It takes a little time, but the best way to get low-cost car insurance rates is to start doing a yearly price comparison from companies who provide auto insurance in Columbus. Prices can be compared by following these steps.
- First, try to learn a little about the coverage provided by your policy and the things you can control to prevent rate increases. Many rating factors that cause rate increases such as accidents, traffic violations, and an unacceptable credit rating can be eliminated by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Second, compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote prices from multiple insurance companies. View a list of agents
- Third, compare the quotes to your current policy to determine if switching companies saves money. If you can save money, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
- Fourth, tell your current agent or company to cancel your current policy and submit a down payment along with a signed application to your new company or agent. Once received, keep your new certificate verifying proof of insurance in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.
One thing to remember is to make sure you’re comparing the same deductibles and limits on every quote request and and to analyze as many different insurance providers as possible. Doing this enables an accurate price comparison and maximum price selection.
It’s a known fact that auto insurance companies don’t want policyholders to compare prices from other companies. People who shop around for a cheaper policy will probably buy a different policy because there are good odds of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A recent survey found that drivers who routinely compared rates saved about $3,500 over four years compared to other drivers who never shopped around for cheaper prices.
If finding low prices for car insurance in Columbus is the reason for your visit, learning how to compare insurance can save time, money, and frustration.
Compare Columbus Chevy Volt insurance price quotes online
Getting a cheaper price on insurance is not rocket science. You just have to invest a few minutes comparing rates to discover which company has affordable Chevrolet Volt insurance quotes.
Doing price comparisons online is so simple that it replaces the need to waste gas driving to local insurance agencies. The internet has made agencies unnecessary unless you require the trained guidance that can only be provided by a licensed insurance agent. Although you can price shop your coverage online and have a local agent actually service the policy.
The providers in the list below are ready to provide price quotes in Columbus, OH. If several companies are displayed, we suggest you visit as many as you can to find the cheapest auto insurance rates.
Three main reasons to buy auto insurance
Even though it’s not necessarily cheap to insure a Chevy in Columbus, insurance is not optional due to several reasons.
- Almost all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a minimum amount of liability protection in order to drive the car. 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.
- If your Volt has a lienholder, it’s most likely the lender will have a requirement that you buy insurance to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If the policy lapses, the bank may buy a policy for your Chevy for a much higher rate and require you to fork over the higher premium.
- Auto insurance protects both your Chevy Volt and your personal assets. It will also cover many types of medical costs for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, will also pay attorney fees if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If you have damage to your Chevy as the result of the weather or an accident, your auto insurance policy will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance greatly outweigh the cost, especially when you need to use it. According to a recent study, the average American driver is overpaying more than $825 a year so shop around at least once a year to make sure the price is not too high.
Auto insurance coverage information
Knowing the specifics of car insurance aids in choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are the usual coverages found on most car insurance policies.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like damage from a tornado or hurricane, hitting a deer, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and a broken windshield. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Chevy Volt.
Due to the fact that many Ohio drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (25/50/25), their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea. Frequently these limits are set the same as your liability limits.
Auto collision coverage
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims like rolling your car, crashing into a ditch and scraping a guard rail. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. You can also raise the deductible on your Volt in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Liability
Liability insurance can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people by causing an accident. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see values of 25/50/25 that translate to a limit of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability can pay for things like bail bonds, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical expenses, repair costs for stationary objects and legal defense fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible. Ohio requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/25 but it’s recommended drivers buy more coverage.
The chart below demonstrates why the minimum limit may not be adequate coverage.
Insurance for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for expenses for surgery, EMT expenses and pain medications. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay