Jessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.
After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.
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This article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.
Known as “The Heart of it All,” Ohio has plenty to attract homeowners to the Buckeye State. Ohio’s proximity to Tornado Alley and propensity for major storms and flood events make home insurance a must.
But despite having all four seasons and considerable tornado risk in the southwest section of the state, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Ohio is on the lower end of the spectrum at $1,586 per year. This is around 16% lower than the national average of $1,899 per year.
But there are other factors you should consider when choosing an insurer. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Ohio.
UPDATE: Home insurance premiums up 10.6% in Ohio
Home insurance premiums in Ohio increased nearly 11% from May 2021 to May 2022, according to our latest analysis of internal policyholder data. This is due to a mix of rising inflation, labor shortages, and severe natural disasters that have caused insurance companies to increase rates and establish stricter underwriting rules to offset the risks.
Of the companies we looked at, Erie has the lowest rate with an average yearly cost of $1,031, which is well below the state average. While Nationwide is the most expensive with an average annual rate of $1,493, it is still almost $100 cheaper than the state average, which means Ohio residents have plenty of affordable options to choose from.
Cost isn’t the only factor in choosing an insurance company, however. It’s important to also consider customer and claim satisfaction ratings through companies like J.D. Power to make sure you’re getting a quality product with that low price tag.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest Ohio insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Ohio residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Ohio.
Company
Average yearly cost
J.D. Power Rating
State Farm
$1,324
835
Allstate
$1,301
829
Nationwide
$1,493
812
Grange Insurance
$1,317
--
Erie
$1,031
--
State Farm
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and service line coverage
Get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
Score discounts for bundling, installing security devices, and choosing a high deductible
File and track claims online, over the phone, in person, or through its mobile app
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers or going a year without a claim
State Farm has a J.D. Power rating of 835 out of 1,000, and it’s not hard to see why. Customers love the long list of policy options, the many tools available online through their mobile app, and how easy it is to file and track a claim. While State Farm may not be the cheapest option, their average rate of $1,324 is still under the state average and is a great value.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Allstate
Allstate's mix of exceptional customer satisfaction ratings, personalized coverage options, and numerous discount opportunities make it one of the most popular homeowners insurance companies on the market.
Pros
Several coverage add-ons, including ones for roof surfaces, water backup, green improvements, and mold protection
8+ discounts, including autopay, bundling, zero claims, and new homebuyer
Get up to 25% off your premiums when you bundle home and auto insurance
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
File and track claims online or through its mobile app
When tragedy strikes, you want a team on your side that is experienced and responsive. Allstate has a national catastrophe team dedicated to catastrophe claims, so you can be confident that your claim will be taken care of quickly and efficiently. With Ohio averaging around 13 tornadoes per year, this team could be an important part of protecting your home. [1]
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate
Nationwide
Nationwide offers flexible home insurance policy options for every home type and income level. And we love its slew of discounts for everything from having a newish roof to living in a gated community.
Pros
Offers lots of coverage add-ons, including flood and earthquake insurance
Option to rebuild roof with stronger, safer materials after a covered loss
Score discounts for living in a gated community, making home renovations, having a newer roof, and more
Seamlessly submit claims online or through its mobile app
Above-average claims satisfaction rating
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Water backup coverage is more expensive than with other insurers
Nationwide’s Smart Home program is an addition to your policy that not only gives you a discount on your insurance, but may also save you from having to make claims. By purchasing the Notion monitoring system at 50% off through Nationwide, you can be alerted to unusual activity in your house as strategically placed sensors monitor your home for water leaks, smoke, and carbon monoxide. By catching an issue early, Notion can save you from having to make an expensive claim with your insurer, which is good for both of you.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
Grange Insurance
Grange is a regional home insurance provider with rare discount opps and an extensive range of policy options — including protection for your loved one's personal belongings if they're in a nursing home or care center.
Pros
Excellent policy add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and replacement cost coverage for your home and belongings
Option to protect your loved one's personal belongings while they're in an assisted living facility
Rare discounts, including ones for DIY home inspections and proof of home maintenance
File claims online
Cons
Likely only worth the high cost if you bundle your home and auto policies
Grange offers a long list of home insurance options that other companies may not. If you’re looking to fully protect your home, you can look into add ons such as underground service line coverage for water, waste, and cable lines; equipment breakdown coverage for HVAC systems, identity theft and personal cyber insurance; and assisted living care, which insures your loved one’s belongings while they’re in an assisted living facility.
How to get a quote
By contacting a Grange Insurance agent
Erie
With some of the best customer service ratings in the industry, Erie offers comprehensive coverage even with its most basic policy — including guaranteed replacement cost coverage and protection for lost items.
Pros
Score up to a 25% discount when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Guaranteed replacement cost coverage is included in the base policy
Theft coverage includes lost or misplaced items — a rare perk we don't see often
Multiple policy add-ons available, including water backup and service line coverage
Among the best customer service ratings in the industry
Cons
Can't file claims online — must speak to an Erie agent on the phone
Erie’s base policy is loaded with features that aren’t available through most other companies. Its dwelling coverage includes guaranteed replacement cost for maximum coverage for the structure of your home, and coverage for items such as passports and deeds.
How to get a quote
Online through Erie
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in Ohio
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in Ohio, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance company in the state is State Farm, which offers rates as low as $250 in many Ohio cities. In the biggest cities, however, your best bet is with Erie, who has an average annual rate of $990 in Columbus and $1,004 in Cleveland. Since cities normally have high crime rates, home insurance is going to cost more in those areas.
Other factors that will impact the cost of insurance in your area include the size and age of your home as well as the propensity for natural disasters. While the western side of the state is more likely to see tornadoes, communities to the north may need to look out for potential flooding from rising lake water.
While shopping for homeowners insurance does require some research and a basic understanding of what you need in a policy, it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Among the most important things are making sure you have enough dwelling and liability coverage while choosing a deductible that suits your budget.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Ohio for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies in the state for individuals with a poor credit score, dog owners, and pool owners. Once you’re ready to shop, a Policygenius expert can help you navigate your coverage needs and help you find the best deal on homeowners insurance in Ohio.
Ohio home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the part of your policy that pays to repair or replace your home in case of a covered loss. This number is based on the replacement cost of your home, meaning you’ll want to take into account much the structure would cost to rebuild from the ground up — not its market value or purchase price.
More dwelling coverage means higher home insurance rates. In Ohio, a policy with $100,000 in dwelling coverage comes with an average yearly cost of $879, while a policy with $500,000 in coverage costs $2,397 per year.
Dwelling coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$879
$200,000
$1,215
$300,000
$1,586
$400,000
$1,964
$500,000
$2,397
Liability coverage protects you in case you are found responsible for injuring another person or damaging their property. Since a bad injury can involve everything from expensive medical to legal bills, your liability coverage limit should be equal to the total value of your house, cars, liquid assets, and anything else that contributes to your wealth.
As the table below demonstrates, the amount of liability coverage you choose does not have a significant impact on your premium.
Liability coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$1,601
$200,000
$1,244
$300,000
$1,586
$400,000
$1,358
$500,000
$1,631
Ohio home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your homeowners insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. In relatively low-risk states like Ohio, many homeowners opt for a high deductible plan and lower premiums.
As seen in the table below, Ohio residents can save around $147 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount
Average yearly cost
$500
$1,745
$1,000
$1,586
$2,000
$1,598
Home insurance discounts in Ohio
Most insurers offer discounts if you add an extra layer of security and protection to your home. By installing a burglar alarm or smoke detector, you are not only making your house more secure, you’re also making it less likely that you’ll have to file a claim due to theft or fire — something that makes insurance companies happy.
While you won’t get a huge discount if your house has one of the following features and nothing else, they can add up if you have several protective devices in your home. Here is the average annual rate and average discount percentage for homes in Ohio with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms.
Discount
Average yearly cost
Dead bolt
$1,585
Smoke alarm
$1,579
Burglar alarm
$1,568
Home insurance companies in Ohio for dog owners
There are certain dog breeds that account for a high number of liability claims due to bites and attacks. And if you own one, it’s likely that you’ll have to pay more for homeowners insurance.
With an average rate of $1,031 per year, Erie has the cheapest home insurance rates in Ohio for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while Nationwide’s average yearly premium of $1,493 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Erie
$1,031
Allstate
$1,301
Grange Insurance
$1,317
State Farm
$1,324
Nationwide
$1,493
Home insurance companies in Ohio for poor credit
Your credit score affects more than your ability to get a mortgage or a car loan — it also can affect your home insurance rate. If you have a poor credit score, your insurer will likely see you as a risk for frequent home insurance claims and, as a result, you may have to pay more in premiums.
Not all insurance companies factor a poor credit score as heavily into your rate, however, and it’s still possible to get cheap insurance with bad credit.
With an average rate of $1,966 per year, Grange has the cheapest home insurance rates in Ohio for a homeowner with poor credit, while Erie’s average yearly premium of $2,655 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Grange Insurance
$1,966
Nationwide
$1,981
Allstate
$2,162
State Farm
$2,234
Erie
$2,655
Home insurance companies in Ohio for pool owners
Insurance companies view homes with pools as high risk, since there’s a higher risk of injury and potentially expensive liability claims.
But some companies put less weight on this factor than others, so it’s important to shop around to make sure you’re getting the most affordable price.
With an average rate of $1,166 per year, Erie has the cheapest home insurance rates for Ohio homes that have a swimming pool, while Nationwide’s average yearly premium of $1,493 is the most expensive.
Company
Average yearly cost
Erie
$1,166
Allstate
$1,301
State Farm
$1,324
Grange Insurance
$1,370
Nationwide
$1,493
How to buy homeowners insurance in Ohio
Here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the best homeowners insurance coverage at a price that works for your budget:
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. If you need assistance with any aspect of choosing a home insurance policy, a Policygenius expert can help with no cost to you.
Ask about the Ohio FAIR Plan. If you’re struggling to find coverage through a traditional home insurance provider, look into the FAIR plan to ensure your house has the protection it needs.
Consider purchasing flood insurance. Rising water levels and powerful storms can account for flooding along the Lake Erie coast. If your home is at risk for water damage, consider purchasing flood insurance.
Figure out how much deductible you can afford. A higher deductible means lower home insurance premiums, but it also means you’ll be paying more out of pocket in the event you need to file a claim. Before setting your deductible too high, be sure you’ll be able to stomach the out of pocket expenses first.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. There are many factors that go into the cost of your home insurance premium and not all insurers weigh these factors equally. Comparing quotes from a Policygenius agent can help find the best-priced policy for your needs.
Choose your policy, sign it, and pay your first premium. Once you decide on a policy, a Policygenius agent can help prepare the paperwork for you to sign. They’ll even help cancel your old policy.
Your homeowners insurance deductible works like your medical insurance deductible in that you have to pay a set amount before your insurance covers the cost. If your deductible is $500 and your claim is for $3,000, you will need to pay the first $500 of your claim and then your insurer will cover the remaining $2,500. Unlike your medical insurance, however, you have to pay your deductible on every claim you make.
Who offers the best home insurance in Ohio?
While Erie offers the lowest average annual rate in the state at $1,031, the best policy for you is the one that covers all of your insurance needs and offers the service and tools you value most.
Why does the average cost of home insurance vary so much in Ohio?
Ohio has a mix of large cities with high crime rates and smaller towns and villages with fewer risk factors. This is why you can get a $251 policy from State Farm in the village of Fultonham, but the cheapest average rate in Cleveland is $1,004 with Erie.
What is the average cost of home insurance in Ohio?
The average annual policy in Ohio costs $1,586 per year. While this is below the national average, you can still find cheaper rates by shopping around and comparing quotes.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
References
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 our
Jessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.
After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.
