DUI, test refusal, and hit-and-run violations trigger different SR-22 premium increases — and most carriers treat refusal worse than DUI itself. Here's what each violation actually costs you, how long you'll carry the filing, and which carriers still write high-risk policies after each.
Why the violation type determines your SR-22 premium — not just the filing itself
The SR-22 filing fee is fixed — typically $25-$50 depending on your state and carrier. Your premium increase comes from how the underlying violation changes your risk classification. A DUI conviction, chemical test refusal, and hit-and-run all require SR-22 filing in most states, but carriers price them differently based on actuarial loss data.
DUI convictions typically increase premiums 70-130% over your pre-violation rate. Chemical test refusal often triggers 80-140% increases because carriers interpret refusal as evidence of impairment plus willful non-cooperation. Hit-and-run with injury moves you into the highest-risk tier immediately — 100-180% increases are common, and many standard carriers won't write you at all.
The filing period matters for total cost. Most states require 3 years of continuous SR-22 filing after DUI or refusal. Hit-and-run with injury often carries 5-year filing requirements in states like California and Florida. A lapse of even one day resets your filing clock to zero in most jurisdictions, which means you start the 3- or 5-year countdown over from the lapse date.
DUI conviction: what you'll actually pay for SR-22 coverage
A first-offense DUI with SR-22 filing typically costs $180-$320/mo for state minimum liability coverage in most states, compared to $85-$140/mo for the same coverage with a clean record. That reflects a 100-130% increase over baseline rates. The exact multiplier depends on your state's rating rules, your age, and whether you have prior violations.
Most carriers drop you after a DUI conviction. State Farm, Allstate, and Progressive typically non-renew your policy within 30-60 days of the conviction appearing on your MVR. You'll move to a non-standard carrier or a standard carrier's high-risk subsidiary. Non-standard carriers like The General, Direct Auto, and Acceptance Insurance write SR-22 policies specifically for DUI profiles.
Your rate stays elevated for 3-5 years in most states, even after your SR-22 filing period ends. California treats DUI as a chargeable incident for 10 years. Most other states surcharge for 3-5 years, then the violation drops off your rate calculation but stays visible on your MVR for 7-10 years. The filing requirement and the rate surcharge operate on different timelines.
Find out exactly how long SR-22 is required in your state
Chemical test refusal: why it costs more than DUI in most states
Refusing a breathalyzer or blood test after a DUI arrest triggers an automatic administrative license suspension in all states with implied consent laws — which is 49 states. The suspension period for refusal is often longer than the suspension for a failed test. In Texas, a first-offense DUI suspension lasts 90 days; refusal suspensions last 180 days.
Carriers price refusal as high-risk or higher than DUI itself because actuarial data shows refusal correlates with repeat offense rates. A chemical test refusal typically increases premiums 80-140% over pre-violation rates — 10-20 percentage points higher than a DUI conviction. Monthly premiums for SR-22 coverage after refusal typically run $200-$350/mo for state minimum liability.
Most states require SR-22 filing for the same duration after refusal as after DUI — typically 3 years from reinstatement. But the license suspension itself is longer, which means you'll carry non-owner SR-22 during the suspension period if you don't own a vehicle, then switch to owner SR-22 when you reinstate and resume driving. The non-owner policy costs less — typically $40-$80/mo — but the filing requirement is continuous across both.
Hit-and-run with injury: the highest-cost SR-22 scenario
Hit-and-run with injury or death moves you into the highest actuarial risk tier immediately. Standard carriers won't write you. Most non-standard carriers require underwriting review before issuing a quote. Monthly premiums for SR-22 coverage after hit-and-run typically range from $250-$450/mo for state minimum liability, and some carriers cap coverage at state minimums with no option to increase limits.
Filing periods for hit-and-run are longer than DUI in most states. California requires 5 years of SR-22 filing after hit-and-run with injury. Florida requires 3 years for most DUI cases but 5 years for leaving the scene of an accident with injury. Your total cost over the filing period is higher both because the monthly rate is elevated and because you're filing for more years.
Some states treat hit-and-run as a felony if injury occurred, which triggers additional barriers. You may need to file proof of financial responsibility beyond SR-22 — such as a surety bond — if the court orders restitution or if your state requires higher liability limits for felony traffic convictions. Carriers that write post-felony policies include Acceptance Insurance, The General, and National General, but availability varies by state.
How carriers decide whether to write you after each violation type
Most standard carriers have hard underwriting rules that auto-decline DUI, refusal, and hit-and-run applicants. Progressive routes high-risk drivers to Progressive Specialty, a separate subsidiary with different rate tables. GEICO non-renews in most states but may offer a quote through their non-standard partner in some markets. State Farm and Allstate typically will not write you at all for 3-5 years after a major violation.
Non-standard carriers underwrite each violation type differently. The General and Direct Auto write all three violation types but price hit-and-run higher than DUI. Acceptance Insurance writes DUI and refusal profiles in most states but declines hit-and-run with injury in several states. National General writes hit-and-run cases but often caps liability limits at state minimums for the first policy term.
Your credit score, prior insurance history, and whether you own a vehicle all affect whether a carrier will write you. A DUI with continuous prior insurance and good credit will usually find 4-6 carrier options in most states. A hit-and-run with a lapse in coverage and poor credit may find 1-2 carriers willing to quote, and both will price near the state-allowed maximum rate.
What happens to your rate after the SR-22 filing period ends
Your SR-22 filing requirement ends after the mandated period — typically 3 years for DUI and refusal, 5 years for hit-and-run in most states. Once the filing period ends, your carrier removes the SR-22 form from your policy, but your rate does not drop immediately. The violation itself stays on your MVR and continues to affect your rate for the full surcharge period your state allows.
Most states surcharge DUI for 3-5 years from the conviction date. California treats DUI as a chargeable incident for 10 years. Your rate will drop when the surcharge period ends, not when the filing period ends. If your SR-22 filing period was 3 years and your state's surcharge period is 5 years, you'll see a rate decrease at year 5, not year 3.
Switching carriers after your filing period ends can accelerate your rate improvement. Once the SR-22 requirement is lifted, you can shop standard carriers again if enough time has passed. Most standard carriers require 3-5 years post-violation before they'll write you, but some — including USAA for military members and Erie in select states — will quote after 3 years if you've had no additional violations and maintained continuous coverage.
