Ohio law requires every driver to carry auto liability insurance with at least $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage. You’ll often see this written as 25/50/25.
It’s the legal minimum, and many people assume it’s “enough.” In our experience, it rarely is.
The problem: one bad accident can blow past these limits
- Property damage: $25,000 doesn’t go far when many new cars and trucks cost well above that. Hit a newer vehicle, or damage more than one, and you could be personally responsible for the rest.
- Injuries: A single emergency room visit, surgery or lost wages can exceed $25,000 quickly. If several people are hurt, $50,000 has to be split among all of them.
- You pay the difference: Anything above your limits can come out of your savings, and in a lawsuit your wages and assets can be at risk.
The other risk: drivers with no insurance
The Insurance Research Council estimates about 18.5% of Ohio drivers were uninsured in 2023, roughly one in five and higher than the national rate of 15.4%. If one of them hits you, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own policy is what pays for your injuries.
What we usually suggest reviewing
- Higher liability limits, such as 100/300/100, often cost less than people expect.
- UM/UIM coverage that matches your liability limits.
- An umbrella policy if you own a home or have savings to protect. It adds $1 million or more of liability on top of your auto and home policies.
- Collision and comprehensive if your car would be hard to replace out of pocket.
Every situation is different, and the right limits depend on what you have to protect. As an independent agency in Columbus and Bexley, we can price several options side by side across 20+ carriers so you can see the real cost of better protection.
Want to see what higher limits would cost?Compare your current coverage online or call us at 614-445-0610.
Source: Insurance Research Council estimates, via the Insurance Information Institute.