Ford Freestar Insurance Rate Quotes in Columbus

Remarkably, a study showed that over 70% of Ohio drivers have remained with the same insurance company for at least four years, and nearly half have never quoted insurance rates at all. With the average insurance premium being $1,847, American drivers can save hundreds of dollars each year just by getting comparison quotes, but they just don’t understand how much money they would save if they switched.

The recommended way to get more affordable Ford Freestar insurance is to compare prices regularly from insurers who provide car insurance in Columbus.

1. Try to comprehend auto insurance and the measures you can control to keep rates down. Many rating factors that cause rate increases such as at-fault accidents and a bad credit score can be improved by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. Continue reading for more ideas to get cheaper coverage and get additional discounts.
2. Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide prices from many different companies.
3. Compare the new rate quotes to the price on your current policy to see if cheaper Freestar coverage is available in Columbus. If you find a lower rate and make a switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
4. Notify your current company of your intent to cancel your existing policy. Submit a completed policy application and payment to the new insurer. Immediately upon receiving it, safely store the certificate verifying proof of insurance with your vehicle’s registration.

An essential thing to point out is to make sure you’re comparing the same level of coverage on every price quote and and to get quotes from as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this helps ensure the most accurate price comparison and the best price selection.

The purpose of this post is to help you learn the most effective ways to compare rates and some tips to save money. If you have coverage now, you will surely be able to find better prices using the tips covered below. But Ohio drivers can benefit from knowing how big insurance companies determine premium rates because it varies considerably.

Cheap auto insurance in Columbus, OH

The companies in the list below can provide price quotes in Columbus, OH. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you compare several of them to get a more complete price comparison.

Get cheaper Ford Freestar insurance in Columbus with discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that you may not even know about. A few discounts will be applied at the time of purchase, but a few must be inquired about prior to getting the savings.

• Life Insurance Discount – Insurance carriers who offer life insurance give a discounted premium rate on car insurance if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Have your child participate in a local driver’s education class in school or through a local driver safety program.
• Telematics Data – Columbus drivers who agree to allow their company to spy on when and where they use their vehicle by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate could see a rate decrease if their driving habits are good.
• Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military may lower your rates slightly.
• Government Employees – Active or retired federal employment could provide a small rate reduction with some car insurance companies.
• Payment Method – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than spreading payments over time you can avoid the installment charge.
• Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students until age 25.
• Low Mileage Discounts – Fewer annual miles on your Ford can qualify you for better car insurance rates on cars that stay parked.
• College Student – Youth drivers who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from Columbus and don’t have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.

Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Despite the appearance that it’s possible to get free car insurance, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.

Auto insurance companies who may offer these discounts include:

• Progressive
• The Hartford
• Mercury Insurance
• GEICO
• AAA
• State Farm

Double check with every prospective company what discounts are available to you. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be available to policyholders in Columbus. To see a list of providers who offer discounts in Ohio, click here.

Do I need special coverages?

When quoting and choosing coverage, there is no one-size-fits-all type of policy. You are unique.

For example, these questions may help highlight if you could use an agent’s help.

• Are combined or split liability limits better?
• Will damage be repaired with OEM parts?
• What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
• Can I insure my car for more than it’s worth?
• What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
• Am I covered if I have no license?
• How much liability coverage do I need in Ohio?
• How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
• Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Ohio?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.

Local agents and insurance

Certain consumers just prefer to sit down with an agent and we recommend doing that An additional benefit of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find cheaper premium rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from local agents is important particularly in Columbus.

For easy comparison, once you complete this short form, your insurance data is emailed to agents in your area that give free quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to contact any insurance agencies because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. You can most likely find cheaper rates and work with a local agent. If you wish to get a rate quote for a specific company, you just need to visit that company’s website and fill out their quote form.

Exclusive and independent Columbus auto insurance agents

When finding a reputable agency, you should know the types of agencies and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Columbus may be either independent or exclusive depending on the company they work for.

Independent Insurance Agents

Agents of this type are not employed by one company so they can write business through many companies and find you cheaper rates. If your premiums go up, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.

When comparing insurance rates, you need to compare prices from several independent agencies to get the best comparison.

Listed below is a list of independent insurance agents in Columbus that may be able to give you free price quotes.

View more Columbus agents

Exclusive Insurance Agencies

Exclusive agencies generally can only insure with one company and examples are Allstate, AAA, Farmers Insurance, and State Farm. Exclusive agents cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agencies are usually well trained in insurance sales which can be an advantage.

Below is a short list of exclusive agents in Columbus who can help you get comparison quotes.

View more Columbus agents

Finding the right insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. Here are some questions to ask:

• How long have they been in business?
• How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
• Do they get extra compensation for selling add-on coverages?
• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
• Is the agency active in community causes in Columbus?
• Which company do they place the most coverage with?
• How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?

Car insurance coverages 101

Understanding the coverages of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages 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.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your Ford Freestar.

Since many Ohio drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (25/50/25 in Ohio), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is very important. Normally these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Comprehensive insurance – This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from getting keyed, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from flooding. The maximum payout your car insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for short-term medical expenses such as funeral costs, pain medications, nursing services and dental work. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers 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

Collision – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for things like driving through your garage door, backing into a parked car and hitting a parking meter. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. You can also increase the deductible on your Freestar to bring the cost down.

Coverage for liability – Liability coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. It protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability coverage pays for things like court costs, pain and suffering and attorney fees. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying 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 illustration below shows why low liability limits may not provide adequate coverage.

Persistence pays off

You just learned a lot of information how to compare Ford Freestar insurance rates in Columbus. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the higher your chance of finding affordable Columbus auto insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the most savings is with the smaller companies.

As you shop your coverage around, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including delays in responding to claim requests, high prices, denial of a claim and being labeled a high risk driver. No matter why you want to switch, switching companies can be less work than you think.

Additional information can be found at the links below

• Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)
• Who Has Cheap Columbus Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers Under 25? (FAQ)
• How Much are Car Insurance Quotes for a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Columbus? (FAQ)
• Teen Driving and Texting (State Farm)
• Parking Tips to Reduce Door Dings (State Farm)
• Prepare your Teens for Safe Driving (InsureUonline.org)
• Child Safety FAQ (iihs.org)