Encompass vs. Vermont Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Vermont Mutual offers significantly less expensive rates than Encompass
• Encompass offers more discounts than Vermont Mutual
• Vermont Mutual offers more affordable premiums for residents of rural areas

Encompass vs. Vermont Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

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

You might have narrowed your search down to Encompass or Vermont Mutual for your next policy, but which one has more affordable prices for car insurance?

As you can see, Encompass is quite a bit more expensive than Vermont Mutual, with rates averaging $466 per month compared to just $173 with Vermont Mutual when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

Even so, that doesn't mean Vermont Mutual will necessarily be cheaper than Encompass for every driver. After all, auto insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your age, your driving record, your credit score, or even where you call home (among other things). So, at the end of the day, premiums from every company will differ quite a bit from person to person.

Wanting to know if Encompass or Vermont Mutual is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

Encompass or Vermont Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Encompass and Vermont Mutual only compete against each other in one states, with Encompass offering more affordable premiums to the average driver in all of them. New Hampshire has the most noticable difference, where Encompass rates are over 30% cheaper than car insurance premiums at Vermont Mutual.

That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance bill than just where you call home. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance rates of any other group of drivers out there on the road. That's because young, inexperienced 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 prices, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $500 less a month by choosing Vermont Mutual over Encompass.

That being said, with both carriers, you'll see your premiums drop significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for Encompass policyholders decrease over 65% and Vermont Mutual's prices lower more than 50% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between Encompass and Vermont Mutual? Vermont Mutual gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older over 60% less expensive than the national average for Encompass.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married policyholders tend to get slightly more affordable insurance rates than single policyholders. This usually boils down to married couples having more than one car on their policy -- something several auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Vermont Mutual is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices about $374 per month cheaper than Encompass, on average. The advantage is also clear for married drivers - Vermont Mutual offers the lowest average premiums.

Encompass vs. Vermont Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding. That means when it comes to car insurance men will normally end up paying a little more.

Women typically pay nearly $25 a month less than men with Encompass, while with Vermont Mutual, the difference is closer to $14 per month.

Looking at overall affordability, Vermont Mutual comes out as the cheapest option for both genders, with average rates $297 less for men and $288 cheaper for women.

Encompass or Vermont Mutual: 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 isn't the easiest topic to understand. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different terms and coverages 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 bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and their passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Vermont Mutual generally offers significantly less expensive prices of $85 compared to Encompass's $302. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Vermont Mutual again has the edge, with policies around $350 a month more affordable than Encompass, on average.

Is Encompass or Vermont Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from insurance carriers offering great rates 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 at-fault collisions lead to higher prices, but which company -- Encompass or Vermont Mutual -- has the most affordable premiums for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Encompass policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $61 per month if they get a ticket, while Vermont Mutual typically raises prices about $7 a month, on average.

However, Vermont Mutual tends to offer the best prices for drivers both with clean records and with a speeding ticket, offering premiums that are 48% and 57% cheaper, respectively, compared to Encompass Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Encompass drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their rates rise by over 30%, while those who have insurance through Vermont Mutual will see around a 20% increase.

Overall, drivers who use Vermont Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $144 compared to Encompass Insurance's $328.

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 auto insurance bill. For example, Encompass increases average premiums by over $500 per month -- that's just under a 80% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Vermont Mutual tends to be the much less expensive option with average premiums of $307 monthly compared to 1020 from Encompass.

How does Credit Score Impact Encompass and Vermont Mutual Rates?

In many cases, your credit score can be used as one of the factors to calculate your monthly car insurance rates. Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it will come into play for a lot of policyholders.

Insurance carriers argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time each month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

Looking specifically at Encompass and Vermont Mutual, which carrier has the lowest prices for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Vermont Mutual. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save over 70% compared to Encompass, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $275 or 69% more affordable every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Vermont Mutual typically offers lower rates than Encompass when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $308 a month less with Vermont Mutual compared to Encompass, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about $357 a month.

Is Encompass or Vermont Mutual 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 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 a collision 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 Vermont Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly prices for Encompass, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles each year paying around $2 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Vermont Mutual is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Encompass vs. Vermont Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your car can play a pretty big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Typically, drivers who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural policyholders because of the number of vehicles that are on the roads in those areas.

Vermont Mutual tends to offer the lowest prices for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the cheapest premiums from both carriers, but Vermont Mutual comes out on top with average rates about $152 per month. Vermont Mutual also has more affordable average premiums for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 64% and 61% per month respective difference when compared to Encompass drivers in similar areas.

Encompass vs. Vermont Mutual Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new 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 where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem difficult to find all the of the ones you can take advantage of.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Encompass and Vermont Mutual so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Encompass blows Vermont Mutual away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 12 more discounts than Vermont Mutual.

Both companies offer several of the same discounts -- like ABS discounts, anti-theft discounts, discounts for getting driver training, and paid in full discounts -- but Encompass also offers defensive driver discounts, DRL discounts, EFT discounts, and more that Vermont Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Vermont Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- annual mileage discounts, experienced operator discounts, mature driver discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Encompass or Vermont Mutual Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average rates for many of the variables insurance carriers look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. But, at the end of the day, is Encompass or Vermont Mutual the best company for you and your specific needs?

Vermont Mutual might be best for you if....

• You have received a ticket within the last few years.
• You're buying auto insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

Encompass might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national car insurance carrier.
• You're looking for discounts -- Encompass has the most.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Encompass and Vermont Mutual and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your 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 several companies, not just Encompass and Vermont Mutual. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Encompass vs. Vermont Mutual FAQs

Is Encompass or Vermont Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Vermont Mutual is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $173 a month compared to $466 for Encompass. But Vermont Mutual won't necessarily be the most affordable company for everyone, since there are many different factors that come into play when it comes to your insurance cost.

Who is better, Encompass or Vermont Mutual?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for each driver -- it all comes down to what your unique car insurance profile looks like.

Why do Encompass and Vermont Mutual offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at lots of different variables when calculating the premiums they charge policyholders. Things like where you call home, age, gender, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Encompass and Vermont Mutual calculate rates using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if Encompass or Vermont Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the 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 ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Encompass or Vermont Mutual 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.