American Family vs. Le Mars: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, American Family offers significantly less expensive premiums than Le Mars
• American Family offers more affordable rates for single people who will be the only person on the auto insurance policy
• Le Mars has more affordable premiums in IA

American Family or Le Mars: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching to a new insurance policy. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering large savings, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to American Family or Le Mars, but between the two, which one has cheaper rates for insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Le Mars has average rates that are around 40% a month more expensive than those from American Family.

But American Family may not be the lowest or best option for each driver out there. After all, auto insurance carriers can offer drastically different rates to every driver depending on rating factors like your driving record, where you call home, your credit score, or even your age (among other things), so prices could change drastically from person to person.

Wanting to know if American Family or Le Mars is really the right company for you? Keep on reading to see how average rates can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

American Family vs. Le Mars: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

American Family and Le Mars only compete against each other in Iowa, where American Family offers the cheaper average prices. American Family drivers tend to pay about $120 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Le Mars for their car insurance.

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

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

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

That being said, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. As you can see above, teens who use American Family save over 25% a month compared to those who use Le Mars. It's worth noting that American Family offers auto insurance in 16 different states compared to Le Mars's one, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

However, both companies will reduce prices once you turn 25. For example, average premiums for American Family policyholders drop more than 60% and Le Mars's prices lower almost 50% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between American Family and Le Mars? American Family gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $89 more affordable than the national average for Le Mars.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married couples tend to get slightly cheaper auto insurance rates than those who are single. This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one vehicle on their policy -- something quite a few car insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

For single policyholders, the difference in average premiums between these two companies is significant, with American Family prices coming in at a third less than Le Mars's. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - American Family has the edge when it comes to average rates.

American Family or Le Mars: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women typically pay less for insurance than men? That's because women are less likely to get tickets and get into accidents, which decreases the chances of filing a claim with insurance.

On average, women see premiums about $5 per month less expensive with American Family, and around $30 cheaper with Le Mars when compared to their male counterparts.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, American Family offers the most affordable average rates for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $106 a month and women save about $82 with American Family compared to the average Le Mars policyholder.

American Family vs. Le Mars: 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 can be pretty complicated. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different coverages and terms that it can be hard to find the right policy for you.

Even so, most policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability coverage (which provides property damage and bodily injury coverage for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which usually refers to having collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to what you get with a liability policy).

When it comes to state minimum liability insurance, Le Mars has the edge, while American Family offers the cheapest average prices for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Policyholders looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $20 with Le Mars Insurance Company, while full coverage comes out to be around $200 cheaper with American Family Insurance.

Is American Family or Le Mars Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

It's no secret secret that speeding tickets and at-fault collisions lead to higher premiums, but which company -- American Family or Le Mars -- has the lowest rates for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers who use American Family for their car insurance can generally expect their monthly bill to go up about 20% after getting a speeding ticket. Le Mars policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of around 23%.

But American Family has less expensive prices for drivers in both categories -- their rates are around 14% more affordable for drivers with clean records and 18% cheaper for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their auto insurance through American Family can expect to see about an $20 -- or around 14% -- rise in their insurance rates. Drivers who use Le Mars for their car insurance will see a monthly bill about $48 (or 26%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their insurance carrier.

At the end of the day, American Family offers the most affordable premiums for drivers with an at-fault collision on their records, with average prices coming in at $138 compared to Le Mars Insurance Company's $186.

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 auto insurance bill -- usually a lot more than a collision or ticket. Le Mars drivers usually see a 68% climb in their insurance rates after a DUI charge, while American Family will typically raise prices by around 25%.

American Family has the overall cheapest premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $158 monthly, but it's worth noting that American Family's average rates come from 16 states compared to just one for Le Mars, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact American Family and Le Mars Rates?

You may not realized it, but your credit score can come into play when carriers determine your monthly bill. 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.

The reasoning auto insurance carriers use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so normally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with less expensive prices.

Looking specifically at American Family and Le Mars, which carrier has the best premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, American Family will generally reward you the most. For drivers with "excellent" credit scores, American Family comes in more than 25.93 more affordable. Drivers with "good" credit scores usually save about 33% with American Family compared to average rates from Le Mars.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

American Family typically offers lower premiums than Le Mars when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around 36% per month less with American Family compared to Le Mars, and those with "poor" scores generally save an average of about 50% a month.

Is American Family or Le Mars Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in your monthly rates. Normally, those who drive less will end up with less expensive prices since there's less of a chance of causing an accident and filing an insurance claim.

For both remote workers and those taking short commutes, American Family tends to be the more affordable option. Le Mars's average rates for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in more than $80 more expensive than American Family. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay over $100 more with Le Mars over American Family.

American Family or Le Mars: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can have a substantial impact on your monthly car insurance payment. Typically, those who live in rural areas will pay less than policyholders in urban areas since there are a lot fewer cars on the roads where they live.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, American Family normally comes out as the lowest option for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, American Family Insurance's average rates are around $124 less than Le Mars Insurance Company. People who live in suburban areas pay about $45 less with American Family compared to Le Mars. Those in rural areas can expect to save around $114 with American Family compared to Le Mars.

American Family vs. Le Mars Discounts

No matter why you might be in the market for a new auto 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 utilizing as many car insurance discounts as possible.

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.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and compared all of the different discounts offered by American Family and Le Mars so that you can see which company can save you the most money each month.

Looking at the total number of discounts, American Family has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Le Mars offers a grand total of 17 discounts, while American Family has 21.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but American Family also offers discounts for connect partner, COVID-19 relief, defensive driver, and more.

On the other hand, Le Mars has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like ABS discounts, driver training discounts, family discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is American Family or Le Mars Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your insurance prices. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, is American Family or Le Mars the best carrier for you and your specific profile and needs?

American Family might be best for you if....

• You already have plans to move to another state -- Le Mars Insurance Company is only available in IA.
• You have less-than-stellar credit.
• You drive fewer than 6,000 miles each year.

Le Mars might be best for you if...

• You like the personalized touch of a small, local company.
• You're looking for the best premiums on liability only coverage.

Hopefully, this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare American Family and Le Mars. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of companies, not just American Family and Le Mars. 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 auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

American Family vs. Le Mars FAQs

Is American Family or Le Mars cheaper?

American Family is the cheaper of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $140 a month with American Family and $234 for Le Mars. Even so, that doesn't mean American Family will be the most affordable carrier for every driver, since there are lots of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, American Family or Le Mars?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No single company is "better" for everyone -- it all comes down to what your unique car insurance profile looks like.

Why do American Family and Le Mars offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers use several different variables when determining the premiums they charge. Things such as age, gender, your driving record, where you park your vehicle, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both American Family and Le Mars calculate rates using different factors, so it's likely they'll offer different prices. The best way to determine which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different companies.

How do I know if American Family or Le Mars is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple carriers 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 quotes from dozens of your local top insurance companies for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't American Family or Le Mars 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.