The best car insurance in Ohio for 2023

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Gianetta PalmerContributing WriterGianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.&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 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|5 min read

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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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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 ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

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

Auto-Owners home insurance 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

4.7

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 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

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 ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

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

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

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

Collapse table

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.

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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

    . "

    2022 Auto Insurance Study

    ." Accessed January 23, 2023.

Authors

Gianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.

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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