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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, Erie offers significantly more affordable prices than National Mutual
• Erie offers more affordable rates for couples purchasing insurance together
• National Mutual offers more affordable premiums for residents in Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio

Erie vs. National Mutual: 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 huge discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Erie or National Mutual for your next policy, but between the two, which company will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Erie has average rates that are about 24% per month cheaper than those from National Mutual.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean Erie will be the less expensive option for each driver. Car insurance companies use all sorts of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how old you are or where you live (among many other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both Erie and National Mutual by many different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Erie or National Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Erie and National Mutual only compete against each other in one states, with Erie offering cheaper premiums to the average driver in all of them. Ohio has the most noticable difference, where Erie prices are over 70% more affordable than auto insurance premiums at National Mutual.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance cost than just the state you live in. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance rates of any other group of drivers out there on the road. Usually, that's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an auto 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. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Erie for their auto insurance pay more than $150 less than those who use National Mutual. It's worth noting that Erie offers insurance in 11 different states compared to National Mutual's three, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

That being said, with both carriers, you'll see your prices lower significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Erie policyholders decrease nearly 55% and National Mutual's rates drop over 60% 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'll ever see.

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? Erie gets the edge here, with average prices coming in at around $116 per month compared to National Mutual's $134.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive insurance premiums than married couples. This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something a lot of auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Erie is the clear winner for single drivers, with rates about $64 a month less expensive than National Mutual, on average. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - Erie has the edge when it comes to average prices.

Erie vs. National Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Women generally to pay less for insurance than men. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into collisions and get speeding tickets, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher premiums.

Women normally pay around 7% per month less than men with Erie, while with National Mutual, the difference is closer to 10% a month.

When it comes to the lowest prices for each gender, Erie comes out on top for both men and women, with average premiums $54 less for men and $44 cheaper for women.

Erie or National 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, auto insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are a range 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 (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which typically refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Erie generally offers slightly cheaper rates of $91 compared to National Mutual's $94. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Erie again has the edge, with policies about $95 per month more affordable than National Mutual, on average.

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

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their car 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 tickets and at-fault accidents 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?

Erie policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $18 a month if they get a ticket, while National Mutual usually raises prices around $11 per month, on average.

But Erie is normally the less expensive option for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket -- their rates are around 9% cheaper for drivers with clean records and 4% more affordable for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their auto insurance through Erie can expect to see about an $38 -- or around 24% -- increase in their car insurance rates. Drivers who use National Mutual for their insurance will see a monthly bill about $76 (or 37%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their auto insurance carrier.

Overall, the less expensive premiums come from Erie, with monthly prices averaging $157 compared to National Mutual Insurance's $207.

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 a collision. National Mutual drivers usually see a 60% climb in their car insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Erie will typically raise premiums by around 40%.

Erie has the overall cheapest prices for drivers with a DUI on their records at $198 a month, but it's worth noting that Erie's average rates come from 11 states compared to just three for National Mutual, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Erie and National Mutual Rates?

In many cases, your credit score can be used as one of the factors to determine your monthly insurance rates. This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for lots of 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 premiums.

Looking specifically at Erie and National 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 solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Erie. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 30% compared to National Mutual, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $50 or 31% less expensive each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Erie typically offers lower rates than National Mutual when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $71 a month less with Erie compared to National Mutual, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about $39 monthly.

Is Erie or National Mutual 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 payment? 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 National Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly prices for Erie, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicle yearly paying around $11 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles each year. Still, Erie is the more affordable option for drivers in both categories.

Erie vs. National 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 auto insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a considerable impact as well. Typically, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas because there are a lot fewer cars on the roads in those areas.

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

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the cheapest premiums from both companies, but Erie comes out on top with average prices about $115 per month. Erie also has less expensive average premiums for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $20 and $56 per month respective difference when compared to National Mutual policyholders in similar areas.

Erie vs. National Mutual Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem challenging to find all the of the ones you can take advantage of.

Below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Erie and National Mutual offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Overall, Erie comes out ahead with 21 discounts to National Mutual's 19.

Both carriers offer several of the same discounts -- like discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for getting driver training, and paid in full discounts -- but Erie also offers ABS discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, distant student discounts, and more that National Mutual does not.

On the flip side, National Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- claim free discounts, continuous insurance discounts, education discounts, and more.

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

You've seen the role certain variables have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, at the end of the day, which company is the best one for you and your specific needs?

Erie might be best for you if....

• Your driving record contains an at-fault accident.
• You already have a great credit score.
• You're buying auto insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

National Mutual might be best for you if...

• You live in one of the following states: Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Erie and National Mutual and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your 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 multiple carriers, not just Erie and National Mutual. 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 car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Erie vs. National Mutual FAQs

Is Erie or National Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Erie is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $153 a month compared to $201 for National Mutual. Even so, Erie won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for every policyholder, since there are several different factors that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance bill.

Who is better, Erie or National Mutual?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". Neither company is "better" for each driver -- it all depends on what your unique car insurance profile looks like.

Why do Erie and National Mutual offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at several different variables when calculating the premiums they charge drivers. Things like your driving record, age, where you park your vehicle, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Erie and National Mutual calculate rates using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different carriers.

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

The only way to find the car insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Erie or National 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.