How to find the cheapest car insurance in Columbus, Ohio
Car insurance in Columbus, Ohio averages about $109 a month for minimum liability coverage and about $122 a month for full coverage. This works out to be around 10% less than the national average.
If you’re looking for the easiest way to find cheap car insurance in Columbus, Ohio, use Jerry to quickly compare quotes and buy your next policy. Below are some of the best rates Jerry found for our Columbus customers.
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Customer
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Insurance Coverage
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The General | $314 | Francis, 46, Columbus, OH | 43227 | Buick Enclave | State Minimum | Yes |
Bristol West | $409 | Mike, 25, Columbus, OH | 43235 | Kia Sportage Lx | State Minimum | Yes |
Trexis | $128 | Alberta, 24, Columbus, OH | 43227 | Hyundai Elantra Gls | State Minimum | No |
Progressive | $220 | Rena, 29, Columbus, OH | 43232 | Nissan Altima 2.5 | State Minimum | No |
Progressive | $104 | Jared, 24, Columbus, OH | 43201 | Toyota Camry Le | State Minimum | No |
Best car insurance companies in Columbus, Ohio
All insurance companies in Columbus, Ohio have their own method for calculating car insurance quotes based on your unique driving profile. That means the most affordable car insurance company may be different for everyone.
But when you’re shopping for car insurance, there’s more to consider than just the cost. You should also look at a company’s ratings for things like claims handling and customer service.
Jerry wanted to make it simple for drivers to compare the best car insurance companies, so we surveyed over 18,000 real policyholders to find out what they do and don’t like about their current insurance provider.
The results were surprising. Big-name insurers like GEICO and State Farm received mixed reviews for insurance costs and customer service, while smaller companies like Aspire Advantage, Erie, and National General consistently scored well with their customers.
Insurance company | Overall rating | Price | Claims experience | Customer service |
---|---|---|---|---|
Farmers | 4.7 | 4.7 | N/A | 4.7 |
Allstate | 4.6 | 4 | 4.3 | 4 |
State Farm | 4.4 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
Progressive | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 4.2 |
Geico | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.2 |
How’d we get these scores?
Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.
Best cheap car insurance quotes in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio drivers are required to carry at least the minimum amount of liability insurance set by Ohio law. A minimum-liability car insurance policy will be the cheapest auto insurance you can buy—but it’s almost never enough coverage to fully protect you.
If you want your insurance to cover repair or replacement costs for your own vehicle, consider adding full coverage to your policy.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Columbus, Ohio
To legally drive in Columbus, you’ll need a policy that meets Ohio’s liability car insurance requirements, which are sometimes described as 25/50/25 coverage. This stands for:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Basic liability coverage will pay up to your policy coverage limits for any injuries or property damage that you cause to others while you’re driving.
Do you need more than minimum coverage in Columbus?
It’s almost always a good idea to purchase more liability coverage than the state minimum.
If you total another driver’s car or cause serious injuries to someone, the costs could easily exceed Ohio’s minimum liability requirement. You could be found legally responsible for any medical bills and motor vehicle repairs that exceed your liability limits.
The bottom line: To better protect yourself, consider raising your liability limits to 50/100/50 or 100/300/100—it usually only costs a few extra dollars a month, and if you ever cause a serious accident, you’ll be glad you made the investment.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in Columbus
Liability insurance will only pay for damages that you cause to another car in an accident. If you want help repairing or replacing your own vehicle, consider investing in a full coverage policy.
Full coverage consists of collision insurance and comprehensive insurance:
- Collision coverage helps repair or replace your vehicle after an accident
- Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after theft, vandalism, natural disasters, or collisions with an animal
Need to know: You may be required to carry full coverage on your vehicle if you have a loan.
Your Columbus, Ohio auto insurance coverage will protect you even more if you purchase uninsured motorist coverage. This is a type of insurance that will protect you against medical bills or vehicle repairs if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance.
Here is a list of real customers who found affordable car insurance in Ohio with Jerry.
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Minimum | Yes | The General | $314 | 46 | 43227 | Buick Enclave |
State Minimum | Yes | Bristol West | $409 | 25 | 43235 | Kia Sportage Lx |
State Minimum | No | Trexis | $128 | 24 | 43227 | Hyundai Elantra Gls |
State Minimum | No | Progressive | $220 | 29 | 43232 | Nissan Altima 2.5 |
State Minimum | No | Progressive | $104 | 24 | 43201 | Toyota Camry Le |
Because insurance rates can vary so much from one provider to the next, the best way to find the cheapest car insurance companies in Columbus, Ohio is to compare quotes from at least 3–5 insurers.
Jerry is a unique insurance agency that makes it fast and easy to compare car insurance quotes with our free app. And our team of 100+ licensed insurance agents means you’ll always get top-tier service.
Average cost of auto insurance in Columbus, Ohio
In the process of helping drivers find cheap Columbus car insurance, we found that drivers pay about $109 a month (or $1,310 a year) for minimum liability coverage and around $122 a month (or $1,466 a year) for full coverage insurance.
But while looking at average insurance rates can give you a general idea of what you might pay, there are a lot of factors that go into setting insurance premiums, including your vehicle, claims history, driving record, and more.
Average cost of car insurance in Columbus by zip code
Drivers who park their vehicles in one part of Columbus could pay different rates than drivers who park in another area of the city.
That’s because insurance companies may label certain areas as “high-risk” due to more frequent vehicle thefts or a higher number of insurance claims.
Zip Code | Average State Minimum Coverage Rate | Average Full Coverage Rate |
---|---|---|
43201 | $76 | $137 |
43202 | $79 | $130 |
43204 | $85 | $151 |
43206 | $52 | $139 |
43207 | $69 | $143 |
43209 | $81 | $121 |
43211 | $59 | $179 |
43213 | $74 | $135 |
43214 | $73 | $123 |
43215 | $46 | $143 |
43219 | $67 | $120 |
43220 | $118 | $188 |
43223 | $58 | $130 |
43224 | $82 | $147 |
43228 | $71 | $138 |
43229 | $78 | $137 |
43230 | $59 | $110 |
43231 | $61 | $156 |
43232 | $78 | $157 |
43235 | $82 | $109 |
Car insurance quotes in Columbus by rating factors
There are a number of factors that can impact the cost of your insurance premium in Columbus, Ohio.
- Driving record/claims history: Accidents, tickets, and insurance claims on your record will cause your premiums to go up.
- Age: You’ll likely pay higher insurance rates if you’re under the age of 25.
- Vehicle: You’ll pay more for full coverage if you drive an expensive vehicle, a high-performance sports car, or a car with higher-than-average theft rates.
- Where you keep your car: If you live in an area with a higher-than-average rate of insurance claims, you’ll pay more for your car insurance premiums.
- Driving habits: If you commute for work, you may pay higher car insurance rates than if you only drive your vehicle for leisure.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Columbus after driving violations
One of the biggest factors impacting your Columbus car insurance rates is your Ohio driving record. Your premiums will be higher if you have a history of violations because insurance companies will see you as a high-risk driver.
You may pay increased Columbus, Ohio car insurance premiums for the following violations:
- Speeding
- DUIs
- At fault accident
- Reckless driving
- Driving on a suspended license
Cheapest car insurance in Columbus after speeding ticket
If you get a speeding ticket in Columbus, your insurance rates could go up. But with Jerry, you may be able to save on your premiums even after a speeding ticket.
Take a look at rates that drivers with a speeding violation received using the Jerry app:
Speeding Type
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding Violation-Minor | Commonwealth Insurance | $93 | 25 | 43232 | Chevrolet Equinox Lt | State Minimum | No |
Speeding Violation-Major | National General | $220 | 37 | 43204 | Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Lt | 50/100 | Yes |
Speeding Violation-Major | Trexis | $268 | 21 | 43228 | Ford Mustang | State Minimum | No |
Speeding Violation-Major | Trexis | $121 | 45 | 43203 | Cadillac Xts Luxury | State Minimum | No |
Speeding Violation-Major | Dairyland | $600 | 21 | 43229 | Chrysler 200 Limited | State Minimum | No |
Cheapest car insurance in Columbus after DUI
A DUI violation is a serious offense. In addition to the legal penalties you’ll face, you can also expect a significant increase in your Ohio car insurance.
It can be hard to find cheap car insurance in Ohio if you have a DUI on your record. But some companies do offer savings for high-risk drivers—compare quotes from a number of insurers to find the most affordable policy options.
The table below shows premiums that drivers with a DUI recently received with Jerry:
Cheapest car insurance in Columbus after an at-fault accident
One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history.
Ohio is an at-fault state. If you were involved in an at-fault accident in the recent past, your car insurance rates could skyrocket. Jerry has helped many Columbus drivers save on car insurance after accidents.
Accident type
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Fault With No Injury | Bristol West | $409 | 25 | 43235 | Kia Sportage Lx | State Minimum | Yes |
At Fault With No Injury | Safeco | $209 | 29 | 43231 | Ford Explorer Xlt | 50/100 | Yes |
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $118 | 28 | 43220 | Honda Civic Ex | State Minimum | No |
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $383 | 29 | 43205 | Ford Escape Se | State Minimum | Yes |
At Fault With No Injury | Trexis | $280 | 57 | 43204 | Chevrolet Equinox Lt | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheapest car insurance in Columbus after other driving violations
Speeding tickets and DUIs aren’t the only violations that can cause your Columbus car insurance rates to go up—you’ll also see higher premiums if your driving history shows a record of offenses like reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, or driving without insurance.
This list shows how Jerry helped drivers save after various driving violations.
Violation
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Following too Closely | Bristol West | $409 | 25 | 43235 | Kia Sportage Lx | State Minimum | Yes |
Failure to Yield | Progressive | $118 | 28 | 43220 | Honda Civic Ex | State Minimum | No |
Cell Phone | Progressive | $33 | 32 | 43206 | Nissan Sentra S | State Minimum | Yes |
Driving on Sus. License | Progressive | $462 | 25 | 43228 | Nissan Rogue S | State Minimum | Yes |
Other Minor | Trexis | $629 | 20 | 43232 | Kia Sorento Lx | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheap car insurance quotes in Columbus by age
Less experience behind the wheel means that younger drivers usually pay higher-than-average insurance rates. Drivers under the age of 21 pay the highest rates, with costs leveling out at about age 25. Premiums will typically remain low until a driver reaches their mid-70s
Cheapest car insurance in Columbus for young drivers
On average, teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 pay the highest insurance rates in Ohio.
The best way to keep car insurance costs low for teen drivers is to keep them on their parent’s policy. But don’t skip on coverage—because teens are statistically more likely to get into an accident, it’s a good idea to increase their liability limits, and full coverage is a must-have if they drive a newer car.
Jerry can help young drivers in Ohio find lower than average rates for a variety of coverage levels, as shown in the samples below:
Cheapest car insurance in Columbus for senior drivers
Car insurance rates tend to be lowest for drivers throughout middle age, but they often go up again once drivers hit their mid-70s. Car insurance costs for seniors tend to be higher because drivers in this age group may be more likely to get into accidents, and they’re at an increased risk of serious injuries if they do get into a collision.
But that doesn’t mean senior drivers still can’t save on car insurance. Using Jerry, elder motorists can find their ideal coverage for a cheaper price:
Cheap car insurance quotes in Columbus based on insurance history
When insurers are setting your Columbus auto insurance rates, they’ll check whether your auto insurance policy has been continuously active. Letting your car insurance lapse—even for a short time—will typically cause your insurance premiums to go up.
Jerry can help you manage your policy so it’s easier to avoid a lapse in coverage. If you’re eligible, we’ll send you a reminder when your payment is due, and we can even alert you if your payment is late.
With Jerry, you can save on a new policy even if you’re currently uninsured or you’ve previously had an insurance lapse.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Columbus for drivers with bad credit
Insurance companies have found that drivers with poor credit scores have the highest rate of insurance claims. Because of that, insurers typically raise rates for drivers with a lower insurance-based credit score.
If your car insurance rates are high due to poor credit, taking steps now to achieve a good credit score can help you save even more in the future.
Jerry’s data shows that people with Excellent credit (over 750) pay almost 20% less for car insurance on average than people with lower credit scores.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Columbus for drivers with poor credit
Drivers with poor credit scores are statistically more likely to file claims, which can result in higher rates from insurance providers.
If you’re struggling with bad credit: By taking what steps you can to build good credit over time, you could find even more savings on car insurance in the future.
Our data shows that the average car insurance rate for the highest credit bracket (over 750) is almost 20% higher than the average cost for people with lower credit scores (under 550).
Luckily, drivers with poor credit can lower their rates using Jerry:
Credit Score
|
Insurance Company
|
Monthly Quote
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car Make Model Trim
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
550-659 | The General | $314 | 46 | 43227 | Buick Enclave | State Minimum | Yes |
660-750 | Bristol West | $409 | 25 | 43235 | Kia Sportage Lx | State Minimum | Yes |
660-750 | Safeco | $209 | 29 | 43231 | Ford Explorer Xlt | 50/100 | Yes |
550-659 | Commonwealth Insurance | $93 | 25 | 43232 | Chevrolet Equinox Lt | State Minimum | No |
660-750 | Progressive | $383 | 29 | 43205 | Ford Escape Se | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheap car insurance quotes in Columbus for popular cars
Insurance companies in Columbus will consider the car you drive when they’re setting your car insurance premiums. They’ll look at things like the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, how safe the vehicle is to drive, and how frequently that make and model is stolen.
Some of the most popular car models in Columbus include:
- Ford F-150
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Ram 1500
- Ford Escape
Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car
Popular Car
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet Equinox Lt | Commonwealth Insurance | $93 | 25 | 43232 | State Minimum | No |
Ford Escape Se | Progressive | $383 | 29 | 43205 | State Minimum | Yes |
Chevrolet Equinox Lt | Trexis | $280 | 57 | 43204 | State Minimum | Yes |
Chevrolet Equinox Lt | Progressive | $71 | 30 | 43232 | State Minimum | Yes |
Chevrolet Equinox Lt | Progressive | $166 | 66 | 43227 | State Minimum | Yes |
How to lower car insurance costs in Columbus
1. Shop around and compare quotes
Every insurance company has its own way of calculating premiums based on the ratings factors discussed above. Because of that, you could pay a lot more with one insurance company than another, which is why experts recommend comparing quotes from at least 3–5 insurers before you buy a policy. You should also check for new rates every six months before your policy renews.
That might sound like a lot of work, but with Jerry, it’s fast and easy. We compare rates from over 55 auto insurance companies, and in minutes, you can compare coverage levels and rates right in the app.
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Car insurance discounts are an easy way to save on your policy, and every insurance company offers them. Many insurers offer some or all of the following:
- Good driver discounts. Avoiding tickets and at-fault accidents could help you qualify for a discount from your provider.
- Telematics discounts. Many companies offer discounts to customers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
- Good student discounts. If you’re a full-time student in either high school or college and you have a B average or better, you probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
- Bundling discounts. If you bundle your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance or renters insurance, you could get a discount on both policies.
FAQ
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Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car. Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.