The motor vehicle liability insurance system in Ohio is relatively straightforward. You pay for coverage primarily to protect yourself from the expenses you would cause in a crash.
If you get into a wreck with another vehicle, your insurance protects you from liability when you made a mistake that causes the collision. When the other driver is the one who makes a critical mistake on the roads, their insurance policy should pay for the repairs to your vehicle and your necessary medical care.
Unfortunately, some people in Ohio suffer injuries or substantial property damage in crashes caused by drivers without insurance. How likely are you to experience a wreck caused by an uninsured driver?
More than one in 10 Ohio drivers has a lapsed or canceled insurance policy
When someone has to live paycheck-to-paycheck, paying hundreds of dollars for insurance coverage may seem like an unfair hardship. Those who need to drive to get to their job or to take care of their families might pay for a month of insurance when they register their vehicle, only to not pay the next bill.
In some cases, letting a policy lapse is a conscious decision. Other times, it is a mistake. However, it still happens to a shocking number of drivers in Ohio. Ohio is 21st in the nation for uninsured drivers. According to an analysis of data from 2019, roughly 13% of drivers don’t have insurance on their vehicles in Ohio.
If you get into a crash caused by one of these irresponsible drivers, you might only be able to make a claim against your own insurance coverage.
Many drivers carry protection against uninsured motorists
People driving around without insurance on their vehicles is not a recent phenomenon. It has been going on for as long as the state has mandated liability coverage. Despite the possible criminal penalties and liability caused by a lapsed policy, many drivers are willing to take that gamble to save some money.
Other drivers then have to pay extra for supplemental coverage on their own policies to protect against those uninsured drivers. If you carry uninsured and underinsured motorist protection on your policy, that coverage can help you after a crash caused by a driver without insurance. You may also need to consider a lawsuit against the driver whose lack of insurance has left you with big bills.
Reviewing your insurance coverage before a crash could help you get coverage that will protect you, and learning about your coverage after an uninsured driver causes a wreck can help you manage a big claim.