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

So, you're in the market for a new auto insurance policy. You may have even narrowed down your search to American Select and Cincinatti Financial. But which of these two companies is the best one for you? Read on to find which company has the best premiums and biggest discounts.
Newly insured car driving down the road
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Quick Facts

  • Looking at the national averages for insurance, American Select offers cheaper rates than Cincinatti Financial
  • American Select has less expensive prices for policyholders who haven't received any speeding tickets or been in an accident in the last few years
  • Cincinatti Financial tends to be a much more affordable option for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years


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

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

You might have narrowed it down to American Select or Cincinatti Financial, but between the two, which company will save you the most?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
$170$200

Looking at nationwide averages, American Select is about $30 per month cheaper than Cincinatti Financial.

However, that doesn't mean American Select will necessarily be less expensive than Cincinatti Financial for each driver. Car insurance companies use all sorts of complex algorithms to calculate rates, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among an array of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both American Select and Cincinatti Financial by many different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

American Select or Cincinatti Financial: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

State American Select Cincinatti Financial
KY$253$218
OH$122$147
TN$133$194

American Select and Cincinatti Financial only compete against each other in three states, with Cincinatti Financial offering more affordable premiums to the average driver in all of them. Tennessee has the most noticable difference, where American Select rates are over 40% cheaper than insurance prices at Cincinatti Financial.

There's a lot more that goes into your auto insurance bill than just your home state. Keep reading to find out more.


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Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
18-year-old drivers$311$496
25-year-old drivers$165$193

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance rates of any group on the road. 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 that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $200 less a month by choosing American Select over Cincinatti Financial.

Even so, both carriers will lower premiums once you turn 25. For example, average prices for American Select policyholders decrease almost $150 and Cincinatti Financial's rates reduce more than $300 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
65+-year-old drivers$136$122

Drivers around retirement age usually enjoy some of the most affordable auto insurance prices out there. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which typically decreases their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase premiums.

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? Cincinatti Financial gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $14 more affordable than the national average for American Select.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Single$191$242
Married$143$143

You may not be aware, but car insurance premiums tend to be less expensive for married policyholders than they are for single drivers. This usually boils down to married couples having more than one car on their policy -- something many auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, American Select is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates around $51 per month more affordable than Cincinatti Financial, on average. But for married drivers, that advantage is much less clear - American Select has the edge when it comes to average premiums , but the difference is less than $5.

American Select vs. Cincinatti Financial: Average Rates by Gender

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Male$171$206
Female$170$193

Because men are more likely to get tickets and get into accidents, they are more likely to file a claim with insurance. Therefore, insurance carriers will often charge men more than women.

Men normally pay about 1% more a month than women with American Select, and around 6% with Cincinatti Financial.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, American Select comes out as the lowest option for both genders, with average prices 17% less for men and 12% cheaper for women.


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American Select or Cincinatti Financial: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

American Select Cincinatti Financial
State Minimum*$90$106
Full Coverage**$251$293

*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, insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are multiple 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 a collision.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which provides property damage and bodily injury coverage for other drivers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, American Select generally offers less expensive premiums of $90 compared to Cincinatti Financial's $106. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, American Select again has the edge, with policies about $40 per month cheaper than Cincinatti Financial, on average.

Is American Select or Cincinatti Financial 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 at-fault collisions and tickets lead to higher prices, but which company -- American Select or Cincinatti Financial -- has the cheapest rates for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Clean Record$117$122
1 Speeding Ticket$149$143

American Select policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $32 a month if they get a ticket, while Cincinatti Financial normally raises premiums around $21 per month, on average.

If you have a clean record, American Select tends to offer the best rates at about 4% less expensive, while Cincinatti Financial has the edge for drivers with a speeding ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Clean Record$117$122
1 At-Fault Accident$158$214

Both companies will raise prices pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with Cincinatti Financial climbing by over $90. American Select has a less extreme climb, but you can still expect to pay more than $40 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, American Select offers the most affordable premiums for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly rates averaging $158 compared to Cincinatti Financial's $214.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Clean Record$117$122
1 DUI$258$320

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple ticket or even a collision. On average, Cincinatti Financial will increase your prices around 62% after a DUI, while American Select's average premiums rise by just under 55%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, American Select tends to be the much more affordable option with average premiums of $258 a month compared to $320 from Cincinatti Financial.


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How does Credit Score Impact American Select and Cincinatti Financial Rates?

Did you know that many insurance carriers take your credit score into account when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (Massachusetts, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it might come into play for several drivers.

Car 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 carrier offers the lowest rates for policyholders with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Excellent Credit Score$107$147
Good Credit Score$133$172

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Fair Credit Score$169$198
Poor Credit Score$273$281

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Is American Select or Cincinatti Financial Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

American Select Cincinatti Financial
6,000 Annual Miles$170$200
12,000 Annual Miles$170$200

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in your monthly insurance cost. Usually, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither American Select or Cincinatti Financial report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. American Select comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car every year, with average prices of $170 a month for both.

American Select vs. Cincinatti Financial: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a substantial impact on your monthly auto insurance payment. Generally, drivers who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban policyholders due to the small number of vehicles that are on the roads in those areas.

American Select Cincinatti Financial
Urban Areas$205$220
Suburban Areas$150$197
Rural Areas$156$182

American Select boasts the lowest average rates 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 save about $26 with American Select compared to Cincinatti Financial. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $47 less with American Select compared to Cincinatti Financial. In urban areas, American Select Insurance Company's average premiums are about $15 less than Cincinatti Financial.

American Select vs. Cincinatti Financial 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. That's where insurance discounts comes into play.

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

In the section below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both American Select and Cincinatti Financial so that you can find the carrier that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

American Select Cincinatti Financial
ABS Discount 
Account Relationship Discount 
Advance Quote Discount
Agency Transfer Discount 
Anti-Theft Discount
Companion Auto Discount 
Company Car Discount 
Covid-19 Relief Discount 
Defensive Driver Discount
Distant Student Discount 
Driver Training Discount 
Family Discount 
Good Student Discount
Group Discount
Homeowner Discount 
Multi-Policy Discount
Next Generation Discount 
Paid In Full Discount
Passive Restraint Discount 
Prior Carrier Discount 

American Select blows Cincinatti Financial away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 20 different discounts to Cincinatti Financial's 10.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like anti-theft discounts, discounts for being a good student, and group discounts. American Select also offers ABS discounts, account relationship discounts, agency transfer discounts, and more that Cincinatti Financial does not.

On the flip side, Cincinatti Financial has a couple unique discounts of its own -- COVID-19 relief discount, discounts for being a homeowner, and special large ded discounts.


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Final Thoughts: Is American Select or Cincinatti Financial Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your auto insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. But, when it comes down to it, is American Select or Cincinatti Financial the best one for you and your specific profile and needs?

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

  • You haven't received any speeding tickets or been in a collision in the last few years.
  • You want basic car insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
  • You are purchasing your insurance with a spouse.


Cincinatti Financial might be best for you if...

  • You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
  • You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your auto insurance.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between American Select and Cincinatti Financial. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your car 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 auto insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of companies, not just American Select and Cincinatti Financial. 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 insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.


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American Select vs. Cincinatti Financial FAQs

Is American Select or Cincinatti Financial cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, American Select is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $170 per month compared to $200 for Cincinatti Financial. That being said, American Select won't necessarily be the most affordable company for each policyholder, since there are lots of different variables (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, American Select or Cincinatti Financial?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique car insurance profile looks like. For example, American Select offers more affordable premiums for single drivers, while Cincinatti Financial is cheaper for drivers who have already retired.

Why do American Select and Cincinatti Financial offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the rates they charge policyholders. Variables like your driving record, gender, where you park your car, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both American Select and Cincinatti Financial use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different companies.

How do I know if American Select or Cincinatti Financial 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, 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 insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be American Select or Cincinatti Financial 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.

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