General Casualty vs. Western National: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, General Casualty offers slightly more affordable prices than Western National
• General Casualty offers cheaper average rates for residents of rural areas
• Western National offers more affordable prices for drivers with a DUI charge on their record

General Casualty vs. Western National: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering huge discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed it down to General Casualty or Western National as potential options, but which carrier will offer you less expensive rates?

Looking at nationwide averages, General Casualty is about $15 per month more affordable than Western National.

Even so, that doesn't mean General Casualty will necessarily be less expensive than Western National for each driver. Insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate premiums, so depending on how good your credit score is or how clean your driving record is (among a range of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Wanting to know if General Casualty or Western National is really the right company for you? Keep on reading to see how average premiums can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

General Casualty or Western National: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

General Casualty and Western National only compete against each other in one states, with Western National offering cheaper prices to the average driver in all of them. Minnesota has the most noticable difference, where Western National premiums are less expensive than auto insurance rates at General Casualty.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance payment than just the state you live in. Continue reading to learn more about how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

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

But still, even with seemingly sky-high prices, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of $40 less a month by choosing General Casualty over Western National.

That being said, with both carriers, you'll see your premiums reduce significantly by the time you turn 25. Western National offers the steepest decrease, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, General Casualty still has the most affordable rates at $114 monthly.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age normally enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance prices you'll ever find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which generally reduces their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase premiums.

When looking at General Casualty and Western National specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Western National gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $15 cheaper than the national average for General Casualty.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

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

When it comes to relationship status, the two carriers are comparable for single drivers, with prices only differing around $14 per month, on average. But for married policyholders, the advantage is clear - General Casualty offers the most affordable average rates.

General Casualty vs. Western National: Average Rates by Gender

Because men are more likely to get into collisions and get tickets, they have a higher chance of filing a claim with insurance. Therefore, men tend to get higher rates than women.

Women usually pay nearly 10% a month less than men with General Casualty, while with Western National, the difference is closer to 9% per month.

When it comes to the cheapest premiums for each gender, General Casualty offers the lowest average rates for both men and women. On average, women save about $15 a month and men save about $15 with General Casualty compared to the average Western National policyholder.

General Casualty or Western National: 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.

Insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different terms and coverages that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

In this case, Western National offers the cheapest average premiums for state minimum liability insurance, while General Casualty has the edge for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Drivers looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $20 with Western National Insurance Company, while full coverage comes out to be around $55 cheaper with General Casualty.

Is General Casualty or Western National Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their auto 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 collisions lead to higher prices, but which company -- General Casualty or Western National -- has the lowest rates for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders with Western National car insurance policies don't report seeing their prices increase after getting a ticket, but General Casualty policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by about $45.

However, General Casualty has more affordable premiums for drivers in both categories, offering rates that are 42% and 14% less expensive, respectively, compared to Western National Insurance Company.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

General Casualty drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums rise by over $55, while those who have insurance through Western National will see around a $0 increase.

Overall, the cheaper prices come from General Casualty, with monthly premiums averaging $146 compared to Western National Insurance Company's $154.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly auto insurance bill -- generally a lot more than an accident or ticket. For example, General Casualty increases average prices by over $95 per month -- that's over a 50% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, Western National tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $154 per month compared to $186 from General Casualty.

How does Credit Score Impact General Casualty and Western National Rates?

Did you know that many insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating rates? This isn't always the case (for example, California and Hawaii are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect quite a few policyholders out there.

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 specifically at Western National and General Casualty, 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 solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Western National. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save more than 30% compared to General Casualty, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $4 or 3% more affordable every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

General Casualty typically offers lower rates than Western National when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $15 a month less with General Casualty compared to Western National, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of about $83 a month.

Is General Casualty or Western National Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a large impact on your monthly insurance bill. Normally, the more miles you drive, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much General Casualty charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for Western National, with policyholders who drive the least paying around $4 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, General Casualty is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

General Casualty vs. Western National: 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, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas due to the small number of cars that are on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, General Casualty tends to offer the lowest option for drivers in rural and urban areas, while Western National wins in suburban areas.

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about 17% with General Casualty compared to Western National. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around 5% less with Western National compared to General Casualty. In urban areas, General Casualty's average prices are about 15% less than Western National Insurance Company.

General Casualty vs. Western National Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new car insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible. That's where auto insurance discounts comes into play.

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 carrier 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 Western National offer their customers so that you can see which one can save you the most money each month.

You can find offers for anti-theft discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, and employee discounts from both carriers.

Final Thoughts: Is General Casualty or Western National Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your insurance premiums. We've shown you all the discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, is General Casualty or Western National the best carrier for you and your specific driver profile?

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

• Your driving record contains an at-fault accident.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" auto insurance.
• You are purchasing your insurance with a spouse.

Western National might be best for you if...

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You want basic car insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your insurance.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare General Casualty and Western National. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your car 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 General Casualty and Western National. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

General Casualty vs. Western National FAQs

Is General Casualty or Western National cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, General Casualty is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $139 per month compared to $154 for Western National. But General Casualty won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for every driver, since there are many different factors that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance cost.

Who is better, General Casualty or Western National?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No one company is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, General Casualty offers less expensive prices for single policyholders, while Western National is more affordable for drivers who have already retired.

Why do General Casualty and Western National offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at many different variables when determining the premiums they charge drivers. Factors such as age, where your home is, your driving record, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both General Casualty and Western National calculate rates using different variables, 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 multiple different companies.

How do I know if General Casualty or Western National 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 carriers 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 information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be General Casualty or Western National 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.