The cheapest car insurance in Ohio, at a glance
Central Insurance offers the cheapest full coverage in Ohio, with an average monthly rate of $79, according to NerdWallet's June 2025 analysis.
Central Insurance offers the cheapest liability coverage in Ohio, with an average monthly rate of $16.
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More than 270 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 50 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which includes rates from every locale in the state where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Ohio is $1,681 per year, or $140 per month, according to our analysis. Minimum coverage in Ohio costs an average of $475 per year, or $40 per month.
Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for June 2025
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 24 insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance in Ohio. We reviewed rates for drivers of different ages, with different driving histories and coverage types, to find the companies offering the best deals for a variety of driver profiles.
Be aware that your rates will probably be different because of personal characteristics like your age, driving record, car and ZIP code. We recommend getting quotes from several of the companies below to find out which insurer will actually be the cheapest for you.
Full coverage insurance will help pay for repairs to your own vehicle after an at-fault accident, as well as damage and injuries you cause to others.
If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance. These coverage types pay you if your car is stolen or damaged in an accident you cause, among other scenarios.
These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Central Insurance | $943 | $79 |
| State Farm | $1,232 | $103 |
| Buckeye | $1,259 | $105 |
| Nationwide | $1,377 | $115 |
| Hastings Mutual | $1,382 | $115 |
Liability coverage pays only for damage you cause to others, so you’ll have to pay for your own repairs yourself if you don’t have full coverage.
The rates below are based on a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Central Insurance | $196 | $16 |
| Buckeye | $218 | $18 |
| State Farm | $276 | $23 |
| Allstate | $324 | $27 |
| Western Reserve | $331 | $28 |
Having a DUI or at-fault accident on your record will cause your rates to go up — or even double. But each car insurer prices these incidents a little differently, so it’s worth shopping around for the best rates.
The rates below are for 35-year-old drivers with full coverage.
| Category | Cheapest company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving history | Central Insurance | $943 |
| After a DUI | State Farm | $1,802 |
| After an accident | Hastings Mutual | $1,382 |
| After a speeding ticket | Central Insurance | $1,251 |
| Having poor credit | Central Insurance | $1,773 |
Rates refreshed June 2025.
Risks of liability car insurance
Liability coverage is typically the cheapest car insurance available, and that usually means getting the barest coverage required by law in your state. But state requirements can be quite low and leave you financially vulnerable if you’re in a serious accident.
Getting the cheapest car insurance possible might also mean missing out on optional coverage types that can help cover your own injuries or property damage — for example, when you’re injured in an accident or if your car is banged up after a bad storm or a hit-and-run. To find cheap car insurance with more coverage, check out NerdWallet’s list of cheap full coverage insurance.
» 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.
- Cincinnati
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 $1,017 After a DUI State Farm $2,159 After an accident Central Insurance $1,687 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $1,401 Having poor credit Central Insurance $1,902 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $270 After a DUI State Farm $607 After an accident Central Insurance $490 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $396 Having poor credit Central Insurance $451 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- Cleveland
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 $1,101 After a DUI State Farm $2,104 After an accident Hastings Mutual $1,660 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $1,504 Having poor credit Central Insurance $2,062 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $277 After a DUI State Farm $567 After an accident State Farm $476 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $407 Having poor credit Central Insurance $470 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- Columbus
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 $1,133 After a DUI State Farm $2,112 After an accident State Farm $1,811 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $1,542 Having poor credit Central Insurance $2,124 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Central Insurance $283 After a DUI State Farm $580 After an accident State Farm $487 After a speeding ticket Central Insurance $415 Having poor credit Central Insurance $474 Rates refreshed June 2025.
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.
- For 20-year-old drivers
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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,362 $114 State Farm $2,783 $232 Western Reserve $2,876 $240 QBE $2,992 $249 Auto-Owners $3,121 $260 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $329 $27 Progressive $651 $54 Buckeye $670 $56 State Farm $704 $59 Westfield $796 $66 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- For 30-year-old drivers
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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,007 $84 State Farm $1,249 $104 Buckeye $1,259 $105 Nationwide $1,383 $115 Hastings Mutual $1,416 $118 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $210 $18 Buckeye $218 $18 State Farm $277 $23 Allstate $324 $27 Westfield $347 $29 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- For 40-year-old drivers
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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $904 $75 State Farm $1,212 $101 Buckeye $1,259 $105 Nationwide $1,368 $114 Hastings Mutual $1,374 $115 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $189 $16 Buckeye $218 $18 State Farm $281 $23 Progressive $305 $25 Western Reserve $307 $26 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- For 60-year-old drivers
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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $917 $76 State Farm $1,082 $90 Buckeye $1,119 $93 Progressive $1,164 $97 Nationwide $1,198 $100 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Buckeye $193 $16 Central Insurance $199 $17 Progressive $252 $21 State Farm $257 $21 Allstate $293 $24 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- For 70-year-old drivers
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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,055 $88 State Farm $1,134 $94 Buckeye $1,170 $98 Progressive $1,221 $102 Nationwide $1,338 $112 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Buckeye $202 $17 Central Insurance $249 $21 State Farm $277 $23 Progressive $279 $23 Allstate $326 $27 Rates refreshed June 2025.
Cheapest auto insurance in Ohio by driving record
Having a driving violation on your record is likely to increase your car insurance premium. How much more you’ll pay depends on the type of violation, your car insurance carrier and your other personal characteristics.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old Ohio drivers with different driving records. If you have multiple violations on your record, consider looking into the best high-risk car insurance companies.
- After a speeding ticket
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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,251 $104 State Farm $1,431 $119 Buckeye $1,484 $124 Erie $1,666 $139 Nationwide $1,681 $140 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Buckeye $264 $22 Central Insurance $288 $24 State Farm $321 $27 Allstate $354 $29 Westfield $368 $31 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- After one at-fault accident
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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Hastings Mutual $1,382 $115 Central Insurance $1,484 $124 State Farm $1,565 $130 Nationwide $1,986 $165 Western Reserve $2,015 $168 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $356 $30 State Farm $362 $30 Buckeye $409 $34 Westfield $431 $36 Allstate $508 $42 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- After a DUI
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 $79 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $150 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $1,802 $150 Central Insurance $2,163 $180 Progressive $2,308 $192 American Family $2,316 $193 Nationwide $2,513 $209 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $428 $36 Progressive $458 $38 Central Insurance $564 $47 Allstate $710 $59 Frankenmuth $748 $62 Rates refreshed June 2025.
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.
- Poor credit
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $1,773 $148 Nationwide $2,049 $171 GEICO $2,214 $185 Hastings Mutual $2,246 $187 Westfield $2,576 $215 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $329 $27 Allstate $429 $36 Progressive $500 $42 Buckeye $506 $42 Westfield $507 $42 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- Good credit
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $943 $79 State Farm $1,232 $103 Buckeye $1,259 $105 Nationwide $1,377 $115 Hastings Mutual $1,382 $115 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Central Insurance $196 $16 Buckeye $218 $18 State Farm $276 $23 Allstate $324 $27 Western Reserve $331 $28 Rates refreshed June 2025.
Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for military families
USAA
USAA offers insurance to active military, veterans and their families only.- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.
- Policies available in all states and Washington, D.C.
- Available to active military, veterans and their families only.
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 five auto insurance options for 60 of the 70 driver profiles we examined. Read our USAA auto insurance review.
Minimum auto insurance limits in Ohio
Ohio car insurance policies must include liability coverage, which covers others’ property damage or injury treatment if you’re responsible for a crash.
The minimum liability limits you must purchase are:
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$25,000 property damage liability per accident.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits.
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.
For more help planning your Ohio auto policy, visit NerdWallet’s guide to car insurance requirements by state.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
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.
Methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for 35-year-old men and women for all ZIP codes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Unless otherwise stated, our analysis was based on our base driver profile, which has the following characteristics and coverage levels:
35 years old
Single. Male or female.
2022 Toyota Camry LE
12,000 annual miles driven.
Good driving record and credit
No moving violations.
"Good driving" discount applied.
Good credit-based insurance score.
Bodily injury liability coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Property damage liability coverage
$50,000 per crash.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Collision coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
- See characteristics for other driver profiles
For all other driver profiles, we used the same assumptions, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for drivers with poor credit. These rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
For young drivers, we considered 20-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For millennial drivers, we considered 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For senior drivers, we considered 70-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider. Sample drivers had the minimum required coverage by law in each state. Some policies include additional coverage at the insurer’s discretion.
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.
