Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Ohio
In western Ohio, Dayton is an underrated destination. The city is home to a strong aeronautical and aviation tradition. Formerly the home of the Wright brothers, it holds numerous top aviation sites like the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, the National Museum of the US Air Force, and the Wright Cycle Company Complex.
There are more than 20 higher education institutions in Dayton.
All Dayton drivers must carry an auto insurance policy to drive legally. Keep reading to learn more about car insurance in Ohio, including the average monthly premiums paid by age and zip code, and how to save money on insurance.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Dayton, OH?
Dayton drivers pay an average monthly rate of $100 for full coverage, which is well below the national average of $140 and comparable to the state’s $105 average. The minimum required liability averages $41 monthly, lower than the state’s $51 and slightly lower than the national average of $47.
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What Does it Mean to be a Driver in an At-Fault State?
Ohio is considered an at-fault state. What that means is that the insurance company of the driver who is determined to be at fault for an accident will be responsible for paying for the other parties’ damages up to policy limits. Anything over policy limits will be out of the responsible driver’s pocket.
So, for example, if Mary Jones is driving to work on a rainy day and her vehicle hydroplanes into another car, her insurer will be responsible for paying for repairs up to her policy limit for the other car. If the other driver’s repairs bills and medical costs (and other costs, such as lost wages) are more than Mary’s policy limits, she will be responsible for them – up to and including having her assets seized to pay for them.
This is one reason many drivers choose to carry more insurance than the state-required minimum liability. Some drivers even opt for full coverage for the most protection.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Ohio
For the average monthly premium paid Ohio cities, check out our breakdown below.
City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Dayton | $98 | $41 |
Cincinnati | $95 | $36 |
Cleveland | $118 | $41 |
Springfield | $98 | $34 |
Toledo | $95 | $36 |
Affordable Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code in Dayton, OH
Your zip code is a key deciding factor insurers use to determine the premiums you pay. Areas with a higher rate of theft and vandalism, claims rate, and disproportionate skew of younger to older drivers generally see higher premiums.
See our breakdown below for the average monthly premium paid by Dayton residents by zip code.
Zip Code | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
45324 | $94 | $35 |
45401 | $98 | $41 |
45402 | $114 | $40 |
45403 | $113 | $41 |
45404 | $109 | $40 |
45405 | $112 | $39 |
Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Dayton, OH
Age is another major factor auto insurers use to determine your premiums. Generally, younger drivers pay higher premiums than older drivers thanks to a non-existent driving record, higher volume of claims, and overall riskier driving behavior.
See our breakdown below for the average monthly premium paid by Dayton residents by age.
Age | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Teenagers | $477 | $183 |
20s | $135 | $47 |
30s | $99 | $40 |
40s | $99 | $40 |
50s | $99 | $37 |
60s | $99 | $39 |
70s | $125 | $48 |
Unless otherwise specified, we use the following methodology to arrive at our average cost: male, age 30, lowest possible legal coverage allowed by Ohio. Your rates will be determined by several factors, including your age, your gender and the amount of coverage you want to purchase.
Driving Conditions in Dayton, OH
How Many FataI Accidents Happen in Dayton?
In 2019, Dayton had 10 fatal accidents involving 17 vehicles and 40 people.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Dayton, Ohio?
The city of Dayton has a Department of Public Works responsible for all aspects of roads, infrastructure, and bridges. One of its subdivisions, the Division of Civil Engineering, works to improve pedestrian and traffic flow with strategically designed bridges and sidewalks. It is also responsible for maintaining close to 400 traffic signals throughout the region.
Recently completed projects include improvements to Xenia Avenue’s bike lanes, safety improvements along North Main Street, and the reconstruction of Salem Avenue to modernize its roadways with new pavement and lighting systems.
For more information on Dayton Public Works Department, visit Dayton – Department of Public Works.
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Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Dayton, Ohio
To drive legally in the state of Ohio, you must carry the following minimum liability limits:
- Bodily Injury Liability Per Person: $25,000
- Bodily Injury Liability Per Accident: $50,000
- Property Damage Liability Per Accident: $25,000
Remember, full coverage offers more benefits, including first-party benefits such as collision and comprehensive insurance. Full coverage policies cost several hundred dollars more per year, but provide greater peace of mind in case of an accident.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Dayton, OH?
Driving without insurance in Dayton or Ohio is not a good idea.
First-time offenders can expect a driver’s license and registration suspension until proof of insurance is provided, as well as a $50 fine and $100 reinstatement fee. Second and subsequent offenders face the same $50 fine with higher $300 and $600 reinstatement fees and a longer suspension term of up to two years.
Regrettably, first-time offenders will be required to carry an SR-22 for a minimum of three years versus five years for second, third, and subsequent offenses. An SR-22 is proof of financial responsibility that lets the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) know that you are carrying the minimum required liability limits to drive legally in the state.
Remember, all Ohio drivers must carry at least bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person, a bodily injury liability of $50,000 per accident, and property damage liability of 25,000 per accident.
Car Insurance Factors Allowed in Dayton, OH
Every auto insurance provider has proprietary underwriting criteria that assess risk for every policyholder.
These factors include but are not limited to the following:
- Age
- Gender
- Zip code of residence
- Marital status
- Credit score
- Driving record
- Driving an older make and model vehicle
What’s the Best Car Insurance for Teenagers and Their Family in Dayton?
It can be a struggle to find the best car insurance for the young driver in your Ohio family. New drivers face several hurdles on their way to becoming mature motorists who can take advantage of lower rates. That said, there are some things you can do to help find affordable coverage for your new driver.
- Search for discounts: Your insurer should reward you for certain driving behaviors and policy factors, such as bundling. If you can use the same carrier for your car insurance and some other policy, such as home insurance, you may be able to get a significant discount to help offset your teen driver’s costs.
- Select the right vehicle: Expensive sports cars cost more to insure than a reliable vehicle with a proven safety record that costs less to repair and is less likely to be used for things like street racing. When choosing your teen’s car, make sure it falls into the safer category.
- Select a higher deductible: A higher deductible will give you a lower payment. Just make sure you can come up with the money to pay the deductible if you need to file a claim.
Always make sure your new driver understands what happens if their driving record is plagues by tickets and accidents. They can expect their rates to drop significantly by the time they are in the early 20s with a clean driving record.
Discounts for Car Insurance in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton drivers can take advantage of all types of auto insurance discounts, including but not limited to the following:
Many of these are opt-in discounts They are not automatically awarded with a clean driving record free of claims and moving violations. For example, anti-theft and defensive driving discounts require that you enroll in courses or purchase safety devices to “risk-proof” your vehicle.
To stay on top of the latest discounts, we recommend calling your auto insurance provider every six months to a year. One simple phone call could cut $50 off your next bi-annual premium.
Get an Online Quote for Low-Cost Car Insurance in Dayton, OH Today!
Now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about auto insurance in Dayton, rely on Freeway Insurance to match you with an affordable policy.
It is very easy to get started with Freeway Insurance. Feel free to request a quote online, visit a Dayton office near you, or call 800-777-5620 for a no-obligation consultation with one of our friendly representatives.