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 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 | |
$142 | 4.8 out of 5 | ||
$89 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
$83 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
$117 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
$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.
2024 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Wind/hail deductible
Offers wildfire insurance
Why we chose it
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 cons
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 details
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.
2024 Policygenius award winner
Cincinnati Insurance
4.8
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 it
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 cons
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 details
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
2024 Policygenius award winner
Erie
4.5
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Why we chose it
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 cons
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 details
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
2024 Policygenius award winner
Farmers
4.5
Offers extended replacement cost
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
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 cons
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 details
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
2024 Policygenius award winner
Grange Insurance
4.5
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 it
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 cons
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 details
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% |
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% |
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% |
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 Mutual, Erie, Cincinnati 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 |
$990 | |
$1,064 | |
$1,151 | |
$1,175 | |
Western Reserve Group | $1,183 |
Encova Insurance | $1,317 |
$1,395 | |
$1,404 | |
$1,441 | |
$1,460 | |
$1,555 | |
$1,705 | |
$4,237 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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:
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.
