The average car insurance rate for full coverage in Ohio is $1,008 per year. Ohio is the cheapest state for car insurance in the country, but it's possible for drivers to find even cheaper rates.
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Start calculatorYour car insurance rates are going to be different from what your neighbor pays. Details like your age, credit score, and driving record all determine the rates you pay. Policygenius can help you compare rates from top insurers so you can choose the best coverage at the right price.
Key Takeaways
USAA offers the lowest average car insurance rates at $712 per year for full coverage
The cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with poor credit is GEICO
Ohio minimum liability car insurance requirements are $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
Cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio
If you dream of driving a luxury vehicle, then you should be prepared to pay more to insure it. The more expensive a car is to repair, the higher the insurance will be to keep you legal and on the road.
Other factors that determine your insurance rates include your location, marital status, and driving history. The table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio.
Company | Average cost | JD Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
USAA | $712 | 890 |
State Farm | $721 | 882 |
GEICO | $783 | 874 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $793 | 865 |
Erie | $818 | 893 |
Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Ohio
It’s no surprise that young drivers pay more for car insurance than any other demographic. Nationwide, statistics show young, inexperienced drivers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding and texting while driving. Distracted driving can lead to increased accidents and more accident claims, which means increased rates for everyone.
As drivers reach age 25, rates tend to decrease, but this isn’t always the case. A lot depends on the individual driver. The table below shows the company with the lowest rates in every age group.
Age | Cheapest company | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
16 | Erie | $2,454 |
18 | USAA | $1,632 |
21 | USAA | $1,153 |
25 | State Farm | $863 |
30 | State Farm | $733 |
35 | USAA | $716 |
45 | USAA | $664 |
55 | USAA | $618 |
60 | USAA | $617 |
65 | USAA | $639 |
70 | State Farm | $688 |
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Choosing the right car insurance company in Ohio
You’ve probably seen so many advertisements for car insurance that it can be hard to choose a company you can trust. You want a company with a proven track record of reliable customer service and won’t raise your rates if you’re in a wreck.
Here’s what to watch out for when choosing your next insurance company:
Does the company have offices nearby? Or is it strictly online?
Do they make it easy to file a claim?
Do they have an app?
Policygenius can help you compare quotes and choose the best coverage for your insurance needs.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Ohio
Getting a ticket for running a red light might not seem like a big deal, but it can raise your insurance rates by several hundred dollars with some companies.
The average car insurance rates for drivers in Ohio with speeding tickets or other moving violations are shown below.
Violation | USAA | State Farm | GEICO | Auto-Owners Insurance | Erie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At-fault accident | $1,097 | $865 | $1,416 | $1,131 | $1,182 |
DUI | $1,138 | $799 | $1,792 | $1,541 | $1,407 |
Suspended license | $1,103 | $799 | $1,017 | $1,541 | $1,407 |
Open container | $1,030 | $799 | $1,792 | $799 | $957 |
Expired registration | $957 | $799 | $1,017 | $799 | $957 |
Driving without lights | $764 | $799 | $1,017 | $799 | $957 |
Running a red light | $957 | $799 | $1,017 | $799 | $957 |
Following too closely | $957 | $799 | $1,017 | $799 | $957 |
Hit and run | $1,172 | $799 | $1,792 | $1,541 | $1,407 |
Not-at-fault accident | $764 | $733 | $835 | $799 | $882 |
Passing a school bus | $1,030 | $799 | $1,017 | $888 | $957 |
Reckless driving | $1,030 | $799 | $1,792 | $1,541 | $957 |
Speeding | $957 | $799 | $1,792 | $1,036 | $957 |
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Ohio
Did you know that if you continually miss a payment deadline, it could cause your car insurance rates to go up? A bad credit score can make it harder to get a new credit card, lease an apartment, or get a car loan. Below are the average rates for drivers in Ohio with bad credit.
Company | Rates for drivers with bad credit |
|---|---|
GEICO | $1,148 |
Nationwide | $1,277 |
USAA | $1,323 |
Grange Insurance | $1,337 |
State Farm | $1,640 |
Car insurance costs in Ohio cities
The more people in an area, the more cars on the roads, which means a higher risk of accidents. Below are the average car insurance rates for the ten largest cities in Ohio, based on population.
Columbus: $1,153
Cincinnati: $1,177
Cleveland: $1,191
Toledo: $1,159
Akron: $1,095
Dayton: $1,084
Parma: $965
Canton: $1,032
Youngstown: $1,165
Lorain: $973
While the residents of Ohio's larger cities tend to pay more for insurance, coverage remains relatively cheap throughout the state.
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Start calculatorBuying car insurance in Ohio
If your vehicle is registered in Ohio, state law says drivers must have the following minimum liability insurance requirements or other proof of financial responsibility:
Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
Continuous coverage on a vehicle even if it is inoperable or not being driven.
A certificate issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, indicating that money or government bonds in the amount of $30,000 are on deposit with the office of the Treasurer of the State of Ohio.
A certificate of bond issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $30,000, signed by two individuals who own real estate having equity of at least $60,000.
A $30,000 bond issued by an insurance company or authorized surety.
These are just the basic required minimum rates. However, if you have a car loan or lease a vehicle, you’ll need to have more than liability insurance.
Ohio is a fault car accident state when it comes to accidents. This means that if you cause an accident, you must fully compensate the other driver for any damages to their property up to the required amounts or personal injuries resulting from the crash.
How to get cheap car insurance in Ohio
Most Ohio insurance companies offer ways to save money on your car insurance. These are some of the discounts available to customers:
Bundling discount: When you get more than one insurance policy (auto and home) from the same insurer
Safe-driver discount: For drivers without any accident claims during a given time frame or for those drivers who take a defensive driving course
Group or association discount: A discount for members of a certain profession or university
Military discount: A discount for active-duty military and their family
Not everyone will qualify for these discounts. Comparing quotes from top companies can help you make the right choice.
Find car insurance in your city:
Best car insurance in Cleveland
Best car insurance in Columbus
Best car insurance in Dayton
Best car insurance in Toledo
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio?
According to our research, USAA has the cheapest rates in the state, but only drivers who are connected to the U.S. military qualify for coverage with USAA. State Farm has the lowest average rates for the general public.
How much is car insurance per month in Ohio?
The average cost of car insurance in Ohio is $84 per month, or $1,008 per year.
Does Ohio have cheap car insurance?
Yes, the cost of car insurance in Ohio is the cheapest in the country. Even in the state's largest cities, the cost of car insurance remains far cheaper than the national average.
Is Ohio a fault or no fault state?
Ohio is an at-fault state. This means a driver who is at fault for an accident is responsible for the bodily injury and property damage expenses caused by the accident, whether or not they have enough insurance to cover those costs.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.