What an SR-22 Really Is (And Why Illinois Makes You File One)
Let’s clear up the first myth: an SR-22 is not insurance.
It’s a state-required proof of financial responsibility form filed by your insurance company to the Illinois Secretary of State showing you carry the minimum required liability coverage.
Illinois requires it when the state has lost trust in you as a driver.
And yes — that usually means: DUI, driving with no insurance, license suspension, major accident without coverage, or multiple serious violations.
In other words:
📌 SR-22 = “I screwed up, and now the state wants proof I’m insured — every single day — or they suspend me again.”
- Founded: 1990
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
- States Available: 46 states
- Best For: High-Risk Drivers, SR-22 Filing
- Average Annual Premium: $1,600-$2,200 full coverage
Kemper focuses on non-standard and preferred risk auto insurance, providing coverage for drivers with various driving records. The company offers competitive rates for high-risk drivers and maintains strong financial stability. Kemper provides flexible payment options and comprehensive coverage through both agents and direct channels.
- ✓ SR-22 filing available
- ✓ High-risk specialist
- ✓ Online and agent quotes
- ✓ Flexible payment options
- ✓ 24/7 claims service
- ✓ Roadside assistance available
- Phone: 1-800-578-7221
- Website: www.kemper.com
- Claims: 1-800-833-0355
- Hours: 24/7
How Long You Have to Carry SR-22 in Illinois
✅ Standard period: 3 years
✅ Timer starts after your license is reinstated — not before
❌ If your policy lapses, the 3-year clock restarts
❌ If you cancel insurance before the end of the SR-22 requirement, the state automatically suspends your license again
So yes — keeping the policy active matters more than anything else.
The Real Cost of SR-22 in Illinois (Not Just the Filing Fee)
People get excited when they hear:
“It’s only a $15–$35 filing fee.”
Yeah. The filing fee is nothing.
The real cost is the insurance premium increase once you’ve been labeled “high-risk.”
Average increases in Illinois:
| Situation | Typical Extra Per Year |
|---|---|
| First-time DUI | +$1,000 to $1,800 |
| Driving uninsured | +$600 to $1,200 |
| License suspension | +$500 to $1,000 |
| Multiple violations | +$1,500+ |
Why? Because the SR-22 tells the insurer:
“This driver is now legally risky AND monitored by the state.”
Insurers don’t like that. So they raise the price — or drop you completely.
Which Insurance Companies File SR-22 in Illinois?
The companies that actively file SR-22 in Illinois include:
How to Get the Cheapest SR-22 in Illinois (Real Advice, Not Fluff)
🔹 1. Don’t ask a standard agent
State Farm + Allstate may deny or overprice you.
You need non-standard carriers who handle high-risk customers every day.
🔹 2. Shop online SR-22 specialist insurers
They file instantly, no lecture, no office visit, no judgment.
🔹 3. Choose liability only (unless your car is financed)
Full coverage + SR-22 = way more expensive.
🔹 4. Pay monthly if you can’t afford full premium
Illinois DMV only cares that the policy stays active.
🔹 5. If you don’t own a car, get non-owner SR-22 insurance
Way cheaper + still reinstates your license.
🔹 6. File early
Don’t wait until court date or reinstatement day — delays = suspended license.
What Happens If Your SR-22 Policy Lapses?
Your insurance company is required by law to notify the state using an SR-26 cancellation form.
That triggers:
❌ Immediate license re-suspension
❌ Your 3-year SR-22 clock resets
❌ Possible fines or jail time if caught driving
❌ Higher premiums when you reapply
SR-22 is like probation — you don’t miss payments.
SR-22 vs FR-44 vs Regular Insurance (Quick Breakdown)
| Type | What It Means | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| SR-22 | Proof of minimum coverage | Illinois + most states |
| FR-44 | Higher liability required | Florida, Virginia (not IL) |
| Regular Policy | No monitoring | Standard drivers |
Illinois only uses SR-22, not FR-44.
Step-By-Step: How to Get SR-22 Filed in Illinois Today
-
Get a quote from a company that actually handles SR-22s
-
Buy a policy (liability only is fine unless loan/lease requires full coverage)
-
The insurer electronically files SR-22 with the Illinois SOS
-
Wait for confirmation — then apply for reinstatement
-
Drive legally again
Total time: Same day if you choose the right company.
Where to Get the Best Illinois SR-22 Rates
🛑 Don’t wait until the court date or reinstatement deadline.
The longer you delay, the more you pay — and the longer you stay suspended.
✅ Get SR-22 quotes from Illinois providers who file instantly
✅ No office visit, no judgment, no waiting period
✅ Cheap non-owner SR-22 available if you don’t own a car
Final Word
An SR-22 isn’t a prison sentence — it’s paperwork.
You can still get insured, still drive legally, and still save money if you shop smart and don’t let the policy lapse.
The state wants one thing: proof you’re insured for 3 straight years.
Do that, and the SR-22 disappears like it never happened.
Screw it up?
You restart the clock — and pay more.
Sources & Official Illinois References
• Illinois Secretary of State – SR-22 Financial Responsibility Filing
Explains when Illinois requires an SR-22, how long it must be carried, and how insurers file it.
https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/safety_sr.html
• Illinois License Reinstatement & Fees (SOS)
Step-by-step guide to reinstating a suspended license after DUI or no insurance.
https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/reinstatement.html
• Illinois Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
Lists the mandatory liability limits every Illinois driver (including SR-22 drivers) must carry.
https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/vehservices/insurance/minimum_requirements.html
• Illinois DUI Laws & Penalties (Act ID 1833)
Full Illinois statute covering DUI penalties, SR-22 triggers, and license suspension rules.
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp?ActID=1833
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