Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 2024

Bankrate’s insurance editorial team analyzed average premiums from the largest insurers by market share to unveil some of the cheapest car insurance in Ohio. Drivers in the state pay an average of $1,533 per year for full coverage car insurance and $426 per year for minimum coverage. Keep in mind that your premium may vary, though. Insurers price individual policies based on several factors, such as your age, credit history, driving record and more.

It can help to shop around and gather several quotes before deciding on the company that is best for your needs. To find the cheapest Ohio car insurance, you may want to start by getting quotes from the insurers we’ve identified below.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: Central Mutual
• Cheapest company for full coverage: Hastings Mutual
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: Central Mutual
• Cheapest company for young drivers: Central Mutual

You will need to purchase at least the state-mandated minimum insurance coverage in order to drive legally. In Ohio, drivers are required to have liability only, but experts recommend adding more coverage for better financial protection if you can afford it.

Minimum coverage helps pay for property damage and medical expenses the other driver incurs if you cause an accident. If you’re shopping for the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for minimum coverage, Central Mutual and USAA may be worth considering, according to Bankrate’s research.

Minimum coverage requirements for Ohio drivers

Car insurance is a legal requirement in Ohio. The minimum amount of coverage you’ll need includes:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability per accident

Drivers who are looking for the most affordable car insurance in Ohio may be drawn to a minimum coverage policy for upfront savings. However, minimum coverage offers limited financial protection in the event of an at-fault accident. Costs can add up quickly, and you would be responsible for anything beyond your policy limits if you do not have adequate insurance coverage.

Further, liability-only insurance does not provide financial reimbursement for damage to your own vehicle. For that, you’ll need full coverage.

Full coverage typically includes liability insurance plus collision and comprehensive insurance. Full coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. If you lease your vehicle or purchased it with a loan, your financial institution may require full coverage to protect their asset.

The following companies offer some of the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Ohio, per Bankrate’s analysis of average rate data from Quadrant Information Services:

Drivers with clean driving records typically see the best car insurance rates in Ohio because they’re statistically shown to be less likely to file claims. However, if you have a spotty driving history, your insurance provider sees you as more of a risk and will charge you a higher premium.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: Central Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Central Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: Westfield

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Ohio with a speeding ticket: Central Mutual

A speeding ticket conviction, like any other driving incident on your motor vehicle record, can have a detrimental effect on your car insurance rates. Drivers who are convicted of speeding will usually see the violation on their insurance driving records for three to five years and their insurance rate will likely be higher than normal during this time. Practicing safe driving habits can be a great way to avoid speeding tickets and subsequent rate increases — and can even make you eligible for car insurance discounts. In the meantime, Ohio drivers with a single speeding ticket may want to look at Central Mutual and the following carriers, all of which offer cheap average rates for drivers in the same situation.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Ohio with an at-fault accident: Central Mutual

When you are found to be at fault for an accident, you will typically see a higher insurance premium. If you cause a crash, your insurance rate will usually be surcharged for three to five years, just like a ticket. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness as an endorsement when you purchase a policy, which may help protect your rates against a first-time or minor incident for which you are responsible. However, you’ll need to have this coverage on your policy prior to the accident to qualify for the benefits.

Central Mutual and the other insurers below offer competitive average rates after an at-fault accident in Ohio.

Cheapest rates in Ohio for high-risk drivers: Westfield

If you are considered a high-risk driver, you will likely pay a much higher insurance premium. High-risk drivers include those who have been convicted of a DUI, as well as those who have multiple speeding tickets (among other serious moving violations or repeat infractions).

Drivers in the high-risk category may have a harder time getting cheap car insurance — or qualifying for coverage at all. In addition to driving safely going forward, you may benefit from seeking quotes from Westfield, as well as the other insurers listed below.

Teens often pay higher insurance premiums because they’re less experienced drivers and more likely to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel. Insurance carriers pass this risk off to young drivers in the form of higher insurance rates. However, it is possible to find affordable auto insurance for young adults in Ohio. Take a look at the following companies, which have lower average rates for teens.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Central Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Central Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Westfield

Cheapest Ohio car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Central Mutual

Teen drivers lack experience on the road, which coincides with a higher risk of accidents and subsequent claim payouts. Because of this, car insurance carriers tend to charge higher rates when teen drivers are added to a policy. As the driver ages and establishes a safe driving history, the insurance rate will usually decrease over time, but seeking out carriers that offer low average rates and young driver discounts might save you some money up front.

Rates reflected below are for a 16-year-old driver on their married parents’ policy.

Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie

A teen with a moving violation conviction usually pays more for insurance coverage in Ohio. This is true whether they’re on their own policy or listed on their parents’ policy. Teens with a ticket can expect to pay more for several years until the infraction falls off of their record.

The ​​rates below reflect an 18-year-old on their own policy.

Cheapest Ohio car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Central Mutual

Insurance providers charge more for teens who are found to be at fault in an accident. Given that young drivers already pay more for insurance, having an accident on their record can really drive up their rates. Fortunately, Central Mutual offers some of the cheapest insurance to teens with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest Ohio car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Westfield

A young driver convicted of a DUI in Ohio will face fines and fees. Most young drivers will also see their insurance premiums rise at renewal time. Companies typically charge higher rates for three to five years or until the infraction falls off of the young driver’s license. However, it could still benefit to shop around with other providers to find a cheaper rate in the meantime. In Ohio, Westfield has some of the cheapest average insurance premiums for drivers with a DUI.

Note that the rates reflected below are for a 21-year-old driver on their own policy.

When you are looking at how to save on car insurance in Ohio, your first step should be to check out the discounts available from your chosen insurance carrier. Almost all insurers offer at least a few discounts, and they are often easy to qualify for. Here are a few that may be available in Ohio:

• Safe driving: Insurers are increasingly using telematics programs, such as State Farm's Drive Safe & Save, to monitor driving in real-time. If you prove to be a safe and careful driver, you could save a hefty amount on your car insurance premium. Keep in mind that some insurers will also penalize you if you exhibit unsafe driving habits.
• Defensive driving course: Completing an approved motor vehicle accident prevention course might earn you a discount. Be sure to ask your insurer for details before enrolling in a course, as not all age groups or courses may qualify. Plus, the discount might only be in effect for a certain amount of time.
• Bundling: This common discount could save you a lot of money if you buy more than one insurance product from the same company, such as auto and home insurance.
• Multiple vehicles: If you have more than one car or other vehicles on your policy, you may earn a discount.
• Claim-free: If you go a certain amount of time without making a claim, some insurers will lower your rate.
• Online quote: Simply asking for your quote online rather than through an agent could amount to a small break on your premium.
• Vehicle safety features: If your car has common safety features, such as anti-lock brakes or airbags, you could be eligible for a discount.
• Automatic bill pay: Sometimes, signing up for automatic payments will earn you a discount. You might also be able to sign up for paperless communication to earn an additional discount.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.