Car Insurance in Ohio

Here's what you need to know when driving in Ohio

Across the Buckeye State, there are 261,653 miles of road just waiting to be driven. The average cost of car insurance in Ohio is $1,028 per year — 33% less than the national average. Your car insurance premiums are impacted by more than just where you live. Underwriters generate auto insurance rates based on a number of factors, including age, driving history, marital status and credit score. The Zebra's experts analyzed average Ohio car insurance rates for each of the most common rating factors toget you prepped with free insurance quotes, then you take the wheel.

Read on to discover how much auto insurance costs in Ohio, or submit your ZIP code above to receive car insurance quotes personalized to your driving profile.

The best car insurance companies in Ohio

The cheapest car insurance companies in Ohio

Check out Ohio's cheapest carriers in a variety of scenarios.

Ohio auto insurance laws

Car insurance is mandatory in almost every state, and Ohio is no exception. For the legal minimum coverage level in Ohio, expect to pay about $366 per year. This is less than the national average by 38%. Have a look at the coverage levels required for all Ohio drivers as well as optional coverage types offered by most insurers.

State minimum coverage

In Ohio, state minimum coverage requirements include liability coverage amounts of:

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

If you choose a higher level of car insurance coverage, you can purchase a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages caused by car-vs.-car crashes, theft, or weather incidents. It's worth noting that better auto insurance coverage comes at a cost: in Ohio, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $880, 140% more than basic liability-only coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay 196% more than for a basic liability-only policy.

Ohio car insurance premiums by rating factor

As mentioned above, car insurance rates are based on many different factors. This can include your driving history, age, and your credit score. Explore average premium costs by rating factor below to get a ballpark idea of how much you should be paying for auto insurance in Ohio.

Cheap auto insurance in Ohio for minimum coverage

Forgoing full coverage for liability-only at the state minimum level will make your car insurance significantly cheaper. In Ohio, the average cost for minimum coverage is $73 per month, or $880 yearly — a savings of $203 compared to full coverage.

Cheap auto insurance in Ohio with bad credit

Your credit history is closely aligned with your car insurance rates. Carriers see those with a poor credit score as being higher risk, meaning you'll likely pay a lot more for your policy. On average, Ohio drivers with poor credit pay 52% more per year than those with exceptional credit. Have a look at some common rates by credit tier below.

Cheap auto insurance for young drivers in Ohio

Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. Ohio's teen drivers are lucky, paying just $3,490 per year on average, roughly $1,961 less than the national average — but still three times as much as the average driver in Ohio.

Ohio auto insurance rate by violation

If you have a clean driving record in Ohio — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably pay less for car insurance. If you receive a ticket, your car insurance rates will probably rise. By how much depends on the violation, your car insurance company's pricing standards, and differences in local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.

Ohio DUI laws

In Ohio, a DUI violation can boost your annual car insurance cost by an average of $524. Finding affordable auto coverage after a DUI isn’t simple. In fact, a DUI conviction often causes a larger premium increase than any other road violation — more than an at-fault accident, racing, or reckless driving.

Low-cost car insurance after a DUI in Ohio

If you're convicted of a DUI or DWI violation in Ohio, it’s important to consider your insurance choices carefully. Car insurance premiums after a DUI can vary substantially from one carrier to another. For example, the least expensive car insurance company with a DUI in Ohio, Travelers, advertises annual rates 12% less than the statewide average insurance rate with a DUI. The second-cheapest insurer for auto insurance after a DUI in Ohio is State Farm, while the priciest firm is Allsate, with prices 72% above average.

There is no car insurer in particular that offers inexpensive insurance after a DUI. The recommended way to save in the wake of a DUI citation is to shop around.

Ohio SR-22 insurance

How to get an SR-22 in Ohio

An SR-22 is often required for drivers with serious violations on their driving record, most often related to drinking and driving offenses. The SR-22 is a form issued by your insurance company that must be filed with the state of Ohio as proof of continued insurance coverage. Below you'll find the steps to getting this coverage. 

Already insured

With an active insurance policy, requesting an SR-22 might be easy. Just call your insurance company request they file an SR-22 request on your behalf. If your current insurer declines to request a certificate, you should shop around for a new insurance company.

Currently uninsured?

When filing for car insurance, you'll be billed extra to cover the cost of the SR-22 request form and your high-risk driving profile. An SR-22 requirement may disqualify you from buying insurance from some carriers, while others would be happy to sell you a policy.

For drivers who don’t own a vehicle

Needing an SR-22 might disqualify you from purchasing insurance from some companies, while others would be happy to sell you a policy.

For drivers without a vehicle

Not having a vehicle makes it more difficult to obtain an SR-22, as you will need to furnish proof of insurance to receive the certificate. If this is the case, you should buy a non-owners car insurance policy before filing for an SR-22. A non-owners policy is typically less expensive than a standard policy since it won’t provide protection for physical damage sustained by your vehicle.

Rates by city

Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, the location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Stony Prairie, Ohio, and the most expensive in Cleveland, Ohio.

Have a look at the table below to see average car insurance costs in some of Ohio's biggest cities.

Auto insurance pricing trends in Ohio

In Ohio, average annual auto insurance costs increased by $102 in the past year. A typical Ohio driver pays an average of $1,028 per year.

The year-over-year trend in Ohio leans toward less expensive auto insurance costs compared to the national average. The steepest decrease occurred from 2019 to 2020, while the highest surge took place from 2017 to 2018. Recent years have seen less steep fluctuations but still move significantly in both directions. 

If your policy pricing trend doesn't align with the above, the best step to take is to shop around.

Ohio car insurance FAQs

Below you'll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Ohio auto insurance.