California Casualty vs. Farmers Union: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Farmers Union offers slightly more affordable rates than California Casualty
• California Casualty tends to be a much cheaper option for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• Farmers Union offers less expensive average prices for people who are single and purchasing insurance by yourself

California Casualty vs. Farmers Union: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering 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 California Casualty or Farmers Union as your top options, but between the two, which one will save you the most?

As you can see, Farmers Union is about $12 per month more affordable than California Casualty when looking at the national average rates for auto insurance.

But that doesn't mean Farmers Union will necessarily be cheaper than California Casualty for every driver. Car insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, where you live, how old you are, and a ton of other factors. So, at the end of the day, rates from each carrier will differ quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of California Casualty or Farmers Union is really the best for you, keep reading to see average prices for each company broken down by a range of different rate factors.

California Casualty or Farmers Union: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

California Casualty and Farmers Union only compete against each other in one states, with Farmers Union offering less expensive premiums to the average driver in all of them. Colorado has the most noticable difference, where Farmers Union rates are over 10% cheaper than insurance prices at California Casualty.

But there's more to auto insurance than just the state you live in. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how car insurance carriers calculate your rates. Keep reading 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. The reason is that 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. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $55 less a month by choosing Farmers Union over California Casualty.

However, both companies will offer you dramatically lower premiums once you turn 25. Farmers Union offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. California Casualty's average rates reduce nearly 60% during that same period.

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 cheapest prices you'll ever see.

But who has the best premiums for retired drivers between California Casualty and Farmers Union? Farmers Union gets the slight edge here, with average prices coming in at around $148 per month compared to California Casualty's $149. That being said, the difference is only about 5%, so other factors will likely come into play when determining which carrier has the most affordable rates for you.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

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

If you're in the market for auto insurance, Farmers Union tends to have the lowest average rates regardless of relationship status, with prices around 4% less expensive for married couples and about 7% more affordable for single drivers.

California Casualty vs. Farmers Union: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into accidents and file an insurance claim, which means they'll generally end up paying more for insurance than women.

With California Casualty, men typically pay over $15 per month more than women, and around $11 more with Farmers Union.

Looking at overall affordability, Farmers Union comes out on top for both men and women, with average prices $14 less for men and $9 cheaper for women.

California Casualty or Farmers Union: 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, car insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are a variety of different coverages that account for several different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

Even so, most policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers and 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 liability limits, Farmers Union generally offers cheaper premiums of $107 compared to California Casualty's $122. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Farmers Union again has the edge, with policies about $10 a month less expensive than California Casualty, on average.

Is California Casualty or Farmers Union 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.

You'll probably end up paying more with collisions and tickets on your record, but which of these two companies offers the most affordable rates to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

California Casualty policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $33 per month if they get a ticket, while Farmers Union usually raises premiums around $50 a month, on average.

However, California Casualty is typically the more affordable option for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records, offering rates that are 1% and 10% less expensive, respectively, compared to Farmers Union Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

California Casualty drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their prices increase by over $60, while those who have insurance through Farmers Union will see about a $70 increase.

Overall, drivers who use California Casualty end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly premiums averaging $198 compared to Farmers Union Insurance's $207.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly insurance bill -- normally a lot more than a collision or ticket. California Casualty drivers usually see a 54% climb in their auto insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Farmers Union will usually increase prices by around 39%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Farmers Union tends to be the much cheaper option with average prices of $225 monthly compared to $300 from California Casualty.

How does Credit Score Impact California Casualty and Farmers Union Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when carriers determine your monthly bill. 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 policyholders.

Car insurance companies argue that someone with bad credit is less likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them riskier to insure. Because of that, drivers with bad credit will often be forced to pay more.

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

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with California Casualty for an "excellent" credit score. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save 4% compared to Farmers Union, while those with "good" scores can expect to see better savings from Farmers Union -- about $10 or 6% more affordable than California Casualty every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Farmers Union typically offers lower premiums than California Casualty when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $20 per month less with Farmers Union compared to California Casualty, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about $24 a month.

Is California Casualty or Farmers Union Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a large impact on your monthly auto insurance bill. That's because the more miles you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident 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 Farmers Union charges. However, there's a pretty significant difference in monthly prices for California Casualty, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles yearly paying around $25 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually.

California Casualty vs. Farmers Union: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can play a considerable role in how much you pay for car insurance. Typically, policyholders who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural drivers because there are a lot more cars on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, California Casualty generally comes out as the cheaper option for drivers in rural and urban areas, while Farmers Union wins in suburban areas.

In urban areas, California Casualty's average premiums are about $8 less than Farmers Union Insurance. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $49 less with Farmers Union compared to California Casualty. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $6 with California Casualty compared to Farmers Union.

California Casualty vs. Farmers Union 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 where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be challenging to find all the ones you qualify for.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both California Casualty and Farmers Union so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Overall, California Casualty has advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Farmers Union offers a grand total of 11 discounts, while California Casualty has 14.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but California Casualty also offers ABS discounts, driver training discounts, education discounts, and more that Farmers Union does not.

On the flip side, Farmers Union has a couple unique discounts of its own -- discounts for being a defensive driver, distant student discounts, farm discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is California Casualty or Farmers Union Best for You?

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

Farmers Union might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing car insurance by yourself.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your insurance.
• You and your spouse are buying auto insurance together.

California Casualty might be best for you if...

• You have a clean driving record, free of accidents, tickets, or DUIs.
• You have an at-fault accident on your record.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between California Casualty and Farmers Union and that it aids in making a more informed 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 California Casualty and Farmers Union. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in your area, all for free.

California Casualty vs. Farmers Union FAQs

Is California Casualty or Farmers Union cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Farmers Union is the less expensive of the two carriers, offering average rates of $189 a month compared to $201 for California Casualty. Even so, Farmers Union won't necessarily be the lowest carrier for every driver, since there are lots of different factors (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, California Casualty or Farmers Union?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No single company is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all boils down to your unique insurance profile. For example, Farmers Union offers more affordable rates for drivers with a recent DUI, while California Casualty is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do California Casualty and Farmers Union offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at lots of different variables when calculating the prices they charge policyholders. Factors like age, your driving record, gender, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both California Casualty and Farmers Union calculate premiums using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different carriers.

How do I know if California Casualty or Farmers Union 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 makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be California Casualty or Farmers Union 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.