Co-operative vs. Patriot: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Co-operative offers significantly cheaper prices than Patriot
• Co-operative offers more affordable average rates for policyholders who have a short commute
• Patriot offers more affordable prices for policyholders who have a clean driving record, free of accidents, tickets, or DUIs

Co-operative vs. Patriot: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to Co-operative or Patriot as your top options, but between the two, which one will offer you less expensive premiums?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Co-operative is quite a bit cheaper than Patriot, with rates averaging $143 per month compared to $191 with Patriot.

That being said, that doesn't mean Co-operative will necessarily be more affordable than Patriot for every driver. Auto insurance carriers use tons of complex algorithms to calculate premiums, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among several other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

So, if you want to find out which of Co-operative or Patriot is really the best for you, keep reading to see average rates for each carrier broken down by multiple different rate factors.

Co-operative or Patriot: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

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That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your car insurance payment than just your home state. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers generally pay a lot more for auto insurance than any group 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 prices, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Co-operative save nearly $150 a month compared to those who use Patriot.

Even so, with both companies, you'll see your rates lower significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Co-operative policyholders drop more than $150 and Patriot's prices reduce almost $250 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the cheapest premiums you can find.

So, which company offers the best prices to retired drivers? Co-operative gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at about $107 per month compared to Patriot's $128.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance prices are usually less expensive for married drivers than they are for those who are single? That's because policies for married policyholders normally cover several cars, which lots of carriers will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, Co-operative is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates around $58 per month cheaper than Patriot, on average. The advantage for married couples with Co-operative is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 25% a month.

Co-operative vs. Patriot: Average Rates by Gender

Men typically pay more for insurance than women. This is because women are less likely to get tickets and get into collisions, which decreases the chances of an insurance claim.

With Co-operative, men normally pay about $10 per month more than women, while with Patriot, the difference is closer to $18 a month.

When it comes to the lowest premiums for each gender, Co-operative comes out on top for both men and women, with average rates 26% less for men and 24% cheaper for women.

Co-operative or Patriot: 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 pretty complicated. There are so many different coverages and limits that it can make it pretty confusing 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 passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Co-operative usually offers less expensive premiums of $65 compared to Patriot's $80. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Co-operative again has the edge, with policies around $80 per month more affordable than Patriot, on average.

Is Co-operative or Patriot 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.

Collisions and tickets will most likely raise your prices, but is Co-operative or Patriot cheaper for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Co-operative insurance policies don't report seeing their rates increase after getting a ticket, but Patriot policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by about 20%.

If you have a clean record, Patriot tends to offer the best premiums at around 20% more affordable, while Co-operative has the edge for drivers with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Co-operative policyholders who get in a collision can expect to see their prices increase by $35, while those who have insurance through Patriot will see about a $20 increase.

Overall, drivers who use Patriot end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly rates averaging $103 compared to Co-operative Insurance Companies's $140.

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. For example, Patriot increases average prices by just under $400 a month -- that's over a 80% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Co-operative tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $225 monthly compared to $472 from Patriot.

How does Credit Score Impact Co-operative and Patriot Rates?

Often times, your credit score can be used as one of the factors to determine your monthly car insurance prices. Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for a lot of drivers.

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

So, which carrier offers the most affordable premiums for policyholders with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Co-operative or Patriot 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 how much insurance companies will charge for coverage. Typically, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper rates since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither Co-operative or Patriot report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Even so, Co-operative comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle every year, with average prices of $143 per month for both.

Co-operative vs. Patriot: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can have a pretty big impact on your monthly auto insurance cost. Generally, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

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

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save around $38 with Co-operative compared to Patriot. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about $49 less with Co-operative compared to Patriot. In urban areas, Co-operative Insurance Companies's average premiums are around $56 less than Patriot Insurance.

Co-operative vs. Patriot Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new car insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and 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 hard to find all the ones you can take advantage of.

Below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Co-operative and Patriot offer their customers so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Overall, Co-operative comes out ahead with 15 discounts to Patriot's 11.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Co-operative also offers ABS discounts, anti-theft discounts, driver training discounts, and more that Patriot does not.

On the flip side, Patriot has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts, distant student discounts, full coverage discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Co-operative or Patriot Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average prices for many of the variables auto insurance carriers look at, and walked through the different discounts each company offers, too. But, at the end of the day, which carrier is the right carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Co-operative might be best for you if....

• You already have a great credit score.
• You want basic car insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You don't spend much time in your car.

Patriot might be best for you if...

• You have a clean record.
• You have an at-fault collision on your record.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Co-operative and Patriot and that it aids in making a more informed 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 Co-operative and Patriot. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best car insurance carriers in your area, all for free.

Co-operative vs. Patriot FAQs

Is Co-operative or Patriot cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Co-operative is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $143 a month compared to $191 for Patriot. But Co-operative won't necessarily be the lowest company for everyone, since there are a range of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Co-operative or Patriot?

Unfortunately, the real answer 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, Patriot offers cheaper prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record, while Co-operative is less expensive for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Co-operative and Patriot offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different variables when calculating the premiums they charge policyholders. Things such as your driving record, where you park your car, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Co-operative and Patriot calculate rates using different factors, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different companies.

How do I know if Co-operative or Patriot is right for me?

The only way to find the 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 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 car 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 Co-operative or Patriot 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.