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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, Hastings Mutual offers significantly more affordable premiums than Pioneer State Mutual
• Hastings Mutual offers less expensive average rates for policyholders who live in rural neighborhoods
• Pioneer State Mutual may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than Hastings Mutual Insurance Company

Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching to a new insurance policy. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering huge savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual, but which one has cheaper prices for insurance?

Looking at the national average rates for both carriers, Pioneer State Mutual has average rates that are around 30% a month more expensive than those from Hastings Mutual.

But that doesn't necessarily mean Hastings Mutual will be the less expensive option for every single driver. Car insurance companies use a ton of complex algorithms to determine premiums, so depending on where you live or how clean your driving record is (among a variety of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

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

Hastings Mutual vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual only compete against each other in Michigan, where Pioneer State Mutual offers the cheaper average prices. Pioneer State Mutual drivers tend to pay about $272 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Hastings Mutual for their auto insurance.

But there's more to calculating insurance rates than just the state you live in. 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 group on the road. It's typically because teen 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 premiums. As you can see above, teens who use Hastings Mutual save almost 30% a month compared to those who use Pioneer State Mutual.

Even so, with both carriers, you'll see your prices drop significantly by the time drivers turn 25. Pioneer State Mutual offers the steepest decrease, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, Hastings Mutual still has the most affordable rates at $202 a month.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the cheapest insurance premiums you can find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which usually decreases their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise prices.

When looking at Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? Hastings Mutual gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older over 30% cheaper than the national average for Pioneer State Mutual.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance prices are typically more affordable for married couples than they are for single policyholders? That's normally because married policyholders tend to own and insure multiple vehicles, which can often earn you a discount.

For single drivers, the difference in average rates between these two companies is significant, with Hastings Mutual premiums coming in at a third less than Pioneer State Mutual's. The advantage for married drivers with Hastings Mutual is also obvious, where drivers save about $85 per month.

Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Because women are less likely to get into collisions and get tickets, they have a lower chance of filing a claim with insurance. So, insurance carriers will often charge women less than men.

On average, men see prices around $5 a month higher with Hastings Mutual; women and men end up paying same monthly rates with Pioneer State Mutual.

Looking at overall affordability, Hastings Mutual comes out as the lowest option for both genders, with average premiums $97 less for men and $102 cheaper for women.

Hastings Mutual vs. Pioneer State 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 car insurance can be pretty complicated. There are so many different limits and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy for you.

That being said, the most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers and their passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which usually refers to having collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability insurance, Hastings Mutual has the edge, with average monthly prices coming in at $142. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Hastings Mutual again has the edge, with policies averaging about $279 per month to Pioneer State Mutual's $438.

Is Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

Speeding tickets and at-fault accidents will most likely raise your rates, but is Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual less expensive for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Hastings Mutual for their insurance can generally expect their monthly bill to go up around 16% after getting a speeding ticket. Pioneer State Mutual policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 42%.

But Hastings Mutual has cheaper premiums for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are 48% and 64% more affordable, respectively, compared to Pioneer State Mutual.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Hastings Mutual drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their rates rise by just under 15%, while those who have insurance through Pioneer State Mutual will see around a 15% increase.

At the end of the day, Hastings Mutual offers the most affordable premiums for drivers with an at-fault collision on their records, with average prices coming in at $126 compared to Pioneer State Mutual's $247.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

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

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable premiums, Pioneer State Mutual tends to be less expensive for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at about $425 to Hastings Mutual's $478.

How does Credit Score Impact Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual Rates?

Did you know many auto insurance carriers take your credit score into account when determining prices? This isn't true for everyone (for example, Michigan and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it will come into play for many policyholders.

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

Looking specifically at Pioneer State Mutual and Hastings Mutual, which carrier has the cheapest rates for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Michigan is one of a small number of states that restricts car insurance carriers from using credit scores to calculate prices. And since Pioneer State Mutual is only available in Michigan, there is no data available on how credit score impacts rates because it's not a factor at all. This may be a good thing, since Hastings Mutual and other companies tend to increase premiums quite a bit in other states if you don't have excellent credit.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have less-than-stellar credit and live in Michigan, the good news is it won't cost you extra when it comes to auto insurance. As you can see, poor credit can really cost Hastings Mutual drivers in other states, but no need to worry if you live in Michigan.

Is Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual 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 pretty big impact on how much insurance carriers will charge for coverage? Usually, those who drive less will end up with more affordable prices since there's less of a chance of causing a collision and filing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Hastings Mutual comes out as the most affordable for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car yearly, with average rates of $211 per month for both.

Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State 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 car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a large impact as well. Typically, policyholders who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural drivers since there are a lot more vehicles on the roads where they live.

Hastings Mutual boasts the lowest average premiums for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Those in rural areas can expect to pay around $164 monthly with Hastings Mutual and $231 with Pioneer State Mutual. People in suburban areas pay a monthly premium of about $177 with Hastings Mutual compared to $304 with Pioneer State Mutual. In urban areas, Hastings Mutual's average rates are around $291 while Pioneer State Mutual offers premiums about $395.

Hastings Mutual vs. Pioneer State Mutual Discounts

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

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be difficult to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you can take advantage of.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and compared all of the different discounts offered by Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual so that you can see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Pioneer State Mutual has a slight advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Hastings Mutual offers a grand total of 10 discounts, while Pioneer State Mutual has 12.

Both companies offer a lot of the same discounts -- like ABS discounts, discounts for being a good student, and passive restraint discounts -- but Pioneer State Mutual also offers discounts for affiliation policy experience, comp only, distant student, and more.

On the other hand, Hastings Mutual has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like company car discounts, defensive driver discounts, good driving discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your car insurance prices. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which insurance company is the best one for you and your specific profile and needs?

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

• You will be the only person on the auto insurance policy.
• Your credit score is high.
• You want to save money while purchasing insurance for a teenager.

Pioneer State Mutual might be best for you if...

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual. 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 a handful of carriers, not just Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple quotes from some of the best insurance companies in your area, all for free.

Hastings Mutual vs. Pioneer State Mutual FAQs

Is Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual cheaper?

Hastings Mutual is the cheaper of the two carriers when looking at national average rates, with policies averaging $211 a month with Hastings Mutual and $310 for Pioneer State Mutual. Even so, that doesn't mean Hastings Mutual will be the most affordable carrier for each driver, since there are a bunch of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither company is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Hastings Mutual is more affordable for drivers with excellent credit, while Pioneer State Mutual offers less expensive premiums for drivers with a recent DUI.

Why do Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies use lots of different variables when calculating the prices they charge. Factors like age, your driving record, where you call home, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Hastings Mutual and Pioneer State Mutual calculate rates using different variables, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different carriers.

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

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance carriers for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the cheapest price. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't Hastings Mutual or Pioneer State Mutual 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.