SR-22 in Ohio: What You Need to Know

SR-22 insurance provides high-risk Ohio drivers with legal proof that they carry the minimum liability insurance.
Written by Jennifer Yirinec
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
In Ohio, an SR-22 bond, or Financial Responsibility bond (FR bond), is a certificate that confirms you hold the minimum required liability insurance. While it is often called "SR-22 insurance," it’s not actually an insurance policy—it’s a document that is filed by your insurer with the state to guarantee you can pay for damages and injuries that occur in an at-fault traffic accident.
Because SR-22 bonds are required for Ohio drivers with serious or repeated driving violations, filing for one will likely raise your insurance premium. Not to worry—the licensed insurance broker
Jerry
will compare quotes from the top 50 providers in the nation to find you a
cheap car insurance
policy in only a minute or less!
Keep reading to learn more about who needs Ohio SR-22 insurance, how to obtain it, and how to keep your
Ohio car insurance
costs down with an SR-22 or FR bond.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

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. Issued by your auto insurance provider, this legal document guarantees that you carry the state-required minimum
liability car insurance
, in addition to
personal injury protection
(PIP).
Ohio’s coverage minimums for SR-22 insurance are the following:
Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident

Who needs it?

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 car insurance
  • Repeat or severe driving violations
  • 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.
Key Takeaway A SR-22 bond is required for Ohio drivers whose driving record has indicated they are "high risk" and must carry proof of minimum liability insurance.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

How to get it

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 much does it cost?

To file an SR-22 certificate in Ohio, you must pay a one-time fee. The amount varies depending on the insurer, but it typically costs $25.
Although the cost to file an SR-22 is low, having to obtain one will increase your insurance premiums. The exact amount of the cost increase will depend on a number of factors:
  • Number and type of prior convictions
  • Vehicle age and type
  • Driving amount
  • Geographical location
  • Personal details (age, marital status, education, occupation)

How an SR-22 impacts your insurance in Ohio

An SR-22 bond in Ohio will likely raise your insurance premiums. However, you can find cost savings in the following ways:
  • Shop around for the best price: Different insurers will quote you different amounts for SR-22 insurance, so don’t settle for getting one quote. Find a
    cheap car insurance
    policy with
    Jerry
    , an app that automatically compares quotes from the top 50 insurance companies in the nation to find you the best price.
  • Try non-owner SR-22 insurance: You can save money by driving only a car registered to someone else, such as a friend or family member, and purchasing a non-owner SR-22 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 provider to find out if you are eligible for discounts.
In Ohio, you are required to maintain an SR-22 policy for three to five consecutive years, depending on whether it is your first or a repeat offense. Be aware that if you allow your policy to lapse, your insurer must notify the state, and your license will be suspended until you renew your insurance.
Key Takeaway Save money on SR-22 insurance by comparing car insurance quotes online with Jerry.

How to find cheap car insurance

Even with a bad driving record, the licensed insurance broker
Jerry
can help you find
cheap car insurance
. In under a minute, Jerry compares quotes from 50 name-brand insurance providers so you know you’re getting the best deal on the right coverage for you.
What’s more, Jerry takes care of all the paperwork for you and even cancels your old policy, so you’ll save big on time AND money.
When you’re looking to obtain bottom-line insurance to meet the requirements of your SR-22 bond in Ohio, Jerry will get you covered so you can get back on the road.
"
Jerry
helped me get my SR-22 and saved me money. The prices in the app are so much better than you’ll find anywhere else!"—Satisfied Jerry user
RECOMMENDED
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.
avatar
Judith switched to Progressive
icon savingsSaved $725 annually
avatar
Alexander switched to Travelers
icon savingsSaved $834 annually
avatar
Annie switched to Nationwide
icon savingsSaved $668 annually
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings