SR-22 Insurance
Last Updated on June 2, 2023
High-risk drivers must obtain an SR-22 certificate in many states to demonstrate financial responsibility. New York, however, does not require SR-22 certificates, and there is no SR-22 insurance in New York.
Typically, drivers in other states must obtain SR-22 insurance after a lapse in insurance coverage, a DUI conviction, or a serious at-fault accident (or multiple incidents). The SR-22 certificate proves you are financially responsible and have valid insurance. SR-22 insurance is not technically insurance: it’s just a certificate verifying you have insurance.
However, none of these rules apply in New York, which is one of the few states with no SR-22 requirements.
New York also does not have FR-44 certificates or FR-44 car insurance – something other states have in lieu of (or in addition to) SR-22 insurance.
New York does not require drivers to obtain SR-22 insurance or any special insurance certification after a driving violation – unlike other states. However, New York has other laws for drivers who commit serious violations.
Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about SR-22 insurance in New York – including why New York doesn’t require SR-22 insurance or FR-44 insurance and how driving violation punishments work in New York instead.
At a Glance:
- No SR-22 Requirement in New York: Unlike many states, New York does not require high-risk drivers to obtain an SR-22 certificate to demonstrate financial responsibility. This means there is no SR-22 insurance in New York. The state also does not have FR-44 certificates or FR-44 car insurance, which some states have in lieu of or in addition to SR-22 insurance.
- Standard Insurance Requirements Apply: High-risk drivers in New York must maintain the same minimum insurance requirements as all other drivers. These include $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident.
- High-Risk Drivers Pay More: Although there’s no SR-22 insurance in New York, high-risk drivers can expect to pay higher rates for car insurance. The increase can range from 40% to 100%, with the average high-risk driver paying approximately $2,400 per year for car insurance, about 60% above the statewide average.
- Penalties for High-Risk Drivers: High-risk drivers in New York may face fines and penalties depending on their offense. For instance, a single DUI could result in immediate fines ranging from $500 to $1,500, and insurance premiums could increase by 60% for 5 to 10 years. If a driver’s license has been suspended, there may be a fee to reinstate it. Despite the lack of SR-22 insurance, serious offenses or multiple violations will still lead to penalties and higher insurance rates.
New York Does Not Require SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility. In many states, high-risk drivers must obtain an SR-22 certificate to verify they have valid car insurance.
New York, however, is not one of those states, and drivers in New York do not require SR-22 insurance, FR-44 insurance, or any other insurance certification after a violation. While high-risk drivers in other states must obtain SR-22 insurance to drive legally, drivers in New York face other penalties.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in New York
In most states, SR-22 insurance works similarly to minimum liability insurance: it’s the bare minimum insurance required to legally drive on the road. Some states have higher SR-22 insurance requirements: high-risk drivers must maintain higher-than-normal car insurance liability limits to drive legally.
In New York, high-risk drivers must maintain the same minimum insurance requirements as all other drivers. There are no special insurance requirements for high-risk drivers, nor are there higher insurance limits.
Drivers in New York must maintain the following minimum insurance limits to legally drive:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $10,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
If you buy car insurance from a licensed insurer in New York, then your car insurance policy will meet these minimum insurance requirements (at the very least).
Many drivers in New York choose to exceed these minimum requirements and buy higher limits. Some drivers also buy collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. None of these are legally required in New York, although drivers can buy this coverage for extra protection.
What is the New York Equivalent of SR-22 Insurance?
Drivers in New York are not required to obtain SR-22 insurance. However, certain drivers pay higher rates for car insurance based on risk.
Technically, you are not required to obtain SR-22 insurance in New York, even as a high-risk driver. However, insurers can charge higher rates to high-risk drivers. Insurers sometimes deny your application or cancel your policy as a high-risk driver.
You may be considered a high-risk driver in New York for any of the following reasons:
- Convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Driving without car insurance
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license
- Obtaining multiple traffic violations, speeding tickets, moving violations, and other citations in a short period of time
- Causing multiple accidents
- Causing a fatal at-fault accident or an accident with multiple serious injuries
Typically, if you cause multiple accidents or engage in multiple high-risk driving activities within a short window of time (typically 3 to 7 years), then you are considered a high-risk driver in New York and will pay higher insurance premiums.
How Much Does High-Risk Car Insurance Cost in New York?
New York has no SR-22 insurance requirements, although high-risk drivers will pay higher rates for car insurance in New York.
Typically, you can expect to pay 40% to 100% higher rates for car insurance if you are considered a high-risk driver.
Statistically, a high-risk driver in New York will pay approximately $2,400 per year for car insurance – roughly 60% above the statewide average.
By shopping around with different insurance companies, you can obtain the cheapest possible high-risk car insurance in New York.
Best Companies for High-Risk Car Insurance in New York
Some of the best companies for high-risk drivers, and their average rates, in New York include:
How to Get High-Risk Car Insurance in New York
In many states, you can only obtain high-risk car insurance or SR-22 insurance through certain companies. Some companies provide SR-22 insurance, while others do not.
In New York, that’s somewhat the case. Some companies refuse to insure high-risk drivers. Other companies charge high-risk drivers higher premiums.
Generally, however, obtaining high-risk car insurance in New York is as easy as completing an application and buying car insurance.
As a high-risk driver, you may need to shop around for more car insurance quotes than you normally would. You may need to request quotes from multiple companies or switch insurers to find an affordable rate. With a bit of work, however, you should be able to find affordable insurance in New York.
Other License Fees and Penalties for High-Risk Drivers in New York
Drivers in New York may need to pay various fines and penalties depending on their offense.
For example, a single DUI could cost you $500 to $1,500 in immediate fines. You could also pay 60% higher insurance premiums for 5 to 10 years and face other penalties.
If your license has been suspended in New York, you may need to pay a $50 fee to reinstate your license. If your license was suspended for an alcohol-related violation, you may need to pay a fee of $100.
Although New York has no SR-22 car insurance, drivers convicted of serious offenses or multiple violations in New York will still face various penalties – and pay higher rates for car insurance for being a high-risk driver.
Final Word on SR-22 Insurance in New York
If you’re looking for SR-22 insurance or SR-22 certificates in New York, then you’re out of luck: New York is one of the few states in America with no SR-22 or FR-44 insurance requirements.
Instead of obtaining SR-22 insurance, high-risk drivers in New York can buy car insurance as they normally would: through any insurer on the market willing to cover them.
To find the cheapest high-risk car insurance in New York or to learn more about SR-22 insurance in New York, compare quotes online today.
I don’t know if I need a sr-22, all I know is I cannot register my car in nevada, because my license is suspended in new york for lapse of insurance from new york. I’ve been in las vegas,nv since april, I’ve been trying to get my license here for a while now. I had to order my marriage license for a name change, that was sent to another address, and only recently I received the marriage license, which is to late now, drivers license and registration all suspended now. Would I need an sr-22 for new york or nevada? I need my car to be registered please, please help me, I don’t know what else to do
Hi Vivian,
It sounds like you would need an SR-22 in Nevada since that’s where you live and are trying to get an auto policy. An SR-22 is just a form that the insurance company sends to the state that proves you have insurance, so you would need to prove insurance in Nevada. The best thing to do is to speak with Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles. They will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do and the steps you’ll need to take, but you’ll need to get an insurance policy with an SR-22 in Nevada.
Thanks for elaborating on what SR-22 insurance is and if you need it or not. I had no idea that this type of insurance was required for so long after an infraction. I would imagine that having to pay the added expense of SR-22 insurance is a good deterrent for a lot of people.
Hi,
I have a waiver to be sign off by the NY DMV. It’s a waiver that TN sent me stating that since NY doesn’t carry SR-22, TN will cancel my SR-22 but in order to cancel , a NY DMV has to sign off . I’ve called DMV in Albany they won’t sign it , I’ve went to two dmvs near me in NY they won’t sign it . What should I do? TN demands I get it signed off from NY ASAP so they can waived it offz
Hi Anne,
It’s not real clear what your situation is or what needs to be done. If you live in New York and all your driver information is currently held by the state of New York, then they should be the ones dictating to what you need to do. You should probably go to a NY DMV office with all of your relevant paperwork and ask them. If they don’t require anything, then you might not need to do anything. If there is a fee or something to pay TN, then you’ll probably need to pay that to close off anything.