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FCMC Clerk
375 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-8186

Overview

Prrof of Insurance or Financial Responsibility can be brought in person to the Clerk of Courts Office at 375 South High Street on the 2nd floor for any citation, and mailed or faxed in for payable citations when paying the citation. The Clerk's Office can take FRA information at the time of payment or when the case is being heard by the court. After the case is closed, this information must be supplied directly to the BMV.

Via the online payment process, you can provide information that will allow the Clerks Office to determine that insurance coverage/financial responsibility existed at the time of citation. This can only be accomplished if you are paying prior to the final courtdate of the case. If you are paying on a case that has been adjudicated before a judge, whatever the insurance information status at the time the case was closed is what was reported to the BMV.

WHEN REQUIRED, PROOF OF COVERAGE MAY BE SHOWN BY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • AN INSURANCE POLICY showing automobile liability insurance of at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 injury two or more persons, and $25,000 property damage
  • AN INSURANCE IDENTIFICATION CARD (same coverage)
  • A SURETY BOND OF $30,000 issued by any authorized surety company or insurance company
  • A BMV BOND SECURED BY REAL ESTATE having equity of at least $60,000
  • A BMV CERTIFICATE FOR MONEY OR GOVERNMENT BONDS in the amount of $30,000 on deposit with the Ohio Treasurer of State
  • A BMV CERTIFICATE OF SELF-INSURANCE, available only to companies or persons who own at least twenty-six motor vehicles

Ohio Financial Responsibility Law

The following information has been provided via the Ohio BMV and the Ohio Revised Code websites.

If You Don't Have Vehicle Insurance, You Can't Drive in Ohio!

In Ohio, it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance or other financial responsibility (FR) proof. It is also illegal for any motor vehicle owner to allow anyone else to drive the owner's vehicle without FR proof.

Section 4509.101 of the Ohio Revised Code prohibits an individual from operating a motor vehicle in Ohio without maintaining proof of FR continuously throughout the registration period 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. The law requires financial responsibility in the minimum amount of $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one individual in any one accident, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more individuals in any one accident, and $25,000 for injury to the property of others in any one accident.

Section 4501:1-2-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code has been amended to permit proof of financial responsibility (insurance) by electronic means. Beginning July 24, 2014 insurance companies may now provide proof of financial responsibility identification card(s) in electronic format for display on smart phones, tablets, and other electronic devices. As with all forms of proof of financial responsibility (insurance), law enforcement officers, courts, and all other authorities should exercise their own best judgment as to whether the proof provided is legitimate and reliable.

For More Financial Responsibility Information Contact:

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Compliance Unit
P.O. Box 16583
Columbus, Ohio 43216-6583
(614) 752-7700

To Read More About Financial Responsibility Information:
visit the Ohio BMV webpage on mandatory insurance.