Yes, there are those that have the same mindset as you regarding the Ohio financial responsibility verification system and how there are loopholes in it. There has talk of OH moving to an electronic verification system which may be better at catching uninsured motorist but so far it has been turned it down stating, among other reasons, that the cost is too high to change over to such a system.

The current process you are talking about is known as the "Random Selection Program.” This process includes mailing letters to a random selection (5%) of registered Ohio vehicle and noncommercial truck owners this means approximately about 5,400 notices per week or 280,000 notices annually.

The BMV is required to send written notice by regular mail to the owner of each vehicle randomly selected, informing the owner that proof showing financial responsibility coverage was in effect on the date specified must be submitted within 21 days of the mailing of the notice.

Concerns such as your own have been raised through the years regarding the process and cost of the FR random verification program. Some questioned the inconvenience of completing the verification form and paying for its return postage.

In 2000 the Governor of Ohio appointed a study committee to research the program. This financial responsibility (FR) verification study committee discussed the creation of an electronic link between insurers and the BMV to check FR compliance, and conducted an evaluation of the current random verification process.

In October 2001 the FR committee recommended maintaining the current random verification process. Following a review of electronic reporting systems used in other states, the committee found that states using electronic reporting do so at a greater cost to taxpayers compared to Ohio’s random verification process.

The committee also reported that Ohio’s current program was just as effective as the more costly electronic reporting systems used by some states to weed out those who are driving without insurance or other means of compliance. Committee members did see a need to refine Ohio’s program which has seemingly been done in the last few years.

You may want to direct your concerns at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to see if there is a way to make your opinion know to the lawmakers regarding the loophole in the current insurance verification process.