Kemper vs. North Star Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, North Star Mutual offers significantly less expensive prices than Kemper
• Kemper has more affordable premiums for drivers with a DUI charge on their record
• North Star Mutual tends to be a much cheaper option for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

Kemper vs. North Star Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

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

You might have narrowed it down to Kemper or North Star Mutual as potential options, but which company has less expensive rates for insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, North Star Mutual is about $55 per month more affordable than Kemper.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean North Star Mutual will be the cheaper option for every driver. Auto insurance companies use a ton of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how good your credit score is or where you live (among a range of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both Kemper and North Star Mutual by a variety of different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Kemper or North Star Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Kemper and North Star Mutual only compete against each other in one states, with Kemper offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. South Dakota has the most noticable difference, where Kemper premiums are over 20% more affordable than car insurance rates at North Star Mutual.

That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance bill than just where you call home. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance premiums of any group on the road. It's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

But that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. As you can see above, teens who use North Star Mutual save more than $150 a month compared to those who use Kemper.

Even so, with both carriers, you'll see your prices reduce significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for Kemper policyholders drop nearly $300 and North Star Mutual's prices decrease over $150 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 most affordable rates out there.

So, which carrier offers the best premiums to retired drivers? North Star Mutual gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $35 cheaper than the national average for Kemper.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive auto insurance rates than married drivers. That's normally because married policyholders tend to own and insure several cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, North Star Mutual is the clear winner for single policyholders, with premiums around $73 per month more affordable than Kemper, on average. The advantage is also clear for married couples - North Star Mutual offers the cheapest average prices.

Kemper vs. North Star Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women typically pay less for car insurance than men? This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into accidents and file an insurance claim, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher rates.

With Kemper, women generally pay about $20 a month less than men, and around $4 less with North Star Mutual.

When it comes to the lowest prices for each gender, North Star Mutual comes out on top for both men and women, with average rates $62 less for men and $47 cheaper for women.

Kemper or North Star Mutual: 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.

For most people, auto insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are so many different coverages and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which usually refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, North Star Mutual normally offers significantly less expensive premiums of $65 compared to Kemper's $139. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, North Star Mutual again has the edge, with policies about $35 per month more affordable than Kemper, on average.

Is Kemper or North Star Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from insurance companies 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 collisions and tickets lead to higher prices, but which company -- Kemper or North Star Mutual -- has the most affordable premiums for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Kemper policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $45 a month if they get a ticket, while North Star Mutual usually raises prices around $44 per month, on average.

However, North Star Mutual tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records, offering premiums that are $73 and $74 less expensive, respectively, compared to Kemper.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will increase rates pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault collision with Kemper raising by $85. North Star Mutual has a less extreme raise, but you can still expect to pay just under $75 more than you were prior to your first accident.

Overall, the cheaper prices come from North Star Mutual, with monthly premiums averaging $174 compared to Kemper's $259.

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 ticket or even a collision. North Star Mutual drivers usually see a 66% climb in their auto insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Kemper will generally increase premiums by about 39%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Kemper tends to be the much more affordable option with average premiums of $287 per month compared to $299 from North Star Mutual.

How does Credit Score Impact Kemper and North Star Mutual Rates?

You may not realized it, 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 several drivers.

Insurance companies argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, policyholders with good credit will often be rewarded with less expensive prices.

So, which carrier offers the cheapest rates for drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with North Star Mutual. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save over 20% compared to Kemper, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $56 or 27% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

North Star Mutual typically offers lower premiums than Kemper when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $61 a month less with North Star Mutual compared to Kemper, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of around $71 monthly.

Is Kemper or North Star Mutual 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 your monthly car insurance cost. Usually, those who drive less will end up with more affordable prices 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 North Star Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for Kemper, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicle every year paying about $1 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, North Star Mutual is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Kemper vs. North Star Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a substantial impact on your monthly auto insurance payment. Normally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than drivers in rural areas because there are a lot more cars on the roads in those areas.

North Star Mutual boasts the most affordable average premiums for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save around $16 with North Star Mutual compared to Kemper. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about $61 less with North Star Mutual compared to Kemper. In urban areas, North Star Mutual's average prices are around $88 less than Kemper.

Kemper vs. North Star Mutual 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, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you're eligible for.

In the section below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Kemper and North Star Mutual so that you can see which one offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Kemper blows North Star Mutual away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 24 different discounts to North Star Mutual's six.

Both carriers offer lots of the same discounts -- like anti-theft discounts, multi-policy discounts, and passive restraint discounts -- but Kemper also offers AAA discounts, ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, and more that North Star Mutual does not.

On the flip side, North Star Mutual has a unique discount of its own -- a family discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Kemper or North Star Mutual Best for You?

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

North Star Mutual might be best for you if....

• You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" insurance.
• You are purchasing your car insurance with a spouse.

Kemper might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national insurance carrier.
• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You care about discounts (Kemper offers the most).

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Kemper and North Star Mutual. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from multiple companies, not just Kemper and North Star Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. 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.

Kemper vs. North Star Mutual FAQs

Is Kemper or North Star Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, North Star Mutual is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $180 per month compared to $235 for Kemper. That being said, North Star Mutual won't necessarily be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are many different variables (things like gender, age, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Kemper or North Star Mutual?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for every driver -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, Kemper offers less expensive rates for drivers with a recent DUI, while North Star Mutual is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Kemper and North Star Mutual offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different factors when calculating the premiums they charge policyholders. Things such as where your home is, where you live, age, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Kemper and North Star Mutual calculate rates using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different companies.

How do I know if Kemper or North Star Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of 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 information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the cheapest rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Kemper or North Star Mutual 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.