We collected insurance quotes in seven neighborhoods in the Columbus, Georgia, area to help drivers find the cheapest rates for car insurance. We found that Geico had the best insurance prices overall, with an average annual premium of $1,080. However, we saw a substantial range of costs across the Columbus area, and there was an especially striking difference depending on whether drivers lived in Georgia or Alabama. We highly recommend drivers check with multiple auto insurance companies to find the lowest prices.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Columbus, Georgia

After surveying five insurers across seven neighborhoods in the Columbus, Georgia, area, we found that Geico offered the cheapest car insurance rates overall, with an annual rate of $1,080—$170 cheaper than the area average. State Farm wasn't far behind, with an average cost of $1,188 per year, just 10% more expensive than Geico.

However, the average prices for insurance don't tell the whole story. We found a significant variation in auto insurance costs based on location, especially depending on whether a driver lives on the Alabama or Georgia side of the Columbus metro area. For example, Allstate offered the most expensive insurance prices overall. However, the company also offered the single lowest price we found in the greater Columbus area: Residents of Phenix City and Ladonia, AL, can expect to pay just $900 per year, or $75 per month, for coverage from Allstate.

The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Columbus: by Neighborhood

We took a neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at the insurance rates available to drivers in the Columbus area and found a substantial range in prices. Drivers who live on the Alabama side of the Columbus metro area can expect to pay substantially lower car insurance rates than Georgia residents. Drivers in Alabama will pay an average of $1,015 per year, 24% less than the Georgia-side average of $1,344.

The area with the overall cheapest auto insurance quotes we found in the Columbus, Georgia, region was Phenix City, Alabama. Drivers in Phenix City can expect to pay around $1,008 annually for car insurance. Meanwhile, the most expensive area we came across was North Columbus, where we were found an average cost of $1,409 per year for coverage.

The Best Auto Insurance Companies in Columbus

The two best car insurance companies in the Columbus area are Geico and Allstate. They're both strong insurers overall with good customer service, but which you should choose depends heavily on whether you live in Georgia or Alabama. Georgia residents should go with Geico, as they consistently offered the cheapest prices to drivers who live on the Georgia side of the Columbus metro, at $1,123 per year. And Alabama residents can find the best prices at Allstate: It offered car insurance for just $900 annually.

Note that in Alabama, Geico was only a few dollars more per month than Allstate, but in Georgia, Allstate's prices were much higher than its competitors' rates.

Auto Insurance Agents in Columbus

For drivers in Columbus who prefer to purchase their car insurance from an auto insurance agent, whether it's because they want the agent to do the legwork of shopping around or because they want in-person advice when it comes to choosing what coverage to buy, there are options. We've created a list of local car insurance agents operating in the Columbus, Georgia, area so you can find an agent near you with great customer service and affordable rates.

Note: Before you commit to an insurance agent, make sure they are licensed to sell insurance in your state. If you live in Georgia and the agent you contact is only licensed in Alabama, they probably won't be able to sell you insurance.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama

Drivers are required to carry auto insurance in order to drive their cars in both Georgia and Alabama. And the minimum limits in each state are the same: You must have at least $25,000 of liability coverage for bodily injury per person and $50,000 total per accident. In addition, you need at least $25,000 of liability coverage for property damage.

Neither state is a no-fault state, meaning you are not required to purchase personal injury protection in order to cover your medical expenses.

Methodology

The sample quotes we gathered were for a 30-year-old single male in the Columbus area driving a 2014 Toyota Camry, which he owns without a loan. His credit is above average, and he has full insurance coverage that meets all requirements for the state in which he lives. Our driver has zero accidents or traffic incidents of record in the past five years. In a typical year, our driver travels between 10,000 and 15,000 miles in his vehicle, which he uses to commute to and from work.