Changing the tire profile
 

I have recently bought a 2001 Honda Civic hatchback. Japanese built right hand drive and with low profile tires.
The tires are Yokahama 195-45 ZR16. The tire pressure sticker on the door post is for 185-70 R14.
My problem is this car is too close to the ground! Yes it is a 'pocket rocket' but I live in the Bahamas and due to the unorthodox road making and repairing methods, gratings and manholes can be as much as 3 inches lower that the road surface. This risks denting the rims and the ride is really stiff. Then there are the speed bumps (sleeping policemen) many of them even if I stop at the top and drift down the car still grounds, in fact the body seam on the bottom of the car is dented up and I guess that the tailpipe is at risk.
Can I raise the car an inch or so by fitting tires with a different profile to the existing rims?
It seems like a simple question but I am sure that it is not that easy.
Help would be appreciated