Financial Responsibility

 

Financial Responsibility is a term used in Ohio regarding the minimum insurance motorists are required to keep on their vehicles.

 

Ohio Revised Code §4509.101 prohibits an individual from operating a motor vehicle in Ohio without maintaining proof of financial responsibility with respect to that vehicle, or, in the case of a driver who is not the owner, with respect to that driver's operation of that vehicle.

 

Ohio Revised Code §4509.20 requires a insurance policy or bond in the minimum amount of $12,500 for bodily injury to or death of one (1) individual in any one (1) accident, $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more individuals in any one (1) accident, and $7,500 for injury to the property of others in any one (1) accident.

 

Failure to provide proof of financial responsibility, when required in Ohio, will result in the following civil penalties imposed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles:

• Lose driving privileges for 90 days for the first offense, one year for a second offense and two years for third and subsequent offenses committed within a five-year period;

• License plates and vehicle registration suspension;

• License plate reinstatement fees of $125 for first violation, $300 for second violation, and $550 for a third or subsequent violation (this includes a $50 penalty for failing to surrender the license, plates or vehicle registration to the BMV);

• Require filing with the BMV (SR-22 or bond) to continuously maintain proof of financial responsibility for a minimum of three (3), up to five (5) years from the date of the suspension of operating privileges;

• Vehicle immobilization and confiscation of plates for 30 to 60 days for violating financial responsibility suspension. Third and subsequent offenses could result in vehicle forfeiture and a five (5) year suspension of vehicle registrations.

If you are caught operating a vehicle while under a financial responsibility administrative (FRA) suspension, you can be cited for driving under a FRA suspension, and subjected to the following penalties:

 

First Offense 

First Degree Misdemeanor

0 to 180 days in jail

Fine: $0 - $1,000

Mandatory suspension of less than one year

Optional vehicle immobilization for 30 days if you own the vehicle

Optional impoundment of plates for 30 days if you own the vehicle

Restricted Plates: If privileges are for vehicle with impounded plates

 

Second Offense in 5 Years

First Degree Misdemeanor

0 to 180 days in jail

Fine: $0 - $1,000

Mandatory suspension of less than one year

Mandatory vehicle immobilization for 60 days if you own the vehicle

Mandatory impoundment of plates for 60 days if you own the vehicle

Restricted Plates: If privileges are for vehicle with impounded plates

 

Third Offense in 5 Years

First Degree Misdemeanor

0 to 180 days in jail

Fine: $0 - $1,000

Mandatory suspension of less than one year

Mandatory forfeiture of vehicle if you own the vehicle

Mandatory impoundment of plates if you own the vehicle

 

If you are charged with any of the above offenses, please call 216.225.9181, Email, or use the contact form to schedule an initial consultation.