Car Insurance Rates for a Hummer H3 in Columbus

Sad but true, the vast majority of drivers have purchased from the same company for more than four years, and about 40% of consumers have never even compared quotes to find cheap rates. Ohio drivers could save an average of roughly $730 each year by just comparing quotes, but they just don’t understand the actual amount they would save if they switched.

Really, the only way to get low-cost Hummer H3 insurance in Columbus is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from insurers that insure vehicles in Ohio. Drivers can shop around by completing these steps.

• First, take a few minutes and learn about how companies set rates and the changes you can make to lower rates. Many policy risk factors that cause rate increases such as distracted driving and a lousy credit rating can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. Keep reading for additional ideas to help prevent costly coverage and find discounts that you may qualify for.
• Second, compare price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only give rate quotes from one company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agencies can quote prices for many different companies.
• Third, compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in Columbus. If you find a better price, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
• Fourth, provide proper notification to your current company to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit payment and a signed application to your new insurance company. Immediately safely store the certificate of insurance with the vehicle registration.

An essential thing to point out is to use the same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to compare as many carriers as you can. This enables the most accurate price comparison and a complete price analysis.

When comparing car insurance rates, know that comparing a wide range of rates will improve the odds of getting a better price.

The providers in the list below provide free quotes in Columbus, OH. If multiple companies are shown, it’s highly recommended you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Data for Hummer H3 insurance

The rate information shown below highlights estimates of prices for Hummer H3 models. Being able to understand how insurance prices are figured can aid in making smart choices when purchasing an auto insurance policy.

Table data assumes single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-policy. Prices do not factor in zip code location which can influence premiums substantially.

Where to set your deductibles

One common question asked by Columbus drivers is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The comparisons below can help show the differences in premium rates when you select higher and lower coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second price table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data rating is based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Price estimates do not factor in Columbus location which can revise rates considerably.

Based on this data, using a $250 deductible costs approximately $20 more each month or $240 a year than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $750 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go at least 38 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money if you opt for a higher deductible.

An important sidenote is that raising deductibles means you will have to cover more of the damage yourself when you file a claim. You should have enough disposable income in the event you need to pay more to get your vehicle repaired.

Poor driving habits will raise your car insurance rates

The example below illustrates how traffic citations and accidents influence Hummer H3 yearly insurance costs for different age groups. Data assumes a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Car insurance premiums based on gender

The information below illustrates the comparison of Hummer H3 insurance rates for male and female drivers. The rate quotes are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, full physical damage coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.

Cost of full coverage in Columbus

The illustration below shows the difference between Hummer H3 insurance costs with full physical damage coverage and with liability coverage only. The rates are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no other discounts are factored in.

Deciding between full coverage and liability only

There is no definitive formula of when to eliminate physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general school of thought. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than about 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it could be time to drop full coverage.

For example, let’s pretend your Hummer H3 book value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would get paid by your company is $3,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If it’s costing in excess of $300 annually for full coverage, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.

There are some cases where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good plan. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.

Columbus Insurance Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Multiple criteria are part of the calculation when you get your auto insurance bill. Some are obvious such as your driving history, although some other factors are more obscure such as whether you are married or how financially stable you are. An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that come into play when calculating your policy premiums. When consumers understand what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to lower rates.

• Put fewer miles on your vehicle – The more miles you rack up on your Hummer annually the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. It’s a good idea to make sure your vehicle rating states how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money. Incorrect rating for your H3 can cost quite a bit.
• Liability coverage claims can be big – Liability coverage provides coverage if a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. Your policy’s liability insurance provides legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
• Discounts for alarms and GPS tracking – Choosing a vehicle that has a built-in theft deterrent system can earn a premium discount. Theft prevention devices such as OnStar, LoJack tracking, and tamper alarms all help stop your vehicle from being stolen.

• Performance impacts prices – The performance of the car you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a big difference in your premium level. The cheapest insurance rates are usually for smaller low performance passenger cars, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.

  The next chart is based on a single female driver age 30, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It illustrates Hummer H3 insurance rates compared to other models of vehicles that have different risk factors.

• Improve your credit rating and save – Your credit score will be a significant factor in calculating your premium rate. If your credit score could use some work, you could save money insuring your Hummer H3 by spending a little time repairing your credit. Insureds that have high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have poor credit.
• Big cities mean more claims – Living in less populated areas has definite advantages when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers on the road means a lower chance of having an accident. City drivers tend to have congested traffic and much longer commute distances. The longer drive time means higher likelihood of an accident.
• Policy add-ons could be costing you – Insurance policies have a lot of additional coverages that can waste your money on your H3 policy. Things like coverage for rental cars, towing coverage, and extra life insurance coverage are probably not needed. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if you don’t need them remove them and pocket the money.
• Being married is a bonus – Your spouse actually saves money on your car insurance bill. Marriage usually means you are more responsible and statistics prove married couples file fewer claims.

Three reasons to not skimp on insurance

Despite the high insurance cost for a Hummer H3 in Columbus, maintaining insurance serves a purpose in several ways.

First, almost all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy specific minimum amounts of liability insurance in order to get the vehicle licensed. In Ohio these limits are 25/50/25 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.

Second, if your vehicle has a loan, it’s guaranteed your bank will force you to have physical damage coverage to guarantee payment of the loan. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Hummer for a lot more money and force you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.

Third, insurance protects both your Hummer H3 and your personal assets. It also can pay for hospital and medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of an accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your policy will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.

The benefits of having insurance are definitely more than the cost, especially with large liability claims. The average driver in Ohio overpays more than $850 per year so smart consumers compare quotes at least once a year to save money.