Are you looking for cheap auto insurance in Columbus? Auto Insurance Center is here to provide you with the best cheap auto insurance rates and help you learn more about your city. As the largest city in Ohio, Columbus is known as an academic center of the Midwest due to its high numbers of universities, libraries and museums.

First under French control, the Columbus area was a main hub of the fur trade and suffered massacres and battles during the French and Indian War.

Columbus was incorporated as a city in 1816 and named after Christopher Columbus. Columbus was designed and developed to be Ohio’s state capital because of its location and access to transportation routes.

Columbus grew in population during the 1800s thanks to its connection to the Ohio and Erie Canals. From there, Columbus grew into an education hub, with the development of The Ohio State University and Capital University. The city was also home to various major manufacturing businesses.

Today, major businesses within Columbus include Nationwide Insurance, Chase Bank and The Limited.

Columbus attractions include: German Village, Short North Arts District, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Scioto Mile.

Columbus is home to the Blue Jackets (NHL) and Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes excel in men’s football, basketball and hockey, and compete in Big Ten Conference. Columbus also hosts the Arnold Classic, a fitness expo and competition in early March.

Columbus Driving Conditions

The Columbus climate is classified as humid continental. The annual high temperature is 62.5 degrees and the annual low temperature is 43.3 degrees. The summers are hot with humidity, while winters are cold and dry. Like other midwest cities, Columbus is prone to severe weather.

The most congested traffic in Ohio is in Columbus city limits. Columbus drivers also face the longest commute times in Ohio.

Crime Statistics

According to the 2015 Crime in the United States report, Ohio had 300,525 accounts of property crime and 17,229 accounts of vehicle theft. Within cities and metropolitan areas in Ohio, vehicle theft was reported 16,178 times.

Ohio Driver’s Licence

As a legal resident of Ohio, you’ll need to obtain an Ohio driver’s licence. You will need to bring your current out-of-state driver’s licence, proof of your full legal name, proof of your Social Security number, proof of Ohio residency and proof of citizenship or legal presence to the DMV.

In addition, you will have to take a vision screening and pass the knowledge test.

Seat Belt Laws

Every driver and front seat passenger must wear a seatbelt in Ohio. Violators may have to pay a fine, ranging from $20 to $30.

Children under 8 years old must ride in a booster seat or other appropriate child safety seat, unless they are 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Fines range from $25 to $75.

Cell Phone & Texting Laws

Though cell phone use is not banned in Ohio for adults, drivers under 18 years old are not allowed to use a cell phone while driving, unless for emergency purposes.

In 2013, Ohio passed a law banning texting while driving. This same law also prohibits drivers under the age of 18 to use cell phones or other mobile devices. Those under the age of 18 caught texting or using a cell phone while driving will face a $150 fine and 6 month license suspension. Adults caught texting and driving could face a fine of up to $150.

Odd Law

In Ohio, it is illegal for more than five women to live in a house together.

You would be surprised how much insurance rates can vary zip code to zip code even if the zip codes are within the same metropolitan area. This can be for various reasons including higher or lower crime rates in a specific zip code area, accident statistics in that zip code, traffic density in different parts of the city, and even different weather conditions depending on what part of the metro area you are in. This can become even more interesting if you live on the border of a different zip code yet your are paying more for insurance than you would if you lived right across the street. While some people will use this to their advantage and give their insurance company a different address than their actual address to save some money it is not advisable as this may be seen as a form of fraud. 

To find out what your auto insurance rates will be for you zip code either fill out the quick quote form above or call one or more of the local agents below. It is best to call more than one to get them to compete for your business so that you can get the cheapest rates possible. Many people would rather avoid this effort because its more work but its one of the best ways to get cheap auto insurance quotes.