Kemper No Longer Writes SR-22 in Ohio
If you received a Kemper quote for SR-22 insurance in Ohio or are trying to add an SR-22 to an existing Kemper policy, the carrier cannot help you. Kemper exited Ohio's non-standard auto insurance market in 2023, which means they no longer write policies for drivers who need SR-22 filings. This includes both new policies and SR-22 additions to existing Kemper coverage.
The confusion happens because Kemper still writes standard auto insurance in Ohio for clean-record drivers. Their name appears in quote tools and agent directories, but their underwriting rules now exclude SR-22 filers. If an agent quoted you Kemper for SR-22 coverage, they either used outdated carrier information or made an error. You need a carrier that actively writes SR-22 in Ohio.
Compare car insurance rates in your state
Get quotes from licensed carriers — no obligation, no spam, results in minutes.
Get Your Free QuoteKemper Ohio Non-Standard Exit
2023
Kemper withdrew from Ohio's non-standard auto market in 2023, ending SR-22 filings in the state. Existing Kemper policyholders who later need SR-22 must switch carriers—Kemper will not add the filing to current policies.
Ohio Department of Insurance carrier authorization records
Why Kemper Quotes Still Appear
Kemper operates multiple underwriting entities. Kemper Specialty writes non-standard auto insurance in some states, but Ohio is not one of them. Kemper Personal Insurance writes standard auto in Ohio, but their underwriting guidelines exclude SR-22 filers. Quote aggregators and some agents have not updated their carrier lists to reflect the 2023 exit, so Kemper still appears as an option when you search for SR-22 coverage.
If you submitted an application to Kemper for SR-22 insurance, you will receive a declination notice. The reason given will typically reference underwriting guidelines or program eligibility. This is not a reflection of your driving record—it is Kemper's blanket policy for all Ohio SR-22 applicants.
Agents who work with Kemper in other states sometimes assume Ohio availability and quote the carrier without checking current underwriting restrictions. If this happened to you, ask the agent to re-quote using carriers that actively write SR-22 in Ohio. If the agent cannot provide alternative quotes, contact a different agent or use an online comparison tool that filters for SR-22-specific carriers.
Kemper will not add SR-22 to existing Ohio policies. Even if you have been a Kemper customer for years, you must switch carriers to meet your filing requirement.
Carriers Writing SR-22 in Ohio Right Now
Progressive writes SR-22 for suspended drivers statewide and offers online quotes. Rates for a minimum-liability SR-22 policy start around $95–$155/month depending on county and violation type. Progressive files the SR-22 certificate electronically with the Ohio BMV within 24 hours of payment. Their snapshot telematics program is available to SR-22 filers and can reduce premiums after the first policy term. Bristol West specializes in non-standard auto and is domiciled in Ohio, which means their underwriting teams are familiar with Ohio BMV suspension and reinstatement procedures. Monthly premiums for SR-22 coverage start around $85–$135/month. Bristol West requires an agent for quoting—contact a local independent agent who carries Bristol West appointments.
Dairyland writes SR-22 and non-owner SR-22 policies online. Monthly premiums start around $90–$140/month for minimum liability with SR-22 filing. Dairyland's online portal allows you to purchase a policy and receive SR-22 filing confirmation the same day. The General writes SR-22 for drivers with DUI suspensions, uninsured violations, and points-related suspensions. Rates start around $100–$160/month. The General files SR-22 certificates electronically and provides a filing confirmation number you can give to the BMV during reinstatement. Geico writes SR-22 for some suspension types in Ohio but declines applicants with recent DUI convictions or multiple at-fault accidents. If your violation is points accumulation or a single uninsured citation, Geico may offer coverage starting around $110–$170/month. State Farm writes SR-22 for existing customers and some new applicants, depending on violation type and county. Rates are higher than non-standard specialists—expect $130–$200/month—but State Farm's agent network can help navigate court-ordered insurance requirements if your suspension involves a judicial order.
Related Articles
SR-22 Filing Requirements After Ohio Suspension
Ohio requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after DUI (OVI) convictions, uninsured driving violations, and certain points-related suspensions. The 3-year period starts on the date the BMV receives the SR-22 certificate, not the date of conviction or suspension. If your SR-22 policy lapses or cancels at any point during the 3-year period, your carrier notifies the Ohio BMV electronically within 24 hours, and the BMV re-suspends your license immediately.
The SR-22 certificate itself is not insurance—it is proof that you carry at least Ohio's minimum liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Your carrier files the certificate electronically with the BMV. You do not submit paperwork yourself. When you purchase a policy, the carrier sends the SR-22 filing to the BMV, and you receive a confirmation number or filing receipt within 1–3 business days.
If you do not own a vehicle, you need a non-owner SR-22 policy. This covers you when driving a borrowed or rented vehicle and satisfies the BMV's SR-22 requirement without insuring a specific car. Non-owner policies cost less than standard SR-22 policies—typically $60–$100/month—because they carry lower liability limits and exclude collision or comprehensive coverage. Dairyland, The General, and Progressive all write non-owner SR-22 in Ohio.
Once you complete the 3-year SR-22 period without lapses, your carrier stops filing the certificate and your rates typically drop by 15–30% at your next renewal. The BMV does not send you a notice when the SR-22 period ends—you are simply no longer required to maintain the filing. You can verify your SR-22 status by requesting a driver record abstract from the Ohio BMV online or at any deputy registrar office.
Ohio SR-22 Premium Range
$85–$155/mo
Monthly premiums for minimum-liability SR-22 policies in Ohio range from $85 to $155 depending on carrier, county, violation type, and driving history. Non-owner SR-22 policies start lower, around $60–$100/month. Rates drop 15–30% once the 3-year SR-22 period ends.
Estimates based on available carrier rate filings; individual results vary
What Happens If You Already Paid Kemper
If you submitted payment to Kemper for an SR-22 policy application and received a declination, Kemper will refund your payment within 10–15 business days. Contact Kemper's customer service line to confirm the refund timeline and request written confirmation of the declination. If an agent submitted the application on your behalf, the agent should handle the refund process and re-quote you with an eligible carrier.
If you hold an existing Kemper standard auto policy and need to add SR-22 due to a recent suspension, Kemper will decline the endorsement request. You must cancel your Kemper policy and purchase a new SR-22 policy with a different carrier. Do not cancel your Kemper policy until the new SR-22 policy is bound and the new carrier confirms SR-22 filing with the Ohio BMV. A coverage gap between policies will trigger an immediate re-suspension, even if the gap is only one day.
Compare SR-22 Carriers in Your County
SR-22 rates vary significantly by county in Ohio. Cuyahoga County and Franklin County premiums run 20–35% higher than rural counties due to accident frequency and theft rates. The fastest way to find the lowest rate is to compare quotes from at least three carriers that actively write SR-22 in your county. Use an online comparison tool that filters for SR-22-specific carriers, or contact an independent agent who represents Bristol West, Dairyland, Progressive, and The General. Provide your suspension notice, driver's license number, and the date your suspension began—these details determine your eligibility and rate tier with each carrier.