Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Ohio, Explained
Ohio requires 25/50/25 auto liability, but uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is optional. Here's what UM/UIM pays for and how much to carry.
Policy Scout · Licensed in Ohio & West Virginia 5 min read
Ranger's quick take
- Ohio's minimum auto liability is 25/50/25.
- UM/UIM is optional in Ohio and can be declined.
- It pays for your injuries when an at-fault driver has no insurance or too little.
- Many drivers match their UM/UIM limits to their own liability limits.
Ohio law requires every driver to carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage. Not everyone follows the law, and plenty of drivers who do carry only the minimum.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, often shortened to UM/UIM, protects you when the other driver can't pay. In Ohio it's optional, which is exactly why it gets skipped when people chase a lower car insurance quote.
What uninsured motorist coverage pays for
- Medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash caused by an uninsured driver
- Lost wages while you recover
- Pain and suffering, subject to your policy limits
- Hit and run injuries, depending on the policy terms
Underinsured motorist coverage
Underinsured coverage fills the gap when the other driver has insurance, just not enough. A hospital stay after a serious accident can blow past a $25,000 minimum policy fast. UIM picks up where their limit runs out, up to your own limit.
How much UM/UIM should you carry?
A common rule is to match your UM/UIM limits to your bodily injury liability limits. If you carry 100/300 liability to protect others, carrying 100/300 UM/UIM protects your own family at the same level. The added cost is usually modest compared with other parts of the policy, but it varies by carrier, so it's worth seeing priced side by side.
UM/UIM vs. health insurance and MedPay
Your health plan may cover medical bills after a crash, but it won't replace lost income or pay for pain and suffering, and you still owe your deductible. Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, helps with smaller medical costs regardless of fault. UM/UIM is the piece that covers the bigger losses an uninsured driver leaves behind.
Frequently asked questions
- Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Ohio?
- No. Ohio requires liability coverage, but UM/UIM is optional and can be rejected.
- What are Ohio's minimum car insurance limits?
- $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage.
- Does UM cover damage to my car?
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury covers injuries. Damage to your car is usually handled by collision coverage or a separate property damage option where available.
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