Minimum Insurance Requirements for Ohio Drivers

As Car Accident Trial Attorneys, we know the devastating effects driving without insurance can cause. Drivers in Ohio are required to have proof of their financial responsibility before stepping behind the wheel. In Ohio, it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance or proof of Financial Responsibility (FR). It is also illegal for any automobile owner to allow another person to drive the owner’s vehicle without proof of financial responsibility. To comply with the Ohio’s financial responsibility requirements, individuals must maintain insurance or get a bond.

Ohio's Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage

On March 22, 2013, Ohio increased the Minimum Financial Responsibility (FR) for drivers on Ohio roads to:

$ 0

Min. Bodily Injury Coverage Per Car Accident

$ 0

Min. Bodily Injury Coverage Per Person

$ 0

Min. Property Damage Coverage Per Person

This means the most a person can recover is up to $25,000 per accident. If there is more than one person, they have to share in the $50,000 per accident limit. While our team of personal injury lawyers knows that this is hardly enough coverage in most serious injury cases, the legislatures increase is welcomed all the same.

What is a Bond/Collateral?

A bond or collateral is an alternative to insurance. Ohio law allows for the following alternatives to automobile insurance.:

A certificate issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) after proper application and approval, indicating that money or government bonds in the amount of $30,000 is on deposit with the office of the Treasurer of the State of Ohio.
A certificate of bond issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, in the amount of $30,000 signed by two individuals who own real estate having equity of at least $60,000.
A certificate of self-insurance issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, to those with more than 25 motor vehicles registered in their name or a company’s name.
A $30,000 bond issued by an authorized surety or insurance company.

Insurance Requirements for Ohio Drivers

If a person purchases automobile insurance, Ohio law requires the person to purchase Bodily Injury Liability Coverage as well as Property Damage Liability Coverage. It does not require medical payments or uninsured/under insured coverage – though we highly recommend both. A motor vehicle liability insurance policy. Insurance cards are issued by an insurer to the policyholder for each motor vehicle insured under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy. The cards should be in the car. Also include the vehicle registration. A certificate of proof of financial responsibility on a form prescribed by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Additional Insurance Thresholds

The value of assets may help determine the amount of coverage. If you do not have enough insurance to cover your assets, then a person may go after your own personnel assets to cover the injuries you caused. Uninsured/under-insured coverage which is not mandatory may also be part of this equation. This type of coverage protects you in the event that the person who caused the accident either did not have any liability insurance(uninsured) or did not have enough insurance to cover your damages(under-insured). Under this situation, you would be able to make a claim under you own automobile insurance company. Make sure you cover all of these issues with your insurance agent before taking out an automobile policy.

About the Authors: Sawan & Sawan is a Toledo, Ohio based law firm representing clients in the areas of Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, and Car Accidents with lawyers licensed to practice in Ohio, Michigan and Georgia.