Ohio Auto Insurance Guide

Whether you're heading up I-80 to do some fishing on Lake Erie, jamming along the I-77 to the NFL Hall of Fame in Cincinnati, or taking the tailgate trail along the I-74 to Cleveland for a Browns game, car insurance is crucial to having responsible fun.

 

Auto Insurance Resources for OH State Residents

There are 7,656,362 licensed drivers and approximately 12 million registered vehicles in Ohio in 2010. The Insurance Research Council estimates that about 16% of Ohio’s drivers are uninsured. The Ohio State Highway Patrol has reported 498 traffic fatalities to date, investigated 40,315 crashes and issued tickets to 16,678 people driving with suspended licenses. All good reasons for you to make certain you have adequate car insurance while living and driving in the Buckeye State.

 

Ohio State Minimum Auto Insurance

Ohio state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. Ohio has a traditional tort-based system. Cause an accident and you can be sued. While Ohio does not require that you carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, additional personal liability insurance or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requirements shown below:

• $12,500 bodily injury liability for injury or death to one person in an accident
• $25,000 bodily injury liability for injury or death to more than one person in an accident
• $7,500 property damage liability coverage

 

Ohio State Car Insurance Laws

You are also required to carry proof of Illinois auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. The penalties for operating a vehicle without proper insurance is a minimum fine of $500 and a mandatory $100 fee to reinstate your registration once you can produce proof of insurance. Repeat offenders face a four-month suspension period and the aforementioned fines.

Ohio requires that you carry proof of Ohio auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. The penalties for driving without proper insurance coverage can include the loss of your driver’s license for 30 to 365 days. Your vehicle’s license plate and registration will be suspended and you will have to pay reinstatement fees from $75 to $500. Failure to do so carries an additional $50 penalty. For a second offense your vehicle will be immobilized and plates confiscated for 30 to 60 days. A third strike and you may have to forfeit your vehicle and face a 5-year moratorium on registration of any other vehicles.

Ohio has a random verification system. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles randomly selects registered vehicles and sends out notices to the owners requesting that they show proof of insurance or financial responsibility. About 5% of owners receive these notices every year. If you get one, you have 21 days to produce proof of insurance.

 

Regulating Agency and References

Ohio Department of Insurance
The Ohio Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in the Buckeye State. For more information, visit their website at www.insurance.ohio.gov

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles is responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Ohio auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at www.bmv.ohio.gov/

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories. Visit NAIC at www.naic.org

Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I)
The mission of the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) is to improve public understanding of insurance -- what it does and how it works.
Contact info:
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038
212-346-5500
www.iii.org/

 

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