Car Insurance Rate Quotes for a Ford Ranger in Columbus

A recent survey discovered that most car insurance policyholders in Ohio kept their policy with the same company for at least four years, and practically 40% of car insurance customers have never quoted rates to find cheap coverage. U.S. consumers could save themselves $859 a year just by shopping around, but they don’t know the rate savings if they moved their coverage to a different company.

If you want to save the most money, the best way to find better pricing on car insurance rates is to regularly compare prices from providers who provide auto insurance in Columbus. This can be done by following these guidelines.

1. Try to learn about individual coverages and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many policy risk factors that cause high rates such as traffic citations, accidents, and a not-so-good credit score can be rectified by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
2. Request price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only give rate quotes from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes for a wide range of insurance providers.
3. Compare the new rates to your current policy and determine if there is any savings. If you find a better price, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.

One key aspect when comparing rates is that you use identical coverages on every price quote and and to analyze as many companies as you can. This helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and many rates to choose from.

Affordable car insurance in Columbus, OH

The car insurance companies shown below are our best choices to provide quotes in Ohio. If multiple companies are shown, we suggest you visit two to three different companies in order to find the lowest rates.

Facts and figures for Ford Ranger insurance

The table displayed next outlines a range of prices for Ford Ranger models. Understanding how auto insurance prices are formulated can be valuable when making smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.

Data rating is based on single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Table data does not factor in specific zip code location which can alter coverage rates greatly.

Rate comparison for different deductibles

When shopping for insurance, a common question is which deductible level should you buy. The rates shown below can help illustrate the premium difference between high and low comp and collision deductibles. The first rate table uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can impact insurance rates noticeably.

We can derive from the above data that using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $15 more each month or $180 every year than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you average at a minimum 50 months between claim filings, you would come out ahead if you opt for a higher deductible.

One big caveat is that raising deductibles results in having to pay to pay more out-of-pocket when you have to file a claim. That will require some funds available in the event you have to pay the deductible for vehicle repair.

Tickets and at-fault accidents raise rates

The information below highlights how traffic violations and at-fault fender-benders drive up Ford Ranger car insurance costs for different ages of insureds. The premiums assume a single male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Insurance rates based on gender

The chart below shows the comparison of Ford Ranger premium costs for male and female drivers. Data assumes no violations or claims, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies

The illustration below shows the comparison of Ford Ranger insurance premiums with and without full coverage. The premiums are based on no accidents or driving violations, $250 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are factored in.

When to stop paying for full coverage

There is no set guideline of when to phase out physical damage coverage, but there is a general school of thought. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is 10% or more of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s pretend your Ford Ranger book value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, you would only receive $5,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying over $500 a year for full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.

There are a few situations where dropping full coverage is not in your best interest. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should maintain full coverage.

Get cheaper Ford Ranger insurance rates in Columbus

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always publicize the complete list of policy discounts very well, so the below list has both the well known and the more hidden discounts that you may qualify for.

• Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.
• Columbus Homeowners Pay Less – Simply owning a home can earn you a little savings because owning a home demonstrates responsibility.
• Mature Driver Discount – Older drivers can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
• Multiple Cars – Purchasing coverage when you have more than one vehicle on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Professional Organizations – Being a member of qualifying clubs or civic groups could qualify you for a break when shopping for auto insurance.
• Active Military Service – Being on active duty in the military could mean lower rates.
• Telematics Data Discounts – Columbus drivers who agree to allow their insurance company to look at driving habits by using a telematic data system such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate may get a rate reduction as long as they are good drivers.

You can save money using discounts, but most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, that’s just not realistic.

The illustration below visualizes the comparison of Ford Ranger auto insurance rates with and without discounts. The rates are based on a female driver, a clean driving record, no claims, Ohio state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, homeowner, multi-policy, marriage, claim-free, and safe-driver discounts applied.

A list of auto insurance companies and some of the premium reductions they offer are:

• State Farm may offer discounts for student away at school, Drive Safe & Save, Steer Clear safe driver discount, passive restraint, and multiple autos.
• American Family includes discounts for good student, bundled insurance, mySafetyValet, defensive driver, and Steer into Savings.
• GEICO has savings for defensive driver, driver training, air bags, anti-theft, federal employee, good student, and membership and employees.
• 21st Century policyholders can earn discounts including good student, air bags, anti-lock brakes, theft prevention, and driver training.
• Progressive offers discounts for online signing, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, good student, and online quote discount.

When comparing rates, check with each insurance company which discounts they offer. Some discounts might not be offered in your state. If you would like to see a list of companies who offer discounts in Columbus, follow this link.

When in doubt talk to an agent

Always keep in mind that when comparing coverage online or from an agent, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are unique to you.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• Is motorclub coverage worth it?
• Do I need to call my car insurance company before buying a new car?
• Will my insurance pay for OEM parts?
• Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
• What is the premium to book value ratio for dropping full coverage?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Ohio?
• Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
• When should I not buy collision coverage?
• Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Local Columbus car insurance agents

Some consumers just prefer to get advice from a local agent and often times that is recommended A nice benefit of price shopping on the web is that drivers can save money and get cheap auto insurance quotes but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from and supporting neighborhood insurance agencies is important especially in Columbus.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, your insurance data is transmitted to agents in your area who will give competitive quotes to get your business. You don’t have to contact any agents since price quotes are sent directly to you. You’ll get the best rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you have a need to get a rate quote from a specific insurance company, feel free to navigate to their website and complete a quote there.

If you are wanting to find a reliable insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents and how they are distinctly different. Auto insurance agents are categorized either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive.

Independent Agents

Agents that elect to be independent often have affiliation with several companies and that allows them to write policies through many different auto insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent. If you are comparing auto insurance prices, you definitely need to contact several independent insurance agents to get the most accurate price comparison. They often place coverage with additional companies that you may not be familiar with which could offer lower prices.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Columbus that can possibly get you comparison quotes.

• Tri-Wood Insurance
  1000 Georgesville Rd – Columbus, OH 43228 – (614) 276-7821 – View Map
• Putnam White Lewis Insurance Agency
  4161 N High St – Columbus, OH 43214 – (614) 267-1269 – View Map
• Danduran and Associates Insurance Agency, Inc.
  1827 O Brien Rd – Columbus, OH 43228 – (614) 777-8200 – View Map

More insurance agents

Exclusive Agencies

Agents that choose to be exclusive can only write with one company like State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. They are unable to place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. They are trained well on sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. A lot of people buy from exclusive agents mostly because of the brand name rather than having low rates.

Shown below is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in Columbus willing to provide price quote information.

• Nikki Ogunduyile – State Farm Insurance Agent
  20 S 3rd St #210 – Columbus, OH 43215 – (614) 274-7130 – View Map
• Scott Dawson – State Farm Insurance Agent
  5871 Cleveland Ave – Columbus, OH 43231 – (614) 891-2886 – View Map
• Debbie Montgomery – State Farm Insurance Agent
  1880 Schrock Rd – Columbus, OH 43229 – (614) 890-2886 – View Map

More insurance agents

Selecting an car insurance agent should depend on more than just the price. Here are some questions you should ask.

• Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
• How much experience to they have in personal lines coverages?
• Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
• Do they have 24-hour customer assistance?
• Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
• Do they offer rental car reimbursement?
• Does the agent have a valid license to sell insurance in Ohio?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?

Insurance coverage considerations

Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy helps when 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.

Liability coverages

This protects you from damage that occurs to other’s property or people by causing an accident. It protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 which stand for $25,000 bodily injury coverage, $50,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against things like medical services, structural damage, court costs and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but buy higher limits if possible. Ohio state law requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/25 but drivers should carry higher limits.

The chart below shows why the minimum limit may not be high enough to cover claims.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

This coverage provides protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Ford Ranger.

Due to the fact that many Ohio drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (Ohio limits are 25/50/25), their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Comprehensive coverage

This coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like fire damage, hitting a bird, hitting a deer and a broken windshield. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for short-term medical expenses such as dental work, rehabilitation expenses and EMT expenses. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to you and your occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Coverage for collisions

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

Collision coverage protects against claims such as damaging your car on a curb, driving through your garage door, hitting a parking meter and rolling your car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also bump up the deductible on your Ranger to save money on collision insurance.

Affordable insurance prices are available

People change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as high rates after DUI convictions, not issuing a premium refund, policy non-renewal or poor customer service. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right insurance provider is not as difficult as it may seem.

Discount Ford Ranger insurance in Columbus is definitely available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Columbus agents, so get free Columbus auto insurance quotes from both of them in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies may not offer online quoting and usually these smaller companies work with local independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, you should never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced collision coverage only to find out that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best possible price, but do not skimp to save money.

Even more information can be found in these articles:

• Honda warning system reduces insurance claims (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• How Much are Car Insurance Quotes for 16 Year Olds in Columbus? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for a 20 Year Old Male in Columbus? (FAQ)
• Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)
• Older Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)