Minimum car insurance in Ohio
Ohio's minimum is often written as 25/50/25. That means your policy pays up to $25,000 for injuries to any one person you hurt in a crash, up to $50,000 in total for everyone injured in that crash, and up to $25,000 for damage to other people's cars or property.
These limits pay for other people. They don't pay to repair your own car or treat your own injuries; that takes optional coverage.
A $30,000 bond can be used instead of a policy. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is optional.
Is Ohio a no-fault state?
No. Ohio is an at-fault state. The driver who causes an accident is responsible for the other people's injuries and damage, which is why liability coverage is required.
Is the state minimum enough?
For most drivers, no. Hospital bills from a single serious crash can pass $50,000 quickly, and anything above your limits can come out of your own pocket. A common recommendation is 100/300/100 liability, plus:
- Collision: repairs your own car after an accident, whoever is at fault.
- Comprehensive: theft, hail, flooding, fire and hitting an animal.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: protects you when the other driver has little or no insurance.
- Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement: inexpensive extras that help when your car is in the shop.
Insurance doesn't cover mechanical breakdowns. For engine, transmission or electrical failures, see what common repairs cost and how a vehicle service contract can help.
How to lower your car insurance in Ohio
- Compare quotes from several companies. Prices for the same driver can vary by hundreds of dollars a year.
- Raise your collision and comprehensive deductibles if you have savings to cover them.
- Ask about discounts: bundling home and auto, safe driver, good student, paying in full and paperless billing.
- Keep continuous coverage. A gap, even a short one, usually raises your price.
- Review your coverage every year, especially after paying off a car loan.