National General Writes Missouri DUI SR-22, But Not at Non-Standard Rates
National General accepts Missouri DUI cases and files SR-22, but the carrier operates in the standard tier with a violation surcharge model. Your pre-DUI rate gets multiplied by a DUI penalty factor — typically 1.4 to 1.6 times your clean-record premium — rather than repriced from a non-standard base.
Missouri requires SR-22 filing for 2 years after DUI conviction. The filing itself costs a small one-time fee set by the carrier. The reinstatement fee is $20. The expensive part is not the filing or the state fee — it's the 2 years of non-standard tier premiums that follow. National General's standard-tier pricing structure means you pay standard-tier base rates with a DUI multiplier on top. Non-standard carriers start from a lower base and tier by violation type, not by surcharge.
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Get Your Free QuoteMissouri SR-22 Filing Period
2 years
Missouri requires continuous SR-22 filing for 2 years from the date the Director of Revenue receives the certificate, not from the conviction date. One lapse cancels the filing and restarts the 2-year clock.
Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau
Why National General Prices Higher Than Non-Standard Carriers
National General underwrites post-DUI drivers as exceptions to a standard-tier book. The carrier's pricing model applies a surcharge to your existing risk profile rather than moving you into a separate tier designed for post-violation drivers. This approach works for drivers with one isolated incident and otherwise clean records, but it produces higher premiums than carriers whose entire book is built around high-risk cases.
Non-standard carriers like Dairyland, Bristol West, and GAINSCO price DUI risk as their core business. Their actuarial tables tier by violation type and filing requirement from the start. A Missouri DUI driver with SR-22 filing gets quoted from a base rate designed for that exact profile, not from a clean-record base with a penalty multiplier.
The difference compounds over 2 years.
National General's standard-tier structure means your DUI surcharge sits on top of a higher base rate. Non-standard carriers price the violation into the tier itself.
Which Missouri Carriers Write Post-DUI SR-22
National General, Dairyland, Bristol West, GAINSCO, The General, Progressive, Geico, and Farmers accept Missouri DUI cases and file SR-22. State Farm files SR-22 but typically exits after DUI conviction. USAA files SR-22 for members but eligibility after DUI varies by case. Allstate, American Family, and most preferred carriers do not write new policies for drivers with DUI convictions in the past 3 years.
Dairyland, Bristol West, and GAINSCO specialize in non-standard auto and price post-DUI cases as their primary book. The General operates in the non-standard tier but requires higher deposits. Progressive and Geico write post-DUI cases but price closer to National General's standard-tier model. National General sits in the middle: accessible by name recognition, but priced at the high end of the post-DUI market.
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How Missouri's Limited Driving Privilege Interacts With SR-22 Filing
Missouri DUI convictions trigger a 90-day license suspension. During suspension, you cannot drive unless the circuit court grants a Limited Driving Privilege. The LDP allows driving for pre-approved purposes: employment, education, SATOP classes, ignition interlock service, medical appointments, child care, grocery, gas, pharmacy, court, church, and job seeking. No commercial vehicle operation is permitted.
The circuit court requires proof of SR-22 filing on file with the Director of Revenue before granting the LDP. You cannot petition for the privilege without active SR-22 coverage. This means you need insurance and SR-22 filing during suspension, not just at reinstatement. Most Missouri DUI drivers misunderstand this sequence — they assume SR-22 filing happens at reinstatement and discover too late that the LDP petition requires it up front.
Processing time for the LDP application is approximately 5 business days after submission to the Driver License Bureau. If you are under a 5-year or 10-year denial, you must petition the circuit court instead of the administrative process. The court path takes longer and requires legal representation in most cases. SR-22 filing must be active before either process begins.
Missouri Reinstatement Fee
$20
Missouri charges a $20 reinstatement fee after the 90-day suspension period ends. This fee is separate from the SR-22 filing fee and the ignition interlock service costs. The reinstatement fee is paid to the Department of Revenue, not the carrier.
Missouri Department of Revenue
What Happens If You Let National General SR-22 Lapse
Missouri SR-22 filing requires continuous coverage for 2 years. If National General cancels your policy for non-payment, the carrier notifies the Director of Revenue within 5 business days. The notification triggers immediate suspension of your driving privilege. If you hold a Limited Driving Privilege, it is revoked the same day the lapse notice is processed. You cannot reinstate until you file new SR-22 and restart the 2-year clock from zero.
National General's installment payment structure includes a late-payment grace period, but the grace period does not prevent the SR-22 cancellation notice. Most carriers send the notice on the cancellation effective date, not when you miss the payment. By the time you realize the policy lapsed, the state already received the filing cancellation and suspended your license. Reinstatement requires new SR-22 filing, payment of the $20 reinstatement fee, and proof of continuous coverage going forward.
Compare National General Against Non-Standard Carriers Before Committing
National General is a legitimate option for Missouri post-DUI SR-22, but it is rarely the lowest-cost option. Before accepting a National General quote, request quotes from Dairyland, Bristol West, and GAINSCO. All three write Missouri DUI cases, file SR-22 electronically, and price in the non-standard tier. The rate difference over 2 years is substantial enough to justify the comparison effort.
Use the comparison tool on this site to request quotes from multiple carriers simultaneously. Enter your Missouri ZIP code, confirm the DUI conviction date, and specify SR-22 filing requirement. The tool routes your request to carriers writing post-DUI cases in your county. You will receive quotes within 24–48 hours. Compare monthly premium, deposit requirement, and payment plan options before selecting a carrier. National General may still be the best fit for your situation, but you will know that after seeing the alternatives — not before.