What you need to know about car insurance in Ohio

Auto insurance rates in Ohio are relatively reasonable compared to some other states. Drivers pay an average of $1,417 per year for full-coverage auto insurance, nearly $500 less than the national average of $1,897. Drivers in Ohio also pay less for the mandatory minimum amount of car insurance: $362 per year versus the U.S. average of $503.

In this guide to car insurance in Ohio, we share the most essential things you need to know when looking for car insurance. Specifically, we look at the average costs by policy type and company, explain coverage requirements, and offer tips for finding the cheapest car insurance in Ohio.

• The average cost of car insurance in Ohio is $1,417 per year for full coverage or $118 per month.
• Drivers in Ohio must have personal liability insurance with a coverage limit of at least 25/50/25.
• Grange is the cheapest auto insurance company in Ohio, with an average full coverage premium of $986 per year.

Understanding Ohio Auto Insurance Requirements

Vehicle owners in the Buckeye State must purchase auto liability insurance with a minimum coverage limit of 25/50/25 in order to register their car and drive it legally. A minimum state coverage policy 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

“The legal minimum coverage amount is often completely inadequate to pay for a serious car accident, so Ohio drivers should be aware of higher limits available,” said Matt Simon, president of CoverLink Insurance, an independent agency with offices in central and northeastern Ohio.

Experts say drivers should have a liability coverage limit of at least 100/300/100 to protect their assets in the event of a major accident.

The average cost of car insurance in Ohio is cheaper than what drivers pay nationwide. This applies to both liability-only and full-coverage policies.

The rates below were collected from auto insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single, 40-year-old male and female drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on their record for full coverage insurance with liability limits of 100/300/100 and $500 comprehensive and collision deductible.

Although auto insurance premiums in Ohio are cheaper on average than nationally, the amount you pay for coverage will vary. Factors such as your age, zip code, type of vehicle you own, credit history and driving record can affect the cost of car insurance.

To find cheaper car insurance, you can ask about common discounts such as bundling your policies, taking a defensive driving course, insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy or paying your annual premium in full. If you have a teen who drives, ask about good student discounts.

“If you have a student driver on your policy, check to see if there is a good student discount, which typically requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify,” Simon said. “If your student qualifies for this discount, it can lead to significant premium savings, as teenagers are often the most expensive drivers to insure.”

If you have full coverage, including comprehensive and collision insurance, you may also consider increasing the associated deductible – the amount you must pay before your policy takes effect. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium.

“Car repair costs continue to rise in the US, so a deductible of $100 or $250 can significantly increase the cost of your insurance. Increasing your deductible to $500 or even $1,000 (if you can comfortably afford it) can help lower your insurance premium,” says Simon.

Based on our research, Grange Insurance is the cheapest auto insurance company in Ohio, with an average premium of $986 per year for full coverage. Car Owners ($1,109) and Erie Insurance ($1,132) are also cheaper options.

On the other end of the spectrum, we found that Allstate is the most expensive car insurance company in Ohio, with an average annual rate of $1,942 for full coverage. Other companies with above-average rates include Farmers ($1,794) and Westfield ($1,673).

The rates below were collected from auto insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single, 40-year-old male and female drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on their record for full coverage insurance with liability limits of 100/300/100 and a comprehensive and deductible of $500.

If you’re looking to get car insurance in Ohio, it can be helpful to have a general understanding of average premiums. Here’s a look at the average quotes in Ohio based on insurance company, zip code and driver profile.

Your city and zip code can have a major impact on the cost of your car insurance. Based on the rate data we evaluated, Cleveland has the most expensive auto insurance rates in Ohio ($1,643). Cincinnati ($1,608) and Toledo ($1,601) also have some of the most expensive premiums.

The cheapest city in Ohio for car insurance is Lorain, with an average annual premium of $1,310 for full coverage. Parma ($1,316) and Canton ($1,417) also have cheap fares.

Drivers in Ohio can save money on car insurance by taking advantage of discounts such as bundling their auto and home policies, increasing their deductible and maintaining a clean driver’s record. It’s also a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers. By making comparisons, you can find the cheapest policy for your coverage needs and situation.

No, Ohio is a at-fault or tort state, which means whoever causes an accident is responsible for reimbursing the other party for medical bills and property damage. Drivers who suffer damages after an accident can also seek more compensation for their injuries or other damages.

Editors gathered rate information from auto insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single, 40-year-old male and female drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on their record for a full-coverage insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deduction.

In addition, we also calculated rates for the same hypothetical drivers, but with one or more of the following to their name: speeding ticket, at-fault accident, DUI/DWI, poor credit history, or a lapse in coverage.

We have analyzed more than 53 million quotes, more than 34,000 zip codes and 170 insurance companies nationally.

Note: 100/300/100 means up to $100,000 for the medical bills of those you injure, up to $300,000 per accident for bodily injury liability for all persons injured in one accident, and $100,000 for car repairs from other drivers and property you damage.