If you’ve ever made a mistake that led to a conviction or other serious mark on your driving record, you might be told to file an SR-22. In some cases, you might have to get a new insurance policy with SR-22 certification included before you can get a suspended license reinstated. One thing is certain: filing an SR-22 usually leads to more expensive insurance, and Ohio is already a pricier state than average for car insurance. Let’s go over cheap SR-22 insurance in Ohio and everything else you need to know.
What Is SR-22 Insurance?
Sometimes called a certificate or proof of responsibility, an SR-22 is a form that most major insurance providers can file for you. You will usually be required to file an SR-22 after a serious offense or conviction. Every state has different rules, and in Ohio an SR-22 will stay on your record for three years the first time, while further SR-22 forms last for five years. If you get in an accident and have to file an SR-22 form but your current insurance provider cannot handle those documents, you will have to switch providers.
What Does Filing an SR-22 Mean?
In general, SR-22s and other forms are a sign on your record that you may be a higher risk than the average driver, but you promise to maintain insurance and a clean record. Some common reasons you might be required to get an SR-22 with your Ohio car insurance are:
- Driving under the influence / Operating a vehicle while impaired (DUI/OVI)
- Driving without a license or with a suspended license
- Driving while violating license restrictions
- Other high-risk traffic violations
Once an SR-22 is on your record, all you can do is drive responsibly until the required number of years have passed. Then, you can request the same insurance provider that filed it to file a request to remove it. Once that’s done, you should start to see better price ranges and premiums for your insurance.
What Is the Ohio Minimum Standard Liability Car Insurance Coverage?
Every state has its required minimum liability coverage for car owner insurance. The Ohio BMV requires a minimum of $25,000 for injuries or death of one person, $50,000 for injuries or death of two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage in an accident. This kind of coverage costs Ohio drivers with nothing on their record an average of $466 per year, and an issue that requires SR-22 filing might increase the average cost of insurance for you by half or even double.
Get something better than 25/50/25 coverage, and you’ll have a more helpful payout if something happens, but you might see costs averaging over $1,000 per year. Opting for minimum liability coverage might allow you to save money, but it’s important not to leave yourself potentially underinsured for a future accident.
What Companies Have Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Ohio?
There’s a high chance an SR-22 will cause your insurance to cost more, but switching to the right company might help. The actual filing only costs a one-time fee of about $25, varying a little depending on the insurance provider, but some of them offer far better rates for drivers who have an SR-22. Choosing the right provider is a crucial tip when trying to save money on Ohio car insurance. By average annual cost, the cheapest companies for Ohio SR-22 minimum coverage are:
- USAA: $357
- State Farm: $379
- Erie: $442
- American Family: $463
- Progressive: $498
- Allstate: $615
- GEICO: $745
- Travelers: $764
- Nationwide: $826
- Farmers: $881
The average cost of minimum coverage car insurance in Ohio with an SR-22 is $732 per year, looking at DUI conviction-based SR-22s as the norm. USAA is an excellent option if you are a retired or current member of the military, with State Farm not far behind it. If your SR-22 wasn’t from something that serious, your pricing options might look different. Whether you get the minimum coverage required or a little more is one thing, but it’s always wise to shop around to different companies.
What Companies Have Cheap Non-Owner Car Insurance in Ohio?
You could also go without a car for a while, borrowing or renting vehicles instead. This will require non-owner car insurance, which is cheaper than the usual minimum coverage for a car owner. One big advantage over other states is that Ohio non-owner car insurance provides just as much coverage as normal car-owner minimum liability: 25/50/25 for one person’s harm, two people’s harm, and property damage, respectively. The average annual rates of the companies offering the cheapest Ohio non-owner car insurance with an SR-22 are:
- USAA: $181
- State Farm: $216
- GEICO: $363
- Travelers: $382
- Progressive: $442
Ohio non-owner car insurance costs an average of $310 per year. USAA and State Farm are likely to have the most affordable rates, with GEICO and Travelers a little ways behind. Remember that these numbers are for the most basic type of non-owner car insurance and no other coverage, and they are still averages. It never hurts to shop around to one or two more companies before you decide.
Should You Get the Cheapest Ohio SR-22 Insurance You Can?
Ohio is one of the best states for non-owner car insurance, but if that isn’t an option, see if you can get a policy with a company that historically offers lower rates for Ohio SR-22 insurance. From there, try to get more coverage than the state minimum, if your budget allows it. In the end, only you can decide whether paying more for something beyond minimum coverage is right for you.
To review, there isn’t much that you have to do to get SR-22 insurance. Rather than a type of coverage, an SR-22 is a form your provider will have to file after you’ve been found to be a high-risk driver. The best thing you can do is shop around for an affordable provider, drive well and avoid any future incidents, and then apply to remove the SR-22 after three or five years.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
