Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 2023
Average rates for car insurance in Ohio are lower than the average rates nationwide. According to Bankrate’s research, USAA offers the cheapest average rate for minimum coverage in Ohio, with a rate of $247 per year. Hastings Mutual has the cheapest average rate for full coverage, with a yearly premium of $758. Compared to the national average cost of car insurance and the average rates in Buckeye State, these averages are fairly low.
It’s important to note, though, that minimum coverage car insurance generally costs less because it offers less financial protection than a policy with higher limits or full coverage. This may be appealing if your budget is particularly tight, but if you purchase minimum coverage, you might be facing higher out-of-pocket expenses if you get into at-fault accidents. Bankrate can show you how to find affordable car insurance in Ohio while keeping your overall financial and coverage needs in mind.
The cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio
Cheap car insurance companies are abundant in the Buckeye State, but not all providers will meet your insurance needs in the same way. To find the best cheap car insurance in Ohio for your situation, Bankrate utilized information from Quadrant Information Services and third-party sources to evaluate some of the top insurance carriers based on financial strength, high customer satisfaction ratings and average rates.
Compare auto insurance rates
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The cheapest companies for minimum coverage in Ohio
A minimum coverage car insurance policy is usually the cheapest type of coverage available. However, while minimum coverage insurance ensures you can legally drive in the state, it also offers the least amount of financial protection. If you are interested in purchasing a minimum coverage car insurance policy, here are the five cheapest car insurance companies we found in our study, along with the companies’ average cost by year and month:
| Car insurance company | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average monthly minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $247 | $21 |
| Erie | $259 | $22 |
| State Farm | $288 | $24 |
| Hastings Mutual | $292 | $24 |
| Frankenmuth | $302 | $25 |
The cheapest companies for full coverage in Ohio
Full coverage car insurance policies are understandably more costly because they provide a greater degree of financial protection. Full coverage policies — which include comprehensive and collision coverage — are typically optional unless you lease or finance your vehicle. If you are thinking about getting a full coverage insurance policy in Ohio, we found these to be the cheapest providers:
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium | Average monthly full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Hastings Mutual | $758 | $63 |
| USAA | $820 | $68 |
| Geico | $843 | $70 |
| American Family | $865 | $72 |
| State Farm | $906 | $76 |
Events that can impact your cheap rates in Ohio
Locking in a low car insurance rate is an objective for many drivers, but keeping rates low may be just as important. A few common life events or changing circumstances can cause your rate to increase, so if you find yourself in one of the following situations, you may need to be prepared to pay a higher car insurance premium:
- Adding a teen driver: Teen drivers lack experience on the road, which coincides with a higher risk of accidents and subsequent claim payouts. Because of this, car insurance carriers tend to charge higher rates when teen drivers are added to a policy. As the driver ages and establishes a safe driving history, the insurance rate will usually decrease over time, but immediate savings may be leveraged if your teen qualifies for good student or other young driver discounts.
- Receiving a speeding ticket: A speeding ticket, like any other reckless driving practice, can have a detrimental effect on rates. Drivers who are convicted of speeding will usually see the violation on their insurance driving records for three to five years, during which time their insurance rate will likely be higher than normal. Practicing safe driving habits can be a great way to avoid speeding tickets and subsequent rate increases and can even make you eligible for additional discounts.
- Getting into an at-fault accident: Causing a wreck typically results in a higher insurance premium. If you cause a crash, your insurance rate will usually be surcharged for three to five years, just like a ticket. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness when you purchase a policy, which may help protect your rates against a first-time or minor incident for which you are responsible, but you’ll need to have it on your policy prior to the accident to qualify for the benefits.
- Being deemed a high-risk driver: If you are considered a high-risk driver, you will likely pay a much higher insurance premium. High-risk drivers include those who have been convicted of a DUI, have multiple speeding tickets or even those with a bad credit score. Drivers in the high risk category may have a harder time getting cheap car insurance or qualifying for coverage at all. Keeping your risk variables low, such as improving your credit history or avoiding multiple tickets, can help protect your rates from a steep increase.
Cheapest cities in Ohio for minimum coverage
In addition to personal factors, like your age and motor vehicle record, your specific location in Ohio will have an impact on your car insurance premium. Rates can vary significantly between ZIP codes, so if you move within Ohio, you can find the cheapest rates by comparing quotes from insurers in ZIP codes within your target moving destination.
The table below includes the cheapest cities in Ohio for minimum coverage insurance we found in the course of our research. You can find information on other cities in Ohio by reviewing our list of companies included in our study of the average cost of car insurance in Ohio.
| City | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average monthly minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Sandusky | $275 | $23 |
| Port Washington | $276 | $23 |
| Uhrichsville | $277 | $23 |
| Quaker City | $278 | $23 |
Cheapest cities in Ohio for full coverage
Full coverage car insurance premiums also vary based on location. In some cities, full coverage insurance rates will cost more based on factors like population density, associated crime rates, cost of repairs or other highly localized factors. Bankrate’s study of annual rates indicate these companies offer the cheapest full coverage insurance in Ohio, on average:
| City | Average annual full coverage premium | Average monthly full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Findlay | $883 | $74 |
| Fremont | $885 | $74 |
| Ballville | $885 | $74 |
| Stony Prairie | $885 | $74 |
Minimum coverage requirements for Ohio drivers
Car insurance is a legal requirement in Ohio. You must carry a minimum amount of insurance in order to get behind the wheel in order to protect the financial wellbeing of yourself and others. The minimum coverage requirements in Ohio include:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Drivers who are looking for the cheapest rates may be drawn to a minimum coverage policy for the upfront savings. However, a minimum coverage policy offers limited coverage in the event of an at-fault crash. Accidents can quickly result in costly damages, liability or medical expenses, which you would be responsible for beyond minimum liability limits if you do not have adequate insurance coverage.
Liability-only insurance, whether it’s minimum limits or higher limits, also does not provide financial reimbursement for any physical damage that occurs to your vehicle. If you lease or finance your vehicle, the financial institution usually requires full coverage to protect the asset’s value.
Here is how to find (and keep) cheap car insurance in Ohio
Getting the cheapest auto insurance in Ohio involves some research, and maintaining your affordable rates can be accomplished with a few key strategies. Here are a few tips for finding and keeping cheap auto insurance in Ohio:
- Shop around. As a best practice, you may want to shop around and get multiple quotes before buying a car insurance policy. In addition to doing this when you are purchasing a new policy, you may be able to find lower rates annually by shopping around. This is especially important as you add new drivers, move or experience any other major life events that can impact rates.
- Maintain a clean driving record. Your driving habits have a direct impact on your car insurance premium. To keep your premium low, maintain a clean driving record — do your best to avoid accidents, speeding tickets and insurance claims.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.