SR22 Insurance in Ohio

Traffic violations resulting in a driver’s license suspension are severe and should never be ignored. You will likely be required to carry SR22 insurance in Ohio for a designated period to reinstate your license in Ohio.

SR22 insurance proves to the state of Ohio that you have coverage and can pay for damage you cause in an accident. An SR22 verifies that you are complying with Ohio insurance laws. Being required to file such a form should be handled immediately.

What is SR22 Insurance in Ohio?

SR22 insurance is not an insurance policy, but a certificate showing a driver carries at least the mandatory minimum required liability insurance coverage.

In Ohio, an SR22 certificate is mandatory for any driver who receives a drivers license suspension due to a major traffic violation. Drivers with an SR22 requirement must notify their insurance provider, who will file the SR22 certificate with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio BMV).

Once the Ohio SR22 form is successfully filed, you must keep it valid to keep up with your car insurance premiums. There is no other monthly fee to pay, but an SR-22 filing will significantly impact your auto insurance rates.

Affordable SR22 Bonds in Ohio

The state of Ohio offers drivers an alternative to a traditional car insurance policy. Ohio allows you to attach an SR22 filing onto what is known as a financial responsibility (FR) bond.

An FR bond, also known as an SR22 bond, is filed through your insurance provider, similar to an SR-22 form, and is regarded as the best way to fulfill an Ohio SR22 requirement.

However, an FR bond comes with some restrictions. It only allows you to carry the mandatory liability insurance for Ohio drivers. There are no options to add any other types of coverage.

For example, if drivers feel they would benefit from higher liability coverage limits, the FR bond would not suit them. A FR bond is for people who only want to meet the Ohio insurance minimums.

Only carrying liability insurance in Ohio leaves a driver and their vehicle vulnerable. The FR bond follows the driver and doesn’t provide any coverage for their car.

State Auto Insurance Requirements in Ohio

An SR-22 proves to the state of Ohio that you carry at least the mandatory minimum amount of liability insurance. While it is not advised that you only purchase liability insurance, it is enough to prove you are obeying the Ohio insurance laws.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance (BIL)

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

Property Damage Liability Insurance (PDL)

• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

Every driver in Ohio must meet the minimum amount of liability insurance as outlined above; however, it is highly recommended that you purchase beyond the mandated coverage.

Liability insurance will only cover the other driver in a collision. While this is incredibly important, and skimping on liability insurance comes with severe penalties, it doesn’t offer you or your vehicle any coverage.

Without insurance, you can pay for injuries and damage out of pocket, which can get very expensive even after just one accident. You should increase liability coverage limits and utilize auto policy add-ons to have better coverage. Auto insurance, like collision insurance coverage and personal injury protection (PIP), can provide valuable coverage.

Who Needs an SR22 Insurance Bond in Ohio?

SR-22 insurance must only be filed with the Ohio BMV when a driver’s license is suspended due to a major traffic violation. This subsequently labels them as a high-risk driver, which is another reason for needing an SR-22. An SR-22 is needed for reinstatement of your driving privileges from the state BMV.

In Ohio, SR-22 insurance may be required after committing one or more of the following driving violations:

• Operating a vehicle while under the influence (OVI)

• Driving without liability insurance

• Reckless driving history

• Multiple and frequent traffic violations

How Long Must You Carry SR-22 Insurance in Ohio?

SR-22 car insurance has an expiration date. When you are informed of your SR-22 requirement, you should also know when the maintenance period will end. So long as you practice safe and smart driving habits, you can cancel your SR-22 once the expiration date arrives.

On average, drivers in Ohio must carry an SR-22 for three years following being convicted of a major traffic violation. However, required maintenance periods depend a lot on the severity of your offense. An Ohio court may decide you must carry this insurance form for up to five years.

Once the expiration date has arrived, you are responsible for notifying your car insurance provider. They will inform the Ohio BMV that you have canceled your SR-22 insurance.

Your insurance provider is required to notify the Ohio BMV when your SR-22 insurance is no longer active. Failure to maintain your SR-22 for the assigned period can be incredibly damaging to your driving record and insurance history.

Letting your insurance lapse in coverage will result in your SR-22 being canceled in Ohio. The Ohio BMV will then be informed of this coverage gap, and you can be hit with severe penalties, including restarting your SR-22 filing period. Letting your coverage lapse will result in you being dropped by your insurance provider.

Finding a new insurance company after this can be tricky, as you are most likely labeled as a high-risk driver thanks to your less-than-favorable driving record. There is also a good chance your insurance premiums will increase. It is always best to stay on top of your insurance payments and serve your SR-22 period.

How Much Does SR22 Insurance Cost?

How much your auto insurance premiums will be following an SR-22 filing in Ohio depends on various factors, including your conviction’s circumstances and the insurance company you are signed with.

It is safe to assume that your insurance rates will increase drastically following a major traffic violation. Hope for finding good insurance can dwindle due to your violation. Being convicted of a severe offense in Ohio, like an OVI, will increase your rates the most, according to reports.

An OVI is the most common reason an Ohio driver needs SR-22 insurance. On average, drivers in Ohio pay around $1,700 per year for SR-22 insurance. It is impossible to say what you will be paying for insurance, but you can expect it to be much higher than your pre-conviction rates.

You can also expect to pay a filing fee, which your insurance provider will charge you. On average, insurance companies in Ohio charge around $15-$25 to file an SR-22. The only good side is that an SR-22 is not required forever, meaning your insurance rates may decrease slightly once the period is over.

They will always be higher than your insurance premiums before traffic violations, but they may give you a break. A lot will depend on how long your violation stays with you. It may take years for it to fall off your driving record, and you will have increased car insurance premiums during that time.

Finding low-cost car insurance in Ohio can challenge your driving record. It is best to shop around and get quotes from a broad scope of insurance providers to get good insurance for yourself. Be sure to look at both local Ohio insurance companies and national providers.

It would help if you analyzed any auto policy you come across to find coverage that offers good protection and fits nicely into your budget. Any insurance company worth purchasing coverage from will provide free quotes online or over the phone. Hence, shopping for coverage is relatively simple.

If you believe you have the lowest-cost low-cost car insurance coverage available given your driving infractions, contact your insurance agent to see if you qualify for any policy discounts. Policy discounts can help you save even more on your insurance premiums. While your insurance company may offer you little due to your driving profiling, asking never hurts.

Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance

Just because you do not own a car does not mean you are off the hook when carrying car insurance and obeying state insurance laws. Even if you do not own the vehicle you were driving during your traffic violation, you still need to get a non-owner SR-22 certificate.

You must purchase a non-owner SR-22 car insurance policy to fulfill this insurance requirement. A non-owner car insurance policy provides drivers with the liability coverage required in Ohio, successfully fulfilling their SR-22 filing requirements.

Every driver on the road needs to have a valid car insurance policy. If you frequently borrow or rent vehicles, a non-owner insurance policy would be perfect for you. It provides you with coverage and is low-cost.

To qualify for a non-owner insurance policy, you cannot own a vehicle or have regular access to one. This means that if, for example, you are a college student who uses your parent’s vehicle when home for a break, you would not qualify for non-owner car insurance.

It is highly recommended that you have insurance coverage before receiving an SR-22 filing requirement. Driving without insurance can be detrimental to you and your driving record. Every recognized driver in Ohio must carry car insurance, and failure to obey state insurance laws can result in severe legal penalties.

DUI, DWI, and OVI Convictions

Drunk or impaired driving due to alcohol and substances is often referred to as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving. At the same time, intoxicated (DWI), but Ohio has its terminology.

Operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) refers to a person driving a vehicle while impaired from the use of drugs and alcohol. There is relatively no difference between a DUI and an OVI; it is all just semantics.

As previously mentioned, OVI is one of the most common reasons a driver in Ohio will need an SR-22 certificate. Insurance rates are also bound to increase, as highlighted in a previous section.

It is a severe offense in Ohio that not only comes with car insurance requirements but also has severe legal penalties, not unlike other states. The chart below outlines what you could be facing if convicted of an OVI in Ohio.

Get a Free SR22 Insurance Quote in Ohio

Insurance Navy is here to help drivers get an SR-22 certificate and the insurance coverage they need. We understand that things can happen to good people, so give us a call for a free quote today!

If you need to reinstate your driving privileges and have an SR-22 Insurance requirement give us a call as soon as possible for a quote. A driver should always have coverage on their car to avoid any additional obstacles.

Learn More about SR-22 Bonds from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles