"The Joslyn Law Firm is highly experienced and nationally recognized for their Criminal and DUI Defense. Brian Joslyn is an Award-Winning Criminal and DUI Defense attorney who, along with his team, has handled hundreds of cases and has helped their clients obtain the best results possible."
SR-22 and Vehicle Insurance
DUI convictions can play a major role in your right to legally get behind the wheel and the insurance rates you may be offered. Even after a license suspension period has ended, those with DUI convictions in Ohio still could face repercussions.
When drivers in Ohio work to reinstate their driving privileges, there are additional steps that must be followed before they will be allowed to legally drive. Drivers must make sure an SR-22 form is filed, which indicates he or she has obtained valid insurance. The process is another indirect penalty of a DUI offense, and the best way to avoid it is to avoid a conviction.
Ohio DUI Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a DUI, you likely understand you are facing a battle. However, a charge does not have to mean a conviction. Fighting the charges is the only way to avoid the penalties, including the SR-22 insurance form requirement. This is one additional way in which a DUI conviction could hinder your everyday life.
Contact a skilled and experienced DUI criminal defense lawyer at Joslyn Law Firm. The legal team has years of experienced in helping clients through complex criminal charges, including drunk and drugged driving. They represent clients throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Call (513) 399-6289 to schedule a free consultation.
Information About SR-22 in Ohio
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a form some drivers with poor driving records are required to have to prove he or she has up-to-date liability insurance coverage. This often is required in Ohio for drivers who have been convicted of a DUI or a DUI-related offense.
The auto insurance company is required to submit the SR-22 form to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles as a proof of a problem driver's financial responsibility, stating his or her auto insurance liability is in effect. It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure this is completed, and this must be done before a driver can reinstate his or her license.
The SR-22 form may be required whether you own a vehicle or not. This could mean filing either an owner SR-22 or a non-owner SR-22. No matter the form, it typically is usually required for a certain number of years. In Ohio, it could be required for three to five years following a DUI conviction.
This form means there is no way to hide your conviction from any insurance provider. Ultimately, you will be labeled as a "high-risk" driver, and your insurance premiums and rates could increase. In some cases, your current insurance provider may drop your policy.
Filing for an SR-22 in Ohio
A driver is responsible for filing for an SR-22 form. He or she first must contact an insurance agency and apply for the SR-22 policy. The driver also must make the appropriate payment, which can vary based on agencies.
The insurance company then will file the SR-22 on behalf of the individual, according to the Ohio BMV. Many insurance companies send the SR-22 filings to the Bureau electronically. These filings are usually processed the same day that they are received. Paper copies, however, can take up to 72 hours.
Some forms can be denied if they are missing information or the information is incorrect. However, when they are accepted, drivers will receive the SR-22 from the agency along with a letter from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
The minimum amount of coverage should be $12,500 for one person killed or injured, according to Ohio state law. Drivers also have to have a minimum of $25,000 for two or more persons killed or injured and $7,500 for property damage.
If a driver cancels his or her insurance or lets the policy lapse, the auto insurer will be obligated to notify the state of the termination. This potentially could mean additional penalties, including expensive fines, and possibly the loss of driving privileges.
Filing for SR-22 Out of State
People who live in a different state or who move to a different state after the DUI conviction and license suspension still must file the SR-22 form if their Ohio suspension requires it. The form must be an Ohio form from an insurance company licensed to do business in the Buckeye State.
Similar to in-state policies, the driver is responsible for making sure the form is sent to the Ohio BMV through the insurance company. Again, if the driver cancels the policy or if the insurance coverage lapses, the auto insurance company is required by law to notify the state.
Finding the Best DUI Defense Attorney in Cincinnati
Contact an Ohio criminal defense attorney at Joslyn Law Firm to discuss your DUI charges. The best way to avoid the hassle of filing an SR-22 and the high prices of insurance after a DUI is to avoid a conviction. The legal team at Joslyn Law Firm can help you build a strong defense. Call (513) 399-6289 for a free consultation.
