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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, Trustgard Auto offers cheaper premiums than First Chicago
• First Chicago tends to be a much more affordable option for policyholders who live in suburban areas
• Trustgard Auto has less expensive rates for policyholders who drive fewer than 6,000 miles every year

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

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering substantial savings, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You might have narrowed it down to First Chicago or Trustgard Auto as potential options, but between the two, which carrier will save you the most?

Looking at the national average rates for both carriers, Trustgard Auto is around $19 a month more affordable than First Chicago.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean Trustgard Auto will be the less expensive 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, where you call home, your age, or even your driving record (among other things), so prices will differ quite a bit from person to person.

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

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

First Chicago and Trustgard Auto only compete against each other in Illinois, where First Chicago offers the cheaper average premiums. First Chicago drivers tend to pay about $2 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Trustgard Auto for their insurance.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance payment than just the state you live in. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- normally pay a lot for insurance compared to older drivers. The reason is that teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

Even so, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance prices. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of almost 2% less a month by choosing First Chicago over Trustgard Auto.

That being said, both carriers will lower rates by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for First Chicago policyholders decrease nearly 60% and Trustgard Auto's rates drop almost 70% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll usually enjoy the lowest auto 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 premiums for insurance.

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between First Chicago and Trustgard Auto? Trustgard Auto gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $18 cheaper than the national average for First Chicago.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Single policyholders tend to get offered slightly more expensive car insurance premiums than married couples. That's because policies for married policyholders generally cover multiple vehicles, which many companies will give you a discount for.

For single drivers, the difference in average prices between these two carriers is not very significant, with Trustgard Auto premiums coming in at about 7% less than First Chicago's. But for married drivers, the advantage is clear - Trustgard Auto offers the cheapest average rates.

First Chicago or Trustgard Auto: Average Rates by Gender

You may not know, but auto insurance is typically cheaper for women than it is for men. That's because men are more likely to get speeding tickets and get into collisions, which raises the chances of filing a claim with insurance.

On average, women see premiums around 7% per month less with First Chicago, and about 6% less with Trustgard Auto.

Looking at overall affordability, Trustgard Auto comes out as the lowest option for both genders. On average, male drivers save about $20 a month and women save around $17 with Trustgard Auto compared to the average First Chicago policyholder.

First Chicago vs. Trustgard 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.

It's no secret that car insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. Everyone needs auto insurance, but there are so many different coverages and terms that it can be hard to find the right policy for you.

But most policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- collision and comprehensive -- in addition to liability).

When it comes to state minimum liability insurance, First Chicago has the edge, while Trustgard Auto offers the most affordable average prices for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Policyholders looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $6 with First Chicago Insurance, while full coverage comes out to be about $45 less expensive with Trustgard Auto Insurance.

Is First Chicago or Trustgard Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

At-fault collisions and speeding tickets will most likely raise your rates, but is First Chicago or Trustgard Auto more affordable for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers who use First Chicago for their auto insurance can usually expect their monthly bill to go up around 24% after getting a speeding ticket. Trustgard Auto policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 34%.

If you have gotten a ticket, First Chicago tends to offer the best prices at around 3% cheaper, while Trustgard Auto has the edge for drivers with a clean record.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

First Chicago policyholders who get in an accident can expect to see their rates climb by over $35, while those who have insurance through Trustgard Auto will see about a $35 increase.

At the end of the day, Trustgard Auto offers the cheapest premiums for drivers with an at-fault collision on their records, with average prices coming in at $133 compared to First Chicago Insurance's $146.

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 a collision. On average, First Chicago will raise your rates around 52% after a DUI, while Trustgard Auto's average premiums increase by nearly 45%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable rates, Trustgard Auto tends to be less expensive for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at about $171 to First Chicago's $225.

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

Did you know many insurance companies take into account your credit score when determining premiums? This isn't true for everyone (Massachusetts, for example, has banned the use of credit score as an insurance factor) but it might come into play for several drivers.

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, policyholders with good credit will often be rewarded with cheaper prices.

Looking at First Chicago and Trustgard Auto specifically, which one has the most affordable premiums for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, Trustgard Auto will normally reward you the most. For policyholders with "excellent" credit scores, Trustgard Auto comes in more than 15.15 more affordable. Drivers with "good" credit scores typically save around 8% with Trustgard Auto compared to average prices from First Chicago.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Trustgard Auto typically offers lower rates than First Chicago when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about 10% per month less with Trustgard Auto compared to First Chicago, and those with "poor" scores generally save an average of around 15% monthly.

Is First Chicago or Trustgard 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 pretty big impact on your monthly prices? Usually, the more milage you put on your car, the more you can expect to pay for insurance.

In this case, neither First Chicago or Trustgard Auto report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Trustgard Auto 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 rates of $137 a month for both.

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

Where you call home can play a big role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Typically, 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.

Looking at these companies side-by-side, Trustgard Auto normally comes out as the less expensive option for drivers in rural and urban areas, while First Chicago wins in suburban areas.

In urban areas, Trustgard Auto's average prices are about $147 per month compared to First Chicago's $196. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay a monthly price of around $128 with First Chicago compared to $132 with Trustgard Auto. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay about $134 a month with Trustgard Auto compared to First Chicago's $145.

First Chicago vs. Trustgard 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. That's where car insurance discounts comes into play.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you can take advantage of.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and compared all of the different discounts offered by First Chicago and Trustgard Auto so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

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

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Trustgard Auto also offers discounts for advanced safety feature, company car, COVID-19 relief, and more.

On the other hand, First Chicago has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like ABS discounts, driver training discounts, multi-policy discounts, and more.

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

You've seen the role certain variables have on your auto insurance and the different discounts companies offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which insurance carrier is the right one for you and your specific driver profile?

Trustgard Auto might be best for you if....

• You will be the only person on the insurance policy.
• Your home is in a busy urban area.
• You're married and plan to have both of your names on the vehicle's car insurance policy.

First Chicago might be best for you if...

• You're looking for the best rates on liability only coverage.
• Your home is located in the suburbs.
• You want to save money while purchasing auto insurance for a teenager.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between First Chicago and Trustgard Auto. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best 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 several carriers, not just First Chicago and Trustgard Auto. 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 auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

First Chicago vs. Trustgard Auto FAQs

Is First Chicago or Trustgard Auto cheaper?

Trustgard Auto is the cheaper of the two carriers when looking at national average premiums, with policies averaging $137 a month with Trustgard Auto and $156 for First Chicago. However, that doesn't mean Trustgard Auto will be the lowest company for every driver, since there are lots of different factors that come into play when it comes to your insurance cost.

Who is better, First Chicago or Trustgard Auto?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile.

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

Auto insurance companies use quite a few different variables when calculating the prices they charge. Factors such as your driving record, gender, age, where you park your car, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both First Chicago and Trustgard Auto calculate rates using different formulas, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different carriers.

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

The only way to find the 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, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your area information and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top auto insurance carriers for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the cheapest rate. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't First Chicago or Trustgard 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.