Best Cheap Car Insurance in Columbus

• The cost of auto insurance in Columbus is slightly higher than the Ohio average. Full coverage in the city costs an average of $1,659 annually, and minimum coverage costs an average of $624 annually.
• In Columbus, Erie and USAA have some of the cheapest average rates as well as the highest customer satisfaction scores. GEICO also has cheap rates and good customer satisfaction.
• The rates noted below are averages, which can give you an idea of how companies’ rates compare. However, your rates will vary based on factors such as your age and driving record.

*USAA technically doesn’t qualify for J.D. Power studies due to its eligibility restrictions.

USAA offers the most affordable full coverage auto insurance rates in Columbus, with an average annual premium of only $929 — 44 percent cheaper than the citywide average. For those not affiliated with the military, GEICO and Erie have the lowest annual rates, at $1,161 and $1,203, respectively.

USAA also has the lowest average rate for minimum coverage: $371 per year, or 41 percent below the city average. GEICO and Erie have the next-cheapest annual rates: $482 and $491, respectively.

There were 14,390 car accidents in the Columbus metro area in 2023, 79 of which involved fatalities.⁶ Another 331 caused serious injuries, while over 9,000 involved only property damage. In 2023, 86 people died as a result of car accidents, and over 7,200 people were injured in those crashes; 416 had serious injuries, and 3,891 sustained minor injuries. The difference between the total number of injuries and the combined total of serious and minor injuries is likely due to a third category called “possible injuries,” which includes cases where an injury was suspected but not confirmed at the scene.

>> Related Reading: What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Ohio

By law, Ohio drivers must carry auto insurance with at least the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident⁷

Ohio is an at-fault state, but it requires personal injury protection coverage, which helps drivers pay for their own injuries in an accident, even if they’re not at fault. It’s generally a good idea to increase your liability limits and add full coverage if you want coverage for damage to your vehicle.

At AutoInsurance.com, we review car insurance providers based on four main areas:

• Price (40%): We analyzed average premiums for full and minimum coverage in Columbus, Ohio, for good drivers with good credit. Full coverage averages use the following limits:
  • Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
  • Medical payments: $5,000
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
• Claims Handling (25%): An ideal claims handling process from an insurer is timely, transparent, and efficient, with clear communication throughout, just damage assessments, and prompt payment or resolution. We evaluate claims practices using sources like the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card and J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Report, and financial strength from sources like AM Best. We also include real-life customer experiences when available.
• Customer Experience (25%): We look at the ease of the customer journey, from getting a quote and buying vehicle coverage to making changes or accessing documents. We review the availability and quality of both online and agent interactions, as well as the company’s website and mobile app experience. Our sources include J.D. Power studies and the NAIC complaint index.
• Coverage Options (10%): We review each company’s coverage offerings and value providers with options beyond the state-mandated minimums, like gap insurance, roadside assistance, and rideshare coverage.

Learn more about our ratings and methodology.