Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Columbus, GA (2024)

In Columbus, Georgia, Auto-Owners offers the cheapest minimum and full coverage car insurance. Auto-Owners is also the best for customer service and is the best overall, indicating superior value in price and service. Allstate provides the most economical policies for families with teens. However, the best policy for you depends on your individual preferences and coverage needs.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners is the cheapest option in Columbus, offering the most affordable minimum coverage car insurance. These are the top two insurers with the cheapest car insurance:

• Auto-Owners: $389 per year
• Country Financial: $467 per year

State Farm has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Columbus, with an annual premium of $962. The $573 difference of $573 between the most affordable and the costliest options highlights the significance of comparing car insurance rates to ensure you get the best deal.

Georgia state law mandates that all drivers carry at least the minimum coverage with the following limits:

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

If you're at fault in an accident and the other driver's injuries cost $30,000, your minimum coverage will pay up to $25,000. Should expenses exceed the $25,000 per person limit, you'd be financially responsible for the remaining $5,000. You will also be liable for accidents with costs over your $50,000 per accident limit.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners is the best option in Columbus for the cheapest full coverage car insurance. For budget-conscious drivers, MoneyGeek's analysis highlights the most affordable providers:

• Auto-Owners: $902 per year
• Country Financial: $986 per year

State Farm has the most expensive full coverage policy in Columbus, with an annual premium at $1,766 — costing $864 more than Auto-Owners. This difference underscores the need to shop around for full coverage car insurance, which is pricier than minimum coverage due to its comprehensive and collision coverage.

A full coverage policy increases coverage limits beyond the mandatory minimums to include $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident. In insurance terms, this protection level is often called a 100/300/100 policy.

Full coverage policies also include comprehensive and collision insurance:

• Collision Insurance: This protects your vehicle against damages from collisions, whether with another vehicle or an inanimate object like a tree or light post. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage addresses damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters or being hit by an animal.

If you recently invested in a new vehicle, a full coverage insurance policy is recommended to protect against potential financial losses. However, the value of full coverage may diminish for older vehicles when weighed against the increased cost. The key is to assess your personal situation and determine how much car insurance you need — understand the balance between higher premiums for more protection and the risk of inadequate coverage.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket and an at-fault accident on their record. Here are the most affordable companies for each infraction:

• Speeding Ticket: Auto-Owners ($1,014 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: Auto-Owners ($1,261 per year)
• DUI: Allstate ($1,338 per year)

Some companies charge significantly higher premiums for these offenses. GEICO has a steeper annual rate for drivers with a DUI at $4,153. Mercury has the most expensive rates for drivers with an accident and a speeding ticket, with an annual cost of $3,277 and $2,397, respectively. Note that rates can dramatically increase depending on the severity of the driving infraction.

Insurance premiums in Columbus and other cities increase with the severity of driving offenses because insurers view violations as indicators of riskier driving behavior. Drivers in Columbus with a DUI face an average annual rate of $2,957, while drivers with a speeding ticket are quoted around $2,166. This $791 difference between DUI offenses and speeding violations underscores the necessity for drivers with infractions to compare insurance rates to mitigate the financial impact of higher premiums.

MoneyGeek found that Allstate is the cheapest option in Columbus for parents seeking the cheapest car insurance for teens. Here are the two most affordable providers:

• Allstate: $1,495 per year for female teens and $1,565 per year for male teens
• GEICO: $1,940 per year for female teens and $2,399 per year for male teens

These rates are for a policy covering two parents with a teen driver. State Farm has the most expensive policy for families with teen drivers in Columbus, with an annual premium of $2,934 for male teens. The $1,439 difference between Allstate and State Farm for a female teen shows the importance of comparing quotes to find economical options, especially since teens are perceived as higher-risk drivers.

In Columbus and comparable cities, teenage drivers looking at car insurance options will find significant cost differences between individual and family plans. On average, the annual premium for a teen buying an individual policy is $5,821, whereas being added to a family plan can reduce the premium to approximately $2,572. This disparity stems from higher risks associated with insuring inexperienced teenage drivers independently. Teens also face challenges in obtaining individual policies, as underwriters are hesitant to approve high-risk profiles without the cushioning risk of a family policy. It's both economically wise and more feasible for teens to opt into a family plan for car insurance coverage.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners is the cheapest option for full coverage car insurance for those with military backgrounds in Columbus. For the most affordable rates, consider the following insurers:

• Auto-Owners: $902 per year
• Country Financial: $986 per year

Although USAA ranks fourth with an annual premium of $1,107, it is noteworthy for its service tailored to active-duty military members. Despite having slightly higher rates than the top two competitors, its comprehensive services designed for military families make it a strong option if you qualify.

Comparing rates is the key to securing savings on car insurance in Columbus. However, researching three or more companies can take over an hour.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this process. By inputting age, driving history, credit score and coverage preferences, you can quickly receive a tailored rate estimate.

Choosing the best auto insurance for you depends on the importance you place on service, cost, coverage and other variables. MoneyGeek's research used distinct scoring systems to determine Columbus's top car insurance providers.

• Best overall: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 91 out of 100)
• Best for service: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 89 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 94 out of 100)

Auto-Owners is the best provider for all categories, offering a balance of overall value, exceptional service and affordability. Customers can trust that they are receiving top-quality service without compromising on price.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners is the top option in Columbus, offering the best car insurance for local drivers.

• Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 ($902 per year)
• Country Financial: MoneyGeek score of 69 out of 100 ($986 per year)

Auto-Owners stands out in Columbus for its exceptional score for a full coverage policy. The company's high satisfaction and affordability scores are pivotal in its leading position, ensuring customers receive excellent service and value.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners is the best option in Columbus for car insurance based on customer service, regardless of cost. Here are the top two providers based on their MoneyGeek scores:

• Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($902 per year)
• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 73 out of 100 ($1,611 per year)

Auto-Owners distinguishes itself primarily through its superb customer satisfaction and robust claims handling procedures. These factors significantly contribute to its high MoneyGeek score, establishing the company as a leader in the industry for drivers prioritizing service quality over price.

MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners is the best option in Columbus for drivers seeking affordable and reliable car insurance coverage.

• Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($389 per year)
• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 72 out of 100 ($613 per year)

Auto-Owners leads with the highest MoneyGeek score, significantly impacted by its top marks in affordability and claims handling. The score pertains to their minimum coverage policy, offering budget-conscious consumers excellent value without compromising service quality.

In Columbus, Georgia, the average car insurance cost is $1,289, which is notably less than the state average. The average car insurance cost in Georgia is $1,375, making Columbus' rates slightly more affordable by $87. Georgia's average insurance cost is lower than the national average of $1,720. Here, Georgia sees even larger savings of $344 compared to the national figure.

Various factors determine car insurance premiums, with location playing an important role. Insurers consider the frequency and severity of claims in an area, crime rates and environmental factors when setting premiums. Urban areas with high traffic density typically face higher insurance costs due to the increased risk of accidents. Atlanta is the most expensive city for car insurance in Georgia at $1,762 per year, which is $387 more than the state average. The cheapest city is Athens, with a lower premium of $1,161 — a difference of $214 compared to the state average. Rates can vary considerably within the same state, showcasing the influence of location on car insurance costs. Insurance rates may be even cheaper in rural or non-city areas with lower traffic density.