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Cheapest Car Insurance In Ohio (2024)

The cheapest car insurance in Ohio comes from Erie at $24 per month on average.

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Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
06/30/2024 06:10 PM

Given the increasing prices of car insurance, it is recommended that drivers in Ohio compare different policies in order to secure the most cost-effective coverage. Our reviews team has researched the best car insurance companies nationwide. We carefully examined the reputation, how satisfied customers were, the coverage options, and the average premiums of each provider.

In this review, we will discuss the most effective methods to reduce costs on coverage and where to locate the most affordable car insurance in Ohio based on your driving habits.

Key Points

  • Erie is the cheapest car insurance company in Ohio overall, with an average rate of $24 per month for minimum coverage and $109 per month for full coverage.
  • Progressive and Nationwide also offer affordable car insurance rates for many driver profiles.
  • If you’re younger than 25 or have gotten traffic tickets, your car insurance rates will likely be higher than average.
  • You can save on car insurance by opting for minimum coverage, looking for discounts, increasing your deductible, and bundling your auto insurance with other policies.
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Car insurance companies each have their own way of evaluating drivers, so the provider that is the cheapest for one driver may not be the cheapest for you. Let’s take a look at some examples of the most affordable auto insurance providers and their rates for different types of drivers in Ohio.

Cheapest Car Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Minimum coverageErie$24$289
Full coverageNationwide$78$937
16-year-oldsErie$80$963
45-year-oldsErie$20$240
High-risk driversErie$34$404
After a speeding ticketErie$27$321
After an accidentErie$31$376
After a DUIProgressive$33$399
Poor credit driversNationwide$31$375

*Unless stated otherwise, average costs are minimum-coverage rates for single male drivers between the ages of 25 and 35 with a clean driving history.


What Is The Cheapest Car Insurance Company In Ohio?

In general, we discovered that Erie provides the most affordable car insurance in Ohio for a variety of driving situations. The following sections will cover the average monthly costs of both minimum- and full-coverage car insurance from the cheapest companies in Ohio.

These percentages apply to drivers in Ohio with various ages, locations, and driving experiences. The cheapest companies are organized by minimum coverage costs.

Cheapest Minimum Coverage In Ohio: Erie

Drivers looking for the most affordable coverage that just meets Ohio state minimum requirements may find it at Erie for about $24 per month or $289 per year on average.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Erie$24$289
Progressive$27$325
Nationwide$31$375
Auto-Owners$32$382
GEICO$33$397
Westfield$33$400
Grange Indemnity$38$459
Cincinnati$47$560
Allstate$59$713

Cheapest Full Coverage In Ohio: Nationwide

Nationwide is the best choice if you want comprehensive coverage at an affordable price. The provider offers full-coverage insurance for an average of $78 per month.

Full-coverage insurance policies in Ohio generally include liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive insurance.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioAverage Monthly CostAverage Annual Cost
Nationwide$78$937
Erie$109$1,304
GEICO$114$1,370
Progressive$132$1,581
Auto-Owners$139$1,664
Grange Indemnity$155$1,863
Cincinnati$160$1,923
Westfield$169$2,028
Allstate$201$2,409

Cheapest Car Insurance In Ohio: Age

Below, you’ll find average insurance costs for Ohio drivers ages 16 to 55 as well as the top five most affordable car insurance companies for each age group. People who are 30 to 55 years old often receive the most affordable car insurance rates because they have more driving experience. Additionally, they have a lower chance of being in car accidents compared to younger drivers, based on statistics.

Average Car Insurance Rates By Age

AgeMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
16$158$503
25$39$154
35$33$126
45$32$119
55$30$110

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance: Young Drivers

As mentioned, drivers in their teens and early 20s typically pay the most expensive car insurance rates. That’s mostly because these drivers have limited practice driving and are more likely to ignore traffic rules and have car crashes.

In fact, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for teen drivers was nearly three times the rate for drivers 20 years old and older in 2021, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For 16-Year-Olds: Erie

If you’re a teen driver or the parent of one, Erie may be your best bet for finding the most affordable car insurance in Ohio.

The company’s cheapest average rates for 16-year-old drivers are $80 per month or $963 per year, which is relatively affordable compared to other states. If you’re looking for full coverage, the average is $290 per month or $3,480 per year from Nationwide.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$80$358
GEICO$114$395
Nationwide$120$290
Auto-Owners$122$391
Westfield$141$459
Progressive$166$679
Cincinnati$169$501
Grange Indemnity$189$678
Allstate$325$772

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For 25-Year-Olds: Erie

Young drivers in their 20s pay much less for car insurance compared to teenagers. However, the cost can still be quite high depending on which insurance company you go with.

Erie provides the cheapest car insurance costs on average at $26 per month or $318 per year for minimum coverage. Nationwide costs $84 per month or $1,011 per year for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$26$119
Progressive$30$141
Nationwide$34$84
GEICO$35$130
Westfield$35$186
Auto-Owners$37$162
Grange Indemnity$40$161
Cincinnati$51$175
Allstate$63$224

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance: Adult Drivers

People who are in their forties usually get the cheapest car insurance rates. You can compare average rates of drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s from the top five cheapest companies for each age group below.

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For 35-Year-Olds: Erie

Drivers in their mid-30s may insure their cars at the cheapest cost by getting a minimum coverage car insurance policy from Erie. The company offers average minimum-coverage costs of $22 per month or $260 per year. For full coverage, Nationwide’s rates average $72 monthly or $864 annually.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$22$98
Progressive$24$122
Auto-Owners$26$115
Nationwide$29$72
Westfield$31$152
GEICO$31$98
Grange Indemnity$37$149
Cincinnati$43$146
Allstate$56$178

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For 45-Year-Olds: Erie

Forty-five-year-old drivers may find the most affordable minimum coverage from Erie, with average rates of $20 per month or $240 per year. The cheapest full coverage comes from Nationwide at $69 per month or $830 per year.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$20$91
Progressive$22$107
Auto-Owners$25$112
Nationwide$28$69
Westfield$29$140
GEICO$31$94
Grange Indemnity$37$143
Cincinnati$42$140
Allstate$55$171

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For 55-Year-Olds: Progressive

Drivers who are in their 50s usually get the most affordable car insurance rates from Progressive in Ohio. The insurer’s average premiums are $19 monthly or $222 annually for minimum coverage. The cheapest full coverage option is from Nationwide, costing $69 monthly or $830 annually

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Progressive$19$90
Erie$19$88
Auto-Owners$24$103
Nationwide$25$62
GEICO$29$96
Westfield$29$133
Grange Indemnity$35$132
Cincinnati$37$123
Allstate$53$163

Cheapest Car Insurance In Ohio: High-Risk Drivers

Apart from the type of coverage and your age, your driving behavior also greatly impacts the cost of your car insurance. Auto insurers typically determine if you’re a high-risk driver by looking at how many infractions are on your driving record, including speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUI convictions.

Average Car Insurance Rates For High-Risk Drivers

Drivers with a high risk of accidents have to pay more than the average amount for car insurance because they have many violations on their driving records. On average, Ohio motorists who are deemed high-risk may find the most affordable rates from Erie for minimum coverage or Nationwide for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$34$140
Progressive$38$187
Nationwide$51$127
Grange Indemnity$54$220
Auto-Owners$55$215
GEICO$58$198
Westfield$66$264
Allstate$80$278
Cincinnati$86$293

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For Drivers With A Speeding Ticket: Erie

Drivers with a speeding citation on their record can generally find the most affordable coverage from Erie, with average rates of $27 per month or $321 per year for minimum coverage and $117 per month or $1,408 per year for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$27$117
Progressive$35$170
Westfield$40$202
Nationwide$40$100
GEICO$41$145
Auto-Owners$45$180
Cincinnati$55$189
Grange Indemnity$55$222
Allstate$71$247

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For Drivers With An At-Fault Accident: Erie

If you cause a car accident in Ohio, your car insurance rates may go up. Erie tends to offer the most affordable rates on average at about $31 per month or $376 per year for minimum coverage and $132 per month or $132 per year for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Erie$31$132
Progressive$45$230
Grange Indemnity$47$190
Auto-Owners$50$197
Nationwide$51$126
Westfield$54$228
GEICO$56$195
Cincinnati$87$298
Allstate$91$315

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For Drivers With A DUI: Progressive

If you’re a motorist with a DUI on record, you may find the cheapest minimum car insurance in Ohio from Progressive for $33 per month or $399 per year on average. They also have rates of $161 monthly or $1,929 annually for full coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Progressive$33$161
Erie$43$170
Grange Indemnity$60$249
Nationwide$62$156
Auto-Owners$72$268
GEICO$76$253
Allstate$77$272
Westfield$103$364
Cincinnati$115$391

Cheapest Ohio Car Insurance For Drivers With Poor Credit: Nationwide

People who have bad credit have to pay more money for their car insurance. Those who don’t have the best credit history may want to check out Nationwide, which has an average minimum-coverage rate of $42 per month or $501 per year and an average full-coverage rate of $111 per month or $1,329 per year.

Cheapest Car Insurance in OhioMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Nationwide$42$111
Progressive$42$218
GEICO$46$175
Erie$49$250
Grange Indemnity$51$198
Westfield$62$301
Cincinnati$71$242
Allstate$84$330
Auto-Owners$87$391

Average Cost Of Car Insurance In 10 Ohio Cities

Another thing that affects how much you pay for car insurance in Ohio is the location where you live. Auto insurance companies consider drivers riskier to cover in areas with:

  • More people living in a particular area
  • There are a greater number of cars traveling on the road.
  • More car accidents happening at increased rates.
  • More instances of traffic violations
  • More incidents of car theft and slashed tires
  • Extreme weather conditions

Certain factors that increase the chances of experiencing risks tend to impact car owners residing in larger cities. As a result, drivers in busy cities end up paying the highest average amount for car insurance with minimum coverage. Conversely, drivers living in rural areas with lower crime rates and smaller populations are more likely to enjoy lower insurance rates.

CityMinimum-Coverage Average Monthly CostFull-Coverage Average Monthly Cost
Cleveland$65$180
Columbus$65$177
Toledo$66$170
Akron$58$159
Elyria$55$140
Cincinnati$67$178
Newark$46$149
Mentor$53$138
Lima$50$139
Grove City$57.24$155.38

Top 5 Car Insurance Companies In Ohio

Besides the cost, we looked at more than 40 insurance companies to see which ones offer the best coverage, service, and reliability for people living in Ohio. We have identified the top five insurers. Based on our research, we found Erie to be the best provider for most drivers in Ohio. These are our ratings for the choices we recommend.

Overall RatingCostCoverageReliabilityService
#1 Erie4.54.35.04.54.5
#2 GEICO4.54.24.24.94.3
#3 Progressive4.54.04.84.84.1
#4 Allstate4.43.84.64.84.2
#5 Auto-Owners4.44.54.74.64.4

*The overall and category ratings above are based on nationwide factors.


How To Get The Cheapest Car Insurance In Ohio

In Ohio, you have a few options to reduce how much you pay for car insurance. These include:

  • Opting for minimum coverage: If you only get the lowest amount of car insurance required in your state, it will be the least expensive option.
  • Seeking out discounts: Most insurance companies have multiple discounts that can help cut down on premium costs, from military and good student discounts to discounts for drivers that remain accident free for five years.
  • Raising your deductible: A higher deductible will lower your premium costs, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
  • Bundling your auto insurance: You can often bundle your auto insurance with a homeowners insurance policy or other type of coverage to earn a discount.
  • Comparing quotes: Getting estimates from several companies can help you determine which provider will give you the best offer.

Many insurance companies also offer usage-based insurance programs which can help you save money. These programs use telematics to monitor your driving habits–from your speed and braking to the time of day you drive. If you drive safely, you might be able to receive a significant discount. However, certain programs may increase your rates if you engage in risky driving habits.

Some companies also offer diminishing deductibles and accident forgiveness. A diminishing deductible option decreases your deductible amount each time you renew your policy. Accident forgiveness ensures that your rates won’t increase after your first accident with the company.

What Does Ohio Require For Car Insurance?

Drivers in Ohio must meet minimum insurance requirements as outlined by state law, which include basic liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:

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

Liability coverage only takes care of other parties’ injuries and property damages in an accident that you cause. UM/UIM covers your injuries and property damages, but only in the case that the at-fault driver has little to no auto insurance.

Getting comprehensive insurance will ensure that your car is covered if stolen, vandalized, or damaged by floods, fire, animals, or other natural disasters. Collision insurance covers your car repairs after an accident.


Our Take: Best Cheap Car Insurance In Ohio

When it comes to both minimum and full coverage, Erie is the best and cheapest car insurance company for most drivers in Ohio. While the above costs can give you an idea of what you’d pay for car insurance in Ohio, seeking an individualized rate will help give you a more accurate picture of what you’ll pay.

Many companies offer quick and free online tools for getting quotes. Alternatively, you can call a company’s insurance agent or representative. Once you have gathered quotes from at least three providers, compare them to find the option that suits you best.

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Best Cheap Car Insurance In Ohio: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about car insurance in Ohio:

How much is car insurance per month in Ohio?

The average cost of minimum-coverage car insurance in Ohio is $36 per month or $433 per year. For full coverage, the average is $140 per month or $1,675 per year.

Is Ohio Car Insurance Cheaper?

Ohio auto insurance is typically cheaper than the national average. Nationwide, the average cost of minimum-coverage insurance is $670 per year, while the average in Ohio is $433 per year. For full coverage, residents of Ohio pay about $1,675 per year on average, which is less than the national average of $2,216 per year.


How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.