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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, Pekin offers significantly less expensive prices than Hastings Mutual
• Pekin has cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI charge on their record
• Pekin tends to be a much more affordable option for policyholders who drive a short distance to work everyday

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

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. 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 your search down to Hastings Mutual or Pekin for your next policy, but which one has less expensive premiums for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Hastings Mutual has average rates that are about 65% per month more expensive than those from Pekin.

Even so, that doesn't necessarily mean Pekin will be the more affordable option for every single driver. Insurance companies use all sorts of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how clean your driving record is or where you live (among a whole range of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Wanting to know if Hastings Mutual or Pekin is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

Hastings Mutual or Pekin: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Hastings Mutual and Pekin only compete against each other in Indiana, where Pekin offers the cheaper average premiums. For Indiana residents, Pekin offers car insurance for $74 monthly on average. Hastings Mutual's average rates come out to be over 60% more expensive, at $123 a month.

But there's more to calculating insurance premiums than just where you call home. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- typically pay a lot for auto insurance compared to older drivers. It's usually because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

However, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance prices. As you can see above, teens who use Pekin save more than $200 a month compared to those who use Hastings Mutual.

That being said, both carriers will drop rates by the time drivers turn 25. Pekin offers the steepest reduction, with 25-year-olds paying less than a third of what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Hastings Mutual's average prices lower over 45% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between Hastings Mutual and Pekin? Pekin gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $109 cheaper than the national average for Hastings Mutual.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance rates tend to be more affordable for married couples than they are for single policyholders. That's because policies for married policyholders usually cover several cars, which many companies will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, Pekin is the clear winner for those who are single, with prices around $143 per month less expensive than Hastings Mutual, on average. The advantage is also clear for married drivers - Pekin offers the lowest average premiums.

Hastings Mutual vs. Pekin: Average Rates by Gender

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

With Hastings Mutual, women typically pay about 2% a month less than men, and around 1% less with Pekin.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Pekin comes out as the cheapest option for both genders, with average prices 65% less for men and 64% cheaper for women.

Hastings Mutual or Pekin: 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 a complicated subject for most people. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different limits and terms 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 a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Pekin normally offers significantly cheaper rates of $46 compared to Hastings Mutual's $142. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Pekin again has the edge, with policies about $200 per month more affordable than Hastings Mutual, on average.

Is Hastings Mutual or Pekin 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.

Tickets and at-fault collisions will most likely raise your premiums, but is Hastings Mutual or Pekin less expensive for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Hastings Mutual policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $20 a month if they get a ticket, while Pekin usually raises premiums around $13 per month, on average.

But Pekin has cheaper rates for drivers in both categories. Drivers with a clean record can save about $55 a month and drivers with a speeding ticket can save around $62 per month with Pekin Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Hastings Mutual drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their prices rise by over $15, while those who have insurance through Pekin will see about a $20 increase.

Overall, Pekin offers the most affordable rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $73 compared to Hastings Mutual Insurance Company's $126.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or ticket when it comes to your insurance bill. For example, Hastings Mutual increases average prices by over $350 a month -- that's over a 75% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Pekin tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $104 per month compared to $478 from Hastings Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact Hastings Mutual and Pekin Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when carriers determine your monthly bill. This isn't always the case (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it does affect a lot of policyholders out there.

The reasoning auto insurance companies use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so generally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with more affordable premiums.

Looking specifically at Hastings Mutual and Pekin, which carrier has the best prices for policyholders 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 Pekin. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save more than 70% compared to Hastings Mutual, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $133 or 69% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Pekin typically offers lower rates than Hastings Mutual when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $131 per month less with Pekin compared to Hastings Mutual, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of around $161 a month.

Is Hastings Mutual or Pekin 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 sizable impact on your monthly premiums? Typically, those who drive less will end up with more affordable prices since there's less of a chance of getting into a collision and causing an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Hastings Mutual charges. However, there's a significant difference in monthly rates for Pekin, with policyholders who drive the least paying about $13 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, Pekin is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Hastings Mutual vs. Pekin: 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 car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a big impact as well. Normally, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

Pekin tends to offer the cheapest rates for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Those in rural areas can expect to pay around $70 monthly with Pekin compared to Hastings Mutual's $164. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about $68 with Pekin compared to Hastings Mutual's $177 per month. For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Pekin's average premiums are around $85 while Hastings Mutual offers prices about $291.

Hastings Mutual vs. Pekin Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new auto insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be challenging to find all the ones you can take advantage of.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Hastings Mutual and Pekin so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

They both offer great discounts like anti-theft discounts, discounts for being a good student, and discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company.

Final Thoughts: Is Hastings Mutual or Pekin Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. But, when it comes down to it, which insurance company is the right one for you and your specific needs?

Pekin might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing car insurance by yourself.
• You want basic auto insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your insurance.

Hastings Mutual might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Hastings Mutual and Pekin. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your auto 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 car insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of companies, not just Hastings Mutual and Pekin. 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 insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Hastings Mutual vs. Pekin FAQs

Is Hastings Mutual or Pekin cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Pekin is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $74 a month compared to $211 for Hastings Mutual. Even so, Pekin won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for each policyholder, since there are a bunch of different variables (things like gender, age, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Hastings Mutual or Pekin?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither company is necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all comes down to what your unique car insurance profile looks like.

Why do Hastings Mutual and Pekin offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at several different factors when calculating the prices they charge policyholders. Things such as gender, where you call home, your driving record, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Hastings Mutual and Pekin calculate rates differently, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different companies.

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

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Hastings Mutual or Pekin 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.