Erie vs. Trustgard Auto: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Trustgard Auto offers more affordable rates than Erie
• Erie tends to be a much cheaper option for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• Trustgard Auto has less expensive premiums for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit

Erie vs. Trustgard Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

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

You might be considering Erie or Trustgard Auto, but between the two, which carrier will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Trustgard Auto has average rates that are about 10% per month more affordable than those from Erie.

But that doesn't necessarily mean Trustgard Auto will be the cheaper option for every driver. After all, auto insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your driving record, where you call home, your age, or even your credit score (among other things), so rates will change quite a bit from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both Erie and Trustgard Auto by a variety of different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Erie or Trustgard Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Erie and Trustgard Auto only compete against each other in two states, with Erie offering less expensive premiums to the average driver in all of them. If you live in Illinois, Erie is the more affordable of the two carriers when looking at the overall average rates. Trustgard Auto is the less expensive option in Tennessee.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your car insurance bill than just where you call home. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers usually pay a lot more for auto insurance than any group out there on the road. That's generally because young, inexperienced 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 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 insurance pay more than $40 less than those who use Trustgard Auto. It's worth noting that Erie offers auto insurance in 11 different states compared to Trustgard Auto's three, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

Even so, with both companies, you'll see your premiums decrease significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for Erie policyholders drop over $150 and Trustgard Auto's prices reduce nearly $250 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 premiums you'll ever find.

When looking at Erie and Trustgard Auto specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Trustgard Auto gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $20 cheaper than the national average for Erie.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance prices are typically more affordable for married couples than they are for single drivers? This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something quite a few auto insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, the two companies are comparable for single policyholders, with premiums only differing around $6 a month, on average. But for married policyholders, the advantage is clear - Trustgard Auto offers the lowest average prices.

Erie vs. Trustgard Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Men normally pay more for car insurance than women. 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 rates.

Normally, men see premiums about 7% per month higher with Erie, while with Trustgard Auto, the difference is closer to 6% a month.

When it comes to the cheapest prices for each gender, Trustgard Auto comes out on top for both men and women, with average rates 10% less for men and 10% cheaper for women.

Erie or Trustgard 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. There are so many different coverages and limits that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

That being said, the 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 passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Trustgard Auto normally offers less expensive premiums of $79 compared to Erie's $91. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Trustgard Auto again has the edge, with policies around $20 per month cheaper than Erie, on average.

Is Erie or Trustgard Auto 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 accidents and tickets on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the most affordable rates to drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Erie policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $18 a month if they get a ticket, while Trustgard Auto typically raises rates about $50 per month, on average.

If you have a clean record, Trustgard Auto tends to offer the best prices at around 18% more affordable, while Erie has the edge for drivers with a speeding ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Erie drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums rise by just under 25%, while those who have insurance through Trustgard Auto will see about a 25% increase.

Overall, Trustgard Auto offers the lowest prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly rates averaging $133 compared to Erie Insurance's $157.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or ticket when it comes to your insurance bill. Erie drivers usually see a 40% raise in their car insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Trustgard Auto will usually climb rates by around 43%.

Trustgard Auto has the overall cheapest prices for drivers with a DUI on their records at $171 a month, but it's worth noting that Erie's average rates come from 11 states compared to just three for Trustgard Auto, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Erie and Trustgard Auto Rates?

Often times, your credit score can come into play when companies calculate your monthly bill. Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for a lot of policyholders.

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

So, which company offers the lowest premiums for drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Erie. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 20% compared to Trustgard Auto, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $17 or 13% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Trustgard Auto typically offers lower rates than Erie when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $10 a month less with Trustgard Auto compared to Erie, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about $88 per month.

Is Erie or Trustgard Auto 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 your monthly insurance cost. Typically, those who drive less will end up with less expensive premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident 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 Trustgard Auto charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly prices for Erie, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicle annually paying around $11 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, Trustgard Auto is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

Erie vs. Trustgard Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can play a sizable role in how much you pay for car insurance. Usually, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

Trustgard Auto boasts the lowest average rates in urban and suburban areas, while Erie wins in rural areas.

In urban areas, Trustgard Auto Insurance's average prices are about 24% less than Erie Insurance. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around 9% less with Trustgard Auto compared to Erie. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about 14% with Erie compared to Trustgard Auto.

Erie vs. Trustgard Auto Discounts

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

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be difficult to find all the ones you qualify for.

In the table below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Erie and Trustgard Auto offer their customers so that you can see which company can save you the most money each month.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Erie has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Trustgard Auto offers a grand total of 16 discounts, while Erie has 21.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Erie also offers ABS discounts, driver training discounts, DRL discounts, and more that Trustgard Auto does not.

On the flip side, Trustgard Auto has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advanced safety feature discounts, company car discounts, education discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Erie or Trustgard Auto Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average premiums for many of the factors insurance companies look at, and walked through the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is Erie or Trustgard Auto the right one for you and your specific driver profile?

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

• You haven't received any speeding tickets or been in a collision in the last few years.
• You want basic car insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You don't spend much time in your car.

Erie might be best for you if...

• You're planning on moving to another state soon -- Trustgard Auto Insurance is only available in three states.
• You already have a great credit score.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Erie and Trustgard Auto and that you can now make a more informed 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 a handful of carriers, not just Erie and Trustgard Auto. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of top insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Erie vs. Trustgard Auto FAQs

Is Erie or Trustgard Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Trustgard Auto is the less expensive of the two carriers, offering average rates of $137 per month compared to $153 for Erie. However, Trustgard Auto won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for each policyholder, since there are many different variables that are considered when it comes to your car insurance payment.

Who is better, Erie or Trustgard Auto?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One company is not "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique auto insurance profile looks like. For example, Trustgard Auto offers more affordable prices for drivers with a recent DUI, while Erie is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Erie and Trustgard Auto offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at lots of different factors when calculating the premiums they charge drivers. Things like gender, age, your driving record, where you park your car, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Erie and Trustgard Auto calculate prices using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different carriers.

How do I know if Erie or Trustgard Auto is right for me?

The only way to find the 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, sites like Compare.com make 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 lowest premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Erie or Trustgard 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.