Learn what Drives Your Rate
It starts with you. Every insurance quote starts with questions your age, sex, marital status and driving record. Why so many questions? Insurance companies try to predict who’s likely to be a safe driver or have an accident. Discounts are based on many questions, including your driving history and safety features of your cars.
Before you buy a policy, your insurance company will verify your driving record and claims history. Ohio law also permits insurance companies to use an insurance credit score to underwrite and price your policy, but you can’t be denied coverage solely on the basis of your credit history.
Where You Live Matters
Ohio auto insurance is a relatively affordable. In fact, Ohio ranks 39th in the nation for its low average cost of insurance. But, drivers in urban areas like Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati will pay more for insurance because traffic is heavier, leading to higher accident frequency. And, the theft rate in Ohio is 9th in the country, with over 30,000 cars stolen every year. Consider installing an anti-theft device, as many companies will give you a discount for it.
Protect Yourself and Your Passengers
Know what’s required and what you need. By law, if you own a car in Ohio, you must buy liability insurance to pay for injuries you cause in an auto accident. Ohio policies usually cover anyone who drives your car with your permission. But, the state minimum limits in Ohio are some of the lowest in country. So, even if you’re injured by a driver who has insurance, there may not be enough coverage to pay for your injuries.
To protect your car, purchase Comprehensive and Collision coverage - and consider buying Gap Insurance you have a brand-new car. If your car is older, and you don’t want Comp & Collision coverage, you can buy Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage, which pays for damage to a car caused by an identifiable uninsured motorist.