AFR vs. Safe Auto: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, AFR offers significantly less expensive prices than Safe Auto
• AFR offers more affordable rates for residents of rural areas
• Safe Auto offers more discounts than AFR Insurance

AFR vs. Safe Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to AFR or Safe Auto, but between the two, which carrier will save you the most?

As you can see, AFR has average rates that are about 40% per month more affordable than those from Safe Auto when looking at the national average rates for car insurance.

Even so, that doesn't mean AFR will necessarily be cheaper than Safe Auto for each driver. Auto insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, how old you are, where you live, and tons of other factors, so rates will vary quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of AFR or Safe Auto is really the best for you, keep reading to see average prices for each company broken down by a range of different rate factors.

AFR or Safe Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

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

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance prices of any group out there on the road. Generally, that's 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 rates, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have AFR for their insurance pay nearly $250 less than those who use Safe Auto.

But both carriers will lower premiums by the time you turn 25. For example, average prices for AFR policyholders decrease around $60 and Safe Auto's rates drop almost $250 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to car insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the lowest premiums out there.

So, which carrier offers the best prices to retired drivers? AFR gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at about $124 a month compared to Safe Auto's $179.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance premiums are usually more affordable for married drivers than they are for single drivers? That's typically because married policyholders tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, AFR is the clear winner for single policyholders, with prices around $111 a month less expensive than Safe Auto, on average. The advantage for married couples with AFR is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 30% per month.

AFR vs. Safe Auto: Average Rates by Gender

You may not know, but insurance is normally cheaper for women than it is for men. This is because women are less likely to get tickets and get into accidents, which decreases the chances of an insurance claim.

With AFR, women typically pay about 3% a month less than men, while with Safe Auto, the difference is closer to 7% per month.

Looking at overall affordability, AFR comes out on top for both men and women. On average, women save about $79 a month and men save around $92 with AFR compared to the average Safe Auto policyholder.

AFR or Safe 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.

For most people, car insurance can be pretty complicated. There are several different coverages that account for a variety of different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

However, most policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and passengers if you cause a collision) 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 liability limits, AFR normally offers significantly cheaper rates of $65 compared to Safe Auto's $126. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, AFR again has the edge, with policies about $100 per month more affordable than Safe Auto, on average.

Is AFR or Safe Auto 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.

You'll probably end up paying more with tickets and at-fault accidents 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?

AFR policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $35 a month if they get a ticket, while Safe Auto generally raises rates around $40 per month, on average.

That being said, AFR tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering premiums that are 46% and 40% cheaper, respectively, compared to Safe Auto.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

AFR drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their prices increase by 0%, while those who have insurance through Safe Auto will see about a 25% increase.

Overall, the less expensive rates come from AFR, with monthly prices averaging $98 compared to Safe Auto's $246.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single accident or ticket when it comes to your insurance bill. AFR drivers usually see a 55% increase in their car insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Safe Auto will usually climb rates by around 27%.

How does Credit Score Impact AFR and Safe Auto Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when carriers calculate your monthly bill. This isn't always the case (for example, Massachusetts and Hawaii are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for many policyholders.

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

So, which company offers the cheapest prices for drivers with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is AFR or Safe Auto Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

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

In this case, neither AFR or Safe Auto report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. That being said, AFR comes out as the lowest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car every year, with average prices of $137 a month for both.

AFR vs. Safe 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 car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a substantial impact as well. Usually, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas because there are a lot more vehicles on the road in those areas, which increases the chances of an accident.

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

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the lowest rates from both companies, but AFR comes out on top with average premiums about $109 per month. AFR also has cheaper average prices for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $108 and $61 per month respective difference when compared to Safe Auto drivers in similar areas.

AFR vs. Safe 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 auto insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem hard to find all the of the ones you qualify for.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both AFR and Safe Auto so that you can see which one offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Overall, Safe Auto has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. AFR offers a grand total of nine discounts, while Safe Auto has 14.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Safe Auto also offers agency transfer discounts, anti-theft discounts, claim free discounts, and more that AFR does not.

On the flip side, AFR has a couple unique discounts of its own -- discounts for being a good driver, good payer discounts, discounts for being a good student, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is AFR or Safe Auto Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your insurance rates. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, which carrier is the best company for you and your specific needs?

AFR might be best for you if....

• Your credit is below-average.
• You have above-average credit.
• You're buying car insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

Safe Auto might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national insurance company.
• You're looking for the carrier with the most discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between AFR and Safe Auto. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about 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 several companies, not just AFR and Safe Auto. 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 carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

AFR vs. Safe Auto FAQs

Is AFR or Safe Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, AFR is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $137 a month compared to $223 for Safe Auto. But AFR won't necessarily be the most affordable company for each driver, since there are multiple different variables that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance bill.

Who is better, AFR or Safe Auto?

Unfortunately, the real answer is "it depends.". No single carrier is necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all comes down to what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do AFR and Safe Auto offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different factors when calculating the rates they charge policyholders. Things like your driving record, where you live, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both AFR and Safe Auto calculate prices 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 companies.

How do I know if AFR or Safe Auto is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple carriers 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 auto insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be AFR or Safe 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.