Ohio drivers enjoy lower average car insurance premiums than much of the rest of the country. Reviews.com is committed to helping you find the best Ohio car insurance company for your needs. We compared factors such as price, coverage, and customer service. Ultimately, we found that Geico, Allstate, USAA, and State Farm have some of the best car insurance in the Buckeye State.
The 4 Best Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
Reviews.com analyzed average premiums for various car insurance companies in Ohio. We also took coverages, discounts, financial strength, and customer service scores into account. We chose the following four companies as being among the best in Ohio:
- Geico: Best for Low Prices
- Allstate: Best for Online Resources
- USAA: Best for Military-Centric Options
- State Farm: Best for Local Agents
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
To compare the best car insurance companies in Ohio, we used 2021 premium data from Bankrate.com. The carriers are based on our unique methodology; the best carrier for you may not be on this list. Getting quotes from several companies could help you find a good fit for your needs.
| Average Annual Minimum Coverage Premium* | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* | AM Best Financial Strength AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Geico | $306 | $843 | A++ | 837 | |
| Pin Allstate | $357 | $1,292 | A+ | 827 | |
| Pin USAA | $247 | $820 | A++ | 895** | |
| Pin State Farm | $288 | $906 | A++ | 851 |
Information accurate as of January 2022
* Premium data provided by Bankrate.com.
**J.D. Power 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study rating for the North Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA not officially ranked due to eligibility restrictions.
Geico
Best for Low Prices
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lower-than-average annual premiums
- Superior financial strength
- Numerous discounts available
Cons
- No gap coverage available
- No discounts for hybrid/electric cars
- Slightly lower-than-average J.D. Power score
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Homeowners
- Renters
- Motorcycle
- ATV
- Boat
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Emergency deployment
- Federal employee
- Military
- Seat belt use
- Daytime running lights
Allstate
Best for Online Resources
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Impressive array of digital tools
- Lots of coverage options
- Online claims filing available
Cons
- Higher-than-average premiums
- Financial strength lower than competitors
- Higher-than-average overall NAIC complaint index score
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Homeowners
- Renters
- Motorcycle
- Business
- Life
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- New car
- Smart student
- Early Signing
- Responsible payer
- Paperless
USAA
Best for Military-Centric Options
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lower-than-average annual premiums
- Superior financial strength
- High customer satisfaction scores
Cons
- Only available to military families
- Comparatively few physical locations
- Fewer discounts than competitors
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Homeowners
- Landlord
- Umbrella
- Flood
- Farm and ranch
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Clean driving record
- Good student
- Military installation
- Customer loyalty
- Storage
State Farm
Best for Local Agents
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Local agents available
- Lower-than-average premiums
- Superior financial strength according to AM Best
Cons
- Digital service tools are rated below-average with J.D. Power
- High overall NAIC complaint index score
- No annual auto policy option
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Homeowners
- Condo
- Manufactured home
- Boat
- Life
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Drive Safe and Save
- Steer Clear
- Good student
- Student away at school
- Vehicle safety
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
**J.D. Power 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study rating for the North Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Ohio
According to 2021 premium data from Bankrate.com, the average cost of car insurance in Ohio is $1,034 per year for full coverage and $328 per year for minimum coverage. For comparison, the national annual average premiums are $1,674 for full coverage and $565 for minimum coverage.
It’s important to remember that your exact rates may look different. Premiums in most states are based on a number of factors, including the weather and crime rate in your neighborhood, your age, credit score, driving history, and more.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Hastings Mutual | $758 |
| USAA | $820 |
| Geico | $843 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Allstate | $1,292 |
| Celina | $1,260 |
| Westfield | $1,234 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in Ohio
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Findlay | $883 |
| Fremont | $885 |
| Ballville | $885 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in Ohio
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Newburgh Heights | $1,426 |
| North Randall | $1,401 |
| Cleveland | $1,362 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Key Things to Know About Car Insurance in Ohio
When it comes to buying car insurance in Ohio, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, state law requires all drivers in the state to carry at least minimum liability insurance — and you’ll have to have proof of insurance with you while driving. Also remember that Ohio is an at-fault state, meaning whoever is at fault for an accident is financially responsible for the damages they cause, including injuries.
Ohio Car Insurance Requirements
Ohio requires all drivers to carry at least the state’s minimum liability limits. While most insurance agents advise that you purchase higher limits for more financial protection, you must have at least the minimum limits to drive legally. If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, you’ll likely need full coverage car insurance.
The minimum liability required in the state of Ohio is as follows:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Uninsured motorist coverage must also be offered but can be declined in writing.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
In addition to potentially buying higher liability limits or full coverage — which includes comprehensive and collision coverages — you may want to consider these optional coverage types to further protect your finances:
- Uninsured motorist: This option could help you pay for injuries you or your passengers sustain if you are hit by an uninsured motorist.
- Gap insurance: Gap insurance is designed to cover the difference between the amount you owe on your vehicle and its current cash value. That way, if your car is totaled in an accident, you aren’t left paying off a loan for a car you no longer have.
- Roadside assistance: Many insurers offer roadside assistance coverage that provides coverage for towing services, flat tire repair, locksmith services, and more.
- Accident forgiveness: You can generally expect your car insurance rates to go up after an accident where you’re at fault. But with this optional add-on that many insurers offer, your rates won’t increase after just one accident.
Coverage options vary by insurer, so talk to your company to see what options are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance in Ohio, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $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.
About the Authors
Cate Deventer is a writer and licensed insurance agent. She has a Bachelor’s degree in theatre and is currently pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in professional and technical writing from Indiana University East. Her work has been featured on Reviews.com and Bankrate.com, and she’s passionate about helping people take charge of their finances. In her free time, she likes to read thrillers and sci-fi novels, garden, and toss tennis balls for her dog.
