Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Ohio

Progressive offers the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance to Ohio drivers, at $35 per month.

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Key Takeaways

  • Progressive is our pick for the best cheap car insurance option in Ohio.
  • Grange, Erie and GEICO also provide competitive rates in the state.
  • Progressive offers the most affordable rate for most drivers with a prior incident.
  • Ohio's road and bridge conditions rank 28th in the U.S.
  • Cleveland Heights has the best drivers in the state and Bowling Green has the worst.
  • ZIP code 45433 has the cheapest car insurance rates in the state and 43608 has the most expensive.

In this article:

The best cheap car insurance companies in Ohio

  • Cheapest overall: Progressive
  • Cheapest full coverage: Grange
  • Cheapest with driving incident: Progressive
  • Cheapest for teen drivers: Erie and Grange
  • Cheapest with poor credit: Progressive and Grange

Cheapest full-coverage auto insurance rates in Ohio: Grange

Grange offers Ohio drivers the most affordable car insurance rates for full coverage, at $83 a month. There are also plenty of worthwhile alternatives in Ohio. Progressive and GEICO both offer full-coverage policies that are a few dollars more per month than what Grange charges.

Average monthly full-coverage rates by company
Company Monthly rate
Grange $83
Progressive $93
GEICO $102
Erie $126
Nationwide $127
Average $149
Allstate $165
State Farm $344
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with a good driving record.

The main distinction between a minimum- and full-coverage policy is that full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability insurance.

  • Comprehensive coverage reimburses you for damage your car sustains from events out of your control, including natural disasters, theft and falling objects.
  • Collision coverage protects you if your car is damaged from hitting another vehicle or a stationary object, like a pole.

Cheapest minimum-coverage auto insurance rates in Ohio: Progressive

Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance rate in Ohio for drivers looking for minimum coverage. Compared to the second-cheapest option GEICO, Progressive provides rates up to 35% lower.

Average monthly minimum-coverage rates by company
Company Monthly rate
Progressive $35
GEICO $54
Erie $57
Grange $67
Nationwide $73
Allstate $79
Average $85
State Farm $234
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with a good driving record.

Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with bad credit: Progressive and Grange

A recent study by QuoteWizard found that Progressive and Grange are the cheapest car insurance options for drivers with poor credit in Ohio. For minimum coverage, Progressive has the cheapest rate of $59 per month, followed by GEICO at $77 per month. For full coverage, Grange has the most affordable rate of $120, followed by GEICO at $153.

Average monthly full-coverage rates for drivers with bad credit
Company Monthly rate
Grange $120
GEICO $153
Progressive $163
Nationwide $191
Allstate $267
Average $277
Erie $285
State Farm $761
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with poor credit and a good driving record..
Average monthly minimum-coverage rates for drivers with bad credit
Company Minimum coverage monthly
Progressive $59
GEICO $77
Grange $100
Nationwide $107
Allstate $118
Erie $124
Average $157
State Farm $517
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with poor credit and a good driving record..

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Ohio with a prior incident

Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket: Progressive

A speeding ticket can raise your car insurance rates, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world. According to our data, Progressive is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record in Ohio.

Whether you are looking for full or minimum coverage, Progressive has the cheapest quote available. The average increase in price for Progressive customers after receiving a ticket is 28% in the state of Ohio. However, Progressive still offers rates that are 54% lower than the national average for individuals with a speeding ticket.

Average monthly full-coverage rates for drivers with a speeding ticket
Company Full coverage monthly
Progressive $119
Grange $121
Erie $126
GEICO $129
Nationwide $156
Average $177
Allstate $205
State Farm $381
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with one speeding ticket on his driving record.
Average monthly minimum-coverage rates for drivers with a speeding ticket
Company Monthly rate
Progressive $45
Erie $57
GEICO $65
Nationwide $86
Allstate $95
Average $101
Grange $103
State Farm $259
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with one speeding ticket on their driving record.

Cheapest for drivers with an at-fault accident: Progressive and Grange

The cheapest auto insurance in Ohio for drivers with an accident history comes from Grange and Progressive. Progressive drivers after an at-fault accident with minimum coverage can expect to see their rates increase by 57%.

Having an accident on your record indicates to insurers that you are a high-risk driver and that usually causes your insurance rate to go up. However, accidents typically stop affecting your rates after three to five years, or you can take advantage of companies that offer accident forgiveness as an optional add-on.

Average monthly full-coverage rates for drivers with an at-fault accident
Company Monthly rate
Grange $131
Progressive $147
Erie $157
Nationwide $185
GEICO $196
Average $215
Allstate $268
State Farm $418
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with one at-fault accident on their driving record.
Average monthly minimum-coverage rates for drivers with an at-fault accident
Company Minimum coverage monthly
Progressive $55
Erie $71
GEICO $96
Nationwide $99
Grange $113
Average $120
Allstate $124
State Farm $284
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with one at-fault accident on their driving record.

Cheapest auto insurance for drivers with a DUI: Progressive

If you receive a DUI you can be certain your insurance cost is going to increase. After receiving a DUI, insurance rates in Ohio on average increase by 38%.

Drivers with a DUI can find the most affordable car insurance rates with Progressive. For a minimum-coverage policy, Progressive provides rates that average $42 a month. For full coverage, the company’s rates average $111 a month, or $1,332 a year.

Average monthly full-coverage rates for drivers with a DUI
Company Monthly rate
Progressive $111
Grange $119
Erie $188
Average $214
Allstate $227
Nationwide $235
GEICO $236
State Farm $381
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with one DUI.
Average monthly minimum-coverage rates for drivers with a DUI
Company Minimum coverage monthly
Progressive $42
Erie $86
Grange $94
Allstate $104
Average $118
GEICO $121
Nationwide $122
State Farm $259
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with one DUI.

Cheapest auto insurance for senior drivers in Ohio: Progressive

Whether you are looking for a full or minimum-coverage policy, Progressive offers the cheapest insurance rates for senior drivers aged 65. Insurance companies reward experience and, as a result, senior drivers tend to have significantly lower insurance rates than their younger or teenage counterparts.

However, it's still important to take advantage of any opportunities to save. The difference between the cheapest and the most expensive insurer in Ohio is a few hundred dollars per month. That's why it's still important to shop around with different companies and seek out ways to cut down costs.

Average monthly full-coverage rates for senior drivers
Company Monthly rate
Progressive $77
Grange $88
GEICO $107
Nationwide $117
Erie $122
Average $141
Allstate $151
State Farm $326
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 65-year-old male with a clean driving record.
Average monthly minimum-coverage rates for senior drivers
Company Minimum coverage monthly
Progressive $32
Erie $54
GEICO $61
Nationwide $68
Allstate $76
Grange $81
Average $86
State Farm $223
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 65-year-old male with a clean driving record.

Cheapest car insurance for teen drivers in Ohio: Erie and Grange

The cost of car insurance for teen drivers is significantly higher due to their lack of experience and a higher percentage of incident rates.

In the state of Ohio, teens looking for the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance should seek quotes from Erie, Progressive and GEICO. All three companies provide quotes well below the state and national averages. Erie in particular has quotes as much as 52% below the state average.

Teen drivers in Ohio looking for a full-coverage car insurance option can find the most affordable quote from Grange. Grange offers quotes that average $166 per month, which is 67% lower than the state average.

Average monthly full-coverage rates for teen drivers
Company Monthly rate
Company Monthly rate
Grange $166
Erie $301
GEICO $312
Progressive $384
Allstate $454
Average $470
Nationwide $509
State Farm $1,163
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for an 18-year-old male with a good driving record.
Average monthly minimum-coverage rates for teen drivers
Company Minimum coverage monthly
Erie $128
Progressive $152
GEICO $156
Grange $168
Allstate $224
Nationwide $256
Average $268
State Farm $787
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for an 18-year-old male with a good driving record.

Cheapest auto insurance for married drivers in Ohio: Progressive

Progressive offers the cheapest rate for married drivers in the state of Ohio for both full- and minimum-coverage options. For minimum coverage, Progressive is up to 44% cheaper than Erie, which is the next-cheapest option. When we look at full-coverage plans, Progressive is up to 19% cheaper than Grange, which is the next-cheapest alternative.

Average monthly full-coverage rates for married drivers
Company Full coverage monthly
Progressive $73
Grange $87
GEICO $103
Erie $120
Nationwide $124
Average $145
Allstate $163
State Farm $344
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a married 35-year-old male with a good driving record.
Average monthly minimum-coverage rates for married drivers
Company Minimum coverage monthly
Progressive $30
Erie $54
GEICO $57
Grange $70
Nationwide $71
Allstate $79
Average $85
State Farm $234
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a married 35-year-old male with a good driving record.

Cheapest car insurance in Ohio based on gender: Progressive

Based on our study, Progressive is the most affordable option for males and females for minimum-coverage insurance. Progressive is slightly more expensive for females, but the state average is slightly cheaper for females.

Average monthly minimum-coverage rates based on gender
Company Male Female
Progressive $30 $32
Erie $54 $54
Grange $70 $54
GEICO $57 $58
Nationwide $71 $72
Allstate $79 $79
Average $85 $83
State Farm $234 $234
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for 35-year-old males and females with a good driving record.

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Ohio by zip code

A recent analysis of 208 ZIP codes in Ohio found that the most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance are 43608 and 43620, with an average annual cost of $1,211. In contrast, the cheapest ZIP code for auto insurance is 45433, with an average annual cost of $854.

The difference in cost between these two ZIP codes is likely due to a number of factors, including the number of accidents and claims in the area, the demographics of the population and the competition among insurance companies.

10 Cheapest zip codes
ZIP code Yearly cost
45433 $854
45434 $857
45435 $860
45244 $876
44706 $887
45245 $888
45440 $890
44721 $892
45429 $896
44710 $902
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with a good driving record.
10 most expensive zip codes
ZIP code Yearly cost
43608 $1,211
43620 $1,211
43604 $1,199
43610 $1,190
43224 $1,180
45214 $1,178
45205 $1,177
44122 $1,175
44104 $1,169
43607 $1,166
Rates are for minimum-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with a good driving record.

Car insurance laws in Ohio

Penalties for driving without insurance in Ohio

Just as in any other state, there are rules to follow when it comes to insurance. In the state of Ohio, some conditions include:

  • It is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance or other financial responsibility (FR) coverage.
  • There are minimum liability coverage limits.
  • Drivers who are convicted of certain traffic violations, such as driving under the influence (DUI), driving without insurance, or reckless driving, may be required to file an SR-22 form with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
  • Drivers who fail to maintain the minimum liability coverage requirements in Ohio may be subject to fines, penalties and license suspension.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about car insurance laws in Ohio:

  • Drivers are not required to carry comprehensive or collision coverage, but it is highly recommended. These types of coverage can help to protect you in the event of a car accident, even if you are not at fault.
  • Drivers who lease or finance a car may be required to carry certain types of car insurance by their lender.
  • The cost of car insurance in Ohio varies depending on a number of factors, including the driver's age, driving history and the type of car they drive.
  • It is important to contact your insurance company or an insurance agent to get more specific information about the car insurance laws in Ohio and what coverage is right for you.

What are the car insurance requirements in Ohio?

Every state has requirements for drivers to be able to legally operate their cars on the roads. In Ohio, drivers must have insurance that meets the following minimums:

Coverage Limits
Bodily injury (BI) $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Property damage (PD) $25,000 per accident

While this is the least amount of coverage you need to drive in the state, it may not fulfill your individual financial needs.

These coverage limits will not reimburse you for damages sustained by your vehicle in an at-fault accident. To avoid paying high repair rates, we recommend that drivers with new or expensive cars purchase full coverage, higher limits or additional coverages.

Ohioans who don’t want to buy state-minimum car insurance can prove financial responsibility with:

  • A surety bond of $30,000 issued by an authorized surety or insurance company.
  • An Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) bond secured by real estate with equity of at least $60,000.
  • A BMV certificate for money or government bonds in the amount of $30,000 on deposit with the Ohio Treasurer of State.

SR-22 insurance in Ohio

SR-22 insurance is a certificate of financial responsibility that may be required for high-risk drivers in Ohio. It is often referred to as an SR-22 bond or SR-22 form, and it is usually requested when a driver's license has been suspended. It also serves as proof of financial responsibility to the Ohio BMV that a driver meets the minimum liability coverage requirements for auto insurance.

In Ohio, drivers who are convicted of certain traffic violations, such as DUI, driving without insurance or reckless driving, may be required to file an SR-22 form with the BMV. The specific violations that require SR-22 insurance vary depending on the driver's age and driving history.

An SR-22 form is filed by an insurance company licensed to operate in Ohio, and it is valid for the length of time specified by the BMV. The cost of SR-22 insurance varies depending on the insurance company and the driver's risk profile. However, it is generally more expensive than regular car insurance.

If a driver fails to maintain SR-22 insurance for the required period, their license may be suspended or revoked. Additionally, they may be subject to fines and penalties.

Here are some of the minimum SR-22 requirements in Ohio:

  • Drivers must have a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person ($50,000 per accident), plus $25,000 in property damage liability insurance.
  • Drivers must file the SR-22 form with the BMV within 30 days of being ordered to do so.
  • Drivers must maintain SR-22 insurance for the period of time specified by the BMV.
  • Drivers must pay the BMV a filing fee of $25.

If you are required to file an SR-22 form in Ohio, it is important to contact an insurance company licensed to operate in the state to get started. You can also contact the BMV for more information.

Ohio driver report

Ohio drivers are some of the worst in the nation. According to our annual report on the best- and worst-driving states, Ohio is the fifth-worst-driving state overall.

Ohio residents aren't just bad drivers — they're getting worse over time. In 2021, drivers there ranked 17th-worst, making it the state with the biggest decline in quality drivers. The reason Ohio is home to some of the worst drivers comes down to speeding and accidents. The state ranks fourth in speeding, eighth in accidents, 14th in citations and 15th in DUIs.

  • Bowling Green, Hilliard and Marion are the worst-driving cities in Ohio.
  • Cleveland Heights, Massillon and Beavercreek are the best-driving cities.
  • Poor road infrastructure costs Ohio drivers $506 a year.
  • Sixteen percent of roads and 3% of bridges in Ohio are in poor condition.

Best and worst drivers in Ohio

A high number of speeding tickets, accidents, citations and DUIs makes some Ohio cities seem particularly prone to bad driving behavior. Bowling Green, Hilliard and Marion are the worst-driving cities in Ohio. Cleveland Heights, Massillon and Beavercreek are the best.

Best Drivers by City

  1. Cleveland Heights
  2. Massillon
  3. Beavercreek
  4. Elyria
  5. North Olmsted
  6. North Ridgeville
  7. Canton
  8. Cleveland
  9. Brunswick
  10. Dublin

Worst Drivers by City

  1. Bowling Green
  2. Hilliard
  3. Marion
  4. Springfield
  5. Warren
  6. Stow
  7. Fairborn
  8. Lima
  9. Delaware
  10. Fairfield

Rating Ohio's road infrastructure and how it impacts drivers

When it comes to road and bridge conditions, Ohio ranks in the middle of the pack compared to the rest of the nation. The state's road infrastructure could be in better shape, and that costs drivers a pretty penny. Our team of analysts looked at road and bridge conditions nationwide. We found that Ohio's infrastructure has:

  • Sixteen percent of roads are in “non-acceptable” condition.
  • Three percent of bridges are in poor condition.
  • Poor road and bridge conditions that cost drivers an average $506 a year.

Ohio's bridges are in better condition than its roads, but both are generally acceptable compared to the rest of the nation. Ohio ranks 28th when it comes to the percent of roads in poor condition and the second-lowest percentage of bridges in poor condition.

Best and worst drivers by age group

Ohio drivers under age 20 are far more dangerous on the road compared to any other age group. Individuals over the age of 80 are among the best drivers in the state — almost eight times safer than those six decades younger. The second-most-dangerous driving age group is 20- to 29-year-olds. They're almost twice as likely to be involved in a dangerous incident than drivers older than them. The difference in incidents for each age group is often why younger drivers pay more for car insurance.

 

Ohio Car insurance: FAQs

Progressive offers the cheapest auto insurance in Ohio for most driver categories, including minimum coverage, drivers with a DUI and senior drivers.

Drivers in Ohio must have insurance that meets the following minimums:

  • Bodily injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
  • Property damage: $25,000 per accident

The average cost of minimum-coverage car insurance in Ohio is $85 per month, or $1,020 per year. Drivers looking for full-coverage car insurance can expect to pay around $149 per month.

Methodology

The rates shown in this article are based on an analysis of more than 300,000 auto insurance quotes obtained from Quadrant Information Services for sample drivers from across Ohio.

Unless otherwise noted, our sample driver is a single 35-year-old with good credit. All sample drivers own a 2012 Honda Accord LX that they drive for an average of 13,500 miles per year.

Our senior base driver is a 65-year-old male with a good driving record. Our young base driver is an 18-year-old male with a good driving record.

Minimum-coverage rates reflect the cost of policies meeting the minimum liability limits required by the state.

Full-coverage policies include the following coverages, limits and deductibles:

  • Bodily injury liability: 100,000 limit per person/$300,000 limit per accident
  • Property damage liability: $100,000 limit
  • Collision: $500 deductible
  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

Driver report: QuoteWizard analyzed over 100,000 car insurance quotes to determine Ohio's best- and worst-driving cities. Drivers were evaluated based on the number of accidents, citations, speeding tickets and DUIs in each city. QuoteWizard evaluated Federal Highway Administration data on road and bridge quality to determine the number of roads and bridges in “poor” or “unacceptable” condition.

Auto insurance by city

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