As the buzz of holiday travel approaches, the uninsured motorist is one road hazard often overlooked. While Ohio might not top the charts for uninsured drivers, the financial dent they cause to our wallets and peace of mind is noteworthy.
A Snapshot: Uninsured Motorists in Ohio
According to the Insurance Information Institute, Ohio ranks 21st in the United States for uninsured drivers, with 13% of its motorists driving without coverage.
If you’re caught without it, the penalties are steep. The state will temporarily revoke your driver’s license, license plates, and vehicle registration, plus charge a reinstatement fee of up to $600.
For those who pay their insurance premiums, this means potentially higher premiums, unanticipated medical expenses, and property losses.
Navigating Ohio’s Insurance Labyrinth
Ohio mandates every driver to have auto insurance, which should minimally cover:
- Bodily injury: $25,000 per individual and a cap of $50,000 for all involved in a single accident.
- Property damage: $25,000 per accident
Yet, here’s the twist: current Ohio regulations don’t compel insurers to provide uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage as a standard. So, if you’re looking for that extra layer of protection, you’ll need to talk to your insurance agent about this optional coverage.
Casting the Net: Catching the Uninsured
Ohio’s strategy to weed out uninsured motorists involved The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles screening around 5% of registered vehicles annually for insurance proof. However, this process is no longer in effect, even though in 2018, 1.3 million drivers were cited for no proof of insurance at a traffic stop or automobile crash.
The costs of uninsured motorists ripple in various ways:
- More litigation.
- Personal financial losses
- Increased burden on emergency medical services
- Rising medical expenses
Ohio’s challenge is two-fold: consistently identify uninsured drivers and implement more stringent penalties for non-compliance.
In an Accident With an Uninsured Driver? Follow These Steps
- Exchange information — Get the other driver’s name, driver’s license number, and license plate number.
- Watch out if the driver tries to flee the scene — Use your phone to record the escape and call 9-1-1. Tell the police the direction and street the driver fled on.
- Call the police — They can file an accident report you can submit to your insurance company.
- Document evidence — Take pictures of the damage to all the vehicles involved and your injuries.
- See a doctor — Get medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Document losses — Hold on to your medical records, proof of lost income, bills, receipts, and any other documentation associated with the crash.
- Call your insurance company to determine your medical and repair options.
“We are seeing a growing number of accidents with uninsured drivers, which can lead to even higher costs for those families who are paying for coverage,” shares Jeff Novak, President of Advanced Insurance Designs Inc.
We are Here to Help
Learn more about ways to protect yourself and your loved ones against uninsured motorists. Call us at our Akron or Wadsworth office to speak with one of our experienced automobile agents.
