Best car insurance in Ohio (2024)

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By

Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.&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.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Reviewed by

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 cheapest car insurance company in Ohio is USAA, at $59 per month, or $712 per year on average. If you’re not in the military o in a military family, then State Farm, GEICO, Auto-Owners, and Erie are the cheapest options for car insurance in Ohio.

Ready to shop car insurance?

Ohio is generally a cheap state for car insurance, but since rates vary from person to person, you should compare rates to avoid paying more than you have to.

Average cost per month

USAA

$59

State Farm

$60

GEICO

$65

Auto-Owners

$66

Erie

$68

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

USAA logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange star

5.0

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

Bundle home & auto

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Good student discount

Usage-based discount

Offers classic car insurance

Mobile app

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

USAA has the best car insurance rates and customer service scores of any company in Ohio. Its add-ons, which include gap insurance, are straightforward but offer all the basics most drivers need.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Low rates

  • Available nationwide

  • High customer service ratings

Cons

  • Only available to military members and their families

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose USAA:

If you’re an active or retired member of the military or a part of a military family, USAA has some of the best car insurance in Ohio. USAA also offers gap coverage — which may be required for drivers who finance or lease a car.

USAA frequently scores near the top of the annual J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. It also receives about the average number of complaints for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

How does the cost of car insurance from USAA compare to average in Ohio?

The average cost of car insurance from USAA in Ohio is $59 a month or $712 per year, which is 29% cheaper than the statewide average

State Farm

State Farm logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.8

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Good student discount

Mobile app

Usage-based discount

Offers classic car insurance

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

State Farm is the second-cheapest car insurance company in Ohio. It also has high customer service ratings, and may be an affordable pick even for drivers with spotty records.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Available in almost every state

  • Low rates for teens and drivers with accidents

  • High customer satisfaction ratings

Cons

  • Limited coverage options

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose State Farm:

State Farm is one of the best and cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio whether you have a clean or spotty driving record.

We also like State Farm because of its standout customer service. State Farm has high customer satisfaction ratings and receives fewer complaints than is average for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

How does the cost of car insurance from State Farm compare to the average in Ohio?

The average cost of State Farm car insurance in Ohio is $60 a month or $721 per year, which is 28% cheaper than the statewide average.

GEICO

Logo for GEICO insurance company

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.7

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Offers classic car insurance

All 50 states

Offers motorcycle insurance

Good student discount

Mobile app

Usage-based discount

Why we chose itchevron icon

GEICO is among our picks for top car insurance companies in Ohio because of its low rates, convenient mobile app, and solid customer service.

Pros and conschevron icon

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

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose GEICO

GEICO is one of the best car insurance companies in Ohio. GEICO is known for having cheap rates even if you have bad credit or a newly-licensed teen driver on your policy.

We also like GEICO’s convenient mobile app, which lets you estimate what repairs to your vehicle might cost after an accident. It’s one of the largest insurance companies in the country, but GEICO gets fewer complaints from its customers than expected.

How does the cost of car insurance from GEICO compare to average in Ohio?

The average cost of car insurance from GEICO in Ohio is $65 a month or $783 per year, which is 22% cheaper than the statewide average.

Auto-Owners

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.7

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Offers gap coverage

Mobile app

Good student discount

Offers classic car insurance

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

Auto-Owners has affordable coverage and high customer service ratings in Ohio, plus a range of useful coverage add-ons and discounts.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Lower-than-average rates

  • Offers gap coverage

  • Owned by its policyholders

Cons

  • Not offered in every state

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Auto-Owners:

Rates from Auto-Owners in Ohio are cheaper than average, and may be even more affordable if you qualify for any of the many available discounts.

Auto-Owners also has a wide range of add-ons that you can choose from, including gap insurance, with accident forgiveness, and coverage for your car’s lost value after an accident.

How does the cost of car insurance from Auto-Owners compare to average in Ohio?

The average cost of car insurance from Auto-Owners in Ohio is $66 a month or $793 per year, which is 21% cheaper than the statewide average.

Erie

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.9

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Mobile app

Offers new car replacement

Good student discount

Accident forgiveness

Bundle home & auto

Offers classic car insurance

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Usage-based discount

Offers gap coverage

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

Erie’s cheap rates and high claims satisfaction scores stack up well against larger competitors. Erie also offers a range of endorsements and perks, like new car replacement and rate lock.

Pros and conschevron icon

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

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Erie:

Erie’s low average rates and high customer service scores make it one of the best companies for finding affordable car insurance in Ohio. Erie also offers a handful of discounts — including savings for drivers age 21 or younger.

Erie also offers option coverages like gap insurance, new car replacement, personal belongings coverage, and more. You may also qualify for accident forgiveness at no extra cost.

How does the cost of car insurance from Erie compare to average in Ohio?

The average cost of car insurance from Erie in Ohio is $68 a month or $818 per year, which is 19% cheaper than the statewide average.

Best car insurance companies in Ohio

USAA is the best car insurance company in Ohio, according to the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. [1] This survey measures how policyholders feel about their insurance company’s overall price, coverage, and claims service.

The best-rated car insurance company in Ohio for the general public is Erie — it earned a score of 844 from J.D. Power (the average for the North Central region, which includes Ohio, was 825).

Company

Score

1

USAA

878

2

Erie

844

3

Grange Insurance

838

4

State Farm

837

5

The Hanover

835

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

Collapse table

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

We found that State Farm has the best rates in Ohio after a driving violation, as well as for Ohio drivers who need an SR-22.

A bar graph showing the cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio after a driving violation. State Farm is the cheapest company.

USAA

State Farm

GEICO

Auto-Owners Insurance

Erie

At-fault accident

$1,097

$865

$1,416

$1,131

$1,182

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

Collapse table

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Ohio

The cheapest car insurance company in Ohio after an at-fault accident is State Farm. On average, car insurance from State Farm costs $72 a month, or $865 a year for drivers with an accident on their records.

Rates for drivers with an at-fault accident

State Farm

$865

USAA

$1,097

Auto-Owners

$1,131

Erie

$1,182

GEICO

$1,416

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Ohio

The cheapest car insurance company in Ohio if you have a DUI on your record is State Farm. State Farm’s rates are $67 a month or $799 a year on average for drivers with a DUI.

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$799

USAA

$1,138

Erie

$1,407

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,541

GEICO

$1,792

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Ohio

The cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in Ohio is State Farm. On average, State Farm  is $67 a month or $799 a year after a speeding ticket.

Rates for drivers with a speeding ticket

State Farm

$799

USAA

$957

Erie

$957

Auto-Owners

$1,036

GEICO

$1,792

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

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,148

Nationwide

$1,277

USAA

$1,323

Grange Insurance

$1,337

State Farm

$1,640

Cheapest car insurance in Ohio by city

Rates vary from city to city even within the same state, based on factors like crime rates, population density and traffic, and the overall number of accidents. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio’s 10 most populated cities.

Largest cities

Cheapest company

Average yearly rate for the cheapest company

Overall citywide average

Columbus

USAA

$753

$1,153

Cleveland

USAA

$784

$1,191

Cincinnati

USAA

$772

$1,177

Toledo

USAA

$803

$1,159

Akron

USAA

$793

$1,095

Dayton

USAA

$701

$1,084

Parma

State Farm

$694

$965

Canton

State Farm

$744

$1,032

Lorain

USAA

$668

$973

Hamilton

USAA

$724

$1,085

Collapse table

Ready to shop car insurance?

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.

References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. J.D. Power

    . "

    Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds

    ." Accessed September 23, 2023.

Authors

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

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 who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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