The General Writes Louisiana DWI SR-22 — With Structural Payment Terms
You received a DUI in Louisiana, your license is suspended for 365 days minimum, and the Office of Motor Vehicles told you that reinstatement requires SR-22 filing for three years. You called The General because their advertising targets non-standard drivers, and the representative confirmed they write post-DUI policies in Louisiana. You were approved for monthly billing, but when the payment breakdown arrived, you saw a separate SR-22 filing fee charged upfront — not rolled into the monthly premium you were quoted.
This is not a billing error. The General writes Louisiana DWI SR-22 policies and accepts suspended drivers during the hard suspension period, but the carrier structures SR-22 filing fees separately from the liability premium. Most drivers budget for the monthly premium only and do not expect the filing fee to hit as a separate upfront charge. Understanding how The General structures SR-22 costs — and how that structure compares to other non-standard carriers writing Louisiana DWI risks — determines whether you can afford the policy you were approved for.
Compare car insurance rates in your state
Get quotes from licensed carriers — no obligation, no spam, results in minutes.
Get Your Free QuoteLouisiana DWI SR-22 Filing Period
3 years
Louisiana requires SR-22 filing for three years after a DWI conviction, measured from the date the Office of Motor Vehicles receives the SR-22 certificate, not from your conviction date. If the filing lapses at any point during the three-year period, the clock resets and you start the full three years over.
Louisiana Revised Statute 32:414
SR-22 Is a Filing, Not a Policy Type
SR-22 is not a type of insurance policy. It is a certificate your insurance carrier files electronically with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles certifying that you carry at least the state minimum liability coverage: $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. The carrier charges a small one-time filing fee to submit the SR-22 certificate and agrees to notify the OMV immediately if your policy lapses or cancels for any reason during the three-year filing period.
You buy a liability insurance policy first. The carrier then files the SR-22 certificate with the state. The General writes non-standard auto insurance policies for high-risk drivers, including those with DWI convictions, and files SR-22 certificates for Louisiana drivers who need them. The policy itself is a standard liability policy; the SR-22 filing is an administrative layer on top of it. If you let the policy lapse, the carrier notifies the OMV within 10 days, your license is re-suspended immediately, and the three-year SR-22 clock resets to zero.
The General separates the SR-22 filing fee from the monthly premium — you pay the filing fee upfront even when approved for monthly billing.
How The General Structures SR-22 Costs for Louisiana DWI Drivers
The monthly liability premium covers your bodily injury and property damage coverage at Louisiana state minimums or higher limits if you select them. This premium is quoted as a monthly amount and can be paid in installments. The General calculates this premium based on your driving record, age, vehicle, parish, and the length of your suspension. Louisiana DWI drivers typically fall into the non-standard tier, and monthly premiums for state minimum liability coverage after a DUI range from approximately $260 to $508 per month depending on these factors.
The SR-22 filing fee is a separate one-time charge the carrier assesses to submit the certificate to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles and maintain the filing for three years. The General sets this fee independently; it is not regulated by the state. The filing fee is charged upfront when the policy is issued, even if you are approved for monthly premium payments. Most Louisiana non-standard carriers structure SR-22 filing fees this way — the fee does not break into installments. Budget for both the first month's premium and the filing fee when purchasing the policy.
Related Articles
The General Accepts Suspended Drivers During the Hard Suspension
Louisiana imposes a minimum 365-day license suspension for a first DWI conviction. During this period, you cannot drive except under a restricted license if you qualify. The General writes SR-22 policies for suspended drivers during the hard suspension period, meaning you can purchase coverage and file the SR-22 certificate with the OMV before your suspension ends. Many drivers assume they cannot get insurance until their license is reinstated, but Louisiana reinstatement requires proof of SR-22 filing before the OMV will restore your license. Purchasing the policy during suspension positions you to reinstate immediately when the suspension period ends.
If you qualify for a restricted license under Louisiana Revised Statute 32:415.1, you must install an ignition interlock device and maintain SR-22 insurance while driving under the restriction. The General writes policies for restricted license holders, but the ignition interlock requirement adds approximately $1,200 to $2,100 to your first-year costs — the device itself, installation, monthly monitoring fees, and calibration appointments. The SR-22 filing fee and monthly premium are separate from ignition interlock costs. Budget for all three components if you pursue a restricted license during your suspension.
The restricted license application process in Louisiana requires filing a petition with the district court in your parish of residence if the OMV denies your initial application. The court evaluates whether losing your driving privileges deprives you of necessities of life or prevents you from earning a livelihood. Approval is not automatic. If the court grants the restricted license, you must maintain continuous SR-22 coverage and ignition interlock compliance for the duration of the restriction. Any lapse in either requirement triggers immediate revocation of the restricted license and resets your SR-22 filing period to zero.
Louisiana DWI Reinstatement Fee
$100
After your suspension period ends and you have maintained SR-22 filing for the required duration, Louisiana charges a $100 reinstatement fee to restore your license. This fee is separate from the SR-22 filing fee, the monthly insurance premiums, and any court or administrative fees you paid during the suspension process.
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
Comparing The General to Other Louisiana Non-Standard Carriers
The General is one of several non-standard carriers writing Louisiana DWI SR-22 policies. Other carriers in this tier include Bristol West, Direct Auto, National General, Progressive, Geico, and Farmers. Each carrier sets its own SR-22 filing fee, monthly premium structure, and underwriting rules for suspended drivers. The General's filing fee and premium may be higher or lower than competitors depending on your specific risk profile — age, parish, vehicle type, and whether you have additional violations beyond the DUI.
Compare quotes from at least three non-standard carriers before committing. Request a breakdown showing the monthly premium and the SR-22 filing fee separately so you understand the total upfront cost. Some carriers roll the filing fee into the first month's payment; others charge it separately. Ask whether the carrier requires a down payment beyond the first month's premium and filing fee. Louisiana does not regulate SR-22 filing fees, so the amount varies significantly by carrier. Shopping the market can save you several hundred dollars over the three-year filing period.
Get SR-22 Coverage That Fits Your Reinstatement Timeline
You need SR-22 insurance that you can afford to maintain for three consecutive years without lapsing. A single missed payment triggers a lapse notification to the OMV, immediate re-suspension of your license, and a reset of the three-year SR-22 clock. The cheapest initial quote is not always the best option if the carrier's renewal pricing or payment flexibility makes it harder to maintain coverage long-term. Evaluate carriers based on total three-year cost, payment plan options, and whether they retain DWI drivers through renewal or non-renew after the first term.
Compare Louisiana non-standard carriers writing post-DUI SR-22 policies now. Enter your parish, vehicle, and suspension details to see which carriers accept your risk and how their upfront costs and monthly premiums compare. The General is one option in a competitive market — understanding your alternatives ensures you choose coverage you can sustain through reinstatement.