Auto-owners vs. Partners Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Partners Mutual offers significantly cheaper premiums than Auto-owners
• Auto-owners offers more discounts than Partners Mutual Insurance
• Partners Mutual offers more affordable prices for residents of suburban areas

Auto-owners vs. Partners Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering large discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Auto-owners or Partners Mutual, but which one has more affordable rates for insurance?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Partners Mutual has average rates that are about 30% per month less expensive than those from Auto-owners.

However, that doesn't mean Partners Mutual will necessarily be cheaper than Auto-owners for each driver. Car insurance carriers vary their premiums depending on things like how clean your driving record is, where you live, how old you are, how good your credit score is, and all sorts of other factors, so prices will vary quite a bit from person to person.

Wanting to know if Auto-owners or Partners Mutual is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average premiums can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

Auto-owners or Partners Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Auto-owners and Partners Mutual only compete against each other in Iowa, where Auto-owners offers the cheaper average rates. For Iowa residents, Auto-owners offers insurance for $118 a month on average. Partners Mutual's average prices come out to be more expensive, at $123 per month.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your auto insurance bill than just the state you live in. Continue reading to see how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance rates of any other group of drivers out there on the road. It's 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 premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Partners Mutual save $150 a month compared to those who use Auto-owners. It's worth noting that Auto-owners offers car insurance in 23 different states compared to Partners Mutual's one, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

That being said, with both companies, you'll see your rates drop significantly once you turn 25. For example, average prices for Auto-owners policyholders reduce nearly $250 and Partners Mutual's premiums lower around $150 over that time.

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 most affordable prices you can find.

When looking at Auto-owners and Partners Mutual specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? Partners Mutual gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older more than 25% less expensive than the national average for Auto-owners.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance premiums are generally more affordable for married drivers than they are for single drivers? This usually boils down to married couples having more than one car on their policy -- something several auto insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Partners Mutual is the clear winner for those who are single, with prices about $73 per month less expensive than Auto-owners, on average. The advantage for married policyholders with Partners Mutual is also obvious, where drivers save almost $35 a month.

Auto-owners vs. Partners Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident. That means when it comes to car insurance men will normally end up paying a little more.

Generally, women see premiums around 6% per month less with Auto-owners, and about 6% less with Partners Mutual when compared to their male counterparts.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Partners Mutual comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $58 a month and women save around $55 with Partners Mutual compared to the average Auto-owners policyholder.

Auto-owners or Partners 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, insurance can be pretty complicated. Everyone needs auto insurance, but there are so many different terms and coverages that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides property damage and bodily injury coverage for other drivers and their passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Partners Mutual usually offers significantly cheaper rates of $52 compared to Auto-owners's $99. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Partners Mutual again has the edge, with policies about $65 per month more affordable than Auto-owners, on average.

Is Auto-owners or Partners Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

You'll probably end up paying more with at-fault accidents and tickets on your record, but which of these two companies offers the cheapest prices to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Auto-owners policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $44 a month if they get a ticket, while Partners Mutual typically raises rates around $16 per month, on average.

But Partners Mutual is generally the less expensive option for drivers both with a speeding ticket and with a clean record, offering prices that are 35% and 42% more affordable, respectively, compared to Auto-Owners Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Auto-owners drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their premiums climb by over $45, while those who have insurance through Partners Mutual will see about a $35 increase.

Overall, the cheaper rates come from Partners Mutual, with monthly premiums averaging $115 compared to Auto-Owners Insurance's $168.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single accident or ticket when it comes to your insurance bill. On average, Auto-owners will climb your rates around 54% after a DUI, while Partners Mutual's average prices rise by over 60%.

Partners Mutual has the overall lowest rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $203 monthly, but it's worth noting that Auto-owners's average rates come from 23 states compared to just one for Partners Mutual, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Auto-owners and Partners Mutual Rates?

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

Car 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 best prices for drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Partners Mutual. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save 3% compared to Auto-owners, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $21 or 16% less expensive every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Partners Mutual typically offers lower rates than Auto-owners when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $50 a month less with Partners Mutual compared to Auto-owners, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about $151 per month.

Is Auto-owners or Partners 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 pretty big impact on how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage? That's because the fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to get into a collision and cause an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Partners Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for Auto-owners, with policyholders who drive the least paying around $1 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Partners Mutual is the more affordable option for drivers in both categories.

Auto-owners vs. Partners 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 car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a sizable impact as well. Typically, drivers who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban policyholders because of the small number of cars that are on the roads in those areas.

Partners Mutual tends to offer the lowest premiums for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, Partners Mutual Insurance's average rates are about $62 less than Auto-Owners Insurance. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $61 less with Partners Mutual compared to Auto-owners. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $46 with Partners Mutual compared to Auto-owners.

Auto-owners vs. Partners Mutual 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 difficult to find all the ones you're eligible for or to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Auto-owners and Partners Mutual 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.

Auto-owners knocks Partners Mutual out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 16 more discounts than Partners Mutual.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Auto-owners also offers company car discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, defensive driver discounts, and more that Partners Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Partners Mutual has a unique discount of its own -- a ESC discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Auto-owners or Partners Mutual Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your car insurance prices. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which insurance company is the best carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Partners Mutual might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing auto insurance by yourself.
• You're worried about the impact your credit score will have on your rates.
• You live in a rural area.

Auto-owners might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national insurance carrier.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Auto-owners and Partners Mutual and that you can now make a more informed 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 several companies, not just Auto-owners and Partners Mutual. Luckily, Compare.com makes 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.

Auto-owners vs. Partners Mutual FAQs

Is Auto-owners or Partners Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Partners Mutual is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $123 per month compared to $179 for Auto-owners. Even so, Partners Mutual won't necessarily be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are lots of different factors that come into play when it comes to your auto insurance cost.

Who is better, Auto-owners or Partners Mutual?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for every driver -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile.

Why do Auto-owners and Partners Mutual offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at many different variables when determining the prices they charge drivers. Factors such as gender, age, where you live, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Auto-owners and Partners Mutual calculate rates using different formulas, 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 a range of different companies.

How do I know if Auto-owners or Partners Mutual 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, 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 auto insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Auto-owners or Partners 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.