Updated: October 29, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Ohio's minimum car insurance requirements include $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident. Ohio is an at-fault state, meaning if you cause an accident, you're responsible for covering the damage.
The average monthly cost of state minimum car insurance in Ohio is $30. For Ohio drivers, the cheapest car insurance varies based on personal circumstances and the selected coverage level.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek analyzed data from Quadrant Information Services and the Ohio Department of Insurance to get the most accurate cost data for various Ohio drivers.
These rates reflect the cost of minimum coverage car insurance requirements in Ohio as of November 2024.
In Ohio, to legally drive a vehicle, you must have minimum coverage auto insurance. This includes:
As Ohio is a fault state, the driver found to be at fault for an accident is responsible for all the damage. Your insurance premiums are influenced by the likelihood of you being found at fault in an accident. As such, the minimum insurance coverage you must carry helps protect against financial loss if you're responsible for an accident.
In Ohio, drivers aren't required to carry collision or comprehensive insurance. However, if you finance or lease a vehicle, lenders typically require these coverages to protect their investment. Consider collision and comprehensive insurance for broader protection against potential incidents.
What Liability Insurance Covers | What Liability Insurance Doesn't Cover |
|---|---|
Injuries to others if you're at fault in an accident | Your injuries |
Damage to another person’s property if you're at fault in an accident | Damage to your car |
Some coverage for injuries caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, depending on your policy | Repairs for weather-related accidents or if you were hit by an animal |
Property damage caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers unless additional coverage is purchased |
The table reflects Ohio's minimum car insurance requirements including bodily injury and property damage liability. Specific coverage details depend on your individual policy's terms and conditions.
Age plays a significant role in determining minimum coverage car insurance rates. In Ohio, drivers aged 22 to 29 face the highest premiums due to their perceived higher risk and less driving experience compared to older age groups.
The table below outlines the average cost of minimum coverage in Ohio for different age groups, providing a clear view of how rates vary as drivers age.
| 22-29 | $441 | $37 |
| 30-59 | $363 | $30 |
| 60 + | $374 | $31 |
In Ohio, Nationwide and American Family offer the most affordable options for minimum coverage auto insurance.
While these rates help you meet state requirements, it's important to assess all aspects of a policy to find the best car insurance in Ohio.
| Nationwide | $226 | $19 |
| American Family | $249 | $21 |
| Westfield | $279 | $23 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $305 | $25 |
| Progressive | $319 | $27 |
| Erie | $323 | $27 |
| GEICO | $334 | $28 |
| Travelers | $383 | $32 |
| Grange Insurance | $408 | $34 |
| Cincinnati Insurance | $436 | $36 |
| Farmers | $498 | $41 |
| Allstate | $598 | $50 |
In Ohio, drivers can opt for add-on coverages such as collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments and rental reimbursement. Collision coverage helps pay for vehicle repairs after an accident, while comprehensive insurance covers non-collision-related incidents such as theft, fire or weather damage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if a driver hits you without insurance. Understanding how much car insurance you need can help you find the best option.
Add-On Coverage | What It Covers | What It Doesn't Cover |
|---|---|---|
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage | Medical expenses, lost wages and repair costs if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance | Damage to your vehicle if you're at fault or damage that exceeds policy limits |
Personal injury protection (PIP) | Medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs for you or your passengers regardless of who's at fault | Vehicle damage or injuries to the other driver |
Roadside assistance | Services like towing, flat tire changes and jumpstarts when your car breaks down | Cost of parts or repairs needed after the tow |
Gap insurance | Pays the difference between your car's current value and what you still owe if it's totaled or stolen | Vehicle depreciation or overdue loan payments |
Rental car reimbursement | The cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered event | Fuel, insurance or other rental extras |
Collision coverage | Repairs to your car after an accident, regardless of fault | Damage due to theft, vandalism or natural disasters |
Comprehensive coverage | Repairs to non-collision damage from events like theft, fire or hail | Damage from a collision or personal injuries |
Towing and labor coverage | Towing and basic roadside-assistance labor costs at the site of your vehicle's breakdown | More extensive repairs needed at a garage |
Custom parts and equipment coverage | Safeguards aftermarket enhancements like custom wheels or stereo systems | Original parts that came with your vehicle |
Accidental death coverage | Offers a payout if you or a passenger dies or experiences certain injuries in a car accident | Non-accidental death or injuries |
Classic car insurance | Agreed-upon values for your unique vehicle, tailored for vintage or collector cars | Regular use like your daily commute |
In Ohio, the cost of a ticket for driving without insurance varies depending on whether it’s your first offense or if you've been caught before. If you're a first-time offender, the penalty might be lighter than those with previous offenses, which usually carry stiffer penalties.
Additional penalties for driving without minimum coverage auto insurance in Ohio may include:
You must comply with the law by maintaining at least the state minimum coverage to protect yourself and others on the road.
If your car insurance policy is canceled in Ohio, you shouldn't drive until you secure another policy to maintain at least the minimum coverage. Contact your insurance agent to understand why the policy was canceled and explore options for reinstatement or securing a new policy from a different insurer.
When your insurance is canceled, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will be notified, as Ohio law requires insurance companies to report policy status.
Suppose you're facing difficulty getting car insurance due to a poor driving record or other factors. In that case, Ohio offers the Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan (OAIP) as a last resort for high-risk drivers to get the legally required coverage. Driving in Ohio without at least the minimum auto insurance is illegal and presents a financial risk.
Your car insurance policy in Ohio may be canceled for a few reasons:
Maintain a clean driving record and pay your premiums to keep your insurance coverage active.
Get answers about what impacts the average cost of car insurance in Ohio and how to find affordable rates.
In Ohio, the minimum car insurance coverage requirements include bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, along with property damage liability of $25,000 per accident.
Ohio requires minimum automobile liability coverage to ensure drivers can pay for damage or injuries they cause in an accident. This requirement protects accident victims from high out-of-pocket costs and encourages responsible, financially secure driving in the state.
Ohio doesn’t legally require comprehensive insurance. However, protecting against non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism or weather damage is recommended. It’s essential if you have a newer car or are leasing or financing, as lenders often require it.
Driving uninsured in Ohio can result in severe penalties, including suspension of your driver's license and vehicle registration, reinstatement fees up to $660, a mandatory SR-22 bond for three to five years and possible vehicle impoundment. Repeated offenses may lead to the loss of vehicle plates and even vehicle forfeiture.
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.
