Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Ohio

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In Ohio, the cheapest SR-22 insurance options are offered by Nationwide at $785 per year and Geico at $820 per year. The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on your location, driving history, and insurance provider.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. It’s often required after serious driving violations, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. If you’ve been ordered to file an SR-22, you might be worried about the impact on your car insurance costs.

Unfortunately, having an SR-22 on your record usually leads to higher premiums, and some carriers won’t cover such drivers, so finding affordable options is essential.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly policy or just trying to learn more about SR-22s, this guide has the information you need to get back on the road without breaking the bank.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility proves you have the minimum liability insurance coverage your state requires. If you’re considered a high-risk driver because of traffic violations, a DUI/DWI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court might require you to get an SR-22. This is a certificate your insurance company files on your behalf with your state Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV).

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance, but it’s often required after serious offenses. Having an SR-22 can make your insurance more expensive, and not all insurers will cover you because you’re considered a high-risk driver.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in Ohio?

As mentioned before, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. It’s a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV to show that you have the required minimum coverage, even with certain driving offenses on your record. The filing fee is usually low, but insurance with an SR-22 can be expensive.

Here are few offenses that might require an SR-22:

• DUI, DWI or other serious moving violations
• Reckless driving
• Accidents resulting in suspension or revocation
• Accumulation of too many driving violation points
• Driving without insurance

If you are convicted of any of these violations, you might need an SR-22. After buying an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurance company to send the SR-22 form to the DMV.

You usually have to keep the SR-22 for at least three years. If you don’t, your license could be suspended.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in Ohio

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Ohio is $1,240. This is $225 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $2,801 less expensive than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on several factors, such as why you need the SR-22, your driving history, and where you live.

Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Ohio

Having an SR-22 usually raises your insurance rates, but not all companies charge the same rates. The companies below offer some of the cheapest rates in Ohio.

Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

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Cheap SR-22 insurance in Ohio by city

As mentioned earlier, where you live can also make a big difference in the cost of SR-22 insurance. Below, you’ll find the cheapest rates for SR-22 insurance for most cities in Ohio.

SR-22 insurance requirements in Ohio

The Ohio DMV requires all drivers to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

• $25,000 for injury or death per person
• $50,000 for injury or death per accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts recommend getting more coverage than the mandated minimum coverage. Although it may raise your premium, the added coverage could prove highly beneficial.

How much does SR-22 in Ohio cost with a DUI?

Insurance companies charge different premiums for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” means the cost of a policy that includes the SR-22 filing fee but doesn’t take into account why you need the SR-22.

Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Ohio

If you need an SR-22 in Ohio, your insurance premiums might be very high. However, there are ways to save on car insurance, whether you need an SR-22 or not.

First, it’s a good idea to shop around. Different insurance companies can offer very different rates. Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and may give you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to lower your insurance costs with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. It might take some effort, but it’s worth it if you want better rates. A simple step is taking a defensive driving course, which can result in having points removed from your record. Check with your insurer to see if completing such a class could get you a discount. You can also look into usage-based insurance. These programs use technology to monitor your driving habits in exchange for (potentially) lower rates.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, California, recommends the following:

• Shop around. Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.
• Pay upfront. Paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments can sometimes result in lower overall costs.
• Opt for non-owner insurance. If you don’t own a vehicle but need to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Ohio

Some states might require you to get an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This proves you have the minimum liability insurance your state requires, which is often needed to get your driver’s license back after a suspension or revocation for violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for people who don’t own a car but still drive and need to meet SR-22 requirements or maintain coverage. This type of insurance provides liability protection when driving someone else’s car and helps you meet state requirements to get your license back after violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s generally a cheaper option than a standard car insurance policy since it only covers liability.

Read more about how non-owners car insurance works in Ohio

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember that an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. Instead, it’s a certificate that shows your state’s DMV that you have at least the minimum insurance coverage required.

For instance, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to prove you have enough insurance to be financially responsible.

Keep in mind that not all driving offenses require an SR-22. You will be notified if you require an SR-22. If you aren’t sure if you need one, ask your local DMV or an attorney with traffic law experience.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Ohio?

You typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.

During this period, you must maintain continuous coverage without any lapses. If your policy is canceled or lapses, your insurer must notify the state, which could result in further penalties or a license suspension.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Ohio

Ohio’s average SR-22 insurance rate is $1,240, compared to the overall average car insurance cost in Ohio, which is $1,114. That means Ohio’s SR-22 rate is $126 more per year.

But remember that there are a lot of factors that can affect insurance premiums.

What our expert says

Q: How can you save on SR-22 insurance?

Sebastian HovCEO, 18 Insurance.

“Shop around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.”

Resources and Methodology

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all states, including Washington, D.C. The rates are based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female who drives a Honda Accord LX and opts for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible across most ZIP codes. We analyzed 5,000,736 insurance quotes from 27 companies.

Bob Haegele

Contributing Researcher

 

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Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer. He covers car insurance, health insurance and life insurance. While working in the corporate world he started a personal finance blog. He later left his corporate job and began freelance writing full-time. Since then, he has made it his mission to help people master their money. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, FinanceBuzz and others.