Cheap Columbus Chrysler PT Cruiser Insurance

Overpriced car insurance in Columbus can dwindle your checking account and force you to make sacrifices. Performing a price comparison can help to make ends meet.

It’s safe to assume that car insurance companies don’t want you comparing rates. Consumers who do rate comparisons will probably switch car insurance companies because there is a high probability of finding good coverage at a lower price. A recent car insurance study discovered that drivers who did price comparisons regularly saved on average $850 each year compared to other drivers who don’t make a habit of comparing rates.

If finding discount rates on insurance is the reason for your visit, then having some insight into how to get rate quotes and compare coverages can make it simple to find affordable coverage.

Steps to finding cheaper rates for Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance in Columbus

If you want to save money, the best way to get cheaper Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance is to compare prices annually from companies in Columbus.

Step 1: Try to learn a little about the coverage provided by your policy and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many policy risk factors that are responsible for high rates such as traffic tickets, fender benders, and a negative credit score can be controlled by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.

Step 2: Quote rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agents can quote prices for many different companies.

Step 3: Compare the quotes to your existing coverage and see if you can save money. If you can save some money and decide to switch, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.

Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel the current policy and submit a completed policy application and payment to the new company. Immediately upon receiving it, keep your new certificate verifying proof of insurance in your glove compartment.

One key aspect when comparing rates is that you’ll want to make sure you compare similar limits and deductibles on every quote and and to get price estimates from as many different insurance providers as possible. This guarantees an apples-to-apples comparison and plenty of rates choose from.

Online insurance companies like State Farm, Farmers Insurance, GEICO and Allstate continually bombard you with catchy ads and it is challenging if not impossible to see through the deception and find the best price available.

It’s a good habit to shop coverage around at least once a year because insurance prices are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Just because you found the best quotes on Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance in Columbus a few years ago you can probably find a better rate now. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn the best methods to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

The quickest method we recommend to compare car insurance company rates for Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance in Columbus utilizes the fact most of the bigger providers participate in online systems to provide you with a free rate quote. All consumers are required to do is provide a little information such as whether or not you need a SR-22, if the vehicle is leased, the ages of drivers, and whether you have decent credit. That information is then submitted to many of the top insurers and they return rate quotes with very little delay.

If you would like to start a quote now, click here and enter your coverage details.

The following companies are ready to provide price quotes in Ohio. If several companies are displayed, it’s highly recommended you visit several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Coverage information

The rate table displayed below highlights a range of insurance rates for Chrysler PT Cruiser models. Learning a little about how rates are calculated can help you make smart choices when comparing insurance quotes.

Data based on married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, and safe-driver. Price estimates do not factor in specific Columbus garaging location which can change auto insurance rates substantially.

Physical damage deductible comparison

One of the most common auto insurance questions is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The tables below help summarize the difference in cost when you choose different physical damage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 deductible for comp and collision and the second price grid uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner. Rate information does not factor in your specific Columbus location which can change coverage prices greatly.

Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $100 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $20 more each month or $240 a year averaged for all PT Cruiser models than selecting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $900 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally average more than 45 months between claims, you would save money going with the higher deductible. The table below shows an example of how this calculation is made.

One thing to be aware of is that raising deductibles results in a higher out-of-pocket expense if you have a claim. It will be required that you have enough money put aside in the event you need to pay the higher deductible.

Impact of citations and accidents on insurance rates

The diagram below highlights how speeding tickets and accidents can increase Chrysler PT Cruiser auto insurance costs for each different age group. Data assumes a married female driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.

Men versus women drivers and insurance cost

The information below illustrates the difference between Chrysler PT Cruiser yearly insurance costs for male and female drivers. The costs are based on no claims or driving citations, full coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Full coverage versus liability-only in Columbus

The chart below shows the difference between Chrysler PT Cruiser car insurance costs with and without physical damage coverage. The data is based on no accidents, no driving violations, $100 deductibles, drivers are single, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Guidelines for eliminating full coverage

There is no exact rule of when to exclude comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than around 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it could be time to drop full coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Chrysler PT Cruiser settlement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most your company will settle for is $7,000 after paying your policy deductible. If premium cost is more than $700 a year for your policy with full coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.

There are some cases where dropping full coverage is not recommended. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not drop full coverage.

Why you need PT Cruiser insurance in Ohio

Despite the potentially high cost of Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance, maintaining insurance is required by state law in Ohio and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.

• Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to buy specific limits of liability insurance coverage if you drive a vehicle. 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 Chrysler PT Cruiser has a lienholder, almost every bank will force you to have insurance to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you do not keep the policy in force, the bank will be required to insure your Chrysler for a much higher rate and force you to reimburse them a much higher amount than you were paying before.
• Insurance preserves both your Chrysler PT Cruiser and your assets. It also can pay for most medical and hospital costs incurred in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay attorney fees in the event you are sued. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, your policy will cover the repair costs.

The benefits of carrying adequate insurance more than offset the price you pay, especially if you ever need it. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver is overpaying over $700 annually so compare rates every year to help ensure money is not being wasted.

Everyone needs different insurance coverages

When buying a policy, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions might help in determining if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
• Does insurance cover tools stolen from my truck?
• Can my babysitter drive my car?
• Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
• Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
• What is UM/UIM insurance?
• Does coverage follow the driver or the vehicle?
• Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

Specific coverages for a Chrysler PT Cruiser

Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Comprehensive coverages

Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like rock chips in glass, fire damage and hitting a deer. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Auto liability insurance

This provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as pain and suffering, repair costs for stationary objects, emergency aid, structural damage and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but consider buying as much as you can afford. Ohio state minimum liability requirements are 25/50/25 but drivers should carry more coverage.

The illustration below demonstrates why the minimum limit may not be adequate.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

This provides protection when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Since many Ohio drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Ohio limits are 25/50/25), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision protection

Collision insurance pays for damage to your PT Cruiser resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision insurance covers claims like hitting a mailbox, driving through your garage door and scraping a guard rail. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible on your PT Cruiser to bring the cost down.

Coverage for medical payments

Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills like chiropractic care, ambulance fees, hospital visits and nursing services. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Smart consumers save more

We just showed you many ideas to shop for Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the higher your chance of finding cheaper Columbus car insurance quotes. Consumers may even find the most savings is with a smaller regional carrier.

Cheaper insurance in Columbus can be purchased from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Columbus agents, so get free Columbus car insurance quotes from both of them to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies may not have rate quotes online and most of the time these smaller providers work with local independent agencies.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, you should never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many instances, drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that it was a big error on their part. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best cost but still have enough coverage for asset protection.

How to find low-cost Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance in Columbus

If saving money is your primary concern, then the best way to get the cheapest Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance in Columbus is to start doing a yearly price comparison from insurance carriers that sell auto insurance in Ohio. Drivers can shop around by following these guidelines.

First, take a few minutes and learn about auto insurance and the measures you can take to prevent high rates. Many rating criteria that increase rates like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and a negative credit history can be remedied by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.

Second, obtain price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from one company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agencies can provide prices for a wide range of companies.

Third, compare the new quotes to your current policy premium to determine if you can save on PT Cruiser insurance in Columbus. If you can save money and switch companies, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.

Fourth, give notification to your current company of your decision to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit the completed application along with a down payment to your new company or agent. Once coverage is bound, keep the new certificate verifying proof of insurance with the vehicle registration.

The most important part of this process is that you use the same deductibles and limits on each price quote and and to get quotes from as many companies as you can. Doing this provides the most accurate price comparison and maximum price selection.

Other resources

• Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)
• Who Has Cheap Columbus Auto Insurance Rates for High School Students? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for a Company Car in Columbus? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Columbus Car Insurance Rates for College Students? (FAQ)
• Five Steps to Filing an Auto Insurance Claim (Insurance Information Institute)
• Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)