Several states have a financial responsibility law for motor vehicles, allowing car owners to provide proof of financial responsibility through approved methods other than a car insurance policy if they so desire.
Alternative methods of maintaining financial responsibility typically include a surety bond, cash or securities, or self-insurance. Also, some states allow you to pay an uninsured motorist fee to drive legally without auto insurance.
Even with such laws in place, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) we have spoken to have said that the most common form of financial responsibility motorists use is auto insurance policies in at least the state’s minimum limits. Alternative methods to car insurance aren’t as easy to obtain and may require one to have a lot of money readily available.
For instance, with a surety bond, you pay a percentage of the total amount to carry the bond and then will owe the full bond amount if you’re in an accident and need to cover the liability costs of those you harmed. The percentage you have to put down to carry a bond varies, depending upon factors such as your credit. If you have good credit, it may be 1% to 4%. It can be 5% to 15% if they deem you a higher risk.
Buying car insurance is easy and doesn’t put your savings at risk. You shop around for the best-priced car insurance policy, pay your premium, and have coverage up to your chosen limits. Also, you can obtain coverage for your vehicle with coverages like collision and comprehensive, something you can’t do using alternative methods of financial responsibility.
Alternative methods
Ohio
Ohio requires applicants for driver’s licenses and vehicle registration to sign a statement indicating that the individual has proper proof of financial responsibility; however, the proof doesn’t have to be shown to officials to get the license or registration. Ohio allows for the following alternatives to automobile insurance:
- A certificate issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) indicating that money or government bonds for $30,000 is on deposit with the office of the Treasurer of the State of Ohio.
- A certificate of bond issued by the BMV for $30,000 signed by two individuals who own real estate having equity of at least $60,000.
- A certificate of self-insurance issued by the BMV. This is available to those with more than 25 motor vehicles registered in their name or a company’s name.
- A $30,000 bond issued by an authorized surety or insurance company.
While Ohio’s minimum liability limits are increasing from 12.5/25/7.5 to 25/50/50, the alternative methods of financial responsibility are staying the same.
Tennessee
Tennessee doesn’t require proof of financial responsibility when someone obtains a driver’s license or registers a car. Instead, its law mandates that if a driver is charged with a traffic offense or in an auto accident, an officer can require evidence of financial responsibility. The state accepts:
- Written proof of liability insurance coverage provided by a single-limit policy with a limit of not less than $60,000 applicable to one accident.
- A split-limit auto insurance policy with a limit of 25/50/15.
- A deposit of cash of $60,000.
- The execution and filing of a bond of $60,000.
Texas
Texas requires an accepted form of financial responsibility to be shown when registering your vehicle. Texas law, however, allows many ways to show legitimate proof of financial responsibility for your motor vehicle. This includes:
- A current auto insurance policy or car, or binder issued pending issuance of a liability policy (minimum limits of 30/60/25).
- A certificate of compliance showing that a surety bond was filed with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
- A certificate showing that $55,000 in cash or securities has been deposited with the State Comptroller.
- A copy of a certificate filed with the DPS issued by a county judge (and acknowledged by a sheriff) verifying you have deposited at least $55,000, in cash or by cashier’s check, with the county judge. The county judge must be in the county where the vehicle is to be registered.
- A copy of a self-insurance certificate issued by the DPS (must own 25 vehicles or more to qualify).
A certificate of financial responsibility should be issued in lieu of an insurance card for options 2 – 5.
Washington
Washington state requires a vehicle registered there must have one of the following types of financial responsibility:
- An auto insurance policy with liability limits of at least 25/50/10.
- Self-insurance certificate if you have 26 or more cars.
- A certificate for a deposit of at least $60,000. You can deposit collateral with the State Treasurer’s office or in a bank account set up for the state of Washington.
- A liability bond for at least $60,000 filed with a surety bond company authorized to do business in Washington.
— Penny Gusner contributed to this story.
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