American Select vs. Atlantic States: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Atlantic States offers slightly cheaper premiums than American Select
• American Select offers more discounts than Atlantic States Insurance Company
• Atlantic States has more affordable prices for people who are single and purchasing insurance by yourself

American Select vs. Atlantic States: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

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

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to American Select or Atlantic States as your top options, but which carrier will save you the most?

As you can see, Atlantic States is about $10 per month less expensive than American Select when looking at the national average rates for car insurance.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean Atlantic States will be the cheaper option for every driver. Auto insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how good your credit score is, how old you are, where you live, how clean your driving record is, and tons of other factors, so rates could change drastically from person to person.

Wanting to know if American Select or Atlantic States is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

American Select or Atlantic States: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

American Select and Atlantic States only compete against each other in two states, with American Select offering more affordable premiums to the average driver in all of them. Ohio has the most noticable difference, where American Select rates are over 30% less expensive than insurance prices at Atlantic States.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance bill than just where you live. 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 typically because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

However, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance rates. As you can see above, teens who use Atlantic States save nearly $15 a month compared to those who use American Select.

Even so, both carriers will offer you dramatically lower premiums by the time you turn 25. For example, average prices for American Select policyholders decrease almost $150 and Atlantic States's rates drop around $150 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? Atlantic States gets the edge here, with average prices coming in at about $119 per month compared to American Select's $136.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but auto insurance premiums tend to be more expensive for those who are single than they are for married couples. This usually boils down to married drivers having several cars on their policy -- something lots of insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, the two carriers are comparable for single drivers, with rates only differing around $5 per month, on average. The advantage for married policyholders is more obvious, where drivers who use Atlantic States save nearly 15% a month.

American Select vs. Atlantic States: Average Rates by Gender

Because men are more likely to get into accidents and get tickets, they are more likely to file a claim with insurance. Therefore, insurance companies will tend to offer men more expensive prices.

On average, men see premiums about 1% per month higher with American Select, while with Atlantic States, the difference is closer to 8% a month.

When it comes to the most affordable prices for each gender, Atlantic States offers the lowest average premiums for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $4 per month and women save around $17 with Atlantic States compared to the average American Select policyholder.

American Select or Atlantic States: 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.

It's no secret that auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different limits and coverages that it can be hard to find the right policy.

But the most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Atlantic States normally offers slightly cheaper rates of $85 compared to American Select's $90. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Atlantic States again has the edge, with policies about $15 a month less expensive than American Select, on average.

Is American Select or Atlantic States 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.

It's no secret secret that accidents and tickets lead to higher premiums, but which carrier -- American Select or Atlantic States -- has the cheapest prices for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

American Select policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $32 per month if they get a ticket, while Atlantic States generally raises prices around $6 a month, on average.

That being said, Atlantic States has more affordable rates for drivers in both categories, offering premiums that are $1 and $27 cheaper, respectively, compared to American Select Insurance Company.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

American Select drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their prices rise by over 25%, while those who have insurance through Atlantic States will see about a 25% increase.

Overall, drivers who use Atlantic States end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly premiums averaging $153 compared to American Select Insurance Company's $158.

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 insurance bill -- normally a lot more than an accident or speeding ticket. For example, American Select increases average rates by just under $150 per month -- that's just under a 55% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Atlantic States tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $250 monthly compared to $258 from American Select.

How does Credit Score Impact American Select and Atlantic States Rates?

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

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

So, which company offers the best rates for drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is American Select or Atlantic States Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a considerable impact on your monthly car insurance payment. Typically, the more miles you drive, the more you can expect to pay for auto insurance.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much American Select charges. However, there's a pretty significant difference in monthly premiums for Atlantic States, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicle every year paying around $18 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Atlantic States is the more affordable option for drivers in both categories.

American Select vs. Atlantic States: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can play a big role in how much you pay for insurance. Usually, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

American Select vs. Atlantic States Discounts

Regardless of 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 possible, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be challenging 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 broken down all of the different discounts offered by both American Select and Atlantic States so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Looking at the total number of discounts, American Select comes out ahead with 20 discounts to Atlantic States's 19.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but American Select also offers account relationship discounts, agency transfer discounts, companion auto discounts, and more that Atlantic States does not.

On the flip side, Atlantic States has a couple unique discounts of its own -- discounts for being a good driver, hybrid vehicle discounts, marital status discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is American Select or Atlantic States Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your car insurance prices. We've shown you all the discounts each company offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, which carrier is the best company for you and your specific profile and needs?

Atlantic States might be best for you if....

• You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" auto insurance.
• You're buying car insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

American Select might be best for you if...

• You have above-average credit.
• You care about discounts (American Select offers the most).
• Your neighborhood is in a city.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare American Select and Atlantic States and that it aids in making a more informed 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 insurance policy is to compare quotes from multiple companies, not just American Select and Atlantic States. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best auto insurance carriers in your area, all for free.

American Select vs. Atlantic States FAQs

Is American Select or Atlantic States cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Atlantic States is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $160 a month compared to $170 for American Select. But Atlantic States won't necessarily be the most affordable company for everyone, since there are multiple different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, American Select or Atlantic States?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". Neither carrier is necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all comes down to what your unique car insurance profile looks like. For example, Atlantic States offers more affordable rates for drivers with a recent DUI, while American Select is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do American Select and Atlantic States offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different variables when determining the prices they charge policyholders. Things like your driving record, age, where you live, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both American Select and Atlantic States use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different companies.

How do I know if American Select or Atlantic States is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from several 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 area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And who knows, the best company for you might not be American Select or Atlantic States 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.