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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, American Select offers significantly more affordable premiums than Meemic
• American Select offers more affordable prices for single people who will be the only person on the auto insurance policy
• American Select offers less expensive average rates for policyholders who have a short commute

American Select or Meemic: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching to a new insurance policy. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering huge savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to American Select or Meemic as your top options, but which one has cheaper premiums for insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Meemic is quite a bit more expensive than American Select, with prices averaging $281 a month compared to just $170 with American Select.

Even so, that doesn't necessarily mean American Select will be the less expensive option for every single driver. Car insurance carriers vary their rates depending on things like where you live, how clean your driving record is, how old you are, how good your credit score is, and a variety of other factors, so premiums will change quite a bit from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both American Select and Meemic by a variety of different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

American Select vs. Meemic: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

American Select and Meemic only compete against each other in Michigan, where American Select offers the cheaper average premiums. American Select drivers tend to pay about $68 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Meemic for their insurance.

That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your car insurance cost than just where you call home. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance prices of any group out there on the road. Generally, that'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 that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high insurance rates. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have American Select for their car insurance pay almost 25% less than those who use Meemic.

But with both companies, you'll see your premiums reduce significantly by the time you turn 25. Meemic offers the steepest reduction, with 25-year-olds paying a third less what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, American Select still has the cheapest prices at $165 per month.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age typically enjoy some of the lowest auto insurance premiums you'll ever find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which usually reduces their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise rates.

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between American Select and Meemic? American Select gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $143 cheaper than the national average for Meemic.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance premiums are normally more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married policyholders? That's because policies for married drivers usually cover multiple vehicles, which lots of carriers will give you a discount for.

For single drivers, the difference in average prices between these two companies is significant, with American Select premiums coming in at a third less than Meemic's. The advantage for married couples with American Select is also obvious, where drivers save around $100 a month.

American Select or Meemic: Average Rates by Gender

You may not know, but men typically pay more for car insurance than women do. That's because men are more likely to get into accidents and get tickets, which raises the chances of filing a claim with insurance.

With American Select, women generally pay about $1 per month less than men; and with Meemic, both genders end up paying the same monthly price.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, American Select comes out as the most affordable option for both genders. On average, women save about $111 a month and men save around $110 with American Select compared to the average Meemic policyholder.

American Select vs. Meemic: 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.

Auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. Everyone needs insurance, but there are so many different coverages and terms that it can be hard to find the right policy for you.

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 a collision) and full coverage (which includes collision and comprehensive coverages that protect your own car, in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

Looking specifically at state minimum limits for liability insurance, American Select has the significant edge, with average monthly prices coming in at $90. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, American Select again has the edge, with policies averaging about $251 per month to Meemic's $361.

Is American Select or Meemic 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 accidents and speeding tickets on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the cheapest rates to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use American Select for their auto insurance can normally expect their monthly bill to go up around 21% after getting a speeding ticket. Meemic policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 36%.

But American Select has more affordable premiums for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are 34% and 46% less expensive, respectively, compared to Meemic Insurance Company.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

American Select drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their rates climb by over 25%, while those who have insurance through Meemic will see around a 30% increase.

At the end of the day, drivers who use American Select end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with average prices coming in at $158 compared to Meemic Insurance Company's $250.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

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. Meemic drivers usually see a 58% raise in their insurance rates after a DUI charge, while American Select will usually increase premiums by about 55%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable prices, American Select tends to be cheaper for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $258 to Meemic's $421.

How does Credit Score Impact American Select and Meemic Rates?

Did you know many car insurance companies take your credit score into account when determining rates? This isn't true for everyone (for example, California and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for several policyholders.

Auto insurance carriers argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, drivers with good credit will often be rewarded with more affordable premiums.

So, which company offers the best prices for policyholders with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Michigan is one of a just a few states that restricts insurance companies from using credit scores to determine rates. And since Meemic is only available in Michigan, there is no data available on how credit score impacts premiums because it's not a factor at all. This may be a good thing, since American Select and other carriers tend to increase prices quite a bit in other states if you don't have excellent credit.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have less-than-stellar credit and live in Michigan, the good news is it won't cost you extra when it comes to car insurance. As you can see, poor credit can really cost American Select drivers in other states, but no need to worry if you live in Michigan.

Is American Select or Meemic 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 auto insurance companies will charge for coverage? That's because the fewer miles you put on your vehicle each year, the less likely you are to be in an accident and file an insurance claim.

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

American Select or Meemic: 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 car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a substantial impact as well. Generally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than drivers in rural areas since there are a lot more vehicles on the road where they live, which increases the chances of an accident.

American Select tends to offer the lowest rates for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, American Select Insurance Company's average premiums are about $117 less than Meemic Insurance Company. People who live in suburban areas pay around $123 less with American Select compared to Meemic. Those in rural areas can expect to save about $92 with American Select compared to Meemic.

American Select vs. Meemic 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 insurance discounts as possible.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to find all the ones you can take advantage of or to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and looked at all of the different discounts American Select and Meemic offer their customers so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

American Select blows Meemic away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 12 more discounts than Meemic.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but American Select also offers discounts for ABS, account relationship, advance quote, and more.

On the other hand, Meemic has a proprietary discount of their own -- a employee discounts.

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

So, we've broken down the average prices for many of the variables car insurance companies look at, and walked through the different discounts each carrier offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which company is the right carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

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

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• You want the most robust protection via a "full coverage" policy.
• You're married and plan to have both of your names on the vehicle's auto insurance policy.

Meemic might be best for you if...

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

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between American Select and Meemic. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your 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 carriers, not just American Select and Meemic. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in your area, all for free.

American Select vs. Meemic FAQs

Is American Select or Meemic cheaper?

American Select is the less expensive of the two carriers when looking at national average rates, with policies averaging $170 per month with American Select and $281 for Meemic. That being said, that doesn't mean American Select will be the cheapest carrier for every driver, since there are a bunch of different factors (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, American Select or Meemic?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No one company is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do American Select and Meemic offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies use quite a few different variables when calculating the premiums they charge. Factors such as age, where you call home, gender, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both American Select and Meemic calculate rates using different formulas, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different carriers.

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

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your information once and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance carriers for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't American Select or Meemic 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.