21st Century vs. First American Property & Casualty: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, 21st Century offers less expensive prices than First American Property & Casualty
• 21st Century offers cheaper average premiums for residents of suburban areas
• First American Property & Casualty offers more affordable prices for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

21st Century vs. First American Property & Casualty: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering big discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed it down to 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty, but which carrier has more affordable rates for auto insurance?

As you can see, 21st Century is about $21 per month cheaper than First American Property & Casualty when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

But that doesn't mean 21st Century will necessarily be less expensive than First American Property & Casualty for every driver. Auto insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how clean your driving record is, where you live, how good your credit score is, how old you are, and a ton of other factors. So, at the end of the day, rates from each company will differ quite a bit from person to person.

Wanting to know if 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

21st Century or First American Property & Casualty: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

21st Century and First American Property & Casualty only compete against each other in California, where First American Property & Casualty offers the cheaper average premiums. For California residents, First American Property & Casualty offers car insurance for $167 per month on average. 21st Century's average prices come out to be over 20% more expensive, at $206 monthly.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your insurance bill than just the state you live in. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance rates of any group out there on the road. It's normally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have 21st Century for their insurance pay nearly $150 less than those who use First American Property & Casualty.

Even so, both carriers will offer you dramatically lower rates by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average prices for 21st Century policyholders reduce almost 40% and First American Property & Casualty's premiums lower more than 55% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to auto insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the most affordable rates you can find.

So, which company offers the best premiums to retired drivers? First American Property & Casualty gets the slight edge here, with average prices coming in at around $121 a month compared to 21st Century's $122. However, that difference is less than 5%, which means it ultimately will come down to other factors, such as your credit score or your driving record.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance rates are typically more affordable for married policyholders than they are for single drivers? That's generally because married drivers tend to own and insure multiple cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, 21st Century is the clear winner for single policyholders, with premiums about $35 a month cheaper than First American Property & Casualty, on average. It's not quite so glaring for married couples, where drivers who use 21st Century save around $2 per month.

21st Century vs. First American Property & Casualty: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding. That means when it comes to car insurance men will usually end up paying a little more.

Men and women get the same monthly prices with 21st Century; men and women get the same monthly premiums with First American Property & Casualty.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, 21st Century comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $21 a month and women save about $21 with 21st Century compared to the average First American Property & Casualty policyholder.

21st Century or First American Property & Casualty: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

Auto insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are a range of different coverages that account for many different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

That being said, most policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside liability).

In this case, First American Property & Casualty offers the lowest average rates for state minimum limits for liability insurance, while 21st Century has the edge for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Drivers looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $10 with First American Property & Casualty, while full coverage comes out to be around $50 more affordable with 21st Century Insurance.

Is 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their car insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

You'll probably end up paying more with at-fault accidents and tickets on your record, but which of these two companies offers the most affordable prices to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

21st Century policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $24 per month if they get a ticket, while First American Property & Casualty typically raises prices about $26 a month, on average.

But 21st Century is normally the less expensive option for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records, offering premiums that are $26 and $28 cheaper, respectively, compared to First American Property & Casualty.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

21st Century policyholders who get in a collision can expect to see their prices increase by $80, while those who have insurance through First American Property & Casualty will see around a $25 increase.

Overall, the more affordable rates come from First American Property & Casualty, with monthly premiums averaging $145 compared to 21st Century Insurance's $173.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly insurance bill -- generally a lot more than an accident or ticket. First American Property & Casualty drivers usually see a 54% increase in their auto insurance rates after a DUI charge, while 21st Century will usually raise prices by about 54%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, 21st Century tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $200 monthly compared to $256 from First American Property & Casualty.

How does Credit Score Impact 21st Century and First American Property & Casualty Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when carriers calculate your monthly bill. Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for a lot of drivers.

Insurance carriers argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time every month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

Looking specifically at First American Property & Casualty and 21st Century, which one has the cheapest rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a considerable impact on your monthly car insurance cost. Generally, the more miles you drive, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

21st Century tends to be the more affordable option for both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles annually, as well as those who average twice that figure. First American Property & Casualty's average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in $2 more expensive than 21st Century. Those who drive 12,000 miles each year can expect to pay just under $40 more with First American Property & Casualty over 21st Century.

21st Century vs. First American Property & Casualty: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a substantial impact on your monthly auto insurance payment. Normally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas because of the small number of cars that are on the roads in those areas.

Looking at these companies side-by-side, 21st Century boasts the lowest average rates in urban and suburban areas, while First American Property & Casualty wins in rural areas.

In urban areas, 21st Century Insurance's average prices are around $21 less than First American Property & Casualty. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about $43 less with 21st Century compared to First American Property & Casualty. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save around $1 with First American Property & Casualty compared to 21st Century.

21st Century vs. First American Property & Casualty Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new car insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible. That's where insurance discounts comes into play.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be hard to find all the ones you're eligible for.

Below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by 21st Century and First American Property & Casualty so that you can see which carrier can save you the most money each month.

Overall, 21st Century has advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. First American Property & Casualty offers a grand total of 10 discounts, while 21st Century has 13.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but 21st Century also offers ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, defensive driver discounts, and more that First American Property & Casualty does not.

On the flip side, First American Property & Casualty has a couple unique discounts of its own -- distant student discounts, group discounts, mature driver discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain variables have on your auto insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, at the end of the day, which company is the best fit for you?

21st Century might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You have a short commute.

First American Property & Casualty might be best for you if...

• You want basic insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You live in a rural area.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your car insurance.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between 21st Century and First American Property & Casualty. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of carriers, not just 21st Century and First American Property & Casualty. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get free quotes from dozens of top insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

21st Century vs. First American Property & Casualty FAQs

Is 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, 21st Century is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $146 per month compared to $167 for First American Property & Casualty. However, 21st Century won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for every policyholder, since there are lots of different factors that come into play when it comes to your auto insurance cost.

Who is better, 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". Neither company is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile. For example, 21st Century offers less expensive prices for single policyholders, while First American Property & Casualty is cheaper for drivers who have already retired.

Why do 21st Century and First American Property & Casualty offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at several different variables when calculating the rates they charge drivers. Things such as gender, where you live, your driving record, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both 21st Century and First American Property & Casualty calculate premiums using different factors, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different carriers.

How do I know if 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be 21st Century or First American Property & Casualty at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.