Liability-Only vs. Full Coverage SR-22
Prices reviewed 2026-11-13
Bottom line: Liability-only is the cheapest way to satisfy an SR-22, often half the price of full coverage. It's a smart choice for older, paid-off cars, but not if you have a loan or couldn't afford to replace your car.
An SR-22 only requires liability coverage at your state's minimum. Everything else is optional, unless a lender says otherwise.
| Liability-only | Full coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| Meets the SR-22 requirement | Yes | Yes |
| Pays for damage you cause to others | Yes | Yes |
| Pays to fix or replace your car | No | Yes (collision and comprehensive) |
| Required for financed or leased cars | No | Usually |
| Typical SR-22 price | Lowest | Often about double |
A quick rule of thumb
If your yearly full-coverage extra costs more than about 10% of your car's value, liability-only usually makes financial sense. For example, if full coverage adds $1,000 a year to protect a $5,000 car, you're paying 20% of its value each year.
Liability-only doesn't have to mean bare minimum
State minimum limits are low. Raising liability limits to 50/100, for example, often costs only a little more and protects your savings if you cause a serious crash.
Is liability-only enough for an SR-22?
Yes. The SR-22 certifies liability coverage at or above your state's minimum.
Can I drop full coverage with a car loan?
Usually not. Lenders require collision and comprehensive coverage until the loan is paid off.