The SR-22 is a high-risk insurance filing that Illinois requires after certain license suspensions and revocations, including DUI. It is not a policy itself but a certificate the insurance carrier files directly with the Secretary of State certifying that the driver carries the minimum liability coverage required by law. Illinois requires SR-22 filing for 36 months (three years) from the date of license reinstatement after a DUI. Any lapse in coverage during that window triggers automatic re-suspension. SR-22 policies typically cost significantly more than standard auto insurance because carriers rate the driver as high-risk. Not every carrier writes SR-22 policies, so drivers often need to shop specialty markets after a DUI reinstatement.
