Compare Cheap Auto Insurance in Ohio

USAA offers the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in Ohio at $1,180 per year on average, but it is only available to members of the military community. For non-military drivers, Travelers and GEICO have the lowest rates at $1,293 per year and $1,430 per year, respectively. That’s about 25 and 17 percent cheaper than the state average.

USAA also has the best rates for Ohio drivers looking for minimum coverage, with an average annual rate of only $315 per year — 45 percent cheaper than the state average. Erie and Travelers have the next cheapest rates at $405 per year and $467 per year, respectively, on average.

Erie offers the best rates for teen auto insurance in Ohio, with an annual premium of $3,494 on average — 31 percent cheaper than the state average. USAA and GEICO also have competitive rates for teen drivers at $3,545 per year and $3,548 per year, respectively.

USAA offers the cheapest rates for eligible Ohio drivers with a speeding ticket at $1,528 per year, which is 17 percent cheaper than the state average of $1,846 annually. Erie and GEICO have the best rates for non-military drivers at $1,594 per year and $1,648 per year, respectively, still hundreds of dollars below the state average.

Ohio drivers with an at-fault accident on their record will find the cheapest rates, on average, from Grange. Its average annual premium is $2,028, which is 13 percent below the state average. Erie also has below-average rates at $2,069 annually on average.

Progressive offers the best rates for drivers in Ohio convicted of a DUI at $1,814 annually on average — 38 percent cheaper than the state average. USAA and Travelers also have competitive rates for this category, at $1,887 per year and $2,050 per year, respectively.

For military-affiliated drivers, USAA is the cheapest provider on average for Ohio drivers with low credit, with an average annual premium of $1,843 — that’s 25 percent below the state average. For those who don’t qualify for USAA, GEICO also has below-average rates at $2,012 annually on average.

Not only does Erie offer some of the cheapest auto insurance rates in Ohio for most driver categories — it also consistently ranks higher than competitors when it comes to customer service. Depending on your priorities, it may make sense to pay more for a company with higher customer service ratings, but Erie offers the best of both worlds. For military-affiliated drivers, USAA also has a strong customer service record.

1. Shop around: Don’t settle for the first quote you get, even if it seems reasonable — it’s possible another company will be even cheaper. Get rates from at least three companies for the same amount of coverage so you can compare and get the best deal.
2. Drive safely: One of the best ways to keep your auto insurance rates as low as possible is to drive safely and avoid violations. Even a speeding ticket can raise your rates, and more severe violations, like a DUI, will increase them more significantly.
3. Check for discounts: All insurers offer discounts to help you save on premiums, though the types of discounts and the amounts will vary by company. Be sure to check what you may be eligible for so you can be sure you’re getting the best rate.
4. Decrease your deductibles: If you have full coverage, you’ll have a deductible for collision coverage and a separate one for comprehensive coverage. The deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket when you file a claim before the insurance will kick in. Lowering your deductibles will lower your premium, but be sure you can afford the out-of-pocket expense if needed.

The cost of auto insurance depends partly on where you live, though average rates don’t vary significantly across major Ohio cities. Cleveland has the most expensive rates at $2,223 per year, which is 30 percent higher than the state average. Meanwhile, Lorain and Canton have the lowest rates.

Ohio drivers are required by law to carry auto insurance with at least the following liability limits:

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

Ohio’s minimum coverage limits are relatively low, so they may not provide enough coverage if you need to file a claim. We recommend that you get higher liability limits if you can afford to. In addition, if you have a newer vehicle, it’s a good idea to add full coverage, as liability-only policies do not pay for damages to your own vehicle.

We analyze average auto insurance premiums in Ohio for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit as well as other driver profiles, including those with DUIs, accidents, low credit, and teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible