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

Quick Facts

• In general, Hastings Mutual offers less expensive premiums than State Auto
• Hastings Mutual offers more affordable prices for policyholders who drive fewer than 12,000 miles annually
• State Auto has cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI

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

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big savings, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might be considering Hastings Mutual or State Auto, but between the two, which carrier will offer you more affordable premiums?

As you can see, State Auto is around $48 more a month than Hastings Mutual when looking at the national average rates for auto insurance.

Even so, that doesn't mean Hastings Mutual will necessarily be cheaper than State Auto for every driver. Insurance carriers vary their rates depending on things like how old you are, how clean your driving record is, where you live, how good your credit score is, and a ton of other factors. So, at the end of the day, premiums from every company will differ quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Hastings Mutual or State Auto is really the best for you, keep reading to see average prices for each carrier broken down by several different rate factors.

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

Hastings Mutual and State Auto only compete against each other in three states, with Hastings Mutual offering more affordable rates to the average driver in all of them. Ohio has the most noticable difference, where Hastings Mutual prices are $58 less expensive than car insurance premiums at State Auto.

There's a lot more that goes into your insurance bill than just where you call home. Continue reading to learn more about how other variables will affect your rates.

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. It's because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Hastings Mutual for their car insurance pay over 50% less than those who use State Auto.

That being said, both companies will offer you dramatically lower prices once you turn 25. State Auto offers the steepest drop, with 25-year-olds paying less than a quarter of what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Hastings Mutual's average premiums drop more than 45% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to auto insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the cheapest prices you'll ever find.

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? In this case, Hastings Mutual has the slight edge, with premiums about $0 per month less than State Auto. But that difference is less than 5%, which means it ultimately will come down to other factors, like your driving record or where you live.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance prices tend to be more expensive for those who are single than they are for married drivers. This usually boils down to married couples having more than one vehicle on their policy -- something several auto insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

For single policyholders, the difference in average rates between these two companies is significant, with Hastings Mutual prices coming in at around 30% less than State Auto's. But for married policyholders, that advantage is much less clear - State Auto has the edge when it comes to average rates.

Hastings Mutual or State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know men normally pay more for insurance than women? This is because men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher premiums.

Women typically pay about 2% a month less than men with Hastings Mutual, and around 9% less with State Auto.

Looking at overall affordability, Hastings Mutual comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $58 per month and women save about $39 with Hastings Mutual compared to the average State Auto policyholder.

Hastings Mutual vs. State Auto: 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 lots of different coverages that account for many different things. Some protect you and your car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

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

Looking specifically at state minimum liability limits, Hastings Mutual has the slight edge, with average monthly rates 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 around $279 a month to State Auto's $369.

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

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their auto insurance. But that's not to say you can't save money if you don't have the best driving record, either.

You'll probably end up paying more with speeding tickets and at-fault collisions on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the most affordable premiums to drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Hastings Mutual for their insurance can usually expect their monthly bill to go up about 16% after getting a speeding ticket. State Auto policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of around 22%.

However, Hastings Mutual is generally the cheaper option for both drivers who have a recent ticket and those with clean records, offering prices that are 36% and 41% less expensive, respectively, compared to State Auto Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Hastings Mutual drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their rates climb by just under 15%, while those who have insurance through State Auto will see about a 35% increase.

At the end of the day, the more affordable prices come from Hastings Mutual, with average premiums coming in at $126 compared to State Auto Insurance's $269.

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 speeding ticket or even an accident. Hastings Mutual drivers usually see a 77% climb in their car insurance rates after a DUI charge, while State Auto will typically increase premiums by around 55%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable prices, State Auto tends to be cheaper for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at about $380 to Hastings Mutual's $478.

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

Did you know many insurance companies take into account your credit score when determining rates? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as an auto insurance factor, but it might come into play for a lot of policyholders.

Car 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 drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, Hastings Mutual will usually reward you the most. For policyholders with "excellent" credit scores, Hastings Mutual comes in nearly 13.92 more affordable. Drivers with "good" credit scores generally save around 15% with Hastings Mutual compared to average premiums from State Auto.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Hastings Mutual typically offers lower prices than State Auto when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about 21% per month less with Hastings Mutual compared to State Auto, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of around 22% per month.

Is Hastings Mutual or State Auto Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a considerable impact on your monthly auto insurance cost. Usually, the more milage you drive, the more you can expect to pay for car insurance.

In this case, neither Hastings Mutual or State Auto report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. That being said, Hastings Mutual comes out as the lowest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle yearly, with average premiums of $211 a month for both.

Hastings Mutual or State Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

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

Hastings Mutual tends to offer the most affordable rates for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Hastings Mutual's average premiums are about $291 while State Auto offers prices around $317. People in suburban areas pay about $177 with Hastings Mutual compared to State Auto's $236 monthly. Those in rural areas can expect to pay around $164 a month with Hastings Mutual and $225 with State Auto.

Hastings Mutual vs. State Auto Discounts

No matter 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 you can, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many insurance discounts as possible.

The hard part is finding all of the discounts you can take advantage of, since it can feel sometimes like every company has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and looked at all of the different discounts Hastings Mutual and State Auto offer their customers so that you can see which one can save you the most money each month.

State Auto knocks Hastings Mutual out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 18 different discounts to Hastings Mutual's 18.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but State Auto also offers discounts for advance quote, advantage program , COVID-19 relief, and more.

On the other hand, Hastings Mutual has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like company car discounts, prior carrier discounts, and workloss exclusion discounts.

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

You've seen the role certain variables have on your auto insurance and the different discounts companies offer. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which carrier is the best fit for you?

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

• You have a clean driving record, free of accidents, tickets, or DUIs.
• You live in an urban area.
• You drive fewer than 6,000 miles every year.

State Auto might be best for you if...

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• You care about discounts (State Auto offers the most).
• You are purchasing your car insurance with a spouse.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Hastings Mutual and State Auto and that you can now make a more informed 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 insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of carriers, not just Hastings Mutual and State Auto. 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 car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Hastings Mutual vs. State Auto FAQs

Is Hastings Mutual or State Auto cheaper?

Hastings Mutual is the less expensive of the two carriers when looking at national average rates, with policies averaging $211 per month with Hastings Mutual and $259 for State Auto. But that doesn't mean Hastings Mutual will be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are a range of different factors that come into play when it comes to your insurance payment.

Who is better, Hastings Mutual or State Auto?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". One carrier is not "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 State Auto offers less expensive prices for drivers with a recent DUI.

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

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

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

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from several 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 quotes from dozens of your local top auto insurance carriers for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the cheapest rate. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't Hastings Mutual or State Auto 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.