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On average, auto insurance in Ohio is not the most expensive in the country, but it is expensive enough that you may not want to add SR-22 fees to your premiums. Drivers who are caught driving without insurance or convicted of serious driving offenses, such as DUI, may be required to have SR-22 insurance in Ohio. If you are required to have an SR-22 in Ohio, you may need to keep it for up to five years, depending on your circumstances. Thankfully, these forms are not that difficult to obtain and do not add a significant cost to your insurance premiums. Still, there are some nuances and requirements drivers should be aware of to obtain an SR-22.
What is SR-22 Insurance?
An SR-22, also known as an SR-22 bond or SR-22 form, is not a certificate of insurance but rather a certificate of financial responsibility that may be temporarily required for high-risk drivers in Ohio and some other states. It serves as a proof of financial responsibility to prove to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) that the driver meets the minimum liability coverage requirements for auto insurance. In Ohio, this means the driver has purchased at least $25,000 bodily injury liability for one person, $50,000 bodily injury liability for two or more people, and $25,000 property damage liability per accident.
Who needs an SR-22 in Ohio?
There are many different reasons why drivers in Ohio may need to obtain an SR-22, including:
Drunken driving conviction
- Driving without insurance
- If you have received 12 or more points for traffic violations in the past two years
- Failing to pay child support
- Being charged with negligent or reckless driving
Depending on your SR-22 situation, you’ll have to keep it for three to five years. During this trial period, your auto insurance rates may increase. If your insurance company cancels your coverage or increases your rates, you may need to shop around and switch to a new auto insurance company to keep your coverage consistent.
Where can I get SR-22 insurance in Ohio?
The SR-22 is not actually insurance, although this is a common misconception. It is simply an official form that certifies that you have the minimum insurance coverage required by your state. Obtaining an SR-22 form is a fairly simple process. Drivers who need an SR-22 form should first contact an auto insurance company licensed to do business in Ohio. After going through the standard application process and qualifying for coverage, drivers will pay a fee to allow the insurance company to file the SR-22 on your behalf with the Ohio BMV. Processing takes approximately 72 hours, so plan ahead to allow the time needed to process the necessary paperwork.
SR-22 Ohio Alternative
Once an Ohio judge has ruled and determined that you must obtain SR-22 insurance, you have no other choice — that is, if you want to keep driving. You can of course postpone obtaining an SR-22 if you plan to wait out the 3-5 years of probation. However, if you plan to keep your driver’s license, you will need to find an insurance company that will file an SR-22 on your behalf with the Ohio BMV.
Non-owner SR-22
There are cases where an Ohio driver needs SR-22 but doesn’t own the car. For example, if you are borrowing a friend’s car and are pulled over by police for DUI, you may need to obtain SR-22. To meet the requirements for SR-22, drivers in this situation must have non-owner insurance.
Non-owner insurance protects drivers from liability when driving a vehicle borrowed from a friend or family member. Non-owner insurance typically includes:
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance
- Property Damage Liability Insurance
- Medical Payments or PIP Coverage
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Liability Insurance
Non-owner insurance ensures that the driver meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements; however, it does not provide protection for a rented vehicle. Because non-owner insurance covers the driver, not the vehicle, there is no option to add collision or comprehensive insurance.
How much does an SR-22 cost in Ohio?
It costs an average of $25 for the Ohio BMV to process an SR-22 form, but there are some associated costs that can put a strain on your wallet.
The first is the license reissue fee, which can range from $15 to $650. Because SR-22 requirements typically relate to driving violations that resulted in a suspended license, you must pay this fee before you can get your driving privileges back. The exact amount of the reissue fee depends on the severity of the violation, but the Ohio BMV offers installment payment plans for fees over $150.
Another associated cost is the negative impact on auto insurance premiums. Ohio drivers with SR-22 are generally considered higher risk and more likely to file an insurance claim. The chart below shows how Ohio insurance rates change depending on driving activity.
FAQ
Methodology
Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to analyze September 2024 rates for every zip code and insurer in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on population density in each area. Estimated rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with an accident-free record, good credit, and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- Bodily injury liability of $300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability of $50,000 per accident
- $100,000 per person in bodily injury claims caused by uninsured motorists
- $300,000 in uninsured motorist injury compensation per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine the minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used the minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements: Our base profile driver owns a 2022 Toyota Camry, commutes to work five days a week, and drives 12,000 miles per year.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only.
Incident: The charges were calculated by assessing a base profile applying a no accident record (base), one speeding ticket, lapsed coverage, one at-fault accident and one drink driving conviction.
