Are you getting ready to buy car insurance in Ohio? You’re in luck — the state has some of the lowest car insurance rates in the nation. We looked at carriers with the best car insurance in Ohio to compare factors such as price, coverage and customer service. Ultimately, we found that the best car insurance companies in Ohio are Geico, Allstate, USAA, and State Farm. Each provider is competitive and has something unique to offer.
The 4 Best Auto Insurance Companies in Ohio
- Geico: Best for low prices
- Allstate: Best for online resources
- USAA: Best for military families
- State Farm: Best for coverage options
Compare the Best Car Insurance in Ohio
| Average Price for State Minimum* | Average Price for Full Coverage* | Reviews.com Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options. | 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 Overall Customer Satisfaction J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Geico | $442.20 | $1,866.85 | 4.6/5 | A++ | 851/1,000 | |
| Pin Allstate | $601.35 | $3,344.42 | 4.4/5 | A+ | 830/1,000 | |
| Pin USAA | $457.57 | $1,439.75 | 4.8/5 | A++ | 897/1,000 | |
| Pin State Farm | $585.10 | $1,728.91 | 4.4/5 | A++ | 829/1,000 |
Information accurate as of 11/6/2020
* Data provided by Coverage.com
Geico
Best for low prices
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low annual premiums
- Ranked top in customer satisfaction
- Fast and convenient auto repairs
- Most discounts available
Cons
- No gap coverage available
- No discounts for hybrid/electric cars
Types of Coverage Offered
- Liability
- Medical
- Uninsured motorist
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Emergency road service
- Rental reimbursement
- Mechanical breakdown
Discounts Available
- Vehicle equipment
- Good driver
- Seat belt use
- Defensive driving
- Driver’s education
- Good student
- Emergency deployment
- Membership & Employee
- Military
- Multi-vehicle
- Multi-policy
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the North Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Reviews.com:
Allstate
Best for online resources
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Impressive array of digital tools
- Lots of coverage options
- Easy claims filing with a satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- High annual premiums
- Especially high rates on SR-22 certificates
Types of Coverage Offered
- Liability
- Medical
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement
- Sound system
- Personal injury
- Personal umbrella
Discounts Available
- Vehicle safety features
- Multiple policy
- Early signing
- Responsible payer
- Smart student
- New car
- Automatic payment
- Paperless billing
- Fullpay
- Safe driving
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the North Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on Allstate:
USAA
Best for military families
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- The highest marks in customer service
- Affordable annual premiums
Cons
- Only available to military families
- Comparatively few physical locations
Types of Coverage Offered
- Liability
- Bodily injury
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Personal injury protection
- Extended benefits
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement
- Accident forgiveness
Discounts Available
- Safe driver
- Defensive driver
- Driver training
- Good student
- New vehicle
- Multi-vehicle
- Annual mileage
- Vehicle storage
- Family discount
- Length of membership
- Military installation
- No payment plan
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the North Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on USAA:
State Farm
Best for coverage options
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Coverage for rideshare drivers
- Highly rated mobile app
- #1 provider in the state
Cons
- No accident forgiveness
- Below average customer satisfaction
- Expensive premium
Types of Coverage Offered
- Liability
- Medical
- Uninsured motorist
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Emergency road service
- Car rental and travel
- Rideshare driver
Discounts Available
- Drive Safe and Save
- Steer Clear
- Accident free
- Defensive driving course
- Student away at school
- Good driving
- Driver training
- Good student
- Vehicle safety features
- Multiple auto
- Multiple line
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
*J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the North Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Further Reading on State Farm:
The average cost of car insurance in Ohio
Ohio has some of the cheapest car insurance in the nation, largely due to the huge insurance market. Because there are more providers, prices are more competitive. For minimum liability coverage in Ohio, you can expect to pay around $320. For full coverage, the price comes in at about $998. When you look at the average policy, prices range from $408 to $805.
It’s important to remember that your exact rates may look different. Premiums 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 Premium |
| Erie | $442.07 |
| Geico | $442.20 |
| USAA | $457.57 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
| Company | Average Annual Premium |
| Farmers | $664.53 |
| Allstate | $601.35 |
| State Farm | $585.10 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in Ohio
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| Caldwell | $391.63 |
| Upper Sandusky | $402.83 |
| Nelsonville | $404.36 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in Ohio
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| Toledo | $619.19 |
| Whitehall | $616.88 |
| Youngstown | $612.84 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Guide to Ohio Car Insurance
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 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.
Car Insurance Add-Ons That Will Further Protect You
- Uninsured Motorist: Many states (though not all) require that drivers carry uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage protects you from losses if you’re in an accident and the at-fault driver doesn’t have car insurance.
- Gap Insurance: Gap insurance covers 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 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.
- Vanishing Deductibles: With this add-on, your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage gradually decreases for every year you don’t have an accident.
Ohio Minimum Insurance Requirements
Many states require a minimum level of car insurance, though the exact laws vary by state. Ohio requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. Drivers have to be prepared to prove they have insurance in the event of a traffic stop. Vehicle owners are prohibited from lending their vehicles to someone else without insurance.
Minimum liability required in the state of Ohio is divided as follows:
- $25,000 for injury/death of one person
- $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people per accident
- $25,000 for property damage in an accident
Penalties for driving without insurance
Ohio has strict penalties for individuals who drive without car insurance. Anyone caught driving without insurance may have their license suspended and their license plates impounded. Drivers can expect to pay a reinstatement fee to get their license back. The fee increases for repeat offenders.
Ohio’s No-Fault Law
Ohio is a “fault” state when it comes to car accidents. As a result, the person who is at fault for an accident is financially responsible for the damages. That driver must compensate other parties for property damage and bodily injury.
Because of Ohio’s minimum liability insurance laws, most drivers will have auto insurance to cover the cost of their liabilities. Those without insurance or whose insurance is not sufficient to cover the damages may have to pay out of pocket.
Ohio Car Insurance FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in Ohio?
Drivers in Ohio are required to carry liability insurance or risk having their driver’s license suspended. The minimum amount required is $25,000 for injury or death or a single person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
What is the average auto insurance cost in Ohio?
Ohio is one of the cheapest states in the nation for auto insurance. Prices for minimum coverage average around $320, while the average full coverage is about $998. Overall, the average price falls between $408 and $805, depending on your insurance company.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Ohio?
Our data shows that Erie has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio but is followed closely by Geico. The average annual premium for state minimum requirements in Erie is $442.07 while in Geico it’s $442.20.
Methodology
Reviews.com scores products, services and companies using five quantifiable criteria to help readers choose the best one for them. For the best car insurance in Ohio, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company and averaged the scores to produce our very own Reviews.com score. These scores were created with our readers in mind and are meant to be a helpful tool to simplify the process of choosing which car insurance company is best for you.
As for average pricing, we used Coverage.com’s data of car insurance in Ohio, based on the profiles of a 30-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100k bodily injury liability per person
- $300k bodily injury liability coverage per crash
- $100k property damage liability coverage per crash
- $500 collision coverage deductible
- $500 comprehensive coverage deductible
Minimum coverages were applied to match state requirements. Both drivers used a new, financed 2018 Toyota Camry, commuting five days a week and driving 12,000 miles per year. Since auto insurance rates vary widely among different profiles, we encourage you to compare options that fit your specific needs.
