Jerry Summary

The cheapest car insurance in Ohio comes from Safeco and costs $92 per month, according to Jerry’s September 2025 data analysis. The average cost of car insurance in Ohio is $191 per month. Buckeyes’ car insurance rates can vary widely between cities, and based on demographic factors

Ohio’s cities each have their own character, from Columbus’s creative energy to Cleveland’s rock ‘n’ roll grit, Cincinnati’s historic charm to Toledo’s glass city pride. But whether you’re rolling through lake-effect snow, dodging deer on backroads or navigating construction zones in the summer, one thing unites every Buckeye: They need car insurance.

Car insurance rates vary widely across Ohio. What someone pays in a rural area could be very different from premiums in Cleveland or Columbus. Because insurers account for your vehicle, driving history and demographics — in addition to your location — even neighbors might see different quotes.The best way to find your cheapest car insurance in Ohio is to compare quotes from multiple insurers.

• Why you can trust Jerry’s editorial content

  Jerry’s editorial content is created, edited and fact-checked by licensed insurance agents, automotive professionals and experienced journalists. Facts are thoroughly researched, independently verified and routinely updated. Our editorial team is independent, meaning our content is free from partner influence. All insights drawn from Jerry’s proprietary customer auto insurance quotes data provide unique, real-world guidance.

Where to find the cheapest car insurance in Ohio

Buckeyes pay $92 per month for the cheapest full coverage car insurance, according to Jerry’s analysis of real customer quotes. Safeco offers the best price.

Most financial experts recommend buying a full coverage car insurance policy because it, unlike liability-only insurance, pays to fix your car after a wreck, natural disaster, animal collision or vandalism.

Full coverage is the term for a policy that includes comprehensive and collision insurances. Here’s what each does.

• Comprehensive insurance pays to repair or replace your car after a non-collision event. For example, if you hit a deer on a rural Ohio backroad or if an iced-over tree branch falls on your vehicle, comprehensive coverage helps pay for the repair.
• Collision pays for your vehicle’s damage after an accident, regardless of fault. If you slide into a guardrail during one of those sudden spring ice storms that catch even experienced Ohio drivers off guard, collision insurance helps to get you back on the road.

Both types of insurance come with a deductible, and you can raise the deductible amount to lower your car insurance rates. Just be sure to choose an amount that you could afford to pay in an emergency.

If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, the lender will require full coverage. You may also need gap insurance, which can help you pay off your loan if your car is totaled.

These insurers offer the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Ohio.

More: Compare cheap full coverage car insurance

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Ohio

Safeco offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Ohio at $93 per month, according to Jerry’s analysis.

Ohio’s minimum car insurance requirements include only bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) liability insurance. These coverages pay for damage or injuries you cause to someone else in an accident, up to the state’s minimum liability limits.

For example, Ohio requires $25,000 in PD, so if you rear-end someone on Interstate 270 in Columbus and the repair costs $15,000, you pay nothing out of pocket. If the repair costs $30,000, the last $5,000 is on you.

This coverage is cheap primarily because it doesn’t pay your medical bills or fix up your car after an accident.

Here are the insurers offering the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Ohio.

More: Get cheap car insurance the smart way, today

Ohio requires the following minimum coverage amounts:

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

Minimum coverage is often recommended for older, low-value cars and infrequent drivers. It may not be a good choice if you drive a new car or commute long distances.

As you compare quotes, consider a provider’s online reputation, claim service quality, industry ratings and any fees or discounts included in your policy. Even when you just want a low price, it’s still important to get a good value.

Methodology

Jerry's editorial team analyzed Jerry customer quotes to find the median full coverage quote, by ZIP code. We looked at customers driving popular vehicles, including the Ford-150, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, RAM 1500, Toyota Camry and Toyota RAV4 . We also used the following base driver profile:

• 35-45 years old.
• Clean driving record.
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability, per person.
• $100,000 in bodily injury liability, per accident.
• $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision insurance.

Cheap car insurance by age in Ohio

Your age is a well-known car insurance pricing factor, but its influence changes through the years.

Teen and college-age drivers face the steepest premiums because insurers view them as high-risk drivers.

As Buckeyes enter their prime earning years, insurance costs tend to drop. In your 30s, 40s and 50s, you'll likely see your lowest rates, especially if you maintain a clean record while you make longer suburban commutes and weekend trips to Cedar Point.

Then, rates often climb again as drivers reach their late 60s and beyond.

Insurers all consider age differently. One insurer might offer better rates for young drivers, while another specializes in coverage for mature drivers with decades of experience on Ohio's roads. 

For this reason, it’s worth your time to continuously review quotes to be sure you have the best rate.

Cheap car insurance for Ohio drivers between 18 and 29 years old

Safeco offers the cheapest car insurance for young Ohio drivers seeking full coverage at $93 per month, according to Jerry's quote analysis.

Young Ohio drivers pay the highest car insurance rates because insurers see them as more likely to cause accidents. This is especially true for college students in cities like Columbus or Athens, where urban driving conditions already set higher premiums.

If your job requires a commute on a highway like Interstates 71 or 270, your mileage and exposure to accidents increases.

You usually get the cheapest car insurance by staying on your parents’ policy. If you need your own policy, get quotes from several companies to find the lowest rate.

Here are Ohio's most affordable full coverage options for drivers under 30.

More: Cheap car insurance for teens

Cheap car insurance for 30- to 64-year-old Buckeyes

Ohio drivers between 30 and 64 years old get the cheapest full coverage car insurance from Safeco, which charges $89 per month, according to Jerry's data.

Ohio drivers in their 30s through early 60s typically enjoy the lowest car insurance rates. Insurers view this age group as experienced and responsible, particularly those with clean driving records who have navigated Ohio winters for years without major accidents.

Major life events during these decades can significantly impact your rates. Getting married, relocating from Cleveland to Columbus for work, or adding teen drivers to your policy all trigger rate changes. Your credit score may improve over time, potentially lowering premiums, while moving from a rural area to a bustling city can raise costs.

Since insurers respond to these changes differently, reviewing your coverage annually helps ensure you're getting the best deal as your circumstances change.

Cheap car insurance rates for Ohio drivers aged 65 and older

The cheapest full coverage car insurance for Ohio drivers aged 65 and older costs $85 per month and is offered by Progressive, according to Jerry's quote analysis.

Insurance companies begin factoring age more heavily into pricing once you reach your late 60s. They consider statistics showing that reaction times and vision can change with age, which may increase accident risk.

However, many Ohio drivers in this age group have decades of experience handling challenging conditions, which can work in their favor.

More: Best car insurance for seniors

If you're driving an older, low-value vehicle and only putting on a few thousand miles per year for errands and doctor visits, dropping collision and comprehensive coverage might make financial sense. The premium cost could exceed what you'd receive in a claim.

However, if you own a newer car or still take longer trips to visit family across Ohio, keeping full coverage protects your investment.

Here are the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates available to Ohio drivers aged 65 and up.

Shopping around becomes especially important after major life changes like retirement, selling a second vehicle, or moving from a busy suburb to a quieter rural area. Even without changes, comparing quotes annually can uncover better deals since insurers adjust their pricing strategies regularly.

Cheap car insurance for bad credit in Ohio

The cheapest full coverage car insurance for drivers with poor credit in Ohio comes from Assurance America at $144 per month, according to Jerry's quoting data.

Insurers in Ohio can use drivers’ credit scores to help set their premiums, usually resulting in higher rates for people with poor credit and lower rates for drivers with excellent scores.

If you have a low score, the best tool to combat high rates is carefully shopping for coverage. Not all insurers weigh credit score heavily; some focus more on your driving history than other factors. Get quotes from big-name insurers and local or regional providers — you never know where the best rate will come from.

See the lowest minimum coverage rates for Ohio drivers with poor credit

Insurance Company	Avg Monthly Quote

Insurance Company	Avg Monthly Quote
Assurance America	$79
Trexis	$81
Commonwealth Insurance	$88
Progressive	$93
The General	$96
Assurance America	$118
AAA	$121
Liberty Mutual	$149
Commonwealth Insurance	$153
Gainsco	$154

Last Updated Sept. 15, 2025

Cheapest car insurance for Ohio drivers with an at-fault accident

The cheapest full coverage car insurance for Buckeyes with an at-fault accident on their record is from Bluefire at $106 per month, according to Jerry’s quoting data.

You can count on an insurer raising your premium after an at-fault accident like you can count on the Browns to take an L on Sunday.

Generally, more severe wrecks hike rates higher. So if someone was injured or a car was totaled, you can expect a pretty significant increase.

But you don’t have to accept your new rate, you can shop around with other insurers to find better estimates, or confirm your current insurer is offering the best rate.These are the companies offering the cheapest car insurance for Ohio drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.

The cheapest car insurance for Buckeyes with a speeding ticket

Ohio drivers who have received a speeding ticket can find the cheapest full coverage car insurance with Geico, which charges $134on average, according to Jerry’s quote data.

If you’re caught speeding in Ohio, your insurance company will find out and is likely to raise your rate. The amount of the increase is tied to the severity of the ticket.

If you were clocked at seven mph over the limit, it may not make a big difference in your premium. However, if your ticket lists a speed that’s more than 15 mph over the limit, your rate could substantially rise.

These are the cheapest car insurance rates in Ohio for drivers who have been ticketed for driving less than 15 mph over the limit.

Safeco offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance for Ohio drivers with a speeding ticket for driving more than 15 mph over the limit at $118 per month.

These insurers offer the cheapest insurance to Buckeyes who have been cited for traveling more than 15 mph over the limit.

Cheapest car insurance for Ohio drivers with other types of violations

If you’re cited for a moving violation, your car insurance company will assess a new rate according to the ticket’s severity. 

A violation like accidentally driving the wrong way or not wearing a seat belt may not be detrimental to your premium, but driving on a suspended license or illegally passing a school bus could result in a higher rate.

If you’re an impatient driver, you can even be cited for “excessive honking” in Fairview Park.

More: The average cost of car insurance

Here are some common moving violations and the average full coverage rates Ohio drivers pay after receiving them.

Cheapest auto insurance for Ohio drivers with OVIs

Geico offers the cheapest full coverage auto insurance for Ohio drivers with an OVI, at $131 per month, according to Jerry’s analysis.

In Ohio, a DUI is called an OVI, which stands for operating a vehicle while under the influence. Insurers treat these violations seriously, because they consider a DUI to be a sign of reckless driving behavior, which could increase the likelihood of an accident.

If you’ve recently been cited for an OVI, your insurer will undoubtedly raise your rates. Depending on the insurer, your policy could be dropped. That doesn’t mean you can’t get coverage, but it means you need to look for it. Plenty of insurers offer coverage for drivers with OVIs, and some will fill out an SR-22 form on your behalf so you can legally drive again.

You can combat the increased costs on a full coverage policy by raising your deductible. These can range from $250 to $2,000, and the higher you go the lower your premium. Just be sure you can pay the amount selected if you need to.

Drivers may also drop full coverage — even temporarily — after receiving an OVI. If this is the best option for you, optimize instead for the best-value coverage.

The state-mandated minimum insurance is likely the cheapest policy you can get, however, a policy without full coverage but slightly higher liability limits may also be very cheap and provide better financial protection after an at-fault accident. If your limits are too low, you could be sued and your savings or home could be at risk, so consider your options carefully.

The cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with an OVI seeking a minimum coverage policy is Geico with an average monthly premium of $48.

How to find the cheapest car insurance in Ohio

Whether you thread the I-70/I-71 split in Columbus on your daily commute or just occasionally head down to Hocking Hills for the weekend, the key to finding cheap car insurance in Ohio is not just to find the lowest price — it’s to find the lowest price on the right coverage.

Here are three steps to find the cheapest car insurance in Ohio:

1. Decide on your coverage and limits. Buying Ohio’s minimum 25/50/25 liability limits let you legally drive, but they may not be enough after a serious crash. Consider the likelihood of an accident based on your driving habits and choose your liability limits according to your own risk tolerance. Many drivers choose 100k/300k/100k limits to be safe. Then, determine if you want full coverage to pay for any wrecks you’re involved in, and consider additional coverage, like uninsured/underinsured motorist, MedPay and gap.
2. Gather quotes. Get a handful of quotes from well-known insurers and local providers, whether that’s online or with a broker. Be sure to provide the most up-to-date information about recent accidents or violations, your credit score and vehicle for an accurate quote. Then, make sure you’re getting quotes for the same coverage from each company.
3. Ask about discounts. Auto insurance companies offer all kinds of discounts. You could save money for driving a car with safety features, insuring multiple cars, bundling home or renters with auto, insuring a good student or going a long period without accidents or tickets. Double-check your rate to make sure all eligible discounts are there.

Jerry insight: Some insurers offer introductory discounts that make the initial price seem appealing, but after the promotional period ends, your rate could shoot up. If you buy a policy with this type of discount, make a note to shop again before the policy renews.

Factors affecting car insurance rates in Ohio

Ohio is among the 10 states with the cheapest car insurance rates, according to 2023 data from the Insurance Information Institute. State-level factors like the weather, cost of living, population density and the number of uninsured motorists contribute to average rates — and can make it easier or harder to find a cheap policy.

Here are some of the factors that contribute to car insurance rates in Ohio.

• Low cost of living: Ohio has a below-average cost of living compared to the rest of the country, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Where it’s affordable to live, it’s also affordable to run an auto shop. This is important because insurers consider how much it would cost to repair your car after an accident, and if mechanics have less overhead, they charge less to their customers.
• Weather events: Ohio experiences enough flooding and winter storm events for insurers to account for them when they set rates, but more concerning may be the state’s tornado numbers. Ohio recorded 74 tornadoes in 2024, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Nationwide, 2024 was a big year for tornadoes, and perhaps insurers will push rates higher in Ohio if such spikes happen more frequently, but the damage caused by tornadoes that year is likely to account for some amount of the state’s average auto policy pricing.
• Uninsured drivers: In Ohio, 18.5% of drivers are uninsured, which isn’t the highest in the country but is above average, according to the III. This factor contributes to higher car insurance costs because if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and are hit by an uninsured driver, your provider must pay for the damages they’ve caused.
• Population density: Ohio was No. 12 in the country for population density, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, meaning it has a higher-than-average concentration of residents. This isn’t true for the whole state — Columbus is more densely packed than somewhere like Yellow Springs — but higher population density means higher accident risk in the eyes of an insurer.

Cheapest car insurance data methodology

To find the cheapest car insurance in each state, we use proprietary, real-world quotes from drivers — not third-party estimates. Each shopping journey includes multiple rounds of quotes, with information verified along the way.

At every stage, we aggregate and anonymize data to protect privacy and ensure accuracy. Because Jerry has delivered millions of quotes, often with multiple offers per driver, our datasets are large enough to avoid bias toward any one region, carrier or driver type.

Unlike other sites that rely on modeled rates, Jerry is a licensed insurance broker in 48 states, giving us firsthand visibility into how quotes are generated and validated.

On this page

Unless otherwise stated, rates reflect the last six months of verified full-coverage quotes for clean-record drivers. Data involving accidents or credit uses the last 18 months to ensure reliability.

Read more about Jerry’s data gathering and verification processes