Out of 12 of the most popular car insurance providers in Ohio, we found that GEICO, Allstate, USAA, and State Farm are the best auto insurance companies in the state based on their customer service experience and coverage options at competitive rates.
Our analysis also evaluated other key factors including customer satisfaction, financial strength, coverage options, discounts available, and affordability.
The 4 Best Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
| GEICO | Allstate | USAA | State Farm | |
| Our review | Our review | Our review | Our review | |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ | A+ | A++ | A++ |
| J.D. Power 2019 Overall Customer Satisfaction Score (North Central Region) | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Avg. Annual Premium | $497 | $805 | $408 | $590 |
| Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates |
GEICO
Ohio Auto Insurance
Pros
- Low annual premiums
- Fast and convenient auto repairs
Cons
- No gap coverage available
- No discounts for hybrid/electric cars
GEICO offers solid car insurance coverage with some of the lowest rates in Ohio, and somehow still provides 4-star customer care according to the 2019 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. One particular highlight is GEICO’s Auto Repair Xpress system, which gets your car repaired as quickly and conveniently as possible in the event of an accident.
There are also a couple of potential downsides. First, GEICO doesn’t currently offer gap coverage, so if you owe more on your auto loan than your car is worth at the time of an accident, the difference comes out of your pocket. There’s also no discount offered for driving a hybrid or electric car, an offer which is extended by other companies
Allstate
Ohio Auto Insurance
Pros
- Exceptionally high customer satisfaction ratings
- Easy claims filing with a satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- High annual premiums
- Especially high rates on SR-22 certificates
Allstate ranks just above GEICO on the 2019 J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Study for the Central Region. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to file a claim 24/7, using the online claims processing system, mobile app, toll-free phone number, or even with face-to-face visits at their offices throughout the state. Allstate even offers a claims satisfaction guarantee to Ohio residents.
Unfortunately, these benefits come at a steep price. Allstate currently charges some of the highest annual premiums in the state. The rates are especially prohibitive for those who are considered high-risk drivers. If you need an SR-22 certificate due to issues on your driving record, you may want to consider a lower-cost provider.
USAA
Ohio Auto Insurance
Pros
- 5-star customer care
- Affordable annual premiums
Cons
- Only available to military families
- Comparatively few physical locations
USAA is the only Ohio car insurance company on our list to score a perfect 5 out of 5 on the 2019 J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Study. USAA is also the most affordable car insurance company of the 12 companies we analyzed.
So why is USAA not number 1 on our list of the best Ohio car insurance companies? It’s because not everyone qualifies for USAA insurance. To qualify, you must be part of the military community. Eligible groups include active-duty military, Guard or Reserve personnel, cadets, midshipmen, veterans, and family members of these individuals.
Another downside is that USAA offers fewer physical locations compared to providers like State Farm and Allstate. But with so many Americans handling insurance online, this may not be an important factor to you.
State Farm
Ohio Auto Insurance
Pros
- Highly rated mobile app
- Coverage for rideshare drivers
Cons
- Fewer discounts than competitors
- No accident forgiveness
State Farm built its reputation as the friendly neighborhood insurance provider with locations all over the U.S., but it’s adapted its operations to meet the needs of the digital age. The highly rated State Farm app allows you to make payments, monitor claims, and even handle basic banking from your device. State Farm also serves Lyft and Uber drivers in today’s gig economy with competitively priced rideshare coverage.
But you may find a couple of desirable discounts and features missing. While State Farm offers standard discounts (such as safe driver discounts and multi-vehicle discounts), it doesn’t offer as many discounts as competitors like Allstate (which includes discounts for making payments on time and paying premiums in full). There’s also no accident forgiveness feature with State Farm, so if you cause an accident, you’re not protected against increased premiums.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
| Largest Companies by Market Share in Ohio | Average Annual Premium |
| USAA | $408 |
| GEICO | $497 |
| Erie Insurance | $504 |
| USAA | $505 |
| American Family Insurance | $532 |
| State Farm | $590 |
| Esurance | $630 |
| Progressive | $632 |
| Nationwide | $734 |
| Encompass | $788 |
| Metropolitan Insurance | $803 |
| Allstate | $805 |
| Credit Rating tier | Average Annual Premium |
| Poor | $1,148 |
| Below Fair | $928 |
| Fair | $782 |
| Average | $724 |
| Good | $652 |
| Excellent | $519 |
| Average Across Credit Rating Tiers | $792 |
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
- USAA – $408
- GEICO – $497
- Erie Insurance – $504
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
- Allstate – $805
- Metropolitan Insurance – $803
- Encompass – $788
USAA, GEICO, and Erie Insurance are among the cheapest car insurance companies in the state of Ohio. Allstate, Metropolitan Insurance (MetLife), and Encompass are among the most expensive in the state.
The figures used to calculate the cheapest and most expensive insurers are based on general profiles. When you receive an insurance quote, keep in mind that it could vary based on several factors, such as your credit score, age, driving history, location, and coverage selection. For a more accurate estimate that’s specific to your particular circumstances, request a personalized quote from multiple car insurance providers.
Guide to Ohio Car Insurance
Ohio Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
All drivers in Ohio are legally required to maintain a certain amount of car insurance coverage. These minimums are designed to cover a portion of the expense for any injury, death, or property damage in the event of an accident. According to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), the minimum required insurance coverage is:
- $25,000 for property damage for a single accident
- $25,000 for bodily injury/death for one person involved in an accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury/death for two or more people in an accident
Additionally, you must present proof of insurance at all traffic stops and vehicle inspections, as well as at the scene of an accident.
Don’t Settle for Minimum Auto Insurance
The minimum required coverage keeps you street legal, but it may not be enough to protect you against financial losses in the event of a serious accident. The cost of repairs and medical treatment could exceed your insurance coverage, in which case, the difference would have to come out of your pocket.
It’s generally a good idea to purchase as much insurance coverage that’s within your budget. Invest some time in playing around with online quotes from multiple insurance providers. Adjust deductibles, add coverages, and see how much your rates change as your protection increases.
How We Found the Best Ohio Car Insurance Companies
Starting with the 12 most popular insurance providers in Ohio, we analyzed key factors like customer satisfaction, financial strength, coverage options, discounts available, and affordability of each provider to find the best Ohio car insurance companies.
We worked with Quadrant Information Services to provide data on auto insurance rates by company and credit score. Quadrant makes this information available using rate data that insurers are required to file with the state Department of Insurance. Rates are based on sample profiles created by Reviews.com for comparative purposes.
Ohio Car Insurance Companies FAQ
What is the average auto insurance rate in Ohio?
Insurance in Ohio is on the inexpensive side when compared to the rest of the country. Based on pricing data made available through Quadrant Information Services, average auto insurance rates in Ohio range somewhere between $408 and $805, depending on your car insurance company. To make sure you’re getting the best possible rate on your auto insurance, spend some time getting personalized online quotes from multiple insurance providers. Each quote will likely take up 10 minutes.
About the Authors
Michelle Clardie has an MBA in management and strategy, and has worked in real estate. Her work has been featured on sites like Yahoo! News and Inman.
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