GEICO is the cheapest insurer overall in Columbus, with the lowest rates for full coverage, minimum coverage and for drivers with a speeding ticket. However, if you’re in the military, USAA can also be an affordable option. When MoneyGeek ranked companies based on the quality of their customer service and affordability, GEICO emerged as the best overall insurer in Columbus.
The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Columbus
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Columbus
The cheapest auto insurance companies for a full coverage policy in Columbus are:
- GEICO: $899 per year
- Nationwide: $1,096 per year
If you are a veteran or are currently in the military, USAA offers the cheapest full coverage policy in Columbus at $823 per year. Progressive, at $1,640, is over 82% more than GEICO and is the most expensive full coverage car insurance option in Columbus.
A full coverage policy offers comprehensive and collision coverages that protect you from loss in the event your car gets damaged. The price of this type of policy will vary depending on the liability coverage you choose.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbus
- Company100/300/100per year
- 1.$823
- 2.$899
- 3.$1,096
- 4.$1,155
- 5.$1,245
MoneyGeek collected average rates based on our sample profile: a 40-year-old male driver in Columbus with a full coverage policy, in accordance with our methodology.
Full coverage policies offer added protection compared with minimum liability since they include two additional coverages:
- Collision insurance: compensates you for damage to your car caused by a collision
- Comprehensive insurance: compensates you if your car is stolen or damaged by events other than collisions, such as vandalism or severe weather
Full coverage policies cost more than minimum liability, so if you are looking for the cheapest rates, it’s smart to consider the replacement value of your car against the cost of the policy.
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Columbus
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbus for Minimum Coverage
The cheapest available car insurance for drivers in Columbus is a state minimum liability policy. The most affordable insurers for minimum coverage in Columbus are:
- GEICO: $409 per year
- Mercury: $643 per year
At $434 per annum, USAA is the second cheapest insurance company for a minimum coverage policy in Columbus, but you need to be a member of the military to be eligible to purchase it.
Esurance, the most expensive option, costs $991 yearly. That’s more than double the premium of the city’s cheapest insurer, GEICO. Minimum coverage is the cheapest option for drivers looking to save on premiums. However, it comes with the risk of not being fully covered since there is no collision or comprehensive insurance included.
The table below can show you the costs for different liability limits.
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Columbus
- CompanyState Minimumper year
- 1.$409
- 2.$434
- 3.$643
- 4.$688
- 5.$692
A state minimum policy in Columbus costs the least but also offers limited protection since it only carries the 25/50/25 minimum liability coverage required by Georgia laws. This means your out-of-pocket costs may be quite high if you’re in an accident.
For instance, if the other driver’s medical expenses are $35,000, state minimum insurance covers $25,000 of that. In an at-fault accident, the remaining $10,000 will be your responsibility to pay.
Georgia Minimum Liability Requirements
- ItemDescription
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage$25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. A more protective level is 100/300/100.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbus if You Have Driving Violations
Any DUIs, at-fault accidents and speeding tickets on your driving record will increase the cost of your auto insurance. Depending on the violation, the most affordable car insurance companies in Columbus are:
- Cheapest after a ticket: GEICO, $1,075 per year
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident: GEICO, $1,281 per year
- Cheapest after a DUI: State Farm, $1,359 per year
If you’re in the military, USAA is the cheapest option for drivers with an at-fault accident or a speeding ticket violation at $1,141 per year and $947 per year, respectively.
As you improve your driving record over time, your car insurance premiums will decrease. In the meantime, you should compare quotes from several different insurers to find the best cheap car insurance for drivers with bad records.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbus With a Violation
- CompanySpeeding Ticketper year
- 1.$947
- 2.$1,075
- 3.$1,259
- 4.$1,295
- 5.$1,359
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Columbus
The average cost of car insurance in Columbus is about $1,259 per year, which is cheaper than both the state and national averages. In Columbus, drivers typically pay 11.6% less than the national average of $1,424 and about 23.1% less than the $1,638 Georgia average.
Personalized Quotes to Get You the Cheapest Car Insurance in Columbus
Car insurance providers in Columbus use many individual parameters to assess risk and calculate insurance premiums. These include age, location, driving history, credit score and the car’s make and model, among others. As your circumstances change over time, so will your premiums, as will your eligibility for rebates and discounts.
To get the most accurate rates and save money on insurance costs, you need to regularly compare personalized quotes from different providers.
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Columbus
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

The Best Car Insurance Companies in Columbus
Based on the average cost, claims ratings and customer happiness, MoneyGeek found that the following providers are the top auto insurance companies in Columbus:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100
USAA was not included in our rankings because its policies are only available for active duty and retired military and veterans. However, it received a MoneyGeek score of 98 out of 100, making it the best auto insurance in Columbus for active duty and retired military and veterans.

With a perfect score for stability and high scores for claims and customer satisfaction, GEICO is the top auto insurance provider in Columbus. It also shines in the affordability category, with a full coverage policy costing an average of $899 per year. Mechanical breakdown insurance is a rare add-on coverage offered by the insurer.
You may tailor your full coverage auto insurance in Columbus with GEICO add-ons to meet your specific requirements and preferences. Mechanical breakdown insurance is a unique add-on that protects automobiles under 15 months old at a lower cost than a typical extended warranty. GEICO covers all parts and systems, unlike other warranties that just cover particular items.
Accident forgiveness coverage is also available. This prevents your insurance rate from increasing after your first at-fault collision. It may be earned by drivers over 21 who have been accident-free for at least five years, so you won't have to pay for it if you fulfill these requirements.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review
In Columbus, MoneyGeek rated State Farm highly for customer satisfaction, claims and financial stability. Policies with State Farm cost an average of $1,245 per year for 40-year-old drivers in Columbus. The insurer offers rideshare insurance, a unique coverage rarely offered by other insurance companies.
When the rideshare app is turned on and you're available for hire, State Farm's rideshare insurance ensures that the coverages included in your personal auto policy remain in effect. Once you’ve matched with a rider, all your coverage remains in effect, except for liability insurance.
Another coverage offered by State Farm pays for car rental expenditures up to predetermined limits, travel expenses up to $500 and deductible repayments up to $500 if you cause an accident in your rental car.
Read MoneyGeek's State Farm auto Insurance Review






Average Cost of Car Insurance by Postal Code
In many places, where you live impacts the cost of car insurance premiums. However, there is little variance in Columbus between different areas. People living in ZIP code 31909 pay an average annual premium of $1,252, whereas those in ZIP code 31907 pay about $1,265.
- Zip CodeState Minimumper year
- 31909$1,252
- 31907$1,265
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs in Columbus
In addition to individual driver needs and history, location-specific factors like the percentage of uninsured motorists and the rate of fatal accidents also contribute to car insurance rates in Columbus. How Columbus ranks compared to the 300 most populous cities in the United States can have a significant impact on premium costs.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
