Updated: November 21, 2024
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Your driver profile and needs have a bearing on which insurance company might work best for you. Cincinnati Insurance is the best overall, for service, cheap policies, seniors and young drivers. Auto-Owners takes the top spot for teens, Erie is best for driving violations and Travelers is ideal for new cars.
If you’re looking to save money, you may benefit by going through our analysis of the cheapest car insurance in Cincinnati.
BestCar InsuranceCincinnatiTable of Contents (Jump to Your Best Fit)
Why Trust MoneyGeek? Our ranking of the best auto insurance companies in Cincinnati relies on our in-house scoring system that evaluates different parameters. We collect data for our analysis from Quadrant Information Services and the Ohio Department of Insurance.
For full coverage, the best car insurance companies in Cincinnati are:
Cincinnati Insurance tops the chart when it comes to customer satisfaction and affordability. USAA is also a great option for military families, scoring 85 out of 100.
While Cincinnati Insurance is the best in Cincinnati, Erie ranks as the best car insurance company in Ohio, with a score of 94 out of 100.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the overall best car insurance was calculated with the following weights:
High customer satisfaction score
Good affordability score
Offers roadside assistance, glass deductible modification, gap insurance and rental car and/or travel reimbursement
Lower claims score
Average coverage score
Dos not provide accident forgiveness
Cincinnati Insurance provides various coverages that might come in handy in different situations. The general deductible waiver waives all applicable deductibles if you total your car in a covered collision or other-than-collision loss. Glass deductible modification coverage waives the glass replacement deductible you need to pay after a covered loss.
Gap insurance might come in handy if you total your car since it covers the difference you need to pay between your car’s value and the unpaid amount on your auto loan. Airbag reinstallation covers the cost involved in replacing airbags that deploy by mistake in the absence of an accident. There’s no deductible for this coverage.
People who own antique or classic cars may also turn to Cincinnati Insurance and opt for its Capstone Collector Auto Coverage. Some of the other coverages on offer include roadside assistance and lock replacement.
Of the 13 car insurance companies we evaluated in Cincinnati, Cincinnati Insurance takes the top spot. Its MoneyGeek score is 86 out of 100. Erie comes in at number two, with a MoneyGeek score of 83.
Cincinnati Insurance has the best customer satisfaction score and shares the second spot for the coverages it offers. Erie has the best affordability and claims management scores but has a low coverage score.
These rates are for full coverage policies. We only assign rankings to auto insurance companies that we can score within each subcategory.
| Erie | 86 | $583 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Cincinnati Insurance | 86 | $869 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Westfield | 83 | $886 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | 81 | $650 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| American Family | 80 | $603 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Travelers | 75 | $883 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| GEICO | 74 | $746 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 73 | $615 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Progressive | 72 | $822 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Grange Insurance | 71 | $773 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Farmers | 70 | $880 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Allstate | 68 | $991 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| State Farm | 46 | $4,007 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
The full coverage car insurance companies that rank best for customer service in Cincinnati, while not accounting for costs, are:
Cincinnati Insurance's customer satisfaction score indicates it provides the best customer service in Cincinnati. It also does reasonably well with its coverage options. While its overall affordability score was high, it is the sixth most expensive car insurance provider in Cincinnati (out of 13 providers), so you’ll pay more for great service.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Customer Service was calculated with the following weights:
Ranks number one in customer satisfaction
Shares the second spot for coverages
Offers child safety seat replacement, safety restraint benefit and lock replacement coverage
Can do better with its claims management score
Dos not provide identity theft coverage
The coverages Cincinnati Insurance provides might be of use in various scenarios. The insurer offers child safety seat replacement coverage, which will pay for the full value of your child’s car safety seat in the event it is damaged or destroyed.
Cincinnati Insurance’s safety restraint benefit doubles the coverage limit for medical payments when anyone in your car is injured while wearing the manufacturer-installed seatbelt or using a child safety seat. To access this coverage, you must select Part B for the covered vehicle.
Lock replacement coverage will reimburse you up to $1,500 if you need to replace your door locks due to the loss or theft of your key. This request must be made within 72 hours of you noticing your key is lost or stolen.
How auto insurance companies deal with their customers when handling breakdown/accident reports, claims and general queries has a direct impact on their customer satisfaction scores.
Cincinnati Insurance is our pick for the most customer-centric car insurance company in Cincinnati because of its individual score and other factors. While Erie has the best claims management score, Cincinnati Insurance offers more coverage options.
Our analysis of auto insurance providers’ minimum coverage policies based on rates and customer satisfaction reveals that the two best options in Cincinnati are:
Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score 86 out of 100 ($383 per year) Erie: MoneyGeek score 83 out of 100 ($224 per year)
Minimum coverage policies are typically the cheapest, but they might come without adequate liability coverage. If your vehicle requires repairs after an accident, a minimum coverage policy will not cover the cost. Ohio’s minimum car insurance requirements remain the same across the state.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the Best Cheap company was calculated with the following weights:
You pay an average of $383 per year for a minimum coverage policy
Offers bundling, safe driving and multiple car discounts
Has the best customer satisfaction score
No early signing or alternative energy discounts
Can be better with its claims management
Cincinnati Insurance has the best customer satisfaction score. It also does well with the coverage options it offers. This company gives you the opportunity to save money through various discounts.
If you insure more than one car with Cincinnati Insurance, you qualify for its multiple-car discount. People with a Cincinnati Insurance home insurance policy and with a car insurance policy might be eligible for a bundling discount. If you have few or no accidents on your driving record over a prolonged time period, you may qualify for a safe driving discount.
People with well-maintained safety equipment in their cars could get an anti-theft system discount, and this is also the case with cars that have anti-lock brakes. Having functional airbags might also come with a discount.
Auto insurance companies that offer the best minimum coverage policies are ones that provide good customer service despite charging low rates. Ideally, you should consider steering clear of providers that offer cheap policies and offer poor customer service.
While Cincinnati Insurance is the best in customer satisfaction, Erie offers the most affordable minimum coverage car insurance in Cincinnati. Its second-place ranking is because of its lower score for customer satisfaction.
The best car insurance companies for young adults in Cincinnati who need full coverage are:
Cincinnati Insurance’s highest individual scoring categories are affordability and satisfaction. This means drivers can get excellent customer service at reasonable rates.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Young Adults was calculated with the following weights:
Offers a good student discount to those with a 3.0 GPA or a B average
Scores well in customer satisfaction
Has a reasonable average premium of $1,059 per year
Coverage options might be lacking for certain drivers
Could do better with its claims management score
Cincinnati Insurance provides the highest level of customer service in Cincinnati, Ohio. It also offers relatively reasonable rates despite being slightly more expensive than other options in the city.
The only student-related discount Cincinnati Insurance offers is the good student discount, which you may qualify for if you’re an honors student with a B average or a 3.0 GPA in your last term. Young drivers may also look forward to discounts if their cars have properly maintained safety equipment like airbags, anti-theft systems and anti-lock brakes.
Roadside assistance coverage of up to $250 dollars provides added peace of mind if you need help dealing with a mechanical breakdown or other car-related trouble. Rental car and/or travel reimbursement provides coverage in case you need to use temporary transportation while your car is at the auto shop because of an accident.
Young drivers should look for insurance companies that provide a good mix of affordability, customer service, coverages and discounts.
Cincinnati Insurance is the best option when it comes to customer satisfaction. Erie provides the second cheapest policies for young adults in Cincinnati, but it has a lower coverage score.
The best car insurance companies for teens on a full coverage family policy in Cincinnati are:
Auto-Owners offers affordable car insurance for teens on family policies, and it scores well for coverages. Both factors play important roles when selecting a good auto insurer.
Teens typically pay more for auto insurance than adults, but they may save some money if they refrain from buying individual policies and become a part of their parent’s insurance policies instead. By doing this, teens in Cincinnati may save an average of $2,527 per year. Keep in mind that teens under 18 need a guardian’s permission to get insurance.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Teens was calculated with the following weights:
Affordable average annual premium of $2,483
Offers discounts for good students and distant students
Good coverage score
Can do better with its customer satisfaction score
Lower claims management score
Auto-Owners scored well for affordability and coverage options, making it the best option for teens who need car insurance. To increase its affordability, the insurer offers some discounts for students.
Students who attend school away from home without their cars might qualify for a distant student discount. The company even offers discounts of up to 20% for students who maintain a B or better grade-point average. Young drivers may also qualify for discounts by paying in full and going paperless.
Teens may benefit from their policies’ roadside assistance, which can come in handy if they run out of gas, lock their keys in or have a mechanical breakdown. Rental car and/or travel reimbursement takes care of your travel expenses if your car ends up at an auto shop because of an accident. Some of the other coverages on offer include gap insurance, diminished value coverage and deductible modification.
Auto insurance companies that provide good insurance for teens on family policies tend to offer a balance between affordability, customer service, discounts and coverages.
Auto-Owners is our pick as the best car insurance company for teens on family policies because it is affordable and offers great coverage options. It also offers discounts specifically for teens.
The two best car insurance companies for seniors in Cincinnati who need full coverage are:
Cincinnati Insurance scored highly in affordability and customer satisfaction. Both play important roles when choosing a suitable insurer.
While drivers in their 60s typically pay comparable amounts to people in their 30s through 50s, you may expect an increase in premiums once you cross the 70-year mark.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Seniors was calculated with the following weights:
Offers new car replacement coverage and gap insurance
Excellent customer satisfaction score
Reasonable rates at an average of $801 annually
Lower score for coverage options
Can do better with its claims management score
Cincinnati Insurance scored well for customer satisfaction, and its individual score for affordability was high despite only being the eighth cheapest option in the city.
The provider’s roadside assistance can be of use if you need help dealing with different types of car-related problems when you’re on the road. If your car ends up at an auto shop because of an accident, rental car and/or travel reimbursement can help take care of your temporary travel costs.
If you’re involved in an accident while in an insured car and are wearing a manufacturer-installed seatbelt, you get double the coverage to deal with medical expenses.
When your car requires glass replacement due to a covered loss, you don’t have to pay the deductible. Seniors who want to insure antique or classic cars may opt for the Capstone Collector Auto Coverage.
Older drivers face an increased risk of sustaining serious injuries when they’re involved in accidents. As a result, they might benefit by looking for companies that provide coverage for medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP). Age-specific discounts may help bring down the cost of your insurance.
Cincinnati Insurance is the best auto insurance company for seniors in Cincinnati because it tops the customer satisfaction chart and is relatively affordable.
The best auto insurance companies for drivers with offenses and full coverage in Cincinnati are:
Erie takes the top spot because it scores well in satisfaction and affordability. This ensures that you get an affordable policy while enjoying excellent customer service.
Premiums tend to rise based on the severity of the infraction. Drivers in Cincinnati with tickets could pay $217 more than drivers with clean records, while those caught driving under the influence (DUI) pay around $635 more.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Drivers With Offenses was calculated with the following weights:
Affordable average annual premium of $994
Excellent customer service
Offers accident forgiveness, rental car reimbursement and new/better car replacement coverage
Low coverage score
Average claims management score
Does not offer roadside assistance
For drivers with violations, Erie takes the top spot. It is affordable and offers great service. While its claims management score is average, it does score better than the other insurers we evaluated in Cincinnati.
If you’re involved in an at-fault accident after three claim-free years with Erie, you don’t have to worry about any surcharge in the first instance. If you total a car that’s less than two years old and you are still paying it off, your insurance will pay off the remaining loan.
Rental car and/or travel reimbursement can come in handy if you need temporary transport because your car’s at an auto shop after an accident. Deductible modification is also available to save you money for every year you don’t file a claim (up to $500).
People with violations on their driving records end up paying more for auto insurance than drivers with clean records. While good insurance companies provide affordability, they also offer discounts and coverages like rental car/travel reimbursement, accident forgiveness and new/better car replacement.
Erie has a poor coverage score, but it provides most of the basic protections drivers need. American Family scores better for affordability but comes up short in claims management.
The best car insurance companies for drivers with new cars who need full coverage in Cincinnati are:
Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($888 per year) Farmers: MoneyGeek score of 60 out of 100 ($1,079 per year)
We’ve only considered companies that offer new/better car replacement coverage for this category. If you total your insured car, this coverage ensures that the replacement you get is of the latest year’s model. The car we’ve used in our example is a 2022 model, and our analysis takes into account affordability and customer satisfaction.
Travelers scores well for affordability and coverage options.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for New Cars was calculated based on insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage and the following weights:
Offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers with new cars in Cincinnati, charging $888 per year
Offers new car replacement, roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and rental car and/or travel reimbursement
Has good coverage scores
Does not provide deductible modification coverage
Lower customer satisfaction score
No better car replacement coverage
Travelers offers the most affordable policies for new cars in Cincinnati. It also scores well for coverage options.
You may benefit through Travelers’ new car replacement coverage if you end up totaling your car within the first five years. This is because your replacement comes in the form of a new car of the same make and the latest model. It applies only to full coverage policies and not minimum coverage.
Rental reimbursement might come in handy to pay for temporary rental car costs if your car is at an auto shop for more than 24 hours because of a covered accident.
It’s important to note that Travelers received a lower customer service score, indicating that policyholders might not be satisfied with the level of attention they receive from this insurer.
People with new cars should ideally get insurance policies that offer new/better car replacement coverage. This is because it safeguards your interests in case you end up totaling your car.
Travelers’ is our top pick for this category because it offers the cheapest insurance for new cars in Cincinnati and provides new car replacement coverage. Farmers, the runner-up, requires that you pay an average of $191 more per year.
Shopping around for the best car insurance policy in Cincinnati requires considering different factors because no single company works best for everyone. While we’ve carried out our analysis meticulously, you may consider these aspects if you plan to compare different companies on your own.
We look at J.D. Power satisfaction scores and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint ratios to rate insurance companies on this parameter, and you may use their websites to see where the companies you’re researching stand. You may also consider going through the Ohio Department of Insurance website, as data collection happens at a state level.
The rates listed here are averages from quotes we’ve received for sample drivers. How much you might need to pay depends on how old you are, your driving record, your car and its age. You should ideally compare quotes from three or more companies as this helps you look at how the top alternatives perform based on different factors.
When you’re looking for specific coverages, make sure the company you select provides it in Ohio. You can do this by calling the company’s customer service department or by visiting its website.
Looking at a company’s financial stability is important because the more financially sound a company is, the more likely it is to process claims if market conditions become unfavorable. Usually, large companies with a nationwide presence tend to fare better than small regional insurers.
What you prioritize in a car insurance policy has an impact on the company that might work best for you. Looking at answers to commonly asked questions might help you make a more well-informed decision.
Cincinnati Insurance is the best overall car insurance company in Cincinnati, Ohio. It gets a MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 and its average annual premium for full coverage stands at $869. It is also the best company for young adults and seniors, offers the cheapest policies and has the best customer service.
Cincinnati Insurance is the best cheap car insurance company in Cincinnati, Ohio, when it comes to getting minimum coverage policies. Its MoneyGeek score is 86 out of 100 and it charges an average premium of $383 per year. Cincinnati Insurance also offers the best policies for seniors and young drivers as well as for customer satisfaction and full coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
