Do I need insurance to transfer a car title in Ohio?

You do not need proof of insurance to transfer a car title in Ohio. When you visit the title office to transfer ownership (i.e., to get the title in your name), the staff will not ask for your insurance information – that step is purely about changing the legal ownership of the vehicle. So you can complete a title transfer without having insurance on the vehicle at that moment.

However, to register the car and get license plates, Ohio law does require that you have valid auto insurance. The registration process (getting your plates) is handled by the BMV registrar’s office, and when you go to register, you must show proof of insurance coverage for the vehicle. Driving without insurance is illegal, and you can’t get new plates or renew plates without demonstrating insurance.

Many people confuse title transfer and registration, and it’s understandable. Think of it this way: you can own a car (title) without driving it, but you can’t drive a car without registering it and insuring it. If you just bought a vehicle, you should certainly get insurance coverage on it right away (even before you drive it home, ideally). But if your question is strictly about the title paperwork: no, the title office doesn’t check insurance.

In summary, for the title part – no insurance needed. For the driving on the road part (registration) – yes, you’ll need insurance. It’s wise to have an insurance policy in place as soon as you purchase a car, even if you’re not required to show it to the title office, to protect you and to be ready for when you do register the vehicle. If you have more questions about what’s needed at title vs. registration stages, we can help clarify when you work with us on a title service.