Field report · OH

Car insurance in Ohio

Ohio is an at-fault state with a minimum liability requirement of 25/50/25. Here's what that means, what it costs, and what to check before you buy.

Minimum coverage25/50/251
Fault systemAt-fault1
Uninsured motoristOptional1
RegulatorOhio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), under the Department of Public Safety

What the minimums actually mean

$25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.

Ohio does NOT require UM/UIM by statute (this changed after a 2001 law change); insurers may offer it and it's commonly recommended, but it is not a legal mandate - a point some older consumer sources get wrong.

Estimated cost

$498 a year for minimum coverage, $1,842 for full coverage2

Average annual premiums in Ohio for a 40-year-old with a clean record and good credit, driving a 2023 Toyota Camry. Full coverage here means 100/300/50 liability plus collision and comprehensive.

Why this is an average, not a quote

Rates depend heavily on your driving record, exact ZIP code, vehicle, and the insurer's own pricing model — two neighbors can legally pay very different amounts for the same coverage. Use our cost calculator for a figure based on your own details, or get matched with carriers directly.

SR-22 & high-risk filings

Typically required after a DUI/OVI, driving without insurance, or reckless operation; Ohio also allows a $30,000 bond or cash deposit as an alternative proof of financial responsibility (rarely used).

Local conditions worth knowing

Ohio ranks among the top 5 states nationally for total animal-collision insurance claims, reflecting significant deer-vehicle collision exposure in rural/wooded parts of the state.

Frequently asked

What is the minimum car insurance requirement in Ohio?
Ohio requires liability limits of at least 25/50/25. $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.
Is Ohio an at-fault or no-fault state?
Ohio is an at-fault state for car insurance claims.
Do I need an SR-22 in Ohio?
Typically required after a DUI/OVI, driving without insurance, or reckless operation; Ohio also allows a $30,000 bond or cash deposit as an alternative proof of financial responsibility (rarely used).
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Ohio?
Ohio does NOT require UM/UIM by statute (this changed after a 2001 law change); insurers may offer it and it's commonly recommended, but it is not a legal mandate - a point some older consumer sources get wrong.

Sources

  1. MoneyGeek, Minimum car insurance requirements by state, October 1, 2026.
  2. Bankrate, using Quadrant Information Services rates (November 2025), Average cost of car insurance, updated June 5, 2026.

Figures checked against these sources on October 2, 2026.

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