I’m sure you’ve seen the catchy advertisements from insurers like The General, GEICO, and Allstate guaranteeing the cheapest price. So drivers should just pick one randomly, right?
Regrettably, it’s not quite that easy, as there are a whole bunch of unknown aspects such as if you need full coverage or liability-only, if you have ever had a gap in coverage, and how old you are, that all impact the cost of coverage. We know insurance is not everyone’s favorite topic, but in this article we will cover the causes of high insurance rates and also should give you a good beginning to your quest for cheaper car insurance in Ohio.
The type of vehicle you are buying coverage for is probably the biggest factor when comparison shopping for affordable car insurance for inexperienced drivers. Vehicles with high performance engines, a lack of safety features, or a track record of large liability claims will cost much more to insure than more economical and safe models.
The next table presents coverage premiums for some of the most cost-effective automobiles to insure in Ohio.
| Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda CR-V EX 4WD | $1,265 |
| Ford Escape XLS 2WD | $1,358 |
| Toyota Prius | $1,373 |
| Honda Accord LX 4-Dr Sedan | $1,400 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS Touring Station Wagon | $1,407 |
| Honda Odyssey LX | $1,486 |
| Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4WD 2-Dr | $1,518 |
| Ford Focus SES 4-Dr Sedan | $1,526 |
| Ford Edge Sport 2WD | $1,546 |
| Toyota Tacoma X-Runner 2WD | $1,555 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 2WD | $1,574 |
| Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Crew Cab 4WD | $1,584 |
| Ford Fusion SEL 4-Dr Sedan | $1,574 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 2WD | $1,576 |
| Toyota RAV4 2WD | $1,609 |
| Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | $1,615 |
| Chevrolet Impala LT | $1,609 |
| Honda Civic SI 4-Dr Sedan | $1,626 |
| Ford F-350 XLT Crew Cab Harley Edition 2WD | $1,629 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Crew | $1,641 |
| Compare Cheap Rates Go | |
Cost estimates assume single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can change insurance rates considerably.
Looking at the numbers, we can expect models like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota Prius are likely to be the cheaper vehicles to insure for new drivers.
One of the more important considerations that aid in calculating the cost of insurance is where you keep your car. Cities with more crime and/or more people are more likely to have higher rates, whereas areas with less crime or weather claims have the enjoyment of a little cheaper coverage.
The illustration below lists the most expensive cities in Ohio for inexperienced drivers to purchase car insurance in. Columbus is ranked at #4 with a yearly cost of $1,211 for the average policy, which is about $101 per month.
| Rank | City | Premium Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youngstown | $1,273 |
| 2 | Cleveland | $1,272 |
| 3 | Toledo | $1,241 |
| 4 | Columbus | $1,211 |
| 5 | Cleveland Heights | $1,202 |
| 6 | Cincinnati | $1,186 |
| 7 | Akron | $1,169 |
| 8 | Euclid | $1,140 |
| 9 | Hamilton | $1,135 |
| 10 | Dayton | $1,108 |
| 11 | Canton | $1,091 |
| 12 | Newark | $1,085 |
| 13 | Springfield | $1,072 |
| 14 | Middletown | $1,066 |
| 15 | Lakewood | $1,063 |
| 16 | Fairfield | $1,063 |
| 17 | Kettering | $1,051 |
| 18 | Strongsville | $1,041 |
| 19 | Parma | $1,037 |
| 20 | Cuyahoga Falls | $1,027 |
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Premium amounts are comparative as vehicle location can influence rates substantially.
Discounts on Columbus car insurance rates
Car insurance companies that offer quotes for inexperienced drivers may also offer rate discounts that can lower rates by 30% or more if you are eligible for them. Companies and some of their more popular discounts are included below.
- Progressive may have discounts that include multi-policy, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, online quote discount, homeowner, online signing, and good student.
- The Hartford has discounts for air bag, anti-theft, driver training, vehicle fuel type, defensive driver, and good student.
- Mercury Insurance offers discounts including age of vehicle, accident-free, anti-theft, good student, and multi-car.
- GEICO discounts include five-year accident-free, military active duty, daytime running lights, defensive driver, seat belt use, driver training, and emergency military deployment.
- AAA includes discounts for AAA membership discount, multi-car, multi-policy, anti-theft, pay-in-full, good student, and education and occupation.
- State Farm may include discounts for driver’s education, student away at school, accident-free, Drive Safe & Save, good student, defensive driving training, and multiple policy.
The chart below illustrates the comparison of yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. Data assumes a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, Ohio state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $1,000 deductibles.
The first bar for each age group shows insurance cost with no discounts. The second shows the rates with defensive driving course, accident-free, anti-theft, marriage, multiple policy, and homeowner discounts applied. When drivers take advantage of discounts, the average amount saved each year on auto insurance for inexperienced drivers is 28% or $264.
Insuring your vehicle with a high-quality auto insurance company is hard considering how many companies sell coverage in Ohio. The company rank data in the next section may help you choose which auto insurers to look at when looking for cheaper rates. The ratings below are only made up of companies with a national presence, so companies that have a smaller presence are not factored into the list.
Top 10 Major Auto Insurance Providers Overall in Columbus
- USAA
- 21st Century
- GEICO
- Nationwide
- AAA Insurance
- Liberty Mutual
- Safeco Insurance
- State Farm
- Travelers
- American Family
Safe drivers pay cheaper rates
The easiest method to earn the best auto insurance premiums in Ohio for new drivers is to be a safe driver and not have accidents or get tickets. The information below highlights how traffic violations and at-fault collisions can drive up yearly insurance costs for different age groups. The premiums assume a single female driver, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.
In the previous chart, the average cost of a car insurance policy in Columbus per year with no accidents or violations is $1,367. Receive two speeding tickets and the average cost increases to $1,825, an increase of $458 each year. Next add two accidents along with the two speeding tickets and the annual cost of auto insurance for inexperienced drivers increases to an average of $3,633. That’s an increase of $2,267, or $189 per month, just for not driving carefully!
The insurance agents in Columbus listed below are a good start to provide answers to your questions and help you determine which coverage meets your needs best, as some people prefer to have a little guidance when shopping for cheaper insurance for inexperienced drivers. It can be time-consuming to find the cheapest rates, and a licensed agent can provide you satisfaction knowing your policy gives you decent coverage if you have a claim.
To locate a Columbus car insurance agency close to where you live, click the button following the list or click here to compare price quotes now.
- Bud Kulp – State Farm Insurance Agent
1707 Bethel Rd – Columbus, OH 43220 – (614) 459-2424 - Nikki Ogunduyile – State Farm Insurance Agent
20 S 3rd St #210 – Columbus, OH 43215 – (614) 274-7130 - Nationwide Insurance – Nick Miller and Assoc Ins Agency Inc
6834 Caine Rd – Columbus, OH 43235 – (614) 889-0701
View more Columbus, OH insurance agents
Ideas to find more affordable auto insurance for inexperienced drivers
The list below summarizes many penny-pinching ideas that can help Columbus drivers find lower-cost coverage.
- Choose a safer vehicle and pay lower rates
- Good credit can save money
- Increase your comprehensive and collision deductibles
- Save money by obeying traffic laws and keeping a clean driving record
- Having at-fault accidents will increase rates
- Do not pay for comprehensive and collision coverage on older vehicles
- Compare rate quotes often
The last tip in the list is extraordinarily vital, as was emphasized in this piece. Prices can be adjusted at any time, so don’t be hesitant to switch to a new company if you can save money. Staying with the same company for years is fine, but it’s not recommended if that faithfulness ends up costing you money that could be spent on other things. If you have a few minutes, compare prices to find cheaper insurance for inexperienced drivers in Columbus.