Atlantic States vs. Donegal Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, Atlantic States offers significantly more affordable prices than Donegal Mutual
• Atlantic States tends to be a much less expensive option for policyholders who have a short commute
• Donegal Mutual offers more discounts than Atlantic States Insurance Company

Atlantic States vs. Donegal Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering huge discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual as your top options, but between the two, which one will save you the most?

As you can see, Atlantic States is quite a bit cheaper than Donegal Mutual, with premiums averaging $160 per month compared to $290 with Donegal Mutual when looking at the national average rates for car insurance.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean Atlantic States will be the cheaper option for every driver. Auto insurance companies use a ton of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among several other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Wanting to know if Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual 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.

Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual only compete against each other in two states, with Atlantic States offering more affordable prices to the average driver in all of them. Delaware has the most noticable difference, where Atlantic States rates are over 60% cheaper than car insurance premiums at Donegal Mutual.

There's a lot more that goes into your insurance bill than just your home state. Continue reading to see how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers typically pay a lot more for car insurance than any group on the road. It's normally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high prices, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Atlantic States save nearly $350 a month compared to those who use Donegal Mutual.

But both carriers will lower rates by the time drivers turn 25. Donegal Mutual offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying less than a third of what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, Atlantic States still has the most affordable premiums at $159 monthly.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to auto insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the lowest prices you can find.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual? Atlantic States gets the edge here, with average premiums coming in at about $119 per month compared to Donegal Mutual's $212.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance prices are usually more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married couples? This usually boils down to married drivers having several cars on their policy -- something quite a few car insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Atlantic States is the clear winner for single drivers, with premiums around $158 per month less expensive than Donegal Mutual, on average. The advantage is also clear for married policyholders - Atlantic States offers the cheapest average rates.

Atlantic States vs. Donegal Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Because men are more likely to get into collisions and get speeding tickets, they run a larger risk of filing a claim with insurance. Therefore, men tend to get higher rates than women.

With Atlantic States, women generally pay almost 10% a month less than men, and about 6% less with Donegal Mutual when compared to their male counterparts.

When it comes to the most affordable prices for each gender, Atlantic States comes out as the cheapest option for both genders. On average, women save about $128 per month and men save around $132 with Atlantic States compared to the average Donegal Mutual policyholder.

Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual: 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 isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are so many different limits and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

That being said, the most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Atlantic States normally offers significantly cheaper premiums of $85 compared to Donegal Mutual's $170. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Atlantic States again has the edge, with policies about $150 a month more affordable than Donegal Mutual, on average.

Is Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

Accidents and tickets will most likely raise your rates, but is Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual less expensive for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Atlantic States policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $6 per month if they get a ticket, while Donegal Mutual typically raises prices around $47 a month, on average.

Even so, Atlantic States has cheaper rates for drivers in both categories, offering premiums that are $81 and $122 more affordable, respectively, compared to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Atlantic States drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their rates climb by just under 25%, while those who have insurance through Donegal Mutual will see about a 20% increase.

Overall, drivers who use Atlantic States end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $153 compared to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company's $245.

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 an accident. On average, Donegal Mutual will increase your rates around 58% after a DUI, while Atlantic States's average premiums increase by just under 55%.

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 a month compared to $472 from Donegal Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual Rates?

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

Insurance carriers argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time each month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

Looking specifically at Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States, which company has the best prices for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Atlantic States. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save over 35% compared to Donegal Mutual, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $95 or 40% cheaper every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Atlantic States typically offers lower rates than Donegal Mutual when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $122 per month less with Atlantic States compared to Donegal Mutual, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $225 monthly.

Is Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual 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 substantial impact on how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage? Generally, the more miles you put on your car, the more you can expect to pay for insurance.

Atlantic States tends to be the less expensive option for both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles annually, as well as those who average twice that figure. Atlantic States's average prices for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in nearly 45% more affordable than Donegal Mutual. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay more than 45% less with Atlantic States over Donegal Mutual.

Atlantic States vs. Donegal Mutual: 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 auto insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a big impact as well. Typically, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for car insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

Atlantic States tends to offer the most affordable premiums for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Atlantic States offers rates around $205 a month compared to Donegal Mutual's $445. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay about $143 a month for Atlantic States and $240 for Donegal Mutual. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the cheapest prices from both carriers, with average monthly rates coming in at $133 and $184 for Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual respectively.

Atlantic States vs. Donegal Mutual Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard 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 compared all of the different discounts offered by Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual so that you can see which carrier can save you the most money each month.

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

A couple of those are overlapping for things like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for getting driver training, and discounts for being a good student. Donegal Mutual also offers new business discounts that Atlantic States does not.

Atlantic States's discounts come through just a few categories, including ABS, Advance Quote, Anti-Theft, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual Best for You?

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

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

• You have a clean driving record, free of collisions, tickets, or DUIs.
• Your home is located in the suburbs.
• You've started working from home and don't have much of a commute.

Donegal Mutual might be best for you if...

• You care about discounts (Donegal Mutual offers the most).

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your 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 a handful of companies, not just Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual. 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 auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Atlantic States vs. Donegal Mutual FAQs

Is Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Atlantic States is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $160 per month compared to $290 for Donegal Mutual. However, Atlantic States won't necessarily be the lowest company for each driver, since there are a range of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all boils down to your unique insurance profile.

Why do Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers take a look at many different variables when determining the rates they charge policyholders. Factors such as where you live, age, where your home is, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual calculate premiums differently, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different companies.

How do I know if Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual 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 information once 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 cheapest price. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Atlantic States or Donegal Mutual 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.