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

Quick Facts

• In general, State Auto offers more affordable premiums than Donegal Mutual
• Donegal Mutual has less expensive prices for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record
• State Auto offers more affordable premiums for couples purchasing car insurance together

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

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

You might be considering Donegal Mutual or State Auto, but between the two, which company will offer you cheaper rates?

As you can see, Donegal Mutual is about $31 more per month than State Auto when looking at the national average rates for auto insurance.

But that doesn't mean State Auto will necessarily be more affordable than Donegal Mutual for every driver. Car insurance companies vary their prices depending on things like where you live, how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, how old you are, and a ton of other factors, so rates will vary quite a bit from person to person.

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

Donegal Mutual or State Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

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

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your auto insurance bill than just the state you live in. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- usually pay a lot for car insurance compared to older drivers. Generally, 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 premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Donegal Mutual save $90 a month compared to those who use State Auto.

However, with both carriers, you'll see your prices reduce significantly once you turn 25. For example, average rates for Donegal Mutual policyholders drop more than 60% and State Auto's premiums lower nearly 75% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll normally enjoy the lowest auto insurance rates out there. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly prices for insurance.

But who has the best premiums for retired drivers between Donegal Mutual and State Auto? State Auto gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $45 cheaper than the national average for Donegal Mutual.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance rates are typically more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married drivers? That's because policies for married policyholders usually cover multiple cars, which many companies will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, the two carriers are comparable for single drivers, with premiums only differing around $17 per month, on average. The advantage for married couples is more obvious, where drivers who use State Auto save over 20% a month.

Donegal Mutual vs. State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Because men are more likely to get into accidents and get speeding tickets, they raise the chances of filing a claim with insurance. Therefore, insurance companies will often charge men more than women.

With Donegal Mutual, women normally pay about 6% per month less than men, while with State Auto, the difference is closer to 9% a month.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, State Auto offers the most affordable average rates for both men and women. On average, women save about $34 per month and men save around $28 with State Auto compared to the average Donegal Mutual policyholder.

Donegal Mutual 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, insurance can be pretty complicated. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different terms and limits that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers and their passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, State Auto typically offers more affordable prices of $149 compared to Donegal Mutual's $170. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, State Auto again has the edge, with policies about $40 a month less expensive than Donegal Mutual, on average.

Is Donegal Mutual or State Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

It's no secret secret that tickets and accidents lead to higher rates, but which company -- Donegal Mutual or State Auto -- has the cheapest premiums for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Donegal Mutual policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $47 per month if they get a ticket, while State Auto generally raises premiums around $48 a month, on average.

That being said, State Auto has more affordable prices for drivers in both categories. Drivers with a clean record can save about $27 per month and drivers with a speeding ticket can save around $26 a month with State Auto Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their car insurance through Donegal Mutual can expect to see about an $48 -- or around 20% -- increase in their insurance rates. Drivers who use State Auto for their car insurance will see a monthly bill about $99 (or 37%) more expensive after reporting a collision to their auto insurance carrier.

Overall, the cheaper premiums come from Donegal Mutual, with monthly rates averaging $245 compared to State Auto Insurance's $269.

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. Donegal Mutual drivers usually see a 58% increase in their insurance prices after a DUI charge, while State Auto will usually raise rates by around 55%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, State Auto tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $380 a month compared to $472 from Donegal Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact Donegal Mutual and State Auto Rates?

Did you know that many auto insurance companies take into account your credit score when calculating premiums? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it will come into play for quite a few drivers.

Car insurance companies argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, policyholders with good credit will often be rewarded with cheaper rates.

Looking specifically at Donegal Mutual and State Auto, which carrier has the best prices 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 State Auto. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 10% compared to Donegal Mutual, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $12 or 5% more affordable each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

State Auto typically offers lower rates than Donegal Mutual when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $15 per month less with State Auto compared to Donegal Mutual, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of about $77 per month.

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

How much you drive can have a substantial impact on your monthly premiums. Normally, the more miles you drive, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

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 pretty significant difference in monthly prices for Donegal Mutual, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles every year paying around $36 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, State Auto is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Donegal Mutual vs. State Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

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

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, State Auto tends to offer the lowest option for drivers in urban and suburban areas, while Donegal Mutual wins in rural areas.

In urban areas, State Auto Insurance's average prices are about 29% less than Donegal Mutual Insurance Company. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around 2% less with State Auto compared to Donegal Mutual. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about 18% with Donegal Mutual compared to State Auto.

Donegal Mutual vs. State Auto 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.

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

In the table below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Donegal Mutual and State Auto offer their customers so that you can find the one that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Donegal Mutual has a slight advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. State Auto offers a grand total of 18 discounts, while Donegal Mutual has 20.

Both companies offer several of the same discounts -- like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for getting driver training, and discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company -- but Donegal Mutual also offers family discounts, group discounts, hybrid vehicle 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, distant student discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Donegal Mutual or State Auto Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain factors have on your insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which company is the best carrier for you and your specific driver profile?

State Auto might be best for you if....

• You have a clean driving record, free of collisions, tickets, or DUIs.
• You already have a great credit score.
• You drive fewer than 6,000 miles annually.

Donegal Mutual might be best for you if...

• You care about discounts (Donegal Mutual offers the most).
• You live in a rural area.
• You're buying car insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Donegal Mutual and State Auto. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just Donegal Mutual and State Auto. 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.

Donegal Mutual vs. State Auto FAQs

Is Donegal Mutual or State Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, State Auto is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $259 a month compared to $290 for Donegal Mutual. Even so, State Auto won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for everyone, since there are multiple different variables (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Donegal Mutual or State Auto?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile. For example, Donegal Mutual offers less expensive prices for drivers with an at-fault collision on their record, while State Auto is more affordable for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Donegal Mutual and State Auto offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at several different factors when determining the rates they charge policyholders. Variables such as your driving record, gender, age, where your home is, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Donegal Mutual and State Auto calculate premiums using different factors, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different companies.

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

The only way to find the car insurance company 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 information once 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 rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Donegal Mutual 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.