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Despite its name, SR-22 insurance is not actually an insurance product. So what is it, and is it something you need? Benzinga has put together this guide to SR-22 insurance in Nevada to help you understand when it’s required, how it will impact your auto insurance and how you can still save on your policy premiums.
| Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $504 |
| Root | Your Choice |
| Dairyland | $423 |
| Esurance | Custom Quote |
| AAA | Custom Quote |
*Quotes obtained using the following profile: 40-year-old married female, 2015 Ford Taurus, DUI in the past 1-3 years. Quote includes SR-22. For an accurate quote based on your metrics, get a custom quote here.
Best SR-22 Insurance in Nevada
- Best Overall Car Insurance with an SR-22: Esurance
- Cheapest Car Insurance: Dairyland
- Best for Roadside Assistance: Mercury
- Best for Good Drivers: Root
- Best for AAA Members: AAA
What is SR-22 Insurance?
Okay, so if SR-22 insurance isn’t actually an insurance product, what is it? SR-22 is a document that proves your car insurance meets the minimum requirements required by Nevada law. You may also hear it referred to as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, SR-22 bond or simply an SR-22 form.
Minimum requirements for car insurance in Nevada:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $20,000
Not every driver needs an SR-22 — it is court-ordered or state-ordered. If it’s court-ordered, the judge will let you know at your hearing. If it’s state-ordered, you’ll receive a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Here are some of the most common reasons an SR-22 is required:
- You were caught driving without auto insurance.
- You were caught driving without a valid driver’s license.
- You have been convicted of a DUI or DWI.
- You were found at fault in several accidents or violations.
- You’ve had repeat driving offenses within a short period of time. For example, 3 traffic violations within 6 months.
- Your license has been suspended or revoked, but you’ve been granted a hardship license to get to and from work.
- You’ve neglected to pay your court-ordered child support.
Getting an SR-22 is pretty simple. If you already have an auto insurance policy, all you need to do is give your insurance company a call. If your insurance company offers SR-22s, the company will file it with the State of Nevada.
If you don’t have an auto insurance company or are due for a new policy, shop around to find the right choice for you. Not all insurance companies offer SR-22s, so you’ll want to know whether a company does before you get a quote.
You should also know that your SR-22 won’t automatically go away, even if you no longer need it. If you don’t know how long you’re required to have an SR-22, contact the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to find out. You need to keep track of how long you’ve had your SR-22. When it’s no longer needed, ask your insurance company to remove it from your policy.
Laws Specific to SR-22 Insurance in Nevada
SR-22 laws vary by state, so it’s important to be familiar with the requirements set by Nevada.
Here is what you should know to stay compliant with laws related to SR-22 in Nevada:
- An SR-22 may be a condition to reinstate your license. If this is the case, keep your SR-22 filed for 3 years, starting on the date your license was reinstated.
- You must keep your auto insurance policy active during the 3-year requirement or you will lose your driving privileges. You may also need to begin the 3-year period all over again. If your policy with an SR-22 is canceled, your insurance company will alert the DMV. You will then receive notification of your license suspension via certified mail.
- In Nevada, there is no statute of limitations on the SR-22 requirement. This means that you must have the SR-22 continuously for 3 years, no matter how long your license has been suspended or when you purchased coverage.
- The Nevada DMV will not notify you when you are eligible to remove your SR-22 filing.
- If your license was suspended or revoked in Nevada but you are no longer in the state, you should contact the Nevada DMV. Your case will be assigned to a caseworker in driver license review. In most cases, the Nevada DMV can send you a clearance letter by mail.
All states share information through the National Driver Registry. If your violations or license revocation happened in another state, you still need to carry an SR-22 in Nevada.
- If your license is suspended or revoked by another state, the suspension or revocation must be cleared by that state. So, if the State of California revoked your license, you need to follow California’s process to reinstate your license.
- The Nevada DMV will not need to be involved until you have completed the other state’s reinstatement process and receive a clearance letter. After you’re cleared in the national database, contact the Nevada DMV to apply for a driver’s license.
Best Auto Insurance for SR-22 Coverage in Nevada
SR-22 coverage is just another variable you need to consider when choosing your auto insurance provider. Here are Benzinga’s top auto insurance companies that offer SR-22 coverage in Nevada.
1. Best Overall: Esurance
Esurance offers insurance to most drivers, including those who need an SR-22. In fact, its website offers information to walk you through the details of an SR-22 and how to get one. Even though your rates may be higher due to your driving record, Esurance can offer you discounts on your auto insurance policy.
You may be eligible for discounts if you switch to Esurance from another provider, pay your policy in full or bundle your auto insurance with other Esurance policies.
2. Cheapest: Dairyland
Dairyland is an auto insurance company known for offering coverage to high-risk drivers. It provides some of the least expensive coverage if you need an SR-22. In addition to standard auto insurance, Dairyland offers non-owner coverage in case you cause an accident while driving someone else’s car.
You may be able to receive a discount if you insure multiple cars, use safety devices, own a home or switch to Dairyland from a different auto insurance company.
3. Best for Roadside Assistance: Mercury
Mercury offers free roadside assistance with its auto insurance policies for that extra layer of security.
You may also qualify for multiple discounts from Mercury if you bundle insurance policies, use safety devices on your vehicle, own a home and more.
Mercury also allows you to work with a local agent to review and finalize your policy.
- Infrequent drivers
4. Best for Good Drivers: Root
Root is a newer auto insurance company that not only looks at your driving record, but offers you a test drive through its mobile app. Download the app, and Root will remotely assess your driving for 2 or 3 weeks.
Good drivers receive coverage, but if you rack up tickets or accidents, Root can decide to cancel your policy. Root operates completely online — call customer service or use the app for service.
- Roadside assistance
5. Best for AAA Members: AAA
AAA is known for its roadside assistance, but did you know it also offers auto insurance? You can only get AAA auto insurance if you’re a member, so be sure that’s a cost you factor in when you compare quotes. AAA memberships include other benefits, such as discounts on movie or Amtrak tickets and more.
You can get a discount when you switch to AAA, bundle more than 1 insurance product or enroll in automatic premium payments.
What’s Next?
Before you enroll in any auto insurance policy, compare quotes from several companies and learn more about car insurance. Your SR-22 will be tied to your auto insurance policy, so it’s important to understand the various types of coverage each company can offer you.
Balance coverage, costs and any additional benefits offered. Once you’ve found the right coverage for you, don’t forget to let your insurance company know you need an SR-22 added to your policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I have just the minimum amount of car insurance required by my state?
It’s a good idea to purchase more than the state minimum of any type of insurance. State minimums are set relatively low to keep insurance affordable, but in the case of an accident, you can deplete your minimums quickly with expensive medical and property damage costs. Once your bills extend past the minimums, you’ll personally be liable for additional costs and damage. Get the coverage that makes sense for you here.
Q: How does my personal credit play a role?
Insurance carriers run credit scores to help determine policy premiums. Your insurance rates will likely be lower if you have an excellent credit score. On the other hand, your insurance rates may be higher if you have a poor credit score. Insurance companies believe credit scores are an indicator of whether you’ll make your insurance payments on time and credit scores combined with other data can be predictive of risk. Check out the best companies for all credit scores now.
Q: What kind of discounts are usually available?
The most common discounts available are multi-policy and auto-pay, but every company is different. Other discounts that are widely available are loyalty, good student and anti-theft device discounts. See our top providers with the best discounts and get a unique quote.
About Ashley Hart
Ashley Hart is a personal finance writer passionate about helping people feel empowered to take control of their finances. She has more than eight years of writing experience, focused on insurance.