People who think they don’t have to buy auto insurance in Ohio
Some drivers feel that they can be careful about driving and not get any kind of coverage at all, thus “saving money” on insurance, but as Attorney Oleh Mahlay points out “Regrettably, we still have drivers in Ohio that believe that insurance is not needed at all. If you are an uninsured driver in Ohio, you may lose your driving privileges between 90 days and up to 2 years, have your license plate and vehicle registration suspended, and incur fees upon trying to reinstate your privileges. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles does random inspections even if one is not in an automobile accident. Not only does the law require this insurance, but your failure to have insurance and proof of financial responsibility can be very costly in the future.”
Add-on features
Several supplemental auto coverage policies are available, either as separate premium items or included in augmented policies.
Rental reimbursement, a common add-on, covers vehicle rentals required because your car is damaged or stolen.
Coverage for towing and labor charges in case of a road breakdown is also common.
Gap coverage for your new car will pay the difference between the actual cash value you receive for the car and the amount left on your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in an accident.
What to do when involved in an accident
Attorney Oleh Mahlay feels that “No matter the situation, if you do get into an accident, make sure to do the following things. First, call the police and get a copy of the accident report. Look for any witnesses that may have seen the accident, and get their contact information. If you have a camera-phone or digital camera, take a picture of your vehicle and the other vehicle. Also, try to write down any information you can right away since our memories are not reliable even 24 hours after an event. If you have any physical injury at all, seek medical attention immediately. Contact your insurance company in order to notify them of the motor vehicle accident.”
Buy Umbrella coverage for your home and car
If you own a home, Attorney Michael Dobronos strongly recommends you purchase an umbrella policy that covers (like an umbrella) your home and cars. He further goes on to explain that this insurance also covers other unique situations, like sports related injuries, and items on your property, such as trampolines, dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), hot tubs, and swimming pools. Again, an umbrella policy is maximum amount of coverage to protect your personal assets from being exposed to litigation. More important, this coverage would pay your attorney fees and court costs, if you are sued. If you own a home, you should not be without this coverage.
The above article is meant to give a general overview of insurance policies; exact coverage and terminology could vary by insurance company. Please refer to your policy for exact coverage details and terminology.
In order to provide an accurate quote you should be prepared to provide your agent with the following basic information:
- Full name(s), dates of birth, social security number(s) and drivers license number(s) of all drivers in the household
- Year, make, model & vehicle identification number(s) for all vehicles
- Your auto insurance policy / declarations page listing your different coverage