Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Ohio

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio for a bad driving record?

Erie Insurance offers the cheapest average car insurance rate for high-risk drivers in Ohio at $1,561 a year. Travelers and Auto-Owners also provide below-average rates for drivers with traffic violations, accidents or other risk factors.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Erie Insurance	$1,132	$1,561
Travelers	$1,336	$2,090
Auto-Owners	$1,109	$2,104
Progressive	$1,626	$2,460
Allstate	$1,942	$2,624
GEICO	$1,373	$2,868
Farmers	$1,794	$3,351
USAA	$994	$1,414

Read our methodology

How much is high-risk car insurance in Ohio?

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in Ohio is $2,368 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $1,561 annually.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets, or one in a school zone, will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Ohio, OH is $2,416

Show Graph View

Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
Erie Insurance	$1,132	$1,395
USAA	$994	$1,520
Auto-Owners	$1,109	$1,608
Travelers	$1,336	$2,045
GEICO	$1,373	$2,796
Progressive	$1,626	$2,844
Allstate	$1,942	$3,074
Farmers	$1,794	$3,525

Read our methodology

Average annual rate

People ask

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Ohio?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Ohio after a DUI?

Erie Insurance has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in Ohio at $1,814 annually.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade, in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Ohio.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
Erie Insurance	$1,132	$1,814
Progressive	$1,626	$2,032
Travelers	$1,336	$2,128
Auto-Owners	$1,109	$2,222
Allstate	$1,942	$2,661
GEICO	$1,373	$3,326
Farmers	$1,794	$3,643
USAA	$994	$1,498

Read our methodology

What is the cheapest car insurance in Ohio with multiple tickets?

Erie Insurance offers the lowest average rates for drivers with multiple traffic tickets at $1,231 annually or $103 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Ohio drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Erie Insurance	$1,132	$1,231
Auto-Owners	$1,109	$1,465
Travelers	$1,336	$2,037
Progressive	$1,626	$2,392
Allstate	$1,942	$2,407
GEICO	$1,373	$2,817
Farmers	$1,794	$2,910
USAA	$994	$1,254

Read our methodology

Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

What company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Ohio?

Erie Insurance has the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Ohio at $1,231 per year. Reckless driving convictions often result in substantial premium increases and fewer coverage options.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
Erie Insurance	$1,132	$1,231
Travelers	$1,336	$2,128
Auto-Owners	$1,109	$2,222
Allstate	$1,942	$2,661
Progressive	$1,626	$2,849
GEICO	$1,373	$3,326
Farmers	$1,794	$3,808
USAA	$994	$1,353

Read our methodology

Expert's Insight A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Ohio?

GEICO has the cheapest average rates for drivers with poor credit in Ohio at $2,105 annually or $175 monthly.

Your credit score may affect your insurance rates, even though it is unrelated to your driving skills. Insurers often charge higher premiums to drivers with lower credit scores because they are statistically more likely to file claims.

Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in Ohio.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
GEICO	$1,373	$2,105
Travelers	$1,336	$2,175
Erie Insurance	$1,132	$2,624
Progressive	$1,626	$2,702
Auto-Owners	$1,109	$3,144
Allstate	$1,942	$3,199
Farmers	$1,794	$3,927
USAA	$994	$1,870

Read our methodology

What company has the cheapest car insurance in Ohio after an accident?

Erie Insurance has the cheapest average post-accident insurance rates in Ohio at $1,395 per year. Auto-Owners also offers below-average rates after an at-fault crash.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Erie Insurance	$1,132	$1,395	$1,745
Auto-Owners	$1,109	$1,608	$1,972
Travelers	$1,336	$1,989	$2,604
GEICO	$1,373	$2,796	$4,415
Progressive	$1,626	$2,844	$3,985
Allstate	$1,942	$3,074	$3,930
Farmers	$1,794	$3,410	$5,809
USAA	$994	$1,520	$2,713

Read our methodology

Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city is the cheapest for high-risk car insurance in Ohio?

Tiffin has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in Ohio at $2,012 annually. In comparison, Cleveland has the highest average premiums at $2,728 per year.

Where you live in Ohio matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Tiffin	$1,216	$2,012
Upper Sandusky	$1,251	$2,061
Elyria	$1,284	$2,154
Defiance	$1,315	$2,165
Marion	$1,328	$2,183
Mason	$1,372	$2,288
Warren	$1,410	$2,356
Dayton	$1,476	$2,468
Columbus	$1,597	$2,676
Cincinnati	$1,608	$2,691
Cleveland	$1,643	$2,728

Read our methodology

How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Ohio?

Even if you're considered a high-risk driver, there are still several ways to lower your insurance premiums in Ohio, including shopping around, taking a defensive driving course and avoiding further infractions.

You may be able to save money by:

Carefully consider filing claims. Covering minor damage out of pocket can be less expensive than filing an insurance claim, which might raise your premiums for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Practice safe driving to prevent additional traffic violations on your record. Tickets typically impact your insurance rates for only a few years, and your premiums may decrease if no new violations occur during that time.
Improve your credit score. Improving your credit score can lower your car insurance premiums. Paying bills on time and managing your credit utilization responsibly will help raise your score.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurers offer discounts for completing the course, and certain states will even remove points from your driver's license once you complete it.
Shop around for coverage. Each car insurance company evaluates factors differently and sets its own rates. Comparing quotes can help you find the lowest price.

People ask

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Ohio?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in Ohiodepends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

What are Ohio's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Ohio, you may need to file an SR-22. Your insurer submits this form to confirm you carry the state's minimum required coverage. The court will specify how long you must maintain the SR-22.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance; it's simply a form. You don't need special coverage, but your premiums may be higher since you're classified as high risk. Additionally, not all insurance companies offer policies for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in Ohio

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in Ohio?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in Ohio?

Although the SR-22 doesn't increase your rates, the reason for needing it does, since only drivers with major violations require an SR-22; rates will go up. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.

Will my car insurance rates go down after three years in Ohio?

It's likely that your insurance will go down after three years, although, depending on the violation, you may still be paying higher rates than you were before it happened.