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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, Columbia offers significantly more affordable prices than Trexis
• Columbia tends to be a much cheaper option for policyholders who drive fewer than 12,000 miles annually
• Trexis may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than Columbia Insurance Group

Columbia or Trexis: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big savings, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to Columbia or Trexis, but which one has less expensive rates for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Trexis has average rates that are around 30% a month more expensive than those from Columbia.

But that doesn't mean Columbia will necessarily be cheaper than Trexis for every single driver. Car insurance carriers use a ton of complex algorithms to determine prices, so depending on how clean your driving record is or how good your credit score is (among a bunch of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

So, if you want to find out which of Columbia or Trexis is really the best for you, keep reading to see average rates for each company broken down by many different rate factors.

Columbia vs. Trexis: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Columbia and Trexis only compete against each other in one states, with Trexis offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. Arkansas has the most noticable difference, where Trexis premiums are $6 more affordable than insurance prices at Columbia.

But there's more to car insurance than just the state you live in. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how insurance companies calculate your rates. Continue reading to see how other variables will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance premiums of any group out there on the road. That's because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high rates, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Columbia save almost 35% per month compared to those who use Trexis.

That being said, both carriers will offer you dramatically lower prices by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for Columbia policyholders reduce over 55% and Trexis's rates decrease nearly 65% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best premiums for retired drivers between Columbia and Trexis? Columbia gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at about $109 monthly compared to Trexis's $171.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance premiums are usually more expensive for those who are single than they are for married policyholders? That's because policies for married drivers typically cover multiple vehicles, which a lot of companies will give you a discount for.

For single drivers, the difference in average prices between these two carriers is significant, with Columbia rates coming in at a third less than Trexis's. The advantage is also clear for married couples - Columbia offers the lowest average premiums.

Columbia or Trexis: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents. That means when it comes to auto insurance men will normally end up paying a little more.

On average, men see prices around $10 a month higher with Columbia, and about $20 with Trexis.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Columbia offers the most affordable average premiums for both men and women. On average, women save about $66 per month and men save around $74 with Columbia compared to the average Trexis policyholder.

Columbia vs. Trexis: 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.

Insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are a range of different coverages that account for lots of different things. Some protect you and your car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

However, the most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes collision and comprehensive coverages that protect your own car, in addition to liability).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability limits, Columbia has the significant edge, with average monthly prices coming in at $68. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Columbia again has the edge, with policies averaging about $232 a month to Trexis's $333.

Is Columbia or Trexis Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their car insurance. But that's not to say you can't save money if you don't have the best driving record, either.

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

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Columbia for their auto insurance can generally expect their monthly bill to go up around 12% after getting a speeding ticket. Trexis policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 19%.

Even so, Columbia is normally the cheaper option for both drivers who have a recent ticket and those with clean records -- their rates are around 43% less expensive for drivers with clean records and 48% more affordable for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will raise prices pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault collision with Trexis increasing by around 26%. Columbia has a less extreme rise, but you can still expect to pay more than 25% more than you were prior to your first accident.

At the end of the day, the less expensive rates come from Columbia, with average premiums coming in at $142 compared to Trexis Insurance's $247.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or speeding ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. Columbia drivers usually see a 56% increase in their insurance prices after a DUI charge, while Trexis will generally climb rates by about 19%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable premiums, Trexis tends to be cheaper for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $226 to Columbia's $236.

How does Credit Score Impact Columbia and Trexis Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when companies determine your monthly bill. Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a car insurance factor, but it might come into play for lots of drivers.

Auto insurance companies argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time every month, which raises the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

Looking specifically at Columbia and Trexis, which company has the best rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Columbia or Trexis 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 car insurance carriers will charge for coverage. Usually, the more milage you drive, the more you can expect to pay for insurance.

In this case, neither Columbia or Trexis report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Columbia comes out as the lowest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle yearly, with average prices of $150 per month for both.

Columbia or Trexis: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can have a sizable impact on your monthly auto insurance bill. Typically, those who live in urban areas will pay more than drivers in rural areas since there are a lot more cars on the road where they live, which increases the chances of an accident.

Columbia tends to offer the most affordable premiums for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Columbia's average rates are about $169 while Trexis offers prices around $270. People in suburban areas pay about $152 with Columbia compared to Trexis's $223 per month. Those in rural areas can expect to pay around $129 a month with Columbia and $167 with Trexis.

Columbia vs. Trexis Discounts

No matter 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 you can, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as possible.

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem hard to find all the of the ones you're eligible for.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and compared all of the different discounts offered by Columbia and Trexis so that you can find the carrier that has the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

Overall, Trexis has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Columbia offers a grand total of 11 discounts, while Trexis has 16.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Trexis also offers discounts for advance quote, agency transfer, EFT, and more.

On the other hand, Columbia has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like ABS discounts, anti-theft discounts, distant student discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Columbia or Trexis Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. But, at the end of the day, which insurance company is the best company for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Columbia might be best for you if....

• You will be the only person on the car insurance policy.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You want to save money while purchasing auto insurance for a teenager.

Trexis might be best for you if...

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Columbia and Trexis. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your 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 auto insurance -- comparing quotes from several companies, not just Columbia and Trexis. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Columbia vs. Trexis FAQs

Is Columbia or Trexis cheaper?

Columbia is the more affordable of the two companies when looking at national average rates, with policies averaging $150 a month with Columbia and $220 for Trexis. But that doesn't mean Columbia will be the lowest carrier for each policyholder, since there are a bunch of different variables that are considered when it comes to your car insurance payment.

Who is better, Columbia or Trexis?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique insurance profile. For example, Columbia is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit, while Trexis offers less expensive prices for drivers with a recent DUI.

Why do Columbia and Trexis offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers use many different factors when determining the premiums they charge. Variables like age, gender, your driving record, where you call home, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Columbia and Trexis calculate rates using different formulas, so it's likely they'll offer different prices. The best way to determine which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different companies.

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

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple 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 information once and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance companies for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the cheapest rate. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't Columbia or Trexis at all, but another you hadn't even thought of!

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.