It’s hard to miss the captivating commercials from auto insurance companies like Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive claiming big savings, so drivers should just pick one at random, right?
It’s just not that easy, however, as there are a whole slew of unknown elements such as when you were born, what physical damage coverage deductibles you want, and if you own your own home, that all impact the cost of coverage. This article should teach you a little about the different scenarios that increase car insurance cost and also should give you some help in finding cheaper rates.
For infrequent drivers, one of the big considerations that determine auto insurance rates is where you keep your vehicle. Cities with larger populations tend to have more expensive car insurance rates, whereas areas with lower crime rates and fewer weather claims benefit from lower rates.
The following table shows the most expensive areas in Ohio for low mileage drivers to purchase car insurance in. Columbus is ranked at #3 with an annual premium of $1,235 for the average policy, which is about $103 monthly.
| Rank | City | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $1,259 |
| 2 | Youngstown | $1,247 |
| 3 | Columbus | $1,235 |
| 4 | Toledo | $1,229 |
| 5 | Cleveland Heights | $1,202 |
| 6 | Cincinnati | $1,174 |
| 7 | Dayton | $1,142 |
| 8 | Euclid | $1,140 |
| 9 | Akron | $1,123 |
| 10 | Hamilton | $1,113 |
| 11 | Canton | $1,091 |
| 12 | Newark | $1,085 |
| 13 | Lakewood | $1,063 |
| 14 | Fairfield | $1,063 |
| 15 | Springfield | $1,061 |
| 16 | Middletown | $1,055 |
| 17 | Mansfield | $1,032 |
| 18 | Beavercreek | $1,027 |
| 19 | Kettering | $1,009 |
| 20 | Parma | $1,007 |
| 21 | Cuyahoga Falls | $1,007 |
| 22 | Strongsville | $1,001 |
| 23 | Elyria | $995 |
| 24 | Mentor | $978 |
| 25 | Lorain | $975 |
| Start a Quote Go | ||
Premium costs are estimated as the specific geographic location can raise or lower insurance rates substantially.
Finding low-cost insurance is easier said than done, and determining which companies quote the lowest-priced insurance rates for low mileage drivers takes more quotes for comparison. Each insurer has their own guidelines to determine premium rates, so first let’s look at the rankings for the insurance companies with the overall cheapest rates in Columbus.
It’s important to understand that Ohio insurance rates are impacted by many things that can increase your annual premium. Events such as a birthday, having a teen driver, or getting a DUI can trigger price changes that can make some companies much higher than others.
Compare Cheap Insurance Quotes in Ohio
Utica National may have some of the most affordable car insurance rates in Columbus at around $635 annually. This is $405 less than the average price paid by Ohio drivers of $1,040. Erie, Allied, Frankenmuth, and USAA also qualify as some of the more affordable Columbus, OH car insurance companies.
As the rates illustrate above, if you are currently insured with Erie and switched to Utica National, you might realize yearly savings of in the vicinity of $52. Ohio drivers with Allied could save as much as $55 a year, and Frankenmuth insureds might lower prices by $73 a year.
It’s important to note that these prices are averages across all drivers and vehicles and are not factoring in an exact zip code location for low mileage drivers. So the car insurance company that can offer you the lowest price may not even be in the top 33 companies shown above. That helps illustrate why you need to quote rates from as many companies as possible using your own driver information and specific vehicle type.
The make and model of vehicle requiring coverage is one of the largest factors when comparing cheaper car insurance for low mileage drivers. Vehicles with high performance features, a lack of modern safety features, or a history of substantial liability claims will cost substantially more to insure than more modest models. The information below outlines insurance costs for some of the most affordable vehicles to insure in Ohio.
| Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD | $1,242 |
| Ford F-150 XL Crew Cab 2WD | $1,362 |
| Hyundai Elantra SE Touring Station Wagon | $1,451 |
| Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD | $1,466 |
| Ford Escape Limited 4WD | $1,484 |
| Toyota Prius | $1,521 |
| Nissan Rogue S 2WD | $1,541 |
| Kia Optima LX | $1,549 |
| Volkswagen Jetta SE 4-Dr Sedan | $1,543 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD | $1,548 |
| GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab 2WD | $1,543 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan CV | $1,546 |
| Toyota RAV4 4WD | $1,575 |
| Start a Quote Go | |
Table data represents single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in specific location which can lower or raise insurance rates significantly.
Based upon the rates shown, vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Ford F-150, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Tacoma, and Ford Escape are most likely to be some of the most affordable vehicles to insure for infrequent drivers.
Cost difference between full coverage and liability
Saving on insurance is the goal of most vehicle owners, and an easy way to reduce the cost of insurance for low mileage drivers is to not pay for full coverage. The illustration below shows the difference between insurance premiums with and without physical damage coverage. The costs are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $250 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
On average, physical damage coverage on your policy costs $1,200 per year over having just liability coverage. That brings up the question if you should buy full coverage at all. There is no set guideline to exclude full coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
Discount Columbus car insurance rates
Insurers that provide policies for low mileage drivers may have policy discounts that could lower prices by 30% or more if you meet specific criteria. A list of companies and some of the discounts are shown below.
- GEICO offers discounts for anti-theft, multi-policy, air bags, daytime running lights, and seat belt use.
- MetLife policyholders can earn discounts including good driver, good student, defensive driver, accident-free, claim-free, multi-policy
- State Farm may include discounts for multiple policy, defensive driving training, accident-free, anti-theft, and good student.
- Progressive has savings for online quote discount, multi-policy, good student, multi-vehicle, online signing, and continuous coverage.
- Mercury Insurance includes discounts for accident-free, type of vehicle, low natural disaster claims, professional/association, and anti-theft.
- 21st Century may offer discounts for 55 and older, anti-lock brakes, driver training, good student, and early bird.
- Allstate has discounts for premier discount, utility vehicle, farm vehicle, auto/life discount, and passive restraint.
The diagram below shows the difference between car insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the rates. The premiums assume a female driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, Ohio state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $1,000 deductibles.
The first bar for each age group shows the average rate with no discounts. The second shows the rates with anti-theft, defensive driving course, passive restraint, homeowner, marriage, and multiple vehicle discounts applied. When discounts are factored in, theaverage yearly reduction on insurance for low mileage drivers is 27% or $253.
The agents below are willing to aid you in deciding which coverages you need, as lots of people like to get some professional advice when shopping for the best coverage for low mileage drivers. It’s not always simple to find the best rates on your own, and using a licensed agent can bring satisfaction knowing you have adequate protection in the event of a claim. To locate a Columbus insurance agent using an interactive map, click the button following the list.
- Andrea Taylor – State Farm Insurance Agent
5540 N Hamilton Rd – Columbus, OH 43230 – (614) 855-9421 - Ansong Insurance Agency
5272 Cleveland Ave – Columbus, OH 43231 – (614) 259-3635 - Henderson Insurance Inc
3620 N High St #105 – Columbus, OH 43214 – (614) 884-0970 - John Dawson Associates
6025 Cleveland Ave – Columbus, OH 43231 – (614) 890-1660
More insurance agents in Columbus, OH
How to find budget-friendly insurance for low mileage drivers
Here are some of the better thrifty solutions that can help Ohio drivers locate cheaper auto insurance.
- Earn a discount by not filing claims
- Vehicles with good safety ratings have lower liability rates
- Buying home and auto insurance together can earn discounts
- Save money by observing traffic laws and speed limits
- Remain accident-free and save
- Keep rates low by shopping around frequently
That last tip is remarkably vital, as we pointed out in this piece. Coverage rates fluctuate constantly, so don’t be afraid to buy a policy from a new company if a better rate can be found. Many drivers prefer to stick with one company, but is isn’t recommended if that loyalty results in overpaying thousands of dollars over several years. It only take a few minutes to shop around to find cheaper car insurance for low mileage drivers in Columbus.