Renters insurance in Ohio averaged about $163 a year, or about $14 a month, in 2023, below the $173 U.S. average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). An Ohio renters policy covers your belongings against fire, theft, wind and tornadoes, plus your liability to others, but not floods or, unless you add it, sewer backup.
Key takeaways
- Renters insurance in Ohio cost an average of $163 a year in 2023, compared with $173 nationally, tied with Kansas and Montana for 28th most expensive of the 50 states and D.C., according to NAIC data.
- The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) says a property owner’s insurance typically covers only the building, not a renter’s personal belongings.
- ODI lists flood and water damage from sewer backup or a basement leak as typical exclusions; sewer backup coverage must usually be added.
- Ohio had a record 74 tornadoes in 2024, according to the National Weather Service; wind damage to your belongings is covered by renters insurance.
- Ohio law requires a landlord to return a security deposit, with an itemized list of deductions, within 30 days after the lease ends.
How much is renters insurance in Ohio?
Ohio renters paid an average of $163 a year in 2023, $10 below the national average. Ohio was tied with Kansas and Montana for 28th most expensive of the 50 states and D.C. Here is how it compares with its neighbors, using NAIC 2023 data:
| State | Average yearly premium (2023) | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $178 | $15 |
| West Virginia | $172 | $14 |
| Indiana | $167 | $14 |
| Ohio | $163 | $14 |
| Kentucky | $160 | $13 |
| Pennsylvania | $153 | $13 |
| U.S. average | $173 | $14 |
Your own price depends on your address, coverage limits, deductible and claims history; insurers in most states can also use credit-based insurance scores (how credit affects renters insurance). ODI’s Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Toolkit notes that many policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail, so check yours (renters insurance deductibles).
Is renters insurance required in Ohio?
Ohio law does not require renters insurance, but a landlord can require it in the lease (is renters insurance required?). ODI explains why it’s worth having anyway: “the property owner’s insurance typically only covers the building itself – not the renter’s personal belongings,” and renters insurance “helps fill that gap by covering personal property.” ODI’s homeowners guide adds that the renters form, called HO-4, “insures the contents of your rented home but not the building itself,” and that liability coverage is automatically included (renters liability coverage).
Ohio’s security deposit rules are in Ohio Revised Code 5321.16:
- Return deadline. Within 30 days after the lease ends and you give back possession, the landlord must return the deposit, minus any lawful deductions, with an itemized written list of those deductions.
- Forwarding address. Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing so the deposit and list can be mailed to you.
- Interest. If you stay six months or more, the landlord owes 5% annual interest on any part of the deposit above $50 or one month’s rent, whichever is greater.
A renters policy’s liability coverage generally excludes damage to the unit you rent, except fire, smoke or explosion, so ordinary damage to the apartment usually comes out of the deposit (does renters insurance cover accidental damage?).
What are the biggest renters insurance risks in Ohio?
Tornadoes and severe storms, basement flooding and frozen pipes are Ohio’s signature risks, and a standard renters policy covers only some of them:
| Risk | Covered by standard renters insurance? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms | Yes (windstorm and hail) | Many policies have a separate wind and hail deductible |
| River and flash flooding | No | Buy NFIP or private contents-only flood insurance at least 30 days ahead |
| Sewer or drain backup into a basement | No, unless added | Ask for a water backup endorsement |
| Frozen and burst pipes | Generally yes, for your belongings | Sudden water discharge from plumbing is a covered peril; the pipes are your landlord’s |
| Fire in an apartment or two-family house | Yes | Fire and smoke are covered, and loss of use helps pay for somewhere to stay |
| Theft, at home or away | Yes | Covered minus your deductible, including items stolen from your car |
Tornadoes and severe storms
Ohio set a record with 74 tornadoes in 2024, according to the National Weather Service. Wind and hail are covered perils under a standard renters policy, so belongings damaged when a storm tears off a roof or blows out windows are covered, minus your deductible. Damage from rain blowing in is covered only if wind or hail first makes an opening in the roof or a wall.
Basement flooding and sewer backup
If you rent a unit with a basement, or keep belongings in one, water is the coverage gap to watch. On August 23 and 24, 2023, 5 to 7 inches of rain flooded basements in Lakewood, the National Weather Service in Cleveland reported. ODI’s homeowners guide lists “water damage (sewer backup or basement leak)” among typical exclusions, and its disaster toolkit says sewer backup coverage is “not included or is limited” and must be added. Ask your insurer for a water backup endorsement if you keep belongings in a basement (does renters insurance cover water damage?).
River flooding
Ohio’s river towns have long flood histories: in the 1937 Ohio River flood, the river crested at 80.0 feet in Cincinnati, the National Weather Service notes. Standard renters policies don’t cover flood. ODI says renters can buy NFIP flood insurance for up to $100,000 of contents, with coverage starting after 30 days; the NFIP can be reached at 800-638-6620. Details: flood insurance for renters.
Winter freezes
ODI’s toolkit recommends insulating pipes to prevent freezing. Under the standard renters form, sudden water damage to your belongings from a burst pipe is covered, minus your deductible; the pipes themselves are your landlord’s responsibility.
Renters insurance in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati
Most households in Ohio’s three largest cities rent. In the Census Bureau’s QuickFacts estimates, the owner-occupied housing rate was 44.1% in Columbus, 41.7% in Cleveland and 39.8% in Cincinnati, so roughly 56%, 58% and 60% of households rent, compared with about a third statewide (67.2% owner-occupied). For renters in older buildings, the water backup endorsement and liability coverage are the details worth checking; students should also see renters insurance for college students.
How can Ohio renters pay less?
- Compare at least three quotes for the same limits and deductible (how to get renters insurance).
- Check both your regular deductible and any separate wind and hail deductible.
- Bundle with your auto insurance and ask about discounts for smoke detectors, alarms and deadbolts.
- Keep a home inventory, as ODI’s disaster toolkit recommends, so you buy the right amount of coverage and can prove your losses.
What should I do after a storm, fire or flooded basement?
- Make sure everyone is safe, and call the police for any theft.
- Take photos or videos of the damage and your belongings before you clean up.
- Report the loss to your insurer promptly and keep receipts for temporary repairs, hotel stays and meals.
- If you have trouble with a claim, call the ODI consumer hotline at 800-686-1526 or file a consumer complaint online.
The full walkthrough is in how to file a renters insurance claim. Next door, see renters insurance in Pennsylvania.
Ohio renters insurance FAQ
How much is renters insurance in Ohio?
Renters insurance in Ohio averaged about $163 a year, roughly $14 a month, in 2023, below the $173 U.S. average, according to NAIC data. Compare every state.
Does my landlord’s insurance cover my belongings in Ohio?
No. The Ohio Department of Insurance says a property owner’s insurance typically covers only the building itself, not the renter’s personal belongings. Renters insurance fills that gap. More on landlord vs. tenant coverage.
Does renters insurance cover a flooded basement in Ohio?
Usually not. The Ohio Department of Insurance lists flood and water damage from sewer backup or a basement leak as typical exclusions. Sewer backup coverage must usually be added to a policy, and flood insurance is a separate purchase that starts after a 30-day wait. Flood insurance for renters explained.
When does an Ohio landlord have to return my security deposit?
Under Ohio Revised Code 5321.16, a landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized written list of any deductions, within 30 days after the lease ends and you give back possession. If you stay six months or more, you’re owed 5% annual interest on any part of the deposit above $50 or one month’s rent, whichever is greater.
Who do I call in Ohio about a renters insurance problem?
The Ohio Department of Insurance consumer hotline is 800-686-1526, and you can also file a consumer complaint online. What to do after a denied claim.
Sources
- NAIC: Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owner’s Insurance Report: Data for 2023 (July 2026)
- Ohio Department of Insurance: Insurance for renters (2021)
- Ohio Department of Insurance: Homeowners insurance guide (2019)
- Ohio Department of Insurance: Disaster preparedness and recovery toolkit (accessed 2026)
- Ohio Department of Insurance: Consumer complaint information (accessed 2026)
- Ohio Revised Code 5321.16: Security deposits (accessed 2026)
- National Weather Service: 2024 tornado activity (July 2025)
- National Weather Service Wilmington: The 1937 Ohio River flood (accessed 2026)
- National Weather Service Cleveland: August 23–24, 2023 flooding (2023)
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Columbus city (accessed 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cleveland city and Ohio (accessed 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cincinnati city (accessed 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Ohio (accessed 2026)
- FEMA / NFIP: Flood insurance for renters (2024)
- Oklahoma Insurance Department: ISO Homeowners 4 Contents Broad Form, HO 00 04 10 00 (form edition 2000)
New to this? Start with What is renters insurance?
This site offers general information, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage, prices and rules vary by insurer, policy and state, so always read your own policy and ask your insurer or agent about your situation.