Does USAA Have Good SR-22 Coverage?
Last Updated on November 14, 2023
USAA is one of America’s best-rated insurance companies. But does USAA offer good SR-22 coverage?
If you require a certificate of financial responsibility (also known as an SR-22), then USAA is one of the best insurers. However, USAA membership is restricted to military personnel and their families, so some drivers are not eligible.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about USAA’s SR-22 coverage and how it works.
Table of Contents:
- How USAA’s SR-22 Coverage Works
- USAA Is One of America’s Best-Rated Insurers
- Why Do I Need an SR-22 from USAA?
- Non-Owner SR-22 with USAA
- SR-22 vs. FR-44 with USAA
- How Much Does SR-22 Coverage Cost with USAA?
- Can I Get SR-22 Coverage Through USAA?
How USAA’s SR-22 Coverage Works
USAA’s SR-22 coverage works similar to SR-22 coverage from other providers.
Technically, the SR-22 is a certificate proving you have insurance. It’s not insurance. Most states refer to the SR-22 as a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility.” It proves you are financially responsible for any damages you cause while driving.
The DMV may alert you of an SR-22 filing requirement after you become a high-risk driver. If you recently caused a serious accident, were convicted of DUI, or let car insurance lapse, for example, then you may need to submit an SR-22 certificate to reinstate driving privileges.
USAA can submit that SR-22 certificate on your behalf.
However, USAA membership is restricted to military personnel and qualifying family members. If you don’t qualify for membership, then you cannot get SR-22 coverage through USAA.
USAA Is One of America’s Best-Rated Insurers
If you qualify for USAA membership, then you can get some of the best-rated insurance coverage in the United States. Whether you need SR-22 coverage or standard car insurance, USAA is a good option.
USAA consistently scores top marks for pricing and claims satisfaction. In fact, USAA regularly scores top marks from J.D. Power in every subregion in the United States for claims satisfaction and overall service.
In J.D. Power’s 2021 auto insurance study, for example, USAA scored an 897 in the Central region of the United States, which would be good enough for first place. However, because USAA has restrictive membership requirements, J.D. Power does not officially rank it with other insurers. The next-leading insurers on the list were Shelter (856), Farmers (848), and State Farm (847). USAA scored similarly high marks in other subregions.
J.D. Power ranks insurers based on interviews with policyholders who have recently made claims. That means USAA policyholders consistently reported a positive claims experience with USAA.
All of these top marks mean good things for USAA’s SR-22 coverage. When a company has strong marks for claims satisfaction, pricing, and customer service, it means they also offer strong SR-22 coverage.
Why Do I Need an SR-22 from USAA?
If you need an SR-22, then your state DMV will alert you to the requirement. Or, the court may announce the requirement after a conviction. Many states suspend your driving privileges – including your license and registration – until you provide proof of financial responsibility via the SR-22.
Most states require drivers to carry SR-22 insurance for three years.
Some of the most common reasons you might need an SR-22 from USAA include:
- DUI/DWI
- Driving without insurance or a license
- Major moving violations, including reckless driving
- Multiple at-fault accidents, excessive traffic violations, or repeat offenses in a short timeframe
- Not paying court-ordered child support
- Restricted or hardship license
- Minor driver
In all of these situations, you are considered a high-risk driver. To prove you can legally drive on the road, you must prove you have sufficient financial responsibility. When you get SR-22 coverage through USAA, USAA files the SR-22 certificate on your behalf to prove you’re financially responsible.
Non-Owner SR-22 with USAA
Some drivers need SR-22 coverage even without a vehicle. USAA, like other insurers, may offer non-owner SR-22 coverage in your state.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance works similar to standard SR-22 insurance, but without the vehicle.
Standard SR-22 insurance does not protect your own vehicle. It only includes liability coverage and other minimum required coverages in your state.
With non-owner SR-22 insurance, USAA covers your liability (i.e. any damages you cause to other people and property when driving) without needing vehicle information.
After getting non-owner SR-22 coverage through USAA, the DMV should reinstate your driving privileges, and you should be able to resume driving again.
SR-22 vs. FR-44 with USAA
USAA may offer SR-22 and FR-44 coverage in certain states. Most states use the SR-22 system to prove financial responsibility in high-risk drivers. However, select states use the FR-44 system (or both).
- Virginia, for example, uses both the SR-22 and FR-44 to prove financial responsibility in high-risk drivers. If you require FR-44 coverage in Virginia, then you need to buy double the state’s minimum coverage requirements.
- Florida, meanwhile, uses the FR-44 as its standard certificate of financial responsibility. FR-44 coverage in Florida comes with a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $50,000 of property damage liability coverage.
How Much Does SR-22 Coverage Cost with USAA?
USAA’s SR-22 costs vary widely based on state insurance laws, driving history, and other factors.
However, USAA is one of America’s best insurers for value. The company offers strong insurance coverage at a very competitive price. In many states, USAA is not only the best-rated insurer for claims satisfaction, but they’re also the cheapest insurer.
Even working with a cheaper insurer, however, SR-22 coverage is expensive. The average SR-22 policy in the United States costs around $1,734 per year and includes only liability coverage (not comprehensive or collision coverage). That’s nearly $1,000 more than the nationwide average for liability insurance.
Contact USAA to get a free quote on your SR-22 coverage. USAA, like most insurers, lets most drivers obtain SR-22 quotes online. However, you may need to call a USAA agent for special cases or if you’re a high-risk driver needing an SR-22.
Can I Get SR-22 Coverage Through USAA?
USAA may or may not offer SR-22 coverage in your state. USAA also does not offer SR-22 coverage to all drivers: if you’re a particularly high-risk driver, then USAA may decline your business, forcing you to work with a high-risk insurer specializing in SR-22 coverage.
You Already Have Insurance with USAA: If you already have an auto insurance policy with USAA, then you can easily get an SR-22 certificate. Just contact USAA and request a Statement of Financial Responsibility (SR-22). The driver requiring the statement must be listed on the policy.
You Do Not Have Insurance with USAA: If you don’t have insurance with USAA but want SR-22 coverage, then you need to check if you qualify for USAA membership. USAA membership is restricted to active and retired military personnel and certain qualifying family members (including spouses and children). Request a quote from USAA to see how much SR-22 coverage would cost in your area.
Final Word on USAA’s SR-22 Insurance
USAA has some of America’s best-rated SR-22 coverage.
If you qualify for USAA membership, or if you already have auto insurance with USAA, then consider requesting a quote through USAA to ensure you get the best possible SR-22 coverage.
