Image via Flickr by State Farm
Finding cheap car insurance in Columbus, Ohio, is possible by requesting quotes from local insurance companies and comparing prices. Taking this first step will help drivers find great insurance coverage that is reasonably priced.
Does Columbus, Ohio, Have Car Insurance Requirements?
In Columbus, Ohio, drivers must have property damage liability coverage and bodily injury liability insurance. Both are required in order to drive legally in the state. Buying insurance to cover medical payments is an option.
According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, $25,000 per injured person per accident and $50,000 for all injured persons in any single accident is the minimum required for bodily injury liability coverage. For property damage liability coverage, $25,000 is the required minimum to cover the destruction of other persons’ property caused by any one accident.
What Is the Cost of Car Insurance in Columbus, Ohio?
The specific requirements for coverage and the costs that go along with the coverage are not the same for every company. That’s why getting quotes from different companies is an important step in the buying process. Taken from the Columbus Insurance Market, the following list names a few of the top companies in Columbus along with the average cost for minimum coverage and full coverage.
- Allstate: $357 minimum coverage, $1,292 full coverage
- American Family: $388 minimum, $865 full
- Auto Owners: $325 minimum, $1,035 full
- Celina: $329 minimum, $1,035 full
- Central: $446 minimum, $1,260 full
- Donegal: $474 minimum, $994 full
- Erie: $259 minimum, $974 full
- Farmers: $357 minimum, $913 full
- GEICO: $306 minimum, $843 full
- State Farm: $288 minimum, $906 full
- USAA: $247 minimum, $820 full
Cheap Insurance Companies in Columbus
Here are some of the insurance companies with cheap rates in Columbus:
- GEICO
- Erie
- Grange Insurance
- Cincinnati Insurance
- State Farm
Along with other insurance companies, USAA also offers cheap car insurance according to U.S. News in their annual study of major auto insurers. Their study included drivers with clean driving records as well as those with a driving history. Their study notes that GEICO has cheap car insurance for good drivers, teen drivers, senior drivers, drivers with poor credit, and minimum and full coverage. State Farm has cheap insurance for those with driving incidents on their record, such as speeding tickets, DUIs, and accidents. USAA offers cheaper vehicle insurance for current and former military personnel and their family.
Nationwide and Westfield also have cheap car insurance rates in Columbus, Ohio for minimum coverage. For full coverage, their analysis shows cheap annual rates for full coverage from Nationwide at $1,297, Westfield at $1,608, Grange at $2,060, Progressive at $2,120, and Allstate at $2,539.
Factors Used to Calculate Vehicle Insurance Coverage
Insurance companies use several factors to determine the cost of a driver’s policy. These include the driver’s age, the type of coverage, the amount of coverage, demographic information such as marital status and gender, zip code, the driver’s insurance history, and any risk factors.
To get an idea of how much vehicle insurance costs based on these factors, the following lists show the average rates for drivers in Columbus.
Age Bracket and Average Annual Cost
The age group with the highest yearly rate is teenagers, while the least expensive rates are reserved for drivers in their 50s.
- $5,466: Teenagers
- $1,666: 20s
- $1,154: 30s
- $1,106: 40s
- $1,043: 50s
- $1,075: 60s
- $1,357: 70s
Gender and Marital Status
Your gender and marital status can affect your insurance rates. However, the estimated cost of car insurance is under $1,200 for several categories:
- $1,168: Female
- $1,170: Male
- $1,101: Single
- $1,101: Married
- $1,170: Divorced
- $1,148: Widowed
Driving History
A clean driving record helps when it comes to buying cheap car insurance in Columbus, Ohio. Rates go up for those with a history of speeding tickets, reckless driving, involvement in at-fault accidents, driving while intoxicated (DWI), or driving under the influence (DUI). Reckless driving and DUIs are the costliest incidents when it comes to increased insurance rates.
Here are the average rates you can expect after different driving incidents:
- $1,874: DUI/DWI
- $1,872: Reckless driving
- $1,835: At-fault accident with damages of more than $2,000
- $1,693: At-fault accident with damages under $1,000
- $1,437: Speeding ticket for a speed 16-20 mph above the speed limit
Credit History and Average Annual Cost
A driver’s credit history is one of the factors insurance companies consider when determining the cost of the premium. The difference in the cost of insurance can be significant based on the score. For those who have poor credit and are able to improve their score, moving into the fair rating category can save you an estimated $845 annually on insurance. Here are the average rates you can expect based on your credit score:
- $2,254: Very Poor
- $1,409: Fair
- $1,170: Good
- $1,045: Very Good
- $946: Exceptional
Zip Codes
Where you live in Columbus is another factor that insurance companies use to determine rates. As in most cities, there are neighborhoods in Columbus that have a higher crime rate than others. Because of this, insurers may put drivers from those neighborhoods in the high-risk category, which may mean higher rates.
When insurers are asked to provide a quote for vehicle coverage, the driver’s zip code plays a part in determining the rate. In Columbus, the zip codes with cheaper rates include 43016, 43054, 43065, 43081, and 43137. Zip codes with more expensive rates include 43211, 43219, 43222, and 43224.
Cheap Car Insurance Tips
Quotes from insurers for vehicle coverage will vary based on the factors each company uses to calculate monthly and yearly rates. Premiums can also be adjusted by the insurer due to inflation and the economy. To find the cheapest vehicle insurance and the type of coverage for your individual needs, consider these two important tips:
- Contact multiple area insurance companies to request a quote and then compare the rates
- Remember that rates can change at any time. If you aren’t purchasing coverage immediately, it is a good idea to request quotes again when you are ready to buy so you will have the most up-to-date rates
Whether you have a clean driving history or incidents on your driving record, the quotes allow you to know what the rate will be so you can make an informed decision.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
