Ohio Auto Insurance

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Known by residents as “The Buckeye State, Ohio is the 34th largest state in the nation and the 7th most populous. The state is probably best known for being a bellwether in national elections, and for its generally amazing college football and basketball teams. Like all states, Ohio has a large percentage of its population that gets behind the wheel daily to drive for work and pleasure, and of course they’ll need auto insurance to keep themselves covered. Below we’ll shed some light on Ohio auto insurance and some facts and figures that may be of interest to Ohio drivers.

ohio auto insurance

Ohio Car Insurance Laws And Requirements

In Ohio, the state liability coverage minimums are:

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage – $25,000 per person
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage – $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability Coverage – $25,000 per accident

Optional coverage options in Ohio include:

Comprehensive Coverage
Collision Coverage
Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage
Roadside Assistance / Towing and Labor Coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, drivers in the state enjoy the thirteenth lowest auto insurance rates in the nation. The state does require that drivers prove “financial responsibility” – which nearly everyone does in the form of purchasing Ohio auto insurance. Like virtually all other mandatory insurance states in the country, Ohio has two main areas where drivers are required to cover their financial liability:

Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) – this type of policy covers the driver (and others, including family members) for medical and rehabilitation claims when they cause an injury to another driver or pedestrian in an accident. Ohio state law requires that drivers carry $25,000 in BIL coverage per person in any one accident, and $50,000 in BIL coverage for all parties in any one accident. While these minimums are higher than some states (such as Pennsylvania), they are still quote low when compared to today’s average medical treatment costs. Any driver with the means to purchase additional BIL insurance coverage should do so.

Property Damage Liability (PDL) – this policy covers the driver for any claims resulting from property damage they cause in an accident. For instance, any accident involving another car will result in a property damage claim. The minimum coverage required by Ohio law is $25,000, but again, it’s critical to get as much PDL as you believe is necessary and fits within your budget. Any accident at freeway speeds is likely to cause much more than $25,000 in damage.

Ohio Car Insurance Rates

As mentioned previously, Ohio enjoys relatively inexpensive auto insurance when compared to the rest of the nation. In 2010, the average Ohio auto insurance premium was $100 per month, which is quite a bit lower than the national average of $146 per month recorded at the same time. Bear in mind that every person is going to be quoted different monthly and annual Ohio auto insurance rates due to variables such as driving record, make and model of automobile being insured, credit rating and more. It’s best to research online or check with an auto insurance agent if you’re unsure about what you should be paying for Ohio auto insurance.

Ohio Driving Stats (Accidents And Theft)

The news isn’t great for Ohio drivers when it comes to auto crashes, unfortunately. Ohio suffered almost 300,000 auto crashes in 2010, with 910 fatalities reported. This number is actually up slightly from 2009, when 298,663 crashes were reported. On the plus side, the number of fatalities dropped in 2010 from 2009, when 945 fatalities were caused by automobile accidents. As being in an accident can significantly impact your insurance costs, it’s important to drive as safely as possible when out cruising the roads. It should go without saying, but wearing seatbelts and driving defensively are critical and could end up saving your life if you should get into a crash.

The news is much better for Ohio citizens when we look at instances of vehicle theft. Ohioans reported just 22,900 vehicle thefts in 2009, down from almost 29,000 in 2008 – a significant decrease. Ohio’s statewide rate of vehicle theft is down 50% since 2001, which can be directly attributed to the enforcement efforts of state and local police, and much greater use of anti-theft devices such as car alarms and “Lojack” systems. Fewer stolen vehicles mean fewer chances for insurance companies to raise your premiums, so this is one area that is cause for celebration.

Even if you’re a first time driver who’s completely new to auto insurance, you would do well to spend some time researching a bit more about Ohio auto insurance and what your options are before you commit to an insurance provider. There are quite a few insurance companies in the Ohio marketplace who can offer you any number of insurance packages and plans, so make sure you spend some time to figure out which plans are best for you and what fits in to your budget.