It’s an obvious conclusion that car insurance companies don’t want customers comparing rates. People who shop for lower prices are very likely to move their business because they stand a good chance of getting low-cost coverage. A recent car insurance study discovered that people who made a habit of comparing rates saved an average of $3,500 over four years compared to people who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding the lowest price for car insurance in Columbus is your goal, then having a grasp of how to quote prices and compare insurance coverage can make the process less intimidating.
Truthfully, the best way to get low-cost car insurance rates in Columbus is to compare prices once a year from insurance carriers who provide car insurance in Ohio.
- Try to learn about how insurance works and the steps you can take to keep rates in check. Many rating criteria that result in higher prices like inattentive driving and a less-than-favorable credit rating can be eliminated by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
- Quote rates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can give quotes from a single company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agents can provide prices for a wide range of companies.
- Compare the quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a lower rate and change companies, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
One key aspect when comparing rates is to use identical coverage information on every price quote and and to get prices from as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this enables a fair price comparison and the best price quote selection.
Nissan Maxima insurance coverage information
The rate table displayed below outlines detailed analysis of rate quotes for Nissan Maxima models. Having a better understanding of how policy premiums are established can help drivers make informed decisions.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maxima 3.5 S | $180 | $280 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $768 | $64 |
Maxima 3.5 SV | $180 | $324 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $812 | $68 |
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Premium data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, and multi-policy. Table data does not factor in specific zip code location which can change coverage prices noticeably.
Higher deductibles save money
The hardest decision when buying coverage is how high or low should comp and collision deductibles be. The following insurance rates show the rate difference when you buy lower versus higher insurance deductibles. The first data table uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second price grid uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maxima 3.5 S | $220 | $348 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $901 | $75 |
Maxima 3.5 SV | $220 | $400 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $953 | $79 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maxima 3.5 S | $180 | $280 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $768 | $64 |
Maxima 3.5 SV | $180 | $324 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $812 | $68 |
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Prices above based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and homeowner. Information does not factor in specific Columbus garaging location which can impact rates greatly.
Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $11 more each month or $132 annually across all Nissan Maxima models than quoting the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $250 more to settle a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go at least 23 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you decide on a higher deductible.
Nissan Maxima full coverage rates compared to liability only
The illustration below shows the difference between Nissan Maxima insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The data assumes no claims or violations, $1,000 deductibles, marital status is single, and no policy discounts are applied.
When to stop buying physical damage coverage
There is no clear-cut rule to stop buying physical damage coverage, but there is a general school of thought. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it might be time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your Nissan Maxima replacement value is $9,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, you would only receive $8,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If premium cost is more than $800 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.
There are a few cases where eliminating full coverage is not advised. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.
Components of Your Nissan Maxima Insurance Prices
Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that come into play when calculating your insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this enables informed choices that can help you get cheaper rates. Many different elements are considered when pricing auto insurance. A few of the factors are predictable like an MVR report, but other criteria are less obvious like where you live or how financially stable you are.
High credit score translates to low premiums – Having a bad credit score is a large factor in determining what you pay. So if your credit score can use some improvement, you could pay less to insure your Nissan Maxima by taking the time to improve your credit score. Drivers with very high credit ratings tend to be more responsible than those with lower ratings.
Safer vehicles lower premiums – Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. Highly rated vehicles have better occupant injury protection and better occupant protection means your insurance company pays less which can result in lower premiums.
Accidents are costly – How you drive impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Careful drivers get better rates than bad drivers. Having just one moving violation could increase your next policy renewal twenty percent or more. Drivers who have received careless violations like DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to legally drive a vehicle.
The illustration below highlights how speeding tickets and fender-benders influence Nissan Maxima car insurance rates for each different age category. Data assumes a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
Cheaper rates by combining – Lots of insurance companies give lower prices to buyers who consolidate policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you already get this discount, it’s still a good idea to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.There is a chance you can find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
An active claims history can cost you more – Auto insurance companies in Ohio generally give discounts to policyholders who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect higher premiums or even policy non-renewal. Auto insurance is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Employer stress can affect prices – Do you have a high-stress occupation? Jobs such as judges, social workers, and medical professionals tend to have the highest average rates because of intense work requirements and incredibly demanding work hours. On the other hand, occupations such as farmers, students and the unemployed generally pay rates lower than average.
Don’t skimp on liability coverage – Liability insurance will protect you when a jury decides you are liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. This coverage provides you with a defense in court starting from day one. Liability insurance is pretty cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
The most affordable rates come from being thorough
Budget-friendly car insurance in Columbus is attainable on the web and with local Columbus insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some car insurance companies may not offer rates over the internet and usually these smaller companies only sell coverage through independent agents.
As you restructure your insurance plan, never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your focus should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Additional information
- Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Good Students in Columbus? (FAQ)
- How Much is Columbus Auto Insurance for a Hyundai Elantra? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Columbus Car Insurance for a Toyota Tundra? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for a Company Car in Columbus? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for a Chevrolet Equinox in Columbus? (FAQ)
- How Much is Columbus Auto Insurance for Infrequent Drivers? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for Low Income Drivers in Columbus? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Low Credit Scores in Columbus? (FAQ)
- How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)
- How to Avoid Common Accidents (State Farm)
- When is the Right Time to Switch Car Insurance Companies? (Allstate)