Cheap Auto Insurance in Columbus, OH
Are you in need of cheap auto insurance in Columbus, OH? From CheapCarInsuranceinc.com, you could find the most affordable insurance premiums for your area. To acquire free car insurance rates available from the top providers now, input your local zipcode into the quote box here.
Columbus isn’t just the capital of Ohio; it is also the state’s most populous city. It was chosen as a capital because of its strategic location on both the National Highway and the national canal system. Currently, Columbus is the home of such prosperous industries as insurance, technology, education, and research. Between the college town atmosphere, the good schools, and the affordable housing, Columbus has earned many awards as an all-American city.
- Fun fact: have you heard that Columbus is #16 on the list of “Top 100 biggest cities”? Intrigued by discovering more about Columbus? Click here!
Coverage Requirements - Auto Insurance in Ohio
Driving legally in Columbus requires:
| Coverage | Requirements | Most Common |
| Liability Bodily Injury | 12,500/25,000 | 100,000/300,000 |
| Liability Property Damage | 7,500 | 100,000 |
| Bodily Injury - Motorist Uninsured | Not required | 100,000/300,000 |
| Medical Payments | Not required | 5,000 |
| Collision | Not required | 500 deductible |
| Comprehensive | Not required | 0 deductible |
Remember: Liability coverage only protects you from accidents and other forms of vehicle damage which you are deemed responsible for. But if someone else hits you, or if an act of nature damages your vehicle, you may end up forking out for everything to get fixed or replaced.
Maintaining coverage in Ohio might cost your average motorist around $77 each month. But right now, you can shop around and find coverage for $32/mo*! You can also learn more about Ohio Auto insurance here.
If you’re shopping around for the absolute lowest premium, either Ohio Mutual or Nationwide is your best bet. But be sure to look into a company before you switch. Basing your decision on price alone could leave you with less than optimal customer service, or a poor claim-filing experience.
Auto insurance providers consider many elements when calculating insurance rates, including driving experience, geography, credit score/rating, education, and business use of the vehicle. Also keep in mind that premiums can vary from company to company. To make sure you’re still receiving the most affordable premium, do a comparison of cheap Columbus auto insurance estimates on the web.
Most Auto Insurance Facts to know in Columbus
There is a wide array of numerous things that might factor into the rate quotes you are given. While many specific elements aren’t really anything you can do something about, a few of them are elements which you can change for the better. Here are a few elements that might change your automobile insurance premium:
- Your Zip code
Your car insurance rates can vary depending on where you call home. Usually, populous areas possess increased auto insurance rates since the additional amount of drivers on the highway increases the chance of a car accident! The total population of Columbus amounts to 822,553 and the normal household income is $44,426.
- Automobile Accidents
No matter where you live, if accident rates are high on the roads you drive each day, then your provider will likely raise premiums for your area. In the chart below, you can see what statistics are for your zip code. If these numbers seem high, talk to your provider about ways to lower your rate, such as Safe Driver discounts.
- Car Thieving in Columbus
Vehicle theft can be a significant problem, especially in densely populated locations. If your location and/or vehicle model place you at a higher risk for theft, you might have issues obtaining low-cost car insurance. The total number of stolen vehicles in 2011 was 3,615 for the city of Columbus. Because auto theft rates are so high, you might want to make sure you have some Comprehensive coverage on your policy – even if it raises your premiums.
- Your Credit Score
Some companies, such as The General, specialize in giving drivers with poor credit a bit of a financial break on their monthly premiums. Other companies, however, consider these types of motorists to be a “high risk” driver – and might double their premiums or more.
- Age
Another high-risk group of drivers are Teenage motorists with less experience behind the wheel. There are discounts for students with good grades and those who have taken driving courses, but the rates still might be high. And companies like Ohio Mutual might refuse to cover Teenage motorists at all.
- Your Driving Record
Most Automobile insurance companies consider your driving record as a potential predictor of whether you will need to file claims in the future. Therefore, motorists with a checkered past on their record might end up forking out higher premiums. But there are Accident Forgiveness and similar discounts available which could lower your rate.
- Your Vehicle
Safety features and car alarms might help lower your monthly rate, but the biggest factor involves how much it will cost to fix or replace your vehicle, and how much coverage you will need to purchase in order to do so. This is why a luxury vehicle will cost much more to insure than an older, used sedan.
Minor Car Insurance elements in Columbus
The elements below might only influence your monthly payment by a few dollars or less, but together they can make an impact. And those are:
- Your Marital Status
There isn’t that much of a price difference between married and single drivers, but married individuals can easily bundle multiple discounts with their spouse. And the more you bundle, the more you can save.
- Your Gender
Who do you think gets charged more for insurance: men, or women? The answer is: it depends on the company. Some companies will charge male drivers more, while others will give discounts to females. Many companies don’t bother to change rates based on gender at all.
- Your Driving Distance to Work
Like many large cities, Columbus can sport some lengthy commute times. Average commutes can last as long as 16-23 minutes, but they can be longer if you live farther in the outskirts. Around 76% of motorists will drive their own automobile alone in to work, while anywhere from 7-20% will carpool.
Are you wondering about those questions your insurance company asks you about things like “yearly mileage” or “use of the vehicle”? Well, don’t lose too much sleep over it. Other than business vehicles, which can see as much as a 10-12% increase in premiums, you’d have to make some drastic changes in your driving habits just to see a small discount.
- Your Coverage and Deductibles
Changing your deductible is a quick and easy way to alter your monthly payment, but it can also be a gamble. The best strategy is to save some money, just in case you have to pay that deductible when filing a claim.
- Education in Columbus, OH
A solid 27% of residents have successfully achieved their high school diploma, while another 20% have gone on to complete a bachelor’s degree. These lucky few are in a good position to save money on their auto insurance, because providers have begun offering lower rates to drivers with advanced degrees in recent years.
Columbus is home to Ohio State University, a major institution for higher learning locally as well as on the national level. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree, a graduate degree, or a doctorate. It also offers a branch facility for students who would rather pursue an associate’s degree. Other four-year institutions in the area include Capital University, Franklin University, and the Columbus College of Art and Design.
Obtaining inexpensive car insurance may end up being a problem. There’s a lot of information you need to consider, and figuring out the way in which insurance providers assess your probable risk may be complex. But try not to allow the wrong insurance company talk you into buying the wrong policy.
How We Conducted Our Car Insurance Analysis
Sources:
Division of Financial Institutions – Ohio Department of Commerce
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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