Fact CheckedThe cheapest car insurance in Ohio, at a glance
Coverage type
Full coverage | Central Insurance, $89 per month
Liability coverage | Central Insurance, $17 per month
Driving record
Speeding ticket | Central Insurance, $119 per month
At-fault accident | State Farm, $137 per month
DUI | State Farm, $157 per month
Driver age
Young drivers | Central Insurance, $142 per month
Millennial drivers | Central Insurance, $93 per month
Gen X drivers | Central Insurance, $87 per month
Senior drivers | Central Insurance, $96 per month
Credit-based insurance score
Good credit | Central Insurance, $89 per month
Poor credit | Central Insurance, $160 per month
These are median rates from NerdWallet's April 2026 analysis, but your rate will vary based on your personal information, location and insurance provider. Not all companies offer policies in every state.
NerdWallet analyzed rates from 23 car insurance companies across every ZIP code in Ohio. We reviewed rates to find the cheapest car insurance for drivers with different coverage levels, ages, driving records and credit histories.
For more detailed information about how we found the cheapest car insurance in Ohio, please check out our full methodology at the bottom of this page.
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
More than 120 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 130 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the rates we show because our team of data analysts rigorously eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data. The data that we gather and analyze comes from every ZIP code in a state where coverage is offered and data is available. When we compare rates across driving profiles, we change only one variable at a time. This way, it’s easy to see how each factor affects the cost of auto insurance.
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Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for full insurance
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for full coverage, with an average rate of $89 per month and $1,068 per year.
Most auto lenders and leases require drivers to carry full coverage car insurance. After an accident, your policy would help to cover the injuries and property damage you cause other people. Unlike minimum coverage, full coverage also helps to cover most types of damage to your own car, including thefts, damage from animals and damage from the weather.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Central Insurance | $1,068 | $89 |
| State Farm | $1,288 | $107 |
| Buckeye | $1,297 | $108 |
| Nationwide | $1,404 | $117 |
| GEICO | $1,553 | $129 |
Rates refreshed April 2026.
Tips for getting cheap full coverage car insurance in Ohio
While the cost of full coverage costs more than a liability-only policy, that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to find cheap rates for full coverage.
The most reliable way to find your best rates is by comparing car insurance from a few companies before you buy or renew a policy. You could also raise your deductible (the amount you’d pay toward a future claim) and drop some of your coverage on an older-model car that you’ve paid off.
Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for minimum insurance
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for minimum coverage, with an average rate of $17 per month and $206 per year.
Ohio requires two types of liability insurance for minimum coverage. Your liability insurance helps to pay for the injuries and property damage that you cause to other people. While a liability-only, minimum coverage policy costs less on average than full coverage, you’d have to cover your car’s damage by yourself.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Central Insurance | $206 | $17 |
| Buckeye | $222 | $19 |
| State Farm | $290 | $24 |
| Progressive | $312 | $26 |
| Allstate | $336 | $28 |
Rates refreshed April 2026.
The minimum amounts of car insurance that Ohio requires are :
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$25,000 property damage liability per accident.
A serious crash could cause damage that easily surpasses these insurance amounts. To avoid having to pay accident bills out of your own pocket, consider buying more than the bare minimum. You may also want common optional coverages such as collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist protection.
Most Ohio drivers need more than minimum coverage.
We recommend upgrading to full coverage and getting more than the minimum amount of insurance that Ohio requires, if you can afford it. While the minimum amounts, or “limits,” might seem like a lot at first glance, they may not be enough for a serious accident.
For example, a basic policy in Ohio will cover up to $25,000 of property damage — a lot of cash for most people. But if you total someone’s new car, that $25,000 of coverage may only cover a small part of the cost to replace it. In this situation, you could be on the hook for tens of thousands more.
Best and cheapest car insurance in Ohio
It’s possible to find relatively cheap car insurance from a company in Ohio that has dependable service and robust coverage.
The editors at NerdWallet awarded each of these companies in Ohio a rating of at least 4.5 stars out of 5 for customer service, financial stability, online experience and discount offerings:
GEICO (5.0 NerdWallet Rating out of 5): $1,553 per year, $129 per month.
American Family (4.9 NerdWallet Rating): $3,035 per year, $253 per month.
Travelers (4.9 NerdWallet Rating): $1,605 per year, $134 per month.
Nationwide (4.8 NerdWallet Rating): $1,404 per year, $117 per month.
Progressive (4.8 NerdWallet Rating): $1,557 per year, $130 per month.
State Farm (4.8 NerdWallet Rating): $1,288 per year, $107 per month.
USAA* (4.7 NerdWallet Rating): $1,050 per year, $88 per month.
Central Insurance (4.6 NerdWallet Rating): $1,068 per year, $89 per month.
Farmers (4.6 NerdWallet Rating): $2,927 per year, $244 per month.
Auto-Owners (4.5 NerdWallet Rating): $1,619 per year, $135 per month.
Erie (4.5 NerdWallet Rating): $1,691 per year, $141 per month.
*USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
» MORE: The best car insurance in Ohio
Cheapest car insurance in large Ohio cities
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers with a range of driving histories in some of the largest Ohio cities.
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in Cincinnati. To see the full list, read NerdWallet's analysis of car insurance in Cincinnati.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $1,137 After a DUI State Farm $2,184 After an accident Central Insurance $1,847 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $1,578 Having poor credit Central Insurance $2,026 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $293 After a DUI Progressive $584 After an accident Central Insurance $513 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $419 Having poor credit Central Insurance $484 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in Cleveland. To see the full list, read NerdWallet's analysis of car insurance in Cleveland.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $1,281 After a DUI State Farm $2,212 After an accident State Farm $1,908 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $1,705 Having poor credit Central Insurance $2,224 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $281 After a DUI Progressive $542 After an accident Central Insurance $498 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $406 Having poor credit Central Insurance $470 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in Columbus. To see the full list, read NerdWallet's analysis of car insurance in Columbus.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $1,260 After a DUI State Farm $2,222 After an accident State Farm $1,906 After a speeding ticket State Farm $1,719 Having poor credit Central Insurance $2,250 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $305 After a DUI Progressive $585 After an accident State Farm $514 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $436 Having poor credit Central Insurance $503 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Insurance companies with a focus in the Midwest, like Buckeye or Hastings Mutual, may be a good place to start if you're shopping for cheap car insurance in Ohio. Regional and local insurers can be more affordable than larger insurers, but the only way to know for sure is to compare quotes and see which is cheapest for you.
Cheapest auto insurance in Ohio by age
Your age is one important factor in determining how much you'll pay for car insurance. Teens pay the most, with rates typically decreasing once you hit your 30s and going up again in your 70s.
Below are the cheapest car insurance rates for Ohio drivers. All rates are for drivers with clean driving records and good credit.
Young drivers may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be high in your 20s, but tend to come down as you get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 20-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $142 per month and $1,699 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,699 $142 State Farm $2,936 $245 Progressive $3,042 $253 Western Reserve $3,139 $262 Auto-Owners $3,187 $266 Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 20-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $33 per month and $401 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $401 $33 Progressive $609 $51 Buckeye $715 $60 State Farm $743 $62 Allstate $826 $69 Rates refreshed April 2026.
By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 30-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $93 per month and $1,116 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,116 $93 Buckeye $1,297 $108 State Farm $1,316 $110 Nationwide $1,410 $118 GEICO $1,561 $130 Buckeye has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 30-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $19 per month and $222 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Buckeye $222 $19 Central Insurance $227 $19 State Farm $290 $24 Progressive $327 $27 Allstate $336 $28 Rates refreshed April 2026.
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 40s can often expect to get cheap insurance rates from most companies. You may find even cheaper rates from smaller or regional insurers.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 40-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $90 per month and $1,079 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,079 $90 State Farm $1,276 $106 Buckeye $1,297 $108 Nationwide $1,393 $116 Progressive $1,413 $118 Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 40-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $18 per month and $211 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $211 $18 Buckeye $222 $19 Progressive $286 $24 State Farm $295 $25 Allstate $336 $28 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Car insurance costs may start to rise for older drivers, so it’s wise to shop around for the cheapest rates. You can also check for senior discounts. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 60-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $88 per month and $1,061 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,061 $88 Progressive $1,098 $91 State Farm $1,140 $95 Buckeye $1,152 $96 Nationwide $1,214 $101 Buckeye has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 60-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $16 per month and $196 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Buckeye $196 $16 Central Insurance $206 $17 Progressive $237 $20 State Farm $271 $23 Allstate $303 $25 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Our analysis shows that older drivers with good credit and a clean driving history enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates, but car insurance rates for senior drivers start to creep up once you reach your 70s.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 70-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $96 per month and $1,149 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,149 $96 Progressive $1,153 $96 State Farm $1,191 $99 Buckeye $1,204 $100 Nationwide $1,362 $114 Buckeye has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for 70-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $17 per month and $205 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Buckeye $205 $17 Central Insurance $249 $21 Progressive $263 $22 State Farm $292 $24 Allstate $338 $28 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Cheapest auto insurance in Ohio by driving record
You’ll likely pay higher than average rates if you have a driving violation or accident on your record. That said, some insurers may more frequently offer cheap car insurance to high-risk drivers than other companies. This is a good reason to shop around for car insurance to find the insurer with your best rates.
In most cases, a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance, but insurers use different equations to calculate prices. So, if your rates rose after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage by shopping around.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with one speeding ticket, with an average rate of $119 per month and $1,429 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,429 $119 State Farm $1,496 $125 Buckeye $1,529 $127 Nationwide $1,713 $143 Erie $1,738 $145 Buckeye has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with one speeding ticket, with an average rate of $22 per month and $269 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Buckeye $269 $22 Central Insurance $298 $25 State Farm $338 $28 Allstate $367 $31 Westfield $387 $32 Rates refreshed April 2026.
An accident can affect your car insurance costs for up to three years, depending on your location and your insurer. But not all insurance companies use the same pricing model, so it can be hard to predict how much insurance will increase after an accident. If your insurance went up after a recent crash, you might find cheaper options by shopping around.
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with one at-fault accident, with an average rate of $137 per month and $1,644 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $1,644 $137 Central Insurance $1,649 $137 Nationwide $2,021 $168 Westfield $2,110 $176 Western Reserve $2,188 $182 Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with one at-fault accident, with an average rate of $30 per month and $363 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $363 $30 State Farm $378 $31 Buckeye $416 $35 Westfield $454 $38 Progressive $515 $43 Rates refreshed April 2026.
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase the cost of car insurance. Our analysis showed that a 35-year-old in Ohio with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $89 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $157 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers after a DUI, with an average rate of $157 per month and $1,884 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $1,884 $157 Progressive $2,121 $177 Central Insurance $2,366 $197 Nationwide $2,550 $213 Grange $2,694 $225 Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers after a DUI, with an average rate of $35 per month and $418 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $418 $35 State Farm $448 $37 Central Insurance $602 $50 Allstate $707 $59 Erie $864 $72 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Drivers who can’t get car insurance on Ohio's voluntary market because of a checkered driving record, poor credit or other factors can apply for coverage through the Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan.
Cheapest car insurance in Ohio by credit history
Your credit history can impact your auto insurance rates in Ohio. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score, which is different from your regular credit score, to determine the likelihood you’ll file a claim.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old Ohio drivers with poor credit.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $160 per month and $1,923 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,923 $160 Nationwide $2,090 $174 GEICO $2,306 $192 Hastings Mutual $2,420 $202 Progressive $2,517 $210 Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $29 per month and $344 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $344 $29 Allstate $446 $37 Progressive $467 $39 Buckeye $514 $43 Westfield $535 $45 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with good credit, with an average rate of $89 per month and $1,068 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,068 $89 State Farm $1,288 $107 Buckeye $1,297 $108 Nationwide $1,404 $117 GEICO $1,553 $129 Central Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for drivers with good credit, with an average rate of $17 per month and $206 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $206 $17 Buckeye $222 $19 State Farm $290 $24 Progressive $312 $26 Allstate $336 $28 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for military families
Full coverage
$88 /month
Liability only
$19 /month
USAA offers auto insurance to active military, veterans, certain federal employees and their families only.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
More than expected
Available in: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, & WY.
If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or you have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.
Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest three auto insurance options for 66 of the 70 driver profiles we examined. Read our USAA auto insurance review.
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Alternative car insurance in Ohio
If you can't get insurance through Ohio's voluntary market, you can still buy coverage through the Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan. Or you could forgo insurance altogether if you can prove your financial responsibility to the state. Your options as an individual are:
Make a minimum $30,000 deposit with the state treasury in money or bonds.
If you and another person own property with equity of at least $60,000, you can purchase a bond from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $30,000.
For more help finding cheap car insurance in Ohio, try NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Mandatory Insurance. Accessed Apr 1, 2026.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Here’s how we evaluated each car insurance company and the weights we placed on each category:
Financial strength (30%).
Consumer complaints (30%).
Ease of use (20%).
Affordability (20%).
The best auto insurers excel at all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and provide more than one way to buy and manage a policy. They're financially strong and able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
We used a 2023 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
