Integrity vs. Sentry: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Integrity offers significantly more affordable premiums than Sentry
• Integrity tends to be a much less expensive option for people who are single and purchasing car insurance by yourself
• Integrity has cheaper rates for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

Integrity vs. Sentry: 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 hefty discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Integrity or Sentry, but between the two, which carrier has less expensive premiums for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Sentry has average rates that are about 60% per month more expensive than those from Integrity.

But Integrity may not be the lowest or best option for each driver out there. Insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among multiple other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average premiums from both Integrity and Sentry by a variety of different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Integrity or Sentry: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Integrity and Sentry only compete against each other in one states, with Integrity offering more affordable rates to the average driver in all of them. Wisconsin has the most noticable difference, where Integrity prices are over 70% cheaper than car insurance rates at Sentry.

But there's more to insurance than just the state you live in. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how auto insurance carriers determine your prices. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

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

However, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their auto insurance. As you can see above, teens who use Integrity save more than $200 a month compared to those who use Sentry.

That being said, with both companies, you'll see your premiums lower significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average prices for Integrity policyholders decrease over 65% and Sentry's premiums reduce nearly 55% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

So, which company offers the best prices to retired drivers? Integrity gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $87 more affordable than the national average for Sentry.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married couples tend to get slightly less expensive car insurance prices than single policyholders. That's typically because married policyholders tend to own and insure multiple cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Integrity is the clear winner for those who are single, with premiums around $127 per month cheaper than Sentry, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Integrity is also obvious, where drivers save more than $95 a month.

Integrity vs. Sentry: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into collisions and file an insurance claim. That means when it comes to auto insurance men will generally end up paying a little more.

Usually, men see rates almost 10% per month higher with Integrity, while with Sentry, the difference is closer to 10% a month.

Looking at overall affordability, Integrity comes out as the cheapest option for both genders, with average premiums 59% less for men and 58% cheaper for women.

Integrity or Sentry: 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. Everyone needs insurance, but there are so many different coverages and limits that it can be hard to find the right policy.

Even so, most policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which usually refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to what you get with liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Integrity normally offers significantly more affordable prices of $38 compared to Sentry's $104. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Integrity again has the edge, with policies about $150 per month cheaper than Sentry, on average.

Is Integrity or Sentry Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from auto insurance carriers offering great rates 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 at-fault accidents and tickets lead to higher premiums, but which carrier -- Integrity or Sentry -- has the lowest rates for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Integrity policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $22 a month if they get a ticket, while Sentry usually raises premiums around $25 per month, on average.

But Integrity has less expensive prices for drivers in both categories, offering rates that are 65% and 58% cheaper, respectively, compared to Sentry Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Integrity drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their prices rise by over $20, while those who have insurance through Sentry will see about a $45 increase.

Overall, drivers who use Integrity end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly premiums averaging $84 compared to Sentry Insurance's $221.

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 speeding ticket when it comes to your insurance bill. For example, Integrity increases average rates by just under $30 a month -- that's over a 30% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Integrity tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $92 a month compared to $178 from Sentry.

How does Credit Score Impact Integrity and Sentry Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating rates? This isn't always the case (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it does affect many policyholders out there.

The reasoning insurance carriers 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 Integrity and Sentry, which one has the best rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Integrity. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save more than 60% compared to Sentry, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $111 or 60% less expensive each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Integrity typically offers lower prices than Sentry when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $116 per month less with Integrity compared to Sentry, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of around $123 per month.

Is Integrity or Sentry Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage. Typically, the more miles you put on your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

In this case, neither Integrity or Sentry report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. That being said, Integrity comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car yearly, with average prices of $81 a month for both.

Integrity vs. Sentry: 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 pretty big impact as well. Usually, those who live in rural areas will pay less than policyholders in urban areas because there are a lot fewer vehicles on the roads in those areas.

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

Those in rural areas can expect to pay about $83 monthly with Integrity compared to Sentry's $143. People in suburban areas pay a monthly premium of around $78 with Integrity compared to $218 with Sentry. For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Integrity's average premiums are about $82 per month compared to Sentry's $224.

Integrity vs. Sentry Discounts

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

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem difficult to find all the of the ones you can take advantage of.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Integrity and Sentry so that you can see which company can save you the most money each month.

Integrity knocks Sentry out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering eight more discounts than Sentry.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a homeowner, and discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company -- but Integrity also offers anti-theft discounts, company car discounts, continuous insurance discounts, and more that Sentry does not.

On the flip side, Sentry has a unique discount of its own -- a paid in full discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Integrity or Sentry Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your insurance rates. We've shown you all the discounts each carrier offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is Integrity or Sentry the best one for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Integrity 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 drive fewer than 6,000 miles every year.

Sentry might be best for you if...

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

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Integrity and Sentry. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of companies, not just Integrity and Sentry. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get free quotes from dozens of top car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Integrity vs. Sentry FAQs

Is Integrity or Sentry cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Integrity is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $81 a month compared to $195 for Sentry. That being said, Integrity won't necessarily be the most affordable company for each driver, since there are several different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance payment.

Who is better, Integrity or Sentry?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No one carrier is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile.

Why do Integrity and Sentry offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the prices they charge drivers. Things such as gender, your driving record, where you live, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Integrity and Sentry calculate rates using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different companies.

How do I know if Integrity or Sentry is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple carriers 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 area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable price. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Integrity or Sentry 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.