Texas SR-22 & High-Risk Auto Insurance After Violations

Texas requires SR-22 filing for DUI convictions, license suspensions, and driving without insurance. The filing lasts 2 years and costs $15–$50 to file, but high-risk premiums typically range from $200–$400/mo depending on violation type and carrier.

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Updated April 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Texas

Texas requires minimum liability coverage of 30/60/25: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Drivers with DUI convictions, license suspensions for multiple violations, uninsured accidents, or repeat offenses typically face SR-22 filing requirements administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The state uses a point system where accumulating 6 or more points in 3 years triggers surcharges and potential suspension, though most point violations do not require SR-22 unless they result in a suspension.

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30/60/25
Liability Insurance
Texas law requires every driver to carry at least 30/60/25 liability coverage to legally operate a vehicle. For drivers with violations or accidents, state minimums may not provide adequate protection — a single serious accident can easily exceed $30,000 in medical bills per person. Many high-risk carriers require higher limits as a condition of issuing a policy, and maintaining continuous liability coverage is essential during the SR-22 filing period to avoid license suspension.
Must meet 30/60/25 minimums
SR-22 Certificate
An SR-22 is not insurance but a certificate filed by your carrier with the Texas Department of Public Safety proving you carry continuous coverage. It is typically required for 2 years following DUI convictions, license suspensions, or driving without insurance. If your policy lapses even one day during the SR-22 period, your insurer must notify the state immediately, resulting in automatic license suspension and restart of the 2-year requirement.
Liability + Comprehensive + Collision
Full Coverage
Full coverage combines liability, collision, and comprehensive protection and is often required by lenders if you finance or lease a vehicle. For high-risk drivers in Texas, full coverage typically costs $300–$500/mo or more depending on violation severity. While not legally required if you own your vehicle outright, collision coverage protects you financially if you cause an accident, and comprehensive covers theft and weather damage — both common concerns in Texas given hail risk and vehicle theft rates in major metro areas.
Not required but recommended
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is not required in Texas, but it protects you if you are hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Industry estimates suggest approximately 14% of Texas drivers are uninsured, one of the higher rates in the U.S. For drivers already paying elevated premiums due to violations, UM coverage adds $10–$30/mo but can prevent financial devastation if an uninsured driver causes serious injury or totals your vehicle.
Varies by carrier
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Non-standard carriers specialize in insuring drivers with DUIs, suspensions, lapses, or multiple violations who cannot obtain coverage from standard insurers. These policies often come with higher premiums and may require payment in full or larger down payments, but they provide the continuous coverage necessary to maintain SR-22 compliance and avoid further license penalties. In Texas, non-standard carriers may also impose stricter underwriting for drivers in high-theft or high-claim urban areas.
State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · Texas

Texas Minimum Coverage

CoverageMinimum
Bodily Injury (per person)$30,000,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$60,000,000
Property Damage$25,000,000

License Reinstatement Fee$100

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Texas quote.

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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Texas?

High-risk insurance costs in Texas vary widely based on violation type, location, and carrier. Drivers with a single speeding ticket may see increases of 20–40%, while DUI convictions or SR-22 requirements typically result in premiums of $200–$400/mo or higher. Urban areas like Houston and Dallas often see elevated rates due to higher accident frequency, uninsured driver rates, and vehicle theft.

What Affects Your Rate

  • Type of violation: DUI convictions and SR-22 requirements increase premiums significantly more than single speeding tickets or minor at-fault accidents
  • Location within Texas: Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio see higher rates due to traffic density, uninsured driver rates, and claim frequency
  • Point accumulation: 6 or more points in 3 years results in surcharges and potential suspension, increasing insurance costs even before SR-22 is required
  • Coverage lapses: Any gap in coverage signals higher risk to insurers and limits your carrier options, often forcing you into non-standard markets
  • Age and vehicle type: Younger drivers with violations and financed newer vehicles face compounding rate increases
  • Credit score: Texas allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores, which amplifies premiums for high-risk drivers with poor credit
Minimum Liability Only
$150–$250/mo
State minimum 30/60/25 liability coverage for drivers with violations or SR-22 filing. Non-standard carriers often charge $150–$250/mo for drivers with DUI, suspension, or lapse history.
Standard High-Risk Policy
$200–$350/mo
Liability coverage above minimums (50/100/50) plus uninsured motorist protection. Typical cost for drivers with multiple violations, at-fault accidents, or recent SR-22 requirement.
Full Coverage High-Risk
$300–$500/mo
Comprehensive and collision coverage added to liability for financed vehicles or drivers seeking maximum protection. Costs escalate with DUI, multiple violations, or poor credit combined with high-risk driving record.

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