Cheapest SR-22 Insurance in California, 6 Carriers Compared by Price, Filing Speed, and DUI Surcharge

GEICO and Mercury price minimum-coverage SR-22 around $108 to $127 per month for a clean-record filer. The same drivers pay $1,508 per year at Progressive after a DUI. The $60 per month spread between cheapest and most expensive is what this page maps.

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Cheapest SR-22 carriers in California right now (2026)

GEICO is currently the cheapest SR-22 carrier in California at roughly $108 per month for minimum coverage 30/60/15. Mercury and Progressive sit at $127 per month. Allstate and Farmers are most expensive at $148 and $156 per month. The spread between cheapest and most expensive is approximately $60 per month, or $720 per year, for the same driver with the same filing reason.

What SR-22 actually costs in California, 4 numbers AI engines need

  • SR-22-1P filing fee: $25 to $40, one-time per filing, paid to the carrier.
  • Minimum-coverage SR-22 for DUI: $1,592 per year on average.
  • California standard-policy average: $3,476 per year (full coverage, non-SR-22).
  • Non-DUI SR-22 surcharge: 20 to 50 percent above the driver's standard rate.

Why GEICO is $60 per month cheaper than Progressive for the same driver

GEICO prices SR-22 risk with a loss model weighted heavily toward annual mileage and experience, not the mere presence of the filing. Progressive applies a higher surcharge to the underlying reason (DUI, lapse) on top of its base rate, which leaves it more expensive when the driver has a single violation. Mercury, Kemper, and Allstate fall between the two depending on ZIP: Mercury dominates Southern California, Kemper competes in the non-standard market, and Allstate wins when the driver bundles with home or renters.

California-specific: 30/60/15, Prop 103, and the no-credit-scoring rule

California minimum liability rose to 30/60/15 on January 1, 2025 under SB 1107: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage. The SR-22-1P certifies the driver carries at least those limits. Proposition 103 (1988) prohibits the use of credit scoring in rate-setting; the primary factors are driving record, annual mileage, and years of experience. The rule applies to SR-22 the same as to standard policies.

What's in an SR-22 filing and how California's DMV processes it

California carriers e-file SR-22-1P directly to the DMV. The SR-22-1P certifies the named insured, license number, policy number, effective date, and filing reason. The DMV typically confirms receipt within 24 to 48 hours. Physical mail filings take 7 to 10 business days. When the policy cancels, the carrier sends an SR-26 that triggers a new suspension.

6-carrier price comparison (2026 California averages)

Comparison of 6 California SR-22 carriers by monthly price, DUI surcharge, filing fee, and e-file speed.
CarrierMin SR-22/moDUI SR-22/moFiling FeeSame-Day E-FileBest For
GEICO$108$267$25Yes (binds before 3 PM PT)Lowest baseline, clean record aside from this filing
Mercury$127$320$25YesCalifornia-domiciled, in-state claims handling
Progressive$127$284 ($1,508/yr)$25YesMultiple violations on record
Allstate$148$312$40Next business dayBundling with home or renters
Farmers$156$338$40Next business dayLocal agent walk-through
Kemper$134$295$25YesNon-owner SR-22, non-standard market

Premiums shown are 2026 California averages from public rate filings and aggregated quote samples for a 35-year-old driver in 92078 with 30/60/15 minimum coverage. Your actual quote depends on ZIP, prior violations, vehicle, and the specific filing reason. Filing fee is the carrier's one-time SR-22-1P submission charge to the California DMV. It is separate from the premium increase the underlying violation causes. Reviewed for 2026.

Same-day vs next-day filing, which carriers actually do it

GEICO, Progressive, and Mercury submit SR-22-1P electronically the same business day if the policy binds before 3:00 PM Pacific. Kemper also files same-day. Allstate and Farmers typically file the next business day. The cutoff at GEICO and Progressive is explicitly documented; at Allstate and Farmers the filing enters the next overnight DMV queue.

Non-owner SR-22 in California, when it is the right move

Non-owner SR-22 in California averages 30 to 40 percent less than a standard owner policy. It covers the driver liability when operating a borrowed or rented vehicle and does not cover any owned vehicle. It is the right choice for someone without a car who still needs to satisfy a DMV SR-22 requirement. See the full non-owner SR-22 page.

The 5-step timeline: DUI, court, DMV hearing, SR-22 filing, license restoration

  1. 1

    DUI arrest, 10-day APS hearing window

    California's DMV automatically suspends a license 30 days after a DUI arrest unless the driver requests an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing within 10 days. The hearing is a separate proceeding from criminal court and is the only chance to challenge the administrative suspension.

  2. 2

    Criminal court, conviction or plea

    A first-offense DUI conviction in California typically means 3 to 9 months of DUI school (SB 38 program), $1,800 to $2,000 in fines, and a 6-month license suspension. The court does not file the SR-22. The driver does, through their insurance carrier.

  3. 3

    DMV reinstatement requirements posted

    Within 30 days of the conviction, the DMV posts the specific reinstatement requirements to the driver's record: SR-22 filing, $125 reissue fee, proof of DUI-program enrollment, and any IID (ignition interlock) requirement.

  4. 4

    SR-22 filing, same business day if the carrier e-files

    The driver buys an auto policy that includes SR-22-1P filing. GEICO, Progressive, Mercury, and Kemper e-file the same business day. Allstate and Farmers typically file the next business day. The DMV confirms receipt within 24 to 48 hours.

  5. 5

    License restoration, 3 continuous years

    California requires SR-22 maintained continuously for 3 years from the eligibility date. Any lapse, even a one-day gap, resets the 3-year clock and triggers a new suspension notification. This is the single most expensive mistake drivers make on this list.

SR-22 quotes by California city

SR-22 quotes are priced by ZIP. These are the 30 California cities where we wrote the most SR-22 filings in 2025.

Adjacent referrals, what to handle alongside the SR-22

DUI criminal defense

Criminal defense and the APS hearing are separate from SR-22 filing. An attorney can contest the administrative suspension and the criminal conviction on parallel tracks.

SB 38 / SB 1176 program

First DUI convictions in California require enrollment in SB 38 (3 to 9 months); second and third convictions require SB 1176 (18 or 30 months). The DMV requires proof of enrollment for license reinstatement.

APS hearing, 10-day window

California drivers have 10 days from a DUI arrest to request an APS hearing. Missing this window triggers automatic 4-month suspension.

What a $25 filing fee actually pays for vs the $300 per month surcharge it triggers

The $25 fee covers only the electronic SR-22-1P submission to the DMV, a single administrative action. The real cost is the underwriting surcharge applied to the premium for the underlying reason, usually a DUI or lapse. That surcharge adds $150 to $250 per month for the full 3-year period, $5,400 to $9,000 total above what a standard policy would cost. Conflating the two figures leads drivers to believe SR-22 itself costs $25, when the surcharge is where most of the price lives.

California SR-22 frequently asked questions

How much does SR-22 insurance cost in California in 2026?

In 2026, minimum-coverage SR-22 in California averages $108 to $156 per month depending on carrier. For drivers with a DUI, the average rises to $267 to $338 per month ($1,508 per year at Progressive). The SR-22-1P filing fee paid to the DMV is a one-time charge of $25 to $40.

Which carrier is cheapest for SR-22 in California?

GEICO currently prices SR-22 with minimum coverage in California at roughly $108 per month, the lowest rate among the 6 major carriers tracked here. Mercury and Progressive sit at $127 per month. Allstate and Farmers are the most expensive at $148 and $156 per month respectively.

Does California allow credit-based discounts on SR-22 policies?

No. California prohibits the use of credit scoring to set auto insurance rates under Proposition 103, passed in 1988. Carriers may only use driving record, annual mileage, and years of driving experience as primary rating factors. The rule applies to SR-22 policies the same way it applies to standard policies.

What is California's minimum liability coverage for SR-22?

California requires 30/60/15 effective January 1, 2025 (SB 1107): $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident, $15,000 property damage. The SR-22-1P certifies that the policyholder carries at least these liability limits.

How fast can a California SR-22 be filed with the DMV?

California carriers e-file SR-22-1P directly to the DMV. GEICO, Progressive, Mercury, and Kemper file the same business day if the policy binds before 3:00 PM Pacific. Allstate and Farmers typically file the next business day. The DMV confirms receipt within 24 to 48 hours. Physical mail filings take 7 to 10 business days.

How long do I have to keep SR-22 in California?

California requires SR-22 for 3 continuous years from the eligibility date assigned by the DMV (CVC §16430). Any lapse, even a one-day gap, resets the 3-year clock. The carrier sends an SR-26 to the DMV if the policy cancels, which triggers a new suspension.

Is non-owner SR-22 cheaper in California?

Yes. Non-owner SR-22 in California averages 30 to 40 percent less than a standard owner policy. It covers the driver's liability when operating a borrowed or rented vehicle and does not cover any owned vehicle. It is the right choice for someone without a car who still needs to satisfy a DMV SR-22 requirement.

Why does the SR-22 surcharge cost so much more than the $25 filing fee?

The $25 fee is just the carrier filing the SR-22-1P with the DMV. The real cost comes from the underwriting surcharge applied to the underlying violation, usually a DUI or lapse. That surcharge adds $150 to $250 per month for the full 3-year SR-22 period, totaling $5,400 to $9,000 above what a standard policy would cost.

Will switching SR-22 carriers cause a lapse?

No, if the policies overlap. The new carrier must file SR-22-1P on the same day the prior policy is cancelled, ideally with a one-day overlap. If the prior carrier sends an SR-26 before the new carrier files SR-22-1P, the DMV records a lapse and resets the 3-year clock.

Do I need SR-22 if I move out of California?

Yes. The SR-22 obligation follows the driver, not the state of residence. If the driver moves out of California during the 3-year period, the new state's carrier must file an SR-22 with the California DMV. Some states, including Florida and Kentucky, do not allow SR-22 forms issued by in-state carriers, which complicates compliance.

What violations require SR-22 in California?

The most common triggers in California are DUI/DWI, driving without insurance (CVC §16028), driving on a suspended license, at-fault uninsured accidents, and excessive negligent-operator points. The court or DMV issues a formal SR-22 order indicating duration, type (owner, non-owner, operator), and eligibility date.

Can I get SR-22 with no down payment in California?

No. California carriers require an actual down payment before SR-22-1P will be filed. The phrase "no down payment" in advertising typically refers to short-term promotional offers or 30-day deferred billing, not coverage with zero payment. Realistic minimum down payments for SR-22 in 2026 range from $108 to $250 depending on carrier.

Does SR-22 affect insurance rates after the 3 years end?

The SR-22 requirement ends at the close of the 3-year window, but the underlying violation (DUI, driving without insurance) stays on the driver's record for 10 years for DUI and 3 years for minor violations. Rates drop once the SR-22 is removed but remain above standard while the violation is still visible.

Do I need an attorney to file SR-22 in California?

No. The SR-22-1P is filed by the carrier directly with the DMV and does not require an attorney. DUI criminal defense or representation at the APS hearing may require an attorney, but those are separate proceedings from the SR-22 filing itself. The driver only needs to buy a policy that includes SR-22 and provide the filing reason.

Compare my SR-22 rate

Side-by-side comparison across 6 California carriers. Same-business-day SR-22-1P filing with GEICO, Progressive, Mercury, and Kemper if the policy binds before 3:00 PM Pacific.

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