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Last updated: March 27, 2024

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Ohio in 2024

Here’s what you can expect to pay for your auto insurance in Ohio in 2024.

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Between its serene rural landscapes and bustling urban centers, Ohio presents a unique driving environment that directly impacts auto insurance costs across the state. As an at-fault state, Ohio mandates that the driver responsible for an accident bear the financial burden for damages and injuries. This legal framework influences how insurance companies assess risk and determine premiums, reflecting the diverse driving conditions and accident rates in various parts of the state.

As you may know, many factors contribute to your premium. You can expect your insurance provider to consider your age, gender, driving history, location, and credit score when determining your premium. This page aims to guide you through understanding the average yearly costs of car insurance in Ohio, offering insights into how different factors shape your rates and ensuring you are well informed to make decisions about your auto insurance needs.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Ohio

If you drive in the Buckeye State, you’ll be pleased to learn that car insurance in Ohio is on average lower than the national average annual cost, at $781 per year. However, how can you be sure you aren’t paying more than you have? By comparing policies, reviewing your coverage needs, and staying informed about auto insurance discounts, you can ensure your premium is competitive. Regularly assessing your insurance coverage against offerings in the market can lead to significant savings, along with understanding how your demographics impact your rates.

By City

Insurance rates vary across Ohio cities, particularly between urban and rural areas. Explore how your location within the state affects how much you’ll pay for your car insurance.

City Average annual cost of car insurance
Akron $1,234
Canton $1,305
Cincinnati $1,287
Cleveland $1,295
Columbus $1,275
Dayton $1,201
Hamilton $1,337
Lorain $1,198
Toledo $1,339
Youngstown $1,335

By Age

Age has a significant influence on the amount drivers pay for auto insurance each year. We’ve compiled the average annual costs of car insurance associated with different age ranges below:

Age Average annual cost of car insurance
16 $3,618
17 $3,674
18 $3,752
19 $2,596
20s $2,298
30s $707
40s $680
50s $627
60s $651
70s $1,195

By Gender

We found that, on average, men pay more than women for car insurance in Ohio.

Gender Average annual cost of car insurance
Male $1,419
Female $1,377

By Marital Status

It’s important to remember that your auto insurance provider may consider your marital status when calculating your premium. According to our research, single drivers in Ohio pay slightly more each year for car insurance than married and divorced drivers.

Marital status Average annual cost of car insurance
Single $1,134
Married $1,086
Divorced $948

By Coverage Level

Understanding the impact of choosing between minimum and full coverage insurance is crucial. If you want to pay as little as possible, opt for minimum coverage auto insurance from your provider.

Coverage level Average annual cost of car insurance
Minimum $346
Full $1,154

By Violation

Drivers with a traffic violation tend to pay more for their car insurance than drivers with a clean record.

Violation Average annual cost of car insurance
Recent at-fault accident $1,686
Speeding ticket $1,561
DUI $1,884

Tip:

If you have had a recent accident or a DUI, explore high-risk insurance options to find protective policies at affordable rates.

By Company

Insurance rates vary widely among providers. Here are the average costs we found from several major insurance companies in Ohio:

Company Average annual cost of car insurance
GEICO $897
Nationwide $2,081
State Farm $990
USAA $1,249

By Credit Score

Unfortunately, many insurance providers consider a driver’s credit score when calculating their premium. Review how different credit ratings impact average annual rates for drivers in Ohio.

Credit score Average annual cost of car insurance
Excellent $873
Good $1,142
Fair $1,332
Poor $2,155

How to Save on Car Insurance in Ohio

You can save on your annual premium by opting for Ohio’s required liability coverage only. Explore some other ways to save money each month on your auto insurance below:

  • Raise your deductible. Increasing your deductible, or the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in, can often lower your monthly premium. We encourage you to review your financial circumstances to ensure you will be able to afford that amount if you need to file a claim.
  • Bundle your coverages. Many insurance providers offer discounts when you bundle auto insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance.
  • Benefit from safe driving discounts. Like many states, Ohio rewards those who practice safety behind the wheel and maintain a clean record. Many providers offer a safe driving discount if you remain accident-free for a certain time or if you complete a defensive driving course.

Minimum Car Insurance in Ohio

According to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the minimum mandatory car insurance coverages are the following:1

  • $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $25,000 of property damage liability coverage

Fault Law in Ohio

As an at-fault state, Ohio mandates that a driver who causes an accident bear the financial responsibility for any resulting damages and injuries to the other party. This system contrasts with no-fault states like Florida, where each party’s insurance covers their own losses, regardless of fault. Consequently, Ohio law requires drivers to have liability insurance to cover damages they might cause, highlighting the importance of selecting the right coverage limits to protect yourself financially. This is crucial since liability insurance pays for the other party’s expenses, not your own.

SR-22s

Ohio legislation requires drivers to have an SR-22 form following a severe accident, traffic violation, or license suspension. An SR-22s is a certificate of responsibility verifying a driver has liability insurance. Drivers must also carry an SR-22 if they fail to show proof of insurance at a traffic stop or accident in Ohio.2

Note:

To reinstate your driver’s license after failing to show proof of insurance, you must carry an SR-22 form for a specific period, depending on your offense number. You must also pay a reinstatement fee.

Recap

On this page, we explored many factors that can shape your auto insurance premium in Ohio, including location, age, gender, marital status, coverage level, driving violations, insurer, and credit score. Generally, you can expect variations in your insurance rates based on these factors, reflecting your perceived risk level. Before you settle on an insurance provider and coverage plan, we suggest you shop around and compare quotes from various companies.

Methodology

Leveraging over two decades of expertise in connecting individuals with leading auto insurers, AutoInsurance.com has developed a comprehensive database of information on auto insurance clients and their successful provider matches. This wealth of proprietary and state-specific data, including details on minimum coverage, fault systems, and SR-22/FR-44 requirements, equips us to offer a detailed overview of the car insurance costs you might expect in any state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ohio a no-fault state?

No. Ohio is an at-fault state. Instead, Ohio operates under an at-fault system, meaning the driver found to be at fault for an accident is liable for the damages and medical costs sustained by the other party.

What is the penalty for not having auto insurance in Ohio?

Driving without auto insurance in Ohio can lead to serious consequences, including a noncompliance license suspension for up to two years, depending on the number of offenses.

Is Ohio a PIP state?

Personal injury protection, or PIP, insurance is neither required nor offered in Ohio. Instead, auto insurance providers in Ohio offer MedPay, or medical payments insurance, as optional coverage to cover the expenses from injuries and medical bills after an accident.

Maya Afilalo Headshot MBA Photo
Written by:Maya Afilalo
Managing Editor & Industry Analyst
Maya Afilalo holds over 10 years of professional experience in writing, communications, and research, which she leverages to provide accurate and reliable information to empower consumers. In addition to overseeing content production, Maya has herself written many articles on auto insurance costs, company comparisons, state laws and requirements, and other topics. She is committed to helping consumers navigate the complex world of car insurance with clarity and confidence. Maya holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s from North Carolina State University.

Citations

  1. Mandatory Insurance. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (2024).
    https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-mandatory-insurance.aspx

  2. Suspensions & Reinstatements. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (2024).
    https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/susp-ins-noncomply.aspx