Erie vs. Hastings Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Erie offers significantly cheaper prices than Hastings Mutual
• Erie has less expensive rates for policyholders who drive fewer than 6,000 miles annually
• Hastings Mutual offers more affordable average prices for policyholders whose driving record contains an at-fault collision

Erie or Hastings Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching to a new insurance policy. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering huge savings, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might be considering Erie or Hastings Mutual for your next policy, but which company will save you the most?

As you can see, Hastings Mutual has average rates that are around 25% a month more expensive than those from Erie when looking at the national average rates for auto insurance.

That being said, that doesn't mean Erie will necessarily be less expensive than Hastings Mutual for each driver. Car insurance carriers vary their rates depending on things like how good your credit score is, where you live, how clean your driving record is, how old you are, and a ton of other factors, so premiums could differ drastically from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Erie or Hastings Mutual is really the best for you, keep reading to see average prices for each carrier broken down by many different rate factors.

Erie vs. Hastings Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Erie and Hastings Mutual only compete against each other in three states, with Erie offering cheaper rates to the average driver in all of them. Illinois has the most noticable difference, where Erie premiums are $98 less expensive than insurance rates at Hastings Mutual.

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

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- generally pay a lot for car insurance compared to older drivers. That's because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

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 Erie save almost 15% per month compared to those who use Hastings Mutual.

However, both companies will offer you dramatically lower premiums once you turn 25. Hastings Mutual offers the steepest decrease, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, Erie still has the lowest rates at $142 a month.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

When looking at Erie and Hastings Mutual specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? Erie gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older over 30% cheaper than the national average for Hastings Mutual.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married couples tend to get slightly more affordable car insurance premiums than single drivers. That's typically because married policyholders tend to own and insure multiple vehicles, which can often earn you a discount.

For single policyholders, the difference in average prices between these two carriers is significant, with Erie rates coming in at a quarter less than Hastings Mutual's. The advantage for married drivers with Erie is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 35% a month.

Erie or Hastings Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

You may not know, but men normally pay more for auto insurance than women do. That's because men are more likely to get into accidents and get speeding tickets, which increases the chances of filing a claim with insurance.

With Erie, men generally pay about $10 per month more than women, and around $5 more with Hastings Mutual.

When it comes to the cheapest premiums for each gender, Erie offers the lowest average prices for both men and women, with average rates $55 less for men and $61 cheaper for women.

Erie vs. Hastings 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.

Insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are multiple 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.

But most 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 what you get with liability).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability insurance, Erie has the significant edge, with average monthly premiums coming in at $91. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Erie again has the edge, with policies averaging about $215 a month to Hastings Mutual's $279.

Is Erie or Hastings Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

You'll probably end up paying more with collisions and speeding tickets on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the most affordable premiums to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Erie for their auto insurance can typically expect their monthly bill to go up around 13% after getting a speeding ticket. Hastings Mutual policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 16%.

Even so, Hastings Mutual has less expensive rates for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are $10 and $8 cheaper, respectively, compared to Erie Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their insurance through Erie can expect to see around an $38 -- or about 24% -- rise in their car insurance premiums. Drivers who use Hastings Mutual for their auto insurance will see a monthly bill around $17 (or 13%) more expensive after reporting a collision to their insurance carrier.

At the end of the day, the more affordable rates come from Hastings Mutual, with average prices coming in at $126 compared to Erie Insurance's $157.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly auto insurance bill -- usually a lot more than an accident or ticket. Hastings Mutual drivers usually see a 77% increase in their car insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Erie will normally raise prices by about 40%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable rates, Erie tends to be cheaper for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $198 to Hastings Mutual's $478.

How does Credit Score Impact Erie and Hastings Mutual Rates?

Did you know many insurance companies take into account your credit score when determining prices? 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 many drivers.

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

Looking at Erie and Hastings Mutual specifically, which carrier has the best rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, Erie will generally reward you the most. For drivers with "excellent" credit scores, Erie comes in more than 45.51 less expensive. Drivers with "good" credit scores typically save about 42% with Erie compared to average premiums from Hastings Mutual.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Erie typically offers lower prices than Hastings Mutual when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around 28% per month less with Erie compared to Hastings Mutual, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about 6% monthly.

Is Erie or Hastings Mutual Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a big impact on your monthly car insurance cost. That's because the more milage you drive, the more likely you are to be in a collision and file an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Hastings Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for Erie, with policyholders who drive the least paying around $11 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles every year. Still, for drivers in both categories, Erie is the more affordable company.

Erie or Hastings Mutual: 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 insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a considerable impact as well. Usually, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, Erie typically comes out as the lowest option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, Erie Insurance's average premiums are about $97 less than Hastings Mutual Insurance Company. People who live in suburban areas pay around $32 less with Erie compared to Hastings Mutual. Those in rural areas can expect to save about $49 with Erie compared to Hastings Mutual.

Erie vs. Hastings Mutual Discounts

No matter why you might be in the market for a new 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 utilizing as many car insurance discounts as possible.

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

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and broke down all of the different discounts offered by both Erie and Hastings Mutual so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

Erie blows Hastings Mutual away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 11 more discounts than Hastings Mutual.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Erie also offers discounts for advance quote, COVID-19 relief, distant student, and more.

On the other hand, Hastings Mutual has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like company car discounts, good student discounts, prior carrier discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Erie or Hastings Mutual Best for You?

You've seen the role certain variables have on your insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. But, at the end of the day, which insurance company is the right company for you and your specific driver profile?

Erie might be best for you if....

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• Your neighborhood is in a city.
• You're of retirement age and want to take advantage of lower rates.

Hastings Mutual might be best for you if...

• You live in one of the following states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
• You've been pulled over for speeding recently.
• You have an at-fault accident on your record.

Hopefully, this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Erie and Hastings Mutual. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just Erie and Hastings Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Erie vs. Hastings Mutual FAQs

Is Erie or Hastings Mutual cheaper?

Erie is the cheaper of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $153 a month with Erie and $211 for Hastings Mutual. But that doesn't mean Erie will be the cheapest carrier for each driver, since there are a bunch of different factors (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Erie or Hastings Mutual?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No single company is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile. For example, Erie is less expensive for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores, while Hastings Mutual offers more affordable premiums for drivers with an at-fault collision on their record.

Why do Erie and Hastings Mutual offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers use lots of different variables when calculating the rates they charge. Things like where you park your vehicle, age, gender, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Erie and Hastings Mutual calculate prices using different factors, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if Erie or Hastings Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the car 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 ZIP code and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance companies for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't Erie or Hastings Mutual 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.