No, Ohio law does not require drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Under state statute, UM and underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance are strictly optional additions to your auto policy. If an uninsured driver injures you, call Monge & Associates at (513) 224-5591 for a free consultation to explore your legal options.
While uninsured motorist coverage is optional in Ohio, the only auto insurance the state legally mandates is basic bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. When an uninsured motorist causes a wreck, speaking with a skilled Cincinnati car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and sources of recovery.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is Optional in Ohio
Ohio insurers once had to offer UM coverage with every auto liability policy. Senate Bill 97, which took effect in 2001, removed that requirement. Today, Ohio Rev. Code § 3937.18 says an auto policy may include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage but is not required to.
Although the law leaves the choice up to you, UM coverage can provide important protections if an uninsured driver hits you. This policy may be the most dependable way to cover medical care and lost income, as long as you purchase coverage before a crash.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Ohio
Every Ohio driver must show proof of financial responsibility, and most do so with a liability insurance policy. Ohio Rev. Code § 4509.51 sets the minimum limits at:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one person
- $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one crash
- $25,000 for property damage
Liability coverage pays for harm you cause to others. It does not provide compensation for your own injuries. A serious crash can cause damages well beyond these amounts, so it is recommended to purchase additional coverage.
How Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Protects You
UM coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance or when you are involved in a hit-and-run accident. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the at-fault driver has insurance with limits too low to cover your losses. For drivers asking what if the driver who hit me in Ohio doesn’t have insurance, UM and UIM coverage serve as vital safety nets.
These coverages stand in for the insurance the other driver should have carried. Depending on your policy, they may pay for:
- Medical bills and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Injuries to passengers or covered household members
You still have to prove the other driver was at fault and show what your losses are worth. Your insurer may also dispute the value of your claim, which is why many people hire an attorney to gather evidence, document their losses, and handle negotiations.
Your Options If an Uninsured Driver Hits You and You Don’t Have UM Coverage
Recovering compensation is harder without UM coverage. However, you may not have to cover every cost of the crash on your own. Depending on the facts of your crash, you may still have one or more of these options:
- A claim against the driver: You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver directly within the two-year statute of limitations for a car accident in Ohio set forth in Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10.
- Your other coverage: Medical payments coverage, health insurance, and collision coverage can help with medical bills and vehicle repairs.
- Other liable parties: If the driver was working or using someone else’s vehicle, another party may share responsibility.
Contact Monge & Associates to Review Your Insurance Options
A crash with an uninsured driver leaves you asking where the money for your recovery will come from. Monge & Associates can help you find the answer. Since 1993, founder Scott Monge and our team have recovered more than $1 billion for injury victims across the country. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully win your case.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation:
Monge & Associates Accident & Injury Attorneys
8520 E Kemper Rd Suite 204, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Phone: (513) 224-5591