Car Insurance After a Hit and Run Conviction

A hit and run conviction is classified as a major violation by most insurance carriers — on par with DUI or reckless driving. Your current insurer will typically take one of two actions: cancel your policy mid-term if your state allows it, or non-renew you at your next renewal date. The timing depends on your state's insurance regulations and your carrier's underwriting rules, but the outcome is nearly universal — standard carriers exit once the conviction appears on your motor vehicle record. If your insurer cancels mid-term, you'll receive notice typically 10 to 30 days before the cancellation date, depending on your state's minimum notice requirements. If they non-renew instead, you'll have until your policy expires to find replacement coverage. Either way, most standard carriers — including the major national brands — will not offer you a renewal quote once the hit and run conviction is on your record. Even if your carrier agrees to renew you, your rate will increase substantially. Hit and run convictions typically trigger rate increases between 80% and 150% depending on your state, your driving history, and your carrier's rating structure. Drivers with clean records before the conviction often see increases at the lower end of that range; drivers with prior violations see increases at the higher end or outright declination.

Many states require drivers convicted of hit and run to file an SR-22 certificate before they can reinstate their license or maintain legal driving privileges. SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it is a certificate your insurer files with the state, proving you carry the required minimum liability coverage. Not all insurance companies offer SR-22 filing; you will likely need a carrier that specializes in high-risk drivers. The SR-22 requirement typically lasts between three and five years depending on your state, with some states requiring it for shorter periods. During this time, your insurance carrier must keep the SR-22 certificate on file with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. If your policy lapses or cancels for any reason — including non-payment — your insurer is required to notify the state immediately, which triggers an automatic suspension of your driving privileges. Not every state requires SR-22 after a hit and run conviction. Some states may require proof of financial responsibility without the formal SR-22 filing, while others impose SR-22 only if the hit and run involved injuries, significant property damage, or if you were driving without insurance at the time. Check with your state DMV or the court handling your case to determine your specific filing obligation. In Florida and Virginia, the requirement is called FR-44 rather than SR-22. FR-44 is these states' version of the SR-22 requirement — a state-mandated certificate filed after certain violations, but with higher minimum liability limits. In Florida, FR-44 requires 100/300/50 coverage; in Virginia, 50/100/40. The filing process and consequences of a lapse are identical to SR-22.

Once your standard carrier drops you, you'll need to move into the non-standard insurance market. Non-standard auto insurance refers to coverage offered by carriers that specifically work with high-risk drivers — those with major violations, suspensions, lapses, or convictions on their record. The coverage itself is identical to standard insurance; what differs is the carrier's willingness to write drivers who have been declined or overpriced elsewhere. Non-standard carriers that commonly accept drivers with hit and run convictions include Progressive, Dairyland, The General, Bristol West, National General, Acceptance Insurance, and SafeAuto. These carriers specialize in SR-22 filing and high-risk underwriting, and they're often the only options available immediately after a major conviction. Availability varies by state — not every non-standard carrier operates in every market. Your premium with a non-standard carrier will be significantly higher than what you paid with your previous standard carrier, even before the conviction. Expect to pay between $200 and $400 per month for minimum liability coverage with SR-22 filing, depending on your state, age, vehicle, and prior driving record. Drivers in urban areas or states with higher minimum coverage requirements often pay at the upper end of that range. If you need full coverage for a financed vehicle, your premium could exceed $500 per month. The SR-22 filing fee itself is typically $15 to $50, paid to your carrier as a one-time or annual charge for processing and maintaining the certificate with the state. This fee is separate from your premium increase and varies by carrier.

A hit and run conviction typically remains on your motor vehicle record for three to ten years depending on your state. In most states, major violations like hit and run stay visible to insurers for five to seven years. During this time, the conviction will appear on every quote you request and will be factored into every carrier's underwriting decision. Your insurance rates will remain elevated for the entire period the conviction is on your record, though the impact diminishes over time. In the first two to three years after the conviction, you'll pay the highest rates and have the fewest carrier options. After three years, some non-standard carriers begin offering lower rates if you've maintained continuous coverage and avoided new violations. After five years, a small number of standard carriers may consider offering you a quote again, though your rate will still reflect the prior conviction. If you let your insurance lapse at any point during your SR-22 filing period, the clock resets. Your state will suspend your license, you'll need to pay reinstatement fees, and you may be required to restart your SR-22 filing period from the beginning. Maintaining continuous coverage without a single gap is the only way to complete the SR-22 requirement and begin rebuilding access to standard insurance.

1. Confirm your SR-22 or FR-44 filing requirement within 10 days of your conviction. Contact your state DMV or check the court documents from your case. If SR-22 is required, note the deadline for filing — most states require it within 30 days of conviction or before your license reinstatement date. Missing this deadline extends your suspension and adds reinstatement fees. 2. Request quotes from at least three non-standard carriers immediately. Contact carriers like Progressive, Dairyland, The General, or Bristol West directly, or use a comparison tool that includes non-standard options. Tell them you need SR-22 filing and provide your conviction date and details. Get quotes in writing with the SR-22 filing fee itemized separately. If you wait until after your current policy cancels, you risk a coverage gap that will raise your rates further and restart suspension timelines. 3. Purchase a policy and request SR-22 filing before your current coverage ends. Once you select a carrier, your new insurer will file the SR-22 certificate with your state within one to three business days. Confirm with your carrier that the SR-22 has been filed and ask for a copy of the filing confirmation. Do not cancel your old policy until the new policy is active and the SR-22 is on file with the state — any gap, even one day, triggers a suspension notice. 4. Set up automatic payments and monitor your policy continuously for the full SR-22 period. A single missed payment that causes a lapse will result in immediate license suspension and require you to restart the SR-22 filing period in many states. Set up automatic payments and calendar reminders 15 days before each due date. If you need to switch carriers during your SR-22 period, ensure the new carrier files the SR-22 before you cancel the old policy. 5. Request a motor vehicle record check annually and after your SR-22 period ends. Once your SR-22 filing period is complete and the conviction is off your record or no longer counted by insurers, request quotes from standard carriers again. Drivers who maintain clean records after the SR-22 period ends often see rate reductions of 40% to 60% when they move back to standard coverage.