Allstate vs. The Hartford: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, Allstate offers significantly cheaper premiums than The Hartford
• Allstate tends to be a much more affordable option for policyholders who live in urban areas
• The Hartford has less expensive prices in CA

Allstate or The Hartford: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching to a new insurance policy. With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering hefty savings, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Allstate or The Hartford, but between the two, which carrier has more affordable premiums for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, The Hartford is around $66 more a month than Allstate.

But Allstate may not be the most affordable or best option for every single driver out there. Insurance carriers use tons of complex algorithms to determine prices, so depending on how old you are or how good your credit score is (among a lot of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average premiums from both Allstate and The Hartford by a range of different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Allstate vs. The Hartford: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Allstate and The Hartford only compete against each other in California, where Allstate offers the cheaper average prices. Allstate drivers tend to pay about $33 per month less on average compared to drivers who use The Hartford for their car insurance.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your auto insurance bill than just where you call home. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- normally pay a lot for insurance compared to older drivers. That's typically because teen 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 car insurance rates. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of almost 3% less a month by choosing The Hartford over Allstate. It's worth noting that Allstate offers insurance in 47 different states compared to The Hartford's one, which can skew the average premiums a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

That being said, with both companies, you'll see your prices reduce significantly once you turn 25. For example, average rates for Allstate policyholders decrease nearly 65% and The Hartford's prices drop over 30% 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 cheapest rates out there.

So, which company offers the best premiums to retired drivers? Allstate gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $40 cheaper than the national average for The Hartford.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance premiums are generally less expensive for married drivers than they are for single drivers? That's usually because married couples tend to own and insure several vehicles, which can often earn you a discount.

For those who are single, the difference in average rates between these two carriers is significant, with Allstate prices coming in at a quarter less than The Hartford's. The advantage for married policyholders with Allstate is also obvious, where drivers save about $70 per month.

Allstate or The Hartford: Average Rates by Gender

Women tend to pay less for insurance than men. That's because women are less likely to get into collisions and get tickets, which lowers the chances of filing a claim with insurance.

Usually, women see rates around $10 a month cheaper with Allstate; men and women get the same monthly premiums with The Hartford.

Looking at overall affordability, Allstate comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $62 per month and women save about $71 with Allstate compared to the average The Hartford policyholder.

Allstate vs. The Hartford: 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, auto insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are many different coverages that account for several different things. Some protect you and your car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

However, most policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes collision and comprehensive coverages that protect your own car, in addition to liability).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability insurance, Allstate has the edge, with average monthly rates coming in at $108. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Allstate again has the edge, with policies averaging around $289 a month to The Hartford's $394.

Is Allstate or The Hartford Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their car insurance. But that's not to say you can't save money if you don't have the best driving record, either.

You'll probably end up paying more with at-fault collisions and speeding tickets on your record, but which of these two companies offers the lowest premiums to drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Allstate for their insurance can typically expect their monthly bill to go up about 15% after getting a speeding ticket. The Hartford policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of around 36%.

If you have gotten a ticket, Allstate tends to offer the best prices at about 7% less expensive, while The Hartford has the edge for drivers with a clean record.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Allstate drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums climb by just under $75, while those who have insurance through The Hartford will see around a $150 increase.

At the end of the day, the more affordable rates come from Allstate, with average prices coming in at $229 compared to The Hartford's $262.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or speeding ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. The Hartford drivers usually see a 73% increase in their auto insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Allstate will usually climb prices by about 31%.

Allstate has the overall most affordable premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $227 a month, but it's worth noting that Allstate's average rates come from 47 states compared to just one for The Hartford, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Allstate and The Hartford Rates?

Did you know many car insurance carriers take into account your credit score when determining prices? Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as an auto insurance factor, but it does affect many policyholders out there.

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

So, which carrier offers the cheapest rates for drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have excellent credit, Allstate will generally reward you. Jumping from a "good" credit score to an "excellent" one will normally save Allstate customers around $25. Because The Hartford, doesn't have data available for credit scores, they most likely don't use credit to calculate your premiums.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Having bad credit usually means you'll also see higher rates with Allstate. If your credit score is in the "poor" range, at Allstate, you may pay about 25% more per month compared to those with "fair" scores (and even more compared to drivers with good or excellent scores). On the other hand, because The Hartford doesn't have data available for credit scores, they might have better premiums for drivers with bad credit over Allstate.

Is Allstate or The Hartford 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 considerable impact on how much insurance companies will charge for coverage? Generally, the more milage you put on your vehicle each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

For both remote workers and those taking short commutes, Allstate offers less expensive prices than The Hartford. The Hartford's average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in around 17% more expensive than Allstate. Those who drive 12,000 miles annually can expect to pay about 32% more with The Hartford over Allstate.

Allstate or The Hartford: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can play a large role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Typically, policyholders who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural drivers since there are a lot more cars on the road where they live, which increases the chances of an accident.

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

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay around $174 monthly with Allstate and $255 with The Hartford. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay a monthly premium of about $199 with Allstate compared to $265 with The Hartford. For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Allstate's average prices are around $222 a month compared to The Hartford's $273.

Allstate vs. The Hartford Discounts

No matter 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 you can, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many insurance discounts as possible.

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

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and looked at all of the different discounts Allstate and The Hartford offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

Allstate blows The Hartford away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 40 different discounts to The Hartford's 13.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Allstate also offers discounts for advance quote, agency transfer, alert driving, and more.

On the other hand, The Hartford has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like employee discounts, group discounts, lay-up credit discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Allstate or The Hartford Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average rates for many of the variables car insurance carriers look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. But, when it comes down to it, which carrier is the right one for you and your specific driver profile?

Allstate might be best for you if....

• You already have plans to move to another state -- The Hartford only offers policies to California residents.
• You're looking for the best premiums on liability only coverage.
• Your neighborhood is in the suburbs.

The Hartford might be best for you if...

• You haven't received any speeding tickets or been in an accident in the last few years.
• You like the personalized touch of a small, local company.
• You want to save money while purchasing insurance for a teenager.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Allstate and The Hartford and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your auto 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 insurance -- comparing quotes from several companies, not just Allstate and The Hartford. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Allstate vs. The Hartford FAQs

Is Allstate or The Hartford cheaper?

Allstate is the cheaper of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $199 per month with Allstate and $265 for The Hartford. That being said, that doesn't mean Allstate will be the most affordable carrier for everyone, since there are a variety of different factors that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance payment.

Who is better, Allstate or The Hartford?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for each policyholder -- it all boils down to your unique car insurance profile.

Why do Allstate and The Hartford offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers use several different variables when calculating the rates they charge. Factors such as gender, where you park your vehicle, age, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Allstate and The Hartford calculate premiums differently, so it's likely they'll offer different prices. The best way to determine which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different companies.

How do I know if Allstate or The Hartford is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of carriers 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 information once and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top auto insurance companies for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable price. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't Allstate or The Hartford at all, but another you hadn't even thought of!

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.