When you’re looking for cheap SR-22 insurance in Alabama, turn to CheapInsurance.com and get all the answers you need.
With over 3.9 million licensed drivers, Alabama is home to temperate weather conditions and generally well-maintained roads, making this state relatively easy to drive in.
Despite this, according to Drive Safe Alabama, an Alabama driver has more than a 33% chance of having a serious or fatal car accident during their lifetime.
When accidents do happen, they are mainly due to not paying attention while driving.
If you are found to be driving in the following instances, you will be flagged as a reckless or high-risk driver and may need SR-22 insurance:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Speeding, failure to yield right of way, reckless endangerment.
- Numerous accidents where you are at fault.
- Driving without car insurance.
What is SR-22 Insurance and What Does It Mean For You as a Driver In Alabama?
‘SR’ stands for Safety Responsibility.
Although it’s sometimes referred to as ‘financial responsibility insurance’, SR-22 is not an insurance policy at all.
It’s the required filing of an add-on certificate that you will need to attach to your auto insurance policy if you are identified as a high-risk driver.
Your SR-22 certificate is a document that is registered with the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle.
It verifies that you have enough minimum auto liability coverage in place at any given time.
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 key aspects that are included:
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The minimum auto liability requirements in Alabama, which are commonly stated as the 25/50/25 rule, are:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
- $25,000 property damage per accident.
Key Point: Minimum Liability Insurance Is Mandatory It’s against the law in Alabama to drive a vehicle if you do not have the necessary minimum liability auto insurance coverage. |
Who Needs SR-22 Insurance in Alabama and For How Long Is It Needed?
Each state in America has its own list of traffic violations for which SR-22 insurance, or an SR-22 certificate, may be needed.
In Alabama, a traffic violation point system is used to monitor your traffic violations.
Each Alabama driver’s license has a total of 12 points.
If you accumulate 12 points over a period of two years, you will be classified as a high-risk driver and your driving license will be suspended.
You will need an SR-22 certificate along with your car insurance when the suspension has been lifted and you are able to drive again.
The length of your suspension will depend on how many points you have collected:
- 12 to 14 points in a 2-year period - 60 days
- 15 to 17 points in a 2-year period - 90 days
- 18 to 20 points in a 2-year period - 120 days
- 21 to 23 points in a 2-year period - 180 days
- 24 and above points in a 2-year period - 365 days
After a traffic conviction is 2 years old, your points will be removed, but the offense will remain on your driving record.
This is important to know because insurance companies will check your driving record to see how much of a risk you are for them to insure.
If you have more violations on your record, you will be charged a higher premium since you are considered more likely to file a claim.
In Alabama, some of the most common traffic violations include:
- Speeding.
- Improper lane usage.
- Following too close.
- Running stop signs.
- Running red lights.
- Reckless driving.
The amount of time for which you require an SR-22 insurance certificate in Alabama will depend on how severe your violation is.
In most cases, you will need an SR-22 insurance certificate for three years.
How Do You Get SR-22 Insurance in Alabama?
If you have been convicted of a traffic violation, your car insurance provider will need to file an SR-22 form on your behalf.
In Alabama, your auto insurance company will need to do this digitally.
You will need to take the following steps to get an SR-22 certificate in Alabama:
- Find an authorized insurance provider: Not all insurance companies are able to file an SR-22 certificate for you. If you already have car insurance, check with your provider whether they will issue an SR-22 form for you. If they won’t, you will need to find an insurer that does.
- Pay the SR-22 filing fee: Your insurer will charge you a filing fee for managing the SR-22 form on your behalf. This is a one-time fee. It costs between $15 and $25 to file an SR-22 form in Alabama, depending on the auto insurance company that you are with.
- Verify your minimum liability insurance coverage: Ensure that your auto insurance policy meets the minimum requirements of Alabama State.
- Let your insurer submit your SR-22 form on your behalf: Your insurer should submit your SR-22 form with the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle and provide you with verification once the form is filed.
- Wait for confirmation: Once the state of Alabama accepts your SR-22 form, you should receive a confirmation letter from your auto insurance company. You will then be legally eligible to drive again.
It’s important to note that if you allow your SR-22 insurance certificate to lapse, your insurance provider is required to report it to the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle.
Types of SR-22 Car Insurance in Alabama
Alabama has two types of SR-22 insurance, including owner SR-22 insurance and non-owner SR-22 insurance.
Owner SR-22 insurance
Owner SR-22 insurance is for Alabama drivers who:
- Already own a car or plan to buy one.
- Share a household with someone who owns a car.
- Want to reinstate their driver’s license.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance
If you do not own a car but still drive a car, you will need to 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).
Which Is the Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in Alabama?
Finding a car insurance company that will be willing to file your SR-22 insurance certificate with the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle can be challenging.
Fortunately, we have done some of the hard work for you. Here is a cost comparison of the monthly premiums for 5 counties in Alabama that are served by Bristol West.
| Provider | Huntsville County | Montgomery County | Birmingham County | Mobile County | Tuscaloosa County | Average |
| Bristol West | $509 | $550 | $551 | $640 | $576 | $565 |
Never settle for the first quote that you receive. Always shop around for car insurance to save on your annual car insurance premiums.
In fact, you can get a completely customized car insurance quote for your minimum liability insurance from CheapInsurance.com.
Get a personalized car insurance quote.
Key Point: What Makes Up Your Car Insurance Quote? Car insurance companies usually look at your driving record, past claims, vehicle make, vehicle model, and vehicle age when deciding on car insurance coverage. In Alabama, car insurance companies will also look at the following factors:
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How Does an SR-22 Certificate Impact Your Car Insurance Coverage in Alabama?
We’ve looked at the car insurance rates offered by various car insurance companies for low-risk drivers, to compare them to the rates they offer to high-risk drivers who have been convicted of driving-related violations.
This is how much drivers in Alabama with a clean driving record can expect to pay for car insurance:
The cheapest insurance provider is Clearcover at an average of $126.
| Provider | Huntsville County | Montgomery County | Birmingham County | Mobile County | Tuscaloosa County | Average |
| State Auto | $148 | $163 | $161 | $162 | $157 | $158 |
| Clearcover | $117 | $135 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $126 |
| Travelers | $165 | $172 | $177 | $174 | $165 | $170 |
| Liberty Mutual | $188 | $176 | $166 | $164 | $148 | $168 |
Here are some car insurance costs that Alabama high-risk drivers can expect to pay:
The cheapest insurance provider is GAINSCO at an average of $227.
| Provider | Huntsville County | Montgomery County | Birmingham County | Mobile County | Tuscaloosa County | Average |
| GAINSCO | N/A | $217 | $224 | $214 | $255 | $227 |
| Bristol West | $468 | $497 | $507 | $558 | $530 | $512 |
Get a personalized car insurance quote.
Key Point: What Is a High Risk Driver? Insurance companies use the term ‘high risk’ to describe drivers who are more likely to make a claim against their car insurance policy. Some of the offenses that may lead to being considered a high-risk driver in Alabama include:
If you are a high-risk driver, Alabama insurance companies could increase the cost of your car insurance. |
How to Save Money on SR-22 Insurance in Alabama
Alabama is one of the cheaper states when it comes to SR-22 insurance in the U.S.
In fact, Alabama drivers pay 4.9% less for full coverage than the national average cost of car insurance.
Although Alabama has cheaper auto insurance than other states in the U.S., there are a few ways that you can save even money on car insurance.
Here are some tips that will help you get the best rate for your SR-22 auto insurance in Alabama.
- Maintain a good credit history: Many insurers use credit information to price car insurance policies. Research has shown that people with better credit histories make fewer claims.
- Consider usage-based car insurance: If you don’t drive very often, opt for insurance that charges you based on how many miles you drive per month.
- Raise your deductibles: A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket when you make a claim. If you raise your deductibles, your insurer will likely reduce 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.
- Pay your premium in full instead of monthly payments: Get a percentage discount when you pay your annual insurance premium in full instead of monthly.
- Shop around for great car insurance rates: It’s a good idea to get at least three quotes from auto insurance companies so that you can decide which will be the cheapest insurer to go with.
Apart from An SR-22 Car Insurance Policy in Alabama, What Else Do You Need to Have?
The only type of mandatory car insurance coverage in Alabama is minimum liability coverage. This insurance pays for damages to others when an accident is your fault.
With minimum liability insurance though, you won’t be able to cover the cost of fixing your own vehicle if you are in an accident.
Minimum liability insurance will also not pay for medical expenses when you or others are injured.
For this coverage, you need the following types of car insurance:
Collision and comprehensive insurance.
If you get into a car accident, or your vehicle is in any way damaged, collision and comprehensive insurance will pay the repair costs for your car.
Medical payments insurance.
Medical payments insurance, otherwise known as MedPay, pays the hospital bills for you and your passengers after a car accident.
FAQs about SR-22 Car Insurance in Alabama
To help you find cheap SR-22 car insurance in Alabama, we’ve rounded up the most frequently asked questions about SR-22 insurance:
What is an SR-22 in Alabama?
In Alabama, an SR-22 is a certificate that confirms you have minimum liability car insurance in place.
An SR-22 form will need to be filed with the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle if you have committed a serious driving offense.
An SR-22 form will also need to be filed if you have collected 12 points or more on your driving record for traffic violations such as reckless driving.
How do I get an SR-22 Certificate in Alabama?
Your insurance provider must file an SR-22 form on your behalf. If you are a high-risk driver, they may be unwilling to do this and you will need to find another insurer.
How much more do I need to pay for SR-22 insurance in Alabama as compared to standard insurance?
In general, a policy with SR-22 is more expensive than standard insurance cover.
A good driver can expect to pay around $156 per month, whereas a high-risk driver may look at premiums of around $370.
Who has the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Alabama?
According to our research, Clearcover offers the best option for cheap car insurance in Alabama. The average premium across both good drivers and high-risk drivers is just $263.
For how long do Alabama drivers need SR-22 car insurance?
The minimum required time for SR-22 insurance is three years for drivers convicted of a traffic offense.
CheapInsurance.com is here to help you! Why not get a personalized car insurance quote from us today?
