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

Quick Facts

• In general, First Chicago offers significantly more affordable premiums than State Auto
• First Chicago has less expensive rates for policyholders who are looking to purchase insurance with a spouse
• State Auto may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than First Chicago Insurance

First Chicago or State Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big savings, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might be considering First Chicago or State Auto as your top options, but which carrier has cheaper prices for car insurance?

Looking at the national average rates for both carriers, First Chicago is quite a bit cheaper than State Auto, with rates averaging $156 a month compared to $259 with State Auto.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean First Chicago will be the more affordable option for each driver. Auto insurance companies use tons of complex algorithms to determine premiums, so depending on how good your credit score is or where you live (among numerous other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

Wanting to know if First Chicago or State Auto is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average premiums can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

First Chicago vs. State Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

First Chicago and State Auto only compete against each other in Illinois, where First Chicago offers the cheaper average rates. First Chicago drivers tend to pay about $179 per month less on average compared to drivers who use State Auto for their car insurance.

But there's more to calculating insurance premiums than just your home state. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers typically pay a lot more for car insurance than any group on the road. It's because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an auto insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

But that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance rates. As you can see above, teens who use First Chicago save almost 50% a month compared to those who use State Auto.

Even so, both carriers will drop prices by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for First Chicago policyholders decrease nearly 60% and State Auto's prices lower almost 75% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

So, which company offers the best prices to retired drivers? First Chicago gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $53 less expensive than the national average for State Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance premiums tend to be cheaper for married couples than they are for single policyholders. That's because policies for married policyholders usually cover several vehicles, which several companies will give you a discount for.

For those who are single, the difference in average rates between these two carriers is significant, with First Chicago prices coming in at around half of State Auto's. The advantage for married drivers with First Chicago is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 30% per month.

First Chicago or State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Men normally pay more for auto insurance than women. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into collisions and file an insurance claim, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher rates.

With First Chicago, men usually pay about $10 a month more than women, but with State Auto, the difference is closer to $24 per month.

When it comes to the cheapest premiums for each gender, First Chicago comes out on top for both men and women, with average prices $109 less for men and $97 cheaper for women.

First Chicago vs. State 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 isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are several different coverages that account for multiple different things. Some protect you and your car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

However, most policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability coverage (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which normally refers to having collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability insurance, First Chicago has the significant edge, with average monthly rates coming in at $73. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, First Chicago again has the edge, with policies averaging around $240 a month to State Auto's $369.

Is First Chicago or State Auto 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.

Speeding tickets and at-fault accidents will most likely raise your prices, but is First Chicago or State Auto more affordable for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use First Chicago for their auto insurance can typically expect their monthly bill to go up about 24% after getting a speeding ticket. State Auto policyholders can expect a less drastic increase of around 22%.

That being said, First Chicago has cheaper premiums for drivers in both categories. With First Chicago Insurance, drivers with a clean record can save about $61 per month and drivers with a ticket can save around $74 a month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

First Chicago drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their prices increase by over 25%, while those who have insurance through State Auto will see about a 35% increase.

At the end of the day, drivers who use First Chicago end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with average rates coming in at $146 compared to State Auto Insurance's $269.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple speeding ticket or even an accident. On average, State Auto will climb your premiums around 55% after a DUI, while First Chicago's average rates climb by more than 50%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable prices, First Chicago tends to be less expensive for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at about $225 to State Auto's $380.

How does Credit Score Impact First Chicago and State Auto Rates?

Often times, your credit score can come into play when companies calculate your monthly bill. This isn't true for everyone (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a car insurance factor) but it does affect many policyholders out there.

Car insurance carriers argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, drivers with good credit will often be rewarded with cheaper premiums.

Looking at First Chicago and State Auto specifically, which one has the best rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, First Chicago will generally reward you the most. For drivers with "excellent" credit scores, First Chicago comes in over 31.96 more affordable. Drivers with "good" credit scores typically save around 39% with First Chicago compared to average prices from State Auto.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

First Chicago typically offers lower premiums than State Auto when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about 41% per month less with First Chicago compared to State Auto, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of around 44% monthly.

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

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a substantial impact on how much insurance companies will charge for coverage? Generally, those who drive fewer miles will end up with less expensive prices since there's less of a chance of causing a collision and filing an insurance claim.

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

First Chicago or State Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

We've already mentioned how your home state can play a role in how much you pay for auto insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a large impact as well. Normally, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for car insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

First Chicago tends to offer the cheapest prices for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, First Chicago's average rates are about $196 per month compared to State Auto's $317. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay a monthly premium of around $128 with First Chicago compared to $236 with State Auto. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay about $145 per month with First Chicago and $225 with State Auto.

First Chicago vs. State Auto Discounts

No matter why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as you can, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as possible.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be difficult to find all the ones you qualify for or to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and compared all of the different discounts offered by First Chicago and State Auto so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

State Auto blows First Chicago away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering nine more discounts than First Chicago.

Both carriers offer lots of the same discounts -- like anti-theft discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, and multi-policy discounts -- but State Auto also offers discounts for advantage program , COVID-19 relief, distant student, and more.

On the other hand, First Chicago has a proprietary discount of their own -- a renewal discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is First Chicago or State Auto Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain variables have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, when it comes down to it, is First Chicago or State Auto the right company for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

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

• You will be the only person on the auto insurance policy.
• Your neighborhood is in the suburbs.
• Your neighborhood is in a rural area.

State Auto might be best for you if...

• You care about discounts (State Auto offers the most).

Hopefully, this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare First Chicago and State Auto and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your car insurance.

But, at the end of the day, there's only one way to know for sure that you're getting the best possible deal on insurance -- comparing quotes from multiple carriers, not just First Chicago and State Auto. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

First Chicago vs. State Auto FAQs

Is First Chicago or State Auto cheaper?

First Chicago is the cheaper of the two carriers when looking at national average premiums, with policies averaging $156 a month with First Chicago and $259 for State Auto. But that doesn't mean First Chicago will be the most affordable company for everyone, since there are lots of different factors that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance bill.

Who is better, First Chicago or State Auto?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No one carrier is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all comes down to what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do First Chicago and State Auto offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies use a lot of different variables when determining the prices they charge. Things such as your driving record, gender, where you call home, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both First Chicago and State Auto calculate premiums 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 a range of different carriers.

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

The only way to find the car insurance carrier 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, 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 carriers for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't First Chicago or State Auto 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.