The General SR-22 Filing: Minutes to File, Most States, Non-Owner Option
Short answer
The General files SR-22 forms in most states as a direct-to-consumer non-standard carrier. The General publishes a 2-minute quote and about a 12-minute buy-with-SR-22 flow (per The General); once the policy is bound, the SR-22 form is available in minutes1. The General files SR-22 only in the state where your policy was issued, offers a non-owner SR-22 for drivers without a vehicle, and includes the state filing fee or premium surcharge in the quote1.
What determines whether The General is the right place to file
- Your state. The General files SR-22 in most states, only against a policy issued in that state1.
- Whether you own a car. Owner policy, non-owner policy, or both1.
- Your conviction. DUI/DWI, lapses, suspensions, and reinstatements are all explicitly covered by The General’s high-risk eligibility2.
- Lapse risk. If the policy lapses during the SR-22 period, The General notifies the state, which can suspend your license.
- Speed vs premium. The General’s speed advantage trades off against premium: non-standard carrier premiums are typically higher than standard carriers.
Four The General SR-22 situations
| Situation | What the rule is | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Buy policy with SR-22 online | The General publishes a 2-minute quote flow and that you can apply for and buy a policy complete with SR-22 form in about 12 minutes (per The General). The SR-22 form is available in minutes after purchase. | The marketing-stated time is a best case. Policies for drivers with multiple convictions or complex histories often require additional underwriting review.1 |
| State availability | The General publishes that SR-22 filings are provided in most states. The General can only file an SR-22 in the state where your auto insurance policy has been issued. | If you move states during an SR-22 period, you must switch to a policy issued in the new state. The General cannot cross-state-file against a policy issued elsewhere.1 |
| Non-owner SR-22 | The General publishes a non-owner SR-22 option for drivers who need SR-22 compliance but do not own a car. The non-owner version is lower-cost because the driver is not on the road as often. | A non-owner policy excludes vehicles you own or that are regularly available to you (such as a household member's car). Those still require an owner policy.1 |
| Filing fee and ongoing cost | The General publishes that a filing fee or premium surcharge may be applied when filing the SR-22 form, varies by state, and is included in the insurance quote. The real cost is the premium increase from the underlying offense, not the filing fee. | The General does not publish a universal filing-fee figure. The specific fee is state-dependent and shown at quote time.1 |
The 2-minute quote and 12-minute buy flow
The General’s positioning as a non-standard SR-22 carrier is built around speed. The General publishes a 2-minute online quote and about a 12-minute flow to buy a policy complete with SR-22 form (per The General); once the policy is bound, the SR-22 is available in minutes1.
Practically, that matters for drivers who need to reinstate a suspended license today: the court or DMV wants proof-of-filing before license reinstatement. Standard carriers may require longer onboarding and may decline SR-22-triggering risk profiles outright, pushing shoppers to non-standard carriers like The General.
State availability and cross-state moves
The General publishes that SR-22 filings are offered in most states, and that The General can file an SR-22 only against a policy issued in that same state1. Two implications:
- If The General does not write policies in your state, no SR-22 filing is available. Confirm at quote time with your ZIP.
- If you move states during the SR-22 period, you must switch to a policy issued in the new state. A policy issued in the old state cannot continue to satisfy the new state’s SR-22 requirement.
Non-owner SR-22 at The General
The General publishes a non-owner SR-22 option for drivers who need SR-22 compliance but do not own a car. The General describes the non-owner version as lower-cost because the driver is not on the road as often, and notes it functions as secondary coverage1.
Three practical points for a non-owner shopper:
- A non-owner policy excludes vehicles you own and those that are regularly available to you (such as a household member’s car). Those still require an owner policy.
- Non-owner premiums are typically lower, but the filing fee or surcharge is the same.
- If you later buy a vehicle, you must switch to an owner policy. The non-owner policy does not cover a vehicle you own.
Filing fee and the real cost
The General publishes that a state filing fee or premium surcharge may be applied, varies by state, and is included in the insurance quote1. The General does not publish a universal fee; the specific amount is shown at quote time.
The filing fee is almost always small compared to the real cost: the premium increase from the underlying offense. A DUI, reckless-driving conviction, or driving-without-insurance citation moves the rating tier significantly, and non-standard carriers price that risk more aggressively than standard carriers. The after-a-DUI situation guide walks through how carriers price the underlying offense.
How long you keep SR-22 on file
The SR-22 duration is set by your state DMV and your conviction, not by The General. 3 years is a common duration but ranges from 1 to 5 years depending on the state and the specific offense. If the policy lapses during that period, The General is required to notify the state DMV, which can suspend your license. Our state requirements checker links to each state DOI’s consumer guide.
What to do if The General is your SR-22 carrier
Confirm the exact form required
Check the court order or DMV letter: SR-22 vs FR-44 depends on your state and the specific conviction. Confirm which form The General files in your state at quote time.
Pull the quote online
The General publishes a 2-minute online quote and a buy-with-SR-22 flow of about 12 minutes (per The General). Confirm the filing fee and surcharge shown at purchase.
Pick owner or non-owner policy
If you own a vehicle, you need an owner policy. If you only drive borrowed or rented vehicles, non-owner SR-22 is a match.
Compare price with a standard carrier
The General’s speed advantage trades off against premium. Price Progressive and GEICO alongside The General if your record permits.
Avoid a mid-term lapse
If the policy lapses while the SR-22 is required, The General notifies the state. License suspension and reinstatement fees follow.
Shopping SR-22 across carriers? Pull quotes side by side.
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Common follow-up questions
How fast does The General file an SR-22?
The General publishes a 2-minute quote and a buy-with-SR-22 flow of about 12 minutes (per The General). Once the policy is bound, the SR-22 form is available in minutes. The General handles electronic or mail submission to the state DMV.
In which states does The General file SR-22?
The General publishes that SR-22 filings are provided in most states. The General can only file an SR-22 in the state where your auto insurance policy has been issued. Confirm your state at quote time.
Can I get a non-owner SR-22 from The General?
Yes. The General publishes a non-owner SR-22 option for drivers who need SR-22 compliance but do not own a car. The non-owner version is lower-cost but excludes vehicles you own or that are regularly available to you.
How much does The General charge to file an SR-22?
The General publishes that a filing fee or premium surcharge may be applied, varies by state, and is included in the insurance quote. The General does not publish a universal fee; the specific amount is state-dependent and shown at quote time.
How long does The General keep the SR-22 on file?
The duration is set by your state DMV and your conviction, not by The General. SR-22 is commonly required for about 3 years. If the policy lapses during that period, The General is required to notify the state, which can suspend your license.
Sources
- The General: SR-22 Insurance (2-minute quote and ~12-minute buy-with-SR-22 flow per The General; SR-22 filed in most states; state filing fee or premium surcharge may apply; electronic or mail filing) (The General)
- The General: High-Risk Auto Insurance (direct-to-consumer coverage for drivers with DUI/DWI, lapses, suspensions, SR-22 reinstatement) (The General)
- The General: Homepage (2-minute online quote; mobile app for iOS and Android) (The General)
State SR-22 and FR-44 rules may change. Confirm the current form, duration, and liability minimums with your state DMV before relying on any specific number. Last reviewed .