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

Quick Facts

• In general, Secura offers slightly cheaper prices than First Chicago
• First Chicago offers more affordable average premiums for drivers with a DUI charge on their record
• Secura offers more affordable rates for policyholders who have a short commute

First Chicago vs. Secura: 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 big discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to First Chicago or Secura as potential options, but which company will save you the most?

As you can see, Secura is about $10 per month cheaper than First Chicago when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

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

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

First Chicago or Secura: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

First Chicago and Secura only compete against each other in Illinois, where First Chicago offers the cheaper average rates. For Illinois residents, First Chicago offers car insurance for $156 a month on average. Secura's average prices come out to be more expensive, at $168 monthly.

That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance bill than just your home state. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance premiums of any group 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 rates, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Secura save nearly $40 a month compared to those who use First Chicago.

But both carriers will decrease prices once you turn 25. Secura offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. First Chicago's average premiums drop almost 60% during that same period.

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 lowest rates out there.

When looking at First Chicago and Secura specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Secura gets the slight edge here, with average prices coming in at around $111 per month compared to First Chicago's $114. That being said, that difference is less than 5%, which means it ultimately will come down to other factors, such as where you live or your driving record.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married policyholders tend to get slightly less expensive insurance premiums than single drivers. 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.

If you're in the market for car insurance, Secura tends to have the most affordable average rates regardless of relationship status, with prices about 4% cheaper for married couples and nearly 10% less expensive for single policyholders.

First Chicago vs. Secura: Average Rates by Gender

Women tend to pay less for auto insurance than men. This is because women are less likely to get speeding tickets and get into collisions, which lowers the chances of an insurance claim.

With First Chicago, women normally pay more than $10 per month less than men, and around $3 less with Secura.

When it comes to the cheapest premiums for each gender, Secura comes out as the most affordable option for both genders, with average prices 9% less for men and 4% cheaper for women.

First Chicago or Secura: 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 a variety 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 end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to what you get with liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Secura typically offers slightly more affordable premiums of $69 compared to First Chicago's $73. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Secura again has the edge, with policies about $20 a month cheaper than First Chicago, on average.

Is First Chicago or Secura 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 tickets and at-fault accidents on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the lowest prices to drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

First Chicago policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $35 per month if they get a ticket, while Secura usually raises prices around $35 a month, on average.

Even so, Secura tends to offer the best prices for drivers both with a speeding ticket and with a clean record, offering premiums that are $22 and $22 more affordable, respectively, compared to First Chicago Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

First Chicago drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their rates rise by over 25%, while those who have insurance through Secura will see about a 35% increase.

Overall, Secura offers the cheapest prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly rates averaging $129 compared to First Chicago Insurance's $146.

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 -- typically a lot more than a collision or ticket. Secura drivers usually see a 64% raise in their car insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while First Chicago will generally climb rates by around 52%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, First Chicago tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $225 monthly compared to $244 from Secura.

How does Credit Score Impact First Chicago and Secura Rates?

Did you know that many insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating rates? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for several policyholders.

Auto insurance companies argue that someone with bad credit is less likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them riskier to insure. Because of that, drivers with bad credit will often be forced to pay more.

So, which company offers the lowest prices for policyholders with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Secura. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save just under 10% compared to First Chicago, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $6 or 4% cheaper every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Secura typically offers lower premiums than First Chicago when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $7 per month less with Secura compared to First Chicago, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $20 a month.

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

How much you drive can have a substantial impact on your monthly car insurance payment. That's because the more miles you drive, the more 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 First Chicago charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for Secura, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicle annually paying around $5 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles every year. Still, Secura is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

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

Where you live can have a sizable impact on your monthly insurance cost. Normally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than policyholders in urban areas because there are a lot fewer cars on the road in those areas, which lowers the chances of an accident.

Secura usually comes out as the more affordable option for drivers in rural and urban areas, while First Chicago wins in suburban areas.

In urban areas, SECURA Insurance's average premiums are about $35 less than First Chicago Insurance. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $9 less with First Chicago compared to Secura. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $6 with Secura compared to First Chicago.

First Chicago vs. Secura Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new car insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by utilizing 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 hard to find all the ones you're eligible for.

Below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts First Chicago and Secura offer their customers so that you can find the carrier that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Secura blows First Chicago away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 19 different discounts to First Chicago's nine.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Secura also offers distant student discounts, good driving discounts, group discounts, and more that First Chicago does not.

On the flip side, First Chicago has a couple unique discounts of its own -- ABS discounts and discounts for getting driver training.

Final Thoughts: Is First Chicago or Secura Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average prices for many of the variables car insurance companies look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each carrier offers. But, when it comes down to it, is First Chicago or Secura the best one for you and your specific driver profile?

Secura might be best for you if....

• You've been pulled over for speeding recently.
• You already have a great credit score.
• You drive often but have a short commute.

First Chicago might be best for you if...

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You live in an suburban area.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare First Chicago and Secura. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your auto 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 carriers, not just First Chicago and Secura. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

First Chicago vs. Secura FAQs

Is First Chicago or Secura cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Secura is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $146 a month compared to $156 for First Chicago. However, Secura won't necessarily be the most affordable company for each policyholder, since there are lots of different factors (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, First Chicago or Secura?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, First Chicago offers less expensive prices for drivers with a recent DUI, while Secura is more affordable for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do First Chicago and Secura offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at quite a few different variables when determining the premiums they charge drivers. Things such as where you park your vehicle, where you call home, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both First Chicago and Secura calculate rates differently, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different carriers.

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

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple 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 area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be First Chicago or Secura 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.