The cheapest car insurance company in Ohio is USAA, which costs $59 per month, on average, or $712 per year. But only veterans, members of the military, and their families can get insurance with USAA. This makes State Farm the cheapest insurance for most Ohio drivers, since it’s available to everyone.
GEICO, Auto-Owners, and Erie are also cheap options for car insurance in Ohio. Generally, Ohio is a cheap state for car insurance, but you should still compare rates to avoid paying more than you have to.
Company | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
USAA | $59 | $712 |
State Farm | $60 | $721 |
GEICO | $65 | $783 |
Auto-Owners | $66 | $793 |
Erie | $68 | $818 |
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 Ohio
USAA
5.0
All 50 states
Bundle home & auto
Good student discount
Usage-based discount
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Mobile app
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
USAA has a long-standing reputation for high claims satisfaction, plus a range of useful coverage options. If you’re a current or former member of the military (or a part of a military family), you qualify for USAA coverage.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low rates
Available nationwide
High customer service ratings
Cons
Only available to military members and their families
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in Ohio. USAA costs an average of $59 per month, or $712 per year for Ohio drivers. That’s $296 cheaper per year than the statewide average in Ohio (which is already the cheapest in the country).
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Good student discount
Mobile app
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Usage-based discount
Why we chose it
State Farm’s national network of agents makes it easy for Ohio drivers to get coverage, file claims, and stay in contact. While it doesn’t offer many auto insurance add-ons, State Farm has high claims satisfaction and gets few complaints from customers.
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in almost every state
Low rates for teens and drivers with accidents
High customer satisfaction ratings
Cons
Limited coverage options
State Farm is $60 per month for full coverage in Ohio. That’s $721 a year, which is $287 cheaper per year than average.
State Farm also tends to have some of the cheapest rates for high-risk drivers who have an accident, speeding ticket, or a DUI on their records.
GEICO
4.7
All 50 states
Offers motorcycle insurance
Offers classic car insurance
Good student discount
Mobile app
Usage-based discount
Why we chose it
GEICO has cheap rates for most drivers and offers a few (but not many) coverage add-ons. As far as customer service is concerned, GEICO has above-average claims satisfaction and receives an average number of complaints.
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in all 50 states
Easy-to-use digital tools
Plenty of discounts
Cons
Only sells through GEICO agents
Doesn’t underwrite its other products
GEICO costs $65 per month in Ohio, or $783 per year for a full-coverage car insurance policy. That’s $225 cheaper than the statewide average in Ohio.
We also found that GEICO has the cheapest car insurance rates in Ohio for drivers with bad credit, who usually pay more for coverage.
Auto-Owners
4.7
Bundle home & auto
Offers gap coverage
Mobile app
Good student discount
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
Available in 26 states across the country, Auto-Owners has both affordable coverage and high customer service ratings. Auto-Owners also offers drivers a range of useful coverage add-ons and discounts.
Pros and cons
Pros
Cheap rates for full coverage
Lots of add-ons, like accident forgiveness and gap coverage
Receives fewer complaints than average
Cons
Not available in every state
Auto-Owners is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio. On average, Auto-Owners in Ohio is $66 per month for a full-coverage policy. That’s $793 per year — $215 cheaper than the Ohio statewide average.
Erie
4.9
Good student discount
Offers new car replacement
Bundle home & auto
Accident forgiveness
Mobile app
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Offers classic car insurance
Usage-based discount
Offers gap coverage
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
Erie is a regional company, but rates stack up well against larger competitors, and it earns top ratings for claims satisfaction. Erie also offers a range of endorsements and perks, like new car replacement and rate lock.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low car insurance rates
Lots of useful add-ons, like new car replacement
Accident forgiveness automatically included after three years
Cons
Not available in every state
Erie rounds out our list of the cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio. Erie is $68 per month in the Buckeye State. That’s $818 per year, which is $190 cheaper than average.
Best car insurance companies in Ohio
According to the 2022 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, which measures how policyholders feel about their insurance company’s overall price, coverage, and claims service, found that USAA is the best car insurance company in Ohio. [1] It has the best rating in the North Central region (which includes Ohio).
The best-rated car insurance company in Ohio that’s available to most drivers is Erie, a smaller carrier known for top-notch customer service — it earned a score of 876 from J.D. Power (the average for the region was 838).
Rank | Company | Score |
|---|---|---|
1 | USAA | 891 |
2 | Erie | 876 |
3 | State Farm | 848 |
4 | Allstate | 847 |
5 | GEICO | 847 |
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. We found that Erie or USAA has the best rates in Ohio for young drivers.
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 |
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. We found that State Farm has the best rates in Ohio after a driving violation, as well as when you need an SR-22 in the state.
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 |
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.
We found that GEICO has the best 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.
Buying 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:
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.
