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

Quick Facts

• In general, Kemper offers slightly cheaper premiums than Mendakota
• Kemper offers more affordable average prices for couples purchasing car insurance together
• Mendakota offers more affordable rates for people who are single and purchasing insurance by yourself

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

Are you considering a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering pretty big discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You might have narrowed your search down to Kemper or Mendakota for your next policy, but which company has less expensive premiums for auto insurance?

As you can see, Kemper is about $9 per month more affordable than Mendakota when looking at the national average rates for car insurance.

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

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

Kemper or Mendakota: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Kemper and Mendakota only compete against each other in Nevada, where Kemper offers the cheaper average prices. For Nevada residents, Kemper offers car insurance for $234 per month on average. Mendakota's average rates come out to be more expensive, at $244 a month.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your auto insurance cost than just your home state. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- typically pay a lot for 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.

Even so, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance prices. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Mendakota for their auto insurance pay nearly $40 less than those who use Kemper. It's worth noting that Kemper offers insurance in 15 different states compared to Mendakota's one, which can skew the average premiums a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

However, both carriers will lower rates by the time you turn 25. For example, average prices for Kemper policyholders drop almost $300 and Mendakota's premiums decrease more than $200 over that time.

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 most affordable rates you'll ever see.

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between Kemper and Mendakota? Kemper gets the slight edge here, with average rates coming in at around $179 monthly compared to Mendakota's $187. But the difference is only about 5%, so other factors will likely come into play when determining which carrier has the lowest premiums for you.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance prices are usually cheaper for married policyholders than they are for single policyholders? That's normally because married couples tend to own and insure multiple cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, the two companies are comparable for those who are single, with rates only differing around $1 a month, on average. The advantage for married drivers is more obvious, where drivers who use Kemper save over 10% per month.

Kemper vs. Mendakota: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident. That means when it comes to insurance men will typically end up paying a little more.

With Kemper, men generally pay about $20 a month more than women, and nearly $20 with Mendakota.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Kemper comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $9 per month and women save around $10 with Kemper compared to the average Mendakota policyholder.

Kemper or Mendakota: 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 a complicated subject for most people. Everyone needs auto insurance, but there are so many different coverages 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 if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability).

In this case, Kemper offers the cheapest average premiums for state minimum limits for liability insurance, while Mendakota has the edge for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Drivers looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $35 with Kemper, while full coverage comes out to be about $15 less expensive with Mendakota Insurance Company.

Is Kemper or Mendakota 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.

At-fault accidents and tickets will most likely raise your prices, but is Kemper or Mendakota more affordable for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Kemper policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $45 a month if they get a ticket, while Mendakota normally raises rates around $19 per month, on average.

That being said, Kemper tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering prices that are $47 and $21 cheaper, respectively, compared to Mendakota Insurance Company.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Kemper policyholders who get in an accident can expect to see their rates climb by just under 35%, while those who have insurance through Mendakota will see about a 20% increase.

Overall, Kemper offers the most affordable premiums for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly rates averaging $259 compared to Mendakota Insurance Company's $273.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly auto insurance bill -- usually a lot more than a collision or ticket. On average, Kemper will climb your premiums around 39% after a DUI, while Mendakota's average prices increase by just under 10%.

Mendakota has the overall cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $241 per month, but it's worth noting that Kemper's average rates come from 15 states compared to just one for Mendakota, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Kemper and Mendakota Rates?

Often times, your credit score can be used as one of the variables to calculate your monthly insurance premiums. 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 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 specifically at Mendakota and Kemper, which carrier has the lowest prices for drivers 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 Kemper. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save nearly 30% compared to Mendakota, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $36 or 15% less expensive each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have less-than-perfect credit, it can be somewhat of a toss-up as far as which company offers you the best rates. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $4 less with Kemper than Mendakota, but those whose credit is considered "poor" have it flipped -- saving about $79 a month with Mendakota.

Is Kemper or Mendakota 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 bill. Typically, those who drive less will end up with more affordable premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident 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 Mendakota charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly prices for Kemper, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their car annually paying around $1 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles each year. Still, Kemper is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

Kemper vs. Mendakota: 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 insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a substantial impact as well. Usually, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for car insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

Looking at these carriers side-by-side, Mendakota tends to offer the most affordable option for drivers in rural and suburban areas, while Kemper wins in urban areas.

In urban areas, Kemper's average premiums are about 29% less than Mendakota Insurance Company. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around 22% less with Mendakota compared to Kemper. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about 24% with Mendakota compared to Kemper.

Kemper vs. Mendakota Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new auto insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many insurance discounts as you can.

The challenging part is finding all of the discounts you're eligible for, since it can feel sometimes like every carrier has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

Below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by Kemper and Mendakota so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Kemper blows Mendakota away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 24 different discounts to Mendakota's five.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company, and passive restraint discounts. Kemper also offers AAA discounts, ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, and more that Mendakota does not.

Mendakota's discounts come through just a few categories, including Defensive Driver, Homeowner, Multi-Car, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Kemper or Mendakota Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your auto insurance prices. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. But, at the end of the day, is Kemper or Mendakota the right one for you and your specific needs?

Kemper might be best for you if....

• You don't have any speeding tickets, DUIs, or at-fault collisions on your record.
• You want basic insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You have a short drive to work everyday.

Mendakota might be best for you if...

• You live in one of the following states: Nevada.
• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You live in a rural area.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Kemper and Mendakota and that it aids in making a more informed 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 Kemper and Mendakota. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best auto insurance carriers in your area, all for free.

Kemper vs. Mendakota FAQs

Is Kemper or Mendakota 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 $244 for Mendakota. But Kemper won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for every policyholder, since there are a variety of different variables that are considered when it comes to your car insurance payment.

Who is better, Kemper or Mendakota?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No one company is "better" for everyone -- it all boils down to your unique insurance profile. For example, Mendakota offers cheaper prices for single drivers, while Kemper is more affordable for drivers who have already retired.

Why do Kemper and Mendakota offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at lots of different factors when calculating the premiums they charge policyholders. Things such as gender, your driving record, age, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Kemper and Mendakota calculate rates using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different companies.

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

The only way to find the car insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several 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 insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Kemper or Mendakota 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.