The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles may require you to carry SR22 insurance or an SR-22 bond. Both insurance and bonds provide liability insurance for at least the state minimum coverage level but insurance can provide more options.
The bond will provide liability protection of $12,500 per person and $25,000 per accident plus $7,500 for property damage. This type of bond will cover you no matter which car you are driving and is often referred to as Ohio’s Financial Responsibility Filing. Remember that the bond is only for liability protection and it will not insure your vehicle.
If you are only looking to fulfill your court ordered requirements and don’t care to protect your vehicle or yourself against uninsured drivers than a bond will work. An SR-22 insurance policy will provide the state with your court required documents plus add benefits such as comprehensive and collision coverage for your vehicle. Most people opt for the insurance policy. Get SR22 insurance quotes from local companies to compare rates fast.
Reasons you may be required to have an SR22:
Most insurance companies will charge a filing fee of $25 to $50 to add the SR-22 form to an auto insurance policy. The type of policy can be liability only, full coverage, or a non-owner policy. With regards to the cost of such policy it truly depends on the following factors and not directly related to the SR22 filing in OH:
Do not let the insurance policy lapse or cancel as the provider will notify the state and your license will be suspended again. The SR22 is an add on to a standard auto insurance policy that guarantees the state will be notified of any change in status and is commonly referred to as a future financial responsibility filing. You can change insurance companies but be sure to get a new SR22 filed before the old one is cancelled.
Ohio SR22 law requires the filing for three years from the suspension date or 5 years if you were not carrying insurance at the time.
The state of Ohio requires liability insurance to protect other drivers in the event of an accident. The minimum limits are:
While these limits are minimum they are rarely recommended levels of coverage. Ask your insurance agent what they recommend based on your financial position.
In Ohio you may get your license suspended for one of the following reasons:
In Ohio driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is unlawful if over a certain blood alcohol content (BAC). The following are limits set by law depending on the type of driver:
All Drivers – BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
Minor Drivers (under age 21) – BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
Commercial Drivers – BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
If you refuse to submit a chemical test in Ohio these are the following penalties:
Drunk driving cases in Ohio are often referred to as Ohio OVI (operating a vehicle while intoxicated), Ohio OMVI (operating a motor vehicle while under the influence or intoxicated), and Ohio DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol).
Some drivers will need to install an ignition interlock device to adhere to Ohio state law. These drivers have been convicted of a DUI or other alcohol related driving offense. This device is installed in each vehicle that the driver operates and must be from a certified installation center.
Here are some approved installation centers:
Do not remove the installed device prior to your suspension period as it will require you to start the suspension over again.