Car Insurance in Cincinnati, OH

Even the most experienced drivers can be involved in collisions. That is why vehicle owners in Cincinnati are required to carry car insurance. From fender-benders on Gilbert Avenue to multicar collisions on Interstate 75, a reliable auto insurance policy can shield you from large financial losses as a result.

Independent insurance agents can help you find the best and most affordable car insurance policy to meet your coverage needs. Find an independent insurance agent in Cincinnati to learn more, and you can soon be comparing customized quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in Ohio.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Cincinnati, OH?

The good news for drivers in Ohio is that the average cost of car insurance in the Buckeye State is much lower than the national average. This doesn’t mean you don’t still have room for significant savings.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Ohio average annual car insurance cost: $843

Averages can only give you a ballpark idea of what you might be expected to pay. Auto insurance costs are calculated on a case-by-case basis according to a variety of the following factors.

• The year, make, and model of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, gender, occupation, driving record, and credit score
• Information about other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The crime and collision rate in the vicinity of your home
• The amount of liability insurance you are purchasing
• The coverage options you are including in your policy

If you are bundling your car insurance with other policies like homeowners insurance or renters insurance, you may qualify for significant discounts on all your bundled policies.

You may also be entitled to other discounts, such as a safe-driver discount or a good-student discount. A good insurance agent will help you find all the discounts for which you are entitled so that you can buy the coverage you need at the lowest available price.

What Does Cincinnati, Ohio Car Insurance Cover?

Car insurance policies are a mixture of required and optional coverage. As a vehicle owner in Cincinnati, you are required by law to have a policy that meets or exceeds Ohio’s minimum coverage requirements.

In this state, you are only required to have liability coverage. Liability car insurance is designed to cover costs related to third-party injuries and property damage if you are responsible for a collision. Your policy must include the following coverage.

• Bodily-injury liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability coverage of at least $25,000 per accident

If you are financing or leasing your car, you may be required by your lender or dealership to also carry what is referred to as full coverage. Full coverage is designed to cover loss or damage to your own vehicle, which includes the following policies.

• Collision insurance: This can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive insurance: This can pay for non-collision related loss to your vehicle, such as damage from a flood or theft..

In addition to the coverage mentioned above, most car insurance companies also offer a variety of the following coverage options.

• Uninsured motorist insurance: This can cover the costs related to property damage and any necessary medical treatments you or your passengers may require if you are in a collision that was caused by an uninsured driver.
• Medical payments insurance: This can cover costs related to any necessary medical treatments you or your passengers may need if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event, but you owe more for it than it is worth. This is usually only needed during the first couple of years of new-vehicle ownership when the value of your car will depreciate the fastest.
• Rental car reimbursement coverage: This can cover the cost of renting a vehicle while repairs are being made to your own following a covered event.
• Roadside assistance and towing: This can cover the cost of necessary assistance if your vehicle becomes disabled while you are out on the road and you need to make a service call.

A basic policy that includes only the required minimum liability coverage will be your least expensive option, but it is not always the most economical choice.

If you cause a collision and your liability limits are too low, you will be expected to make up the difference out of pocket. Also, if you only carry liability insurance in your policy, you will not have any coverage for damage to your own vehicle if you cause an accident.

Make sure to review the cost and details of each of your coverage options so you can determine which are a good fit for you and your family.

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Why Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance So Important in Cincinnati, OH?

Driving without insurance in Ohio is illegal. If you are caught doing this, you can face some pretty harsh consequences with the following penalties.

• The suspension of your driver’s license for up to two years
• The suspension of your license plates and vehicle registration
• The requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of $100 to $600 to get your plates and registration back (fees are higher for repeat offenders)
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 form for 3 to 5 years
• Additional fees and penalties as imposed by a court of law
• Higher car insurance rates

Despite all this, more than one in ten drivers in this state are operating uninsured vehicles.     

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Ohio drivers who are uninsured: 12.4%

If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, that person will be responsible for covering your property damage and injury treatments. However, this money is often difficult to collect and may require you to go through lengthy legal channels just to see a fraction of what are you entitled to.

If you have included uninsured motorist insurance in your car insurance policy, you can rest assured that if this happens to you, your insurance company will immediately provide you with the compensation you are due and will take over the difficult task of collecting from the at-fault driver.

How High Is the Auto Theft Rate in Cincinnati, OH?

The car theft rate in Ohio is lower than the national average. However, in Cincinnati, the risk is higher. Residents of this city report around 1,300 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Ohio auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.70
• Cincinnati auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 4.45

The only way you can be reimbursed for a stolen car is if your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. If you are still paying for your car or you have it on a lease, chances are good you have this coverage already. If not, you may want to look into how much it would cost for you to add it.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Cincinnati, OH?

Independent agents can be a great source of information when you are looking for the right car insurance policy. It doesn’t cost anything to consult one of these agents for guidance and advice.

Let a local independent agent explain your many coverage options, answer your insurance-related questions, and help you review coverage and prices from a few competing providers. That way you can choose the policy that offers you the best value.

Contact an independent insurance agent with an office in Cincinnati to get started.