Ohio car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Ohio?

Yes , Ohio requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 25/50/25.

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

Ohio car insurance laws

Ohio requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/25.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, Ohio drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

Ohio car insurance requirements

Ohio requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Ohio liability minimums are 25/50/25.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $362. However, Grange Insurance has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $182.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in Ohio.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Grange Insurance	$182	$15
Erie Insurance	$226	$19
Auto-Owners	$235	$20
Westfield Insurance	$325	$27
Travelers	$380	$32
Cincinnati Insurance	$404	$34
Geico	$421	$35
Progressive	$452	$38
Farmers	$554	$46
Allstate	$582	$49
USAA	$218	$18

Read our methodology

Ohio car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $362. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in Ohio.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Ohio is Grange Insurance at an average rate of $182 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/25
Average annual premium	$362
Average monthly premium	$30

Read our methodology

Are the Ohio minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

Ohio car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Ohio?

Ohio requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Ohio drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Ohio minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/25, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in Ohio?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Ohio penalties for driving without car insurance

Since Ohio requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry Ohio car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$300-$600
Other penalties	License and registration suspension
Jail time	No

Read our methodology

Ohio minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Erie Insurance has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $642. Grange Insurance offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $178.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $366, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $358, a difference of $8.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$839	$70
16	Grange Insurance	$1,105	$92
16	Auto-Owners	$1,177	$98
16	Geico	$1,559	$130
16	Westfield Insurance	$1,646	$137
16	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,792	$149
16	Travelers	$2,319	$193
16	Progressive	$2,671	$223
16	Allstate	$3,559	$297
16	Farmers	$5,157	$430
17	Erie Insurance	$776	$65
17	Grange Insurance	$953	$79
17	Auto-Owners	$1,037	$86
17	Geico	$1,134	$95
17	Westfield Insurance	$1,303	$109
17	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,567	$131
17	Travelers	$1,669	$139
17	Progressive	$2,050	$171
17	Allstate	$2,178	$182
17	Farmers	$3,468	$289
18	Erie Insurance	$642	$54
18	Grange Insurance	$744	$62
18	Auto-Owners	$886	$74
18	Geico	$943	$79
18	Westfield Insurance	$1,053	$88
18	Travelers	$1,297	$108
18	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,323	$110
18	Allstate	$1,569	$131
18	Progressive	$1,722	$144
18	Farmers	$2,965	$247
19	Grange Insurance	$590	$49
19	Erie Insurance	$596	$50
19	Auto-Owners	$742	$62
19	Westfield Insurance	$801	$67
19	Geico	$807	$67
19	Progressive	$986	$82
19	Travelers	$1,001	$83
19	Allstate	$1,103	$92
19	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,177	$98
19	Farmers	$1,610	$134
20	Grange Insurance	$479	$40
20	Erie Insurance	$558	$47
20	Auto-Owners	$627	$52
20	Westfield Insurance	$674	$56
20	Geico	$700	$58
20	Travelers	$826	$69
20	Progressive	$881	$73
20	Allstate	$978	$82
20	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,054	$88
20	Farmers	$1,393	$116
21	Grange Insurance	$408	$34
21	Erie Insurance	$444	$37
21	Auto-Owners	$540	$45
21	Geico	$555	$46
21	Westfield Insurance	$580	$48
21	Travelers	$678	$57
21	Progressive	$735	$61
21	Allstate	$822	$69
21	Cincinnati Insurance	$909	$76
21	Farmers	$1,102	$92
22	Grange Insurance	$328	$27
22	Erie Insurance	$391	$33
22	Auto-Owners	$472	$39
22	Westfield Insurance	$508	$42
22	Geico	$509	$42
22	Travelers	$604	$50
22	Progressive	$672	$56
22	Cincinnati Insurance	$737	$61
22	Allstate	$749	$62
22	Farmers	$1,001	$83
23	Grange Insurance	$278	$23
23	Erie Insurance	$367	$31
23	Auto-Owners	$407	$34
23	Westfield Insurance	$453	$38
23	Geico	$483	$40
23	Travelers	$540	$45
23	Progressive	$618	$52
23	Cincinnati Insurance	$647	$54
23	Allstate	$709	$59
23	Farmers	$907	$76
24	Grange Insurance	$243	$20
24	Erie Insurance	$292	$24
24	Auto-Owners	$360	$30
24	Westfield Insurance	$412	$34
24	Geico	$461	$38
24	Travelers	$502	$42
24	Cincinnati Insurance	$571	$48
24	Progressive	$573	$48
24	Allstate	$675	$56
24	Farmers	$853	$71
25	Grange Insurance	$200	$17
25	Erie Insurance	$282	$24
25	Auto-Owners	$336	$28
25	Westfield Insurance	$382	$32
25	Travelers	$438	$37
25	Geico	$443	$37
25	Cincinnati Insurance	$487	$41
25	Progressive	$499	$42
25	Farmers	$621	$52
25	Allstate	$645	$54
30	Grange Insurance	$182	$15
30	Auto-Owners	$236	$20
30	Erie Insurance	$246	$21
30	Westfield Insurance	$347	$29
30	Geico	$406	$34
30	Cincinnati Insurance	$414	$35
30	Travelers	$426	$36
30	Progressive	$457	$38
30	Farmers	$563	$47
30	Allstate	$588	$49
35	Grange Insurance	$180	$15
35	Erie Insurance	$231	$19
35	Auto-Owners	$238	$20
35	Westfield Insurance	$336	$28
35	Geico	$408	$34
35	Cincinnati Insurance	$411	$34
35	Travelers	$425	$35
35	Progressive	$447	$37
35	Farmers	$540	$45
35	Allstate	$586	$49
40	Grange Insurance	$183	$15
40	Erie Insurance	$223	$19
40	Auto-Owners	$235	$20
40	Westfield Insurance	$325	$27
40	Travelers	$388	$32
40	Geico	$408	$34
40	Cincinnati Insurance	$411	$34
40	Progressive	$441	$37
40	Farmers	$527	$44
40	Allstate	$582	$49
45	Grange Insurance	$181	$15
45	Erie Insurance	$213	$18
45	Auto-Owners	$229	$19
45	Westfield Insurance	$315	$26
45	Travelers	$388	$32
45	Cincinnati Insurance	$406	$34
45	Geico	$412	$34
45	Progressive	$440	$37
45	Farmers	$509	$42
45	Allstate	$579	$48
50	Grange Insurance	$175	$15
50	Erie Insurance	$209	$17
50	Auto-Owners	$220	$18
50	Westfield Insurance	$311	$26
50	Cincinnati Insurance	$373	$31
50	Travelers	$388	$32
50	Geico	$401	$33
50	Progressive	$433	$36
50	Farmers	$484	$40
50	Allstate	$571	$48
55	Grange Insurance	$169	$14
55	Erie Insurance	$207	$17
55	Auto-Owners	$215	$18
55	Westfield Insurance	$316	$26
55	Cincinnati Insurance	$356	$30
55	Travelers	$364	$30
55	Geico	$399	$33
55	Progressive	$437	$36
55	Farmers	$463	$39
55	Allstate	$557	$46
60	Grange Insurance	$169	$14
60	Erie Insurance	$214	$18
60	Auto-Owners	$218	$18
60	Westfield Insurance	$331	$28
60	Cincinnati Insurance	$355	$30
60	Travelers	$370	$31
60	Geico	$394	$33
60	Progressive	$439	$37
60	Farmers	$462	$39
60	Allstate	$563	$47
65	Grange Insurance	$184	$15
65	Erie Insurance	$224	$19
65	Auto-Owners	$237	$20
65	Westfield Insurance	$358	$30
65	Cincinnati Insurance	$395	$33
65	Geico	$412	$34
65	Travelers	$414	$35
65	Progressive	$461	$38
65	Farmers	$543	$45
65	Allstate	$570	$48
70	Grange Insurance	$217	$18
70	Erie Insurance	$243	$20
70	Auto-Owners	$277	$23
70	Westfield Insurance	$399	$33
70	Geico	$426	$36
70	Travelers	$448	$37
70	Cincinnati Insurance	$464	$39
70	Progressive	$491	$41
70	Allstate	$598	$50
70	Farmers	$623	$52
75	Grange Insurance	$275	$23
75	Erie Insurance	$282	$24
75	Auto-Owners	$330	$28
75	Westfield Insurance	$458	$38
75	Geico	$477	$40
75	Travelers	$513	$43
75	Progressive	$581	$48
75	Cincinnati Insurance	$609	$51
75	Allstate	$663	$55
75	Farmers	$705	$59
16	USAA	$960	$80
17	USAA	$687	$57
18	USAA	$573	$48
19	USAA	$476	$40
20	USAA	$405	$34
21	USAA	$369	$31
22	USAA	$344	$29
23	USAA	$323	$27
24	USAA	$303	$25
25	USAA	$283	$24
30	USAA	$234	$20
35	USAA	$221	$18
40	USAA	$213	$18
45	USAA	$208	$17
50	USAA	$203	$17
55	USAA	$200	$17
60	USAA	$204	$17
65	USAA	$221	$18
70	USAA	$255	$21
75	USAA	$301	$25

Read our methodology

Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$659	$55
16	Grange Insurance	$1,085	$90
16	Auto-Owners	$847	$71
16	Geico	$1,627	$136
16	Westfield Insurance	$1,646	$137
16	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,481	$123
16	Travelers	$1,728	$144
16	Progressive	$2,479	$207
16	Allstate	$3,559	$297
16	Farmers	$4,790	$399
17	Erie Insurance	$601	$50
17	Grange Insurance	$943	$79
17	Auto-Owners	$756	$63
17	Geico	$1,179	$98
17	Westfield Insurance	$1,303	$109
17	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,304	$109
17	Travelers	$1,277	$106
17	Progressive	$1,907	$159
17	Allstate	$2,178	$182
17	Farmers	$3,194	$266
18	Erie Insurance	$543	$45
18	Grange Insurance	$739	$62
18	Auto-Owners	$694	$58
18	Geico	$988	$82
18	Westfield Insurance	$1,053	$88
18	Travelers	$1,013	$84
18	Cincinnati Insurance	$1,109	$92
18	Allstate	$1,569	$131
18	Progressive	$1,599	$133
18	Farmers	$2,710	$226
19	Grange Insurance	$585	$49
19	Erie Insurance	$477	$40
19	Auto-Owners	$616	$51
19	Westfield Insurance	$801	$67
19	Geico	$839	$70
19	Progressive	$917	$76
19	Travelers	$805	$67
19	Allstate	$1,103	$92
19	Cincinnati Insurance	$982	$82
19	Farmers	$1,460	$122
20	Grange Insurance	$475	$40
20	Erie Insurance	$441	$37
20	Auto-Owners	$551	$46
20	Westfield Insurance	$674	$56
20	Geico	$734	$61
20	Travelers	$683	$57
20	Progressive	$831	$69
20	Allstate	$978	$82
20	Cincinnati Insurance	$859	$72
20	Farmers	$1,250	$104
21	Grange Insurance	$404	$34
21	Erie Insurance	$388	$32
21	Auto-Owners	$503	$42
21	Geico	$591	$49
21	Westfield Insurance	$580	$48
21	Travelers	$578	$48
21	Progressive	$729	$61
21	Allstate	$822	$69
21	Cincinnati Insurance	$756	$63
21	Farmers	$978	$82
22	Grange Insurance	$327	$27
22	Erie Insurance	$355	$30
22	Auto-Owners	$463	$39
22	Westfield Insurance	$508	$42
22	Geico	$544	$45
22	Travelers	$527	$44
22	Progressive	$682	$57
22	Cincinnati Insurance	$629	$52
22	Allstate	$749	$62
22	Farmers	$887	$74
23	Grange Insurance	$277	$23
23	Erie Insurance	$343	$29
23	Auto-Owners	$420	$35
23	Westfield Insurance	$453	$38
23	Geico	$517	$43
23	Travelers	$497	$41
23	Progressive	$621	$52
23	Cincinnati Insurance	$566	$47
23	Allstate	$709	$59
23	Farmers	$817	$68
24	Grange Insurance	$242	$20
24	Erie Insurance	$302	$25
24	Auto-Owners	$392	$33
24	Westfield Insurance	$412	$34
24	Geico	$495	$41
24	Travelers	$484	$40
24	Cincinnati Insurance	$522	$44
24	Progressive	$582	$49
24	Allstate	$675	$56
24	Farmers	$802	$67
25	Grange Insurance	$200	$17
25	Erie Insurance	$292	$24
25	Auto-Owners	$368	$31
25	Westfield Insurance	$382	$32
25	Travelers	$423	$35
25	Geico	$477	$40
25	Cincinnati Insurance	$487	$41
25	Progressive	$520	$43
25	Farmers	$595	$50
25	Allstate	$645	$54
30	Grange Insurance	$181	$15
30	Auto-Owners	$236	$20
30	Erie Insurance	$255	$21
30	Westfield Insurance	$347	$29
30	Geico	$438	$37
30	Cincinnati Insurance	$415	$35
30	Travelers	$410	$34
30	Progressive	$484	$40
30	Farmers	$577	$48
30	Allstate	$588	$49
35	Grange Insurance	$181	$15
35	Erie Insurance	$238	$20
35	Auto-Owners	$238	$20
35	Westfield Insurance	$336	$28
35	Geico	$439	$37
35	Cincinnati Insurance	$404	$34
35	Travelers	$406	$34
35	Progressive	$476	$40
35	Farmers	$573	$48
35	Allstate	$586	$49
40	Grange Insurance	$181	$15
40	Erie Insurance	$228	$19
40	Auto-Owners	$235	$20
40	Westfield Insurance	$325	$27
40	Travelers	$372	$31
40	Geico	$434	$36
40	Cincinnati Insurance	$398	$33
40	Progressive	$464	$39
40	Farmers	$580	$48
40	Allstate	$582	$49
45	Grange Insurance	$178	$15
45	Erie Insurance	$216	$18
45	Auto-Owners	$229	$19
45	Westfield Insurance	$315	$26
45	Travelers	$372	$31
45	Cincinnati Insurance	$390	$33
45	Geico	$433	$36
45	Progressive	$462	$39
45	Farmers	$540	$45
45	Allstate	$579	$48
50	Grange Insurance	$170	$14
50	Erie Insurance	$209	$17
50	Auto-Owners	$220	$18
50	Westfield Insurance	$311	$26
50	Cincinnati Insurance	$356	$30
50	Travelers	$372	$31
50	Geico	$415	$35
50	Progressive	$447	$37
50	Farmers	$490	$41
50	Allstate	$571	$48
55	Grange Insurance	$163	$14
55	Erie Insurance	$202	$17
55	Auto-Owners	$215	$18
55	Westfield Insurance	$316	$26
55	Cincinnati Insurance	$341	$28
55	Travelers	$349	$29
55	Geico	$394	$33
55	Progressive	$438	$37
55	Farmers	$452	$38
55	Allstate	$557	$46
60	Grange Insurance	$160	$13
60	Erie Insurance	$204	$17
60	Auto-Owners	$218	$18
60	Westfield Insurance	$331	$28
60	Cincinnati Insurance	$344	$29
60	Travelers	$353	$29
60	Geico	$384	$32
60	Progressive	$439	$37
60	Farmers	$449	$37
60	Allstate	$563	$47
65	Grange Insurance	$170	$14
65	Erie Insurance	$214	$18
65	Auto-Owners	$237	$20
65	Westfield Insurance	$358	$30
65	Cincinnati Insurance	$373	$31
65	Geico	$403	$34
65	Travelers	$395	$33
65	Progressive	$463	$39
65	Farmers	$498	$42
65	Allstate	$570	$48
70	Grange Insurance	$195	$16
70	Erie Insurance	$233	$19
70	Auto-Owners	$277	$23
70	Westfield Insurance	$399	$33
70	Geico	$414	$35
70	Travelers	$422	$35
70	Cincinnati Insurance	$445	$37
70	Progressive	$496	$41
70	Allstate	$598	$50
70	Farmers	$533	$44
75	Grange Insurance	$240	$20
75	Erie Insurance	$270	$23
75	Auto-Owners	$330	$28
75	Westfield Insurance	$458	$38
75	Geico	$462	$39
75	Travelers	$468	$39
75	Progressive	$545	$45
75	Cincinnati Insurance	$564	$47
75	Allstate	$663	$55
75	Farmers	$622	$52
16	USAA	$926	$77
17	USAA	$666	$56
18	USAA	$560	$47
19	USAA	$466	$39
20	USAA	$401	$33
21	USAA	$369	$31
22	USAA	$346	$29
23	USAA	$326	$27
24	USAA	$308	$26
25	USAA	$288	$24
30	USAA	$242	$20
35	USAA	$232	$19
40	USAA	$223	$19
45	USAA	$219	$18
50	USAA	$213	$18
55	USAA	$205	$17
60	USAA	$210	$18
65	USAA	$225	$19
70	USAA	$253	$21
75	USAA	$293	$24

Read our methodology

Ohio minimum coverage cost by city

Canton drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in Ohio at $392. However, Cincinnati pay the most at $454.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Ohio.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Canton	$392	$33
Parma	$397	$33
Lorain	$399	$33
Dayton	$406	$34
Akron	$421	$35
Hamilton	$429	$36
Cleveland	$440	$37
Columbus	$444	$37
Toledo	$449	$37
Cincinnati	$454	$38

Read our methodology

Optional car insurance coverage in Ohio

Ohio requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Ohio car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Ohio?

Yes, Ohio requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 25/50/25.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Ohio?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Ohio, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.