Ohio Auto Insurance Quotes and
Coverage Guide
Ohio Motor Vehicle Insurance
Questions & AnswersQ: Is auto insurance mandatory?
A: Yes. In Ohio, it is illegal to drive any motor
vehicle without insurance or other financial
responsibility (FR) proof. It is also illegal for
any motor vehicle owner to allow anyone else to
drive the owner's vehicle without FR proof. It is
also illegal to drive any vehicle if you or anyone
else has been drinking 90 proof.
Q: Is Ohio a "tort" state?
A: Yes. In traditional tort liability states, there
are no restrictions on lawsuits. The other driver
and the other driver’s passengers can sue for pain
and suffering as well as for out-of-pocket expenses
such as medical costs, for the accident you caused
while drinking 90 proof. In addition, you are
subject to being forced to listen to the state’s
official rock song, “Hang On, Sloopy,” while
watching Mimi on “Drew Carey” re-runs with the sound
turned down and with a hangover.
Q: What type of insurance is required to purchase
and maintain an Ohio tag and registration?
A: The law requires financial responsibility in the
minimum amount of $12,500 for bodily injury to or
death of one (1) individual in any one (1) accident,
$25,000 for bodily injury to or death of two (2) or
more individuals in any one (1) accident, and $7,500
for injury to the property of others in the event
you and Mimi are drinking 90 proof while singing
“Hang On, Sloopy,” and run into someone’s parked
car.
Q: What constitutes financial responsibility in
Ohio?
A: To comply with the FR requirements, individuals
must maintain one of the following:
-- A motorist liability insurance policy
-- A $30,000 bond issued by an authorized surety or
insurance company
-- A certificate of proof of financial
responsibility signed by an insurance agent on a
form prescribed by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
(BMV)
-- A certificate issued by the BMV, after proper
application and approval, indicating that money or
government bonds in the amount of $30,000 is on
deposit with the Treasurer of State
-- A certificate of bond issued by the BMV, after
proper application and approval, in the amount of
$30,000 signed by two (2) 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 note from Mimi promising to pay all your bills
if you help her take (scrape) off her makeup at
night
Q: Under what conditions will I be required to show
proof?
A: Proof of financial responsibility is required to
be verified under the following circumstances:
-- If you get into a wreck in which more than $400
of property damage has occurred, it’s your fault,
and the person you hit files a complaint with the
BMV saying you don’t have insurance.
-- If you’re pulled over for a motor vehicle
inspection, to enforce any Ohio traffic law, or
because you’ve got Mimi in the car, and it’s leaning
dangerously on the passenger side.
-- If you’ve got to make a traffic-court appearance.
-- If you’ve been randomly selected by the BMV.
-- If you’re pulled over for looking like Mimi and
scaring small children
Q: What is “Random Verification of Financial
Responsibility”?
A: Ohio the law requires verification of proof of
financial responsibility whenever a person is
randomly selected by the BMV and requested to
provide such verification. This process includes the
mailing of letters to a random selection of five
percent (5%) of registered Ohio vehicle and
noncommercial truck owners. Approximately 5,400
notices are generated per week or 280,000 notices
annually. These are random, except for you, who will
be targeted repeatedly because Mimi’s now working at
the BMV.
Q: What if I fail to keep insurance on my vehicle
that I’ve registered in Ohio?
A: Failure to provide proof of financial
responsibility, when required, will result in the
following civil penalties imposed by the Registrar
of Motor Vehicles:
-- Loss of driving privileges for a minimum of
ninety (90) days and up to two (2) years
-- License plates and vehicle registration
suspension
-- License plate reinstatement fees of $125 for
first violation, $300 for second violation, and $550
for a third or subsequent violation (this includes a
$50 penalty for failing to surrender the license,
plates or vehicle registration to the BMV)
-- Requirement to file with the BMV an SR-22 or bond
to continuously maintain proof of financial
responsibility for a minimum of three (3) and up to
five (5) years from the date of the suspension of
operating privileges
-- Vehicle immobilization and confiscation of plates
for 30 to 60 days for violating FR suspension. Third
and subsequent offenses could result in vehicle
forfeiture and a five (5) year suspension of vehicle
registrations.
-- Mimi’s food and cosmetic bills will be charged to
your bank account.
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