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

Quick Facts

• In general, Cig offers significantly less expensive prices than American Select
• Cig has more affordable premiums for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• Cig offers more affordable rates for policyholders who have a short commute

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

Are you considering a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering sizable discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

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

As you can see, Cig is quite a bit cheaper than American Select, with prices averaging $119 per month compared to $170 with American Select when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

That being said, Cig may not be the lowest or best option for every driver out there. After all, car insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your credit score, your age, your driving record, or even where you call home (among other things), so premiums will vary quite a bit from person to person.

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

American Select or Cig: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

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

There are plenty of other factors that go into your car insurance bill than just where you call home. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- typically pay a lot for auto insurance compared to older drivers. The reason is that young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

Even so, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high insurance prices. As you can see above, teens who use Cig save more than $70 a month compared to those who use American Select.

But both carriers will drop rates once you turn 25. For example, average prices for American Select policyholders lower over 45% and Cig's rates reduce more than 50% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll generally enjoy the most affordable 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 auto insurance.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between American Select and Cig? Cig gets the edge here, with average premiums coming in at about $86 per month compared to American Select's $136.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

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

When it comes to relationship status, Cig is the clear winner for those who are single, with prices around $52 per month less expensive than American Select, on average. For married couples, the advantage is clear again - Cig has the edge when it comes to average premiums.

American Select vs. Cig: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents, which means they'll usually end up paying more for auto insurance than women.

With American Select, men normally pay about 1% more a month than women., while with Cig, the difference is closer to 3% per month.

When it comes to the cheapest rates for each gender, Cig comes out on top for both men and women, with average premiums 29% less for men and 31% cheaper for women.

American Select or Cig: 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 car insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different terms and coverages that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common 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 an accident) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Cig normally offers more affordable prices of $71 compared to American Select's $90. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Cig again has the edge, with policies around $85 a month less expensive than American Select, on average.

Is American Select or Cig 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 tickets and accidents lead to higher rates, but which company -- American Select or Cig -- has the most affordable prices for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

American Select policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $32 per month if they get a ticket, while Cig typically raises rates about $24 a month, on average.

However, Cig is usually the cheaper option for drivers both with a speeding ticket and with a clean record, offering prices that are $29 and $37 less expensive, respectively, compared to American Select Insurance Company.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will increase premiums pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with American Select increasing by over $40. Cig has a less extreme climb, but you can still expect to pay $30 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, the cheaper rates come from Cig, with monthly prices averaging $118 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 -- generally a lot more than a collision or ticket. On average, American Select will increase your premiums around 55% after a DUI, while Cig's average rates climb by just under 45%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Cig tends to be the much more affordable option with average premiums of $157 monthly compared to $258 from American Select.

How does Credit Score Impact American Select and Cig Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance companies take into account your credit score when calculating rates? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it will come into play for a lot of drivers.

The reasoning insurance companies use is that policyholders 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 premiums.

Looking at American Select and Cig specifically, which one has the cheapest prices for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is American Select or Cig 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 pretty big impact on your monthly auto insurance cost? Usually, the more miles you put on your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for car 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 small difference in monthly premiums for Cig, with policyholders who drive the least paying about $12 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Cig is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

American Select vs. Cig: 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 insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a considerable impact as well. Typically, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas due to the number of cars that are on the roads in those areas.

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

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay around $106 a month with Cig and $156 with American Select. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay a monthly rate of about $123 with Cig compared to $150 with American Select. For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Cig's average prices are around $128 per month compared to American Select's $205.

American Select vs. Cig Discounts

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

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be challenging to find all the ones you're eligible for.

Below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts American Select and Cig offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Overall, Cig comes out ahead with 25 discounts to American Select's 20.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Cig also offers employee discounts, good driving discounts, good payer discounts, and more that American Select does not.

On the flip side, American Select has a couple unique discounts of its own -- account relationship discounts, agency transfer discounts, companion auto discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is American Select or Cig Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average rates for many of the factors car insurance carriers look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each carrier offers. But, when it comes down to it, which company is the best carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Cig might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing insurance by yourself.
• You already have a great credit score.
• You don't spend much time in your car.

American Select might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between American Select and Cig and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just American Select and Cig. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best insurance carriers in your area, all for free.

American Select vs. Cig FAQs

Is American Select or Cig cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Cig is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $119 a month compared to $170 for American Select. That being said, Cig won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for everyone, since there are several different variables that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance payment.

Who is better, American Select or Cig?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither company is necessarily "better" for each driver -- it all boils down to your unique car insurance profile.

Why do American Select and Cig offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different factors when determining the rates they charge drivers. Things such as gender, your driving record, age, where you call home, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both American Select and Cig calculate premiums differently, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different companies.

How do I know if American Select or Cig 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 does all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be American Select or Cig 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.