Acuity vs. California Casualty: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for insurance, California Casualty offers significantly cheaper rates than Acuity
• California Casualty has less expensive premiums for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• California Casualty offers more affordable prices for drivers with a DUI charge on their record

Acuity vs. California 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 your search down to Acuity or California Casualty for your next policy, but which company will offer you more affordable rates?

As you can see, Acuity has average rates that are about 35% per month more expensive than those from California Casualty when looking at the national average rates for auto insurance.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean California Casualty will be the cheaper option for every driver. Insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate premiums, so depending on how old you are or how good your credit score is (among numerous other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Wanting to know if Acuity or California Casualty is really the right company for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

Acuity or California Casualty: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Acuity and California Casualty only compete against each other in one states, with California Casualty offering more affordable premiums to the average driver in all of them. Colorado has the most noticable difference, where California Casualty rates are over 70% less expensive than auto insurance premiums at Acuity.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance cost than just the state you live in. Continue reading to learn more about how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- generally pay a lot for insurance compared to older drivers. It's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

Even so, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance prices. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have California Casualty for their car insurance pay more than $500 less than those who use Acuity.

But both carriers will drop rates once you turn 25. For example, average prices for Acuity policyholders decrease over $500 and California Casualty's premiums lower around $250 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 lowest prices you'll ever see.

But who has the best premiums for retired drivers between Acuity and California Casualty? California Casualty gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at about $149 per month compared to Acuity's $183.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but car insurance prices tend to be cheaper for married policyholders than they are for those who are single. This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something a lot of insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, California Casualty is the clear winner for single policyholders, with premiums around $171 a month less expensive than Acuity, on average. The advantage is also clear for married couples - California Casualty offers the most affordable average rates.

Acuity vs. California Casualty: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know men typically pay more for car insurance than women? This is because women are less likely to get speeding tickets and get into accidents, which lowers the chances of an insurance claim.

Normally, women see premiums about 6% per month less with Acuity, while with California Casualty, the difference is closer to 8% a month.

When it comes to the cheapest rates for each gender, California Casualty comes out as the most affordable option for both genders. On average, male drivers save about $114 per month and women save around $111 with California Casualty compared to the average Acuity policyholder.

Acuity or California 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. Everyone needs insurance, but there are so many different terms and limits that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, California Casualty normally offers significantly more affordable prices of $122 compared to Acuity's $172. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, California Casualty again has the edge, with policies about $150 a month less expensive than Acuity, on average.

Is Acuity or California Casualty Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

Tickets and accidents will most likely raise your rates, but is Acuity or California Casualty more affordable for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Acuity policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $94 per month if they get a ticket, while California Casualty usually raises prices around $33 a month, on average.

However, California Casualty is normally the cheaper option for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket -- their rates are around 40% less expensive for drivers with clean records and 47% more affordable for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Acuity drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums increase by over $100, while those who have insurance through California Casualty will see about a $60 increase.

Overall, the cheaper prices come from California Casualty, with monthly rates averaging $198 compared to Acuity Insurance's $344.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple ticket or even an accident. California Casualty drivers usually see a 54% climb in their insurance prices after a DUI charge, while Acuity will typically increase rates by around 36%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, California Casualty tends to be the much more affordable option with average prices of $300 monthly compared to $357 from Acuity.

How does Credit Score Impact Acuity and California Casualty Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance carriers take your credit score into account when calculating rates? This isn't always the case (Hawaii, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it will come into play for lots of policyholders.

Insurance companies argue that those with good credit scores are more likely to pay their bills on time each month, which decreases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with bad credit.

Looking specifically at Acuity and California Casualty, which one has the lowest premiums for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with California Casualty. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 50% compared to Acuity, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $113 or 39% cheaper every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

California Casualty typically offers lower rates than Acuity when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $106 per month less with California Casualty compared to Acuity, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $104 a month.

Is Acuity or California Casualty Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a pretty big impact on your monthly car insurance bill? Generally, those who drive less will end up with less expensive prices since there's less of a chance of getting into a collision and causing an insurance claim.

For both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles each year, as well as those who average twice that figure, California Casualty offers cheaper premiums than Acuity. Acuity's average rates for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in around 36% more expensive than California Casualty. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay about 35% more with Acuity over California Casualty.

Acuity vs. California Casualty: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

We've already mentioned how your home state can play a role in how much you pay for auto insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a large impact as well. Normally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas because there are a lot fewer cars on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, California Casualty usually comes out as the lowest option for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, California Casualty offers rates around $218 monthly compared to Acuity's $374. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay about $221 a month for California Casualty and $313 for Acuity. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the cheapest prices from both companies, with average monthly premiums coming in at $164 and $253 for California Casualty and Acuity respectively.

Acuity vs. California Casualty Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many car insurance discounts as you can.

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 can take advantage of.

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Acuity and California Casualty offer their customers so that you can see which carrier can save you the most money each month.

Overall, California Casualty comes out ahead with 14 discounts to Acuity's nine.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but California Casualty also offers ABS discounts, driver training discounts, education discounts, and more that Acuity does not.

On the flip side, Acuity has a couple unique discounts of its own -- discounts for graduating college, continuous insurance discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Acuity or California Casualty Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain variables have on your auto insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, when it comes down to it, which company is the best one for you and your specific needs?

California Casualty might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing car insurance by yourself.
• You want basic insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You're buying auto insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

Acuity might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Acuity and California Casualty. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of carriers, not just Acuity and California Casualty. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Acuity vs. California Casualty FAQs

Is Acuity or California Casualty cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, California Casualty is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $201 per month compared to $313 for Acuity. Even so, California Casualty won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for everyone, since there are a variety of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Acuity or California Casualty?

Unfortunately, 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.

Why do Acuity and California Casualty offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at several different variables when determining the premiums they charge drivers. Factors such as your driving record, gender, where your home is, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Acuity and California Casualty calculate rates using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different carriers.

How do I know if Acuity or California Casualty is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Acuity or California 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.