Car Insurance in Cleveland, OH

From fender-benders on Euclid Avenue to multicar crashes on Interstate 90, accidents can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone —especially in the winter when roads are frequently slick with ice and sleet. Fortunately, a good car insurance policy can shield you from collision-related financial losses.

Finding the best and most affordable policy is easy when you have the assistance of an independent agent. These local agents help you obtain and compare customized quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in Ohio. Contact an independent insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Cleveland, OH?

The average cost of auto insurance in Ohio is much lower than the national average. In fact, this state has some of the best car insurance rates in the country. This is great news for Cleveland residents who are looking for an affordable car insurance policy.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Ohio average annual car insurance cost: $843

Of course, an average rate can only give you a general idea of what you might actually be expected to pay. Car insurance premiums will vary from one driver to the next because they are based on the following considerations.

• The make, model, and year of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, and driving record
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
• The coverage options you want to include in your policy
• The size of your deductible

You can usually qualify for rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies such as home insurance or renters insurance, or if you have a long, safe driving record.

Shopping around enables you to buy the coverage you want at the lowest available price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Cleveland, Ohio?

In Ohio, all car insurance policies must include liability insurance. This is designed to cover other people’s damage and medical bills if you cause an accident. Your policy must include coverage of at least:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability per accident

These required amounts may seem rather high. However, they are often not high enough.

If you are responsible for an accident that sends someone to the hospital with a serious injury, their medical costs can easily exceed what a minimum coverage policy can pay for. In that case, you would be expected to make up the difference out of pocket.

That is why many Cleveland drivers opt to purchase car insurance that has higher liability limits than the state requires. Having an umbrella insurance policy can boost your liability coverage even higher.

What Else Can Cleveland, OH Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the mandatory liability coverage mentioned above, your car insurance provider is likely to offer a variety of additional coverages that you may want to include in your car insurance policy, such as the following options.

• Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if is it damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault. This is typically required by lenders and dealerships if you are financing or leasing your car.
• Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event, such as a storm. This is typically required by lenders and dealerships if you are financing or leasing your car.
• Medical payments: This covers medical treatments for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Roadside assistance and towing: This covers the costs of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are away from home, such as if your engine overheats or you get a flat tire.
• Gap insurance: This covers the gap between what your car is worth and what you currently owe for it if it is totaled in a covered event. This coverage is usually beneficial during the first few years of new-car ownership.

Be sure to review costs and coverage details when determining which, if any, of the options available to you are a good fit.

Save on Car Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Request a Quote

What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Cleveland, OH?

If you are caught driving without insurance in Ohio, you can face some serious consequences. Penalties increase significantly for repeat offenders.

In addition to any court-imposed penalties and fees, you can face:

• First offense: The loss of your driver’s license until you obtain insurance, the suspension of your plates and vehicle registration with the need to pay a $100 reinstatement fee.
• Second offense: The loss of your driver’s license for one year, the suspension of your plates and vehicle registration with the need to pay a $300 reinstatement fee.
• Third and subsequent offenses: The loss of your driver’s license for two years, the suspension of your plates and vehicle registration with the need to pay a $600 reinstatement fee.

You will also be required to maintain an SR-22 for three to five years and will be placed in a high-risk insurance group, which will make your car insurance rates higher. Simply put, it’s just not worth it.

Despite this, more than one in ten drivers in Ohio is uninsured.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Ohio drivers who are uninsured: 12.4%

If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you for and your passengers for any property damage they may have caused as well as for any medical treatments you might need for the treatment of injuries.

Uninsured motorist insurance was created to ensure that you can you receive the compensation you deserve quickly and without the need to take legal action against the at-fault driver.

Does Cleveland, OH Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?

The auto theft rate in the state of Ohio is lower than the national rate. However, in Cleveland, the risk is rather high. Residents of this city report around 3,000 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Ohio auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.70
• Cleveland auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 7.29

Be aware that you can only receive compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers more than just car theft, it also covers a variety of non-collision damage such as may be called by floods, hail, or garage fires.

If you are still paying for your vehicle, or you have it on a lease, chances are good you already have this coverage. If not, talk to an independent insurance agent to find out how much it will cost you to include it in your car insurance policy.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent in Cleveland, OH Help?

If you are looking for the best car insurance to meet your coverage and budgetary needs, an independent agent can help. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can obtain rates from some of the area’s best insurance companies as they search for an ideal policy.

Contact an independent insurance agent in or near Cleveland to get more information and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.