Best car insurance in Cleveland, OH (2024)

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Kacie GoffInsurance WriterKacie Goff is an insurance writer for Policygenius. Over the last five years, she’s covered both personal and commercial coverage, with specializations in auto, home, renters, and life insurance. She runs her full-service content agency, Jot Content, from Ventura, CA. &Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

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Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
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Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|4 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

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The average cost of car insurance in Cleveland is $1,191 per year, which is $183 more than the average car insurance in Ohio of $1,008 per year. Depending on which part of Cleveland you live in, your rates may be different.

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Since your insurance rates depend on many factors personal to you, you might be able to get a cheaper policy by shopping around. Policygenius can help. Just enter your ZIP code and we’ll compare auto insurance quotes to find you the best policy possible.

Key takeaways

  • USAA offers the cheapest Cleveland car insurance, followed by State Farm and GEICO 

  • GEICO car insurance policies are the cheapest for Cleveland drivers with bad credit, on average

  • State law requires all Ohio drivers to have at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $25,000 of property damage liability coverage

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

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.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Cleveland, OH

As a Clevelander, you should be pretty pleased with your options as far as car insurance goes. Several companies with solid J.D. Power ratings — which mean they offer quality insurance and customer service — offer average policies that cost less than $1,000.

The quote you get for a premium will vary based on factors that are specific to you, like the car your drive and your driving history, but this gives you a ballpark idea of what to expect. Check out the cheapest choices in Cleveland here:

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

USAA

$784

890

State Farm

$876

882

GEICO

$971

874

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,003

865

Nationwide

$1,010

868

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Cleveland, OH

Fortunately, you don’t need to be too worried that your address will jack up your car insurance costs. Throughout Cleveland, rates stay pretty consistent across ZIP codes.

That means there’s not any one neighborhood that insurers find particularly worrisome because of something like a high crime rate.

Ultimately, there’s a little fluctuation from one area to the next, but not enough to be any cause for concern. Get an idea of what you can expect to pay in your ZIP code here.

ZIP code

Average cost

44135

$1,066

44109

$1,121

44111

$1,125

44119

$1,133

44113

$1,184

44102

$1,189

44128

$1,193

44114

$1,194

44110

$1,205

44108

$1,206

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Cleveland, OH

Your address and your car aren’t the only factors that can affect how much you pay for coverage. Different insurance providers use different algorithms to decide how much to charge you for a car insurance policy.

Because these algorithms are proprietary, the only way to know what you’d pay — and which policy would be cheapest — is to compare multiple quotes.

That’s where we come in. With our Policygenius tools, gathering your options and picking the best one gets a whole lot easier.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Cleveland, OH

You probably already know that problems behind the wheel can lead to more expensive car insurance, but major infractions like DUIs aren’t the only things that can spike your premiums.

Even minor issues like driving without lights could bump up your car insurance costs, depending on the insurer. If you have a specific infraction on your motor vehicle report (MVR), find it below to figure out which insurance companies will cut you the most slack, price-wise.

Violation

USAA

State Farm

GEICO

Auto-Owners Insurance

Nationwide

At-fault accident

$1,216

$1,054

$1,777

$1,427

$1,683

DUI

$1,263

$971

$2,266

$1,942

$2,091

Suspended license

$1,222

$971

$1,259

$1,942

$2,091

Open container

$1,137

$971

$2,266

$1,010

$1,340

Expired registration

$1,056

$971

$1,259

$1,010

$1,340

Driving without lights

$841

$971

$1,259

$1,010

$1,340

Running a red light

$1,056

$971

$1,259

$1,010

$1,340

Following too closely

$1,056

$971

$1,259

$1,010

$1,340

Hit and run

$1,301

$971

$2,266

$1,942

$2,091

Not-at-fault accident

$841

$889

$1,038

$1,010

$1,040

Passing a school bus

$1,137

$971

$1,259

$1,121

$1,340

Reckless driving

$1,137

$971

$2,266

$1,942

$2,091

Speeding

$1,056

$971

$2,266

$1,308

$1,340

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Cleveland, OH

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$971

USAA

$1,263

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,942

Nationwide

$2,091

GEICO

$2,266

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Cleveland, OH

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm

$971

USAA

$1,056

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,308

Nationwide

$1,340

GEICO

$2,266

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Cleveland, OH

Ohio is one of the states that allow insurance companies to take your credit score into consideration when quoting a policy. If you have bad credit, your insurance provider might worry that you won’t pay your premiums on time, and they’ll charge you more.

Still, though, premiums for bad-credit drivers range from insurer to insurer, so find your best options below.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,438

USAA

$1,454

Nationwide

$1,524

Grange Insurance

$1,590

Travelers

$1,817

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Buying car insurance in Cleveland, OH

Ohio is an at-fault state, which means that if you cause a problem while you’re behind the wheel, you can (and almost definitely will) be held financially responsible for the injuries and property damage you cause.

That’s why Ohio has mandatory insurance minimums for both bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. Drivers must have at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $25,000 of property damage liability coverage. You also need to keep proof of your coverage ready to show to law enforcement.

As a quick refresher, bodily injury liability coverage pays for injuries you cause to other people, while property damage liability coverage steps in if you damage someone’s car, fence, or other property. Basically, these coverages prevent you from having to pay out-of-pocket to right a wrong you cause while driving. 

While those are the only two coverage types you’re legally required to have, you probably don’t want to stop there. With just liability coverage, you’re driving around without any protection for yourself or your own car. Some other coverage types you might want to consider include:

  • Collision coverage: This pays for damage to your own car that you cause, whether it’s fixing a little dent or replacing a totaled vehicle. Collision coverage comes with a deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage: This steps in for non-accident issues, like car theft or a tree limb falling on your hood. It also requires a deductible. 

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: These protections go to work if someone hits your car but doesn’t have enough insurance for the damage, or is completely uninsured. 

  • Medical payments coverage: This coverage pays for your and your passenger’s medical bills if you get hurt in an accident. 

You might also want to explore gap insurance if you have a car loan, along with roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverage.

How to get cheap car insurance in Cleveland, OH

Car insurance can quickly get expensive, especially if you want to add several different types of coverage to your car insurance policy. Fortunately, there are still ways you can get car insurance discounts to help combat any uptick in price:

  • Compare multiple quotes to find the cheapest car insurance.

  • Increase your deductible.

  • Ask about discounts, like a safe driver discount or a discount for bundling your car insurance with your home/renters insurance.

  • Set up autopay (some companies offer a discount for this).

  • Drive safely.

  • Drive fewer miles when possible.

  • Choose a car with safety and anti-theft features.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need car insurance in Cleveland?

Yes. Ohio state law requires you to at least have bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. And you probably want some additional coverages to protect yourself.

What’s the best car insurance company in Cleveland?

If you’re an active or retired military member or the family member of one, USAA offers the cheapest coverage, on average, and gets great reviews. Otherwise, GEICO and State Farm are solid options.

Why is car insurance so affordable in Ohio?

Because Ohioans are generally safe drivers and the insurance market is pretty competitive, drivers throughout the state usually pay hundreds less than the national average for their car insurance.

How do I find cheap car insurance in Cleveland?

The best thing you can do is shop around. Get quotes from at least three insurance providers to make sure you’re choosing the most cost-effective option for your specific needs.

Authors

Kacie Goff is an insurance writer for Policygenius. Over the last five years, she’s covered both personal and commercial coverage, with specializations in auto, home, renters, and life insurance. She runs her full-service content agency, Jot Content, from Ventura, CA.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

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