Ohio's car insurance rates decrease for third straight year

COLUMBUS (AP) — Auto insurance rates have gone down for a third straight year in Ohio, and officials say the state’s premiums are the 11th lowest in the country.

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson says the findings in a new national study show Ohio continues to have a healthy and competitive market for car insurance.

The report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is based on rates from 2007, the most recent data available. Ohio moves up two places from 2006, when it had the nation’s 13th lowest car insurance prices.

Hudson’s department says Ohio motorists paid an average $628 to insure their vehicles in 2007, well below the national average of $795.

Department analysts expect rates to rise slightly next year.