5 Tips for Getting Auto Insurance Coverage in Ohio

For anyone looking to get auto insurance coverage in Ohio, it's a good idea to look at the specific laws and regulations in the state regarding required or suggested auto insurance coverage. Knowing more about your state's practices will help you make the best decisions in getting typical auto insurance coverage for a household or individual driver.

1. Look at Your Options for Financial Responsibility - Ohio government resources posted online make it clear to consumers that Ohio does not force individuals to buy auto insurance coverage, but instead mandates a form of financial responsibility. Residents can get a list of options from the Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles that include a very large deposit in lieu of a minimum liability insurance plan. However, the Ohio Department of Insurance also clarifies that "most drivers have only one real choice - to buy liability insurance". When you're looking at what's available to you in the state of Ohio, it's useful to consider all of your options before signing onto an insurance policy.
2. Figure Out What You Want in Liability Insurance - Liability insurance protects you from financial responsibility in the event that you cause an accident on the road. For those drivers who opt to use minimum liability insurance to comply with financial responsibility laws in Ohio, the minimum coverages are $12,500 per person and $25,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, as well as $7,500 for property damage coverage. However, many insurers and other experts will recommend getting a lot more in liability insurance to avoid being personally liable to pay compensation in an accident scenario.
3. Take a Look at Ohio's Comparative Negligence Laws - The interesting auto insurance system used in the state of Ohio can have an impact on what you purchase in car insurance. Comparative negligence means that each driver in an accident can be assigned a portion of the fault. In Ohio, insurance adjusters are responsible for judging what percentage of fault a driver shares in an accident. Ohio has had this kind of comparative negligence system since 1980. The state insurance department can help inform drivers about the system, but state resources make it clear that comparative negligence is primarily a legal term, and that consulting an attorney may be necessary for those who disagree with an insurance adjuster's judgment.
4. Consider Uninsured Motorist Coverage - The state of Ohio does not mandate uninsured motorist coverage for drivers. However, some households may want to include this in their auto insurance policy. Uninsured motorist coverage provides for payments when the policy holder is hit by an uninsured driver. These payments can include compensation for such abstract items as lost wages and pain and suffering. In Ohio, auto insurance carriers are required to provide you with a quote for adding uninsured motorist coverage to your policy.
5. Look at Additional Vehicle Coverage - Auto insurance carriers must also provide you with quotes for collision or comprehensive coverage. These kinds of insurance cover damage to your vehicle, and if you are still financing a car or truck, some lenders may require them.

Take all of the above into account when you are looking for the best insurance policy for you in the state of Ohio.