In Ohio, drivers with a clean record pay an average of $1,782 per year for full coverage and $468 for the minimum required coverage. But if you’ve had a few bumps along the way — like a speeding ticket, an accident or a DUI — your rates could look very different. Insurance companies see these incidents as signs that you might be more likely to file a claim, which often means higher premiums. So what exactly makes someone a high-risk driver in Ohio? And how much more could it cost you? Bankrate’s insurance team breaks it down.
Rates for high-risk car insurance in Ohio
To get a clearer picture of what high-risk drivers might pay in Ohio, Bankrate’s insurance experts analyzed average car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services across several major insurers in the state. We looked at estimated rates for common high-risk scenarios, including:
- One speeding ticket
- One at-fault accident
- One DUI/OVI conviction
- Adding a teen driver to a policy
Keep in mind, these are just averages. Car insurance is highly personalized, and your rate could look very different depending on factors like your age, ZIP code, driving history, credit score, the car you drive and your gender.
Because no two drivers are exactly alike, the best way to find affordable coverage is to shop around. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find a high-risk policy in Ohio that fits your needs and your budget.
Rates after a speeding ticket
In Ohio, even a single speeding ticket can make your car insurance rate jump. On average, drivers see a 22 percent increase for full coverage. But how much your premium goes up depends on a few things, including how fast you were going, your past driving history, your age and where you live.
Ohio uses a point system to track traffic violations, and speeding is no exception. A typical speeding ticket can add 2 to 4 points to your license. Rack up 12 points within two years, and you could be looking at a license suspension. These violations show up on your driving record abstract, which tracks moving violations and serious infractions over the past three years.
It’s also worth noting that not all insurers treat speeding tickets the same. Some may penalize you more heavily than others. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of how a single speeding ticket could impact your full coverage premium with a few of Ohio’s major insurance companies.
|
Car insurance company |
Ohio avg. annual premium for full coverage before a speeding ticket |
Ohio avg. annual premium for full coverage after a speeding ticket |
% increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,819 | $2,204 | 21% |
| Auto-Owners | $1,621 | $1,621 | 0% |
| Farmers | $2,240 | $3,109 | 39% |
| Geico | $1,264 | $1,615 | 28% |
| Progressive | $1,444 | $2,137 | 48% |
| USAA | $2,297 | $2,919 | 27% |
Rates after an accident
Ohio follows a contributory fault system, meaning both drivers can share responsibility for a crash. If you’re found at fault, your insurance premium will likely go up. The state average increase is around 47 percent, though some companies may raise your rate by 80 percent or more depending on the details.
Some insurers offer first-accident forgiveness, which could help you avoid a rate hike — but only if it’s your first recent accident and your provider includes this feature. Multiple accidents within a few years, however, will almost always lead to steeper premium increases.
Even if you’re not at fault, your rate could still go up with some insurers, so it’s smart to check before filing a claim.
If you received a ticket tied to the accident, you may also get points on your license. And if you didn’t have full coverage, you could be stuck paying for your own vehicle repairs out of pocket. Plus, in Ohio, the other driver can sue for damages beyond what your liability insurance covers — adding to the potential financial repercussions.
|
Car insurance company |
Ohio avg. annual premium for full coverage before an accident |
Ohio avg. annual premium for full coverage after an accident |
% increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,819 | $2,665 | 47% |
| Auto-Owners | $1,621 | $2,295 | 42% |
| Farmers | $2,240 | $4,044 | 81% |
| Geico | $1,264 | $1,908 | 51% |
| Progressive | $1,444 | $2,416 | 67% |
| USAA | $2,297 | $3,532 | 53% |
Rates after a DUI (OVI in Ohio)
Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous and puts the lives of others and yourself at risk. Both law enforcement in Ohio and insurance companies take this type of violation very seriously. About 32 percent of all fatal crashes involve drunk drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Given the risk and severity of driving while impaired, the impact to your insurance premiums is significant. Ohio insurance premiums increase by 97 percent on average for drivers with an OVI on their record, although the amount of increase will vary by insurance provider. Based on Ohio carrier data, some insurers could raise your rate by over 100 percent, while some may even refuse to offer coverage altogether.
Your first offense will typically include several legal consequences, including a fine of up to $1,075, at least three days in jail or attendance at a “Driver’s Intervention Program,” up to five years of probation and a license suspension of up to three years. You can expect higher fines and more jail time for subsequent offenses.
|
Car insurance company |
Ohio avg. annual premium for full coverage before a DUI |
Ohio average annual premium for full coverage after a DUI |
% increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,819 | $2,415 | 33% |
| Auto-Owners | $1,621 | $3,126 | 93% |
| Farmers | $2,240 | $4,543 | 103% |
| Geico | $1,264 | $2,109 | 67% |
| Progressive | $1,444 | $1,848 | 28% |
| USAA | $2,297 | $4,433 | 93% |
Rates after adding a teen driver
Adding a teen driver to your auto policy can significantly raise your insurance premium. Teens are considered higher-risk by insurers due to their limited driving experience and increased likelihood of being involved in an accident.
Because of this, teen drivers typically face some of the highest car insurance rates. Below, you’ll find the average cost of adding a teen to a parent’s policy with several major insurance providers in Ohio.
|
Car insurance company |
Rate without a 16-year-old insured |
Rate with a 16-year-old insured |
% increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,819 | $3,379 | 86% |
| Auto-Owners | $1,621 | $3,994 | 146% |
| Farmers | $2,240 | $4,438 | 98% |
| Geico | $1,264 | $2,596 | 105% |
| Progressive | $1,444 | $3,377 | 134% |
| USAA | $2,297 | $5,848 | 155% |
Who is a high-risk driver?
Bankrate defines a high-risk driver as someone with at least one speeding ticket, at-fault accident or DUI/OVI conviction on their record, or a married couple with a teen driver on their policy. Different insurance companies may define high-risk drivers more broadly. You might need high-risk auto insurance in Ohio if you have:
- Poor credit
- One or more at-fault accidents in the last 3–5 years
- Speeding tickets or other citations
- An OVI conviction
- An SR-22 requirement
- A lapse in coverage
- A sports car or luxury vehicle
- A teen driver on your policy
- A home address in an area with a lot of vandalism or theft
How to lower your rate if you’re a high-risk driver
There are several ways you can help lower your overall auto insurance rate, even if you’re considered a risky driver. Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Shop around for car insurance: Every insurance provider is going to weigh your individual information differently. You might find that your rate is expensive with one insurer and more affordable with another. Use an online comparison tool or get quotes from different car insurance companies in Ohio to see if switching providers could save you money.
- Take a defensive driving course: Many insurers will offer a discount for drivers who take safe driving or defensive driving courses. These courses teach skills that you can use to prevent or avoid accidents. Work with your carrier to see if it offers this discount or has a list of approved courses.
- Take advantage of safe driving and low mileage programs: Some insurance companies use telematics or app-based programs to reward drivers who exhibit safe driving behaviors or drive less frequently. You may be able to get a discount or lower insurance costs just for participating. Just make sure you understand the terms before signing up; with some insurers, your rate might actually increase if you do not drive safely.
- Ask about your eligibility for other discounts: Many insurers have discounts for homeowners, good students and drivers who bundle multiple policies. If you are hunting for a new policy as a high-risk driver, determine which discounts you might be eligible for when you request a quote.
- Raise your deductible: Your deductible is the amount that you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in and helps pay for damages or other expenses. Raising your deductible can be one way to reduce your monthly premium, but remember that it comes at a price. You need to be able to afford the higher out-of-pocket costs when you file a claim, so only increase your deductible if you can handle the added financial risk.
- Lower your coverage limits: While state minimum liability limits are mandatory in Ohio, some optional coverage types may not be as critical, depending on the age or condition of your vehicle. Although having only minimum liability coverage might cost less, getting into an accident without sufficient insurance coverage can be financially devastating. It is important to weigh the costs and benefits of your preferred coverage levels. Seeking advice from your agent can help.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze March 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. Bundling and paperless billing discounts are applied.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.
If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations. For teen drivers, rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents’ policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.
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