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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, First Chicago offers significantly cheaper premiums than Hastings Mutual
• First Chicago offers more affordable prices for policyholders who live in suburban areas
• Hastings Mutual tends to be a much more affordable option for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

First Chicago vs. Hastings Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? 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 have narrowed your search down to First Chicago or Hastings Mutual, but which carrier will save you the most?

As you can see, Hastings Mutual is quite a bit more expensive than First Chicago, with rates averaging $211 per month compared to just $156 with First Chicago when looking at the national average rates for auto insurance.

Even so, First Chicago may not be the lowest or best option for every driver out there. Car insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, how old you are, where you live, and a variety of other factors, so prices will vary quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of First Chicago or Hastings Mutual is really the best for you, keep reading to see average premiums for each company broken down by a range of different rate factors.

First Chicago or Hastings Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

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There's a lot more that goes into your car insurance bill than just where you live. Continue reading to see how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance rates of any other group of drivers out there on the road. Normally, that's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

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 First Chicago for their auto insurance pay $25 less than those who use Hastings Mutual.

However, with both carriers, you'll see your prices lower significantly once you turn 25. For example, average premiums for First Chicago policyholders decrease nearly 60% and Hastings Mutual's rates reduce more than 45% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll generally enjoy the most affordable car insurance prices you can find. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly rates for auto insurance.

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between First Chicago and Hastings Mutual? First Chicago gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older over 30% less expensive than the national average for Hastings Mutual.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

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

When it comes to relationship status, First Chicago is the clear winner for single drivers, with premiums about $48 a month cheaper than Hastings Mutual, on average. The advantage for married policyholders with First Chicago is also obvious, where drivers save almost $65 per month.

First Chicago vs. Hastings Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know men tend to pay more for insurance than women? This is because men are more likely to get into accidents and get tickets, which raises the chances of an insurance claim.

Men typically pay more than $10 a month more than women with First Chicago, and around $5 more with Hastings Mutual.

When it comes to the lowest prices for each gender, First Chicago offers the most affordable average premiums for both men and women. On average, women save about $58 per month and men save about $51 with First Chicago compared to the average Hastings Mutual policyholder.

First Chicago or 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.

It's no secret that car insurance can be pretty complicated. There are multiple different coverages that account for many 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 includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, First Chicago usually offers significantly more affordable prices of $73 compared to Hastings Mutual's $142. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, First Chicago again has the edge, with policies around $40 a month less expensive than Hastings Mutual, on average.

Is First Chicago or Hastings 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.

At-fault accidents and tickets will most likely raise your rates, but is First Chicago or Hastings Mutual more affordable for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

First Chicago policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $35 per month if they get a ticket, while Hastings Mutual generally raises premiums about $20 a month, on average.

If you have a clean record, First Chicago tends to offer the best rates at around 0% cheaper, while Hastings Mutual has the edge for drivers with a speeding ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

First Chicago drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their premiums rise by over 25%, while those who have insurance through Hastings Mutual will see about a 15% increase.

Overall, the less expensive rates come from Hastings Mutual, with monthly prices averaging $126 compared to First Chicago Insurance's $146.

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 auto insurance bill. For example, Hastings Mutual increases average premiums by over $350 per month -- that's over a 75% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, First Chicago tends to be the much cheaper option with average rates of $225 per month compared to $478 from Hastings Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact First Chicago and Hastings Mutual Rates?

In many cases, your credit score can come into play when carriers calculate your monthly bill. Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it does affect lots of policyholders out there.

Car insurance carriers argue that those with good credit scores are more likely to pay their bills on time each month, which decreases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with bad credit.

So, which carrier offers the best prices for drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

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

How much you drive can have a large impact on how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage. Normally, the more miles you put on your car each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

In this case, neither First Chicago or Hastings Mutual report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Even so, First Chicago comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle yearly, with average premiums of $156 a month for both.

First Chicago vs. Hastings Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your car can have a big impact on your monthly car insurance payment. Usually, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas because there are a lot more vehicles on the road in those areas, which increases the chances of an accident.

First Chicago boasts the lowest average premiums for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, First Chicago Insurance's average prices are around $95 less than Hastings Mutual Insurance Company. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about $49 less with First Chicago compared to Hastings Mutual. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save around $19 with First Chicago compared to Hastings Mutual.

First Chicago vs. Hastings Mutual Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be challenging to find all the ones you can take advantage of.

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

Overall, Hastings Mutual comes out ahead with 10 discounts to First Chicago's nine.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like ABS discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, and passive restraint discounts -- but Hastings Mutual also offers company car discounts, good driving discounts, multi-car discounts, and more that First Chicago does not.

On the flip side, First Chicago has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts, discounts for getting driver training, multi-policy discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is First Chicago or Hastings Mutual Best for You?

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

First Chicago might be best for you if....

• You have a clean record.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your car insurance.

Hastings Mutual might be best for you if...

• You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
• You have an at-fault accident on your record.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between First Chicago and Hastings Mutual. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best 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 car insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just First Chicago and Hastings Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best auto insurance companies in your area, all for free.

First Chicago vs. Hastings Mutual FAQs

Is First Chicago or Hastings Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, First Chicago is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $156 per month compared to $211 for Hastings Mutual. That being said, First Chicago won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for every 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, First Chicago or Hastings Mutual?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for each driver -- it all depends on what your unique car insurance profile looks like. For example, Hastings Mutual offers less expensive prices for drivers with an at-fault collision on their record, while First Chicago is more affordable for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do First Chicago and Hastings Mutual offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at many different variables when calculating the premiums they charge policyholders. Things like where you live, where your home is, age, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both First Chicago and Hastings Mutual use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different carriers.

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

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be First Chicago or Hastings 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.