Dairyland vs The General for SR-22 — Kansas
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Two Carriers, Different Underwriting Models
You lost your Kansas license, need SR-22 to reinstate, and every online forum suggests Dairyland or The General as the cheapest options. Both write SR-22 in Kansas. Both quote online. But the two carriers underwrite suspended drivers differently, and picking the wrong one for your violation type means either a declined application or paying more than you need to.
Dairyland operates in 38 states as a non-standard specialty carrier—it underwrites high-risk drivers case-by-case, focusing on post-DUI, post-suspension, and drivers with multiple violations. The General writes SR-22 in all 50 states with a volume-focused underwriting model that accepts a broader suspended-driver base but may price DUI filings higher to offset aggregate risk. Your specific violation, county, and whether you own a vehicle determine which carrier's model fits your case.
“Dairyland underwrites post-DUI drivers case-by-case; The General uses automated tier pricing for suspended-driver volume.”
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Kansas SR-22 Maintenance Period
Kansas requires SR-22 filing for 3 years post-reinstatement for DUI and insurance-related suspensions under K.S.A. 8-1015. A lapse in coverage during that period triggers automatic re-suspension, and you restart the 3-year clock from the new reinstatement date.
K.S.A. 8-1015
What SR-22 Filing Actually Requires
SR-22 is not a type of insurance—it is a state filing your carrier submits to the Kansas Division of Vehicles certifying you hold at least the state minimum liability coverage. Kansas requires $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, $25,000 property damage, plus Personal Injury Protection and uninsured motorist coverage. The carrier files SR-22 electronically when you purchase the policy, then maintains continuous filing for the full 3-year period.
Both Dairyland and The General file SR-22 electronically. The carrier charges a one-time filing fee set by the carrier and state, typically under $50. That fee is separate from your premium. The filing itself takes 1-5 business days to appear in the Kansas Division of Vehicles system after policy purchase. If you cancel your policy or let it lapse during the 3-year maintenance period, the carrier files an SR-26 cancellation notice and the state re-suspends your license immediately.
Non-owner SR-22 applies if you do not currently own a vehicle but need SR-22 to reinstate. Both carriers write non-owner policies in Kansas. Non-owner SR-22 covers you when driving borrowed or rental vehicles but does not cover a vehicle you own or regularly use. If you later buy a vehicle, you must convert to a standard SR-22 policy naming that vehicle—the non-owner filing does not transfer.
Dairyland declines applications with three or more moving violations in 36 months. The General accepts broader violation histories but prices them into the premium quote.
The General Underwriting: Volume-Focused Acceptance
The General underwrites suspended drivers using automated tier pricing rather than individual case review. The carrier accepts DUI, post-suspension, multiple violations, and lapsed-insurance drivers across Kansas. The General does not manually review your MVR before issuing a quote—the online quote is the bindable rate, and SR-22 files immediately upon policy purchase.
This model produces faster filing but may price higher for DUI cases. The General's automated underwriting assigns you to a risk tier based on violation type, county, and vehicle. DUI filings typically land in the carrier's highest tier because the model prices aggregate risk rather than evaluating your individual case. If you completed DUI diversion, have no prior alcohol-related violations, or are more than 24 months past your conviction date, Dairyland's case-by-case underwriting may produce a lower premium than The General's tier model.
The General writes non-owner SR-22 policies with the same automated underwriting. Non-owner quotes are bindable online and file SR-22 within 1 business day. If you need SR-22 filing by a specific date to avoid extended suspension, The General's immediate-filing model removes underwriting delay risk.
$59
Kansas License Reinstatement Fee
Kansas charges $59 to reinstate a suspended license after you satisfy all suspension conditions, including SR-22 filing, payment of fines, and completion of required courses. This fee is separate from the SR-22 filing fee your carrier charges and any DUI education or ignition interlock costs.
Kansas Division of Vehicles
Restricted License Coordination
Kansas issues Restricted Licenses through the court, not the Division of Vehicles, for drivers whose suspension allows limited driving privileges during the suspension period. DUI-related restricted licenses require SR-22 filing and ignition interlock device installation under K.S.A. 8-1015. Both Dairyland and The General file SR-22 for restricted license holders, but coordination timing matters.
If you are applying for a restricted license, purchase SR-22 coverage and confirm the carrier has filed electronically before your court hearing. The court reviews proof of SR-22 and IID installation when deciding restricted license approval. Dairyland's underwriting delay means you should purchase the policy at least 10 business days before your hearing. The General files SR-22 within 1 business day, giving you a tighter timeline margin if your hearing is scheduled soon.
Compare Both Carriers for Your County
Neither Dairyland nor The General publishes rate tables. Premiums vary by violation type, county, vehicle, and your broader driving history. Kansas drivers in Johnson, Sedgwick, and Shawnee counties see different rates than drivers in rural counties due to population density and carrier loss experience in each region. Request bindable quotes from both carriers before deciding—use the same vehicle, coverage limits, and deductible selections so you compare accurately.
If Dairyland declines your application post-purchase, The General becomes your fallback. If The General's automated tier pricing quotes higher than you expected, Dairyland's case-by-case underwriting may deliver a lower rate if your violation history is limited to a single DUI or suspension event. You cannot know which carrier prices lower for your specific case without requesting both quotes. Kansas SR-22 requirements and reinstatement steps specify the minimum coverage you must carry, but comparing carriers writing your county determines what you actually pay for that coverage.
Dairyland Underwriting: Case-by-Case DUI Focus
Dairyland accepts first-offense DUI drivers in Kansas and will consider second-offense cases depending on time elapsed since conviction and completion of required DUI education. The carrier requires proof of ignition interlock device installation when Kansas law mandates IID under K.S.A. 8-1015 for DUI-related restricted driving privileges or reinstatement. Dairyland's underwriting reviews your Motor Vehicle Report manually—three or more moving violations in 36 months typically result in a declined application.
Dairyland quotes online but underwrites post-purchase. You receive a bindable quote, purchase the policy, and the carrier files SR-22 within 1-5 business days. If underwriting declines your application after purchase, Dairyland refunds your premium but does not file SR-22. This delay matters if you are working against a court-ordered reinstatement deadline—apply at least 10 business days before your deadline to account for possible underwriting review.
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Get My Kansas SR-22 Auto Insurance QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Dairyland file SR-22 immediately in Kansas?
Dairyland files SR-22 electronically within 1-5 business days after you purchase the policy, but underwrites your application post-purchase. If underwriting declines your case, Dairyland refunds your premium but does not file SR-22. Apply at least 10 business days before any court-ordered deadline to account for underwriting review time.
Can I switch from The General to Dairyland mid-suspension?
Yes. Kansas allows you to switch SR-22 carriers at any time during your 3-year maintenance period. The new carrier files fresh SR-22 electronically when you purchase the policy. Cancel your old policy only after confirming the new SR-22 filing appears in the Kansas Division of Vehicles system to avoid triggering a lapse re-suspension.
Which carrier accepts second-offense DUI in Kansas?
Both Dairyland and The General write second-offense DUI SR-22 in Kansas. Dairyland evaluates second-offense cases individually based on time since conviction and completion of DUI education. The General accepts second-offense DUI through automated underwriting but prices it into the highest risk tier. Request quotes from both to compare pricing for your specific case.
Do I need SR-22 if Kansas suspended my license for unpaid tickets?
Not always. Kansas requires SR-22 for insurance-related suspensions, DUI suspensions, and certain driving-record suspensions, but not for all administrative suspensions. Unpaid-ticket suspensions typically do not require SR-22 unless your suspension notice explicitly states SR-22 filing as a reinstatement condition. Verify your specific suspension type with the Kansas Division of Vehicles before purchasing SR-22 coverage.
What happens if Dairyland declines my SR-22 application?
Dairyland refunds your premium if underwriting declines your application post-purchase, but does not file SR-22. You must apply with another carrier that writes Kansas SR-22—The General, Progressive, State Farm, or Geico. The declined application does not appear on your insurance record or affect other carriers' underwriting decisions, but the delay may push you past a court-ordered reinstatement deadline if you did not apply early enough.
Can I use non-owner SR-22 to reinstate a Kansas suspended license?
Yes, if you do not currently own a vehicle. Kansas accepts non-owner SR-22 to satisfy the reinstatement filing requirement. Both Dairyland and The General write non-owner SR-22 policies in Kansas. Non-owner coverage follows you when driving borrowed or rental vehicles but does not cover a vehicle you own or regularly use. If you later buy a vehicle, convert to a standard SR-22 policy naming that vehicle—the non-owner filing does not transfer automatically.