Cheapest car insurance in Ohio 2023

Illustration of a license plate with the shape of the state of Ohio in the center, with text in the style of a license plate number that reads "SAV MOR"Image: Illustration of a license plate with the shape of the state of Ohio in the center, with text in the style of a license plate number that reads "SAV MOR"

In a Nutshell

Drivers in the Buckeye State could be saving money on their car insurance. We’ve crunched the numbers to find the average cost of car insurance in Ohio, as well as which insurers offer the cheapest rates. Remember, your rates may vary based on your individual circumstances.
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Note from our editor: Maybe you’re searching for car insurance for the first time or want to do some insurance shopping to help lower your monthly premium? This article can serve as a starting point for your car insurance research. There are a lot of factors when it comes to the cost of car insurance, so while you may not see the exact premiums we’ve researched, they can give you an idea of some of the insurers offering the cheapest rates in your state.


 Looking for the cheapest car insurance in Ohio?

We looked at estimated rates for car insurance in the state and calculated the average cost as well as insurers offering the lowest rates for car insurance for several driver profiles.

Unless otherwise noted, we based our calculations on a relatively neutral driver profile — no tickets, accidents or claims, for example — to accurately compare rates (see our full methodology). The rates you see may be higher or lower given not only your individual driving history but other factors that affect car insurance like your age, mileage, vehicle type and coverage options.

Read on to learn about Ohio’s average car insurance rates and our findings for the cheapest options.



Cost of car insurance in Ohio

Average monthly premiums for car insurance in Ohio range from just under $35 up into the mid-$70s, depending on type of coverage and driver profile.

Average monthly auto insurance premiums in Ohio

Driver or coverageAvg. monthly cost
State-minimum car insurance in Ohio$34.21
Drivers with poor credit in Ohio$55.83
Drivers with multiple claims in Ohio$76.20
Young drivers in Ohio$57.30
Based on our standard driver profile and minimum coverage, unless otherwise noted

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio

Read on to learn more about the five companies that offer the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance for our Ohio driver. Unless otherwise noted, our Ohio driver profile has a credit score between 680 and 719, no tickets or coverage gaps, is between 36 and 45 years old and has a car worth $20,000 to $30,000 (see full methodology for more information and note that your rates could be different). We also looked at the cheapest insurers based on other profiles like young drivers, drivers with different credit outlooks, multiple claims and various coverage options.

1. Buckeye Insurance Group

The cheapest car insurer for our Ohio driver profile is Buckeye Insurance Group, which offers basic car insurance for as little as $18.21 per month. Headquartered in Piqua, Ohio, Buckeye offers bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorist and comprehensive and collision coverage through independent agents.

2. Hastings Mutual Insurance Co.

Our Ohio driver profile could see car insurance from Hastings Mutual Insurance for as little as $18.58 per month for minimum coverage. With Hastings Mutual, drivers have the option to get a comprehensive plan with additional features such as roadside assistance, “multiprotection” for things like rental vehicles, pet injuries or key replacement, and free identity theft protection.

3. Erie

With Erie, our Ohio driver profile could find car insurance rates for as little as $21 per month for basic coverage. Erie sells insurance through a network of more than 13,000 agents. It also offers a rate-lock program in which drivers maintain the same rate for their car insurance every year, unless they add or change a car, driver or address on their policy.

Check out reviews of Erie auto insurance.

4. Geico

Our Ohio driver profile could qualify for car insurance through Geico for as low as $24.66 a month for minimum coverage. With Geico, drivers get a range of coverage options, a deep bench of possible discounts and a robust mobile app that lets you manage your policy, request roadside assistance and get a repair estimate through your phone in about 20 minutes.

Check out reviews of Geico auto insurance.

5. USAA

If our Ohio driver profile is a USAA member, they could see basic-coverage car insurance rates for as low as $25.17 per month. To qualify for USAA insurance, drivers must be a U.S. military member or veteran, pre-commissioned officer or a spouse or child of a USAA member. USAA members get access to all the standard coverage options as well as helpful discounts for things like good grades, safe driving or garaging your car on-base.

Check out reviews of USAA auto insurance.

Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Ohio

One way to save money on your car insurance premium is to lower the amount of coverage on your vehicle. State-minimum coverage, sometimes called liability-only coverage, is the most basic kind of coverage you can carry to still legally drive your car in the state.

Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies for Ohio drivers looking for state-minimum coverage.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio for state-minimum coverage

1Buckeye Insurance Group$18.21/month
2Hastings Mutual Insurance$18.58/month
3Erie$21.00/month
4Geico$24.66/month
5USAA$25.17/month
Based on our standard driver profile seeking minimum coverage in Ohio

Cheapest car insurance for good credit in Ohio

Your credit is one of the factors that can impact your credit-based auto insurance score, and your monthly premium. In general, the better your credit scores, the lower your monthly costs will be.

Here are the five companies that offer the cheapest basic-coverage car insurance for Ohio drivers with good credit scores.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio for those with good credit

1Buckeye Insurance Group$12.83/month
2Erie$16.11/month
3Hastings Mutual Insurance$16.50/month
4Auto-Owners Insurance$19.39/month
5USAA$22.01/month
Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display basic-coverage rates for an Ohio driver with a credit score of 720 or higher

Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in Ohio

Unfortunately, having poor credit scores can significantly raise your insurance rates. But there are other factors, like your driving history and behaviors, that can help lower costs.

These five companies offer the cheapest car minimum-coverage insurance for drivers with poor credit.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio for those with poor credit

1Hastings Mutual Insurance$29.50/month
2Geico$31.92/month
3Allied$40.06/month
4USAA$43.73/month
5Buckeye Insurance Group$45.46/month
Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display minimum-coverage rates for an Ohio driver with a credit score below 580

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in Ohio

Have you had multiple accidents or made multiple claims in the last few years? That kind of claims history can also raise your insurance rate.

Here are the cheapest basic-coverage picks for drivers with multiple claims.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio for multiple claims

1Buckeye Insurance Group$24.67/month
2Hastings Mutual Insurance$30.67/month
3Central Mutual Insurance$32.58/month
4American Family$46.25/month
5State Farm$48.46/month
Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display basic-coverage rates for an Ohio driver with two claims instead of zero claims

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Ohio

Finally, your age may also play a role in determining your car insurance costs. In general, younger drivers pay a bit more for car insurance.

For drivers between the ages of 18 and 21, the following insurers may offer the lowest rates for minimum coverage.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio for young drivers

1Buckeye Insurance Group$33.71/month
2Geico$36.26/month
3Erie$36.67/month
4Hastings Mutual Insurance$40.17/month
5USAA$42.10/month
 Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display basic-coverage rates for an Ohio driver aged 18 to 21 instead of 36 to 45

Ohio auto insurance requirements

All drivers must carry insurance in Ohio. Ohio law requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury or death as well as $25,000 for property damage in an accident. If you are leasing your car, your lender may have additional coverage requirements.

Is usage-based insurance available in Ohio?

Usage-based insurance is a type of vehicle insurance that allows customers to pay premiums based on their driving behavior. Drivers in Ohio may be able to participate in usage-based insurance programs to track their safe driving and save money on their insurance.

FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in Ohio

What insurance company has the lowest car insurance rates in Ohio?

According to our study, Buckeye Insurance group offers the lowest car insurance rates for a number of different driver profiles.

How much is Ohio car insurance monthly?

Monthly premiums for basic car insurance in Ohio range from just under $35 up into the mid-$70s, depending on the type of coverage and driver needs. Your rates may vary based on individual circumstances.

What is the average cost in Ohio for minimum auto insurance?

We found that the five cheapest insurers for Ohio state-minimum coverage charged between $18 and $25. Your rates may vary.

Methodology

The estimated rates in this article are the lowest estimated rates for basic coverage based on the profile of a driver age 36 to 45 living in Ohio. Unless otherwise noted, the rates displayed assume a single driver on the insurance policy with no tickets on their driving record and no claims or coverage lapses. The vehicle used in this estimate is valued between $20,000 and $30,000 and has annual mileage of 12,000 to 15,000. Estimated rates for insurance for good credit apply to scores of 720 or higher. Estimated rates for insurance for poor credit apply to scores from 350 to 579. Estimated rates for young drivers include those aged 18 to 21. Estimated rates for those with multiple claims are calculated based on two claims.

Note that the rates are provided every six months by Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant Information Services doesn’t include all insurance companies in its rate data. These are estimated rates meant only to provide a frame of reference and comparison. Your rates may vary depending on a range of factors, such as your age, vehicle driving habits and history.

Average monthly premium for full coverage car insurance includes bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, collision and comprehensive coverages. Average monthly premium for state-minimum car insurance includes Ohio-mandated 25/50/25 insurance policy.


About the author: Sarah Sidlow is a freelance writer and editor based near Detroit. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Sarah’s work has appeared in Luxembourg’s national newspaper, Washington City Paper… Read more.