Car Insurance in Springfield, Ohio
Having auto insurance is a legal requirement in the Buckeye State, but it provides so much more for drivers. When everyone has at least the minimum required car insurance in Ohio, we’re all much more financially protected in the event of an accident.
When you go to buy car insurance in Springfield, Ohio, you’ll have to choose a policy that meets the state’s mandatory minimum coverage levels, but you will find that dozens of policies fit that bill. How do you choose? Should you go with the minimum or opt for more protection?
The trusted independent insurance agents at Wallace & Turner can help customize your Ohio car insurance to get coverage that works for you.
Read more below about insurance and contact us to learn how much you could save by choosing one of our auto insurance policies.
Why Car Insurance Matters for Springfield Drivers
At the intersection of North Yellow Springs Street and West North Street in Springfield, there were 23 crashes in 2016. At Holland Sylvania Road and Trust Drive, there were 15 crashes that year. In 2020, the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated 1,050 crashes in Clark County and conducted 446 stops for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol.
That’s a lot of numbers, but they all speak to the same point: driving can be dangerous. People — even those who always follow traffic laws — have accidents. And when they do, drivers are faced with vehicle damage, medical bills and possibly even liability for injuries they have caused.
You can’t protect against those kinds of hazards with safe driving alone. Auto insurance goes the extra mile to safeguard you, your vehicle and your finances.
Auto Insurance in Springfield is Legally Required
Unlike many other kinds of insurance, auto insurance is not optional in Ohio. If you want to legally drive a car here, you have to have at least some insurance coverage. Here are the coverage minimums required by law:
For the accidental injury or death of one person: $25,000
For the accidental injury or death of two or more people: $50,000
For property damage in an auto accident: $25,000
Should I Buy More Than the Minimum?
Minimum coverage sounds great from a cost standpoint, but it may be inadequate for what you really need. This could also result in you paying more out-of-pocket if an accident occurs. Let’s look at an example where buying the minimum could get you in serious financial trouble.
In Ohio, a car crash that results in a minor injury costs around $56,146 on average, according to the Federal Highway Administration. A crash with a serious injury can be as costly as $336,145.
Even if you just have an accident that causes a minor injury, the minimum car insurance coverage still won’t quite cut it. Now, imagine if you had a serious crash. The numbers really start to speak for themselves. The good news is that Wallace & Turner can tailor a comprehensive, affordable auto insurance policy that goes well beyond the minimum.
Types of Car Insurance Coverage
Liability
Ohio is a “fault” state for car accidents. That means you’re financially on the hook if you cause an accident that hurts someone. The victim can sue you for compensation for a wide range of harms they may suffer as a result of the wreck: injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and much more.
Auto liability insurance covers these damages and injuries. If you have auto liability coverage, the victim of a crash you’re at fault for would pursue compensation from your insurer up to the limits of your policy. This way, your finances and future stay safe.
Collision
Car repairs are expensive. Even a relatively minor collision can leave you stuck with thousands of dollars in repairs. That’s why it’s so important to have collision coverage.
This type of auto insurance pays for the damage that results from a crash and can even give you the replacement value of your car if your vehicle is totaled.
Medical Payments
Car insurance for medical payments is meant to pay for your medical bills related to an auto accident. Because medical bills are some of the most expensive outcomes of serious car accidents, this is a type of auto insurance you can’t afford to ignore.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
While all Ohio drivers are legally required to have car insurance, this doesn’t mean everyone follows the law. What happens when someone who doesn’t have insurance causes a crash? Or what if they don’t have enough insurance coverage to cover your medical bills? If they hurt you or damage your vehicle, you would typically be compensated by their insurer. This is exactly the type of situation that uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage protects against.
Basically, in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver, you could make a claim with your uninsured and underinsured motorist policy for the costs related to the crash.
Accidental Death
Accidental death coverage is what it sounds like: coverage in the event of a death in a car accident. It’s not usually limited to car accidents but covers a broad range of accident types.
It works a lot like life insurance. The policy pays out to beneficiaries in the event of your accidental death.
Towing and Labor
Towing and labor insurance is a handy coverage add-on that covers you in the event of car trouble. Breakdowns, dead batteries, lockouts and similar events are all usually covered under this type of insurance.
It’s usually quite affordable and feels more than worth it the first time you use it after breaking down on the side of the highway.
Springfield Car Insurance from Wallace & Turner
At Wallace & Turner, we work hard to help our community get the protection they need. A big part of that is providing access to high-quality car insurance in Springfield, Urbana and the surrounding communities. We’ve been doing this for more than 150 years..
Our independent insurance agents are ready to help insure your car. Contact us online or call us at (937) 324-8492.