Whether you're moving to Ohio, starting a business, or just renewing your auto policy, here's a clear, current breakdown of what the state of Ohio actually requires — and what we recommend in real life.
Ohio Auto Insurance Requirements
Ohio law mandates the following minimum liability limits, known as "25/50/25":
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage per accident
Proof of insurance must be carried at all times. Driving without insurance results in license suspension, vehicle impound, and a reinstatement fee of $100–$660 plus an SR-22 filing for 3–5 years.
What You Should Actually Carry
- 100/300/100 liability minimum for any working adult.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist matching your liability (Ohio has a high UM rate).
- Medical Payments of at least $5,000.
- Comprehensive & Collision on any vehicle worth more than $4,000.
Ohio Home Insurance Rules
Ohio does not require homeowners insurance by law — but every mortgage lender will. Standard lender requirements:
- Dwelling limit at least equal to your loan balance (we recommend full replacement cost regardless).
- Lender listed as Mortgagee/Loss Payee on the declarations page.
- Annual proof of coverage at renewal.
Watch out for force-placed insurance — if your policy lapses, your lender will buy a policy on your behalf that's 2–5× more expensive and covers only their interest, not yours.
Ohio Renters & Landlord Rules
Renters insurance is not required by Ohio law but is required by most landlords. Standard renter minimums:
- $100,000 personal liability.
- $10,000–$30,000 contents.
- $30/month is a reasonable budget.
Landlords are not required to carry insurance on rental properties unless mortgaged, but they're functionally always required to. See our guide to DP-1/DP-2/DP-3 for details.
Ohio Business Insurance Requirements
Workers' Compensation
Required for all Ohio employers with 1+ employees (including most LLC members and some sole proprietors). Ohio uses a monopolistic state fund through the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). Private "Employer's Liability Stop-Gap" coverage is recommended in addition.
Commercial Auto
Any vehicle titled to a business must carry commercial auto insurance with at least Ohio's 25/50/25 minimums. We recommend $1 million CSL.
General Liability
Not required by state law for most businesses, but required by:
- Landlords (commercial leases).
- Most municipal license/permit applications.
- Subcontractor agreements with general contractors.
- Most vendor/supplier agreements.
Professional Liability
Required for licensed professionals — physicians, attorneys, accountants, real estate agents, contractors in some specialty trades.
Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Ohio
- First offense: 90-day license suspension, $100 reinstatement, SR-22 required for 3 years.
- Second offense: 1-year suspension, $300 reinstatement, SR-22 for 5 years.
- Third offense: 2-year suspension, $600 reinstatement, SR-22 for 5 years.
- Vehicle impound at any offense.
How an Independent Agent Helps
Captive agents (State Farm, Allstate, Farmers) can only sell their own carrier's products. As an independent agency, we shop your account across 100+ carriers — Progressive, GEICO, Travelers, Nationwide, Grange, Foremost, Liberty Mutual, and dozens more — and find the right combination of price and coverage for your situation.
New to Ohio or thinking about switching coverage? Call (614) 647-7093 or request a free quote. We'll handle the comparison shopping and explain everything in plain English.
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