Alabama SR-22 Insurance (2026): Cost & Cheapest Companies After a DUI
After an Alabama DUI conviction you’ll need to file an SR-22 for 3 years to maintain your driving privileges. ALEA prints the exact end date on your DI-46A form — miss it and your license is suspended. The filing fee is negligible; the premium surcharge is the real cost, and it varies enormously by carrier.
| What it is | Certificate your insurer files with ALEA proving you carry state-minimum liability coverage (ALEA form DI-46A) |
| How long you carry it | 3 years — ALEA prints the exact cancellation date on your DI-46A form |
| Filing fee | $15–25 (the certificate; the premium surcharge is the real cost) |
| Typical premium, first DUI | ~$110–200/mo vs. ~$60–90 for a clean-record driver |
| Minimum liability limits | 25/50/25 ($25k bodily injury / $50k per crash / $25k property damage) |
| If it lapses | Insurer notifies ALEA → license suspended → reinstatement fees → clock may reset |
How much SR-22 costs in Alabama
The SR-22 certificate itself costs only $15–25 in filing fees. The real expense is the DUI surcharge baked into your premium. A first-DUI Alabama driver typically pays $110–200/month for minimum coverage, versus $60–90 with a clean record — a surcharge that runs for the full 3-year filing period. Over 36 months that’s a meaningful number, which is why comparing carriers matters so much.
Cheapest SR-22 carriers in Alabama
Most standard insurers don’t write SR-22 policies, so the market concentrates among a smaller group. Quotes for the same driver routinely differ by 200% or more. Starting points for 2026:
| Carrier | Notes |
|---|---|
| State Farm | Often the most competitive standard carrier for a single DUI conviction |
| Allstate | Broad Alabama availability, competitive DUI rates |
| Progressive Specialty | Strong in the non-standard / high-risk market |
| Bristol West / Kemper Specialty | Non-standard carriers that routinely write SR-22 policies |
Availability and pricing depend on your driving record, county, and vehicle. Compare multiple carriers before buying.
How to file an SR-22 in Alabama
You don’t file it — your insurer does. Here’s the process:
- Buy a policy from a carrier that writes SR-22s in Alabama.
- Ask them to file the SR-22 with ALEA — most do this electronically, often same day.
- Keep the policy active continuously until the end date printed on your DI-46A form.
- When the term ends, your carrier files to cancel the SR-22. Confirm the cancellation in writing.
Separate ALEA reinstatement fees apply to the underlying DUI: $275 for an alcohol or drug suspension (plus $25 if a drug charge is involved), paid directly to ALEA.