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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Cig offers significantly more affordable prices than State Auto
• Cig has less expensive rates for residents of urban areas
• Cig tends to be a much cheaper option for residents of rural areas

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

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering big discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to Cig or State Auto as potential options, but which one has more affordable prices for insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, State Auto has average rates that are about 55% per month more expensive than those from Cig.

That being said, Cig may not be the lowest or best option for every driver out there. Auto insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate premiums, so depending on where you live or how good your credit score is (among a whole bunch of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average premiums from both Cig and State Auto by a variety of different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Cig or State Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Cig and State Auto only compete against each other in one states, with Cig offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. Ohio has the most noticable difference, where Cig rates are over 20% cheaper than car insurance premiums at State Auto.

But there's more to calculating auto insurance prices 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 typically pay a lot more for insurance than any other group of drivers. Normally, that's 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.

Even so, 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 nearly $500 less a month by choosing Cig over State Auto.

But both carriers will lower rates by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Cig policyholders decrease more than 50% and State Auto's rates reduce almost 75% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between Cig and State Auto? Cig gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older nearly 50% less expensive than the national average for State Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance prices tend to be cheaper for married couples than they are for those who are single. That's normally because married policyholders tend to own and insure several cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Cig is the clear winner for single policyholders, with premiums around $188 per month more affordable than State Auto, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Cig is also obvious, where drivers save over 45% a month.

Cig vs. State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

You may not know, but car insurance is typically cheaper for women than it is for men. This is because women are less likely to get speeding tickets and get into accidents, which decreases the chances of an insurance claim.

With Cig, men usually pay about 3% more per month than women., and almost 10% with State Auto.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Cig offers the lowest average rates for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $150 a month and women save around $130 with Cig compared to the average State Auto policyholder.

Cig or State Auto: 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 terms and limits that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

However, most 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 what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Cig typically offers significantly less expensive premiums of $71 compared to State Auto's $149. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Cig again has the edge, with policies about $200 per month more affordable than State Auto, on average.

Is Cig or State Auto 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 collisions lead to higher rates, but which company -- Cig or State Auto -- has the most affordable prices for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Cig policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $24 a month if they get a ticket, while State Auto normally raises prices around $48 per month, on average.

But Cig tends to offer the best prices for drivers both with a speeding ticket and with a clean record, offering rates that are $82 and $106 cheaper, respectively, compared to State Auto Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Cig drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums climb by $30, while those who have insurance through State Auto will see about a $100 increase.

Overall, drivers who use Cig end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $118 compared to State Auto Insurance's $269.

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, State Auto will increase your rates around 55% after a DUI, while Cig's average prices rise by just under 45%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, Cig tends to be the much more affordable option with average premiums of $157 per month compared to $380 from State Auto.

How does Credit Score Impact Cig and State Auto Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (for example, California and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect many policyholders out there.

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.

Looking specifically at Cig and State Auto, which carrier has the best premiums 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 Cig. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save nearly 60% compared to State Auto, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $134 or 59% less expensive every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Cig typically offers lower rates than State Auto when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $144 a month less with Cig compared to State Auto, and those with "poor" scores generally save an average of about $181 monthly.

Is Cig or State Auto Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a considerable impact on how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage. Usually, those who drive less will end up with cheaper premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much State Auto charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly prices for Cig, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles each year paying around $12 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Cig is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Cig vs. State Auto: 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 insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a big impact as well. Normally, drivers who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban policyholders due to the small number of vehicles that are on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, Cig generally comes out as the most affordable option for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Cig offers premiums about $128 a month compared to State Auto's $317. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay around $123 per month for Cig and $236 for State Auto. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the lowest rates from both companies, with average monthly premiums coming in at $106 and $225 for Cig and State Auto respectively.

Cig vs. State Auto Discounts

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

The hard part is finding all of the discounts you qualify for, since it can feel sometimes like every company has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Cig and State Auto so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Cig knocks State Auto out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering seven more discounts than State Auto.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, distant student discounts, and discounts for being a good student -- but Cig also offers company car discounts, good payer discounts, group discounts, and more that State Auto does not.

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

Final Thoughts: Is Cig or State Auto Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your car insurance prices. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, is Cig or State Auto the right company for you and your specific needs?

Cig might be best for you if....

• You want to save money on your auto insurance after a collision.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" car insurance.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your insurance.

State Auto might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Cig and State Auto. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just Cig and State Auto. 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 carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Cig vs. State Auto FAQs

Is Cig or State Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Cig is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $119 a month compared to $259 for State Auto. Even so, Cig won't necessarily be the cheapest company for each policyholder, since there are a bunch of different variables (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Cig or State Auto?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for every driver -- it all depends on what your unique auto insurance profile looks like.

Why do Cig and State Auto offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the premiums they charge policyholders. Variables such as gender, your driving record, age, where your home is, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Cig and State Auto calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different companies.

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

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of 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 area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Cig or State Auto 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.