Best homeowners insurance in Columbus, OH (2024)

We looked at average costs, customer service ratings, and policy options from multiple top insurers to find the best and cheapest home insurance companies in Columbus.

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By

Pat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

Edited by

Jennifer GimbelJennifer GimbelSenior Managing Editor & Home Insurance ExpertJennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor at Policygenius, where she oversees all of our insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.

Updated|4 min read

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It’s easy to understand why Columbus, Ohio is highly rated as one of the best cities to live in the United States. With so much to do and see, there’s a lot to love about Columbus, including its relatively low cost of homeowners insurance.

In fact, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Columbus is $1,266 per year or $127 a month. This is only $30 more expensive than the average cost of home insurance in Ohio.

Compare home insurance rates in Columbus

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Compare the best cheap homeowners insurance companies in Columbus

The best home insurance companies in Columbus are State Farm, Cincinnati Insurance, Erie, Farmers, and Grange Insurance.

To find the best cheap homeowners insurance in Columbus, Policygenius rated over a dozen of the largest insurance companies in Ohio across several categories, such as average policy cost, financial strength ratings with AM Best, customer and claims satisfaction scores with J.D. Power, available policy options, and more.

Company

Average monthly cost

Policygenius rating

State Farm

$142

4.8 out of 5

Cincinnati Insurance

$89

4.5 out of 5

Erie

$83

4.5 out of 5

Farmers

$117

4.5 out of 5

Grange Insurance

$120

4.5 out of 5

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:

  • Dwelling: $300,000

  • Other structures: $30,000

  • Personal property: $150,000

  • Loss of use: $60,000

  • Liability: $300,000

  • Medical: $1,000

All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Compare home insurance rates in Columbus

We don't sell your information to third parties.

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2024 Policygenius award winner

State Farm

State Farm logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.8

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Offers extended replacement cost

Offers flood insurance

Offers earthquake insurance

Wind/hail deductible

Offers wildfire insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

State Farm is one of the best home insurance companies in Columbus thanks to its wide selection of coverage options, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage

  • High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings

  • Offers large discounts when you bundle your home and auto insurance

Cons

  • No discounts for first-time homebuyers

  • Rates are more expensive than average in Cleveland

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose State Farm

State Farm is one of the the best home insurance companies in Columbus. We like that State Farm lets you get extended replacement cost coverage for your home, replacement cost coverage for your personal property, water backup protection, and more.

State Farm also has high ratings from policyholders, according to J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, and digital experience surveys. On top of that, State Farm has received the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability.

One downside is that State Farm's home insurance rates are much higher than average in Columbus, so if you want the cheapest coverage State Farm probably isn't right for you.

How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Columbus average?

The average cost of home insurance from State Farm in Columbus is $1,705 per year, which is 35% more expensive than the citywide average.

How to get a quote

Online through State Farm or by contacting your local State Farm agent.

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2024 Policygenius award winner

Cincinnati Insurance

Cincinnati Insurance logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.8

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Mobile app

Good student discount

New homebuyer discount

Offers classic car insurance

Offers earthquake insurance

Offers extended replacement cost

Offers gap coverage

Offers wildfire insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

Cincinnati Insurance is one of the best home insurance companies in Columbus if your home is worth at least $750,000. If you have a high-value home, Cincinnati Insurance is a great choice for its range of coverage offerings and affordable rates.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Earns 5-star ratings for customer service, financial stability, and coverage options

  • Offers a lot of valuable add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage

  • Cheaper rates than average in Columbus

Cons

  • Best coverage only available to higher-value homes

  • No online quote tool

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Cincinnati Insurance

Cincinnati Insurance is one of the top home insurance companies in Columbus for its Executive Select Plan. If your house is worth at least $750,000, you could add extended replacement cost coverage for your home, replacement cost coverage for your personal property, water backup protection, identity theft coverage, and more to your policy.

We also like Cincinnati Insurance's cheap rates. On average, Cincinnati Insurance is one of the cheaper insurance companies in Columbus. The company also offers a few discounts, like a bundling and new home discount, that could lower your rates even more.

How do Cincinnati Insurance rates compare to the Columbus average?

We found that the cost of home insurance from Cincinnati Insurance is $1,064 per year, which is 16% cheaper than Columbus average.

How to get a quote

Find an agent via Cincinnati Insurance's website

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2024 Policygenius award winner

Erie

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.5

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Mobile app

Bundle home & auto

Why we chose itchevron icon

Erie's wide range of coverage options, industry-best customer service ratings, and affordable rates make it one of the best home insurance companies in Columbus.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Guaranteed replacement cost comes standard on Erie policies

  • Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings

  • Some of the cheapest rates in Columbus

Cons

  • Offers only a few discounts

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Erie

Erie is one of the best homeowners insurance companies in Columbus for those who want to add more protection to a basic policy, get top-rated customer service, and pay cheaper-than-average premiums.

Home insurance policies from Erie come standard with guaranteed replacement cost coverage — which you often have to pay extra for at other companies. A basic policy also covers lost and misplaced items, jewelry, and gift cards to closed businesses.

Erie also offers a range of add-ons that you can purchase, like short-term rental coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, water backup protection, underground service line coverage, and more.

How do Erie home insurance rates compare to the average in Columbus?

The average cost of Erie home insurance in Columbus is $990 per year, which is 22% cheaper than the citywide average.

How to get a quote

Online through Erie

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2024 Policygenius award winner

Farmers

Farmers Insurance logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.5

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Offers extended replacement cost

Bundle home & auto

Smart home discounts

Why we chose itchevron icon

Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Columbus for those who want to add coverage to their policies. Farmers also has a range of discounts and high claims satisfaction scores — though it's not the cheapest company in the city.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Optional extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage

  • Receives few complaints from policyholders and has a high claims satisfaction score

  • Lots of available discounts

Cons

  • Below-average scores on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys

  • Higher rates than average in Columbus

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Farmers

Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Columbus, especially if you want to add coverage to a basic policy. Optional coverages from Farmers include guaranteed or extended replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, and a personal articles floater.

Farmers also earned a high score in J.D. Power’s 2022 claims satisfaction study (though it scored below average on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys). Plus, Farmers receives fewer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Farmers is one of the best companies for bundling home and auto coverage (you could save up to 18% on your premiums by bundling). The company also offers more than a dozen other discounts, many of which are easy for most homeowners to qualify for.

How do Farmers home insurance rates compare to the average in Columbus?

The average cost of Farmers home insurance in Columbus is $1,404 per year, which is 11% more expensive than the city's average annual premium.

How to get a quote

Online through Farmers

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

Grange Insurance

Grange Insurance logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.5

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

New homebuyer discount

Smart home discounts

Bundle home & auto

Offers extended replacement cost

Offers gap coverage

Usage-based discount

Good student discount

Accident forgiveness

Mobile app

Why we chose itchevron icon

Grange Insurance is best suited for homeowners who prefer to work with a local agent to get a quote. Besides attentive service, Grange offers a range of coverage add-ons.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Offers extended replacement cost coverage, other add-ons

  • Gets fewer complaints than average

  • Mobile app makes it easy to manage your policy and file claims

Cons

  • Must speak with an agent to get a quote

  • Doesn’t offer flood insurance

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Grange Insurance

Grange Insurance is one of the top insurance providers in Columbus, especially if you want coverage from a smaller regional company. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Grange Insurance receives fewer complaints than average from its customers.

We also like that Grange Insurance offers a wide range of coverage options. The company lets homeowners add extended replacement cost coverage for their home, replacement cost coverage for their property, service line coverage, water backup protection, and more to a basic policy.

How do Grange Insurance's home insurance rates compare to the Columbus average?

We found that the average cost of homeowners insurance from Grange Insurance is $1,441 per year in Columbus, which is 14% more expensive than the citywide average.

How to get a quote

Find an agent online with Grange Insurance

How much is homeowners insurance in Columbus?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Columbus is $1,266 per year, or $106 a month, for an insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This means insurance in Columbus is only 2% more expensive than the statewide average of $1,236.

Columbus home insurance rates by ZIP code

To help you find out how much home insurance costs where you live, we calculated average home insurance rates by ZIP code in Columbus.

ZIP code

Average annual cost

Difference from state average (%)

43228

$1,252

1%

43229

$1,253

1%

43232

$1,281

4%

43207

$1,306

6%

43224

$1,277

3%

43235

$1,131

-8%

43204

$1,268

3%

43201

$1,259

2%

43219

$1,319

7%

43209

$1,286

4%

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Cheapest ZIP codes for home insurance in Columbus

With an average home insurance rate of $1,131 per year, the 43235 ZIP code is the most affordable area for home insurance in Columbus. The cost of home insurance in this area is 8% cheaper than the statewide average in Ohio.

ZIP code

Average annual cost

Difference from state average (%)

43235

$1,131

-8%

43212

$1,179

-5%

43240

$1,194

-3%

43231

$1,198

-3%

43004

$1,199

-3%

43119

$1,218

-1%

43202

$1,224

-1%

43210

$1,239

0%

43110

$1,249

1%

43228

$1,252

1%

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Most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Columbus

With an average home insurance rate of $1,364 per year, the 43214 ZIP code is the most expensive area for home insurance in Columbus. Rates here are 10% more expensive than Ohio's average.

ZIP code

Average annual cost

Difference from state average (%)

43214

$1,364

10%

43205

$1,338

8%

43203

$1,336

8%

43137

$1,334

8%

43219

$1,319

7%

43211

$1,319

7%

43207

$1,306

6%

43222

$1,303

5%

43206

$1,289

4%

43209

$1,286

4%

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Learn more >> Home insurance rates by ZIP code

Columbus home insurance costs by coverage amount

Dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your home against covered losses, and you should have enough of it to fully replace your home, while personal liability coverage covers medical bills or legal fees in the event someone is injured on your property.

Typically, more dwelling coverage means higher home insurance premiums.

Dwelling coverage limit

Average annual cost

$100,000

$683

$200,000

$978

$300,000

$1,266

$400,000

$1,560

$500,000

$1,886

Columbus home insurance costs by deductible amount

Your homeowners insurance deductible is the out-of-pocket amount you’re responsible for paying on each home insurance claim. A higher deductible will help lower your rates, but it will cost you more in the event of a claim. 

As seen in the table below, Columbus residents can save almost $350 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.

Deductible

Average annual cost

$500

$1,812

$2,000

$1,464

Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Columbus

We found that the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Columbus are Westfield Insurance, Ohio MutualErieCincinnati Insurance, and Auto-Owners. That said, your rates depend on where you live and other factors like coverage amount, deductible, your credit, home's age, and claims history.

Company

Average annual cost

Westfield Insurance

$820

Ohio Mutual Insurance

$968

Erie

$990

Cincinnati Insurance

$1,064

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,151

USAA

$1,175

Western Reserve Group

$1,183

Encova Insurance

$1,317

Allstate

$1,395

Farmers

$1,404

Grange Insurance

$1,441

Nationwide

$1,460

Progressive

$1,555

State Farm

$1,705

Travelers

$4,237

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Cheapest home insurance in Columbus if you have poor credit

A homeowner with a low credit score is seen as high risk, since they’re more likely to rely on home insurance for small damages or losses. So some insurance companies increase yearly premiums as a result. 

With an average rate of $1,128 per year, Ohio Mutual has the cheapest home insurance rates in Columbus for a homeowner with poor credit.

Company

Average annual cost

Ohio Mutual Insurance

$1,228

Westfield Insurance

$1,268

Cincinnati Insurance

$1,401

Western Reserve Group

$1,509

USAA

$1,693

Nationwide

$1,950

Grange Insurance

$2,122

Progressive

$2,125

Erie

$2,172

Allstate

$2,215

Encova Insurance

$2,412

State Farm

$2,926

Farmers

$3,063

Auto-Owners Insurance

$10,240

Travelers

$13,137

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Cheapest home insurance in Columbus if you have an older home

It can be more expensive to insure older homes since they can be more prone to structural damage than newer homes. They're also often made with with materials and features that would be more expensive to replace after a claim.

The cheapest home insurance rates in Columbus for an older home come from Erie, which has an average cost of $1,029 per year.

Company

Average annual cost

Erie

$1,029

Ohio Mutual Insurance

$1,049

Western Reserve Group

$1,129

Westfield Insurance

$1,145

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,155

Cincinnati Insurance

$1,197

USAA

$1,244

Allstate

$1,365

Farmers

$1,383

Encova Insurance

$1,439

Nationwide

$1,491

Grange Insurance

$1,505

Progressive

$1,640

State Farm

$1,703

Travelers

$5,119

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Cheapest homeowners insurance in Columbus if you have a history of claims

Having a history of claims is one of the most likely reasons why your rates could be expensive. If you have multiple claims on your record, insurers will think you're more likely to file future claims than a homeowner without any past claims.

We found that Auto-Owners offers the cheapest home insurance rates in Columbus for someone with three claims in a five-year period.

Company

Average annual cost

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,151

Ohio Mutual Insurance

$1,304

Westfield Insurance

$1,323

Western Reserve Group

$1,703

Erie

$1,759

Grange Insurance

$1,868

State Farm

$1,942

Progressive

$2,015

Encova Insurance

$2,028

USAA

$2,122

Farmers

$2,222

Allstate

$2,302

Cincinnati Insurance

$2,453

Nationwide

$2,604

Travelers

$5,528

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Coverage options in Columbus

When looking at how much each insurance company charges for different coverage levels and risks, you should also know what your policy does and doesn’t cover.

Before you buy homeowners insurance in Columbus, you should be sure you're protected against potential severe weather and flooding.

Severe weather insurance

You should make sure that your home is fully protected from severe weather. In the summer, central Ohio and the Columbus area can experience hail, high winds, and even sometimes tornadoes.

While most home insurance policies do cover tornado damage (and the damage from hail that can come with severe storms), you should make sure that you'll be able to fully rebuild by adding replacement cost coverage to your policy.

Flood insurance

Some homes in Columbus may be at risk of flooding, especially if they're in a low-lying part of the city. Despite the risk of flood damage, homeowners insurance policies don't cover damage from floods.

If you live in a part of Columbus where flooding can occur, you should consider getting flood insurance. A few companies offer flood insurance endorsements or even separate flood insurance policies, but most companies offer coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

How to get homeowners insurance quotes in Columbus

There are many affordable options for homeowners insurance in Columbus, but you may have some questions about finding the right policy for your home. Here are some steps to follow to help make your decision easier:

5 steps to buying homeowners insurance in Columbus, OH

  1. Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of experts are available to answer questions about coverage and rates and make sure you find the right policy at the best price.

  2. Ask about the Ohio FAIR Plan. If you have been turned down by traditional insurance companies, look into the FAIR plan to ensure you have the coverage you need. 

  3. Figure out how much deductible you can afford. If your house is in an area unlikely to see frequent damage from severe weather or property crime, consider a higher deductible to save money on your premium. 

  4. Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. With so many factors that go into your insurance rate, the only way to find the best price is to compare quotes from different companies — a Policygenius agent can help.

  5. Choose your policy, sign it, and pay your first premium. Once you find the right policy at a price that meets your budget, a Policygenius agent can prepare the paperwork for you. All that’s left is to sign the forms and pay your first premium. 

Compare home insurance rates in Columbus

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the average cost of home insurance vary in Columbus?

Home insurance rates are based on a variety of factors including the age and size of your house, the local crime rate, and the threat of natural disasters. Average rates will be higher in certain parts of the city, especially in older neighborhoods or areas with larger houses.

What is the average rate in Columbus?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Columbus is $1,266 per year, which is almost the same as Ohio's statewide average.

Will my bad credit be a factor in my home insurance rate?

While not all insurance companies increase rates for poor credit, it can be a factor when determining what you pay for home insurance. If you have bad credit, you may need to shop around to find the best rate.

Is flood insurance included in my policy?

No. If you are in a flood zone or if you tend to get water in your basement due to flooding, you will need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to make sure your house is covered.

Author

Pat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

Editor

Jennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor at Policygenius, where she oversees all of our insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.

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