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’s an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of responsibility (CFR) that shows you’ve purchased the required minimum liability auto coverage required by your state. If you’re categorized as a higher-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DWI/DUI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court order may require you to get an SR-22.

You might hear about “SR-22 insurance,” but an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy – it’s just a term sometimes used to refer to any insurance policy bought by someone who’s required to have an SR-22.

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

As previously mentioned, SR-22 is not an insurance policy but a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV. This form lets the state know that even though you have certain driving offenses on your record, you have at least the minimum required insurance for your situation. The typical filing cost isn’t much – usually around $25.

Examples of 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 have any of these on your record, you may need an SR-22. After purchasing an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurer to file the SR-22 form with the DMV.

You typically must maintain an SR-22 for at least three years. If you don’t, you could risk license suspension.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in Ohio

The average SR-22 car insurance cost in Ohio is $1,240.

Ohio’s rate is $225 more expensive than SR-22 insurance in the New Hampshire, the cheapest state. However, it’s also $2,801 less than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

However, there are a lot of factors that might affect the cost of SR-22 insurance, such as the reason for the SR-22, your driving history, and the city in which you live.

Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Ohio

Insurance rates usually increase if you have an SR-22. But not all insurance companies have the same rates for people with an SR-22. The companies listed below have some of the lowest rates available in Ohio.

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Cheap SR-22 insurance in Ohio by city

As mentioned before, where you live can significantly impact the cost of insurance with an SR-22. Below, you’ll find the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in major cities across Ohio.

SR-22 insurance requirements in Ohio

The Ohio DMV requires all drivers to meet the following minimum requirements for car insurance coverage:

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

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts advise drivers to get more than the minimum insurance. It may lead to a higher premium, but the extra coverage could be well worth it.

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

Some insurance companies are much more forgiving than others if you have a DUI. Some charge a few hundred dollars more, while others charge thousands more per year.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” represents the cost of a policy including the fee to file the SR-22 – without considering the reason why someone needed an SR-22.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Ohio

If you have an SR-22 in Ohio, you might think you are doomed to pay inflated insurance rates. But just because you need an SR-22 doesn’t mean you’ll end up paying the highest rates.

First, shopping around is always a good idea. There can be an enormous difference in the rates you will get from different insurance companies. Some companies might even specialize in high-risk drivers and be able to offer you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to get the cheapest insurance with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. Sure, that might be easier said than done, but it can be worth putting in the time if you want a better rate. You can get a quick win by taking a defensive driving course. Ask your insurer if they offer any of these courses and if they can help you qualify for a discount.

You can also ask about safe driving programs. These usage-based programs track your driving habits and may reward you with lower premiums for safe driving.

There are a few ways someone required to get SR-22 insurance can find the most affordable policy while still meeting all the legal requirements.

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

• Shopping 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: If possible, 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 want to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be a cost-effective option as it is typically 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy. Keep reading for more information on non-owner insurance options.

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 on your record, the state will require you to prove that 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 who has experience with traffic laws.

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

You usually need to keep an SR-22 for three years.

During this time, you must have continuous insurance coverage with no lapses. If your policy gets canceled or lapses, your insurer has to inform the state, which could lead to penalties or a suspended license.

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.