Cig vs. Erie: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, Cig offers significantly less expensive rates than Erie
• Cig has more affordable prices for policyholders who live in suburban areas
• Cig offers cheaper average premiums for couples purchasing insurance together

Cig vs. Erie: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Cig or Erie as potential options, but between the two, which carrier will offer you more affordable rates?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Cig is about $34 per month cheaper than Erie.

Even so, Cig may not be the lowest or best option for each driver out there. Auto insurance carriers use a ton of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on where you live or how good your credit score is (among a wide array of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both Cig and Erie by lots of different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Cig or Erie: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Cig and Erie only compete against each other in one states, with Erie offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. Ohio has the most noticable difference, where Erie premiums are over 30% more affordable than car insurance rates at Cig.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your auto insurance payment than just your home state. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers normally pay a lot more for insurance than any group out there on the road. That's typically because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an auto insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

That being said, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of $75 less a month by choosing Cig over Erie.

But both companies will decrease prices by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Cig policyholders reduce more than 50% and Erie's prices drop nearly 55% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

When looking at Cig and Erie specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? Cig gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $30 cheaper than the national average for Erie.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married couples tend to get slightly less expensive auto insurance rates than those who are single. That's typically because married drivers tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Cig is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices around $37 per month more affordable than Erie, on average. The advantage is also clear for married policyholders - Cig offers the most affordable average rates.

Cig vs. Erie: Average Rates by Gender

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

On average, women see premiums about $4 a month cheaper with Cig, and over $10 cheaper with Erie when compared to their male counterparts.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Cig comes out as the lowest option for both genders, with average prices 23% less for men and 20% cheaper for women.

Cig or Erie: 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.

It's no secret that auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different terms 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 covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages alongside liability).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Cig normally offers less expensive premiums of $71 compared to Erie's $91. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Cig again has the edge, with policies around $50 per month more affordable than Erie, on average.

Is Cig or Erie Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

Tickets and at-fault accidents will most likely raise your premiums, but is Cig or Erie cheaper for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Cig policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $24 a month if they get a ticket, while Erie usually raises rates about $18 per month, on average.

But Cig tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records -- their rates are around 26% less expensive for drivers with clean records and 18% more affordable for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their insurance through Cig can expect to see around an $30 -- or about 25% -- increase in their auto insurance prices. Drivers who use Erie for their car insurance will see a monthly bill around $38 (or 24%) more expensive after reporting a collision to their insurance company.

Overall, Cig offers the cheapest premiums for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly rates averaging $118 compared to Erie Insurance's $157.

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 ticket or even an accident. For example, Erie increases average premiums by just under $80 a month -- that's just under a 40% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, Cig tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $157 monthly compared to $198 from Erie.

How does Credit Score Impact Cig and Erie Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when companies determine your monthly bill. This isn't always the case (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it does affect a lot of drivers out there.

Auto 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 Erie and Cig, which one has the most affordable premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Cig. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save nearly 15% compared to Erie, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $17 or 15% cheaper every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Cig typically offers lower rates than Erie when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $32 per month less with Cig compared to Erie, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of about $86 a month.

Is Cig or Erie 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. Generally, those who drive fewer miles will end up with less expensive premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into a collision and causing an insurance claim.

For both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles each year, as well as those who average twice that figure, Cig tends to be the more affordable option. Cig's average rates for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in just under 25% cheaper than Erie. Those who drive 12,000 miles annually can expect to pay over 20% less with Cig over Erie.

Cig vs. Erie: 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. Normally, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

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

For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, Cig offers rates around $128 per month compared to Erie's $194. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay about $123 a month for Cig and $145 for Erie. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the most affordable prices from both companies, with average monthly premiums coming in at $106 and $115 for Cig and Erie respectively.

Cig vs. Erie Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be difficult to find all the ones you qualify for.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Cig and Erie so that you can easily 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, Cig has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Erie offers a grand total of 21 discounts, while Cig has 25.

Both carriers offer a lot of the same discounts -- like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, distant student discounts, and discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company -- but Cig also offers company car discounts, employee discounts, good payer discounts, and more that Erie does not.

On the flip side, Erie has a couple unique discounts of its own -- COVID-19 relief discount, discounts for getting driver training, DRL discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Cig or Erie Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, at the end of the day, is Cig or Erie the right company for you and your specific profile and needs?

Cig might be best for you if....

• You want to save money on your insurance after an accident.
• You have above-average credit.
• You drive fewer than 12,000 miles yearly.

Erie might be best for you if...

• You're planning on moving to another state soon -- CIG Insurance is only available in four states.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Cig and Erie. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your auto 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 Cig and Erie. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get free quotes from dozens of top car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Cig vs. Erie FAQs

Is Cig or Erie cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Cig is the less expensive of the two carriers, offering average rates of $119 per month compared to $153 for Erie. Even so, Cig won't necessarily be the lowest company for every policyholder, since there are a bunch of different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance cost.

Who is better, Cig or Erie?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". One carrier is not necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile.

Why do Cig and Erie offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at many different factors when calculating the rates they charge drivers. Variables such as gender, age, your driving record, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Cig and Erie calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different carriers.

How do I know if Cig or Erie is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies 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 ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the cheapest premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Cig or Erie 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.