With full-coverage car insurance averaging $233 per month, Columbus drivers pay less for coverage than the Georgia state average of $250. But the city’s average rates are still higher than the national average for full coverage.
Georgia tends to have higher overall car insurance costs for multiple reasons, including a comparatively high fatality rate, exposure to severe coastal weather, and multiple cities with more than 100,000 residents. Columbus is the third-largest city in Georgia, but had fewer accidents in 2022 (6,802) compared to other big cities like Atlanta (35,768) or Savannah (8,233), according to Georgia Department of Transportation data.1
The exact amount you pay for car insurance coverage in Columbus will depend on multiple factors, including your age, gender, driving record, credit, and more. Comparing quotes from multiple car insurance companies is the best way to find the coverage you need at an affordable price.
6 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Columbus
The auto insurance policy that’s best for you will depend on your individual situation, such as your age, location, credit history, and driving record, which is why it’s important to shop around. Comparing multiple insurance companies will help you determine what you’re looking for.
Here’s an overview of six of the best insurance companies for Columbus drivers.
Best insurer for low-mileage drivers: Hugo
Best insurer for newer vehicles: Auto-Owners
Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Columbus
Insurance companies look at your driving record, ZIP code, gender, age, and marital status when considering you for insurance coverage.5 Here are five ways you can find cheap auto insurance in Columbus:
Choose a car with safety features. Most insurance companies will give you a discount if your vehicle has certain safety features, like anti-lock brakes or an alarm system.
Take advantage of discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts you can take advantage of. For example, you can receive a multi-policy discount by buying your auto and homeowners insurance from the same company. Or, if you have more than one vehicle to insure, you may be able to get a multi-vehicle discount.
Spend less time driving. Drivers who spend more time on the road are at higher risk of getting in an accident. So if you work from home instead of commuting to the office, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount.
Raise your deductible. You’ll pay an out-of-pocket deductible before your insurance company pays out on an insurance claim. Raising your deductible even by a few hundred dollars can help you find affordable car insurance.
Shop around for insurance. The best way to save money on insurance is by receiving quotes from at least three companies. From there, you can see which company offers you the lowest prices and best overall coverage.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbus: Progressive
Liability-only car insurance covers any damages and medical bills for others if you’re found at fault in an accident. State law requires all Georgia drivers to carry liability insurance that meets the minimum limits.
But you may want to purchase additional coverage since liability insurance won’t cover any damages to your vehicle. It’s important to consider your ability to cover potential out-of-pocket expenses before choosing liability-only coverage. And if you have an auto loan or lease, your lender or leasing company will require you to buy full coverage.
The average cost of liability-only coverage in Columbus is $152 per month. Here are the cheapest liability-only policies in Columbus:
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Columbus: Auto-Owners
If you have full-coverage auto insurance, that means you have liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Liability insurance is required in Georgia, but collision and comprehensive insurance are optional add-ons.3
You’ll pay more for full coverage, but the extra financial protection may justify the higher costs. Collision insurance will protect you if you get into an accident with another vehicle. Comprehensive insurance protects you from non-collision losses, such as theft, vandalism, or fire.
On average, Columbus drivers pay $233 per month for full coverage. Here are the cheapest full-coverage car insurance options in Columbus:
Car insurance requirements in Georgia
Here are the minimum insurance requirements you’ll need to drive legally in Georgia:3
You also have the option to purchase the following add-on policies:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
You can expect your car insurance rates to go up if you’re involved in a driving-related incident. This includes receiving a speeding ticket, driving under the influence, or being involved in an at-fault accident.
Fortunately, you have ways to save on auto insurance after an incident. Many companies offer accident forgiveness, which means your car insurance won’t go up after your first accident. But the exact conditions will vary depending on your insurer.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Speeding is often a factor in traffic accidents, so insurers view drivers with speeding tickets as riskier to insure. The more tickets you have, the more your insurance rates will go up. But you may be able to save money by taking a defensive driving course and keeping a clean record.
In Columbus, drivers with speeding tickets face average monthly car insurance rates of $285 for full coverage and $186 for liability-only policies.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
At-fault accidents will cause your premiums to go up, though the extent will depend on the severity of the accident. It’ll also depend on whether it’s your first accident or if you have a history of at-fault accidents.
At-fault accidents push average monthly car insurance rates to $312 for full coverage and $203 for liability-only policies in Columbus. See monthly rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in Columbus below.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most serious moving violations you can receive. In some cases, you could see your insurance premiums double or even triple after a DUI. If this isn’t your first offense, your insurance company could even choose to drop you as a customer.
Columbus drivers with DUI convictions pay some of the highest average car insurance rates in the city, at $375 per month for full coverage and $245 for liability only.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Seniors tend to pay higher rates for auto insurance. Rates start to decrease around age 35, but they begin to creep up again around age 70. Older drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in an accident. Seniors are more prone to serious injuries from car accidents, as well.
Senior drivers can save on car insurance costs by completing an approved defensive driving course or opting for pay-per-mile insurance if they no longer drive frequently. In Columbus, car insurance for seniors costs $205 per month for full coverage and $134 for liability-only insurance, on average.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Progressive
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.4 This is largely due to their inexperience behind the wheel. Additional factors, like the presence of other teenagers, distracted driving, or nighttime driving, can increase the likelihood of an accident.
In Columbus, teen drivers pay average monthly rates of $416 for full coverage and $271 for liability only. Fortunately, teens have ways to save on insurance. Look for an insurance company that offers a good student discount, like State Farm. You can also save by buying a safer car and staying on your family insurance plan as long as possible.
Columbus car insurance quotes by credit tier
Georgia is one of many states that allow insurance companies to consider credit history when determining insurance rates.6
As you can see from the chart below, drivers with excellent or good credit typically receive far lower rates than drivers with poor credit.
Is car insurance more expensive in Columbus?
The average cost for full-coverage insurance in Columbus is $233 per month, which is above the national average of $184 per month. But it still falls below the state average of $250 per month.
Many people don’t realize that their ZIP code affects how much they pay for insurance. For example, if you live in an area with higher rates of crime or inclement weather conditions, you can expect to pay more for insurance.
More cities in Georgia
Here’s how Columbus compares to average monthly car insurance rates in other cities in Georgia: