Le Mars vs. West Bend Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, West Bend Mutual offers significantly cheaper rates than Le Mars
• Le Mars offers more discounts than West Bend Mutual Insurance
• West Bend Mutual tends to be a much less expensive option for people who are single and purchasing insurance by yourself

Le Mars vs. West Bend Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Le Mars or West Bend Mutual as potential options, but which carrier has more affordable premiums for auto insurance?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, West Bend Mutual is quite a bit cheaper than Le Mars, with rates averaging $131 per month compared to $234 with Le Mars.

That being said, that doesn't mean West Bend Mutual will necessarily be cheaper than Le Mars for every driver. Insurance carriers vary their premiums depending on things like where you live, how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, how old you are, and tons of other factors. So, at the end of the day, prices from each company will differ quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Le Mars or West Bend Mutual is really the best for you, keep reading to see average rates for each carrier broken down by a bunch of different rate factors.

Le Mars or West Bend Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Le Mars and West Bend Mutual only compete against each other in Iowa, where West Bend Mutual offers the cheaper average prices. For Iowa residents, West Bend Mutual offers auto insurance for $95 per month on average. Le Mars's average premiums come out to be over 70% more expensive, at $234 monthly.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance bill than just your home state. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance rates of any other group of drivers. It's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have West Bend Mutual for their auto insurance pay nearly $95 less than those who use Le Mars.

But both companies will offer you dramatically lower prices once you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Le Mars policyholders lower more than $200 and West Bend Mutual's rates reduce about $200 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? West Bend Mutual gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $104 less expensive than the national average for Le Mars.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance rates tend to be more expensive for those who are single than they are for married policyholders. That's because policies for married drivers usually cover more than one car, which several carriers will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, West Bend Mutual is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices around $104 a month more affordable than Le Mars, on average. The advantage for married couples with West Bend Mutual is also obvious, where drivers save over $100 per month.

Le Mars vs. West Bend Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women tend to pay less for car insurance than men? This is because men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher premiums.

With Le Mars, women generally pay almost $30 a month less than men, and about $16 less with West Bend Mutual.

When it comes to the most affordable rates for each gender, West Bend Mutual comes out on top for both men and women. On average, women save about $97 per month and men save around $110 with West Bend Mutual compared to the average Le Mars policyholder.

Le Mars or West Bend 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.

Auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are multiple different coverages that account for several different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers and their passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, West Bend Mutual typically offers slightly less expensive prices of $77 compared to Le Mars's $78. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, West Bend Mutual again has the edge, with policies about $200 a month more affordable than Le Mars, on average.

Is Le Mars or West Bend Mutual 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 at-fault collisions lead to higher premiums, but which carrier -- Le Mars or West Bend Mutual -- has the cheapest prices for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Le Mars policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $42 per month if they get a ticket, while West Bend Mutual generally raises rates around $25 a month, on average.

However, West Bend Mutual has cheaper prices for drivers in both categories. Drivers with a clean record can save about $54 per month and drivers with a speeding ticket can save around $71 a month with West Bend Mutual Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Le Mars drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their premiums increase by over 25%, while those who have insurance through West Bend Mutual will see about a 50% increase.

Overall, drivers who use West Bend Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly rates averaging $163 compared to Le Mars Insurance Company's $186.

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. On average, Le Mars will raise your prices around 68% after a DUI, while West Bend Mutual's average rates climb by over 50%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, West Bend Mutual tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $169 a month compared to $434 from Le Mars.

How does Credit Score Impact Le Mars and West Bend Mutual Rates?

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

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, drivers with good credit will often be rewarded with more affordable prices.

Looking at Le Mars and West Bend Mutual specifically, which one has the best 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 West Bend Mutual. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save just under 30% compared to Le Mars, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $65 or 36% cheaper every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

West Bend Mutual typically offers lower prices than Le Mars when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $88 per month less with West Bend Mutual compared to Le Mars, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $221 per month.

Is Le Mars or West Bend 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 how much car insurance carriers will charge for coverage. That's because the more miles you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident 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 West Bend Mutual charges. However, there's a pretty significant difference in monthly premiums for Le Mars, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their car each year paying around $30 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, West Bend Mutual is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Le Mars vs. West Bend Mutual: 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 pretty big impact as well. Normally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than policyholders in urban areas due to the small number of vehicles that are on the roads in those areas.

West Bend Mutual tends to offer the most affordable rates for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, West Bend Mutual Insurance's average premiums are about $132 less than Le Mars Insurance Company. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $57 less with West Bend Mutual compared to Le Mars. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $122 with West Bend Mutual compared to Le Mars.

Le Mars vs. West Bend Mutual 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 car insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be challenging to find all the ones you qualify for.

Below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by Le Mars and West Bend Mutual so that you can see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Overall, Le Mars comes out ahead with 17 discounts to West Bend Mutual's 16.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Le Mars also offers advance quote discounts, driver training discounts, family discounts, and more that West Bend Mutual does not.

On the flip side, West Bend Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advanced safety feature discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, distant student discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Le Mars or West Bend Mutual Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your auto insurance prices. We've shown you all the discounts each company offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, which carrier is the best one for you and your specific driver profile?

West Bend Mutual might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You want basic insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You're buying auto insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

Le Mars might be best for you if...

• You care about discounts (Le Mars offers the most).

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Le Mars and West Bend Mutual and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your car insurance.

But, at the end of the day, there's only one way to know for sure that you're getting the best possible deal on insurance -- comparing quotes from several carriers, not just Le Mars and West Bend Mutual. 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 auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Le Mars vs. West Bend Mutual FAQs

Is Le Mars or West Bend Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, West Bend Mutual is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $131 a month compared to $234 for Le Mars. Even so, West Bend Mutual won't necessarily be the lowest company for each driver, since there are many different variables that come into play when it comes to your car insurance payment.

Who is better, Le Mars or West Bend Mutual?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One carrier is not necessarily "better" for every driver -- it all comes down to what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do Le Mars and West Bend Mutual offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the rates they charge drivers. Things such as your driving record, where you call home, age, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Le Mars and West Bend Mutual calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different carriers.

How do I know if Le Mars or West Bend Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies 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 carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Le Mars or West Bend 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.