Cameron Mutual vs. Columbia: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Cameron Mutual offers more affordable premiums than Columbia
• Cameron Mutual offers more affordable prices for couples purchasing auto insurance together
• Columbia offers more affordable rates for policyholders who have a clean record

Cameron Mutual vs. Columbia: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering pretty big discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Cameron Mutual or Columbia as your top options, but which one has less expensive prices for car insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Cameron Mutual has average rates that are about 17% per month cheaper than those from Columbia.

Even so, that doesn't necessarily mean Cameron Mutual will be the more affordable option for every driver. After all, insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your driving record, your credit score, your age, or even where you call home (among other things), so premiums could differ drastically from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both Cameron Mutual and Columbia by several different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Cameron Mutual or Columbia: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Cameron Mutual and Columbia only compete against each other in one states, with Cameron Mutual offering cheaper premiums to the average driver in all of them. Arkansas has the most noticable difference, where Cameron Mutual rates are less expensive than car insurance prices at Columbia.

But there's more to calculating auto insurance premiums than just where you live. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance rates of any group out there on the road. That's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $45 less a month by choosing Cameron Mutual over Columbia.

But with both carriers, you'll see your rates decrease significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average prices for Cameron Mutual policyholders reduce more than 55% and Columbia's premiums drop over 55% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age usually enjoy some of the cheapest car insurance prices you'll ever see. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which generally reduces their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase rates.

When looking at Cameron Mutual and Columbia specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Cameron Mutual gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $30 more affordable than the national average for Columbia.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive insurance rates than married couples. This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something lots of auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Cameron Mutual is the clear winner for single policyholders, with prices around $30 per month cheaper than Columbia, on average. The advantage is also clear for married policyholders - Cameron Mutual offers the most affordable average premiums.

Cameron Mutual vs. Columbia: Average Rates by Gender

Men normally pay more for insurance than women. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher rates.

With Cameron Mutual, women typically pay almost $15 a month less than men, and about $12 less with Columbia.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Cameron Mutual offers the lowest average prices for both men and women, with average premiums $25 less for men and $26 cheaper for women.

Cameron Mutual or Columbia: 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.

However, the 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 passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Cameron Mutual typically offers less expensive prices of $53 compared to Columbia's $68. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Cameron Mutual again has the edge, with policies around $35 per month more affordable than Columbia, on average.

Is Cameron Mutual or Columbia 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.

It's no secret secret that tickets and at-fault collisions lead to higher rates, but which carrier -- Cameron Mutual or Columbia -- has the most affordable premiums for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Cameron Mutual insurance policies don't report seeing their rates increase after getting a ticket, but Columbia policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by about 10%.

If you have a clean record, Columbia tends to offer the best prices at around 5% less expensive, while Cameron Mutual has the edge for drivers with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Cameron Mutual policyholders who get in an accident can expect to see their rates increase by over 10%, while those who have insurance through Columbia will see about a 25% increase.

Overall, drivers who use Cameron Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly premiums averaging $124 compared to Columbia Insurance Group's $142.

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 speeding ticket when it comes to your auto insurance bill. Columbia drivers usually see a 56% raise in their car insurance prices after a DUI charge, while Cameron Mutual will normally increase rates by around 28%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Cameron Mutual tends to be the much cheaper option with average premiums of $152 a month compared to $236 from Columbia.

How does Credit Score Impact Cameron Mutual and Columbia Rates?

Did you know that many auto insurance carriers take into account your credit score when calculating prices? Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it does affect many drivers out there.

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

Looking at Cameron Mutual and Columbia specifically, which carrier has the best premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Cameron Mutual. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save just under 40% compared to Columbia, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $34 or 24% more affordable each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have a below average credit score, it can be somewhat of a toss-up as far as which company offers you the best rates. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $21 less with Cameron Mutual than Columbia, but those whose credit is considered "poor" have it flipped -- saving about $5 a month with Columbia.

Is Cameron Mutual or Columbia Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in your monthly prices. Usually, those who drive less will end up with cheaper premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into a collision and causing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither Cameron Mutual or Columbia report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Even so, Cameron Mutual comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle yearly, with average premiums of $124 per month for both.

Cameron Mutual vs. Columbia: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your car can play a substantial role in how much you pay for insurance. Typically, policyholders who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban drivers due to the small number of vehicles that are on the roads in those areas.

Cameron Mutual boasts the cheapest average prices for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the most affordable premiums from both companies, but Cameron Mutual comes out on top with average prices around $116 per month. Cameron Mutual also has less expensive average rates for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 21% and 20% a month respective difference when compared to Columbia policyholders in similar areas.

Cameron Mutual vs. Columbia Discounts

Regardless of 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 possible. That's where insurance discounts comes into play.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be difficult to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you're eligible for.

In the table below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by Cameron Mutual and Columbia so that you can see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Columbia has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Cameron Mutual offers a grand total of six discounts, while Columbia has 11.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for being a good student, and passive restraint discounts -- but Columbia also offers ABS discounts, anti-theft discounts, distant student discounts, and more that Cameron Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Cameron Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- renewal discounts and umbrella policy discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Cameron Mutual or Columbia Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your car insurance premiums. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. But, at the end of the day, which carrier is the best carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

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

• You have above-average credit.
• You want basic auto insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your car insurance.

Columbia might be best for you if...

• You don't have any speeding tickets, DUIs, or at-fault accidents on your record.
• You're looking for discounts -- Columbia has the most.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Cameron Mutual and Columbia. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best 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 auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from multiple companies, not just Cameron Mutual and Columbia. 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 top car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Cameron Mutual vs. Columbia FAQs

Is Cameron Mutual or Columbia cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Cameron Mutual is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $124 per month compared to $150 for Columbia. That being said, Cameron Mutual won't necessarily be the lowest company for every driver, since there are a range of different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance payment.

Who is better, Cameron Mutual or Columbia?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". No one carrier is necessarily "better" for each driver -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Cameron Mutual offers more affordable prices for drivers with an at-fault collision on their record, while Columbia is less expensive for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Cameron Mutual and Columbia offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the premiums they charge policyholders. Things such as age, where your home is, your driving record, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Cameron Mutual and Columbia calculate rates differently, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different companies.

How do I know if Cameron Mutual or Columbia is right for me?

The only way to find the car 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, 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 auto insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Cameron Mutual or Columbia 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.