Cincinnati drivers pay an average of $144 per month for full-coverage car insurance, according to Insurify’s proprietary data. That’s more than the state average of $121 but less than the national average of $184.
A comparatively low 2023 traffic fatality rate may contribute to the Queen City’s affordable car insurance rates. Ohio State Highway Patrol (OHSP) data shows that just 37 of the city’s 13,449 crashes in 2023 resulted in fatalities.1 Cincinnati also has traffic calming programs that rely on tactics like speed cushions and curb extensions to slow traffic and reduce speeding.2
Cincinnati drivers can maximize their savings by comparing car insurance rates from multiple companies. Here’s what to know when you’re shopping for auto insurance in Cincinnati.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Cincinnati
You have plenty of good car insurance companies to choose from in Cincinnati, but which is best for you depends on your insurance needs and financial situation.
“When exploring various policies, it’s essential for drivers to seek a middle ground, a sweet spot between an attractive price point and a robust policy that encompasses the coverage they absolutely need,” says insurance industry expert Dan Burghardt, president of Dan Burghardt Insurance.
Each of the following insurers excels in different areas — State Farm provides some of the cheapest rates in Cincinnati, Auto-Owners provides a plethora of coverages, and Erie provides excellent customer service. The best company for you depends on what coverages you need — don’t just settle for the cheapest option.
Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm
Best insurer for coverage options: Auto-Owners
Best insurer for customer service: Erie
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Cincinnati
“Understanding the variables that affect auto insurance rates is crucial, especially for those who are price-conscious,” Burghardt says. “Particularly noteworthy is the impact of your vehicle’s make and model, body style, age, and safety features.”
Here are some ways you can save:
Look for discounts. “The range of offers that can shave off a considerable amount from your premium is wide,” Burghardt advises. Bundling your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance policy and maintaining a clean driving record are just two ways you can earn discounts.
Opt for usage-based monitoring. Installing a telematics tracking device can result in significant savings for careful drivers with good driving habits.
Improve your credit. “Paying debts on time and maintaining a robust credit score can influence your premium rates positively,” Burghardt advises.
Shop for savings. Comparing rates from a few different insurers can help you find the best deal.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Cincinnati: Mile Auto
Liability car insurance protects you in the event of an at-fault accident. The bodily injury portion pays medical bills for other drivers and passengers. The property damage portion repairs or replaces the other driver’s damaged or destroyed personal property.1
Liability insurance in Cincinnati costs an average of $83 per month. These insurers offer the cheapest liability-only quotes in Cincinnati.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Cincinnati: Mile Auto
Full-coverage car insurance is optional — unless you have a car loan or lease, in which case your lender or leasing company will require it.2
Collision insurance protects you when you collide with another vehicle or an object like a tree or light pole, in case of a rollover accident, or pothole damage. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, reimburses losses covered by events other than a collision, such as damage from hail, floods, other severe weather events, fallen trees, vandalism, and theft.
Cincinnati drivers pay a monthly average of $144 for full coverage. These Cincinnati insurers offer the cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes.
Car insurance requirements in Ohio
Ohio state law requires that drivers prove financial responsibility. For most drivers, car insurance serves that purpose. You’ll need to show proof of coverage at traffic stops, accident scenes, and vehicle inspections.3
Ohio is an at-fault state, meaning the person responsible for the accident must turn to their own insurer for the cost of injuries and damage resulting from the crash.
Even full coverage doesn’t provide absolute protection in every circumstance. Consider adding additional optional coverages, such as the following:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
An incident is a reportable event that causes you to file a claim or get reported to your insurance company. Common incidents include at-fault accidents and moving violations, such as speeding tickets and Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI) convictions.
Being involved in any of these events increases your risk of filing future claims, sometimes leading insurance companies to increase your premium or discontinue discounts you receive on your car insurance policies. Serious infractions like an OVI or reckless driving could even cause your insurer to cancel your policy before its renewal date.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Speeding plays a major role in serious car accidents, with higher speeds correlating to more severe injuries and property damage. In Cincinnati, more than 6% of traffic crashes in 2023 involved speeding, according to OSHP data.
Cincinnati drivers with speeding tickets face average monthly car insurance rates of $103 for liability coverage and $179 for full coverage. A speeding ticket could increase your rates for three to five years, based on the insurer. Even so, plenty of auto insurance companies still offer affordable rates, like the insurers listed below.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
An at-fault accident could raise your insurance rate for up to three years after you file the claim. How much depends on the insurer, the severity of the accident, and whether you’ve had accidents within the last few years. If you purchase accident forgiveness coverage, your rates will remain steady after your first at-fault accident.
Too many accidents may even prompt your insurance company not to renew your policy when it expires. On average, Cincinnati drivers with at-fault accidents see monthly car insurance rates of $185 for full coverage and $106 for liability only. The insurers below offer the lowest monthly quotes to drivers in Cincinnati with an at-fault accident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an OVI: State Farm
Of all the moving violations, driving impaired – know as an OVI in Ohio – is the most severe in the eyes of insurance companies. The stakes are even higher if you have an accident while under the influence. In that case, most insurance companies will opt for non-renewal.
Cincinnati drivers with OVI convictions pay average insurance rates of $232 per month for full coverage and $134 for liability-only policies. Here are the cheapest monthly quotes for drivers with DUIs in Cincinnati.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Younger adults start seeing their rates drop around age 35, but you can expect them to increase again later. Insurance companies charge senior drivers higher rates due to an increase in accident frequency. That risk grows significantly by age 70, so insurers raise rates to compensate for that additional risk.
Still, senior drivers in Cincinnati have the lowest average car insurance rates of any age group — $120 per month for full coverage and $69 for liability. Take a look at which insurers in Cincinnati are offering affordable coverage to senior drivers.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: CSAA
Like with any skill, driving takes time to cultivate. Because they’re still learning and tend to engage in more risky driving habits than older motorists, teenage drivers are at higher risk of having an accident. And because of that, they pay higher insurance premiums.
But most insurance companies have ways you can earn discounts that reduce your premium. You can earn discounts by getting good grades, driving a safe car, for being away at school, or by staying on your parents’ insurance policy. Teens younger than 18 won’t be able to buy their own policy without written approval from a parent or guardian.
Cincinnati teens face average monthly rates of $306 for full coverage and $177 for liability policies. But you may be able to find more affordable rates from some of the companies listed here.
Cincinnati car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurance companies look at your credit history and use that information to develop a credit-based insurance score. In turn, insurers use your credit-based insurance score to calculate your premium. Good or excellent credit can earn you lower rates, while bad credit can cost you significantly more.5
Here’s how credit affects Cincinnati car insurance quotes for full coverage.
Is car insurance more expensive in Cincinnati?
Ohio insurance premiums are on the low side compared to many other states, and average premiums in Cincinnati are lower than the state average. Cincinnati drivers pay $144 per month for full coverage, whereas the state average is $121.
Crime rates, population density, and commuting distance are all factors that contribute to differences in car insurance averages across cities in the same state.
More cities in Ohio
Here’s a look at how Cincinnati’s average monthly car insurance rates compare to those in other cities in the Buckeye State.