We don’t have to point out that fact that insurance companies want to keep you from comparing rates. Consumers who compare other prices are highly likely to switch auto insurance companies because of the high probability of finding coverage at a cheaper rate. A recent study showed that people who compared price quotes annually saved about $865 a year compared to policyholders who don’t regularly compare prices.
If finding the best rates on insurance in Cincinnati is your ultimate objective, then understanding how to shop for auto insurance can save time and make the process easier.
The recommended way to get the cheapest auto insurance rates is to start comparing rates regularly from providers who sell auto insurance in Cincinnati. Price quotes can be compared by completing these steps.
Step 1: Spend some time learning about what coverages are included in your policy and the measures you can take to keep rates down. Many things that are responsible for high rates such as traffic violations and a substandard credit score can be rectified by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Read the full article for ideas to prevent rate hikes and get bigger discounts.
Step 2: Compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can only quote rates from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes for a wide range of insurance providers.
Step 3: Compare the new rates to your existing policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you can save money and switch companies, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
Step 4: Provide proper notification to your current company of your intention to cancel your existing policy and submit a completed policy application and payment for your new policy. Once received, place the new certificate verifying coverage in an accessible location in your vehicle.
The most important part of this process is to make sure you enter identical limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to get rate quotes from every company you can. This provides an apples-to-apples comparison and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
If you are insured now or are looking for a new policy, you can use these tips to reduce the price you pay without sacrificing coverage. Shopping for affordable policy in Cincinnati is not as time-consuming as you think. Drivers just need to understand the tricks to compare insurance rates from many different companies.
Insurance policy discounts you can’t miss
Companies don’t necessarily list all available discounts very clearly, so the below list has some of the best known and also the lesser-known credits available to lower your premiums when you buy Cincinnati auto insurance online.
- Multi-policy Discount – If you can bundle your auto and home insurance and insure them with the same company you will save up to 20% off your total Cavalier insurance premium.
- Club Memberships – Belonging to a civic or occupational organization in Cincinnati could trigger savings on your bill.
- Low Miles Discount – Maintaining low annual mileage can qualify you for discounted premium rates on garaged vehicles.
- Anti-theft Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs optioned with advanced anti-theft systems help deter theft and will qualify for a discount on a Cincinnati auto insurance quote.
- Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Buying coverage for primary and secondary vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
- Driver’s Ed – Have your child enroll and complete driver’s education in school or through a local driver safety program.
- Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you can actually save on your bill.
- Online Discount – A handful of insurance companies will provide an incentive get Cincinnati auto insurance over the internet.
- Distant Student Discount – Older children who attend college more than 100 miles from Cincinnati and won’t have access to an insured vehicle could qualify for this discount.
A little disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though you would think adding up those discounts means a free policy, you aren’t that lucky. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce your premiums.
Car insurance companies that may offer these money-saving discounts include:
- State Farm
- Liberty Mutual
- American Family
- Progressive
- Farmers Insurance
- Auto-Owners Insurance
- SAFECO
Check with all companies you are considering which discounts you may be entitled to. Some discounts listed above may not be available everywhere. To choose insurers that offer the discounts shown above in Cincinnati, click here to view.
Most major insurance companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive allow consumers to get insurance quotes directly from their websites. Comparing prices online for Chevy Cavalier insurance in Cincinnati is very simple as you simply enter your coverage information as requested by the quote form. Once entered, the quote system collects reports for credit and driving violations and quotes a price based on the information you submitted.
This streamlines rate comparisons, and it is important to do this in order to find cheaper prices.
To find out if lower rates are available, compare rate quotes from the providers shown below. To compare your current rates, we recommend you complete the form with the limits and deductibles exactly as they are listed on your policy. This ensures you will get a fair comparison for similar coverage.
The companies shown below have been selected to offer free rate quotes in Cincinnati, OH. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you click on several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
When do I need an agent’s advice?
When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Your financial needs are unique.
These are some specific questions could help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- What is the difference between personal and commercial auto insurance policies?
- How can I find cheaper teen driver insurance?
- Am I covered if I have no license?
- At what point should I drop full coverage?
- Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Ohio?
- Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
- Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need.
Neighborhood insurance agents
Some people would rather buy from a licensed agent. Agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of getting free rate quotes online is you can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this simple form, your coverage information gets sent to companies in Cincinnati who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to visit any agencies since rate quotes are delivered to you directly. In the event you want to compare rates from a specific company, you can always search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
Choosing an company needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- Do they have adequate Errors and Omissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
- Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
Best auto insurance agent in Cincinnati
When searching for a good Cincinnati insurance agent, there are a couple of different types of agencies from which to choose. Auto insurance agents in Cincinnati can be classified as either independent or exclusive. Both types of agents can insure your vehicles properly, but it is important to understand how they differ since it can impact your selection of an agent.
Exclusive Agencies
Agents of this type can usually just insure with one company and some examples include State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. These agents are not able to place coverage with different providers so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive insurance agents are very knowledgeable on sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Some insured continue to buy from the same agent for years partially due to the prominent brand name rather than having low rates.
Shown below are Cincinnati exclusive agents who may provide you with comparison quotes.
- American Family Insurance – Barbara Hall
4010 N Bend Rd Ste 300 – Cincinnati, OH 45211 – (513) 347-9492 – View Map - Dennis Howard – State Farm Insurance Agent
309 W Kemper Rd – Cincinnati, OH 45246 – (513) 771-1436 – View Map - Greg Meinberg – State Farm Insurance Agent
3322 Erie Ave #102 – Cincinnati, OH 45208 – (513) 533-1661 – View Map
Independent Auto Insurance Agencies
These agents are appointed with more than one company and that enables them to quote your coverage with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply switch companies in-house and you don’t have to switch agencies. When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to get some free quotes from multiple independent agents to have the best price comparison. Most independent agents also contract with less well-known companies that many times have cheaper rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent agencies in Cincinnati who can help you get price quote information.
- Zimmer Insurance Agency
2148 Gilbert Ave – Cincinnati, OH 45206 – (513) 381-1919 – View Map - Henry Insurance Agency LLC
2757 Observatory Ave #22 – Cincinnati, OH 45208 – (513) 871-7700 – View Map - Iori Insurance Agency
3310 Westbourne Dr – Cincinnati, OH 45248 – (513) 661-2445 – View Map
Why you need to buy auto insurance
Despite the fact that auto insurance is not cheap in Cincinnati, buying auto insurance serves a purpose in several ways.
- Most states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a specific minimum amount of liability insurance 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 you have a lien on your Chevy, it’s guaranteed your bank will require that you buy full coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you default on your policy, the bank may insure your Chevy at a much higher rate and require you to fork over for it.
- Auto insurance protects not only your Chevy but also your financial assets. Insurance will pay for all forms of medical expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. As part of your policy, liability insurance will also pay for a defense attorney if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, your policy will pay to have it repaired.
The benefits of insuring your car more than cancel out the cost, especially when you need to use it. But the average American driver is overpaying over $750 every year so shop around every year to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Insurance specifics
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Insurance terms can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.
Collision protection
This coverage covers damage to your Cavalier resulting from a collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for claims like hitting a mailbox, sustaining damage from a pot hole, rolling your car and backing into a parked car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also bump up the deductible on your Cavalier to save money on collision insurance.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many Ohio drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (which is 25/50/25), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.
Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like damage from getting keyed, rock chips in glass, theft and hail damage. The most your insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
Liability coverages
Liability insurance protects you from injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property. It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 which means a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.
Liability insurance covers things such as repair costs for stationary objects, loss of income, funeral expenses, medical services and medical expenses. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but buy as much as you can afford. Ohio requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/25 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.
The chart below demonstrates why buying low liability limits may not be high enough to cover claims.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for immediate expenses for funeral costs, nursing services, rehabilitation expenses and EMT expenses. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Find affordable rates by being thorough
Some insurance providers do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent insurance agents. More affordable auto insurance in Cincinnati can be found both online and with local Cincinnati insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection.
Consumers switch companies for a number of reasons such as policy cancellation, high rates after DUI convictions, not issuing a premium refund or even policy non-renewal. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.
We’ve covered a lot of techniques to reduce Chevy Cavalier insurance car insurance rates online in Cincinnati. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your premium rates. You may even discover the lowest car insurance rates are with a lesser-known regional company.
For more information, take a look at the following helpful articles:
- Auto Insurance Basics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has the Cheapest Cincinnati Auto Insurance for Unemployed Drivers? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Cincinnati Car Insurance Rates for a Dodge Ram? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for 19 Year Olds in Cincinnati? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for Seniors in Cincinnati? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford F-150 in Cincinnati? (FAQ)
- How Much is Cincinnati Car Insurance for Postal Workers? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for a Hyundai Sonata in Cincinnati? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for a Ford Escape in Cincinnati? (FAQ)
- Eight Auto Insurance Myths (Insurance Information Institute)
- Airbag FAQ (iihs.org)
- Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)