Ohio: rules and deadlines at a glance

Every 14 topic we track for Ohio on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how Ohio compares.

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Car insurance by state · Claim deadlines · Small claims limits · Total loss rules · Shared fault rules · Accident reporting rules · Lemon law rules · Sales tax rates · Phone-while-driving laws · Motorcycle helmet laws · Gas tax · Uninsured drivers · Marijuana laws

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Personal injury	2 years
Property damage	2 years

Car insurance by state

Minimum liability	$25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000
Fault system	At-fault (the driver who caused it pays)
Shared-fault rule	Modified comparative: barred at 51% fault or more

Claim deadlines

Acknowledge	15 days
Accept or deny	21 days after proof of loss
Pay	10 days after acceptance (undisputed amount)

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$6,000
Filing fee	Varies by court
Lawyers	Allowed

Total loss rules

Total loss rule	Total loss formula

Shared fault rules

Rule	Modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
When you are barred	Barred if you are 51% or more at fault

Accident reporting rules

Report required if	Any crash
Deadline	Immediately

Lemon law rules Single detailed source

Repair attempts or days	1 for a life-threatening defect; 3 for the same defect; 8 total; or 30 calendar days
Coverage period	1 year or 18,000 miles, whichever first

Sales tax rates Single detailed source

State rate	5.75%
Combined average	7.29%

Phone-while-driving laws Single detailed source

Handheld ban	Yes, all drivers (primary)
Texting ban	Yes, primary

Motorcycle helmet laws Single detailed source

Law type	Partial
Who must wear one	Riders under 18 or licensed less than 1 year, and their passengers

Gas tax Single detailed source

Gasoline	38.5¢ per gallon
Diesel	47.0¢ per gallon

Uninsured drivers Single detailed source

Drivers uninsured	18.5%
UM/UIM coverage	Not required (insurers must offer it)

Marijuana laws

Legal status	Recreational and medical