Auto insurance is one of those things most of us don’t think much about until we really need it, and by then, it can be too late to fix a coverage gap or realize you’ve been overpaying for years. We’ve spent 90 years helping drivers in Brunswick, Medina, Strongsville, Hinckley, and the surrounding areas sort through the noise, and some of the same myths keep coming up. Here are five we hear all the time, and the truth behind each one.
Myth #1: Red Cars Cost More to Insure
This one has been floating around for decades, and we still get asked about it. The color of your vehicle has zero effect on your insurance premium. Carriers look at things like the make, model, age, and safety record of your car, along with your driving history and where you live. A red sedan and a silver sedan of the same model are rated exactly the same way. So go ahead and get the color you actually want.
Myth #2: Your Credit Score Has Nothing to Do with Your Rate
In Ohio, most insurance carriers are permitted to use a credit-based insurance score as one of many factors in setting your premium. It’s not the only factor, and it doesn’t work quite like a loan application, but it does matter. Drivers who’ve worked to improve their credit over time sometimes find their premiums come down at renewal. If you haven’t shopped your rate recently, that’s worth a conversation.
Myth #3: Minimum State Coverage Is Enough
Ohio requires drivers to carry a minimum level of liability coverage, and plenty of people assume that checking that box means they’re covered. The reality is that minimum limits can run out fast after a serious accident, leaving you personally responsible for costs above your policy limits. Medical bills, property damage, lost wages for another driver, these can add up well beyond what a minimum policy pays. We see this catch people off guard more than almost anything else.
For drivers in Medina, OH and the communities around it, where commutes on busy roads are a daily reality, carrying limits that actually reflect your financial situation is just good sense. It doesn’t always cost as much as people expect to step up from minimum coverage.
Myth #4: Filing a Claim Always Raises Your Rates
This one keeps a lot of people from filing claims they’re fully entitled to. Yes, certain types of claims can affect your premium at renewal, but it depends heavily on your claims history, the carrier, and what kind of claim it was. Not-at-fault accidents are often treated differently than at-fault ones. And many policies include accident forgiveness provisions that protect your rate after a first incident. The answer to “should I file?” depends on the specifics, which is exactly the kind of question we’re here to help you think through before you decide.
Myth #5: All Auto Insurance Policies Are Basically the Same
This might be the most expensive myth of all. Policies vary considerably from carrier to carrier, and even within the same carrier, the details in your specific policy matter a great deal. Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, uninsured motorist protection, gap coverage if you’re financing a newer vehicle, these are all options that can make a real difference when something goes wrong. Shopping only on price without comparing what’s actually included is a bit like choosing a contractor based only on the lowest bid.
Because we’re an independent agency, we work with multiple reputable carriers rather than being tied to just one. That means we can genuinely compare options for you across companies and help you find coverage that fits both your needs and your budget. Families in Valley City, Fairlawn, and across Medina County have trusted us with that process for generations, some of them for their entire adult lives.
The Bottom Line
Good auto insurance isn’t about paying the least possible. It’s about making sure you’re covered the way you think you are, without any surprises when it counts. If any of these myths made you wonder about your own policy, or if you just haven’t had someone sit down and walk through your coverage with you in a while, please give us a call or drop us an email. We’re always glad to help.
