Since 2008 Ohio auto insurance companies have slowly been raising their premiums, about an eight percent increase to be exact. And it doesn't stop there; Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) estimates an additional 3.7 percent rise between 2010 and 2011.

Out of the top 10 car insurance companies in 2010 six raised premium costs, three lowered, and one kept the same rate from the previous year, (Ohio Auto Premiums Expected to Rise 8 percent from 2008 to 2011, Ben Zitney, Online Auto Insurance News,

http://news.onlineautoinsurance.com/rates/ohio-car-insurance-report-94869). Of the six that increased premiums, the largest came from Grange Mutual at 5 percent.

What causes these increases? Regulators state that "auto rates fluctuate due to changes in repair costs, medical costs, the number of cars on the road and the occurrence of weather-related claims,"(Ohio Auto Premiums Expected to Rise 8 percent from 2008 to 2011, Ben Zitney). Providers expected more weather related claims due to the massive thunderstorms in May, and rightfully so as OII states that more than 27,000 claims were filed because of the storms, with damages accumulating to more than $80 million.

However; even with the eight percent increase that will be seen from 2008 to 2011, state officials say that Ohio residents still are paying some of the lowest premium costs in the U.S. ranking 11th with the lowest average policy in 2008. The top two cities with the lowest car insurance are in Ohio, Wapakonet and Fairfield, (Ohio Auto Premiums Expect to Rise 8 percent 2008 to 2011, Ben Zitney).

So even though rates have increased, seems the only thing to do is see the silver-lining if you are an Ohioan because when it comes to insurance costs; the grass is still a bit greener on your side.