Insurance Rates & Ways to Save
Learn what can affect insurance prices and which changes are worth reviewing without creating a coverage gap.
Updated October 30, 2026.
General education, not a coverage determination or a promise of savings. Terms, limits, deductibles, exclusions, eligibility and discounts vary by state, carrier and policy. Examples are illustrative. Your issued policy and endorsements control; an agent can help review them. Serving OH, PA, MI, TN, AZ and IN, subject to product availability.
Why did my rate change?
Your premium can reflect both your own situation and the insurer’s broader costs. Repairs, medical care, rebuilding and claims trends can change even when you have not filed a claim. Ask which changes affected your renewal; a general list cannot explain your exact bill.
Which factors can affect my price?
For auto insurance, carriers may consider driving experience, driver age, driving and claim history, vehicle, garaging location, use, mileage, limits and deductibles. Home insurance also considers characteristics of the property. Factors and their weight depend on the state, product and carrier.
Do fault and time since a claim matter?
They can. Ask which incidents appear on your record, how they are treated and when any surcharge or eligibility restriction is scheduled to change. There is no single look-back period for every insurer or type of claim.
Do years with Farmers or switching companies matter?
A carrier may offer renewal, loyalty or continuous-insurance benefits. These are not the same thing. Prior coverage, lapses and eligibility rules may also matter. Ask for a comparison using your actual history; neither staying nor switching guarantees a better price.
Can improving credit help?
Some insurers use a credit-based insurance score where state law allows. It differs from a lending score. Review reports for errors and ask about the carrier’s review process. A higher credit score does not promise a particular premium reduction.
Savings you can review
- Accurate information: update mileage, vehicle use, address and household drivers.
- Discount eligibility: ask about multiple policies or cars, good student, driver training, safety devices and payment options.
- Bundling: compare the total cost and coverage of all policies, including separate-carrier options.
- Deductibles: compare the premium difference with the amount you could afford after a loss.
- Driving programs: ask how telematics data is used and whether results could increase the premium.
- Comparable quotes: match limits, endorsements and deductibles, and avoid a lapse when changing companies.
Should I remove a younger adult driver?
Only after the insurer confirms the correct arrangement. Tell the carrier who lives in the household, regularly uses the car, owns each vehicle and has other insurance. A student away at school or an adult with a separate policy may still need to be disclosed. Driver exclusions, where permitted, can leave serious gaps. Do not omit a driver just to lower the price.
Questions for a renewal review
“What changed? Which discounts apply? What would I give up to lower the premium? When will an older claim stop affecting this policy?” No savings amount is guaranteed.
Review auto coverage · Understand deductibles
Read more
Ohio automobile insurance guide · NAIC auto insurance · NAIC credit-based insurance scores
Want help applying this to your policy?
Read at your own pace. No form or purchase is required. If you want help, ask a question or request a quote. An online request does not bind or change coverage.