General Casualty vs. Hastings Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, General Casualty offers significantly less expensive premiums than Hastings Mutual
• General Casualty has cheaper rates for residents of rural areas
• Hastings Mutual offers less expensive average prices for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years

General Casualty vs. Hastings Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

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

You might have narrowed your search down to General Casualty or Hastings Mutual for your next policy, but which one has cheaper premiums for car insurance?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, General Casualty is quite a bit cheaper than Hastings Mutual, with rates averaging $139 per month compared to $211 with Hastings Mutual.

However, that doesn't mean General Casualty will necessarily be more affordable than Hastings Mutual for every single driver. Insurance carriers use a ton of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how clean your driving record is or how old you are (among a lot of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

So, if you want to find out which of General Casualty or Hastings Mutual is really the best for you, keep reading to see average rates for each carrier broken down by lots of different rate factors.

General Casualty or Hastings Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

General Casualty and Hastings Mutual only compete against each other in three states, with General Casualty offering less expensive premiums to the average driver in all of them. If you live in Ohio, Hastings Mutual is the cheaper of the two companies when looking at the overall average prices. General Casualty is the more affordable option in Illinois and Indiana.

There's a lot more that goes into your car insurance payment than just where you live. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance rates of any other group of drivers. Generally, that's 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 premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $100 less a month by choosing General Casualty over Hastings Mutual.

Even so, with both carriers, you'll see your prices lower significantly by the time drivers turn 25. Hastings Mutual offers the steepest reduction, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, General Casualty still has the lowest rates at $114 per month.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

When looking at General Casualty and Hastings Mutual specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? General Casualty gets the edge here, with average premiums coming in at about $124 monthly compared to Hastings Mutual's $167.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

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

When it comes to relationship status, General Casualty is the clear winner for single drivers, with rates around $70 per month cheaper than Hastings Mutual, on average. The advantage for married policyholders with General Casualty is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 40% a month.

General Casualty vs. Hastings Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Women tend to pay less for insurance than men. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher premiums.

With General Casualty, women typically pay almost $15 per month less than men, while with Hastings Mutual, the difference is closer to $5 a month.

Looking at overall affordability, General Casualty comes out on top for both men and women, with average prices $67 less for men and $76 cheaper for women.

General Casualty or Hastings 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 auto insurance can be pretty complicated. There are many different coverages that account for a range of different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, General Casualty generally offers significantly less expensive rates of $82 compared to Hastings Mutual's $142. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, General Casualty again has the edge, with policies about $85 per month more affordable than Hastings Mutual, on average.

Is General Casualty or Hastings 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 premiums, but which carrier -- General Casualty or Hastings Mutual -- has the cheapest prices for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

General Casualty policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $43 a month if they get a ticket, while Hastings Mutual typically raises prices around $20 per month, on average.

If you have a clean record, General Casualty tends to offer the best rates at about 17% cheaper, while Hastings Mutual has the edge for drivers with a speeding ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will increase premiums pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with General Casualty increasing by over $55. Hastings Mutual has a less extreme raise, but you can still expect to pay more than $15 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, the less expensive prices come from Hastings Mutual, with monthly rates averaging $126 compared to General Casualty'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 ticket or even a collision. On average, Hastings Mutual will climb your premiums around 77% after a DUI, while General Casualty's average rates climb by over 50%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, General Casualty tends to be the much more affordable option with average premiums of $186 a month compared to $478 from Hastings Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact General Casualty and Hastings Mutual Rates?

You may not realized it, but your credit score can be used as one of the factors to determine your monthly insurance rates. Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for many drivers.

Auto 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 General Casualty and Hastings Mutual specifically, which company has the most affordable premiums for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with General Casualty. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 40% compared to Hastings Mutual, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $75 or 39% more affordable each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

General Casualty typically offers lower rates than Hastings Mutual when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $68 a month less with General Casualty compared to Hastings Mutual, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $80 per month.

Is General Casualty or Hastings Mutual 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 cost. That's because the more miles you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident and cause an insurance claim.

In this case, neither General Casualty or Hastings Mutual report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Even so, General Casualty comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car annually, with average prices of $139 per month for both.

General Casualty vs. Hastings Mutual: 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 considerable impact as well. Normally, drivers who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban policyholders because there are a lot fewer vehicles on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, General Casualty generally comes out as the lowest option for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the most affordable rates from both carriers, but General Casualty comes out on top with average premiums around $131 a month. General Casualty also has less expensive average prices for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $140 and $43 a month respective difference when compared to Hastings Mutual drivers in similar areas.

General Casualty vs. Hastings Mutual Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and 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 find all the ones you're eligible for or to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

Below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts General Casualty and Hastings Mutual offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Overall, General Casualty comes out ahead with 12 discounts to Hastings Mutual's 10.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but General Casualty also offers advance quote discounts, distant student discounts, employee discounts, and more that Hastings Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Hastings Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- ABS discounts, company car discounts, discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is General Casualty or Hastings Mutual Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your auto insurance rates. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. But, at the end of the day, which insurance company is the right one for you and your specific driver profile?

General Casualty might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You don't spend much time in your car.

Hastings Mutual might be best for you if...

• You've been pulled over for speeding recently.
• You have an at-fault accident on your record.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between General Casualty and Hastings Mutual and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just General Casualty and Hastings Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

General Casualty vs. Hastings Mutual FAQs

Is General Casualty or Hastings Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, General Casualty is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $139 per month compared to $211 for Hastings Mutual. That being said, General Casualty won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for every driver, since there are several different factors that come into play when it comes to your insurance bill.

Who is better, General Casualty or Hastings Mutual?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". No one company is "better" for each driver -- it all boils down to your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Hastings Mutual offers more affordable prices for policyholders with an at-fault collision on their record, while General Casualty is less expensive for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do General Casualty and Hastings Mutual offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at lots of different variables when calculating the premiums they charge drivers. Things such as gender, your driving record, where your home is, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both General Casualty and Hastings Mutual use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different carriers.

How do I know if General Casualty or Hastings Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance company 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 information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be General Casualty or Hastings 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.