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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for auto insurance, American Select offers significantly more affordable premiums than Safe Auto
• American Select has cheaper prices for policyholders who drive a short distance to work everyday
• Safe Auto tends to be a much less expensive option for drivers with a DUI charge on their record

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

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

You've maybe even narrowed it down to American Select or Safe Auto as potential options, but which one will save you the most?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Safe Auto has average rates that are about 24% per month more expensive than those from American Select.

However, American Select may not be the most affordable or best option for every driver out there. Car insurance carriers vary their rates depending on things like how good your credit score is, where you live, how old you are, how clean your driving record is, and a variety of other factors, so prices will change quite a bit from person to person.

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

American Select or Safe Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

American Select and Safe Auto compete against each other in four states, with American Select offering cheaper rates to the average driver in all of them. Pennsylvania has the most noticable difference, where American Select premiums are over 20% more affordable than auto insurance prices at Safe Auto.

But there's more to insurance than just where you call home. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how car insurance companies calculate your rates. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- normally pay a lot for insurance compared to older drivers. It's usually because 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 teen drivers can't still save money on their auto insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $150 less a month by choosing American Select over Safe Auto.

That being said, both carriers will lower prices once you turn 25. For example, average premiums for American Select policyholders reduce almost $150 and Safe Auto's prices drop around $250 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between American Select and Safe Auto? American Select gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $43 less expensive than the national average for Safe Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance rates are generally cheaper for married drivers than they are for single policyholders? That's usually because married policyholders tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, American Select is the clear winner for those who are single, with prices about $68 per month less expensive than Safe Auto, on average. The advantage for married couples with American Select is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 20% a month.

American Select vs. Safe Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding, which means they'll normally end up paying more for insurance than women.

Normally, women see premiums around 1% per month less with American Select, and about 7% less with Safe Auto when compared to their male counterparts.

Looking at overall affordability, American Select comes out on top for both men and women, with average rates 26% less for men and 21% cheaper for women.

American Select or Safe Auto: 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. There are so many different coverages and limits that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

But most 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 a collision) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages alongside what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, American Select typically offers significantly more affordable premiums of $90 compared to Safe Auto's $126. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, American Select again has the edge, with policies around $70 a month cheaper than Safe Auto, on average.

Is American Select or Safe Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from car insurance companies offering great rates for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

You'll probably end up paying more with at-fault accidents and tickets on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the lowest prices to 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 Safe Auto normally raises prices about $40 a month, on average.

That being said, American Select has more affordable rates for drivers in both categories, offering premiums that are $63 and $71 less expensive, respectively, compared to Safe Auto.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their insurance through American Select can expect to see around an $41 -- or about 26% -- increase in their auto insurance prices. Drivers who use Safe Auto for their car insurance will see a monthly bill around $66 (or 27%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their auto insurance carrier.

Overall, American Select offers the most affordable rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $158 compared to Safe Auto's $246.

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 speeding ticket or even a collision. American Select drivers usually see a 55% climb in their car insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Safe Auto will typically raise prices by about 27%.

How does Credit Score Impact American Select and Safe Auto Rates?

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

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

So, which company offers the cheapest premiums for policyholders with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is American Select or Safe Auto Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a sizable impact on your monthly insurance bill. Usually, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper prices since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither American Select or Safe Auto report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. That being said, American Select comes out as the lowest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle every year, with average prices of $170 per month for both.

American Select vs. Safe Auto: 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 considerable impact as well. Generally, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, American Select typically comes out as the cheapest option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, American Select's average premiums are around $205 while Safe Auto offers rates about $271. People in suburban areas pay around $150 with American Select compared to Safe Auto's $200 a month. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay about $156 monthly with American Select and $197 with Safe Auto.

American Select vs. Safe Auto Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? 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 nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you can take advantage of.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both American Select and Safe Auto so that you can see which carrier offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

American Select blows Safe Auto away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 20 different discounts to Safe Auto's 14.

Both carriers offer lots of the same discounts -- like anti-theft discounts, discounts for getting driver training, and paid in full discounts -- but American Select also offers ABS discounts, account relationship discounts, advance quote discounts, and more that Safe Auto does not.

On the flip side, Safe Auto has a couple unique discounts of its own -- claim free discounts, discounts for being a homeowner, military discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is American Select or Safe Auto Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average premiums for many of the factors car insurance companies look at, and walked through the different discounts each company offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, is American Select or Safe Auto the best company for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

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

• You already have a great credit score.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" auto insurance.
• Your neighborhood is in a rural area.

Safe Auto might be best for you if...

• You're planning on moving to another state soon -- undefined is only available to residents.
• You have a DUI charge on your record.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between American Select and Safe Auto. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about 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 insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of carriers, not just American Select and Safe Auto. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

American Select vs. Safe Auto FAQs

Is American Select or Safe Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, American Select is the less expensive of the two carriers, offering average rates of $170 a month compared to $223 for Safe Auto. However, American Select won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for each driver, since there are many different variables (things like gender, age, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, American Select or Safe Auto?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither company is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique auto insurance profile looks like. For example, Safe Auto offers more affordable rates for drivers with a recent DUI, while American Select is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do American Select and Safe Auto offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at many different factors when determining the prices they charge drivers. Variables like your driving record, age, where your home is, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both American Select and Safe Auto calculate premiums using different factors, 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 several different carriers.

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

The only way to find the car insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be American Select or Safe Auto 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.