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

Quick Facts

• In general, Kemper offers slightly more affordable prices than Maryland Automobile
• Kemper has cheaper rates for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• Maryland Automobile tends to be a much less expensive option for policyholders who live in suburban areas

Kemper vs. Maryland Automobile: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering sizable discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Kemper or Maryland Automobile, but between the two, which one will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Kemper is about $21 per month more affordable than Maryland Automobile.

However, that doesn't mean Kemper will necessarily be cheaper than Maryland Automobile for every driver. Car insurance companies use tons of complex algorithms to calculate premiums, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among a whole bunch of other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

So, if you want to find out which of Kemper or Maryland Automobile is really the best for you, keep reading to see average rates for each company broken down by multiple different rate factors.

Kemper or Maryland Automobile: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Kemper and Maryland Automobile only compete against each other in Maryland, where Kemper offers the cheaper average premiums. For Maryland residents, Kemper offers auto insurance for $227 monthly on average. Maryland Automobile's average prices come out to be over 10% more expensive, at $256 a month.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance bill than just your home state. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

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

That being said, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance rates. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $100 less a month by choosing Maryland Automobile over Kemper. It's worth noting that Kemper offers insurance in 15 different states compared to Maryland Automobile's one, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

Even so, both carriers will offer you dramatically lower premiums by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for Kemper policyholders lower nearly $300 and Maryland Automobile's premiums decrease over $100 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best premiums for retired drivers between Kemper and Maryland Automobile? Kemper gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older more than 20% less expensive than the national average for Maryland Automobile.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married drivers tend to get slightly cheaper insurance prices than single drivers. This usually boils down to married policyholders having multiple cars on their policy -- something lots of auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, the two carriers are comparable for single policyholders, with rates only differing around $8 per month, on average. But for married couples, the advantage is clear - Kemper offers the most affordable average prices.

Kemper vs. Maryland Automobile: Average Rates by Gender

Men tend to pay more for car insurance than women. This is because men are more likely to get into collisions and get speeding tickets, which increases the chances of an insurance claim.

On average, women see premiums almost 10% a month less with Kemper, and about 6% less with Maryland Automobile.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Kemper offers the cheapest average rates for both men and women, with average prices $20 less for men and $22 cheaper for women.

Kemper or Maryland Automobile: 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 auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different limits and coverages that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

But most policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Kemper generally offers less expensive premiums of $139 compared to Maryland Automobile's $168. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Kemper again has the edge, with policies around $10 per month more affordable than Maryland Automobile, on average.

Is Kemper or Maryland Automobile Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their car insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

It's no secret secret that tickets and collisions lead to higher rates, but which company -- Kemper or Maryland Automobile -- has the lowest premiums for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Maryland Automobile insurance policies don't report seeing their prices increase after getting a ticket, but Kemper policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by about $45.

That being said, Kemper is usually the cheaper option for drivers both with a ticket and with a clean record, offering rates that are $46 and $1 less expensive, respectively, compared to Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Kemper policyholders who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums rise by just under 35%, while those who have insurance through Maryland Automobile will see around a 20% increase.

Overall, Kemper offers the most affordable prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $259 compared to Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund's $281.

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. Kemper drivers usually see a 39% raise in their auto insurance prices after a DUI charge, while Maryland Automobile will normally increase rates by about 27%.

Kemper has the overall lowest premiums 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 Maryland Automobile, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Kemper and Maryland Automobile Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when companies determine your monthly bill. Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for quite a few drivers.

Car insurance companies argue that someone with bad credit is less likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them riskier to insure. Because of that, policyholders with bad credit will often be forced to pay more.

Looking at Kemper and Maryland Automobile specifically, which carrier has the most affordable prices for drivers 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. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save over 30% compared to Maryland Automobile, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $48 or 19% 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 rates. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $16 less with Kemper than Maryland Automobile, but those whose credit is considered "poor" have it flipped -- saving around $67 a month with Maryland Automobile.

Is Kemper or Maryland Automobile 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 insurance carriers will charge for coverage. That's because the fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to get into a collision and cause an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Maryland Automobile charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for Kemper, with policyholders who drive the least paying about $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. Maryland Automobile: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can play a pretty big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Typically, drivers who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban policyholders because there are a lot fewer cars on the road in those areas, which reduces the chances of an accident.

Maryland Automobile generally comes out as the more affordable option for drivers in rural and suburban areas, while Kemper wins in urban areas.

In urban areas, Kemper's average rates are around $296 while Maryland Automobile offers prices about $408. People in suburban areas pay a monthly premium of around $197 with Maryland Automobile compared to $226 with Kemper. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay about $162 a month with Maryland Automobile and $182 with Kemper.

Kemper vs. Maryland Automobile Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible. That's where auto insurance discounts comes into play.

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

Below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Kemper and Maryland Automobile offer their customers so that you can see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Kemper knocks Maryland Automobile out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 22 more discounts than Maryland Automobile.

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

Maryland Automobile's discounts come through just two categories -- Good Driving and Paid In Full.

Final Thoughts: Is Kemper or Maryland Automobile Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, is Kemper or Maryland Automobile the best carrier for you and your specific needs?

Kemper might be best for you if....

• You've received a ticket for speeding recently and don't want to see your premiums increase.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" insurance.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your auto insurance.

Maryland Automobile might be best for you if...

• You live in an suburban area.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.
• You're buying car insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Kemper and Maryland Automobile. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your auto 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 several companies, not just Kemper and Maryland Automobile. 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 carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Kemper vs. Maryland Automobile FAQs

Is Kemper or Maryland Automobile cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Kemper is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $235 per month compared to $256 for Maryland Automobile. However, Kemper won't necessarily be the lowest company for everyone, since there are several different variables (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Kemper or Maryland Automobile?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Kemper offers cheaper premiums for drivers with an at-fault collision on their record, while Maryland Automobile is more affordable for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Kemper and Maryland Automobile offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at many different factors when calculating the rates they charge policyholders. Variables such as gender, where you live, your driving record, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Kemper and Maryland Automobile use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different companies.

How do I know if Kemper or Maryland Automobile 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, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Kemper or Maryland Automobile 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.