Will My Auto Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?
Reader’s Question:
My vehicle is paid off and I only have a liability insurance in Cincinnati, OH. What if a tornado hits and damages my vehicle, Will my insurance cover any damages? Thank you
Jennifer
Cincinnati, OH
Unfortunately no, your liability only auto insurance coverage in Cincinnati, OH will not cover your car if it is damaged from a tornado.
Liability coverages as part of your car insurance only covers those that you may damage; this type of coverage provides no coverage to your car in any way. Bodily injury and Property Damage liability coverages are the minimum types of coverages that the state require.
With only liability insurance you don’t have any coverages that will protect your car, only those that you may harm when you are driving your vehicle. So your auto insurance carrier would not be able to accept a car insurance claim to repair your car after a tornado caused damage to it.
Always remember that if a tornado is on the way and your state is already under a storm warning then insurance carriers will not offer physical damage coverages to be bought during that time. If you want to have comprehensive on your car you will need to do so before the hurricane is approaching and your area in Cincinnati, Ohio is under a warning.
Is Car Insurance Required in Ohio?
Reader’s Question:
I just want to know if the state of Ohio requires car insurance. Thank you.
Maricel
Thank you for asking Maricel.
The state of Ohio requires drivers to have either car insurance or other proof of financial responsibility (FR). It is illegal for a motor vehicle owner to allow anyone to drive their car without Financial Responsibility proof.
An individual must have at least one of the following to comply to the Financial Responsibility law:
* A motorist liability insurance policy;
* A $30,000 bond issued by an authorized surety or insurance company;
* A certificate of proof of financial responsibility signed by an insurance agent on a from prescribed the OH Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV);
* A certificate issued by the BMV, indicating that money or government bonds in the amount of $30,000 is on deposit with the Treasurer of State;
* A certificate of bond issued by the BMV in the amount of $30,000 signed by 2 people who own real estate having equity of at least $60,000;
* A certificate of self-insurance issued by the BMV to those with more than 25 motor vehicles registered in their name or a company’s name
Proof of insurance or other acceptable financial responsibility must be shown at the time of a violation or accident. If there is not Financial Responsibility in force at the time of the violation the individual’s driver’s license is suspended or revoked.
Goodluck!
MariCAR