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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, Erie offers significantly cheaper premiums than Utica National
• Erie tends to be a much more affordable option for policyholders whose driving record contains an at-fault collision
• Utica National has less expensive prices in NY

Erie or Utica National: 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 hefty savings, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

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

Looking at nationwide averages, Utica National is quite a bit more expensive than Erie, with premiums averaging $394 a month compared to just $153 with Erie.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean Erie will be the more affordable option for each driver. Car insurance carriers vary their rates depending on things like where you live, how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, how old you are, and tons of other factors, so prices will differ quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Erie or Utica National is really the best for you, keep reading to see average premiums for each company broken down by a variety of different rate factors.

Erie vs. Utica National: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Erie and Utica National only compete against each other in New York, where Utica National offers the cheaper average rates. Utica National drivers tend to pay about $4 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Erie for their auto insurance.

But there's more to insurance than just where you live. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how auto insurance companies determine your prices. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance rates of any group on the road. It's generally because teen 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 Erie save almost 55% a month compared to those who use Utica National. It's worth noting that Erie offers insurance in 11 different states compared to Utica National's one, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

Even so, with both carriers, you'll see your rates reduce significantly by the time you turn 25. Utica National offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, Erie still has the lowest premiums at $142 per month.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age usually enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance prices out there. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which typically decreases their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise premiums.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between Erie and Utica National? Erie gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $196 cheaper than the national average for Utica National.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive insurance premiums than married couples. That's normally because married drivers tend to own and insure more than one vehicle, which can often earn you a discount.

For single drivers, the difference in average prices between these two companies is significant, with Erie rates coming in at around a third of Utica National's. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - Erie has the edge when it comes to average prices.

Erie or Utica National: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into a collision, which means they'll generally end up paying more for car insurance than women.

On average, men see rates about $10 per month higher with Erie, and around $30 with Utica National.

When it comes to the most affordable premiums for each gender, Erie offers the cheapest average prices for both men and women, with average premiums 61% less for men and 61% cheaper for women.

Erie vs. Utica National: 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.

It's no secret that insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different terms and limits that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy for you.

The two most common 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 two additional coverages -- collision and comprehensive -- in addition to what you get with liability).

Looking specifically at state minimum limits for liability insurance, Erie has the significant edge, with average monthly rates 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 Utica National's $592.

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

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their car insurance. But that's not to say you can't save money if you don't have the best driving record, either.

It's no secret secret that speeding tickets and at-fault accidents lead to higher premiums, but which carrier -- Erie or Utica National -- has the lowest rates for drivers with less-than-ideal driving 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. Utica National policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 16%.

However, Erie has less expensive prices for drivers in both categories, offering rates that are $185 and $225 more affordable, respectively, compared to Utica National.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Erie drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums climb by just under $40, while those who have insurance through Utica National will see around a $60 increase.

At the end of the day, the less expensive prices come from Erie, with average premiums coming in at $157 compared to Utica National's $362.

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 insurance bill -- normally a lot more than an accident or ticket. Utica National drivers usually see a 45% raise in their auto insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Erie will usually increase prices by about 40%.

Erie has the overall most affordable premiums 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 one for Utica National, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Erie and Utica National Rates?

In many cases, your credit score can be used as one of the variables to calculate your monthly car insurance rates. Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as an auto insurance factor, but it does affect many policyholders out there.

The reasoning auto insurance companies use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so typically, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with cheaper prices.

Looking at Erie and Utica National specifically, which carrier has the lowest rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, Erie will usually reward you the most. For drivers with "excellent" credit scores, Erie comes in more than 76.9 less expensive. Drivers with "good" credit scores generally save around 72% with Erie compared to average premiums from Utica National.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Erie typically offers lower prices than Utica National when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about 62% per month less with Erie compared to Utica National, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of around 35% monthly.

Is Erie or Utica National 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 rates. Generally, the more milage you drive, the more you can expect to pay for car insurance.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Utica National charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for Erie, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles every year paying about $11 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, for drivers in both categories, Erie is the cheaper company.

Erie or Utica National: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your car can have a substantial impact on your monthly insurance cost. Usually, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for car insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, Erie typically comes out as the most affordable option for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, Erie Insurance's average rates are around 64% less than Utica National. People who live in suburban areas pay about 54% less with Erie compared to Utica National. Those in rural areas can expect to save around 65% with Erie compared to Utica National.

Erie vs. Utica National Discounts

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

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem difficult to find all the of the ones you qualify for.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and looked at all of the different discounts Erie and Utica National offer their customers so that you can see which one can save you the most money each month.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Erie has advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Utica National offers a grand total of 18 discounts, while Erie has 21.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like ABS discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, DRL discounts, and paid in full discounts. Erie also offers discounts for advance quote, COVID-19 relief, distant student, and more.

On the other hand, Utica National has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like EFT discounts, ESC discounts, good student discounts, and more.

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

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your insurance prices. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, is Erie or Utica National the right carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Erie might be best for you if....

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• You're looking for the best premiums on liability only coverage.
• You and your spouse are buying auto insurance together.

Utica National might be best for you if...

• You like the personalized touch of a small, regional carrier.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Erie and Utica National. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your car insurance.

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

Erie vs. Utica National FAQs

Is Erie or Utica National cheaper?

Erie is the more affordable of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $153 a month with Erie and $394 for Utica National. But that doesn't mean Erie will be the lowest company for every driver, since there are multiple different variables (things like gender, age, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Erie or Utica National?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all comes down to what your unique car insurance profile looks like.

Why do Erie and Utica National offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers use several different factors when determining the rates they charge. Things like your driving record, where your home is, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Erie and Utica National calculate prices differently, so it's likely they'll offer different rates. The best way to determine which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different companies.

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

The only way to find the car insurance carrier 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 make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top auto insurance companies for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't Erie or Utica National 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.