Great Northern vs. Meemic: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, Meemic offers significantly more affordable premiums than Great Northern
• Great Northern may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than Meemic Insurance Company
• Meemic offers more affordable prices for single people who will be the only person on the car insurance policy

Great Northern or Meemic: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering big savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Great Northern or Meemic as your top options, but between the two, which one will offer you less expensive rates?

Looking at nationwide averages, Meemic is quite a bit cheaper than Great Northern, with prices averaging $281 a month compared to $496 with Great Northern.

But Meemic may not be the most affordable or best option for each driver out there. After all, insurance carriers can offer drastically different rates to every driver depending on rating factors like where you call home, your credit score, your driving record, or even your age (among other things), so premiums could differ drastically from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both Great Northern and Meemic by lots of different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Great Northern vs. Meemic: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Both Great Northern and Meemic only offer auto insurance in Michigan, so you'll see that the average figures here will mirror the ones we mentioned above. Meemic drivers tend to pay about $215 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Great Northern for their insurance.

Typically, your home state will play a huge role in how much you pay for auto insurance, but since both companies only do business in Michigan, a multitude of other variables will come into play when you compare Great Northern and Meemic. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- generally pay a lot for car insurance compared to older drivers. That's typically because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

That being said, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their auto insurance. As you can see above, teens who use Meemic save over 55% a month compared to those who use Great Northern.

However, both companies will offer you dramatically lower premiums by the time you turn 25. Meemic offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying a third less what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Great Northern's average prices decrease almost 50% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the lowest premiums you'll ever see.

So, which company offers the best prices to retired drivers? Meemic gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $67 cheaper than the national average for Great Northern.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Single policyholders tend to get offered slightly more expensive car insurance prices than married drivers. This usually boils down to married policyholders having several vehicles on their policy -- something several auto insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

For those who are single, the difference in average premiums between these two companies is significant, with Meemic rates coming in at around half of Great Northern's. The advantage for married couples with Meemic is also obvious, where drivers save nearly 40% per month.

Great Northern or Meemic: Average Rates by Gender

Because women are less likely to get speeding tickets and get into accidents, they are less likely to file a claim with insurance. So, women tend to get cheaper rates than men.

With Great Northern, both genders end up paying the same monthly price; everyone gets the same monthly premiums regardless of gender with Meemic.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Meemic comes out on top for both men and women, with average prices 43% less for men and 43% cheaper for women.

Great Northern vs. Meemic: 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, car insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. Everyone needs insurance, but there are so many different limits and terms that it can be hard to find the right policy for you.

The two most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which usually refers to having collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to what you get with a liability policy).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability insurance, Meemic has the edge, with average monthly rates coming in at $201. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Meemic again has the edge, with policies averaging about $361 a month to Great Northern's $737.

Is Great Northern or Meemic Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from car insurance carriers offering great prices for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

It's no secret secret that speeding tickets and at-fault collisions lead to higher rates, but which company -- Great Northern or Meemic -- has the most affordable premiums for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders with Great Northern auto insurance policies don't report seeing their rates increase after getting a ticket, but Meemic policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by around a third.

Even so, Meemic is normally the less expensive option for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering prices that are $320 and $220 cheaper, respectively, compared to Great Northern Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both companies will raise premiums pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault collision with Meemic increasing by about 30%. Great Northern has a less extreme rise, but you can still expect to pay 0% more than you were prior to your first accident.

At the end of the day, Meemic offers the lowest prices for drivers with an at-fault collision on their records, with average premiums coming in at $250 compared to Great Northern Insurance's $496.

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. For example, Meemic increases average rates by nearly $250 per month -- that's nearly a 60% increase.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable premiums, Meemic tends to be more affordable for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $421 to Great Northern's $496.

How does Credit Score Impact Great Northern and Meemic Rates?

Often times, your credit score can come into play when carriers determine your monthly bill. This isn't true for everyone (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a car insurance factor) but it does affect many drivers out there.

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

So, which carrier offers the best prices for policyholders with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Great Northern or Meemic 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 substantial impact on how much car insurance carriers will charge for coverage? Typically, the more milage you put on your car each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

In this case, neither Great Northern or Meemic report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Meemic comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle every year, with average premiums of $281 a month for both.

Great Northern or Meemic: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can play a large role in how much you pay for insurance. Generally, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

Meemic boasts the lowest average rates for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, Meemic's average prices are about $322 while Great Northern offers rates around $570. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay a monthly premium of about $273 with Meemic compared to $486 with Great Northern. Those in rural areas can expect to pay around $248 per month with Meemic and $432 with Great Northern.

Great Northern vs. Meemic Discounts

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

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

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and looked at all of the different discounts Great Northern and Meemic offer their customers so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

Overall, Great Northern comes out ahead with 10 discounts to Meemic's eight.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Great Northern also offers discounts for ABS, driver training, occasional operator, and more.

On the other hand, Meemic has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like employee discounts, group discounts, paid in full discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Great Northern or Meemic Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your auto insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. But, at the end of the day, which insurance carrier is the right carrier for you and your specific driver profile?

Meemic might be best for you if....

• Your driving record contains an at-fault accident.
• You want the most robust protection via a "full coverage" policy.
• You drive fewer than 6,000 miles annually.

Great Northern might be best for you if...

• Your credit score is high.
• You care about discounts (Great Northern offers the most).

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Great Northern and Meemic and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your 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 auto insurance -- comparing quotes from multiple companies, not just Great Northern and Meemic. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple quotes from some of the best insurance carriers in your area, all for free.

Great Northern vs. Meemic FAQs

Is Great Northern or Meemic cheaper?

Meemic is the cheaper of the two companies when looking at national average premiums, with policies averaging $281 per month with Meemic and $496 for Great Northern. That being said, that doesn't mean Meemic will be the most affordable company for everyone, since there are many different variables (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Great Northern or Meemic?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". One carrier is not necessarily "better" for each policyholder -- it all comes down to what your unique car insurance profile looks like. For example, Great Northern is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit, while Meemic offers more affordable prices for drivers with a recent DUI.

Why do Great Northern and Meemic offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers use a lot of different factors when determining the rates they charge. Things such as age, your driving record, gender, where you park your car, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Great Northern and Meemic calculate prices differently, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if Great Northern or Meemic 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 do all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top car insurance companies for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't Great Northern or Meemic 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.