Washington SR-22 Insurance After DUI
Washington requires 25/50/10 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
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Washington at a Glance
25/50/10
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Optional
PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law
$75
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Washington
Washington operates as a tort state, meaning the at-fault driver's liability insurance pays for damages. After a DUI conviction, the Washington Department of Licensing requires SR-22 filing as proof of financial responsibility for 3 years from the reinstatement date, not the conviction date. Your filing period starts the day your license is reinstated, so any delay in getting coverage extends the total time you remain in the high-risk market.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
SR-22 Certificate Filing
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
What Drivers Pay in Washington
$268–$329/mo
Typical monthly rate in Washington, drivers with an SR-22 after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and NerdWallet, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- King County and Snohomish County ZIP codes see the highest SR-22 premiums due to high theft rates and uninsured driver density in Seattle metro areas.
- Most mainstream carriers (State Farm, Geico, Allstate) file SR-22 for existing customers but non-renew at policy term; new DUI policies require non-standard carriers like Dairyland, Bristol West, or The General.
- Your filing period starts the day the Washington Department of Licensing reinstates your license, not your conviction date—any gap between conviction and reinstatement extends your total time in the SR-22 market.
Find an Insurer That Will File After a DUI
Get SR-22 Coverage After a DUIIf your license is suspended
Occupational/Restricted Driver License (ORL); Ignition Interlock Driver License (IIL) for DUI
application fee $100, about 10 days to process.
No state action on a lapse
A lapse is not reported to the state here.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need SR-22 insurance after a DUI in Washington?
Washington requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after a DUI conviction, measured from your license reinstatement date, not your conviction date. If you delay reinstatement by 6 months, your SR-22 period extends to 3.5 years from conviction. Any coverage lapse during the filing period triggers automatic license suspension and restarts the 3-year clock from zero.
What happens if my SR-22 insurance lapses in Washington?
Your insurance carrier notifies the Washington Department of Licensing within 24 hours of a lapse or cancellation, and your license is suspended automatically the same day. Reinstating your license requires purchasing new SR-22 coverage, paying a reinstatement fee, and restarting the 3-year filing period from the date of reinstatement.
Which insurance companies write SR-22 policies after DUI in Washington?
Most mainstream carriers (State Farm, Geico, Allstate, Progressive) file SR-22 for existing customers but typically non-renew at policy term. New SR-22 policies after DUI require non-standard carriers like Dairyland, Bristol West, The General, GAINSCO, or Safe Auto, all of which write high-risk drivers in Washington.
Does Washington SR-22 filing start from conviction date or reinstatement date?
Washington counts the 3-year SR-22 filing period from your license reinstatement date, not your conviction date. If your license is suspended for 90 days before reinstatement, your SR-22 requirement extends to 3 years and 90 days from conviction.
Can I switch SR-22 insurance carriers during my filing period in Washington?
Yes, but there must be zero gap in coverage. Your new carrier files SR-22 with the Washington Department of Licensing before your old policy cancels. Even a single day of lapse triggers automatic suspension and restarts your 3-year filing period from zero.
Coverage Types
SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 is a state-mandated certificate your insurance carrier files with the Washington Department of Licensing to prove you maintain continuous liability coverage after a DUI.
Non-Owner SR-22
Non-owner SR-22 policies provide liability coverage and SR-22 filing for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need to satisfy Washington's proof-of-insurance requirement.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. Washington requires 25/50/10 minimums with SR-22 filing.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and repair costs when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay your claim.