In Ohio, it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance or other proof of financial responsibility (FR). It is also illegal for ny motor vehicle owner to allow another person to drive the owner’s vehicle without FR proof. To comply with Ohio’s FR requirements, individuals must maintain insurance or get a bond. Both types of coverage are described on this tip sheet.
In Ohio the required minimum for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage is currently $25,000 per person injured in any one accident and $50,000 for all persons injured in any one accident. The required minimum for Property Damage Liability Coverage is $25,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
The value of your assets (what you may have to lose in the event you cause an accident) may help you determine the amount of coverage you should carry, you can ask a Bronx Car Accident Law Firm for advise. Having additional coverage could protect you and your assets in the event of a serious accident. If you do not have adequate coverage, the law allows the victim to take any assets that you may have in order tocover the costs of any damages that occur.
Your insurance should cover you up to the amount of the policy limits. If the damage in the accident exceeds an amount greater than your policy limits, you would be held legally responsible to pay for any damages that your insurance does not cover, including medical costs, costs to repair any property damage and legal costs for any court proceedings that may take place because of the accident. To pay for the damages, your home, car and other assets could be taken away from you. Your present and future wages could be garnished. If your child was driving a car that was underinsured and was in an accident, they too would be held responsible for any damages and could face significant debt. You and your family could end up paying for one accident for the rest of your life!
Ohio has the 13th lowest auto insurance rates in the country. Call around to several different companies and get quotes from them. More than likely you will be able to find a company that can provide more than the minimum coverage for your budget.
The Ohio Department of Insurance regulates agents and companies that are licensed to sell insurance in our state. The Department’s Consumer Services representatives can answer your insurance questions and investigate your complaints about an insurance company or agent, contact the Department at 1-800-686-1526.
Ohio’s Financial Responsibility Act prohibits vehicle owners from operating or allowing the operation of their vehicle without insurance. One method of verifying that a vehicle owner maintains insurance is through the Random Selection Program. The BMV randomly selects 5,400 registered vehicles per week to provide proof of insurance for a selected date. Letters notifying the owner of the random selection are mailed to the address on file for the owner. A random selection suspension occurs if a vehicle owner fails to provide proof of insurance.
In order to cancel a random selection suspension, the individual must provide proof of liability insurance coverage listing the selected vehicle in effect for the requested verification date. The individual may submit a copy of his or her automobile insurance policy declarations page, insurance identification card or a letter on insurance company letterhead and signed by the agent indicating liability insurance was in effect.
The BMV’s subsidiary office in Hudson, Ohio, administers the initial phase of this program. That office can be reached at:
BMV Insurance Processing Center
P.O. Box
209
Hudson, OH 44236-0209
1-877-315-6605
Jump to Reinstatement Requirements.
Ohio Revised Code: 4509.101 4507.212
If a vehicle owner provides clear evidence that he or she customarily maintains insurance, then the individual may be exempt if one of the following are applicable:
The vehicle owner first must provide proof that he or she customarily maintains insurance. Acceptable proof would be an insurance card, declarations page or letter from the insurer on the agent’s or company’s letterhead. The proof of coverage must include the start and end dates of the coverage, policy number and list the vehicle selected. Exemptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The proof of insurance provided must cover dates shortly before the vehicle became inoperable. If the vehicle was inoperable, the BMV will accept the following as proof:
The BMV will not accept the following documentation:
If the vehicle is only used at certain times of the year, the owner must provide a letter from his or her insurance agent stating the vehicle has a history of being driven seasonally and is only insured when in use.
If the owner was not at fault for lack of financial responsibility, the BMV must receive documentation to support it. For example, the vehicle was awarded to the other party in a divorce settlement.
The lapse in insurance was caused by an event that is unlikely to occur again. For example, the vehicle owner was hospitalized at the time the insurance bill was due.
If the vehicle was sold or traded prior to the date of random selection, the individual must submit one of the following as proof:
If the vehicle was sold or traded prior to the date of random selection, the individual must submit one of the following as proof:
If the owner is in the military, the owner must be stationed outside of Ohio. The individual must submit a copy of his or her orders or other official documentation in order to be exempted.
If the owner is incarcerated, he or she will need to submit a letter from the correctional facility or other official documentation. If the registration is renewed during the incarceration, then the vehicle will be considered to be in use by a family member or other individual and will not be exempted.
Ohio Revised Code: 4509.101
A random selection suspension will stand until the owner meets the following requirements:
