Columbus Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Finding lower rates for Columbus auto insurance is challenging for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. People have so many options available that it can turn into more work than you anticipated to find lower rates in Columbus.

It's important to do rate comparisons before your policy renews since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the lowest price six months ago you can probably find a better price now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're about to find out how to quote online to get good coverage at a lower rate.

If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. This information will let you in on the best way to quote coverages and some tricks to saving. North Carolina drivers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to compare company rates on the web.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Columbus

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.

Men are more aggressive - The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. Now that doesn't mean women are better drivers. Both sexes have accidents in similar numbers, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also have more aggressive citations like reckless driving and DUI.
Your stress level may be raising your rates - Jobs such as judges, executives and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates because of job stress and long work days. Other occupations like farmers, historians and retirees have the lowest average rates.
Drive a safer car and pay less - Vehicles with high crash test scores tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and better occupant protection translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Never allow your policy to lapse - Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and you will pay a penalty because you let your coverage have a gap. Not only will rates go up, but not being able to provide proof of insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
Claim-free discounts can add up - Car insurance companies in North Carolina give cheaper rates to policyholders who file claims infrequently. If you file claims often, you can pretty much guarantee either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Your credit rating is important - Credit score is a important factor in your rate calculation. Drivers with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers with lower ratings. If your credit is low, you could save money insuring your by improving your credit score.
A clean driving record saves money - Your driving citation history has a huge affect on how much you pay. Just one citation can increase rates forty percent or more. Good drivers have lower premiums than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who have dangerous citations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to prevent a license revocation.
Pleasure use saves money - The higher the mileage driven every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most companies price each vehicle's coverage determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos used primarily for pleasure use receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Double check that your auto insurance declarations sheet is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money.

Be sure to get all your discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts to help bring down the price. Certain discounts will be applied at quote time, but less common discounts must be requested specifically in order for you to get them. If you aren't receiving every discount available, you are paying more than you should be.

Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you may receive reduced rates.
Accident Free - Claim-free drivers pay much less as compared to accident-prone drivers.
Military Rewards - Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
Braking Control Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Good Students Pay Less - This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.

It's important to understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

To choose companies with discount auto insurance rates in Columbus, click this link.

Is there truth in advertising?

North Carolina drivers can't ignore all the ads for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make the same claim of big savings if you change to them.

How can each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and has a high credit rating. A propective insured who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to the requirements will have to pay more money which leads to business not being written. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's why insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

Learn more today

Additional auto insurance information is located on the North Carolina Department of Insurance website located here. North Carolina drivers can learn about insurance regulations, read industry bulletins, and find disaster information.

In the end, you save

As you restructure your insurance plan, it's a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford.

Insureds leave their current company for a number of reasons such as denial of a claim, high rates after DUI convictions, delays in responding to claim requests or even being labeled a high risk driver. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.

Low-cost auto insurance is attainable on the web and with local Columbus insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.