Any Arizona driver who's been convicted of a serious traffic offense could find themselves looking for Arizona SR22 insurance in order to keep their driving privileges. If you're looking to get this kind of insurance, it won't come cheap. Insurance companies now see you as a high risk driver and they'll make sure they charge enough to cover themselves against the higher risk.

So, now that you're stuck with it, you may as well know all the nitty gritty details about SR22.

So what exactly is SR22 insurance in Arizona?

The SR22 is basically proof of financial responsibility. It verifies that your insurance policy is active and that you have the required amount of liability insurance in force. Your insurance company is responsible for filing the form with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This can be done electronically in Arizona, which makes the whole process more convenient for everyone.

The insurance company also has to notify the DMV if there's a lapse in your SR22 coverage or if it's been canceled.

What triggers an SR22 requirement in Arizona?

If your license has been suspended or revoked, you'll need to get Arizona SR22 insurance in order to get it back, along with any fines or fees. Suspension could result from a DUI, a reckless driving conviction, causing an accident while uninsured, or having an unsatisfied judgment against you. If you're caught driving without a license, you'll also need an SR22. And if you happen to break traffic rules so often that the state considers you to be a menace on the road and a threat to other drivers, they will suspend your license.

I just got a notice of suspension for letting my insurance lapse. Will I need an SR22?

It's also possible to end up needing an SR22 for an insurance lapse. Let's say you leave an insurance company for whatever reason, and they notify the state that your policy is canceled. Arizona wants proof of insurance, so they send you a notice. For whatever reason, you fail to provide proof of insurance.

Arizona then suspends your drivers lisence and/or registration and requires an SR22 form to have them reinstated. If you DID get new insurance and somehow overlooked the notice from the state, you might be able to get the whole mess straightened out. Try calling the the Arizona Department of Insurance at (602) 364-2496 (Phoenix).

Do all insurance companies offer SR22 insurance?

No, you can only get it from a company that has filed with the state of Arizona to issue the document. Some of the larger companies deal with SR22's as well as some smaller insurers who specialize in high risk policies. Other companies prefer to stay away from insuring high risk drivers.

How long is do I have to keep filing the SR22?

Arizona SR22 insurance has to stay in effect for three years without interruption. If you let it lapse or it gets canceled for any reason, your insurance company has to inform the Arizona DMV. You'll have to reinstate the SR22 coverage from the beginning of the 3 year period again rather than pick up where you left off, so it's definitely not a good idea to miss any payments on an SR22.

If the Arizona DMV does get notice that your policy is canceled or lapsed before the 3 consecutive years are up, they'll take action to enforce it. That means you'll probably have your license and registration suspended.

What happens to my SR22 requirement if I move?

The rules follow you from the state where it was issued to your new location. So if you have an Arizona SR22 insurance requirement and move to a state where it's not required, you still have to keep it in force and comply with the Arizona rules. But if you've moved to Arizona from a state where you didn't have to file, and you have a conviction that would normally trigger and SR22 requirement in Arizona, you still won't need one. In other words, you can only be required to file an SR22 by the state where you were convicted.

What if I'm told I need Arizona SR22 insurance when I don't even own a vehicle?

You can still get covered. Just ask your insurance company for a non-owner's policy. That will cover you any time you drive another person's vehicle as long as it doesn't belong to a family member. 

SR22 insurance is expensive. Is there any way to find cheaper rates?

Anything can be had for less if you know how to shop around. Since every insurance company has its own formula for determining premiums, you may find that one insurance company charges more for a regular policy than another does for insurance with an SR22. Go figure.

If you're skeptical, the Arizona Department of Insurance publishes quotes from a survey of about 70 different insurance companies for a list hypothetical drivers. If you look at driver #1, an 18 year old unmarried male driving a Ford 150 pickup, the quotes for Phoenix range from $986 per year all the way up to $7,179 per year. That's for the exact same amount of insurance and deductibles for a driver with a clean record.

Hard to imagine anyone paying over $7K per year for insurance, but this sure does show you that it pays to shop around. Add an SR22 to the policy that's under a thousand a year, and even if your rates triple, you're still doing better than about half of the drivers in Phoenix!

You can get quotes for Arizona SR22 insurance rates from multiple insurance companies by using a reliable online rate comparison website. This could help you find a company that offers Arizona SR22 a lot quicker than if you tried to go through the phone book or search around your area. Make sure that when you provide your information you include that you will need an SR22.


With much luck, you will be able to find a policy that doesn't squeeze your budget too hard. Reliable sites won't ask you for a social security number and they keep your privacy a top priority. Also be sure any insurance company you choose is reliable by checking their reputation and ratings online. Then get back on the road and mind your P's and Q's!