liability per accident.
- $3,000 personal injury protection.
What is an SR-22 in Utah?
SR-22 insurance is required for Utah drivers who have committed a serious driving offense like a DUI, and have had their driving privileges revoked.
Remember, SR-22 insurance is not a different insurance policy. Instead, it’s an additional form that your insurer files on your behalf showing you meet the minimum insurance requirements in your state.
Who needs SR-22 in Utah?
In Utah, if a driver had their license suspended or revoked for any of the following reasons, they will need their insurance carrier to file an SR-22 form for them in order to legally get back on the road:
- Driving while uninsured.
- DUI or DWI conviction.
- Reckless driving.
- Driving while your license is suspended.
How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Utah?
How long you need SR-22 insurance in Utah depends on your conviction, but the usual duration is three years. However, any lapse in coverage can result in longer periods.
How do I get an SR-22 certificate in Utah?
If an SR-22 form is needed, insurers usually file one electronically on your behalf. Some insurers might choose not to cover you if you need an SR-22 certificate. It is a good idea to look around for a provider with reasonable rates.
Are SR-22 insurance costs higher than those for standard insurance?
Compared to a typical insurance policy in Utah, SR-22 coverage tends to be more expensive.
SR-22 insurance is more expensive because of the severity of traffic violations that leads to it being required.
While the SR-22 form itself typically costs only a small fee, associated offenses like a DUI can have a significant impact on your auto insurance rates.
Drivers considered to be high risk will typically pay higher premiums due to their increased likelihood of filing a claim.
Are You Looking for Cheap SR-22 Car Insurance in Utah?
To find the cheapest SR-22 car insurance in Utah, we recommend comparing insurance quotes from multiple companies.
This can be a time-consuming process, so why not let us help you find the best deals?
Simply head to the top of this page and enter your zip code. We’ll list as many personalized, cheap SR-22 car insurance quotes as are available in your area.
At CheapInsurance.com, we’ve got you covered!
