Even good drivers have bad days. If you’ve had your driver’s license revoked or suspended, or you have been charged in an at-fault accident, you may be ordered by the court or the Michigan Secretary of State to begin carrying SR-22 insurance.
Getting SR-22 insurance is a key step you’d need to take before you can have your driving privileges reinstated. Along with this, you may also need to:
- Pay any fines or penalties.
- Complete community service.
- Complete a court-ordered program.
- Complete a jail sentence, if your violation was severe.
While the process can seem daunting at first, getting SR-22 insurance in Michigan isn’t complicated.
All it requires is an understanding of what you need to do, and taking the necessary steps to ensure you’re complying with the court order.
In this article, we’ll go through everything you should know about SR-22 insurance in Michigan. This includes when you need it, how to get it, and how it affects your car insurance.
Car insurance coverage data shows that Michigan is the most expensive state in the U.S. for car insurance. Drivers in Michigan pay up to 85% higher than the median rate of car insurance in other states.
Some of the reasons car insurance is so expensive in Michigan include:
- No-fault coverage makes your insurer cover your medical bills after being in an accident that wasn’t your fault. In many other states, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying medical bills.
- Compulsory unlimited personal injury protection benefits.
- Michigan has a high rate of insurance fraud.
- Almost 20% of drivers in Michigan are uninsured, so car insurers raise their premiums to make up for the deficit.
- There is a high number of personal injury lawsuits.
With car insurance already so expensive in Michigan, one of the biggest drawbacks of needing to carry an SR-22, is that it means that car insurance companies will flag you as a high-risk driver and raise your premiums accordingly.
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Key Point: High-Risk Drivers A ‘high-risk driver’ is a term used by car insurance companies to show that a policyholder has a higher risk of needing to claim from their car insurance. Remember, car insurance companies make their best business from policyholders who don’t claim. While needing SR-22 insurance will signal to your insurance provider that you’re a high-risk driver, you can also be classified as a high-risk driver by having a poor credit score, having an insurance policy canceled, or by not paying your car insurance premiums. |
We’ve researched car insurance in Michigan to compare quotes and help you find cheap, reliable SR-22 insurance in the following counties:
- Wayne County.
- Oakland County.
- Macomb County.
- Kent County.
- Genesee County.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about SR-22 insurance in Michigan.
What Is SR-22 Insurance?
Although it’s sometimes referred to as “financial responsibility insurance,” SR-22 insurance actually isn’t a type of insurance policy.
Instead, it’s a form you’ll need to carry to show that you have taken on the financial responsibility of meeting Michigan’s minimum auto liability coverage requirements.
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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 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 Michigan are:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person.
- $40,000 bodily injury liability insurance per accident.
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident outside Michigan.
While every driver in Michigan needs to meet the minimum liability insurance coverage requirements outlined above, only some drivers will be ordered to carry a form that proves they meet these financial responsibility requirements. This form is called SR-22 insurance.
If you haven’t been ordered to carry SR-22 insurance and don’t have a revoked or suspended driver’s license you want to reinstate, then you don’t need to carry an SR-22 certificate.
Who Needs SR-22 Insurance?
If the state revokes or suspends your driver’s license for any reason, you will need to first get SR-22 insurance before you can have it reinstated.
Some of the traffic violations that may lead to your license being revoked or suspended include:
- Being found at-fault in a major accident.
- Speeding (driving 20mph over the maximum speed limit).
- Reckless driving.
- Leaving the scene of an accident after an accident or another major driving violation.
- Driving while intoxicated with drugs or alcohol.
- Getting an excessive number of points on your driving record.
Generally, states refer to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as a DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while impaired).
In Michigan it’s known as an OWI (operating while intoxicated) or OWVI (operating while visibly impaired).
If you’ve been convicted of an OWI or OWVI, the process of getting SR-22 insurance is identical to any other instance where your license has been suspended or revoked. Unfortunately, you will likely face higher fines and penalties for an OWI or OWVI offense.
SR-22 insurance in Michigan is generally required for three years, although the duration you need to carry it will be subject to your personal circumstances.
Types of SR-22 Insurance in Michigan
When you apply for SR-22 insurance, you will need to specify the exact type of SR-22 insurance you need, depending on your circumstances.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance
If you do not own a car but still drive a car you do not own, 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).
Owner SR-22 insurance
Owner SR-22 insurance is for Michigan 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.
How to Get an SR-22 in Michigan
If your license has been suspended or revoked and you want to get it reinstated, you’ll need to get SR-22 insurance through your auto insurance company.
This will probably be one of the most challenging parts of getting an SR-22 certificate, as many auto insurance companies may not want to insure high-risk drivers.
Auto insurance companies who do offer SR-22 insurance will offer it at a more expensive rate, so finding SR-22 insurance you can afford may be challenging.
If you can’t find a car insurance company that will give you insurance coverage with an SR-22 certificate, you can contact the Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility for assistance in finding an insurer.
Once you have accepted an SR-22 insurance quote, your insurer will file your SR-22 on your behalf with the Michigan Secretary of State. You will then receive your SR-22 documentation in the mail within two to four weeks.
Every time you get behind the wheel of a car, you will need to carry your SR-22 certificate with you. If you are caught driving without SR-22 insurance in Michigan, it is considered the same offense as driving without car insurance.
You could be criminally charged with a misdemeanor and face the following penalties:
- A fine ranging between $200 and $500.
- Up to one year in jail.
- Having to surrender your driver’s license.
- A $125 fee to reinstate your driver’s license.
If you do have SR-22 insurance but get stopped without the necessary documentation, you can submit your insurance paperwork before your court date to avoid having your license revoked.
You won’t receive a fine, but you may have to pay a service fee of $25.
If you are in an at-fault car accident and do not have SR-22 insurance, you will have to pay for any damages and medical expenses out of your own pocket.
If you were not at fault in the car accident, you won’t be able to claim compensation for medical bills or damage.
How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Cost in Michigan?
The costs that come with getting an SR-22 will differ from driver to driver, depending on the circumstances that led to needing an SR-22.
Here are some of the additional costs you can expect:
- Your monthly SR-22 liability coverage premium.
- An increased auto insurance premium.
- If your auto insurer offered a good driver discount, you will lose this.
- A once-off filing fee between $25 and $50.
- Paying any related fines and fees, which are generally over $300.
- A $125 fee to the Michigan Secretary of State to reinstate your driver’s license.
While your auto insurance premium will increase, SR-22 insurance doesn’t automatically increase the cost of your auto insurance policy.
Instead, the traffic violations that led to needing to carry SR-22 insurance will dictate how much your auto insurance policy premiums will increase by.
When you ask your car insurance company to file your SR-22 insurance, they will be able to see what violation you were charged with (e.g. reckless driving, OWI, or speeding) and they will increase the cost of your auto insurance rates according to the severity of the violation.
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Key Point: Auto Insurance Rates When you sign an agreement with a car insurance company, you will agree to an auto insurance rate that you’ll pay monthly for the coverage. Some of the factors that will influence your auto insurance rates include:
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Your first instinct will probably be to ask your current car insurance company to file your SR-22 insurance on your behalf, but auto insurance rates can vary significantly between insurers.
It’s always a good idea to compare quotes from multiple insurers to ensure you get the best price.
If you don’t have a licensed insurance agent we’re here to help! We’ve done the hard work of comparing insurance quotes from Michigan insurance companies to save you time and money.
Here’s our list of the prices offered by various providers to help you find the best insurance rates in these Michigan counties:
- Wayne County.
- Oakland County.
- Macomb County.
- Kent County.
- Genesee County.
The cheapest SR-22 insurance option is an average of $282.00 with Bristol West, while the most expensive option is $672.60 with USA Underwriters.
| Provider | Wayne County | Oakland County | Macomb County | Kent County | Genesee County | Average |
| Bristol West | $300.00 | $308.00 | $299.00 | $206.00 | $297.00 | $282.00 |
| USA Underwriters | $654.00 | $621.00 | $621.00 | $561.00 | $681.00 | $627.60 |
| AAA | $330.00 | $239.00 | $301.00 | $252.00 | $261.00 | $276.60 |
| Geico | $357.00 | $281.00 | $281.00 | $247.00 | $266.00 | $286.40 |
Alternatives to SR-22 Insurance in Michigan
SR-21 insurance
SR-21 insurance proves that you were adequately insured at the time of an accident.
If you were in a car accident and had insurance at the time, your car insurance company will issue an SR-21 insurance certificate as proof that you met the minimum auto liability insurance requirements.
SR-22A insurance
If you do not meet the terms of your SR-22 insurance, you will need to carry SR-22A insurance. This certificate shows car insurance companies that you violated the terms of your SR-22 and are a very high-risk driver.
Violating the terms of your SR-22 insurance includes allowing it to lapse or getting charged with another serious traffic violation.
Only three states in the U.S. will require you to carry SR-22A insurance after violating the terms of your SR-22:
- Georgia.
- Missouri.
- Texas.
If you are ordered to get SR-22A insurance, you will need to pay six months of your car insurance premiums upfront.
It will also raise the cost of your car insurance premiums significantly.
FR-44 insurance
If you are convicted of a DUI or DWI, you may need to carry FR-44 insurance instead of SR-22 insurance. There are only two states in the U.S. that use FR-44 insurance:
FR-44 insurance is only applicable in two states:
- Florida.
- Virginia.
If you are convicted of an OWI or OWVI (as a DUI and DWI are called in Michigan), you will need to carry SR-22 insurance.
If you move to Florida or Virginia during this period, you will need to apply for FR-44 insurance once you are in the state.
SR-50 insurance
SR-50 insurance is only applicable if you commit a serious traffic violation in Indiana.
If you have SR-50 insurance and move from Indiana to Michigan, you will need to contact your car insurance company to obtain SR-22 insurance in Michigan.
FAQs about SR-22 Insurance in Michigan
Does Michigan have SR-22 insurance?
Yes. The Michigan Secretary of State may require you to carry SR-22 if you are charged with one of the following traffic violations:
- Being found at-fault in a major accident.
- Speeding (driving 20mph over the maximum speed limit).
- Reckless driving.
- Leaving the scene of an accident or another major driving violation.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Accumulating an excessive number of points on your driving record.
How long is an SR-22 required in Michigan?
Usually, you will need to carry SR-22 insurance for three years in Michigan. Depending on the severity of your traffic violations, this duration may be increased.
If your SR-22 insurance lapses prior to the end date, you’ll need to reinstate your SR-22 insurance and the period will start again from day one.
Why do I need an SR-22 in Michigan?
SR-22 insurance proves financial responsibility that you are meeting the auto liability requirements in Michigan. The minimum auto liability requirements are:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person.
- $40,000 bodily injury liability insurance per accident.
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident outside Michigan.
Every driver in Michigan needs to meet the minimum liability insurance coverage requirements outlined above, but only drivers who have been charged with a serious traffic violation and have had their driver’s license suspended or revoked will need to carry SR-22 insurance.
How do I get SR-22 insurance in Michigan?
If you have been ordered by the court or the Michigan Secretary of State to get SR-22 insurance, you will need to notify your car insurance provider and they will file your SR-22 insurance on your behalf.
What is the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Michigan?
The cheapest SR-22 insurance option is an average of $282.00 with Bristol West. The cost of your SR-22 insurance will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Your age.
- The severity of your traffic violation.
- Which Michigan county you live in.
- The total value of your car.
- Your credit record.
Can I drive someone else’s car in Michigan?
All drivers in Michigan need to meet the state’s auto minimum liability requirements.
If you do not own a car but intend to drive another car (e.g. a rental or borrowing a friend’s car), you will need non-owner SR-22 insurance to legally drive their car.
If you don’t have SR-22 insurance, you cannot drive someone else’s car.
