It’s an obvious statement that car insurance companies don’t want their policyholders to compare prices. Drivers who shop around once a year will probably switch to a new company because there is a good chance of finding a more affordable policy. A study discovered that drivers who shopped around every year saved as much as $70 a month compared to drivers who don’t regularly compare prices.
If finding the best price on auto insurance in Columbus is your intention, then understanding how to get price quotes and compare coverages can help simplify the process.
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get the cheapest auto insurance rates in Columbus is to regularly compare quotes from insurance carriers who sell auto insurance in Ohio.
First, get an understanding of how companies set rates and the things you can control to prevent expensive coverage. Many things that result in higher rates like distracted driving and a not-so-good credit score can be rectified by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. This article gives additional ideas to prevent expensive rate increases and find discounts that may have been missed.
Second, quote rates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can quote rates from many different companies. View insurance agents
Third, compare the new quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you find a better price and make a switch, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
A tip to remember is to make sure you’re comparing identical limits and deductibles on each price quote and and to get rate quotes from as many companies as feasibly possible. This guarantees a fair rate comparison and a complete rate analysis.
Affordable Mazda insurance rate quotes in Columbus
The companies shown below offer quotes in Ohio. If multiple companies are listed, it’s highly recommended you get rate quotes from several of them to find the lowest car insurance rates.
Detailed insurance information
The information shown next outlines estimates of insurance policy prices for Mazda MX-5 Miata models. Being aware of how insurance quotes are formulated is important for making smart choices when purchasing an auto insurance policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 Miata Sport 2-Dr Convertible | $120 | $206 | $186 | $10 | $56 | $578 | $48 |
| MX-5 Miata Touring 2-Dr Convertible | $136 | $252 | $186 | $10 | $56 | $640 | $53 |
| MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 2-Dr Convertible | $136 | $252 | $186 | $10 | $56 | $640 | $53 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data assumes married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Prices do not factor in your specific Columbus location which can impact insurance rates substantially.
Impact of speeding/accidents on Columbus car insurance rates
The diagram below demonstrates how citations and at-fault claims can affect Mazda MX-5 Miata insurance premiums for different categories of driver ages. The data is based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Car insurance can cost a lot, but you can get discounts to cut the cost considerably. Most are applied at quote time, but once in a while a discount must be inquired about before they will apply. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you could be paying more than you need to.
- Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accidents.
- Discount for Good Grades – Being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up until you turn 25.
- Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your Mazda could earn substantially lower prices.
- Save with More Vehicles Insured – Buying coverage for primary and secondary vehicles on the same insurance policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Discounts for New Vehicles – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new vehicles.
- College Student – College-age children living away from Columbus attending college and do not have a car may qualify for this discount.
- Accident Forgiveness Coverage – This one is not really a discount per se, but some companies like GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate may permit one accident before your rates go up as long as you don’t have any claims for a specific time period.
- Government Employees – Employees or retirees of the government may reduce rates when you quote Columbus car insurance depending on your company.
You should keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Even though the math looks like you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way.
The illustration below compares Mazda MX-5 Miata auto insurance costs with and without discounts. The prices are based on a female driver, no violations or accidents, Ohio state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, claim-free, homeowner, safe-driver, marriage, and multi-car discounts applied.
If you would like to view insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above in Ohio, click here to view.
What Affects Mazda MX-5 Miata Insurance Premiums?
Part of the insurance buying process is learning some of the elements that go into determining your premiums. If you have some idea of what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this enables you to make decisions that may result in lower insurance prices.
The items below are some of the most common factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set rates.
Insure your auto and home with one company – Many insurers give discounts to buyers who consolidate policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Discounts can be as much as ten percent or more Even if you’re getting this discount you may still want to check prices from other companies to make sure you are getting the best deal. Drivers may still save more without the discount by buying insurance from more than one company.
Gender impacts premiums – Over time, data shows that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean females are better at driving than males. Both sexes cause at-fault accidents at about the same rate, but guys tend to have higher claims. Men also get more serious tickets like DWI (DUI) or reckless driving.
The information below illustrates the comparison of Mazda MX-5 Miata car insurance costs for male and female drivers. The premium estimates are based on no violations or claims, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.
Prevent policy lapses – Having an insurance coverage lapse is a fast way to bump up your insurance costs. Not only will you pay higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
Rates and employer – Occupations like doctors, business owners, and financial analysts are shown to have higher rates than the rest of us due to intense work-related stress and long work hours. Conversely, careers like farmers, engineers and homemakers pay lower than average rates.
Performance impacts insurance premiums – The performance of the vehicle you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a huge difference in the rate you pay. The most favorable rates are generally reserved for the lowest performance passenger vehicles, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
The following chart assumes a married male driver age 40, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The data compares Mazda MX-5 Miata insurance premiums compared to other models of vehicles that have different performance risks.
Insurance is expensive for teenage drivers – Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents, and get fewer tickets. Teen drivers are statistically shown to be careless and easily distracted when driving therefore insurance rates are much higher.
The chart below is based on a single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Eliminate add-on coverages – There are a ton of additional extra coverages you can purchase if you don’t pay attention. Coverages for rental car coverage, death and dismemberment, and Farm Bureau memberships may be wasting your money. These may sound like a good investment when talking to your agent, but if you’ve never needed them in the past remove them and pocket the money.
Pleasure use saves money – The higher the mileage driven in a year the higher the price you pay to insure it. Many insurance companies rate vehicles based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your vehicle rating shows the correct usage, because improper ratings can cost you money. A policy that improperly rates your MX-5 Miata can cost quite a bit.
Insurance loss statistics a Mazda MX-5 Miata – Insurance companies use data from past claims in order to profitably underwrite each model. Vehicles that tend to have increased claim numbers or amounts will have a higher cost to insure.
The table below demonstrates the historical loss data for Mazda MX-5 Miata vehicles. For each type of coverage, the claim amount for all vehicles, regardless of make or model, is set at 100. Values that are under 100 suggest a better than average loss history, while percentages above 100 indicate more frequent claims or larger claims.
| Specific Mazda Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible | 76 | 61 | 74 | 72 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
When do I need an agent’s advice?
Always remember that when buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
These are some specific questions could help you determine if your insurance needs might need an agent’s assistance.
- Can good grades get a discount?
- Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
- Should I buy full coverage?
- What does medical payments coverage do?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Ohio?
- Who is covered when they drive my Mazda MX-5 Miata?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- Do I need an umbrella policy?
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
- If my car is totaled with they pay enough to replace it?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.
Local insurance agents
A small number of people just prefer to talk to a local agent and often times that is recommended Professional insurance agents are very good at helping people manage risk and help submit paperwork. One of the benefits of comparing auto insurance online is that you can find cheaper prices and still have a local agent. Buying insurance from small agencies is definitely important in Columbus.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, your coverage information is submitted to companies in Columbus that provide free Columbus car insurance quotes to get your business. It’s much easier because you don’t need to find an agent because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. In the event you want to get a comparison quote from a particular provider, you can always find their quoting web page and fill out the quote form the provide.
The different types of auto insurance agents
When searching for a local agent, you should know the different types of agents and how they can service your needs differently. Insurance agencies in Columbus can either be independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Either one can sell and service auto insurance coverage, but it’s important to point out how they differ since it can affect your selection of an agent.
Independent Auto Insurance Agencies or Brokers
Agents in the independent channel do not write with just one company and that gives them the ability to insure with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If premiums increase, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies. When searching for an agent, we recommend you compare prices from multiple independent agents to get the best comparison. A lot of them also have access to less well-known companies which may have better rates.
Featured below is a small list of independent insurance agents in Columbus who may be able to give you cheap rate quotes.
- Geswein Insurance Agency LLC
5214 Bethel Center Mall – Columbus, OH 43220 – (614) 538-2944 – View Map - Nationwide Insurance: Sylvia A Garrett Insurance Agency Llc
1 W Nationwide Blvd – Columbus, OH 43215 – (614) 249-2141 – View Map - Nationwide Insurance: Robert Darnell Jackson Agency
2690 E Main St – Columbus, OH 43209 – (614) 235-5413 – View Map
Exclusive Auto Insurance Agencies
Agents that elect to be exclusive normally can only provide a single company’s rates such as State Farm, Allstate, and Farm Bureau. They are unable to shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. Exclusive agents are trained well in insurance sales which can be an advantage. Some insured continue to purchase coverage from exclusives partially due to loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.
Below are exclusive agents in Columbus that can give you price quote information.
- Ted Briggs – State Farm Insurance Agent
2545 Petzinger Rd L – Columbus, OH 43209 – (614) 235-6667 – View Map - Russell A Popp – State Farm Insurance Agent
2844 Johnstown Rd – Columbus, OH 43219 – (614) 471-5557 – View Map - Vic Jimenez – State Farm Insurance Agent
35 N Wilson Rd – Columbus, OH 43204 – (614) 272-5456 – View Map
Choosing the best auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the price. The following questions are important to ask.
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Columbus?
- Will you get a loaner vehicle if you car is being repaired?
- Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
- Does their agency support local causes in Columbus?
- Are there any extra charges for paying monthly?
- If you raise deductibles, how much can you save?
Once you have received positive feedback to these questions as well as an affordable premium quote, it’s a good possibility that you have found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to provide auto insurance coverage. But remember, you can always cancel coverage at any time so don’t assume that you’re stuck with any specific company for the full term.
Compare. Compare. Compare.
As you quote Columbus car insurance, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. In many instances, someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage for the lowest price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Some insurance providers may not have rate quotes online and usually these small, regional companies only sell through independent agents. Cheaper Mazda MX-5 Miata insurance in Columbus is possible from both online companies in addition to many Columbus insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection.
People who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, high rates after DUI convictions, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or even delays in paying claims. Regardless of your reason, finding a great new company is less work than it seems.
Much more information about car insurance in Ohio is located at the links below
- Protecting Teens from Drunk Driving (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Chevrolet Silverado in Columbus? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance for Electric Cars in Columbus? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Columbus Auto Insurance Rates for Immigrants? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for Active Military in Columbus? (FAQ)
- Five Tips to Save on Auto Insurance (Insurance Information Institute)
- Safety Belts FAQ (iihs.org)
- What is a Telematics Device? (Allstate)