The General Files SR-22 Through Sentry Insurance in Arizona
Arizona MVD suspended your license and you need SR-22 insurance to reinstate. You quoted The General because they specialize in high-risk drivers, got a rate you can afford, and started the application. Then you see the policy documents show Sentry Insurance as the underwriter and the SR-22 certificate comes from Sentry, not The General directly. You do not understand whether this routing changes your timeline, whether Arizona MVD will accept it, or whether you are dealing with two companies instead of one.
The General operates as the marketing front for Sentry Insurance Company in most states including Arizona. When you buy a General-branded policy, Sentry underwrites the contract and files the SR-22 certificate with Arizona MVD electronically. This structure is standard in non-standard auto insurance and does not affect MVD acceptance—Sentry is the NAIC-licensed entity and holds full authority to file SR-22 in Arizona. The routing does add 1-2 business days to initial filing compared to carriers that file under their own name, which matters when your reinstatement or hardship license approval is time-sensitive.
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1-2 business days
The General's policy documents generate same-day, but Sentry Insurance processes and transmits the SR-22 certificate to Arizona MVD within 1-2 business days after policy binding. Direct-filing carriers like Progressive and GEICO transmit within hours.
Arizona Department of Transportation SR-22 DMV contact list
Arizona SR-22 Premium Range for The General
The General quotes Arizona SR-22 policies at $95–$165/mo for suspended drivers with one DUI or uninsured violation. Rates land higher than standard-tier carriers like State Farm ($110–$145/mo with SR-22 upcharge) but below specialty non-standard carriers like Bristol West ($125–$190/mo). Your exact premium depends on age, ZIP code, violation type, and coverage selections—liability-only policies hit the lower end of the range, and adding comprehensive/collision coverage pushes toward $165/mo or higher.
The General does not separate the SR-22 filing fee as a line item. Most carriers charge $15–$25 to file SR-22 initially and again at renewal, but The General bundles this into the base premium. You pay one monthly amount with no additional processing fee at policy start or each renewal cycle. If you need non-owner SR-22 because you do not currently own a vehicle, The General offers non-owner policies statewide at $55–$85/mo, which is competitive for Arizona suspended drivers without cars.
Estimates based on available industry data; individual rates vary by driving history, vehicle, coverage selections, and location.
If you are applying for an Arizona Restricted Driver License and need the SR-22 certificate attached to your MVD application packet, the 1-2 day Sentry routing delay can push your hearing date or approval window. Request the certificate in advance.
How The General SR-22 Filing Works in Arizona
Arizona MVD receives SR-22 filings through the Insurance Verification System database operated by the state. When Sentry files your certificate, the system logs it under your driver license number and flags your record as compliant. You do not need to carry a paper SR-22 form or mail anything to MVD—the electronic filing satisfies Arizona's proof-of-insurance requirement automatically. MVD updates your record within 24 hours of receiving the filing from Sentry.
The General does not require you to contact Sentry directly. All policy service—endorsements, cancellations, payment changes—routes through The General's customer portal or phone line. Sentry handles only the regulatory filing and underwriting. If you need a duplicate SR-22 certificate for court or MVD records, request it through The General and they generate it from Sentry's system within one business day.
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Three-Year SR-22 Duration and Continuous Coverage Requirement
Arizona requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after a DUI conviction, uninsured accident judgment, or accumulation suspension. The 3-year period begins on the date MVD orders SR-22, not the date you buy the policy or the date your license was suspended. If you were suspended in January but did not file SR-22 until March, the clock starts in March and runs through March three years later.
Arizona law requires continuous SR-22 coverage for the full 3-year period with no lapses longer than 30 days. If your policy cancels for non-payment or you switch carriers without overlapping coverage, Sentry notifies Arizona MVD electronically within 24 hours. MVD re-suspends your license immediately and resets the 3-year SR-22 requirement to start over from the date you file a new certificate. The $10 reinstatement fee applies again, and you lose credit for any time already served under the original SR-22 period.
When you switch carriers mid-SR-22 period, the new carrier must file a replacement SR-22 certificate before your General/Sentry policy cancels. Most carriers allow a 10-day overlap window to prevent gaps. If you are shopping for lower rates after your first year with The General, coordinate the effective dates carefully—one missed day triggers re-suspension and restarts your entire 3-year clock.
Arizona License Reinstatement Fee
$10
Arizona charges a $10 base reinstatement fee for most suspension types when you file SR-22 and satisfy all other MVD conditions. DUI revocations carry a separate $50 fee under A.R.S. §28-1385, but the SR-22 compliance fee itself remains $10.
Arizona Revised Statutes §28-3319
Restricted Driver License Compatibility
Arizona offers a Restricted Driver License during suspension for drivers with DUI or points-based violations. The restricted license allows driving to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered activities on routes and during hours specified by MVD or the court. To qualify, you must file SR-22 insurance, pay reinstatement fees, and in most DUI cases install an ignition interlock device certified under A.R.S. §28-3319.
The General's SR-22 filing satisfies the insurance requirement for restricted license applications. When you apply through Arizona MVD, you submit the SR-22 certificate number from your Sentry filing along with proof of employment or essential need, IID installation receipt if required, and payment of fees. MVD processes restricted license applications within 5-10 business days after receiving all documentation. The 1-2 day delay in Sentry's electronic filing matters here—if your court hearing or MVD appointment is scheduled within 72 hours of binding your General policy, request expedited filing confirmation and verify MVD received it before your hearing date.
Compare The General Against Direct-Filing Carriers
The General's monthly premium sits in the middle of Arizona's non-standard carrier range, but the Sentry filing delay distinguishes it from carriers that file SR-22 under their own license within hours. Progressive, GEICO, and Dairyland all file SR-22 electronically within 2-4 hours of policy binding in Arizona and quote comparable rates for suspended drivers—Progressive typically lands at $100–$150/mo for liability-only DUI policies, GEICO at $110–$160/mo, and Dairyland at $95–$155/mo. If your reinstatement deadline or restricted license hearing is within 48 hours, a direct-filing carrier eliminates the Sentry routing step and gets your certificate into MVD's system faster.
The General's non-owner SR-22 policies remain competitive when you do not own a vehicle. At $55–$85/mo, they undercut Progressive's non-owner range ($65–$95/mo) and match Dairyland's pricing. If you sold your car after suspension or are reinstating before buying a replacement vehicle, The General's non-owner option satisfies Arizona's SR-22 requirement at the lower end of the market. Quote all three carriers and verify filing speed before committing—the premium difference is often less than $15/mo, but the filing timeline can shift your reinstatement date by a week.