GEICO vs. Grinnell Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Grinnell Mutual offers significantly more affordable rates than GEICO
• GEICO has cheaper prices for policyholders who don't have any speeding tickets, DUIs, or at-fault accidents on their record
• Grinnell Mutual offers more affordable rates for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit

GEICO vs. Grinnell Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering big discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You might have narrowed it down to GEICO or Grinnell Mutual as potential options, but which carrier will save you the most?

As you can see, Grinnell Mutual has average rates that are about 40% per month less expensive than those from GEICO when looking at the national average rates for car insurance.

Even so, that doesn't necessarily mean Grinnell Mutual will be the cheaper option for every single driver. After all, insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your driving record, your age, where you call home, or even your credit score (among other things), so premiums could change drastically from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both GEICO and Grinnell Mutual by many different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

GEICO or Grinnell Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

GEICO and Grinnell Mutual only compete against each other in North Dakota, where Grinnell Mutual offers the cheaper average premiums. For North Dakota residents, Grinnell Mutual offers auto insurance for $115 monthly on average. GEICO's average prices come out to be over 30% more expensive, at $152 a month.

There's a lot more that goes into your car insurance bill than just where you live. Keep reading 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. That's usually because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Grinnell Mutual save nearly $150 a month compared to those who use GEICO. It's worth noting that GEICO offers insurance in 50 different states compared to Grinnell Mutual's one, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

That being said, both carriers will lower prices by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for GEICO policyholders decrease more than 55% and Grinnell Mutual's premiums reduce almost 50% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the lowest car insurance prices out there. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which typically decreases their chances of collisions and other infractions that can increase premiums.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between GEICO and Grinnell Mutual? Grinnell Mutual gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older over 45% more affordable than the national average for GEICO.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance rates are usually more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married policyholders? This usually boils down to married couples having multiple cars on their policy -- something quite a few auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Grinnell Mutual is the clear winner for those who are single, with premiums around $77 per month less expensive than GEICO, on average. For married drivers, the advantage is clear again - Grinnell Mutual has the edge when it comes to average prices.

GEICO vs. Grinnell Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents. That means when it comes to car insurance men will generally end up paying a little more.

On average, men see premiums nearly $10 a month higher with GEICO, while with Grinnell Mutual, the difference is closer to $6 per month.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Grinnell Mutual offers the most affordable average prices for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $71 a month and women save about $69 with Grinnell Mutual compared to the average GEICO policyholder.

GEICO or Grinnell 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 insurance can be pretty complicated. There are so many different terms and limits that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

However, most 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 an accident) 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 limits for liability insurance, Grinnell Mutual typically offers significantly more affordable rates of $47 compared to GEICO's $101. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Grinnell Mutual again has the edge, with policies around $85 per month less expensive than GEICO, on average.

Is GEICO or Grinnell 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.

At-fault accidents and tickets will most likely raise your prices, but is GEICO or Grinnell Mutual cheaper for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Grinnell Mutual auto insurance policies don't report seeing their premiums increase after getting a ticket, but GEICO policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by about a quarter.

If you have a clean record, GEICO tends to offer the best rates at around 0% less expensive, while Grinnell Mutual has the edge for drivers with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

GEICO policyholders who get in a collision can expect to see their prices climb by just under 45%, while those who have insurance through Grinnell Mutual will see about a 0% increase.

Overall, the more affordable rates come from Grinnell Mutual, with monthly premiums averaging $115 compared to GEICO's $200.

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. For example, GEICO increases average prices by over $150 a month -- that's just under a 60% increase.

Grinnell Mutual has the overall cheapest premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $115 per month, but it's worth noting that GEICO's average rates come from 50 states compared to just one for Grinnell Mutual, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact GEICO and Grinnell Mutual Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance carriers take into account your credit score when calculating rates? This isn't always the case (for example, Hawaii and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it will come into play for many drivers.

Auto insurance companies argue that those with good credit scores are more likely to pay their bills on time every month, which reduces the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with bad credit.

Looking at GEICO and Grinnell Mutual specifically, which company has the best prices for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Grinnell Mutual. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save nearly 40% compared to GEICO, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $68 or 41% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Grinnell Mutual typically offers lower premiums than GEICO when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $81 per month less with Grinnell Mutual compared to GEICO, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of around $85 monthly.

Is GEICO or Grinnell 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 your monthly rates. Generally, the more miles you put on your vehicle each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

For both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles yearly, as well as those who average twice that figure, Grinnell Mutual tends to be the less expensive option. GEICO's average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in just under $75 more expensive than Grinnell Mutual. Those who drive 12,000 miles every year can expect to pay more than $65 more with GEICO over Grinnell Mutual.

GEICO vs. Grinnell Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your car can play a big role in how much you pay for insurance. Normally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas due to the number of vehicles that are on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, Grinnell Mutual usually comes out as the lowest option for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, Grinnell Mutual's average rates are about $100 less than GEICO. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $70 less with Grinnell Mutual compared to GEICO. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $40 with Grinnell Mutual compared to GEICO.

GEICO vs. Grinnell Mutual Discounts

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

The challenging part is finding all of the discounts you're eligible for, since it can feel sometimes like every company has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

In the section below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by GEICO and Grinnell Mutual so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

GEICO knocks Grinnell Mutual out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 16 more discounts than Grinnell Mutual.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like ABS discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for being a good student, and paid in full discounts. GEICO also offers commercial drivers license discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, deployed driver discounts, and more that Grinnell Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Grinnell Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- excess vehicle discounts, new business discounts, and renewal discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is GEICO or Grinnell Mutual Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, when it comes down to it, is GEICO or Grinnell Mutual the right one for you and your specific needs?

Grinnell Mutual might be best for you if....

• You want to save money on your insurance after a collision.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" car insurance.
• You drive often but have a short commute.

GEICO might be best for you if...

• You haven't received any speeding tickets or been in an accident in the last few years.
• You're thinking about moving to another state -- Grinnell Mutual only offers policies in North Dakota.
• You're looking for discounts -- GEICO has the most.

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

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just GEICO and Grinnell Mutual. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get free quotes from dozens of top auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

GEICO vs. Grinnell Mutual FAQs

Is GEICO or Grinnell Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Grinnell Mutual is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $115 a month compared to $185 for GEICO. But Grinnell Mutual won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for each driver, since there are a range of different variables that come into play when it comes to your car insurance payment.

Who is better, GEICO or Grinnell Mutual?

Unfortunately, the real answer is "it depends.". No one company is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do GEICO and Grinnell Mutual offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at several different factors when determining the premiums they charge drivers. Things like gender, your driving record, where you live, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both GEICO and Grinnell Mutual calculate rates using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different carriers.

How do I know if GEICO or Grinnell Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the auto 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, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be GEICO or Grinnell 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.