Ohio touts low auto insurance rate increases

Ohio saw its lowest increases in homeowner and auto insurance rates in four years in 2004, the Ohio Insurance Department said Tuesday.



The 10-largest insurance companies active in Ohio last year raised premiums on homeowner policies less than 2 percent, the department said, after hiking rates 10.3 percent the year before.



Auto insurance rates rose about 0.2 percent in 2004, after gaining about 4 percent in 2003.



Some companies even lowered their insurance rates for 2004, the department said. The state expects moderate increases in insurance rates for 2005.