bestauto insuranceOhio2022The Best Car Insurance in Ohio for 2022
The best car insurance companies blend affordability, consumer satisfaction and financial stability. In this regard, Erie is the best car insurance company in Ohio, ranking first in customer satisfaction and claims ratings.
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Last Updated: 5/13/2022
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MoneyGeek reviewed the best car insurance service providers based on affordability (for the budget-minded), customer service, and other important details. Although Erie came in on top as the best auto insurance company in Ohio, another company may suit your needs better.
To uncover the cheapest car insurance in Ohio without much care for the quality of service, MoneyGeek’s reviews can help you make your choice.
bestauto insuranceOhio2022The Best Car Insurance in Ohio
Best Car Insurance Companies in Ohio: Overall
MoneyGeek rated the top car insurance companies in Ohio by customer satisfaction, claims ratings and average premium rates.
Going by MoneyGeek’s scorecard, the two best and most affordable insurance providers in Ohio are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 4.1 out of 5
USAA is not part of this review because its policies are only available to active and retired military personnel, but it has a MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5. USAA has the best full coverage auto insurance rate in Ohio.
The Top 5 Car Insurance Companies in Ohio
1
Erie
Score:4.5
With exceptional affordability and customer service, Erie comes in first as the best insurer in Ohio. Erie offers a bargain on premiums to the general public at an average annual cost of $618 for a full coverage policy. Erie offers personal effects coverage and accident forgiveness.
More About Erie
Erie extends coverage to include protection of personal effects inside your car, and if you don’t change your policy for a year, your rate remains the same. You also qualify for accident forgiveness after three years of continued service.
Read MoneyGeek's Erie auto Insurance Review2
GEICO
Score:4.1
GEICO comes in second with a MoneyGeek rating of 3.5 out of 5 on claims settlement and 4 out of 5 on customer satisfaction, but tops on affordability, offering the cheapest premiums at $572 annually. GEICO offers roadside assistance.
More About GEICO
GEICO has roadside assistance, which includes jumpstarts, towing and changing flat tires. Also, in the event you lock your keys in the car, GEICO provides lockout assistance.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review3
State Farm
Score:4
State Farm ranks second on customer satisfaction and claims offering full coverage auto insurance in Ohio at an average rate of $679 per year. State Farm offers discounts to drivers who have two or more private cars insured with the company.
More About State Farm
State Farm offers an accident-free discount to drivers insured with them for at least three years and who manage to avoid an accident. A policyholder can opt for rental car reimbursement to cover rental car and travel-related expenses of up to $500. Students 25 or younger with a B average in school qualify for a good student discount.
Read MoneyGeek's State Farm auto Insurance Review4
American Family
Score:3.9
American Family ranks second on stability and claims settlement and third for customer satisfaction, with premiums costing an average of $658 per year. If an accident causes death or injury, the Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage pays regardless of who is to blame for the accident.
More About American Family
American Family offers discounted rates to loyal customers; the discount depends on when the customer began a policy with the company. If you drive your car for less than 7,500 miles annually, you can save for low mileage on your premium. Drivers who remain accident and traffic violation-free are entitled to reduced premium rates.
Read MoneyGeek's American Family auto Insurance Review5
Travelers
Score:3.3
Travelers insurance tied first on financial stability and second on claims. Annual premiums cost an average of $855. The company offers personal injury protection that pays for medical expenses and compensation for lost wages even if the driver is at fault.
More About Travelers
Travelers offers policyholders a discount on car insurance if they own a house, even if they insure the home with another company. Also, if a household insures at least two cars under one policy, they may be entitled to a discount. When you buy a new car or one less than three years old, you may also qualify for a discount on premiums.
Read MoneyGeek's Travelers auto Insurance ReviewHOW WE DETERMINED THE BEST INSURANCE IN OHIO
MoneyGeek evaluated Ohio's best full coverage car insurance based on quotes from several insurance companies coupled with user satisfaction and claim settlement scores from J.D. Power and NAIC. The cost, however, varies according to the service provider and other determinants. For more information, refer to MoneyGeek’s methodology.
MoneyGeek's Ohio Car Insurance Resources:
Compare the Best Insurance Options in Ohio
The quality of service, affordability and financial stability, plus the driver’s needs and how much the coverage caters to those needs, determine the best car insurance in Ohio. MoneyGeek gives you a comparison platform to read an in-depth analysis and compare the best insurance companies in Ohio.
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Best Car Insurance in Ohio for Customer Service
MoneyGeek rated the best car insurance providers in Ohio exclusively based on user satisfaction and claims scores. Using that criteria, the best insurers for customer service in Ohio are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 4.7 out of 5
- Hartford: MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5
The Top 2 Car Insurance Companies in Ohio for Service Quality
1
Erie
Score:4.7
Erie has a customer satisfaction rating of 5 out of 5, and a claims rating of 4.5 out of 5.
More About Erie
Erie offers comprehensive coverage for loss, theft or damage caused by fire. If you have a new car involved in a total-loss accident and it has a loan or lease, gap coverage covers the difference in the amount you owe on your loan or lease and the car’s value. Also, after three accident-free years, you get a reprieve if you are involved in an accident and won’t get charged more on your policy.
Read MoneyGeek's Erie auto Insurance Review2
The Hartford
Score:4.5
Hartford has a customer satisfaction and claims rating of 4.5, which is the second-highest for customer service.
More About The Hartford
Insuring two or more vehicles with Hartford makes you eligible for a multiple-car discount. Senior drivers can enjoy the attractive standard policy features, including RecoverCare after car accidents that covers costs like house cleaning you can perform.
Read MoneyGeek's The Hartford auto Insurance ReviewBest Car Insurance in Ohio for Drivers on a Budget
For a car insurance premium that meets the state minimum requirement threshold in Ohio, then MoneyGeek’s scores can help you find the best option.
The best companies draw on affordability and quality of service.
The best insurance companies in Ohio for drivers on a budget are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 4.7
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 4.2
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
Affordable coverage at an annual rate of $274
Discounts, including bundling, airbags and anti-theft system
MoneyGeek claims and user satisfaction score of 4.5 and 4, respectively
cons
No discounts for safe driving or good student
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Erie also offers car owners various discounts, including bundling if the driver insures multiple cars or has multiple policies with the company.
Erie’s safety first mantra is why safety features such as airbags and anti-theft devices pay off in the form of discounts.
Best Car Insurance in Ohio for Poor Driving Records
MoneyGeek reviewed Ohio's best car insurance companies for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record. The most affordable companies after an accident are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 4.7 out of 5
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 4.4 out of 5
These scores are indicative of a balance between affordability after an accident and customer service ratings.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
After an at-fault accident, the cost of a full coverage policy is $798
Rental car coverage is an option
Roadside assistance and towing are available
cons
New car replacement is not available for leased vehicles
A car is categorized as new if it is less than two years old
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
With a customer satisfaction rating of 5 out of 5 and a claims rating of 4.5 out of 5, Erie gives drivers the best and most affordable coverage with a bad driving record, with an annual premium costing on average $798.
Erie insurance offers the following coverage after an accident:
- Roadside assistance: in case of an accident or car trouble
- Rental car reimbursement: this covers costs for a rental in case your car is unusable beyond 24 hours
- New car replacement: if your car is two years old or less and is totaled, you get it replaced with a similar model
- Accident forgiveness: if you maintain a three-year accident-free period, you get a reprieve on your first at-fault accident, and no surcharge applies
Best Car Insurance in Ohio for a Military Background
Research by MoneyGeek places USAA as the best car insurer in Ohio for active and retired members of the military with an outstanding score of 5 out of 5. Premium rates average $238 for Ohio’s state minimum policy and $765 for military drivers with an accident history.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: USAA
pros
Low premium rates
Unmatched customer service
Coverage comes with extra benefits for military members still in service
cons
Unavailable to civilians with no military affiliation
A policy does not come with many rider options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA has some of the cheapest auto policies in Ohio and has one of the best reputations countrywide.
Discounts and coverages USAA offers include:
- Rental reimbursement: pays for the cost of a rental car while the vehicle involved in the accident is under repair
- Roadside assistance: covers towing, repairs and lockout assistance
- Accident forgiveness: if you maintain an accident-free record for five years, your premiums do not increase when involved in an at-fault accident
Best Car Insurance in Ohio for Young Drivers and Students
MoneyGeek found the best insurance rates in Ohio for students and young drivers based on affordability and customer service.
The best car insurance companies for students and young drivers in Ohio are:
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 4.3 out of 5
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 4.3 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Allstate
pros
Affordable student premiums costing $1,487
MoneyGeek claims and user satisfaction score of 4 out of 5
Offers a student discount for maintaining good grades
cons
Does not give a mileage discount
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Adding young drivers to a policy can be expensive, but Allstate makes it affordable and with great service.
Allstate offers a good student discount and teenSmart driver education program discount. It also offers tools like DriveWise to help young drivers practice safe driving.
Best Car Insurance in Ohio for Those With New Cars
MoneyGeek scored the best car insurance companies in Ohio for someone who wants a policy with a car replacement option. New car replacement or better car replacement coverage allows the policyholder to get the full reimbursement of the value of their car if it gets totaled or an upgrade to a newer model during a certain timeframe after purchasing a new car. A standard policy does not include these coverages; they are add-ons and cost extra.
The auto insurer in Ohio that is best for people with new cars is Erie, with a 4.5 out of 5 MoneyGeek rating.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
Affordable full coverage policy of $618 on average annually
Claims rating of 4.5 out of 5
cons
Only covers cars that are two years old or less
Only drivers with collision and comprehensive coverage qualify for car replacement
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
By offering new car replacement, Erie is a good fit for drivers with a new car. Car depreciation begins when you drive off the lot. This coverage replaces your car if you are unlucky to have an accident soon after buying it.
Erie’s new vehicle replacement policy reimburses you for a new one if your car is totaled. But this only applies to cars that are two years old or newer.
Best Car Insurance in Ohio for Low-Mileage Drivers
Many insurance companies offer pay-per-mile car insurance coverage. A driver is charged a premium based on the mileage they drive. In Ohio, Nationwide SmartMiles® is the best option for low-mileage drivers.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Nationwide
pros
Safe drivers earn a 10% discount upon their first renewal
Road trip exception of 250 miles per day
cons
If you drive more, the cost of pay-per-mile could exceed average insurance premiums
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
SmartMiles in Ohio has a base rate and a pay-per-mile policy; it tracks your mileage and records your driving habits. With pay-per-mile, your insurance premiums depend on the average mileage you drive.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Ohio in For You
When shopping around for the best car insurance in Ohio, you need to consider cost, quality of service and financial stability.
MoneyGeek has reviewed the best providers in Ohio based on this criteria, but you might want to do some research yourself.
1
Research Customer Service Reputations in Ohio
MoneyGeek analyzed customer satisfaction ratings of various providers in Ohio. Still, you can also refer to J.D. Power satisfaction scores and NAIC compliant ratios in Ohio to find the best provider for you. It is also good to get information from the Ohio Department of Insurance while doing your auto insurance company research.
2
Compare Quotes for Yourself
MoneyGeek’s quotes are drawn from certain cities in Ohio and do not represent the entire state. You should get at least three quotes for comparison for your city and driver profile to get an idea of how much premiums cost.
3
Make Sure the Company Has Coverages You Want in Ohio
Insurers mention certain coverages and discounts are available to customers, but these options aren’t available in every state. Confirm that the company provides the coverage and discounts you are looking for in Ohio.
4
Double-Check Financial Stability Ratings
Large insurers may have more robust financial stability and better ratings than regional companies in Ohio. The financial stability of an auto insurance company can affect how quickly claims are settled. Double-check the financial rating of your insurer before buying a policy.
FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Ohio
The premium you pay for auto insurance coverage depends on your needs. The following are some common questions asked about car insurance in Ohio:
Methodology
MoneyGeek collected data on insurance costs in Ohio in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. The sample driver for the study is a 40-year-old male driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE with comprehensive and collision coverage with a 100/300/100 limit and a $1,000 deductible.
Financial stability, claims, and customer satisfaction scores are courtesy of J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and AM Best. Information on coverages and discounts was obtained from insurer websites.
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