Top 8 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance in Akron, OH

Finding lower rates for Akron auto insurance is always nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. People have so many options available that it can be more work than you anticipated to find lower rates in Akron.

Cheap Akron Auto Insurance Comparisons

There are several ways to shop for auto insurance, but there is one way that is more efficient than others. You could spend the better part of a day talking to local insurance agents in Akron, or you could use online quotes to get pricing more quickly.

Many popular insurance companies participate in a marketplace where prospective buyers submit one quote, and each company then gives them pricing based on the submitted data. This eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company. To find out how much you can save on auto insurance click here (opens in new window).

The only drawback to comparing rates this way is that consumers can’t choose the insurers you want to price. If you would rather choose specific insurance companies to compare, we put together a list of companies who write auto insurance in Ohio. Click here to view list.

It’s up to you which method you use, but ensure you’re using exactly the same quote information on every quote you get. If the quotes have different values for each quote it will be very difficult to decipher which rate is best in Akron. Quoting even small variations in limits can result in a big premium difference. Just keep in mind that getting more free quotes provides better odds of finding better pricing.

Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss

Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down some of the best known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

• Auto/Life Discount – Select insurance companies reward you with a break if you buy auto and life insurance together.
• Distant Student – Children who live away from home and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
• Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a driver safety course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
• Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than less cautious drivers.
• 55 and Retired – Mature drivers may receive better auto insurance rates.
• Homeowners Savings – Owning a house in Akron may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save up to 15% off your medical payments premium.
• Service Members Pay Less – Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn’t quite work that way.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Ohio, click here to view.

Insurance agents can help

When buying the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Each situation is unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether or not you could use an agent’s help.

• Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
• Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
• What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
• What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
• Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
• Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
• What is the minimum liability in Ohio?
• Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

Specifics of your auto insurance policy

Learning about specific coverages of auto insurance can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.

Insurance for medical payments – Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills for X-ray expenses, nursing services, chiropractic care and ambulance fees. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Liability auto insurance – This coverage will cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for 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. You might see values of 100/300/100 that translate to a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability can pay for things such as medical services, attorney fees, legal defense fees and medical expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but buy higher limits if possible. Ohio state minimum liability requirements are 12,500/25,000/7,500 but drivers should carry more coverage.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, theft, damage from flooding and vandalism. The most your auto insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Collision – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers things such as damaging your car on a curb, driving through your garage door and sideswiping another vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – This provides protection when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your vehicle.

Since many Ohio drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (12,500/25/7,500 in Ohio), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Learn more today

More detailed Ohio auto insurance information can be read at the Ohio Department of Insurance website. Ohio drivers can download brochures, learn about insurance regulations, and view a list of available companies.