The words “low-cost” and “insurance” probably shouldn’t be used in the same sentence, in particular when you are searching for the cheapest coverage for infrequent drivers. To help control this cost, let’s familiarize you with some of the factors that have an impact on auto insurance premiums, and find out if you can lower the cost of your next policy.
For low mileage drivers, one of the largest factors that are used to help calculate the price you pay for insurance is where you live in Cleveland. More densely populated places will most likely have higher rates, whereas areas with fewer weather claims and lower vehicle theft rates benefit from lower rates.
The next table ranks the most expensive cities in Ohio for infrequent drivers to buy car insurance in. Cleveland is ranked at #3 with an annual cost of $1,222 for car insurance, which is around $102 monthly.
| Rank | City | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo | $1,267 |
| 2 | Youngstown | $1,235 |
| 3 | Cleveland | $1,222 |
| 4 | Columbus | $1,211 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $1,174 |
| 6 | Akron | $1,169 |
| 7 | Cleveland Heights | $1,166 |
| 8 | Hamilton | $1,146 |
| 9 | Euclid | $1,129 |
| 10 | Dayton | $1,120 |
| 11 | Canton | $1,091 |
| 12 | Lakewood | $1,073 |
| 13 | Springfield | $1,072 |
| 14 | Middletown | $1,066 |
| 15 | Newark | $1,063 |
| 16 | Fairfield | $1,063 |
| 17 | Cuyahoga Falls | $1,037 |
| 18 | Strongsville | $1,031 |
| 19 | Parma | $1,027 |
| 20 | Mansfield | $1,022 |
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Premium amounts are approximated as the vehicle garaging location can decrease or increase premium rates substantially.
Finding good, cost effective auto insurance is tough enough, and figuring out which company quotes the cheapest insurance rates for infrequent drivers involves even more rate comparisons.
Every insurance provider uses their own method for determining rates, so we need to take a look at the lowest cost insurance companies in Ohio. It’s a good idea to know that Cleveland, OH insurance rates are based on many factors that may substantially change the cost of coverage. Improving your credit score, increasing deductibles, or getting a driving violation can produce rate changes resulting in some rates now being more expensive than others.
Best Insurance Companies in Ohio
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utica National | $654 |
| 2 | Allied | $669 |
| 3 | Frankenmuth | $680 |
| 4 | Erie | $687 |
| 5 | Travelers | $712 |
| 6 | USAA | $741 |
| 7 | Merchants Insurance Group | $748 |
| 8 | Cincinnati Insurance | $756 |
| 9 | Grange Mutual | $812 |
| 10 | Motorists Mutual | $824 |
| 11 | General Casualty | $837 |
| 12 | Central Mutual | $848 |
| 13 | State Farm | $885 |
| 14 | Hastings Mutual | $893 |
| 15 | Western Reserve | $932 |
| 16 | Westfield | $936 |
| 17 | Atlantic States | $940 |
| 18 | Progressive | $982 |
| 19 | Auto-Owners | $998 |
| 20 | Farmers | $1,005 |
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Utica National normally has some of the lowest car insurance rates in Cleveland at around $654 per year. This is $386 less than the average premium paid by Ohio drivers of $1,040. Allied, Frankenmuth, Erie, and Travelers also are some of the lowest-priced Cleveland, OH insurance companies.
In the above example, if you currently buy coverage from Erie and switched to Allied, you could earn a yearly savings of roughly $18. Drivers with Travelers might save as much as $43 a year, and USAA customers might lower prices by $72 a year.
To see if you’re overpaying, click here to start a quote or visit any of the companies below.
Be aware that those premium estimates are averages for all drivers and vehicles in Ohio and do not factor in a specific vehicle garaging location for infrequent drivers. So the car insurance company that has the lowest price for you may not even be in the top 33 companies in the list above. That underscores the importance of why you need to compare prices as often as possible using your own personal information and vehicle type.
How accidents and tickets impact rates
The ideal way to snag good insurance prices in Ohio for low mileage drivers is to drive safe and avoid traffic citations and accidents. The chart below demonstrates how speeding tickets and at-fault collisions drive up insurance costs for each different age category. The prices are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
In the prior example, the average cost of a car insurance policy in Cleveland per year with no accidents and a clean driving record is $1,221. Receive one speeding ticket and the average cost rises to $1,386, an increase of $165 each year. Now include one accident along with the one speeding ticket and the annual cost of insurance for infrequent drivers jumps again to an average of $1,843. That’s an increase of $622, or $52 per month, just for being a little careless behind the wheel!
Cost comparison with and without full coverage
Reducing the cost of insurance is the goal of most people, and one of the best ways to find cheap insurance for infrequent drivers is to not buy comprehensive and collision coverage. The chart below visualizes the comparison of auto insurance rates with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in Ohio. The premium estimates are based on no claims or driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
Averaged for all age groups, physical damage coverage on your policy costs an extra $961 per year more than insuring for liability only. That brings up the question when is the right time to remove full coverage. There is no definitive formula that works best for making the decision to drop comp and collision coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some scenarios where only buying liability is not a good plan. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should keep full coverage.
How to get discounts on Cleveland auto insurance
Insurance providers that offer coverage for infrequent drivers may also give you special discounts that can reduce rates by 35% or more if you meet the requirements. Companies and some of the premium reductions they offer can be found below.
- 21st Century may have discounts that include homeowners, teen driver, good student, anti-lock brakes, defensive driver, and student driver.
- State Farm has discounts for multiple autos, safe vehicle, good driver, anti-theft, driver’s education, and passive restraint.
- AAA policyholders can earn discounts including pay-in-full, good driver, multi-policy, education and occupation, AAA membership discount, and anti-theft.
- Liberty Mutual offers discounts including preferred payment discount, hybrid vehicle, newly married, good student, exclusive group savings, new graduate, and multi-car.
- Progressive may include discounts for good student, online quote discount, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, online signing, and continuous coverage.
The diagram below shows the comparison of insurance rates with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The premiums are based on a male driver, no claims or violations, Ohio state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles.
The first bar for each age group shows the average annual price with no discounts. The lower bar shows the rates with defensive driving course, claim-free, homeowner, passive restraint, multiple vehicle, and marriage discounts applied. When discounts are applied, the average amount saved each year on insurance for infrequent drivers is 28% or $445.
The agencies below can most likely help you decide which auto insurance coverages would be the best in your situation, as many consumers aren’t sure which coverage to buy and prefer to get some guidance when shopping for cheaper insurance for infrequent drivers. It can be difficult to find the best coverage on your own, so insurance agents can give you peace of mind knowing your policy gives you adequate coverage if you have an accident or claim.
To find a Cleveland insurance agent close to you, click the button link following the list.
- Anita Tyler – State Farm Insurance Agent
2168 S Taylor Rd – Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 – (216) 371-5900 - Allstate Insurance: Michael Wrobel
17016 Lorain Ave – Cleveland, OH 44111 – (216) 812-5413 - Pilat Insurance Agency, Inc.
5925 Ridge Rd – Cleveland, OH 44129 – (440) 888-1150