Broadview Heights, OH Car Insurance

Drivers in Broadview Heights need car insurance. A good auto policy can shield you from unmanageable financial losses, whether you cause a multi-car collision on I-77, get rear-ended at a red light on Royalton Road, have a fender bender in a parking lot, or anything in between.

Independent agents can work with multiple insurance providers to help you find a good policy at a competitive price. Talk to an independent insurance agent in Broadview Heights to learn more about car insurance and to start comparing customized quotes from some of the area’s best insurance providers.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Broadview Heights, OH?

The good news for Broadview Heights drivers looking for an affordable policy is that the average cost of car insurance in the Buckeye State is much lower than the national average.

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

Of course, an average rate can only give you a ballpark idea of what you might actually be expected to pay. Auto insurance companies calculate costs on a case-by-case basis according to several factors, such as:

• Your vehicle’s year, make, model, and condition
• Your age, gender, occupation, driving record, and credit score
• Details about any other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount and types of coverage you want to purchase
• The auto theft and collision rates in the vicinity of your home
• The size of your deductible

Every insurance company has a proprietary way of assessing risk and calculating rates. Therefore, you are likely to be quoted a different price by every insurer you contact for rates.

Comparing a few car insurance quotes enables you to choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the most competitive price. Independent agents make comparison shopping easy.

Is Car Insurance Required in Broadview Heights, Ohio?

If you own a vehicle in Broadview Heights, state law requires you to cover it with a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds Ohio’s minimum coverage requirements.

In Ohio, all car insurance policies must include:

• Auto liability coverage: This can cover your financial obligations if you are responsible for a collision that causes other people to suffer injuries or property damage. Your policy must include, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident

If you are at fault for an accident and your policy’s limits are too low to cover your liabilities, you will need to make up the difference out of pocket. That is why many drivers in Broadview Heights opt to buy more liability coverage than the state requires. Some also supplement their coverage with umbrella insurance.

In addition to the liability coverage that is mandated by law, if you are leasing or financing your car, your dealership or lender may require your car insurance policy to include:

• Physical damage coverage: This covers damage to your own vehicle. It has two parts:
  • Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.

If you own your vehicle outright, physical damage coverage is optional.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in  Broadview Heights, OH?

In addition to the liability and physical damage coverage mentioned above, most car insurance companies offer a variety of coverage options. These may include:

• Uninsured motorist insurance: This can cover property damage and injuries sustained by you and your passengers if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.
• Medical payments insurance: This can help pay for costs related to any necessary medical treatment you or your passengers may need if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. It is typically used to cover things your health insurance does not, like copays and deductibles.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event, but you owe more than it is worth.
• Towing and roadside assistance insurance: This can cover the cost of assistance if your vehicle breaks down or is otherwise inoperable and you need to call for professional help or a tow truck.
• Glass and windshield insurance: This can cover replacement costs, including labor, if the safety glass in your vehicle’s windshield, sunroof, or windows is cracked, shattered, or otherwise damaged.
• Rental car reimbursement coverage: This can cover the cost of renting a vehicle while having your own repaired for damage sustained in a covered event.

Take the time to review all available coverage options and their costs so you can best determine which choices are a good fit for you and your family.

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What is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Broadview Heights, OH?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Ohio. If caught, you can face some tough penalties, including:

• Driver’s license suspension
  • If your first offense, until you obtain insurance coverage
  • If your second offense, for one year
  • If your third or subsequent offense, for two years
• Confiscation of your vehicle’s registration and plates
  • If your first offense, for 30 days
  • If your second offense, for 60 days
  • If your third or subsequent offense, for two years
• A restoration fee to reinstate your registration and plates
  • If your first offense, the fee is $160
  • If your second offense, the fee is $360
  • If your third or subsequent offense, the fee is $660
• Additional fines as imposed by a court of law

If you have had at least three uninsured driving violations and you violate the terms imposed by your penalties, your vehicle may be impounded and sold, and you will not be permitted to register another vehicle for five years.

In addition to the penalties listed above, a conviction for uninsured driving on your record puts you in a high-risk driver category, which means you are likely to be assessed higher car insurance rates. Despite all this, many people in this state are driving around in 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, the at-fault driver is responsible for covering your property damage and the treatment of any injuries you or your passengers may have sustained in the accident.

However, collecting these funds can be difficult, especially if the at-fault driver has no money or assets to go after. Uninsured motorist insurance is designed to protect you against this risk.

If you have included this optional coverage in your auto policy, your insurance company can immediately provide you with the compensation you are due. Your insurer will then attempt to sue the at-fault driver to get the funds back.

Can Drivers in Broadview Heights, OH Get Car Insurance Discounts?

One of the easiest ways to earn significant discounts on your car insurance is by bundling. This means purchasing your car insurance policy from the same insurance company as some of your other coverage, like your home insurance or renters insurance.

Many insurance providers also offer other money-saving incentives. Some car insurance discounts you may encounter when shopping around for the best coverage include:

• Multi-vehicle discounts
• Safe driver discounts
• Military discounts
• Good student discounts
• Teacher discounts
• Policy renewal discounts
• Discounts for having a car with safety features and/or anti-theft devices

A good insurance agent will ensure that you receive any offered discounts for which you qualify.

How High Is the Auto Theft Rate in Broadview Heights, OH?

The auto theft rate in Ohio is lower than the national average, and in Broadview Heights, the risk is even lower. Residents of this city report an average of just two auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Ohio auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.70
• Broadview Heights auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 0.05

Although your risk of auto theft is low, you should be aware that you can only be reimbursed for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage.

If you are financing or leasing your vehicle, chances are good you have this coverage already. If not, you may want to look into how much it would cost to add this versatile “other-than-collision” coverage to your car insurance policy.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Broadview Heights, Ohio?

The best car insurance companies in Ohio are the ones that have a solid reputation for consistently providing their policyholders with reliable coverage, rapid claims processing, responsive customer service, and reasonable rates.

Independent insurance agents in Broadview Heights understand the importance of having a good insurance company backing you up, and they have built partnerships with many of the area’s most highly rated insurance companies.

Therefore, you can rest assured that any policies your agent recommends are from insurance companies you can trust.

How Can an Independent Agent in Broadview Heights, OH Help Me Find the Best Car Insurance?

Local independent agents are available to answer your coverage-related questions, explain your various options, and help you review prices from a few competing providers. That way, you can purchase the policy that offers the protection you want at the most affordable price.

It won’t cost you anything to consult one of these experienced insurance professionals for guidance and advice. Contact an independent insurance agent with an office near you to learn more.