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Policyholders who are on the road less these days should contact their insurer, because most companies base rates partly on how much you drive, according to the Consumer Federation of America.
"People will change their driving habits, and if they think about it, they'll call their insurance provider and potentially get a savings," said J. Robert Hunter, the federation's insurance director.
Industry officials and experts encouraged people who are driving less, whatever the reason, to notify their insurance providers. But they also said it's difficult to predict insurance savings based on new driving habits. And there is some question as to whether many drivers are actually putting fewer miles on their cars. Hunter said higher gasoline prices are affecting lower-income drivers the most.
During the 1979-80 oil crisis, Americans found other ways of getting around — including carpooling and public transportation — and stuck with them, said LeRoy A. Boison Jr., an insurance expert and actuary. It's unclear how much of that is happening now, he said.
"Anecdotally, you hear people talking about (cutting down on driving). I think people have indeed changed," he said. "Unfortunately, there's not a lot of information. The price of gas went down, but now it's going back up."
People have found ways to cope with $2.50 a gallon prices, said Robert Hartwig, senior vice president and chief economist for the Insurance Information Institute.
"One thing that Americans have proven is that they're reluctant to get out of their vehicles," he said. "The use of public transporation is not an option for most Americans."
That's the case for Brenda Heimann, of Orient. It costs her about $60 to gas up her 1996 Ford Bronco. She has no choice but to make the 25-minute drive to and from work at a Downtown law firm each day.
Heimann cut back in other ways. She makes fewer trips to the store, and she and her husband are less likely to drive to their property in Athens, she said.
When she learned of the consumer federation's advice, she said she'd call to see whether her new driving habits could save her money. Those habits emerged in the second half of last year, when gas reached $3 a gallon, she said.
Hartwig and others said if prices get that high again — and stay there — more Americans could cut back on driving or look into fuel-efficient vehicles.
After prices hit that point late last summer, about 6 percent more commuters used the Central Ohio Transit Authority during the final quarter of 2005 compared with the same period a year ago, according to the authority. More people used COTA in the first week of January than in the same week last year, although the increase was less than 1 percent.
State Farm, which insures more Ohio drivers than any other company, has not seen a significant increase in customers who are driving less, spokesman Brian Maze said.
Mileage is one of more than 10 factors the company uses to set rates. If customers are driving less, "It may take some time for it to really show up," he said.
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Policyholders who are on the road less these days should contact their insurer, because most companies base rates partly on how much you drive, according to the Consumer Federation of America.
"People will change their driving habits, and if they think about it, they'll call their insurance provider and potentially get a savings," said J. Robert Hunter, the federation's insurance director.
Industry officials and experts encouraged people who are driving less, whatever the reason, to notify their insurance providers. But they also said it's difficult to predict insurance savings based on new driving habits. And there is some question as to whether many drivers are actually putting fewer miles on their cars. Hunter said higher gasoline prices are affecting lower-income drivers the most.
During the 1979-80 oil crisis, Americans found other ways of getting around — including carpooling and public transportation — and stuck with them, said LeRoy A. Boison Jr., an insurance expert and actuary. It's unclear how much of that is happening now, he said.
"Anecdotally, you hear people talking about (cutting down on driving). I think people have indeed changed," he said. "Unfortunately, there's not a lot of information. The price of gas went down, but now it's going back up."
People have found ways to cope with $2.50 a gallon prices, said Robert Hartwig, senior vice president and chief economist for the Insurance Information Institute.
"One thing that Americans have proven is that they're reluctant to get out of their vehicles," he said. "The use of public transporation is not an option for most Americans."
That's the case for Brenda Heimann, of Orient. It costs her about $60 to gas up her 1996 Ford Bronco. She has no choice but to make the 25-minute drive to and from work at a Downtown law firm each day.
Heimann cut back in other ways. She makes fewer trips to the store, and she and her husband are less likely to drive to their property in Athens, she said.
When she learned of the consumer federation's advice, she said she'd call to see whether her new driving habits could save her money. Those habits emerged in the second half of last year, when gas reached $3 a gallon, she said.
Hartwig and others said if prices get that high again — and stay there — more Americans could cut back on driving or look into fuel-efficient vehicles.
After prices hit that point late last summer, about 6 percent more commuters used the Central Ohio Transit Authority during the final quarter of 2005 compared with the same period a year ago, according to the authority. More people used COTA in the first week of January than in the same week last year, although the increase was less than 1 percent.
State Farm, which insures more Ohio drivers than any other company, has not seen a significant increase in customers who are driving less, spokesman Brian Maze said.
Mileage is one of more than 10 factors the company uses to set rates. If customers are driving less, "It may take some time for it to really show up," he said.
Introducing Dispatch Extra — seven great new benefits for subscribers. Did you know? If you subscribe to The Columbus Dispatch, Dispatch Extra is yours for free. For full details, click here .
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