Like everything else, auto insurance rates have changed over the last several years. With an increase in rates for 2009, the average auto insurance premium for residents in Ohio was $1,391, with the national average at $1,735. This made the premium 23% higher in 2009 when compared with 2008, and 2008 rates were 3% lower than 2007. Since many consumers think the state and insurance companies fix the rates, they feel like there is no need to shop around. Fortunately, this is just a myth, and you can find cheap auto insurance for your vehicle in Columbus, Ohio using simple online resources.
Requirements for Ohio Car Insurance
As a driver of a registered vehicle in Ohio, you are required to have liability insurance coverage and must carry proof of your coverage in your vehicle at all times. You must maintain a minimum Bodily Injury Liability limit of $12,500 per injured person and up to a total of $25,000 per accident. You’re also required to have Property Damage Liability coverage with a minimum limit of $7,500.
Ohio does not require uninsured motorist insurance but it is highly recommended since it provides coverage for you and your passengers in the event that you sustain injury or property damage during an accident in which the other driver has no liability insurance.
When taking action with a car crash in Ohio, the Tort system is followed. This means that one person must be found to be at fault for causing the accident. Then the at-fault party and their insurance company become legally and financially responsible for all medical expenses and property damage repair costs caused in the accident. For questions about the Tort system in Columbus, you can contact the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Is Your Car Insurance Affected by a Risk Factor?
In 2007, there were 72 vehicles and 107 people involved in car crashes in Columbus, 49 of which were fatal. For cars involved in accidents, the average speed was 35 mph. In the city of Columbus the same year, there were about 6,228 car thefts. The most stolen automobiles included the 1995 Plymouth Voyager, 1998 Honda Civic, 1989 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup, 2000 Dodge Intrepid, 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 1997 Ford Taurus and the 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee. The top three on the list of auto thefts in this area were the 1994 Buick Century, 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass and the 1994 Dodge Caravan.
These statistics and others are always used by insurance providers to determine risk factors for potential customers, so keep the following tips in mind when purchasing a vehicle or shopping for cheap car insurance. Save your money and your life by purchasing an automobile with automatic seatbelts and airbags. Take a safety driving course. Practice safe driving habits on major interstates and local roads. Last but not least, avoid purchasing a vehicle that appears on the “most stolen” list. If you already own one of these cars, make sure it is equipped with the necessary anti-theft devices and always make it a habit to park in a well-lit and secured parking area if possible. At home, pull your car into a locked garage with an alarm system if possible. This could protect your car from theft as well as help you obtain cheap auto insurance rates.
Go online today and do more research for ways to lower your car insurance rates. Get some quotes from top list insurance companies in Columbus, Ohio to find cheap car insurance that suits your income and needs.
