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Updated October 30, 2024
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Table of contents
With full-coverage car insurance averaging $239 per month, Columbus drivers pay less for coverage than the Georgia state average of $243. But the city’s average rates are still higher than the national average for full coverage.
Georgia tends to have higher overall car insurance costs for multiple reasons, including a comparatively high fatality rate, exposure to severe coastal weather, and multiple cities with more than 100,000 residents. Columbus is the third-largest city in Georgia, but had fewer accidents in 2022 (6,802) compared to other big cities like Atlanta (35,768) or Savannah (8,233), according to Georgia Department of Transportation data.[1]
The exact amount you pay for car insurance coverage in Columbus will depend on multiple factors, including your age, gender, driving record, credit, and more. Comparing quotes from multiple car insurance companies is the best way to find the coverage you need at an affordable price.
Hugo, Auto-Owners, and State Farm are the cheapest car insurance companies for Columbus drivers.
Columbus is the third-largest city in Georgia, with a population of 202,616.[2]
Drivers in Columbus pay an average of $140 per month for liability-only coverage.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Columbus
The auto insurance policy that’s best for you will depend on your individual situation, such as your age, location, credit history, and driving record, which is why it’s important to shop around. Comparing multiple insurance companies will help you determine what you’re looking for.
Here’s an overview of three of the best insurance companies for Columbus drivers.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hugo | 7.0 | N/A | $274 | Low-mileage drivers |
Auto-Owners | 8.5 | $94 | $59 | Newer vehicles |
State Farm | 9.3 | $101 | $64 | Teen drivers |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for low-mileage drivers: Hugo
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.0/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $56/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $224/mo |
Launched in 2021, Hugo is currently the only insurance company offering policy terms as short as three days and the ability to make smaller, more frequent micropayments. Drivers open an account with Hugo without paying a down payment, and choose their policy term. Hugo sells policies for three, seven, 14, or 30 days, or six months, and offers minimum coverage liability insurance. Hugo no longer sells full-coverage policies, and liability policies are limited to state minimums – you can’t buy higher liability limits.
Short-term policies
No down payment required
Micropayment option
Only available in 13 states
Full coverage not available
No discounts
Paying Too Much
Hugo Whoa!
Great in a Pinch
Best insurer for newer vehicles: Auto-Owners
User Reviews | 3.8 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.5/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $63/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $95/mo |
Auto-Owners is the cheapest overall auto insurance option for Columbus drivers and the best option for anyone with a new or classic vehicle. The company offers specialized insurance for classic cars and diminished-value protection.
AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)
Protects drivers with newer or more expensive vehicles
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region
Online quotes not available
They Cancelled Our Home Insurance
Good
Honest Answers to Questions
Best insurer for teen drivers: State Farm
User Reviews | 3.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $68/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $102/mo |
State Farm is known for its excellent customer service and generous discounts. Teen drivers can save up to 25% by purchasing a State Farm policy, and the savings will last until they turn 25.
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southeast region
One of the cheapest options in Columbus for teen drivers
Gap insurance not available
Must finalize quote with an agent
Good
Friendly agents!
I also have my homeowners insurance with them. I had a fire in my hot water heater and a year later, someone stayed in my house while I was gone for 2 months. I came home to a floating kitchen floor. After these incidents, StateFarm cancelled my policy.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Columbus
Insurance companies look at your driving record, ZIP code, gender, age, and marital status when considering you for insurance coverage.[3] Here are five ways you can find cheap auto insurance in Columbus:
Choose a car with safety features. Most insurance companies will give you a discount if your vehicle has certain safety features, like anti-lock brakes or an alarm system.
Take advantage of discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts you can take advantage of. For example, you can receive a multi-policy discount by buying your auto and homeowners insurance from the same company. Or, if you have more than one vehicle to insure, you may be able to get a multi-vehicle discount.
Spend less time driving. Drivers who spend more time on the road are at higher risk of getting in an accident. So if you work from home instead of commuting to the office, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount.
Raise your deductible. You’ll pay an out-of-pocket deductible before your insurance company pays out on an insurance claim. Raising your deductible even by a few hundred dollars can help you find affordable car insurance.
Shop around for insurance. The best way to save money on insurance is by receiving quotes from at least three companies. From there, you can see which company offers you the lowest prices and best overall coverage.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Columbus: Hugo
Liability-only car insurance covers any damages and medical bills for others if you’re found at fault in an accident. State law requires all Georgia drivers to carry liability insurance that meets the minimum limits.
But you may want to purchase additional coverage since liability insurance won’t cover any damages to your vehicle. It’s important to consider your ability to cover potential out-of-pocket expenses before choosing liability-only coverage. And if you have an auto loan or lease, your lender or leasing company will require you to buy full coverage.
The average cost of liability-only coverage in Columbus is $140 per month. Here are the cheapest liability-only policies in Columbus:
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Hugo | $56 |
Auto-Owners | $63 |
State Farm | $68 |
COUNTRY Financial | $69 |
Allstate | $74 |
Mile Auto | $75 |
USAA | $79 |
Progressive | $92 |
Safeco | $96 |
GEICO | $109 |
Mercury | $113 |
Clearcover | $119 |
Elephant | $137 |
Liberty Mutual | $137 |
Direct Auto | $138 |
AssuranceAmerica | $140 |
GAINSCO | $153 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $153 |
National General | $159 |
Nationwide | $163 |
Infinity | $201 |
The General | $208 |
Bristol West | $230 |
Foremost | $248 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Columbus: Auto-Owners
If you have full-coverage auto insurance, that means you have liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Liability insurance is required in Georgia, but collision and comprehensive insurance are optional add-ons.[4]
You’ll pay more for full coverage, but the extra financial protection may justify the higher costs. Collision insurance will protect you if you get into an accident with another vehicle. Comprehensive insurance protects you from non-collision losses, such as theft, vandalism, or fire.
On average, Columbus drivers pay $239 per month for full coverage. Here are the cheapest full-coverage car insurance options in Columbus:
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $95 |
State Farm | $102 |
COUNTRY Financial | $104 |
Allstate | $112 |
USAA | $120 |
Mile Auto | $126 |
Safeco | $157 |
Progressive | $159 |
GEICO | $165 |
Mercury | $177 |
Elephant | $196 |
State Auto | $215 |
Clearcover | $223 |
Hugo | $224 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $234 |
AssuranceAmerica | $243 |
Liberty Mutual | $247 |
Nationwide | $247 |
Direct Auto | $252 |
National General | $270 |
Foremost | $309 |
GAINSCO | $310 |
The General | $356 |
Infinity | $378 |
Bristol West | $448 |
Cheapest recent rates near Columbus, Georgia
Recent Columbus, Georgia car insurance prices for Hyundai, Toyota, Honda , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbus, Georgia within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Columbus, Georgia within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Georgia
Here are the minimum insurance requirements you’ll need to drive legally in Georgia:[4]
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
Property damage liability
$25,000 per incident
You also have the option to purchase the following add-on policies:
Physical damages coverage
Physical damages insurance pays for damages to your car, and it includes comprehensive and collision coverage. These coverages will protect you from theft, vandalism, and vehicle collisions.
Uninsured motorist coverage
This coverage will protect you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
You can expect your car insurance rates to go up if you’re involved in a driving-related incident. This includes receiving a speeding ticket, driving under the influence, or being involved in an at-fault accident.
Fortunately, you have ways to save on auto insurance after an incident. Many companies offer accident forgiveness, which means your car insurance won’t go up after your first accident. But the exact conditions will vary depending on your insurer.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Hugo
Speeding is often a factor in traffic accidents, so insurers view drivers with speeding tickets as riskier to insure. The more tickets you have, the more your insurance rates will go up. But you may be able to save money by taking a defensive driving course and keeping a clean record.
In Columbus, drivers with speeding tickets face average monthly car insurance rates of $331 for full coverage and $194 for liability-only policies.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Hugo | $56 | $71 |
Auto-Owners | $63 | $81 |
State Farm | $68 | $86 |
COUNTRY Financial | $69 | $91 |
Allstate | $74 | $95 |
Mile Auto | $75 | $99 |
USAA | $79 | $101 |
Progressive | $92 | $118 |
Safeco | $96 | $125 |
GEICO | $109 | $140 |
Mercury | $113 | $156 |
Clearcover | $119 | $155 |
Elephant | $137 | $190 |
Liberty Mutual | $137 | $190 |
Direct Auto | $138 | $177 |
AssuranceAmerica | $140 | $182 |
GAINSCO | $153 | $213 |
National General | $159 | $205 |
Nationwide | $163 | $211 |
Infinity | $201 | $268 |
The General | $208 | $270 |
Bristol West | $230 | $295 |
Foremost | $248 | $345 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Hugo
At-fault accidents will cause your premiums to go up, though the extent will depend on the severity of the accident. It’ll also depend on whether it’s your first accident or if you have a history of at-fault accidents.
At-fault accidents push average monthly car insurance rates to $346 for full coverage and $202 for liability-only policies in Columbus. See monthly rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in Columbus below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Hugo | $56 | $81 |
Auto-Owners | $63 | $85 |
State Farm | $68 | $91 |
COUNTRY Financial | $69 | $97 |
Allstate | $74 | $100 |
Mile Auto | $75 | $106 |
USAA | $79 | $107 |
Progressive | $92 | $126 |
Safeco | $96 | $127 |
GEICO | $109 | $148 |
Mercury | $113 | $163 |
Clearcover | $119 | $173 |
Elephant | $137 | $181 |
Liberty Mutual | $137 | $198 |
Direct Auto | $138 | $190 |
AssuranceAmerica | $140 | $188 |
GAINSCO | $153 | $198 |
National General | $159 | $216 |
Nationwide | $163 | $223 |
Infinity | $201 | $268 |
The General | $208 | $286 |
Bristol West | $230 | $309 |
Foremost | $248 | $359 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Hugo
Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most serious moving violations you can receive. In some cases, you could see your insurance premiums double or even triple after a DUI. If this isn’t your first offense, your insurance company could even choose to drop you as a customer.
Columbus drivers with DUI convictions pay some of the highest average car insurance rates in the city, at $393 per month for full coverage and $230 for liability only.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Hugo | $56 | $92 |
Auto-Owners | $63 | $104 |
State Farm | $68 | $112 |
COUNTRY Financial | $69 | $114 |
Allstate | $74 | $122 |
Mile Auto | $75 | $124 |
USAA | $79 | $130 |
Progressive | $92 | $152 |
Safeco | $96 | $158 |
GEICO | $109 | $180 |
Mercury | $113 | $170 |
Clearcover | $119 | $196 |
Elephant | $137 | $226 |
Liberty Mutual | $137 | $226 |
Direct Auto | $138 | $227 |
AssuranceAmerica | $140 | $231 |
GAINSCO | $153 | $252 |
National General | $159 | $262 |
Nationwide | $163 | $269 |
Infinity | $201 | $331 |
The General | $208 | $343 |
Bristol West | $230 | $379 |
Foremost | $248 | $409 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Hugo
Seniors tend to pay higher rates for auto insurance. Rates start to decrease around age 35, but they begin to creep up again around age 70. Older drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in an accident. Seniors are more prone to serious injuries from car accidents, as well.
Senior drivers can save on car insurance costs by completing an approved defensive driving course or opting for pay-per-mile insurance if they no longer drive frequently. In Columbus, car insurance for seniors costs $190 per month for full coverage and $111 for liability-only insurance, on average.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $73 | $49 |
State Farm | $78 | $52 |
COUNTRY Financial | $81 | $54 |
Allstate | $88 | $58 |
Mile Auto | $93 | $56 |
USAA | $94 | $62 |
Progressive | $112 | $65 |
GEICO | $129 | $85 |
Safeco | $129 | $79 |
Mercury | $134 | $86 |
Elephant | $156 | $109 |
Hugo | $174 | $44 |
AssuranceAmerica | $180 | $104 |
Nationwide | $181 | $119 |
Clearcover | $182 | $97 |
Direct Auto | $193 | $106 |
Liberty Mutual | $202 | $112 |
National General | $203 | $120 |
Foremost | $241 | $193 |
GAINSCO | $255 | $126 |
Infinity | $281 | $150 |
The General | $284 | $166 |
Bristol West | $352 | $181 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Hugo
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[5] This is largely due to their inexperience behind the wheel. Additional factors, like the presence of other teenagers, distracted driving, or nighttime driving, can increase the likelihood of an accident.
In Columbus, teen drivers pay average monthly rates of $460 for full coverage and $269 for liability only. Fortunately, teens have ways to save on insurance. Look for an insurance company that offers a good student discount, like State Farm. You can also save by buying a safer car and staying on your family insurance plan as long as possible.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
COUNTRY Financial | $160 | $106 |
Auto-Owners | $170 | $113 |
State Farm | $183 | $122 |
Allstate | $208 | $137 |
USAA | $211 | $139 |
Mile Auto | $256 | $152 |
GEICO | $276 | $183 |
Progressive | $297 | $172 |
Safeco | $328 | $200 |
Mercury | $334 | $213 |
Elephant | $338 | $236 |
Hugo | $386 | $97 |
Clearcover | $448 | $239 |
Nationwide | $449 | $296 |
Liberty Mutual | $460 | $255 |
AssuranceAmerica | $470 | $271 |
Direct Auto | $481 | $264 |
National General | $556 | $328 |
GAINSCO | $569 | $281 |
Foremost | $577 | $463 |
The General | $600 | $350 |
Infinity | $721 | $384 |
Bristol West | $798 | $410 |
Columbus car insurance quotes by credit tier
Georgia is one of many states that allow insurance companies to consider credit history when determining insurance rates.[6]
As you can see from the chart below, drivers with excellent or good credit typically receive far lower rates than drivers with poor credit.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Columbus?
The average cost for full-coverage insurance in Columbus is $239 per month, which is above the national average of $211 per month. But it still falls below the state average of $243 per month.
Many people don’t realize that their ZIP code affects how much they pay for insurance. For example, if you live in an area with higher rates of crime or inclement weather conditions, you can expect to pay more for insurance.
More cities in Georgia
Here’s how Columbus compares to average monthly car insurance rates in other cities in Georgia:
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲ |
---|