Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Columbus, Ohio (2024)

Mile Auto offers the cheapest car insurance in Columbus, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $47 per month.

Daria Kelly Uhlig
Daria Kelly Uhlig
  • Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content

  • Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today

Daria is a licensed Realtor and resort property manager specializing in personal finance, real estate, and insurance topics. In her spare time, she practices photography.

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Danny Smith
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Danny Smith
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

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Updated March 14, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates in Ohio

Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $49/mo for liability only and $57/mo for full coverage in Ohio.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Ohio within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Ohio within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

State Farm, Erie, and Auto-Owners are Columbus’ cheapest insurance companies, on average. All three companies offer premiums lower than the city average of $233 per month, according to data compiled by Insurify.

That being said, they may not be the right insurers for you. It’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before purchasing an auto insurance policy to make sure you get the best rate.

Quick Facts
  • Columbus is the most populous city in Ohio, which likely contributes to its higher car insurance rates. 

  • Columbus accounted for about 65% of all traffic accidents in Franklin County in 2022, according to Ohio Department of Public Safety data.

  • In Ohio, insurers can use credit scores to determine your rate, but it can’t be the only factor they consider.

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Cheapest car insurance companies in Columbus

Car insurance rates vary widely in Columbus, where the least expensive liability coverage is nearly 80% less than the most expensive. The disparity is even larger for full coverage. Your own insurance rates, however, will depend on your unique situation and coverage needs.

Best insurance for teens: State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$48/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$87/mo

State Farm is America’s largest insurance company, with 7.9 million policies and operations in 49 states.

Pros
  • Large discounts for young drivers

  • Savings of up to 17% through bundling auto with home, life, or other insurance

Cons
  • Low ratings in customer review

  • Limited customer service options

I am happy with their coverage. I just bought a new car, and my insurance quadrupled. YIKES.

Stacy - December 4, 2023
Verified

Friendly service.

John - December 4, 2023
Verified

Got insurance established fast.

Robert - December 3, 2023
Verified
Read our State Farm review

Best insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Erie

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
870
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$55/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$102/mo

Erie offers some unique options you won’t find with many other insurance companies. For example, your liability insurance protects your pets while riding in your car, and you can enhance your auto policy for $35 per year or less.

Pros
  • Good coverage options

  • Insures recreational and off-road vehicles

Cons
  • Customer service available by phone during business hours only

  • No online claims submission

Over the years, they have always gone over and above what I would have expected. They are fair and prompt in customer service issues. They have always tailored my policy to meet my needs at a very fair price.

linda - August 9, 2023
Verified

I have been with Erie for 73 years. No problems!.

William - July 17, 2023
Verified

My agent was always there for me.

Dinah - December 4, 2022
Verified
Read our Erie Insurance review

Best insurance for drivers with a DUI: Auto-Owners

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$57/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$102/mo

Auto-Owners provides insurance to almost 3 million people in 26 states. It’s a Fortune 500 company with an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from A.M. Best.

Pros
  • A.M. Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)

  • Many ways to earn discounts

Cons
  • Must contact an agent to get a price quote

  • No online claims submission

I was pleased with the agent and for years the price, but now they have gotten too expensive for a person on a fixed income.

Mary - August 13, 2023
Verified

I was dropped because of two minor at-fault accidents in two plus years.

Zachary - January 8, 2023
Verified

You can work directly with an agent.

Guy - May 17, 2022
Verified
Read our Auto-Owners review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbus

Liability-only car insurance is the minimum coverage most states require. It covers you if you cause an accident that injures passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians or damages their property.[1]

While bodily injury and property damage liability coverage won’t cover your own injuries or property damage in a crash you cause, it protects your assets against lawsuits by the people who suffered injuries or damage.

The companies listed below offer the cheapest car insurance policies for drivers looking for liability-only coverage in Columbus.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto47
State Farm48
Erie55
Auto-Owners57
GEICO61
USAA61
American Family69
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Columbus

Full-coverage car insurance means you have liability coverage as well as physical damage coverage for your vehicle. It includes collision and comprehensive coverages for damage from both collision and noncollision events.[1]

“A driver who finances a vehicle or has a lease must carry physical damage coverage on their vehicle,” says Eric Fisher, agent and owner of Outdoor AdvINSURE, an Ohio insurance brokerage. “Otherwise, the coverage is optional.”

The following companies offer some of the cheapest average quotes available for full coverage.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto70
State Farm87
Auto-Owners102
Erie102
GEICO111
USAA113
American Family125
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Car insurance requirements in Ohio

Ohio is a tort state, which means the insurer for the person at fault in an accident pays for the resulting damages. Ohio car insurance laws mandate the types and amount of insurance you must carry.[2]

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability
  • $25,000 for the injury/death of one individual
  • $50,000 for the injury/death of two or more individuals
Property damage liability
  • $25,000 per accident

Minimum insurance requirements don’t always provide enough coverage to protect a driver fully.

A person could have state-minimum liability coverage along with physical damage coverage and have full coverage, when in fact they have very poor coverage because of their low liability limits,” says Fisher.

Optional auto insurance coverage can help fill those gaps. Consider purchasing the following coverages in addition to liability coverage:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance covers your injuries if you’re in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have liability coverage or doesn’t have enough liability coverage.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/4c9753bdbe/medical-payments.svg

    Medical payments

    MedPay covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, up to certain limits, for injuries you suffer in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/9997698e9e/emergency-roadside-service.svg

    Roadside assistance

    Roadside assistance covers you if your car breaks down on the side of the road and you need assistance or towing services.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

An incident is an event that might affect your car insurance price. It could mean an at-fault accident, but not always. Moving violations, such as speeding tickets and DUIs, also affect your premiums because they indicate to the insurer that you’re more likely to file a claim.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[3] Insurance companies raise prices for drivers who have been caught speeding, but you can still get a good quote.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto104
State Farm112
Auto-Owners137
Erie145
GEICO145
USAA147
American Family165
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Any kind of accident can result in a rate increase, but at-fault accidents have the strongest effect on your premiums.

The following insurers offer the lowest quotes for drivers with accidents on their driving record.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto109
State Farm117
Auto-Owners141
Erie149
GEICO152
USAA154
American Family172
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Of all the incidents likely to increase your car insurance costs, DUIs typically have the most effect.[4] A DUI typically doubles your premium if you’re insured in Columbus, no matter what company you use. The following insurers offer the cheapest quotes for drivers with DUIs in Columbus.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto114
State Farm141
Erie151
Auto-Owners166
GEICO180
USAA184
American Family203
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Read More: The 10 Best Car Insurance Companies

Read More: The 10 Best Car Insurance Companies

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Conventional wisdom says young drivers are riskier drivers, and that’s true, to a point. Teens pay high premiums that gradually decrease until about age 35. However, prices begin to climb again once a driver reaches age 75. Still, seniors pay less than the average driver, according to Insurify data.

The three cheapest insurance companies for seniors charge them 35% to 40% below the national average across all ages.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto37
State Farm40
Erie46
Auto-Owners49
GEICO56
USAA59
American Family60
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Teen drivers pay higher car insurance rates than other age groups, with premiums 45% to 50% higher than average in Columbus. Their youth and lack of experience behind the wheel make them riskier for insurance companies to insure, which often results in higher prices.

Despite the higher averages, insurance companies provide teens with various ways to reduce their costs. Some of these ways include staying on their parents’ insurance policies, driving an inexpensive car, and keeping their grades up to earn a good student discount.[5]

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto133
State Farm147
Auto-Owners168
GEICO172
Erie184
USAA184
American Family210
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Columbus

“Every driver would benefit from an insurance review from a local insurance agent to determine the appropriate coverage limits for them,” Fisher advises. You should also consider how factors like your credit score, driving record, when and where you drive, where you keep your car, and the car itself affect your rates.[6]

Next, compare quotes from a few different Columbus insurance companies. Rate trends might be consistent from one company to the next, but the rates themselves vary widely.

Here are some ways to save money and lower your premiums:

  • Increase your deductible.

  • Purchase multiple policies from the same insurance company.

  • Improve your credit score.

  • Apply for discounts.

  • Avoid speeding and other risky driving behaviors.

Find Car Insurance in Columbus, Ohio

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Columbus car insurance quotes by credit tier

Ohio doesn’t allow insurance companies to use credit-based insurance scores as the sole factor in setting premiums. However, they can use credit as one of the factors when evaluating how risky you are to insure.[7]

As you can see in the chart below, higher credit scores correlate with lower premiums, while drivers with bad credit scores typically pay higher premiums.

Rates by Credit Tier

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Is car insurance more expensive in Columbus?

Location is a major factor in how much you pay for insurance. Premiums vary from one ZIP code to the next, based on crime and accident rates, for example. Columbus drivers pay 12% more than the national average for car insurance. And they pay more than residents of most other Ohio cities Insurify looked at — Canton in particular. But you’ll pay less here than if you lived in Toledo.

More cities in Ohio

Insurance quotes varied by over $60 per month among the cities included in Insurify’s analysis. Here’s a look at the average monthly full-coverage quotes for popular cities in Ohio and how they compare to Columbus’s average.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to Columbus
Akron$221-5%
Canton$186-20%
Cincinnati$231-1%
Cleveland$231-1%
Dayton$202-13%
Hamilton$2351%
Toledo$2539%
Youngstown$218-6%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Check Out: Car Insurance Rates by State

Check Out: Car Insurance Rates by State

Columbus car insurance FAQs

Finding the right car insurance coverage can be difficult. Check out the answers to some frequently asked questions about car insurance in Columbus.

  • How much is car insurance in Columbus?

    The average cost of car insurance in Columbus is $201 per month. Drivers pay $149 per month for liability-only coverage and $233 per month for a full-coverage policy. Your average rates ultimately depend on your driving record, credit history, marital status, age, location, and more.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Columbus?

    State Farm is the best car insurance company in Columbus, with an IQ Score of 4.4 and an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior). It’s followed closely by Erie, with an IQ Score of 4.4 and an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior).

  • What factors affect the cost of car insurance in Columbus?

    Like in any city, factors like your ZIP code, driving record, age, credit score, and more will affect the cost of car insurance in Columbus. Be sure to drive safely, keep your driving record clean, and maintain a good credit score to keep your auto insurance rates low. If you want to lower your rates further, shop around for car insurance and apply for discounts.

  • How much car insurance do you need in Ohio?

    Ohio’s liability insurance requirements are at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, along with $25,000 per accident in property damage liability. Ohio drivers must also purchase uninsured motorist coverage with coverage levels equal to the minimum liability limits.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. NOLO. "Types of Car Insurance Coverage." Accessed June 30, 2023
  2. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. "Mandatory Insurance." Accessed June 30, 2023
  3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Speeding." Accessed June 30, 2023
  4. NOLO. "DUI-Related Accidents and Car Insurance." Accessed June 30, 2023
  5. Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers." Accessed June 30, 2023
  6. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed June 30, 2023
  7. Ohio Department of Insurance. "How Credit Information Can Impact Insurance Premium Amounts." Accessed June 30, 2023
Daria Kelly Uhlig
Daria Kelly Uhlig

Daria Uhlig is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience creating personal finance content. Her work appears on USA Today, Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, GOBankingRates and AOL. As a licensed Realtor and resort property manager, she specializes in real estate topics, including landlord, homeowners and renters insurance. In her spare time, Daria can be found photographing people and places on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Danny Smith
Edited byDanny Smith
Photo of an Insurify author
Danny Smith
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

Featured in

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