Cheap Car Insurance in Ohio
The Cheapest car insurance in Ohio for all cars and drivers
No matter what you drive, you’ll need an insurance policy to comply with Ohio law.
We’re here to help your wallet by providing a quick and easy way to compare affordable Ohio car insurance quotes from several top insurance providers eager to help.
Car insurance requirements in Ohio
Here’s What you need to know before hitting the road in Ohio
Across the US, all states, including the great state of Ohio, require that each driver carry a policy that provides coverage at or above the legally mandated minimum.
But more is needed to be insured; you must always carry proof of this when operating a vehicle on Ohio’s many roadways.
Enter your ZIP code below to view quotes for the cheapest Auto Insurance Rates.
What are the minimum amounts of Car insurance in Ohio that all drivers must carry?
In Ohio, liability insurance is a requirement for all drivers. The required minimum for automobile insurance in Ohio is $25,000/$50,000/$25,000. With this policy, if an accident were to occur, the policy would cover $25,000 per individual for bodily injury, up to a maximum of $50,000 per incident. This policy also covers up to $25,000 in damage to property for the *other driver (not you).
Recap of Mandatory Minimum Coverage in OH:
Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person
Bodily injury liability (more than one person): $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability coverage: $25,000 per accident
What penalties could you face for driving without Car insurance in Ohio?
Ohio state statutes require drivers to have PROOF of their insurance policy with them at all times when operating a vehicle on a public road.
As long as your insurance fulfills the minimum standards your state sets for coverage, it doesn’t matter how inexpensive your policy is. That’s the good news for those needing cheap coverage.
Penalties for driving without Car insurance in Ohio
Your driver’s license, license plates, and car registration may all be temporarily suspended by the state, and there may also be a $660 reinstatement fee. Additionally, you should request that your insurer submit an SR-22 form for up to five years. The state may seize or sell your car if you don’t follow these rules.
First Offense:
Fines and penalties
Suspension of license until up to date with insurance requirements
$260 restoration fee for plates and registration
Confiscation of plates and license for 30 days
Second Offense:
Additional fines and penalties
Suspension of license for 1-year
Limited driving privileges available after 15-days
$360 registration and plate restoration fee
Vehicle and plates confiscated for 60 days
Third and Subsequent Offense:
Additional fines and penalties
Suspension of license for 2-years
Limited driving privileges are available after 30 days.
$660 registration and plate restoration fee
Vehicle impounded and sold
5-year suspension on registering a new vehicle
How much does Car insurance cost in Ohio?
Ohio’s rates for full coverage car insurance average around $1,200 annually. Minimum coverage car insurance averages around $336. When compared to surrounding states, Ohio is more competitively priced when it comes to car insurance.
That said, at Insurance Navy, we work with a range of leading car insurance providers to get you multiple cheap quotes so you always have access to the best rates.
How does your driving record affect your Car insurance premiums in Ohio?
Your driving record (citations or tickets demonstrates to insurance providers how safe or risky of a driver you are. The better your record and the longer your driving history is, the lower your premiums and the better your chances of snagging affordable car insurance in Ohio.
Ohio Auto Insurance Rate Increases Violation (averages):
*% increases on average
Speeding ticket: 17% increase
At-Fault Accident: 39% increase
DUI: 84% increase
National Average Increases in Premiums For Other Violations:
NOT at-fault accident – 6%
1 Compensation claim – 8%
2 Compensation claims – 14%
Failure to show documents to law enforcement – 18%
No seatbelt violation - 18%
Driving on expired registration – 21%
Driving without lights – 20%
Child safety restraint violation – 20%
Cell phone use violation – 25%
Illegal turn – 26%
Failure to yield – 27%
Improper passing – 27%
Speeding 6-10mph over the limit – 25%
Speeding 16-20mph over the limit – 27%
Racing or Reckless driving – 89%
Leaving the scene of a crime – 97%
Driving on a suspended license – 94%
*Examples are averages and vary widely depending on the particular carrier. The list is not exhaustive and is meant to give a representative sample of common traffic violations.
How much could having a bad driving record cost you?
Our figures show that many insurance carriers increase annual premiums for clients with a history of “at fault” incidents by as much as $620… making it even more important to evaluate several insurance companies through a broker like Insurance Navy.
SR-22 insurance
What is SR22 Insurance in Ohio?
SR22 insurance is not an insurance policy, but a certificate showing a driver carries at least the mandatory minimum required liability insurance coverage.
In Ohio, an SR22 certificate is mandatory for any driver who receives a drivers license suspension due to a major traffic violation. Drivers with an SR22 requirement must notify their insurance provider, who will file the SR22 certificate with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio BMV).
Once the Ohio SR22 form is successfully filed, you must keep it valid to keep up with your car insurance premiums. There is no other monthly fee to pay, but an SR-22 filing will significantly impact your auto insurance rates.
Who Needs an SR22 Insurance Bond in Ohio?
In Ohio, SR-22 insurance may be required after committing one or more of the following driving violations:
Operating a vehicle while under the influence (OVI)
Driving without liability insurance
Reckless driving history
Multiple and frequent traffic violations
How Long Must You Carry SR-22 Insurance in Ohio?
On average, drivers in Ohio must carry an SR-22 for three years following being convicted of a major traffic violation. However, required maintenance periods depend a lot on the severity of your offense. An Ohio court may decide you must carry this insurance form for up to five years.
Once the expiration date has arrived, you are responsible for notifying your car insurance provider. They will inform the Ohio BMV that you have canceled your SR-22 insurance.
Failure to maintain your SR-22 for the assigned period can be incredibly damaging to your driving record and insurance history.
If your SR-22 lapses for any reason, your insurance company has to file an SR-26 with the Ohio BMV within 30 days. Then your license gets suspended yet again. The three-year countdown to get back to normal starts all over from scratch. Reinstating your license isn't cheap. It'll set you back $40 just for the filing fee to get it back. You'll also need to find new insurance, which will cost 20-40% more than what you were paying before.
How Much Does SR22 Insurance Cost?
How much your auto insurance premiums will be following an SR-22 filing in Ohio depends on various factors, including your conviction’s circumstances and the insurance company you are signed with.
Insurance premiums can jump as much as 70% to 100% or even higher for OVI convictions. If you're a first-time OVI offender in Ohio, get ready to pay between $2,400 and $3,500 a year for your car insurance. That's just the average, depending on what carrier you're with and how clean your driving record is.
An OVI is the most common reason an Ohio driver needs SR-22 insurance. On average, drivers in Ohio pay around $1,700 per year for SR-22 insurance. It is impossible to say what you will be paying for insurance, but you can expect it to be much higher than your pre-conviction rates.
You can also expect to pay a filing fee, which your insurance provider will charge you. On average, insurance companies in Ohio charge around $15-$25 to file an SR-22.
Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance
Just because you do not own a car does not mean you are off the hook when carrying car insurance and obeying state insurance laws. Even if you do not own the vehicle you were driving during your traffic violation, you still need to get a non-owner SR-22 certificate.
Non-owner SR-22 policies are another option for Ohio drivers. These policies can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 a year. Much cheaper than a regular policy because you don't have a car to insure. To qualify for this type of policy, you can't have a car registered in your name, or have any regular access to a household vehicle. They're just a way to get by with a SR-22 requirement while still covering your liability when you borrow or rent a car.
How to find the Cheapest car insurance in Ohio
Get Car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies
When shopping for car insurance, comparing rates from the top auto insurance companies is one of the best ways to get the lowest price. Insurance Navy makes comparing quotes from several companies at once a breeze.
We can help you find the best deals from multiple insurers instantly online.
Consider Uninsured motorist coverage
Ohio's uninsured rate is around 12-13%. Although Uninsured Motorist coverage is an immediate cost, it could save you much money if your car is damaged or injured by someone else driving without adequate insurance.
Car insurance discounts
Car insurance providers extend a plethora of discounts to aid drivers in Ohio to economize on their coverage expenses.
Some of the best discounts you can get are multi-policy, good driver, telematics, military, and paid in full discounts.
Inquire about these discounts from your Ohio insurance agent. These policy based discounts are among the most straightforward avenues to reduce your annual premiums.