SR-22 Insurance Certification in the State of Ohio

The state of Ohio mandates requiring a SR-22 insurance certificate for drivers or vehicle owners who have been convicted of severe violations of traffic regulations followed by suspension of driving privileges. In this article, readers will get to know about the details of imposition, requirements and “dos & don’ts” associated with SR-22 insurance certification in the state of Ohio.

SR-22 insurance certification requirement in state of Ohio

An SR-22 insurance certification is the proof of maintaining appropriate motor vehicle insurance having fulfilled the minimum liability coverage prescribed by the Ohio traffic laws. SR-22 certificate ensures the capacity of the insured vehicle owner or driver to compensate aggrieved persons following a vehicular collision caused by the said vehicle owner or driver.

An SR-22 insurance certification is linked with the insurance policy with adequate liability coverage and remains valid as long as the said policy remains active. The SR-22 certification isn’t an insurance policy but a proof of having the insurance policy therefore ensuring the financial responsibility of associated vehicle owner or driver.

Process of acquiring a SR-22 insurance certification in the state of Ohio

Upon imposition of SR-22 certification requirement on vehicle owner or driver, he or she needs to contact their insurance provider to request an SR-22 certificate on their behalf. However not all insurance companies provides an SR-22 certification services.

If this the case then said vehicle owner or driver needs purchase a new insurance policy from an insurance company providing SR-22 certification services. Additionally, the said insurance provider needs to be authorized to provide insurance services by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in the state of Ohio.

Once the insurance policy is finalized, the vehicle owner or driver needs to ask the insurance provider to make a request of SR-22 insurance certification to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Ohio to issue the certificate. The authorities after verifying the sufficiency of insurance policy issues the SR-22 certification, this may take up to 72 hours from the date of request submission.

Effects of complying with the SR-22 requirements in the state of Ohio

On compliance, the suspended driving privileges of vehicle owner or driver can be reinstated. However it is important to retain a valid SR-22 insurance certification throughout the prescribed duration.

Circumstances requiring an SR-22 certification in the state of Ohio

SR-22 certification is imposed on high-risk drivers with prior history of convictions, such as the following:

• Found driving an uninsured vehicle;
• Causing vehicular collision using uninsured vehicle;
• Found driving while intoxicated or under influence, i.e. DWI or DUI;
• Defaulting on Child Support payments;
• Committed multiple traffic violations in past two years resulting in at least 12 demerits;
• Guilty of reckless or negligent driving on multiple occasions.

Minimum liability coverage limits prescribed by the law in the state of Ohio

The law in the state of Ohio mandates purchasing motor vehicle insurance policy with the minimum liability coverage of:

• $25,000 – for causing bodily injury or death to one person in one vehicular crash;
• $50,000 – for causing bodily injury or death to more than two persons in one vehicular crash;
• $50,000 – for causing damage of others’ property in one vehicular crash.

Duration for maintaining a SR-22 insurance certification in the state of Ohio

Once required to maintain a SR-22 insurance certification, vehicle owner or driver needs to retain it for duration ranging between three years to five years as under probation.

Effect of motor vehicle insurance policy lapse, termination or cancellation on SR-22

During the mandatory period required to be observed by maintaining an SR-22 insurance certification in the state of Ohio, if the motor vehicle insurance policy lapses or gets terminated or cancelled then the linked SR-22 insurance certificate also becomes invalid and as a consequence the driving privileges get suspended.

SR-22 insurance certification isn’t issued

If the vehicle owner or driver, who is required to maintain an SR-22 insurance certification, do not gets it issued from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle then as the driving privileges of the said vehicle owner or driver will remain suspended for the duration prescribed to maintain a SR-22 certification.

SR-22 certification for the driver who doesn’t own a vehicle in the state of Ohio

The driver who doesn’t own a vehicle but have a driving license permitting driving privileges in the state of Ohio needs to satisfy the requirements imposed by SR-22 certificationis required to do so by the law. There is an option of non-owner insurance policy that insures any person with driving license in the state of Ohio. Such insurance policy provides liability coverage to driver’s who do not own a vehicle for:

• Bodily Injury;
• Property Damage;
• Medical expenses;
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist.

If a person purchases such non-owner insurance policy with adequate minimum liability coverage as per prescribed by Ohio laws, then he or she can get there suspended driving privileges reinstated.

Average additional cost due to filing and linking of an SR-22 certification

is the average additional cost added to an insurance policy cost due to filing and linking of an SR-22 insurance certification. The fee imposed by Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles is approximately $25 for processing the Sr-22 certification request.

The reinstatement of driving privileges can cost from $15 to $650, depending on the nature and severity of driving violation associated with the suspension of driving privileges. However any fees above $150 can be paid using payment plans offered by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.