💳 Does Credit Score Affect SR22 Insurance Cost?

If you’re dealing with an SR22 requirement, chances are life’s already handed you a tough situation—maybe a DUI, a suspended license, or some other serious traffic issue. But if your credit score isn’t great either, you’re probably wondering: “Is this going to make my insurance even more expensive?”

Short answer: Yes, in most states, your credit score absolutely can affect how much you pay for SR22 insurance.

Let’s break down how it works, why it happens, and what you can do to keep your rates from going off the charts.

When you shop for car insurance (SR22 included), companies look at a bunch of things to calculate your rate—like your driving record, location, age, and yes… your credit-based insurance score.

It’s not quite the same as your regular credit score from the bank, but it’s based on similar things:

• Do you pay your bills on time?
• How much debt are you carrying?
• Have you had recent credit checks?
• What’s your overall credit history look like?

💡 Surprising stat: According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, drivers with poor credit can pay up to 91% more than those with excellent credit—for the same exact policy.

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⚖️ But Wait — Does This Actually Apply to SR22?

It does. Because SR22 insurance is just a form attached to your regular policy, anything that affects your regular car insurance—like credit score—still counts.

So if you’re:

• A high-risk driver (thanks to a DUI or similar), and
• Carrying a low credit score,

…then you’re basically telling insurance companies: “I might be risky behind the wheel AND with money.” That puts you in a very pricey bracket.

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🗺️ Are There Any States That Don’t Use Credit for Insurance?

Yes! A few states ban or limit the use of credit when calculating auto insurance rates.

🚫 States That Ban Credit Use in Car Insurance
California
Massachusetts
Michigan (partial restriction)
Hawaii

If you live in one of those states, your credit score won’t affect your SR22 insurance price—you’ve caught a break.

Everywhere else? It’s fair game.

Credit has the biggest impact on rates in Nevada, Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, and Alabama. (Editor’s Note: Michigan lawmakers approved legislation in May 2019 to prohibit credit scores in auto insurance rating.)Insurance rate differences based on credit score (by state).

Regular Car Insurance Rates by Credit Score

State	Poor (300-579)	Average (580-669)	Good (670-739)	Excellent (740-799)	Exceptional (800-850)	% Difference Exceptional to Poor
Alabama	$3,064	$2,392	$1,901	$1,473	$1,122	168%
Alaska	$2,074	$1,727	$1,456	$1,266	$1,106	91%
Arizona	$2,741	$2,090	$1,655	$1,375	$1,096	138%
Arkansas	$2,793	$2,372	$1,917	$1,627	$1,330	108%
California	$1,859	$1,859	$1,859	$1,859	$1,859	N/A
Colorado	$3,385	$2,703	$2,228	$1,821	$1,437	127%
Connecticut	$2,799	$2,294	$1,915	$1,638	$1,354	101%
Delaware	$3,602	$2,930	$2,321	$1,881	$1,619	122%
Washington, D.C.	$3,322	$2,669	$1,995	$1,542	$1,367	140%
Florida	$4,034	$3,194	$2,702	$2,200	$1,830	120%
Georgia	$2,844	$2,200	$1,899	$1,552	$1,406	98%
Hawaii	$1,113	$1,113	$1,113	$1,113	$1,113	N/A
Idaho	$1,942	$1,579	$1,324	$1,059	$883	118%
Illinois	$2,386	$1,905	$1,495	$1,256	$1,104	114%
Indiana	$2,084	$1,738	$1,437	$1,231	$1,008	101%
Iowa	$1,662	$1,362	$1,193	$1,056	$866	85%
Kansas	$2,616	$2,178	$1,878	$1,586	$1,340	104%
Kentucky	$4,602	$3,878	$2,604	$1,988	$1,683	179%
Louisiana	$4,411	$3,487	$2,936	$2,431	$2,072	113%
Maine	$1,555	$1,301	$1,101	$946	$837	86%
Maryland	$2,326	$2,048	$1,686	$1,362	$1,245	94%
Massachusetts	$1,259	$1,259	$1,259	$1,259	$1,259	N/A
Michigan	$6,679	$5,019	$3,827	$2,875	$2,306	198%
Minnesota	$2,715	$2,123	$1,662	$1,326	$1,102	140%
Mississippi	$2,905	$2,408	$2,021	$1,639	$1,359	112%
Missouri	$3,306	$2,554	$1,983	$1,470	$1,181	173%
Montana	$2,505	$2,016	$1,711	$1,415	$1,210	116%
Nebraska	$2,287	$1,947	$1,547	$1,309	$1,150	103%
Nevada	$4,824	$3,561	$2,729	$2,087	$1,604	199%
New Hampshire	$1,944	$1,672	$1,427	$1,167	$986	105%
New Jersey	$3,196	$2,605	$2,132	$1,755	$1,432	117%
New Mexico	$2,405	$1,981	$1,672	$1,412	$1,169	101%
New York	$3,431	$2,649	$2,194	$1,738	$1,492	123%
North Carolina	$1,474	$1,299	$1,092	$981	$922	59%
North Dakota	$2,547	$2,038	$1,705	$1,408	$1,105	118%
Ohio	$1,988	$1,548	$1,337	$1,063	$904	118%
Oklahoma	$2,655	$2,189	$1,936	$1,589	$1,437	88%
Oregon	$2,682	$2,169	$1,776	$1,452	$1,204	117%
Pennsylvania	$2,647	$2,183	$1,809	$1,479	$1,228	114%
Rhode Island	$4,051	$3,308	$2,732	$2,204	$1,827	122%
South Carolina	$2,862	$2,248	$1,748	$1,407	$1,246	133%
South Dakota	$2,503	$1,993	$1,682	$1,408	$1,210	110%
Tennessee	$3,044	$2,385	$1,939	$1,493	$1,203	146%
Texas	$3,131	$2,615	$2,249	$1,903	$1,642	87%
Utah	$2,556	$1,987	$1,545	$1,299	$1,047	149%
Vermont	$2,307	$1,866	$1,402	$1,115	$953	144%
Virginia	$1,657	$1,386	$1,165	$978	$869	94%
Washington	$2,326	$1,913	$1,549	$1,295	$1,009	125%

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✅ 1. Credit Score & Auto Insurance: Proven Impact

Source: A Insurance site wrote “2024 State of Auto Insurance Report” and said:

• Drivers with poor credit pay 61% more on average for car insurance than those with excellent credit
• That’s a national average of:
  • $1,801/year for good credit
  • $2,910/year for poor credit
• In some states, the difference is more extreme:
  • Nevada: Bad credit drivers pay 128% more
  • Arizona: 101% more
  • Michigan: Even though it limits credit use, bad credit still shows a 111% increase in some cases

📌 Implication for SR22: Add an SR22 violation on top of bad credit, and you’re often looking at $3,000–$5,000/year in total premiums.

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✅ 3. State Laws on Credit-Based Insurance Scores

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
As of 2024, these states ban or restrict the use of credit in car insurance pricing:

State	Status
California	Completely banned
Massachusetts	Banned
Hawaii	Banned
Michigan	Banned for rating, allowed for tiering

📌 In all other states, insurers can use your credit profile to set rates—including for SR22 policies.

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What does FICO Say?

• A consumer with a low FICO insurance score may be twice as likely to file a claim
• About 95% of auto insurers in states where it’s allowed use credit scores in pricing models

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✅ 5. Insurer-Specific Examples

Progressive (via The Zebra):

• A driver with excellent credit pays ~$1,400/year for minimum coverage
• Same driver with poor credit: ~$2,600/year
• Add SR22 requirement: quote jumps to ~$3,400/year+

GEICO: Typically does not accept SR22 filings for drivers with both a DUI and poor credit. Customers are often referred to non-standard insurers.

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✅ 6. Realistic Premium Ranges (SR22 + Credit Score)

Credit Tier	Avg Annual SR22 Premium (Post-DUI)
Excellent (720+)	$1,800–$2,400
Fair (630–689)	$2,400–$3,000
Poor (<629)	$3,000–$4,800+

These estimates apply to standard liability-only policies with SR22, not full coverage.

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✅ 7. Additional Factors That Interact With Credit

• Payment plans: Poor credit drivers may be denied monthly plans and required to pay 6–12 months up front
• Policy type: Non-owner policies are cheaper, but still use credit in rating where allowed
• Insurer restrictions: Some companies won’t write policies for customers below a credit threshold if SR22 is also required

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✅ 8. Useful Source Links (for citations)

• https://content.naic.org/cipr-topics/credit-based-insurance-scores
• https://www.ncsl.org/financial-services/insurance-credit-scoring-laws
• https://www.fico.com/en/products/insurance-score

🤔 Why Does Bad Credit + SR22 = Even Higher Insurance Costs?

Here’s how it stacks up:

1. You’re Already Labeled High-Risk

The SR22 requirement means your driving record isn’t squeaky clean. Add a low credit score on top of that, and most insurers will see twice the risk—on the road and financially.

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2. Fewer Companies Will Even Give You a Quote

A lot of mainstream insurers (think State Farm, Allstate) won’t file SR22s, or they’ll avoid working with drivers who have bad credit. That pushes you into non-standard markets—companies that specialize in high-risk drivers.

These insurers tend to charge a lot more, and your quote options may be limited.

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3. You May Have to Pay in Full Upfront

If you’ve got poor credit, insurers may be hesitant to offer you a monthly payment plan. Many high-risk drivers are told to pay 6 or 12 months upfront, or cough up a hefty down payment.

Ouch. If money’s tight already, this can make getting insured even harder.

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4. Add-On Costs Can Sneak In

SR22 filing fees usually run around $15–$50. Not terrible, right? But some insurers bundle that into a higher base premium for high-risk drivers, so it’s not always easy to tell what you’re paying for.

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🚫 Common Myths (That You Shouldn’t Believe)

❌ “SR22 is special insurance, so credit doesn’t matter.”
Wrong. SR22 is just a form—your standard auto policy rules still apply.

❌ “If I move to another state, I won’t need SR22 anymore.”
Not true. Your home state’s SR22 requirement follows you, and you still have to file if the DMV says so.

❌ “My insurance will go back to normal right after SR22 ends.”
Eh… maybe. Your violation and credit score stay on file, so rates may stay high unless you take steps to improve them.

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🧠 Final Thoughts: Credit & SR22 — Tough Combo, But You’ve Got Options

Look—if you’re juggling both an SR22 and a low credit score, there’s no sugarcoating it: you’ll pay more for insurance, at least in the short term.

But the good news? You’re not stuck. With the right insurer, a bit of effort to build your credit, and a clean driving record going forward, you can start bringing those costs down—and eventually move out of the high-risk zone for good.

Just remember:

• Shop around
• Avoid lapses in coverage
• Be proactive with your credit

SR22 isn’t forever—and neither is bad credit.

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🙋‍♂️ Quick FAQs

Q: Can I still get SR22 insurance with bad credit?
Absolutely. You may pay more, but plenty of insurers offer it. You just need to find the right fit.

Q: Does my credit score affect whether I need SR22?
No. The need for SR22 is based on your driving record, not your credit history.

Q: Will improving my credit lower my SR22 rate?
Yes—especially if your policy renews every 6 or 12 months. Better credit = better pricing.

Q: What if I live in a state that doesn’t allow credit scoring?
Then your credit won’t factor into your rate—but your SR22 filing still will.

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