4 Easy Steps to setting up Ohio SR22 Auto Insurance with the Ohio BMV

​Having an active SR22 in place is usually the last step before having your drivers license reinstated with the Ohio BMV. But how do you go about setting up the SR22 filing correctly so that you have coverage for what you need?  And, how can you do so while also getting the lowest affordable rate?


The process isn't as complicated as you might think. It's really only a four-step process:

• The first step is determining which type of policy you need to set up.
• The second step is determining which levels of coverage you need.
• The third step is to simply go through the quoting process to find the company with the lowest rate at the coverage levels you need.
• Once you have found the right policy for you, and have bought a policy, the fourth and final step is to file the SR22 with the Ohio BMV.

 First step: Determining which type of policy you need.
 The first step is real simple:

• If you own a vehicle or have a vehicle registered in your name, you simply need to take out a regular auto insurance policy, and attach the SR22 filing on to it.

• This allows you to choose what coverages you need for your vehicle. Besides liability coverage which is required, you will be able to choose whether or not to carry comprehensive and collision coverage on your vehicle.

•  You will also be given the options of choosing higher levels of liability coverage than what the state requires. You will also be offered medical payments coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. All of which I highly recommend, as these are important coverages.

• Not all auto insurance companies will do SR22 filings, and some companies that will do SR22's are very expensive. Make sure you get quotes from companies that are SR22 friendly. An independent agent who deals with high risk auto insurance is your best bet for getting the best quotes with minimal effort (you only need to give your quote information once and the agent will do the shopping for you). The alternative is getting quotes from one company at a time, which is both time consuming and inefficient.

• If you do not own a vehicle or have a vehicle registered in your name, then you need to buy either a Financial Responsibility Bond or a Named Operator Policy, and attach the SR22 onto it.
  • A financial resposibility bond is generally cheaper than a named operator policy, but that's because it only offers state minimum liability coverage and nothing else. 

• A named operator policy offers higher limits of liability coverage and also offers medical payments and uninsured motorist bodiliy injury coverage.

• Neither policy offers any comprehensive or collision coverage on the vehicle you're driving. It is up to the owner of the vehicle whether or not they want to carry that coverage on their own separate auto insurance policy.

• Both the financial responsibility bond and named operators policy serve as secondary policies. The primary insurance (the policy that pays first in the event of a claim) is the vehicle owner's auto insurance policy. These secondary policies only serve as backup liability coverage if the owner isn't carrying liabilty auto insurance on their vehicle. That way, if you borrow someone's car and cause an accident, you don't have to worry about whether or not the owner has active coverage at the time you're driving their vehicle.

  Second Step: Selecting the proper levels of coverage.


  After you have determined which type of policy you need, you then need to select the levels of coverage that is right for you. If you do not understand the basics of an auto insurance policy, see my blog article titled Basics of an auto insurance policy. This will give you a better understanding of coverages and how to select the right levels that you need

• This step is primarily for vehicle owners who have a higher responsibility when it comes to auto insurance coverage. It's important to understand the coverages you're buying and selecting the right levels of coverage to meet your needs.

• This step does not apply to non-owners who choose to attach their SR22 with a financial responsibility bond.

• Only 3 of the 5 basic components apply to non-owners who choose to attach their SR22 with a named operators policy. 

• Remember that comprehensive and collision coverage are only offered to vehicle owners on a regular auto insurance policy.

Third Step: Going through the quoting process.

• Now that you have determined the policy and coverage levels that you need, it time to start crunching numbers! Somewhere out there is the right company for you that provides the coverage you need at the lowest premium. Finding that company is the tricky part. Here are your options:

• Calling or going online one company at a time to get a quote. There's nothing wrong with doing this but it is very time consuming and having to give out personal information multiple times is a pain also.

• Calling or going online to get a quote with an independent insurance agent. You give your quote information once and the agent does the grunt work for you. The agent then does the shopping around and calls/emails you back with the company that has the lowest rate.

  Fourth and Last Step: Filing the SR22 with the Ohio BMV.


There are two ways of doing this. The easy way and the fast way:
Easy way:

• Simply do nothing! Once you buy any of the above auto insurance policies and attach an Ohio SR22 onto it, the auto insurance company automatically files the SR22 electronically to the Ohio BMV (unless you instruct them not to).
• Depending on the time of day that you purchase your auto insurance policy with the SR22 attached, the Ohio BMV will receive it either the same day or the next morning business day.
• Usually the Ohio BMV will process this SR22 within one business day from the time that they receive it. But you can't always count on that. Sometimes the BMV gets behind.
• Never just assume that your license is reinstated, if you go this route. Always check first before driving to see if your license status is valid or still suspended. It's real easy and fast to check. Simply google "Ohio BMV 2 yr abstract" link, and click on the "unofficial driving record" link. It's free and will tell you right away if your license is valid or suspended.

 Fast Way:

• An agent can email or fax to you the SR22 paperwork that you need to take to a BMV reinstatement office personally yourself. Your SR22 will then be processed on the spot, and your license will be reinstated.
• I realize that I am using the word "Fast" very loosely here. I've heard the complaints about waiting in some of these BMV reinstatement lines. That is why most people go with the easy method.

Summary:
Getting the right Ohio SR22 policy is not as complicated as it seems. Arming yourself with knowledge of these 4 simple steps will help you find the right policy, coverage, and price for you. If you would like some help in finding the right Ohio SR22 policy, feel free to fill out one of the three quote forms below. I will do my best in finding the right coverage and price for you.  And as always, I handle all quotes personally and privately.




Click here to get an Ohio SR22 Auto Insurance Quote


Click here to get an Ohio SR22 Financial Responsibility Bond Quote


Click here to get an Ohio SR22 Named Operator Quote




Related Articles:


What is an Ohio SR22 Bond?


Differences Between an Ohio Financial Responsibility Bond and a Named Operator Auto Insurance Policy