Frankenmuth vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Pioneer State Mutual offers slightly more affordable prices than Frankenmuth
• Frankenmuth offers more affordable premiums for policyholders who live in suburban areas
• Pioneer State Mutual tends to be a much less expensive option for policyholders who drive a short distance to work everyday

Frankenmuth vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering huge discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual as your top options, but between the two, which company has cheaper prices for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Pioneer State Mutual is about $8 per month more affordable than Frankenmuth.

However, that doesn't mean Pioneer State Mutual will necessarily be less expensive than Frankenmuth for every driver. Insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, how old you are, where you live, and a variety of other factors, so rates will change quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual is really the best for you, keep reading to see average premiums for each carrier broken down by a bunch of different rate factors.

Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Frankenmuth and Pioneer State Mutual only compete against each other in Michigan, where Pioneer State Mutual offers the cheaper average prices. For Michigan residents, Pioneer State Mutual offers auto insurance for $310 per month on average. Frankenmuth's average rates come out to be over 60% more expensive, at $507 monthly.

But there's more to calculating car insurance premiums than just the state you live in. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers normally pay a lot more for auto insurance than any other group of drivers. It'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 prices, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Pioneer State Mutual for their insurance pay nearly $150 less than those who use Frankenmuth.

But with both carriers, you'll see your rates reduce significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Frankenmuth policyholders lower almost $400 and Pioneer State Mutual's rates drop around $250 over that time.

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 most affordable prices out there.

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? Frankenmuth gets the edge here, with average prices coming in at about $215 a month compared to Pioneer State Mutual's $245.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but auto insurance premiums tend to be cheaper for married couples than they are for single policyholders. This usually boils down to married drivers having multiple cars on their policy -- something many insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Pioneer State Mutual is the winner for those who are single, with prices around $24 a month more affordable than Frankenmuth, on average.

Frankenmuth vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women usually pay less for car insurance than men? This is because women are less likely to get into accidents and get speeding tickets, which lowers the chances of an insurance claim.

On average, women see rates about $6 per month cheaper with Frankenmuth; and with Pioneer State Mutual, everyone ends up paying the same monthly premiums regardless of gender.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Pioneer State Mutual comes out on top for both men and women. On average, women save about $5 a month and men save around $11 with Pioneer State Mutual compared to the average Frankenmuth policyholder.

Frankenmuth or Pioneer State 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 can be pretty complicated. There are so many different limits and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

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 and their passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

In this case, Pioneer State Mutual offers the cheapest average rates for state minimum limits for liability insurance, while Frankenmuth has the edge for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Drivers looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $30 with Pioneer State Mutual, while full coverage comes out to be about $15 less expensive with Frankenmuth Insurance.

Is Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their car insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

It's no secret secret that tickets and at-fault accidents lead to higher prices, but which company -- Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual -- has the lowest premiums for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Frankenmuth policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $74 per month if they get a ticket, while Pioneer State Mutual typically raises prices around $152 a month, on average.

Even so, Frankenmuth is usually the cheaper option for drivers both with a speeding ticket and with a clean record -- their rates are around 17% less expensive for drivers with clean records and 31% more affordable for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their insurance through Frankenmuth can expect to see about an $41 -- or around 19% -- increase in their car insurance premiums. Drivers who use Pioneer State Mutual for their insurance will see a monthly bill about $39 (or 16%) more expensive after reporting a collision to their auto insurance carrier.

Overall, the less expensive rates come from Frankenmuth, with monthly prices averaging $214 compared to Pioneer State Mutual's $247.

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 ticket or even an accident. Frankenmuth drivers usually see a 73% increase in their insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Pioneer State Mutual will normally climb rates by around 51%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Pioneer State Mutual tends to be the much cheaper option with average premiums of $425 monthly compared to $637 from Frankenmuth.

How does Credit Score Impact Frankenmuth and Pioneer State Mutual Rates?

You may not have known, but 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 will come into play for several policyholders.

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

Looking at Frankenmuth and Pioneer State Mutual specifically, which one has the cheapest prices for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Michigan is one of a just a few states that restricts auto insurance companies from using credit scores to determine premiums. And since Pioneer State Mutual is only available in Michigan, there is no data available on how credit score impacts rates because it's not a factor at all. This may be a good thing, since Frankenmuth and other carriers tend to increase premiums quite a bit in other states if you don't have excellent credit.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have a below average credit score and live in Michigan, the good news is it won't cost you extra when it comes to car insurance. As you can see, poor credit can really cost Frankenmuth drivers in other states, but no need to worry if you live in Michigan.

Is Frankenmuth or Pioneer State 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 how much insurance companies will charge for coverage. That's because the fewer miles you put on your vehicle each year, the less likely you are to get into a collision and cause an insurance claim.

In this case, neither Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual report increasing prices for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Pioneer State Mutual comes out as the most affordable for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car every year, with average rates of $310 per month for both.

Frankenmuth vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can play a large role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Generally, policyholders who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban drivers because there are a lot fewer vehicles on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, Pioneer State Mutual typically comes out as the more affordable option for drivers in rural and urban areas, while Frankenmuth wins in suburban areas.

In urban areas, Pioneer State Mutual's average prices are about 1% less than Frankenmuth Insurance. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around 5% less with Frankenmuth compared to Pioneer State Mutual. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about 13% with Pioneer State Mutual compared to Frankenmuth.

Frankenmuth vs. Pioneer State Mutual Discounts

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

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

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

Looking at the total number of discounts, Pioneer State Mutual has a slight advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Frankenmuth offers a grand total of 11 discounts, while Pioneer State Mutual has 12.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Pioneer State Mutual also offers ABS discounts, affiliation policy experience discounts, anti-theft discounts, and more that Frankenmuth does not.

On the flip side, Frankenmuth has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, family discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average rates for many of the factors insurance carriers look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which carrier is the best one for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Pioneer State Mutual might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.
• You have a short commute.

Frankenmuth might be best for you if...

• You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" auto insurance.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your car insurance.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Frankenmuth and Pioneer State Mutual and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from multiple companies, not just Frankenmuth and Pioneer State Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Frankenmuth vs. Pioneer State Mutual FAQs

Is Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Pioneer State Mutual is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $310 a month compared to $318 for Frankenmuth. That being said, Pioneer State Mutual won't necessarily be the cheapest company for each driver, since there are lots of different variables that are considered when it comes to your insurance cost.

Who is better, Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No single carrier is necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Pioneer State Mutual offers less expensive rates for single policyholders, while Frankenmuth is more affordable for drivers who have already retired.

Why do Frankenmuth and Pioneer State Mutual offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different factors when calculating the prices they charge drivers. Things such as your driving record, age, where you call home, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Frankenmuth and Pioneer State Mutual calculate rates using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different companies.

How do I know if Frankenmuth or Pioneer State Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of carriers 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 information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Frankenmuth or Pioneer State 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.