Konop thought he paid for his auto insurance, but discovered his policy had lapsed
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TOLEDO, OH -- Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop tells NBC 24 News he didn't know he was driving without insurance when he caused a crash earlier this week.
Now, he's stuck with paying for the damage out of his own pocket.
Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop thought he paid for his auto insurance, but discovered his policy had lapsed.
"At the scene I gave them my insurance number which I had no reason to believe was not a valid number. It had been my insurance policy for over a year" said Konop.
But his insurance policy had lapsed because of an auto payment problem.
"I'm disappointed in myself for making a mistake but it happens. Political leaders are humans and people make mistakes" said Konop.
Commissioner Konop says he is settling out of pocket with the two other drivers involved.
But many times insured motorists are not so lucky with uninsured drivers.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety says over 800 drivers were uninsured in 2006.
The Ohio Insurance Institute says many times those not at fault are left with a hefty bill after an accident.
"The average accident cost is 7500 dollars with minor injuries, if you have a crash with injuries you can be affected in the 10's of thousands of dollars" said Mary Bonelli with the Ohio Insurance Institute.
