Lesson Plan C to Assignment Two
Automobile Insurance – Basics 

Grade level:  9-12 

 

Overview:  Most high school students look forward to the day when their dream of car ownership becomes a reality.  With car ownership comes an extremely important personal responsibility: Automobile insurance.  Securing the appropriate coverage is a very important personal and financial decision. There is a minimum amount of coverage required by law.  Do you go with the minimums?  Additional insurance coverage is available for increased protection at increased premiums.  This lesson describes the minimum amounts of insurance that are required by the State of Ohio.   

 

Time required: 50 – 60 minutes 

 

Materials needed: Access to a computer with Internet connection and a writing pad to take notes. 

 

Objective: Students will understand basic State of Ohio auto insurance minimum requirements of liability coverage necessary to operate vehicles on the roads of Ohio.  They will also learn about the two types of physical damage coverage that pays for damage to their car.  Additionally, students will learn about the “owners auto insurance rights” covered under Ohio law. 

 

Opening: Have the students go to the following website:

http://www.ohioinsurance.gov/ConsumServ/ocs/ocspub.htm

a.  Click on, Shopper’s Guide to Automobile Insurance and read, Physical damage coverage.  Note the two kinds of physical damage coverage, collision and comprehensive.  Answer the following: Does Ohio law require collision and comprehensive coverage? (No)

b.  What are the minimum amounts of liability coverage required?  (Bodily Injury: $50,000 /person, $100,000/accident; Property Damage: $25,000; Medical Payments: $5,000)

c.  What is “forced placement?” (If your car is financed, the lender will require physical damage protection for the car.  If you do not insure the car, the lender may buy the insurance and add the cost to your loan.  It’s expensive and protects the lender, but not you.)

d.  Go back to the above website and click on, Your auto insurance rights and answer the following questions:

1.  What rights does the insured have under “policy rights?” (To receive a copy of your policy; to receive all copies of forms and applications you or the agent sign; not to be discriminated against because of your race, national origin, beliefs, or a physical handicap, which does not impair your driving ability.)

2.  What are the other four category of rights listed? (Premium, claim, renewal & cancellation, and additional rights through Ohio’s Graduated Licensing.)

e.  Go back to the above website and click on Your auto insurance responsibilities and answer the following questions:

1.  What responsibilities does the insured have under “financial responsibility? (To have liability coverage or a bond; to carry an insurance identification card and show it whenever you’re stopped for a violation or involved in an accident.)

2.  What are the other four responsibilities listed? (Policy, premium, claim, complaint)

Development: Lead a discussion on automobile insurance by discussing the importance of students understanding the concepts from the previous section. 

 

Assessment: From the student’s answers to the above questions did they exhibit a clear understanding of the concepts that were covered?  (A short quiz may be appropriate.)