Accidents affect your insurance rates in different ways. One accident on your driving record would affect your premium less than two accidents. Drunk driving offences tend to affect your insurance rates the most. Major accidents, that caused property damage or medical injuries could double the amount you pay to insure your car.

If you get into an accident in Sandusky, your average premium will increase from $857 to $1055. After two accidents, your average premium would increase to $1575. Dayton is the second least expensive city to buy auto insurance in Ohio. In Dayton, your insurance rate would increase from $916 to $1128 after one accident. After two accidents, you will face an increase up to $1683 on your insurance premiums.

Car insurance companies also increase your premiums according to the Insurance Services Office’s (ISO) surcharge policy. The following table shows the increase in insurance rates according to this policy in the different cities of Ohio.

You could convince your insurance company to lower your insurance rates by taking a defensive driving course. A defensive driving course completion certificate brings your insurance rates down by around 15%. Moreover, it helps make you a better driver and could help prevent accidents.

The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. The production for this car model started in the year 1996. Ford Expedition was launched as a replacement for Ford Bronco.

In this analysis, we will compare the median prices and insurance average of this car model across various states of the United States. Please note that the used cars belong to the year range of 2005–2012.

Let us compare the three states with the lowest insurance average.

Comparing the three states with the lowest insurance average, Maine would be the most cost-effective option for customers interested in buying the Ford Expedition.

If we look at the figures for New Hampshire, we see that despite having a low insurance average, the median price is on the higher side. Purchasing this car model from New Hampshire should be avoided.

In Vermont, the median price is on the lower side ($ 1043) but it has the highest median price ($ 42995) among all the states which makes it an unsuitable option for the customers.

Now let us look at the three states which have the lowest median prices.

Comparing the above figures with the lowest insurance average table we can conclude that there is not a major difference in the insurance averages of Ohio, Iowa and New Hampshire. So solely on the median price, the customer will benefit by buying this used car model from Ohio.

When Ohio and Maine figures are compared one can see that there is a difference in their insurance averages of $ 217. If one buys this car from Ohio instead of Maine, one can save $ 4556!

Back in 1989, the auto insurance expenditure average stood at $447.73 ranking it the 27 most expensive state in the country. By 2010 Ohio had improved to 43^rd most expensive. Put another way, it was the 8^th cheapest by 2010 with the average having gone up to $619.46. The 2010 average is over a $170 cheaper than the national average. Furthermore, with a Herfindahl-Hirschman rating 798 (where a score lower than 1000 is considered competitive) Ohio is a competitive marketplace which benefits consumers.

The study further found that states that had implemented stringent insurance regulations achieved the most success in keeping rates lower. If Ohio was to do the same, it would result in further savings for consumers and maintain Ohio’s reputation as being consumer friendly in terms of auto expenditure. One the most effective ways, the study found, to keep rates low is to implement a Prior Approval (PA) system. The PA system requires insurers to file rates and have them approved by the state before they can be used in the marketplace. In contrast, Ohio has a File and Use (F&U) system in place which requires insurers to file rates before they are used without any requirement for approval. Moreover, the study found that a PA did not adversely affect the profit margins of the insurers.

By putting in place a few keys pieces of regulation Ohio may be able to deliver more savings in the form of low auto insurance premiums if the study is anything to go by.

Maine, Iowa, Ohio and North Carolina have a well-deserved reputation for being the most affordable auto insurance states in the country. With an annual average insurance rate of $1,106, Ohio is the fifth least expensive auto insurance state. Auto insurance rates are lower than Ohio only in the states of Maine (average insurance rate at $827), Idaho ($969), Iowa ($1,028), and North Carolina ($1,085). Ohio’s rates are $390 below the national average insurance rates.

The average insurance rates, however, stand the chance of being inflated by charges of drunk driving on your driving record. In addition to the charges that will be brought by the state of Ohio (including heavy fines and jail time), you have to deal with an increase in your insurance rates. The average rate of $1,106 in Ohio goes up to $2,057 after an alcohol-related offense conviction. Most insurance companies will ensure that you pay a higher premium for at least three years since your first conviction.

Let us see how drunk driving convictions affect insurance rates in the different cities in Ohio.

There are some ways to bring down your premium after a DUI conviction. One of the best ways to do so is to take a defensive driving course. In Sandusky, a defensive driving course will reduce your premium to $1,355, in Dayton to $1,448 and in Canton to $1,513. In Youngstown, after a DUI conviction, you would have to shell out an average of $2,277 every year. You can bring this rate down to $1,935 by completing a defensive driving course. Not only does it help you lower your insurance costs, but it would also help make you a better driver in hazardous weather conditions.