The Buckeye State has a particularly affordable car insurance market, largely due to the state’s low population density per square mile.1 The average monthly cost of insurance in Ohio is $96 per month, which is lower than the national average of $144 per month.
Mile Auto, State Farm, and Erie are three of the cheapest companies for car insurance in Ohio, on average. But the best way to find cheap coverage is to compare quotes from multiple companies.
Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Ohio.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio
If you live in the state of Ohio, you can’t drive without auto insurance. Cost is one of the most important factors to consider when looking for car insurance, so you should compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. The best car insurance company for you depends on your situation and needs, so you should also consider your driving record, vehicle type, and more.
You can start your insurance search with three of the top insurers in Ohio below.
State Farm
Mile Auto
Erie
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Ohio
The amount you pay for car insurance depends on a variety of factors, including your age, gender, ZIP code, driving record, the type and amount of insurance you want, and the car you drive.5 Though you can’t control many of the factors that affect rates, you can take certain steps to earn cheaper coverage.
To keep your insurance as cheap as possible, consider the following tips:
Compare quotes. If you want to find the best price and auto coverage fit in Ohio, you should compare quotes from multiple insurance companies.
Bundle coverage. Most insurers offer opportunities to bundle different insurance products. For example, you can earn a discount for bundling your auto and home or renters insurance.
Maintain a clean driving record. The better your record, the less you’ll pay for car insurance. Avoid serious traffic violations by practicing safe driving habits and using caution on the road.
Low-cost car insurance in Ohio
Ohio’s car insurance premiums were one of the fastest-rising in 2023, according to Insurify’s data. But if you live in Ohio, you can still find low-cost car insurance by comparing quotes between different companies before buying a policy. By comparing quotes, you can find the best combination of premiums, discounts, and a cheaper policy.
Ohio doesn’t have a state-funded program to provide low-income drivers with a cheaper option.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in Ohio: Mile Auto
Liability insurance coverage includes bodily injury insurance and property damage insurance. Bodily injury covers injuries that you, or anyone on your policy, cause to someone else. Property damage insurance pays for damages you cause to another driver’s vehicle.6 Most states, including Ohio, require you to have minimum coverage for liability insurance.
The average cost of liability car insurance in Ohio is $71 per month.
The following chart provides the cheapest liability-only quotes from Ohio car insurance companies.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Ohio: Mile Auto
While liability-only insurance covers injuries and damages to other drivers, a full-coverage auto insurance policy covers damages to your vehicle. Full-coverage insurance includes collision and comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverage reimburses you for your vehicle damage following an accident with another car or object. Comprehensive insurance provides coverage against theft and damage caused by non-accident events, including fire, flood, and vandalism.
On average, Ohio drivers pay $121 per month for full-coverage insurance.
Check out the chart below for the average full-coverage insurance quotes in the state of Ohio.
Car insurance requirements in Ohio
Ohio car insurance laws require drivers to have insurance or proof of financial responsibility (FR). You must either obtain the minimum insurance requirements or apply for a bond or post collateral. If you purchase insurance, you must have bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.
If you want to get a bond or post collateral instead of getting insurance, you need the following:
Certificate from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) indicating you have government bonds for $30,000 on deposit with the Ohio Treasurer of the State
Certificate of bond issued by the BMV for $30,000 signed by two people who own real estate having equity of at least $60,000
Certificate of self-insurance from the BMV for people with more than 25 vehicles registered in their name or a company’s name
$30,000 bond issued by an authorized surety or insurance company7
Here are the state’s specific auto coverage requirements:
To make sure you have enough vehicle protection, you have the option to purchase additional coverages.
Common add-ons include:
Cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio for drivers with an incident
On average, Ohio drivers with a past incident pay $114 per month for car insurance.
A driving incident can include speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI) charges, at-fault accidents, and other moving violations. When determining the cost of car insurance, your insurer will consider your driving record as a major factor. The cleaner your record, the lower your premiums.
If you have several incidents, you can expect your premiums to increase. The amount your insurance will increase can vary between insurance companies and depend on the severity and frequency of your incidents.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Having speeding tickets on your driving record can result in higher auto insurance rates. Ohio drivers have the option of enrolling in a remedial driving instruction course. Completion of the course can remove two demerit points from your record.8
Ohio drivers with a past speeding ticket pay an average of $120 per month for car insurance. The table below includes the cheapest car insurance for Ohio drivers with a past speeding ticket.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
If you cause a car accident and have to file a claim, your insurance rates will increase. How much they go up can vary between insurance companies. The increase will typically stay on your premium for three years after filing the claim.
On average, Ohio drivers with a past at-fault accident pay $123 per month for auto coverage. Use the table below to start your search for the cheapest car insurance rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in Ohio.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
If you have a record of operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) — including driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) — insurers will view you as a high-risk driver. A drunk driving incident can seriously affect your insurance premiums.
In many cases, your insurance company may even decide not to renew your insurance policy after a DUI. You can also face harsh consequences, including license suspension, high fees, and imprisonment.
The overall average cost of insurance for a driver with a past DUI in Ohio is $155 per month. Find the cheapest auto insurance companies for drivers with a DUI in the table below.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors: Mile Auto
Your age is one of the most significant factors insurance companies use to determine premiums.
Drivers between 30 and 69 tend to earn rates that decrease with age and experience. Once drivers hit retirement age, they typically benefit from some of the lowest average rates by driver age. On average, senior drivers pay $80 per month for car insurance.
Around age 70, rates start to increase again for senior drivers due to aging-related risk factors. Older drivers are more susceptible to injury and medical complications if involved in a crash.
The table below lists the Ohio insurance companies offering the best coverage options for seniors.
Cheapest car insurance quotes for teens: Mile Auto
Teen drivers pay some of the highest insurance rates. The risk of a crash is highest among teens between the ages of 16 and 19 compared to any other age group. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.
Teenagers in Ohio pay $204 per month for car insurance, on average.
Young drivers can save on coverage by earning discounts for maintaining good grades or completing an approved driver training course, increasing their deductible, driving a safe car, and joining their parents’ existing car insurance policy.
Check out the table below to compare companies that offer the lowest rates for teens.
Ohio car insurance quotes by credit tier
The state of Ohio allows insurers to consider credit history information when setting rates, though it has certain protections regarding how companies can use this information. For instance, Ohio insurance companies can’t use a credit-based insurance score as the only factor in determining premiums.
Insurers typically view drivers with excellent or good credit histories as lower-risk drivers than people with poor credit histories. Drivers with excellent credit typically earn lower car insurance rates.
The table below provides average monthly quotes for a full-coverage policy by credit tier.
Car insurance quotes in Ohio cities
Car insurance rates in Ohio vary widely depending on the city and ZIP code in which you live. The table below gives a closer look at how much you can expect to pay for car insurance in Ohio, based on where you live.