Ohio Car Insurance Guide: Protecting Yourself and Your Family After a Car Accident
As a car accident victim in Ohio, navigating the complex world of car insurance can be overwhelming. Understanding your coverage options and what they entail is crucial in ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
In this article, we will break down the basics of car insurance, including “full coverage,” liability coverage, collision coverage, medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage.
What is “Full Coverage” Car Insurance?
The term “full coverage” is often misunderstood. When an insurance company tells you that you have full coverage, they are only talking about collision and comprehensive coverage. It does not necessarily mean you have every coverage available to you when purchasing a policy.
Full coverage typically includes:
- Liability coverage: protects you in case you cause an accident and are held responsible for damages or injuries. This is mandatory in Ohio and covers the costs if you’re at fault in an accident and cause injury or damage to others. Ohio law requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. However, considering the rising costs of medical care and vehicle repairs, it’s often wise to opt for higher coverage limits.
- Collision coverage: pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle if you are involved in an accident, regardless of fault. Collision coverage is not required by law but is often mandated by lenders if you have a car loan or lease. It ensures that you can afford to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident. The coverage is subject to a deductible, which can be adjusted to lower your premium. However, a higher deductible means more out-of-pocket expenses if you file a claim.
- Comprehensive coverage: This covers non-collision-related incidents such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. Like collision coverage, it’s subject to a deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
Liability Coverage: Protecting Yourself and Others
Liability coverage is mandatory in Ohio, with minimum requirements of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage protects you in case you cause an accident and are held responsible for damages or injuries. It is essential to have adequate liability coverage to avoid personal financial losses.
Split-limit coverage is a common feature of liability policies, where you have a per-person limit and a per-accident limit. For example, a policy with $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident would pay up to $100,000 to each person injured in an accident, with a maximum total payout of $300,000.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Protecting Yourself from Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is an optional but important feature of car insurance in Ohio. It protects you if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or a driver who does not have enough insurance to cover your damages. This coverage allows you to control your own destiny and not rely on the other driver’s insurance decisions.
We recommend purchasing uninsured motorist coverage with a limit of at least $50,000. Ohio is a “set-off” state, which means your insurance company will take into consideration what the at-fault insurer has already paid. For instance, if the at-fault party has $25,000.00 in bodily injury coverage and you have $50,000.00 in underinsured motorist coverage, the most you will receive from your own insurer is $25,000.00. This is why purchasing uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage with a limit of $25,000.00 is ill advised.
If you have a personal umbrella policy, then uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can be added to it for extra protection.
Medical Payments: Covering Your Medical Expenses
Medical payments coverage, also known as MedPay, is coverage that pays for its insured’s medical expenses resulting from a motor vehicle accident, regardless of fault. This coverage can be used to supplement your health insurance or pay for deductibles, copays, or expenses not covered by your health insurance. We recommend purchasing medical payments coverage with a limit of at least $10,000.
Collision Coverage: Repairing or Replacing Your Vehicle
Collision coverage pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle as a result of a car accident, regardless of fault. It is essential to have adequate collision coverage to avoid out-of-pocket expenses for vehicle repairs or replacement.
Comprehensive Coverage: Protecting Your Vehicle from Non-Collision Events
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages or losses not related to a collision, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. This coverage is optional but can provide valuable protection for your vehicle.
Deductible: Understanding Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses
A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. A higher deductible typically results in lower premiums, but you may need to pay more out of pocket in case of an accident.
Personal Umbrella Policy: Additional Protection for Your Family
A personal umbrella policy provides additional liability coverage beyond your underlying auto policy. This coverage can be essential in protecting your family’s assets in case of a serious accident.
Understanding Insurance Bad Faith in Car Accident Cases
If you’re facing an insurance dispute with your own insurance company after a car accident, it’s crucial to understand whether the company is using bad claim practices and therefore are acting in bad faith. Insurance policies are contracts where you pay premiums, and in return, the insurance company promises to cover certain losses.
However, disputes can arise, and insurance companies often deploy powerful legal teams to protect their interests. You will likely need some form of representation or advocacy to ensure everything is handled correctly and with the best results.
Who Will Advocate For You?
The law office of Gregory S. Young Co., LPA, has been a steadfast advocate for clients in personal injury insurance disputes in Ohio. Our attorneys are well-versed in auto insurance laws and we leverage advanced technology and a vast network of experts to build compelling cases.
If your insurance company fails to act in good faith, you may be entitled to additional damages beyond those outlined in your policy. Examples of bad faith include:
- Denying a legitimate claim despite clear evidence.
- Delaying claim processing until the claimant gives up.
- Disputes over settlement authority between insurers.
- Refusing to pay uninsured motorist benefits without unnecessary documentation.
If you feel your insurer is being unfair, you may have a bad faith claim. Our dedicated attorneys will listen to your situation, conduct a thorough case analysis, and provide an honest assessment of your claim’s viability.
Contact Us For Help Understanding Your Car Insurance Coverage After An Accident
Understanding your car insurance coverage is crucial in ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages after a car accident. But understanding the nuances of car insurance coverage in Ohio can be complex.
If you have any questions about insurance in the aftermath of an accident or wish to speak to one of our attorneys about a particular insurance-related issue, contact our law office today.
