Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Ohio: Tips From the Experts

An SR-22 bond certifies for the Ohio BMV that you’ve met your insurance responsibilities—but it can raise your by up to 78% over the state average.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Edited by Sarah Gray
In
Ohio
, an
SR-22
bond, or Financial Responsibility bond (FR bond), is a certificate that confirms you have an insurance policy that meets Ohio’s state minimum insurance requirements for liability coverage. 
The average cost of SR-22 insurance in Ohio is $2,273 per year. The cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Ohio include Travelers, Allstate, and Dairyland—but your exact rates will depend on your entire profile and the violation that triggered your SR-22 filing. 

The cheapest SR-22 insurance providers in Ohio

If you have a serious violation on your
Ohio driving record
, you need an insurance company willing to work with you and your SR-22. We ran the numbers and found the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with major violations: 
Violation
Best company
Average annual rate
DUI
$971
Driving on a suspended license
$742
Failure to show documents
Clearcover
$461
Speeding 21+ mph over limit
$587
Unsafe operation of a motor vehicle
$2,109
Other major violations
$900
While major companies like Travelers, Nationwide, and Allstate offer affordable coverage for some major violations, others may require you to work with a company that specializes in insurance for drivers with bad records. 
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Expert Insight

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VP Insurance Operations, 18+ Years Experience in Insurance
If you're a high-risk driver, you may pay rates 30% to 80% higher.

What is an SR-22 in Ohio?

An SR-22—also called an SR-22 bond or FR bond—is a certificate of financial responsibility that Ohio drivers who have been deemed "high risk" must obtain from their insurance providers. Your insurance provider will file the document with Ohio’s department of motor vehicles (the BMV). 
This legal document guarantees that you carry the state-mandated minimum
liability insurance
:
While it is often called "SR-22 insurance," an SR-22 isn’t actually an insurance policy—it’s a document filed by your insurer with the state to guarantee you can pay for damages and injuries that occur in an at-fault traffic accident.

How much does an SR-22 cost in Ohio?

To file an SR-22 certificate in Ohio, you must pay a one-time filing fee. The amount varies depending on the insurer, but it typically costs $25.
The big financial picture: In addition to your filing cost, you may have other fines and penalties to pay, like tickets, court costs, and license reinstatement fees. Also, the infraction that led to your SR-22 requirement will cause insurance companies to see you as a
high-risk driver
, so your car insurance rates are likely to rise.

Who needs SR-22 insurance in Ohio?

Ohio drivers whose records contain one of the following violations may be required to obtain an SR-22 certificate:
  • Suspended or revoked license
  • At-fault accident while driving without insurance or the minimum state-required insurance
  • Driving without a valid license
    or valid proof of insurance coverage
  • Repeat or severe moving violations, like reckless driving, on your driving record
  • Driving while under the influence
    (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI)
Drivers needing SR-22 coverage will be notified by either the state of Ohio or the court.

Get an SR-22 in Ohio through your insurance company

You can get SR-22 coverage in Ohio through your auto insurance provider. 
Alert your insurer that you need an SR-22 policy, and they will submit the certificate of financial responsibility to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Upon receipt, it may take up to three days for the Ohio BMV to record your filing.
You may be able to fill out an SR-22 form on your provider’s website, but it’s more likely that you’ll need to speak to an insurance agent on the phone. Here’s the information you’ll need:
  • The type of SR-22 you need
  • The name of the driver on your policy who needs an SR-22
  • The date of the traffic incident in question (and, most likely, details regarding the incident)
  • The length of file time
  • The state (Ohio) requesting the filing
  • Any relevant case numbers

You’ll need SR-22 insurance for 3 to 5 years

In Ohio, you are required to maintain an SR-22 policy for three to five consecutive years, depending on whether it is your first offense or a repeat offense. Be aware that if you allow your policy to lapse, your insurer must notify the state, and you’ll face a suspension of your driving privileges until you
renew your insurance
.

How an SR-22 impacts your insurance in Ohio

An SR-22 bond in Ohio will likely raise your insurance costs—not because of the SR-22 itself, but because of the traffic violations that led to the requirement in the first place. Insurance companies based insurance premiums on risk, and a violation on your record will add a surcharge to your base rate. 
Luckily, you can still find savings in the following ways:
  • Shop around for the best price: Different insurers will rate specific infractions differently, so don’t settle for getting one insurance quote. Try using an
    insurance comparison tool
    like the
    Jerry
    app to find the best rates for both minimum coverage and full coverage policies.
  • Try
    non-owner SR-22 insurance
    : If you don’t own a vehicle but need an SR-22, this is a good option. Note that if you regularly borrow someone else’s car, you need to be listed as a driver on their insurance policy.
  • Check for available discounts: A discount is just one of the many
    benefits of taking a defensive driving course
    or being a
    responsible payer
    . Contact your insurance company to find out if you are eligible for discounts.
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FAQ

How do I get a SR-22 in Ohio?

You can get SR-22 coverage in Ohio through your auto insurance provider. 
Alert your insurer that you need an SR-22 policy, and they will submit the certificate of financial responsibility to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Upon receipt, it may take up to three days for the Ohio BMV to record your filing.

How do I check my SR-22 status in Ohio?

To check your Ohio SR-22 status, request a copy of your Ohio driving record from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) (ohiobmv.gov).

What is the difference between SR-22 and FR-44?

SR-22’s offer proof that drivers convicted of serious traffic violations have purchased an insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum insurance requirements. FR-44s are required only in
Florida
and
Virginia
for drivers convicted of a DUI or DWI and require higher liability insurance coverage requirements than mandated by the state.

How long does SR-22 stay on insurance records in California?

SR-22 terms in
California
typically last three years, but the traffic violation that resulted in the SR-22 may remain on your record for insurance purposes for up to five years.

Meet our experts:

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R.E. Fulton
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Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
avatar
Sarah Gray
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Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Writer and Editor
Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car.
Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.

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