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

Quick Facts

• In general, West Bend Mutual offers more affordable premiums than Erie
• Erie offers more affordable prices for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record
• West Bend Mutual offers cheaper average rates for residents of urban areas

Erie vs. West Bend 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 be considering Erie or West Bend Mutual for your next policy, but between the two, which carrier has less expensive premiums for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Erie has average rates that are about 14% per month more expensive than those from West Bend Mutual.

But West Bend Mutual may not be the most affordable or best option for every driver out there. Car insurance companies vary their prices depending on things like how old you are, where you live, how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, and a ton of other factors, so premiums could vary drastically from person to person.

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

Erie or West Bend Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Erie and West Bend Mutual only compete against each other in one states, with Erie offering more affordable prices to the average driver in all of them. Wisconsin has the most noticable difference, where Erie premiums are over 20% less expensive than insurance prices at West Bend Mutual.

But there's more to calculating auto insurance rates than just your home state. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance premiums of any group out there on the road. The reason is that young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

However, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $15 less a month by choosing Erie over West Bend Mutual. It's worth noting that Erie offers auto insurance in 11 different states compared to West Bend 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 drop significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Erie policyholders lower more than $150 and West Bend Mutual's prices reduce around $200 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll typically enjoy the lowest car insurance rates out there. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly prices for insurance.

So, which carrier offers the best rates to retired drivers? West Bend Mutual gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $24 cheaper than the national average for Erie.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive auto insurance rates than married couples. That's usually because married policyholders tend to own and insure several cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, the two companies are comparable for single drivers, with prices only differing about $14 per month, on average. But for married drivers, the advantage is clear - West Bend Mutual has the edge when it comes to average premiums.

Erie vs. West Bend Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

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

Normally, women see rates over $10 a month more affordable with Erie, and around $16 less with West Bend Mutual.

When it comes to the cheapest prices for each gender, West Bend Mutual comes out on top for both men and women, with average premiums 12% less for men and 16% cheaper for women.

Erie or West Bend 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 so many different limits and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

Even so, most policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides property damage and bodily injury coverage for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, West Bend Mutual normally offers cheaper rates of $77 compared to Erie's $91. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, West Bend Mutual again has the edge, with policies about $30 per month less expensive than Erie, on average.

Is Erie or West Bend Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their 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 lowest prices to drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Erie policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $18 a month if they get a ticket, while West Bend Mutual generally raises rates around $25 per month, on average.

But West Bend Mutual has more affordable premiums for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are 29% and 20% less expensive, respectively, compared to Erie Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Erie drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their rates increase by just under 25%, while those who have insurance through West Bend Mutual will see about a 50% increase.

Overall, drivers who use Erie end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly premiums averaging $157 compared to West Bend Mutual Insurance's $163.

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 car insurance bill -- normally a lot more than a collision or speeding ticket. West Bend Mutual drivers usually see a 50% raise in their auto insurance prices after a DUI charge, while Erie will usually increase premiums by around 40%.

West Bend Mutual has the overall most affordable rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $169 a month, but it's worth noting that Erie's average rates come from 11 states compared to just three for West Bend Mutual, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Erie and West Bend Mutual Rates?

Did you know that many insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (for example, Massachusetts and Michigan are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for a lot of policyholders.

The reasoning auto insurance carriers use is that drivers with good credit will be more likely to pay their bills on time; so they'll reward them with cheaper premiums, while those with poor credit will typically be forced to pay more.

Looking specifically at Erie and West Bend Mutual, which company has the best prices for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Erie. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save 6% compared to West Bend Mutual, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $4 or 3% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

West Bend Mutual typically offers lower rates than Erie when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $17 a month less with West Bend Mutual compared to Erie, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $78 per month.

Is Erie or West Bend 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 your monthly car insurance payment. Typically, the more miles you put on your car each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much West Bend Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for Erie, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicle every year paying around $11 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, West Bend Mutual is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Erie vs. West Bend Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a substantial impact on your monthly insurance cost. Normally, 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.

West Bend Mutual tends to offer the lowest prices for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the most affordable premiums from both companies, but West Bend Mutual comes out on top with average prices about $113 monthly. West Bend Mutual also has cheaper average rates for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $36 and $23 per month respective difference when compared to Erie policyholders in similar areas.

Erie vs. West Bend Mutual Discounts

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

The difficult part is finding all of the discounts you can take advantage of, since it can feel sometimes like every carrier has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

In the table below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Erie and West Bend Mutual offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Erie comes out ahead with 21 discounts to West Bend Mutual's 16.

Both carriers offer lots of the same discounts -- like ABS discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for being a good driver, and paid in full discounts -- but Erie also offers advance quote discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, driver training discounts, and more that West Bend Mutual does not.

On the flip side, West Bend Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advanced safety feature discounts, excess vehicle discounts, discounts for being a good student, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Erie or West Bend Mutual Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average prices for many of the factors car insurance companies look at, and walked through the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which carrier is the best one for you and your specific needs?

West Bend Mutual might be best for you if....

• You're looking for the best rates in IA, MN, and WI.
• You want basic auto insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your car insurance.

Erie might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national insurance company.
• You have above-average credit.
• You're buying auto insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Erie and West Bend Mutual and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just Erie and West Bend Mutual. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Erie vs. West Bend Mutual FAQs

Is Erie or West Bend Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, West Bend Mutual is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $131 a month compared to $153 for Erie. However, West Bend Mutual won't necessarily be the lowest carrier for every driver, since there are a bunch of different variables (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Erie or West Bend Mutual?

Unfortunately, the real answer is "it depends.". No one company is "better" for each driver -- it all comes down to what your unique car insurance profile looks like. For example, West Bend Mutual offers cheaper premiums for drivers with a recent DUI, while Erie is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Erie and West Bend Mutual offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at many different factors when determining the rates they charge drivers. Things such as where you park your car, where your home is, age, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Erie and West Bend Mutual calculate prices differently, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different carriers.

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

The only way to find the car insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of 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 insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Erie or West Bend 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.