An SR-22 is not a type of insurance policy. It is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility that your insurance company files with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SC DMV) on your behalf. The certificate confirms to the state that you carry the minimum liability coverage required by law.
Under SC Code Section 56-9-350, drivers who have had their license suspended or revoked for certain violations must file an SR-22 before their driving privileges are restored. The Morgano Agency files SR-22 certificates for drivers across Greenville County and the broader Upstate SC region.
The most common triggers that require SR-22 filing in South Carolina include:
South Carolina requires most drivers to maintain continuous SR-22 financial responsibility for three consecutive years. The clock starts from the date of your conviction, suspension, or license reinstatement, depending on the triggering offense.
South Carolina minimum liability limits are $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Your SR-22 policy must meet or exceed these limits. According to the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SC DOI), carrying only the state minimum is legal, but higher limits better protect you financially if you cause a serious accident.
The process is straightforward when you work with an independent agency like The Morgano Agency. Here is what happens step by step:
If you do not own a vehicle but still need to satisfy South Carolina's financial responsibility requirement, a non-owner SR-22 policy is the right solution. This type of policy provides liability coverage when you drive a borrowed or rented car. It does not cover a vehicle you own or regularly use.
Non-owner SR-22 policies are common among drivers who lost their license due to a DUI and do not currently own a car, or who need to maintain a valid license for employment purposes. The Morgano Agency can help you find a non-owner policy that satisfies the SC DMV requirement at a lower premium than a standard auto policy.
For more information on your auto insurance options beyond SR-22, see our personal auto insurance page.
Some states use FR-44 certificates instead of SR-22 for DUI-related financial responsibility requirements. Florida and Virginia are the two states that use FR-44, which typically requires liability limits higher than the state minimum. South Carolina does not use FR-44. If you moved to Greenville from Florida or Virginia with an active FR-44 requirement, contact us — the requirements differ by state and we can help you sort out the correct filing.
| Certificate | Used In | Typical Trigger | Higher Limits Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR-22 | South Carolina (and most states) | DUI, uninsured, suspended license | No — state minimum is sufficient |
| FR-44 | Florida, Virginia only | DUI / serious alcohol offenses | Yes — limits must exceed state minimum |
The SR-22 filing itself is a small, one-time fee charged by your insurer. The bigger cost is that your auto insurance premium goes up because you are now classified as a high-risk driver. Several factors determine how much more you pay:
Rates do come back down. After the three-year SR-22 period ends with no additional violations, you can return to the standard market and likely see a meaningful reduction in your premium.
The Morgano Agency files SR-22 certificates for drivers throughout Greenville County and the surrounding Upstate South Carolina area. We serve clients in:
Additional information about SR-22 insurance in Greenville, SC and South Carolina auto insurance requirements across our network of resources:
Three consecutive years from the date of your conviction or the date the SC DMV reinstates your license, depending on the offense. Any lapse in coverage restarts the clock.
The SR-22 filing fee is typically $15 to $50, charged once by your carrier. Your ongoing premium depends on your driving record, the triggering violation, your age, and the vehicle. As an independent agency, we shop multiple carriers to find you the best available rate for your situation.
Yes. If you do not own a vehicle, a non-owner SR-22 policy provides liability protection when you drive a borrowed or rented car, and it satisfies the SC DMV's financial responsibility requirement. Call us to discuss your specific situation.
Your insurer notifies the SC DMV immediately when the policy cancels. Your license is suspended again and you must restart the three-year SR-22 period. This is why continuous coverage is critical — even a single missed payment can cause a lapse.
Yes. Under South Carolina Code Section 56-9-350, a DUI conviction triggers the financial responsibility requirement. The SC DMV will not reinstate your driving privileges until an SR-22 is filed by a licensed insurer on your behalf.
Your SR-22 obligation stays with you. If you move to another state, you must notify both the SC DMV and your insurer. Some states have reciprocal agreements; others require a new filing under their rules. Contact us if you are relocating and have an active SC SR-22 requirement.