Donegal Mutual vs. Maryland Automobile: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for insurance, Maryland Automobile offers more affordable premiums than Donegal Mutual
• Donegal Mutual offers more affordable prices for couples purchasing car insurance together
• Maryland Automobile offers cheaper average premiums for drivers with a DUI charge on their record

Donegal Mutual vs. Maryland Automobile: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering sizable discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might be considering Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile as your top options, but between the two, which company will save you the most?

As you can see, Maryland Automobile is about $34 per month less expensive than Donegal Mutual when looking at the national average rates for auto insurance.

But that doesn't mean Maryland Automobile will necessarily be more affordable than Donegal Mutual 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, where you call home, or even your age (among other things), so rates will vary quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile is really the best for you, keep reading to see average prices for each company broken down by several different rate factors.

Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile only compete against each other in Maryland, where Maryland Automobile offers the cheaper average premiums. For Maryland residents, Maryland Automobile offers car insurance for $256 a month on average. Donegal Mutual's average prices come out to be over 70% more expensive, at $454 per month.

But there's more to insurance than just your home state. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how auto insurance carriers calculate your rates. Read on 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 other group of drivers. Typically, that's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in a car 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 Maryland Automobile save more than $250 a month compared to those who use Donegal Mutual.

That being said, both companies will offer you dramatically lower rates by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for Donegal Mutual policyholders lower over 60% and Maryland Automobile's rates decrease more than 30% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

So, which carrier offers the best rates to retired drivers? Donegal Mutual gets the slight edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $12 less expensive than the national average for Maryland Automobile.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but auto insurance prices tend to be more expensive for single drivers than they are for married drivers. This usually boils down to married policyholders having more than one car on their policy -- something a lot of insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Maryland Automobile is the clear winner for those who are single, with rates around $64 per month cheaper than Donegal Mutual, on average. It's not quite so glaring for married couples, where drivers who use Donegal Mutual save about 2% a month.

Donegal Mutual vs. Maryland Automobile: 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.

With Donegal Mutual, women generally pay nearly $20 per month less than men, and around $17 less with Maryland Automobile.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Maryland Automobile comes out as the cheapest option for both genders, with average prices 12% less for men and 12% cheaper for women.

Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile: 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, car insurance can be pretty complicated. There are a variety of different coverages that account for multiple different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

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 if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Maryland Automobile typically offers slightly less expensive premiums of $168 compared to Donegal Mutual's $170. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Maryland Automobile again has the edge, with policies about $65 a month cheaper than Donegal Mutual, on average.

Is Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their auto insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

You'll probably end up paying more with collisions and tickets on your record, but which of these two companies offers the lowest prices to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Maryland Automobile car insurance policies don't report seeing their rates increase after getting a ticket, but Donegal Mutual policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by around a quarter.

If you have a clean record, Donegal Mutual tends to offer the best premiums at about 10% more affordable, while Maryland Automobile has the edge for drivers with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Donegal Mutual policyholders who get in an accident can expect to see their prices climb by just under $50, while those who have insurance through Maryland Automobile will see around a $60 increase.

Overall, drivers who use Donegal Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly premiums averaging $245 compared to Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund's $281.

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 speeding ticket or even a collision. On average, Donegal Mutual will increase your rates about 58% after a DUI, while Maryland Automobile's average premiums increase by over 25%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, Maryland Automobile tends to be the much cheaper option with average prices of $301 monthly compared to $472 from Donegal Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile Rates?

You may not realized it, but your credit score can be used as one of the factors to determine your monthly insurance rates. This isn't always the case (Massachusetts, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it will come into play for lots of drivers.

The reasoning car insurance carriers use is that policyholders with good credit will be more likely to pay their bills on time; so they'll reward them with cheaper prices, while those with poor credit will usually be forced to pay more.

Looking at Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile specifically, which carrier has the best premiums for drivers 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 Donegal Mutual. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save more than 15% compared to Maryland Automobile, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $16 or 6% more affordable every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Maryland Automobile typically offers lower prices than Donegal Mutual when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $21 per month less with Maryland Automobile compared to Donegal Mutual, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of around $174 per month.

Is Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a big impact on your monthly insurance cost? That's because the fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to get into an accident and cause an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Maryland Automobile charges. However, there's a pretty significant difference in monthly rates for Donegal Mutual, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their car each year paying about $36 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Maryland Automobile is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Donegal Mutual vs. Maryland Automobile: 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 auto insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a considerable impact as well. 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.

Maryland Automobile boasts the most affordable average premiums for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the cheapest prices from both companies, but Maryland Automobile comes out on top with average premiums around $162 monthly. Maryland Automobile also has cheaper average rates for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $37 and $43 a month respective difference when compared to Donegal Mutual drivers in similar areas.

Donegal Mutual vs. Maryland Automobile 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. That's where auto insurance discounts comes into play.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to find all the ones you can take advantage of or to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Donegal Mutual blows Maryland Automobile away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 20 different discounts to Maryland Automobile's two.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Donegal Mutual also offers ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, anti-theft discounts, and more that Maryland Automobile does not.

Maryland Automobile's discounts come through just two categories -- Good Driving and Paid In Full.

Final Thoughts: Is Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your car insurance prices. We've shown you all the discounts each carrier offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, which company is the right fit for you?

Maryland Automobile might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You're buying auto insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

Donegal Mutual might be best for you if...

• You have a clean record.
• You have above-average credit.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your insurance.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile. 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 best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of companies, not just Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get free quotes from dozens of top insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Donegal Mutual vs. Maryland Automobile FAQs

Is Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Maryland Automobile is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $256 per month compared to $290 for Donegal Mutual. However, Maryland Automobile won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for each driver, since there are many different factors that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance bill.

Who is better, Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all boils down to your unique insurance profile. For example, Maryland Automobile offers less expensive prices for drivers with a recent DUI, while Donegal Mutual is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different variables when calculating the rates they charge policyholders. Things such as age, your driving record, where you call home, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Donegal Mutual and Maryland Automobile calculate prices differently, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different companies.

How do I know if Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your area information 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 most affordable rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Donegal Mutual or Maryland Automobile 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.