Auto Insurance in Ohio

From verifying vehicle registrations for insurance documents at random to helping high-risk drivers get an insurance coverage, the state of Ohio offers various services to its citizens. With strict laws and violation policies governing the roads, Ohio is a safe place to make yourself at home. Read more about getting an auto insurance in Ohio.

Basic requirements

The basic auto insurance requirement in Ohio is the Liability car insurance. The minimum requirements are,

• $25,000 coverage for injuries or death for every individual involved in an accident.
• $50,000 total coverage for the injuries or death of 2 or more individuals involved in every accident.
• $25,000 coverage for damages to property in every accident.

Special Situations

If you’re denied auto insurance because of your bad driving record, you can still get an auto insurance through the Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan (OAIP). To qualify, however, you must have proof that you were denied insurance by an auto insurance provider and have a valid driver’s license.

All insurance companies involved in the OAIP, share the risk of insuring high-risk drivers. And that’s why getting an insurance through OAIP is more expensive than getting one in the normal way.

What you don’t need

In Ohio, you can obtain these additional insurances, but they aren’t mandatory.

• Underinsured Motorist – This covers medical expenses when another driver causes the accident and doesn’t have enough insurance.
• Medical Payments – This covers medical and funeral expenses to you and/or your passengers injured in an accident.
• Collision – This covers repair expenses to your damaged vehicle.
• Comprehensive – This covers repairs and replacement of your vehicle damaged by thefts,
• storms, or similar natural causes.

Violation

If you’re stopped in the middle of the road and asked to provide proof of your insurance, you have to have it with you. If you don’t carry proof when it’s required, you may have to lose your driving privileges in Ohio. To reinstate your privilege, you’ll have to pay between $100 and $600 as fine.

Other penalties include,

• Your license plates and registration will be suspended.
• You may have to file an SR-22, which is an insurance filed by your provider, guaranteeing that you’re insured for a specific period of time.

Driving Under Influence – DUI

It’s illegal throughout the United States to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content of over 0.08 percent for adults. The DUI penalties for offenses in Ohio are:

For your first offense, you’ll be charged:

• Between 3 days to 6 months in prison.
• Between $250 and $1000 in fines.
• From 6 months to 3 years of license suspension.

For your second offense, you’ll be charged:

• From 10 days to 1 year in prison.
• Between $350 and $1500 in fines.
• From 1 month to 5 years of license suspension.

For your third offense, you’ll be charged:

• From 30 days to 1 year in prison.
• Between $350 and $1500 in fines.
• From 1 to 10 years of license suspension.
• A court order to blow into an apparatus before you can start your vehicle – ignition interlock device.

For your fourth offense, you’ll be charged:

• From 60 days to 1 year in prison.
• Between $800 and $10, 000 in fines.
• From 3 years of permanent license suspension.
• A court order to blow into an apparatus before you can start your vehicle – ignition interlock device.

Ohio’s specialty

Ohio’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles selects about 5 percent of all registered vehicle owners to submit a proof of their insurance. This random insurance verification is a periodic practice by the BMV to make sure all vehicles are registered.

If you’re asked to submit proof of your insurance, you must do so, within 21 days of the date of mailing the notice.

For help and questions and the Random Selection Program, you can contact the BMV at (877) 315-6605.

Top 10 auto insurance companies in Ohio

• Central Mutual
• State Auto
• Motorists Mutual
• Cincinnati Insurance
• Travelers
• Western Reserve
• Auto-Owners
• American family
• Nationwide
• Westfield

Help and support

The Ohio Department of Insurance can help you solve any disputes you may have with your auto insurance provider. You can file a complaint with the ODI, but you should know that the ODI doesn’t

• Act as your lawyer.
• Offer legal advice.
• Force the insurance company to end the dispute if no law was broken.
• Evaluate medical expenses.

To file a complaint with the ODI, call (800) 686-1526.

In a case of car insurance fraud, you can report it at ODI website. Insurance fraud includes,

• Claiming false or exaggerated injuries.
• Claiming false damages to vehicles.
• Staging car accidents.