Cheapest Car Insurance in Ohio

Auto-Owners charges $811 yearly for the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Ohio, translating to $68 monthly. GEICO runs a close second at $846 annually, just $35 more than Auto-Owners over the full year. Grange comes in at $929 yearly, Erie reaches $1,018, and Ohio Mutual Insurance rounds out the top five at $1,038.

The $227 annual spread between Auto-Owners and Ohio Mutual equals roughly three months of Auto-Owners' monthly premium. Explore the best car insurance in Ohio for additional carrier comparisons.

Auto-Owners provides the cheapest liability-only coverage at $318 annually, working out to $27 monthly for the state's 25/50/25 requirements. Erie follows at $355 yearly, or $30 monthly, while Ohio Mutual Insurance charges $401 yearly. GEICO reaches $453 yearly and Cincinnati Insurance tops the comparison at $501 annually.

The consistency of Auto-Owners' pricing advantage across both coverage levels makes it the obvious starting point for Ohio drivers shopping for cheapest liability-only car insurance, whether they need basic liability protection or comprehensive financial coverage.

Auto-Owners sweeps Ohio's city-by-city pricing, offering the cheapest minimum coverage in all 20 major cities we analyzed. Elyria shows the lowest rates at $24 monthly through Auto-Owners, while Cincinnati and Youngstown tie for the highest at $32 to $34 monthly through the same carrier.

The geographic spread within Ohio stays relatively narrow compared to some states. Even the $10 monthly difference between Elyria and Youngstown equals just $120 annually, reflecting Ohio's more uniform rate geography compared to states with extreme urban-rural divides.

Erie leads at the youngest ages with 16-year-olds paying $108 monthly for minimum coverage, dropping to $102 monthly at age 17. GEICO takes over at age 18, charging $112 monthly for minimum coverage and maintaining the lead through ages 19 and 20. 

Drivers and parents comparing the cheapest car insurance for teens can use these rate differences as a guide. Auto-Owners emerges by age 25 at $51 monthly for minimum coverage and $117 for full coverage. That represents a $57 monthly decrease from age 16 Erie rates, or $684 in annual savings as drivers mature.

Teens under 18 cannot legally purchase auto insurance in Ohio without parental or guardian involvement, requiring an adult to cosign any policy. Young adults might also explore cheapest car insurance options for college students.

Erie offers 65-year-olds the cheapest rates at $52 monthly for minimum coverage, with an unusual pricing structure where full coverage costs less at $49 monthly. Auto-Owners takes over at ages 70 and 80, charging $43 and $64 monthly respectively for minimum coverage.

Ohio seniors see rates ranging 28% to 40% below state averages, rewarding decades of driving experience with meaningful premium reductions. Learn more about cheapest car insurance for seniors across carriers.

After a DUI in Ohio, GEICO charges the cheapest minimum coverage at $54 monthly, while Progressive follows at $64 monthly. Auto-Owners reaches $57 monthly, Grange charges $66 and Allstate peaks at $70 for minimum coverage. Full coverage after a DUI shows GEICO at $104 monthly and Progressive at $108, creating just a $4 monthly gap between these two carriers.

The $16 monthly difference between GEICO and Allstate for full coverage equals $192 yearly, meaningful savings for high-risk drivers in Ohio rebuilding their insurance profiles. Compare cheapest car insurance after a DUI options nationwide.

Auto-Owners provides the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Ohio at $49 monthly for minimum limits. Erie follows at $55 monthly, Ohio Mutual Insurance reaches $60, Travelers charges $65 and GEICO tops out at $77 for minimum SR-22 coverage. 

Full coverage SR-22 pricing shows Auto-Owners leading again at $113 monthly, while Travelers charges $127. Erie comes in at $133, GEICO reaches $140 and Ohio Mutual Insurance peaks at $151 for comprehensive SR-22 protection.

The certificate itself costs $15 to $50, filed directly by your insurer with Ohio's BMV. SR-22 requirements usually last three years for serious violations, during which continuous coverage is mandatory. Explore cheapest SR-22 insurance options across carriers.

Auto-Owners and Nationwide tie for the cheapest non-owner car insurance in Ohio at $56 to $57 monthly. GEICO charges $59 monthly, while Progressive reaches $67 and Travelers tops out at $68 for this specialized coverage. These policies cost less than standard auto insurance because they provide only liability protection, covering damage you cause to others without protecting any specific vehicle you drive.

Non-owner insurance helps with license reinstatement after suspension, SR-22 filing requirements or frequent car rentals. Compare cheapest non-owner car insurance rates nationally.

Auto-Owners provides the cheapest minimum coverage after an accident at $40 monthly. GEICO follows closely at $45 monthly, while Erie reaches $46, Ohio Mutual charges $47 and Grange comes in at $57 monthly. Full coverage after an accident flips the leadership, with GEICO charging $88 monthly compared to Auto-Owners' $94.

Expect premiums to jump 20% to 40% following an at-fault accident, with elevated rates persisting three to five years. Your specific increase depends on accident severity, your prior record and your insurer's rating methodology.

Auto-Owners charges $27 monthly for minimum coverage with a speeding ticket, matching its clean-record rate and suggesting this carrier doesn't surcharge for single violations. Erie charges $32 monthly, Ohio Mutual reaches $37, GEICO comes in at $43, and Cincinnati Insurance peaks at $50 for minimum coverage. 

Full coverage with a speeding ticket shows Auto-Owners at $68 monthly, GEICO at $85, Erie at $89, Ohio Mutual at $95 and Cincinnati Insurance at $107 for comprehensive protection.

A single speeding ticket often raises rates 10% to 30%, depending on speed and location. Most insurers remove surcharges after three years with a clean record. Understanding defensive driver courses may help reduce future violations.

Cincinnati Insurance provides the cheapest minimum coverage for Ohio drivers with poor credit at $46 monthly. Ohio Mutual follows at $50 monthly, Grange reaches $59, GEICO charges $66, and Erie tops out at $75 for minimum limits. 

Full coverage with poor credit flips the leadership, with Grange charging $99 monthly, Cincinnati Insurance at $111, Ohio Mutual at $132, GEICO at $152 and Erie at $186 for comprehensive protection.

Ohio allows insurers to use credit scores in rate calculations. Improving your credit score can lower premiums by hundreds annually. Explore car insurance for drivers with bad credit options.

Many factors affect car insurance costs in Ohio, including your location, driving history, age and credit score. Auto-Owners offers the lowest rates, with full coverage averaging $68 per month and minimum coverage starting at $27. Comparing providers, using discounts and adjusting your coverage helps you save on overall insurance costs.

Ohio’s rates stay fairly steady across the state, though cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati tend to have slightly higher premiums than smaller areas such as Elyria or Kettering.

Finding affordable coverage often comes down to choosing limits and options that match your needs, not just the lowest price.

These are some of the most common questions Ohio drivers have about affordable car insurance, along with clear answers from our team.

Our Research Approach

It’s not always easy to look for affordable auto insurance in Ohio, so we reviewed real rate data from every residential ZIP code to simplify your search.

Data Sources and Scope

We collected Ohio auto insurance data from the Ohio Department of Commerce and Quadrant Information Services, analyzing quotes from 12 major insurers. Our research reviewed more than 200 million rate comparisons across every residential ZIP code in the state to show real pricing patterns, not advertised rates or small samples.

This comprehensive geographic coverage matters because Ohio insurance rates differ a lot by location. A driver in Cleveland encounters different risk factors and pricing than someone in rural Appalachia and our methodology captures those real-world differences.

Sample Driver Profile

We based our rate comparisons on a 40-year-old male driver with a clean record, good credit and no prior insurance claims. This profile reflects a standard-risk driver that insurers view as low-risk and reliable.

Using a single driver profile makes it easier to compare insurers because the differences you see reflect their pricing, not the driver. Your actual rate will vary based on your age, driving history, credit score and other factors, but this baseline shows which companies are most competitive in Ohio.

Coverage Levels We Compared

We analyzed two coverage scenarios that reflect how most Ohio drivers shop for insurance:

Minimum Coverage:

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

These figures show Ohio’s state-required liability limits, which are the legal minimum you need to drive.

Full Coverage:

• $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 liability limits
• Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible
• Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible

Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision protection added to higher liability limits. This combination protects both your finances and your vehicle.

Why These Choices Matter

We chose these coverage amounts because they match the two most common decisions Ohio drivers make: meeting the state’s minimum requirements or opting for stronger protection.

The minimum coverage analysis helps budget-minded drivers identify the cheapest legal option, while the full coverage comparison is for those who want broader financial protection.

The $1,000 deductible used in our full coverage review is also the most common choice among Ohio drivers. It keeps premiums reasonable and still affordable if you need to file a claim.

See our detailed methodology here for more information.