Kemper vs. Key: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, Kemper offers cheaper prices than Key
• Kemper has less expensive premiums for policyholders who live in suburban areas
• Key offers more affordable rates for residents in Nevada

Kemper vs. Key: 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 huge discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might be considering Kemper or Key, but between the two, which carrier has more affordable prices for insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Key has average rates that are about 18% per month more expensive than those from Kemper.

However, that doesn't mean Kemper will necessarily be less expensive than Key for every single driver. After all, auto insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your credit score, your driving record, where you call home, or even your age (among other things). So, at the end of the day, premiums from every company will differ quite a bit from person to person.

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

Kemper or Key: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Kemper and Key only compete against each other in Nevada, where Kemper offers the cheaper average prices. For Nevada residents, Kemper offers car insurance for $234 monthly on average. Key's average premiums come out to be over 20% more expensive, at $285 a month.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your auto insurance payment than just where you live. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- normally pay a lot for car insurance compared to older drivers. It's generally because young, inexperienced 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 insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $200 less a month by choosing Kemper over Key. It's worth noting that Kemper offers auto insurance in 15 different states compared to Key's one, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

But both carriers will decrease rates by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Kemper policyholders lower more than 55% and Key's prices drop over 65% over that time.

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 cheapest premiums out there.

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? Kemper gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older almost 20% cheaper than the national average for Key.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance rates are usually more affordable for married drivers than they are for those who are single? This usually boils down to married policyholders having more than one car on their policy -- something lots of auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Kemper is the clear winner for single policyholders, with prices around $73 per month less expensive than Key, on average. It's not quite so glaring for married couples, where drivers who use Kemper save nearly 10% a month.

Kemper vs. Key: Average Rates by Gender

Men typically pay more for insurance than women. This is because women are less likely to get tickets and get into collisions, which decreases the chances of an insurance claim.

On average, women see premiums almost $20 per month more affordable with Kemper, and about $53 less with Key.

When it comes to the lowest prices for each gender, Kemper offers the cheapest average rates for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $67 a month and women save around $33 with Kemper compared to the average Key policyholder.

Kemper or Key: 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 auto insurance, but there are so many different terms and limits that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers and passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Kemper usually offers significantly cheaper premiums of $139 compared to Key's $196. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Kemper again has the edge, with policies about $40 per month more affordable than Key, on average.

Is Kemper or Key Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from 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.

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

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Key car insurance policies don't report seeing their premiums increase after getting a ticket, but Kemper policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by around $45.

If you have a clean record, Kemper tends to offer the best prices at about 17% cheaper, while Key has the edge for drivers with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will increase rates pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with Kemper raising by $85. Key has a less extreme increase, but you can still expect to pay $25 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, drivers who use Key end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $235 compared to Kemper's $259.

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 speeding ticket when it comes to your insurance bill. Key drivers usually see a 57% climb in their car insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Kemper will typically raise premiums by around 39%.

Kemper has the overall lowest rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $287 per month, but it's worth noting that Kemper's average rates come from 15 states compared to just one for Key, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Kemper and Key Rates?

Did you know that many auto insurance companies take into account your credit score when calculating prices? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it will come into play for several policyholders.

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

Looking at Kemper and Key specifically, which one has the cheapest rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Kemper. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save just under 40% compared to Key, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $77 or 27% more affordable each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have less-than-stellar credit, it can be somewhat of a toss-up as far as which company offers you the best prices. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $45 less with Kemper than Key, but those whose credit is considered "poor" have it flipped -- saving about $38 a month with Key.

Is Kemper or Key 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? Typically, those who drive less will end up with less expensive premiums 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 Key charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for Kemper, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicle yearly paying around $1 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Kemper is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

Kemper vs. Key: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can have a sizable impact on your monthly auto insurance cost. Generally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas because there are a lot more cars on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, Kemper usually comes out as the lowest option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $52 with Kemper compared to Key. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $8 less with Kemper compared to Key. In urban areas, Kemper's average prices are about $90 less than Key Insurance Company.

Kemper vs. Key Discounts

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

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

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Kemper and Key so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Kemper knocks Key out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 20 more discounts than Key.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Kemper also offers AAA discounts, ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, and more that Key does not.

Key's discounts come through just a few categories, including Defensive Driver, Good Driving, Multi-Car, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Kemper or Key Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your insurance rates. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which carrier is the best carrier for you and your specific driver profile?

Kemper might be best for you if....

• You have above-average credit.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.
• Your neighborhood is in a rural area.

Key might be best for you if...

• You like the personalized touch of a small, regional company.
• You've been pulled over for speeding recently.
• You want to save money on your auto insurance after an accident.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Kemper and Key and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the best 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 Kemper and Key. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of top auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Kemper vs. Key FAQs

Is Kemper or Key cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Kemper is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $235 per month compared to $285 for Key. Even so, Kemper won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for each policyholder, since there are lots of different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance bill.

Who is better, Kemper or Key?

Unfortunately, the real answer is "it depends.". No one company is necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all boils down to your unique car insurance profile.

Why do Kemper and Key offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different factors when determining the prices they charge drivers. Variables like age, gender, your driving record, where you call home, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Kemper and Key use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different companies.

How do I know if Kemper or Key is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Kemper or Key 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.