Car Insurance In Ohio 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

Having analyzed Ohio’s car insurance market, I’ve seen the way car insurance requirements can impact drivers in different ways. From changes to legislation, fluctuating premiums, and agricultural needs, Ohio drivers can turn to this guide to give them everything they need to know about confidently choosing car insurance.

Does Ohio Require Car Insurance?

Yes, Ohio law requires that drivers with registered vehicles maintain proper insurance to cover any damages or injuries that they might cause to other drivers. All drivers have to be able to show proof of insurance upon request, such as at a traffic stop, during an accident, or when they inspect their vehicles, and failure to do so can result in serious fines.

Ohio mandatory minimum liability limits for car insurance are 25/50/25:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 for the injury or death of one person in an accident.
• Bodily Injury Liability (Total): $50,000 for the injury or death of two or more people in a single accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 for damage you cause to others’ property.

How Much Insurance Should You Get in Ohio?

Drivers in Ohio face a lot of regional risks, and in these high-density areas, the minimum coverage may not be enough. The 3-C cities, including Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, have high-density traffic, which can result in multi-car pileups, and many other regions throughout the state can be subject to the lake effect weather in the winter, making road conditions unsafe.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

One recommendation is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which is not required by the state. However, the Ohio Department of Insurance indicates that roughly 12% of all drivers are uninsured, so if an uninsured driver hits you, having this optional coverage is the only way that you’ll be able to cover your lost wages or medical bills.

Comprehensive And Collision Coverage

Comprehensive coverage extends to things like weather damage and collision covers repairs to your vehicle if you have any type of accident, including single vehicle accidents. The Snowbelt area near Lake Erie experiences high risks of single-vehicle slide-offs, particularly on the I-90 and I-71. Damages that would only be covered by Collision. Comprehensive coverage would help cover the frequent hail damage in the spring and heavy ice during winter storms.

Similarly, Ohio is in the top 10 for animal-related car accidents with over 20,000 deer collisions every year. Without comprehensive insurance, you have to pay for all repairs if you hit a deer or any other wildlife.

Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance is becoming increasingly important for Ohio drivers, especially as the state is known for having the worst potholes in the Midwest at the end of winter. If you blow a tire on the Ohio Turnpike, roadside assistance can cover the costs of repairs or tows.

Gap Insurance

Gap insurance is another suggestion for Ohio drivers, as the average price of a new vehicle in Ohio was around $50,000 in 2025. Any driver who is financing their vehicle and doesn’t currently have enough in personal assets to pay for the loan in the event of a multi-car pileup that totals their vehicles should consider gap coverage.

How Much Is Car Insurance In Ohio?

Ohio is one of the most affordable states when it comes to car insurance, with monthly costs for the state minimum around $30 per month and around $150 for full coverage. Still, there are several factors that can influence your premiums.

• Non-owner car insurance: Drivers who want coverage for rented or borrowed cars can expect premiums around $20 per month.
• Temporary car insurance: Short-term coverage, often sold in 1 or 3-month increments, can cost around $85 per month.
• Senior car insurance: Ohio seniors can expect to pay around $617 per year for minimum coverage and an average of $1,845 per year for full coverage, but after 75, the increased risk profile of respective drivers means higher premiums.
• Teen car insurance: Teens in Ohio pay around $241/month for minimum coverage and $488/month for full coverage. Out of all ages, 18-year-old drivers will have some of the highest premiums.
• SR-22: High-risk drivers can expect costs of around $1,703 per year for full coverage.
• College Students: College students pay higher rates the younger they are, with the average cost around $2,000 per year for 20-year-olds. However, costs go down as students get older.
• Bad Credit: Drivers with bad credit in Ohio pay more than twice the state average, around $3,300 per year.
• With a speeding ticket: If you get issued a citation for speeding in Ohio, expect your premiums to increase by 27% on average.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In Ohio?

Many insurance providers throughout Ohio provide specific offerings and discounts to Ohio drivers, including:

• State Farm
• Progressive
• Allstate
• GEICO
• Travelers
• USAA
• Nationwide
• Farmers Insurance
• Liberty Mutual
• American Family Insurance
• Erie Insurance
• Grange Insurance
• Cincinnati Insurance Company
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• Encova Insurance
• State Auto
• Western Reserve Group
• Central Insurance
• SafeAuto
• Wayne Mutual Insurance Company

Note: If you want to find all licensed providers in the state, you can use the online Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) Company Search tool.

With Insuranceopedia, you can also look at similar policies and coverage from each provider and compare them to find the best fit for your needs.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In Ohio

While many drivers in Ohio enjoy insurance premiums that are an average of 40% lower than the national average, the cost of vehicle repairs and inflation have continued to increase prices, making it important to find ways to save.

Mature Driver Discount

Drivers who are 60 or older in the state of Ohio who voluntarily complete an accident prevention course can qualify for a discount. Ohio state law mandates that all insurance providers offer a discount for 3 years upon completion of such a course.

Agricultural Vehicle Discount

Drivers looking to reduce costs on a low rural mileage vehicle or an agricultural vehicle can get special discounts, given the high rate of farms across the state.

Winter Tire Credit

Some regional providers throughout the state offer what is called a “Winter Tire Credit” for drivers who use approved snow or studded tires in winter.

Shop Local Regional Carriers

There are also many regional carriers like Auto-Owners and Erie Insurance that frequently rank among the most affordable, particularly in comparison to national brands, so it is worth shopping the prices they have to offer.

Increase Your Deductible

If you can, set aside some emergency funds in the event that you have to pay for a deductible, and then increase that deductible. For example, if your current deductible is $250 and you increase it to $1,000, you might see premiums drop by up to 40%.

Pay In Full

If you can, paying once every 6 months or once per year up front rather than monthly can save you up to 10% off your current premiums.

Improve Your Credit

Ohio lets insurance providers look at your credit score to determine your relative risk and your premiums. So if you can, try to increase your credit score so that when your policy is renewed or when you compare new policies, you can get more favorable rates.

Proof Of Insurance In Ohio

Drivers in Ohio must demonstrate financial responsibility, which can be done with a liability insurance policy that conforms to the state minimums. You must have a physical or electronic insurance card or a copy of your insurance policy upon request. Alternatively, though rarely, drivers can present proof of their financial responsibility through a BMV certificate, an official certificate that shows a $30,000 bond or cash deposit that has been made with the state.

If you are caught by a random checkpoint, after a car accident, or during a traffic stop, and you don’t have insurance, your license can be suspended, your vehicle can be impounded, and you can face suspension and reinstatement fees.

Ohio State Driving Laws

Ohio has many state driving laws ranging from distracted driving to at-fault insurance requirements.

Fault State

Ohio is an at-fault (or “tort”) state, so whichever driver is found to be at fault for the accident has to pay the damages of all other parties involved.

Drivers Without Insurance

Driving without insurance is illegal in Ohio, and failure to maintain Insurance can result in fines and a license suspension.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Insurance companies in Ohio are required to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, but you don’t have to carry it; you do have to submit your decline in writing, though.

DUI Laws

Ohio has strict DUI laws with a zero-tolerance policy for those under 21 and a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration for those over the age of 21. Operating a vehicle while impaired can result in a misdemeanor charge, jail time, license suspension, and other requirements.

Seat Belt Laws

All passengers in the front seat and drivers have to wear a seatbelt. In Ohio, it is a secondary offense, which means that officers can only issue a ticket for failure to wear a seatbelt if you are being pulled over for something else.

Distracted Driving Laws

Ohio has a “hands-free” law, so drivers 18 and older are not allowed to use an electronic device while driving. This is a primary offense, so officers can pull you over for this alone. Hands-free use is only permitted if there is no manual entry of data required, including a single touch, swipe, or other function.

Teen Driving Laws

Ohio has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program so teenagers can get a temporary permit and transition to a probationary license at age 16, with provisions.

Self-Insurance

Ohio law allows self-insurance for those with more than 25 vehicles registered in their name, but all drivers seeking self-insurance have to prove that they have the personal assets required to still meet financial responsibility, which is typically a $30,000 bond or deposit with the state for every vehicle.

Defensive Driving

Ohio allows drivers with a first-time distracted driving offense to take a defensive driving course to avoid a point on their record and subsequent fines.

Ohio Car Insurance Contact Information

There are several reasons why you might need to reach out to different departments in the state of Ohio for administrative issues, registration issues, or car insurance issues. Having contact information in one place can help you navigate more easily.

1. Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI)

If you need to file a complaint about your insurance company, report fraud, or verify that an agent or company is authorized to sell in Ohio, this is who you would contact.

Contact Information:

• Consumer Services Hotline: (800) 686-1526
• Main Office Phone: (614) 644-2658
• Fraud Hotline: (800) 686-1527
• Agent Licensing: (614) 644-2665 | Email: licensing@insurance.ohio.gov
• Physical Address: 50 W. Town St., Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43215
• Website: insurance.ohio.gov

2. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)

The BMV, a division of the Department of Public Safety, is who you contact if you need to register your vehicle, reinstate your license after a suspension for lack of insurance, or provide proof of insurance during a random selection.

Contact Information:

• General Information & Reinstatement: (844) 644-6268 (1-844-OHIO-BMV)
• Main Office Phone: (614) 752-7500
• Vehicle Titles: (614) 752-7671
• Reinstatement Fee Amnesty: (844) 644-6268 | Email: amnesty@dps.ohio.gov
• Physical Address: 1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
• Website: ohio.gov

3. County Clerk of Courts (Title Offices)

If you need to deal with a new title or a title transfer, you’ll have to reach out to your local County Clerk, after which you can access the BMV for registration.

Contact Information:

• Varies by county. Use the BMV Location Finder to find your local title office.

4. Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan (OAIP)

The OAIP is the state’s insurance offering for any drivers who cannot find coverage elsewhere. So if you are a high-risk driver who has been denied coverage because of your driver profile by several companies, you can reach out to the state for assistance.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (614) 221-2596
• Website: com

Common Ohio Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

Drivers in Ohio have dealt with high risks of vehicle thefts, particularly across university campuses, and a shift in traffic fatalities. Understanding the causes of these accidents and fatalities can help drivers get the right insurance.

Traffic Fatality Data

In 2025, Ohio recorded roughly 1,000 traffic fatalities, on point for the annual average. Of those, 33% have taken place in the same five counties over the last 5 years:

1. Cuyahoga
2. Franklin
3. Hamilton
4. Montgomery
5. Lucas

A big part of this has to do with I-75 and I-71, both of which record roughly 10% of total car accident fatalities across the state.

Vehicle Theft Trends

Ohio still deals with around 25,000 vehicle thefts per year, despite a decline over the last few years. Many of these vehicle thefts take place on University campuses, with a spike reported at the University of Akron in particular. This highlights the need for teen and college drivers to make sure they have adequate protection with their insurance policy.

Common Accident Causes

One of the biggest factors relating to single-vehicle car accidents is wildlife collisions, particularly deer. In 2025, nearly 13,000 deer-related car accidents were recorded, and nearly half of all annual deer-related car accidents take place during the rut from October to December.

In addition to wildlife, Ohio drivers don’t regularly wear their seatbelts, which has been the leading cause of over 2,500 traffic deaths over the last 4 years.

Driver behavior is another key cause of car accidents throughout the state, with 56% of all fatal car accidents over the last 5 years involving drugs or alcohol, 30% involving speeding, and 20% involving distracted driving. Another 18%, especially for teenage drivers, takes place during winter with ice and snow in the evenings, causing many at-fault teenage car accident fatalities.