Acuity vs. State Auto: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, State Auto offers less expensive premiums than Acuity
• Acuity offers more affordable average prices for drivers with a DUI charge on their record
• State Auto tends to be a much cheaper option for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit

Acuity vs. State Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering hefty discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Acuity or State Auto for your next policy, but which one will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Acuity is about $54 more per month than State Auto.

Even so, that doesn't necessarily mean State Auto will be the less expensive option for every single driver. After all, auto insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your driving record, your credit score, where you call home, or even your age (among other things), so rates could change drastically from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Acuity or State Auto is really the best for you, keep reading to see average prices for each carrier broken down by a bunch of different rate factors.

Acuity or State Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Acuity and State Auto only compete against each other in one states, with State Auto offering cheaper premiums to the average driver in all of them. Wisconsin has the most noticable difference, where State Auto prices are more affordable than insurance premiums at Acuity.

There's a lot more that goes into your car insurance payment than just your home state. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

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

But still, even with seemingly sky-high rates, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $250 less a month by choosing State Auto over Acuity.

That being said, with both carriers, you'll see your prices reduce significantly by the time drivers turn 25. State Auto offers the steepest reduction, with 25-year-olds paying less than a quarter of what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Acuity's average rates lower more than 75% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll typically enjoy the cheapest auto insurance premiums you can find. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly rates for car insurance.

So, which company offers the best premiums to retired drivers? State Auto gets the slight edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $16 cheaper than the national average for Acuity.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive insurance premiums than married policyholders. That's because policies for married couples normally cover more than one car, which several companies will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, State Auto is the clear winner for single policyholders, with prices around $76 per month more affordable than Acuity, on average. The advantage is also clear for married drivers - State Auto offers the most affordable average rates.

Acuity vs. State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

You may not know, but auto insurance is usually more expensive for men than for women. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher prices.

Generally, men see premiums about 6% a month higher with Acuity, while with State Auto, the difference is closer to 9% per month.

Looking at overall affordability, State Auto comes out as the lowest option for both genders, with average rates 16% less for men and 19% cheaper for women.

Acuity or State Auto: 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.

Car insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are so many different limits and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

However, most policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers and their passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, State Auto normally offers less expensive prices of $149 compared to Acuity's $172. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, State Auto again has the edge, with policies around $85 a month more affordable than Acuity, on average.

Is Acuity or State Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

At-fault accidents and tickets will most likely raise your premiums, but is Acuity or State Auto less expensive for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Acuity policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $94 per month if they get a ticket, while State Auto typically raises premiums about $48 a month, on average.

But State Auto has cheaper prices for drivers in both categories. Drivers with a clean record can save around $59 per month and drivers with a speeding ticket can save about $105 a month with State Auto Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will increase rates pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with Acuity increasing by over $100. State Auto has a less extreme climb, but you can still expect to pay just under $100 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, State Auto offers the most affordable prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $269 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. On average, State Auto will increase your rates around 55% after a DUI, while Acuity's average prices rise by over 35%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Acuity tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $357 monthly compared to $380 from State Auto.

How does Credit Score Impact Acuity and State Auto Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (Massachusetts, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it does affect quite a few drivers out there.

Auto 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.

So, which carrier offers the lowest rates for policyholders with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with State Auto. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save more than 25% compared to Acuity, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $59 or 21% more affordable each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

State Auto typically offers lower premiums than Acuity when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $54 per month less with State Auto compared to Acuity, and those with "poor" scores generally save an average of about $36 a month.

Is Acuity or State Auto 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 substantial impact on your monthly car insurance cost? Usually, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper rates since there's less of a chance of getting into a collision and causing an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much State Auto charges. However, there's a pretty significant difference in monthly premiums for Acuity, with policyholders who drive the least paying around $33 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, State Auto is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Acuity vs. State Auto: 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 sizable impact as well. Typically, those who live in rural areas will pay less than policyholders in urban areas because of the small number of cars that are on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, State Auto normally comes out as the most affordable option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, State Auto offers rates about $317 per month compared to Acuity's $374. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay around $236 a month for State Auto and $313 for Acuity. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the cheapest prices from both carriers, with average monthly premiums coming in at $225 and $253 for State Auto and Acuity respectively.

Acuity vs. State Auto Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to find all the ones you can take advantage of or to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

In the section below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by Acuity and State Auto so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

State Auto blows Acuity away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering nine more discounts than Acuity.

Both companies offer several of the same discounts -- like COVID-19 relief discount, discounts for being a defensive driver, and discounts for being a good driver -- but State Auto also offers ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, advantage program 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, and group discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Acuity or State Auto Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your car insurance prices. We've shown you all the discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which insurance carrier is the best carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

State Auto might be best for you if....

• You're worried about the impact your credit score will have on your premiums.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You drive fewer than 6,000 miles each year.

Acuity might be best for you if...

• You have a DUI charge on your record.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Acuity and State Auto and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your insurance.

But, at the end of the day, there's only one way to know for sure that you're getting the best possible deal on auto insurance -- comparing quotes from multiple carriers, not just Acuity and State Auto. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Acuity vs. State Auto FAQs

Is Acuity or State Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, State Auto is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $259 per month compared to $313 for Acuity. Even so, State Auto won't necessarily be the lowest company for everyone, since there are many different variables (things like gender, age, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Acuity or State Auto?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". No single carrier is "better" for every driver -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Acuity offers cheaper prices for drivers with a recent DUI, while State Auto is more affordable for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Acuity and State Auto offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at many different factors when determining the rates they charge policyholders. Things like your driving record, gender, age, where you park your vehicle, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Acuity and State Auto calculate premiums using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different carriers.

How do I know if Acuity or State Auto is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Acuity or State Auto 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.