Main Street America vs. Utica National: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Main Street America offers significantly less expensive rates than Utica National
• Main Street America tends to be a much more affordable option for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• Main Street America offers more affordable prices for people who are single and purchasing auto insurance by yourself

Main Street America vs. Utica National: 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 large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Main Street America or Utica National as potential options, but which one has cheaper premiums for car insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Main Street America has average rates that are about 40% per month more affordable than those from Utica National.

That being said, Main Street America may not be the cheapest or best option for each driver out there. Insurance companies vary their prices depending on things like how old you are, how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, where you live, and a variety of other factors. So, at the end of the day, rates from each carrier will differ quite a bit from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both Main Street America and Utica National by multiple different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Main Street America or Utica National: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Main Street America and Utica National only compete against each other in New York, where Main Street America offers the cheaper average rates. For New York residents, Main Street America offers auto insurance for $347 a month on average. Utica National's average premiums come out to be over 10% more expensive, at $394 monthly.

There's a lot more that goes into your insurance bill than just your home state. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance prices of any group out there on the road. That's normally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

However, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high insurance rates. As you can see above, teens who use Main Street America save more than $200 a month compared to those who use Utica National.

But both carriers will lower premiums once you turn 25. Utica National offers the steepest reduction, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. That being said, Main Street America still has the most affordable rates at $219 per month.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the lowest car insurance prices out there. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which usually reduces their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase premiums.

When looking at Main Street America and Utica National specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Main Street America gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older over 40% less expensive than the national average for Utica National.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but auto insurance prices tend to be more expensive for those who are single than they are for married policyholders. That's typically because married couples tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Main Street America is the clear winner for single policyholders, with premiums around $170 per month cheaper than Utica National, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Main Street America is also obvious, where drivers save more than $150 a month.

Main Street America vs. Utica National: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women tend to pay less for insurance than men? This is because men are more likely to get into accidents and get tickets, which raises the chances of an insurance claim.

Surprisingly, women generally pay about 3% more per month than men with Main Street America, and around 7% less with Utica National.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Main Street America comes out as the most affordable option for both genders. On average, male drivers save about $185 a month and women save about $149 with Main Street America compared to the average Utica National policyholder.

Main Street America or Utica National: 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. There are so many different limits and coverages that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

Even so, the most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- 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 alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Main Street America normally offers more affordable prices of $159 compared to Utica National's $197. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Main Street America again has the edge, with policies around $300 per month cheaper than Utica National, on average.

Is Main Street America or Utica National Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their auto 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 carrier -- Main Street America or Utica National -- has the cheapest premiums for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Main Street America policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $61 a month if they get a ticket, while Utica National typically raises premiums about $58 per month, on average.

But Main Street America has less expensive rates for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are 42% and 35% more affordable, respectively, compared to Utica National.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their car insurance through Main Street America can expect to see around an $40 -- or about 19% -- increase in their insurance premiums. Drivers who use Utica National for their auto insurance will see a monthly bill around $58 (or 16%) more expensive after reporting a collision to their car insurance company.

Overall, Main Street America offers the lowest rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $215 compared to Utica National's $362.

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. On average, Utica National will raise your prices about 45% after a DUI, while Main Street America's average rates climb by just under 40%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Main Street America tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $283 a month compared to $548 from Utica National.

How does Credit Score Impact Main Street America and Utica National Rates?

In many cases, your credit score can be used as one of the factors to calculate your monthly insurance prices. This isn't always the case (Massachusetts, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it will come into play for several drivers.

Auto insurance companies argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time every month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

So, which carrier offers the most affordable premiums for policyholders with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Main Street America. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save over 70% compared to Utica National, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $257 or 65% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have a below average credit score, it can be somewhat of a toss-up as far as which company offers you the best prices. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $215 less with Main Street America than Utica National, but those whose credit is considered "poor" have it flipped -- saving around $90 a month with Utica National.

Is Main Street America or Utica National 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 your monthly rates? 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 Utica National charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly prices for Main Street America, with policyholders who drive the least paying about $4 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, Main Street America is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Main Street America vs. Utica National: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can have a substantial impact on your monthly insurance cost. Normally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas because there are a lot more vehicles on the road in those areas, which increases the chances of an accident.

Main Street America tends to offer the cheapest premiums for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, Main Street America Insurance's average prices are around 50% less than Utica National. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about 27% less with Main Street America compared to Utica National. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save around 44% with Main Street America compared to Utica National.

Main Street America vs. Utica National Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new car 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 what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be hard to find all the ones you can take advantage of.

In the table below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by Main Street America and Utica National so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

You can find offers for anti-theft discounts, discounts for getting driver training, DRL discounts, and discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company from both carriers.

Final Thoughts: Is Main Street America or Utica National Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your insurance rates. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, which company is the right carrier for you and your specific needs?

Main Street America might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing auto insurance by yourself.
• Your credit score is high.
• You and your spouse are buying car insurance together.

Utica National might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Main Street America and Utica National. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your 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 auto insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of companies, not just Main Street America and Utica National. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply 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.

Main Street America vs. Utica National FAQs

Is Main Street America or Utica National cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Main Street America is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $227 per month compared to $394 for Utica National. However, Main Street America won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for each driver, since there are many different factors that come into play when it comes to your auto insurance payment.

Who is better, Main Street America or Utica National?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No one company is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, Main Street America offers more affordable rates for drivers with an at-fault collision on their record, while Utica National is less expensive for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Main Street America and Utica National offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers take a look at many different variables when calculating the prices they charge policyholders. Factors such as gender, where you park your car, your driving record, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Main Street America and Utica National calculate premiums differently, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different companies.

How do I know if Main Street America or Utica National is right for me?

The only way to find the auto 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, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car 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 Main Street America or Utica National 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.