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

Quick Facts

• In general, Maryland Automobile offers slightly less expensive rates than State Auto
• Maryland Automobile has cheaper prices for residents of suburban areas
• State Auto offers more affordable rates for policyholders whose driving record contains an at-fault collision

Maryland Automobile or State Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering hefty savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to Maryland Automobile or State Auto for your next policy, but which company will offer you more affordable premiums?

Looking at nationwide averages, State Auto is around $3 more a month than Maryland Automobile.

That being said, that doesn't mean Maryland Automobile will necessarily be cheaper than State Auto for each driver. Auto insurance carriers use tons of complex algorithms to determine prices, so depending on how old you are or how clean your driving record is (among a multitude of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

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

Maryland Automobile vs. State Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Maryland Automobile and State Auto only compete against each other in Maryland, where Maryland Automobile offers the cheaper average prices. Undefined drivers tend to pay about undefined per month less on average compared to drivers who use undefined for their insurance.

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

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers normally pay a lot more for insurance than any group on the road. It's typically because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

Even so, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of over 50% less a month by choosing Maryland Automobile over State Auto.

However, with both companies, you'll see your rates decrease significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Maryland Automobile policyholders reduce about $100 and State Auto's prices lower more than $500 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the lowest auto insurance rates you'll ever find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which usually lowers their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise premiums.

When looking at Maryland Automobile and State Auto specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? State Auto gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $57 less expensive than the national average for Maryland Automobile.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Single drivers tend to get offered slightly more expensive insurance premiums than married drivers. This usually boils down to married couples having more than one vehicle on their policy -- something many car insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

For those who are single, the difference in average prices between these two companies is significant, with Maryland Automobile rates coming in at around 15% less than State Auto's. The advantage for married policyholders with State Auto is also obvious, where drivers save almost 25% per month.

Maryland Automobile or State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

You may not know, but auto insurance is typically more expensive for men than for women. That's because women are less likely to get speeding tickets and get into collisions, which decreases the chances of filing a claim with insurance.

With Maryland Automobile, women generally pay about $15 a month less than men, and around $24 less with State Auto.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Maryland Automobile offers the most affordable average premiums for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $7 per month and women save about $0 with Maryland Automobile compared to the average State Auto policyholder.

Maryland Automobile vs. State Auto: 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 pretty complicated. There are multiple different coverages that account for many different things. Some protect you and your car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

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

When it comes to state minimum liability insurance, State Auto has the edge, while Maryland Automobile offers the cheapest average prices for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Policyholders looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $20 with State Auto Insurance, while full coverage comes out to be around $25 cheaper with Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund.

Is Maryland Automobile or State Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their insurance. But that's not to say you can't save money if you don't have the best driving record, either.

It's no secret secret that accidents and speeding tickets lead to higher rates, but which carrier -- Maryland Automobile or State Auto -- has the lowest premiums for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Maryland Automobile car insurance policies don't report seeing their rates increase after getting a ticket, but State Auto policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by about $50.

Even so, State Auto tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering prices that are $50 and $2 more affordable, respectively, compared to Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Maryland Automobile policyholders who get in a collision can expect to see their rates increase by over $60, while those who have insurance through State Auto will see around a $100 increase.

At the end of the day, the less expensive premiums come from State Auto, with average prices coming in at $269 compared to Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund's $281.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single accident or ticket when it comes to your auto insurance bill. State Auto drivers usually see a 55% increase in their insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Maryland Automobile will normally raise rates by about 27%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable prices, Maryland Automobile tends to be more affordable for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $301 to State Auto's $380.

How does Credit Score Impact Maryland Automobile and State Auto Rates?

Did you know many auto insurance carriers take into account your credit score when determining premiums? This isn't true for everyone (for example, Hawaii and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect lots of drivers out there.

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

Looking at Maryland Automobile and State Auto specifically, which carrier has the cheapest prices for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Maryland Automobile or State Auto 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 insurance payment. Typically, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper rates since there's less of a chance of causing an accident and filing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither Maryland Automobile or State Auto report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Even so, Maryland Automobile comes out as the most affordable for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car annually, with average rates of $256 a month for both.

Maryland Automobile or State Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a large impact on your monthly auto insurance cost. Generally, drivers who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural policyholders due to the number of vehicles that are on the roads where they live.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, Maryland Automobile normally comes out as the less expensive option for drivers in rural and suburban areas, while State Auto wins in urban areas.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, State Auto Insurance's average rates are about 22% less than Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. People who live in suburban areas pay around 17% less with Maryland Automobile compared to State Auto. Those in rural areas can expect to save about 28% with Maryland Automobile compared to State Auto.

Maryland Automobile vs. State Auto Discounts

No matter why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as you can, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many car insurance discounts as possible.

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

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and broke down all of the different discounts offered by both Maryland Automobile and State Auto so that you can see which one can save you the most money each month.

State Auto blows Maryland Automobile away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 18 different discounts to Maryland Automobile's two.

Both companies offer several of the same discounts -- like discounts for being a good driver and paid in full discounts -- but State Auto also offers discounts for ABS, advance quote, advantage program , and more.

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

Final Thoughts: Is Maryland Automobile or State Auto Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your auto insurance premiums. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, is Maryland Automobile or State Auto the right carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Maryland Automobile might be best for you if....

• You have a clean record.
• You're looking for the carrier with the most discounts.
• You're of retirement age and want to take advantage of lower prices.

State Auto might be best for you if...

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.
• You drive often but have a short commute.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Maryland Automobile and State Auto and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your car 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 multiple carriers, not just Maryland Automobile and State Auto. 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 top car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Maryland Automobile vs. State Auto FAQs

Is Maryland Automobile or State Auto cheaper?

Maryland Automobile is the more affordable of the two carriers when looking at national average rates, with policies averaging $256 per month with Maryland Automobile and $259 for State Auto. That being said, that doesn't mean Maryland Automobile will be the lowest company for everyone, since there are a variety of different factors that come into play when it comes to your auto insurance payment.

Who is better, Maryland Automobile or State Auto?

Unfortunately, the real answer is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all comes down to what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, State Auto is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit, while Maryland Automobile offers cheaper premiums for drivers with a recent DUI.

Why do Maryland Automobile and State Auto offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies use several different variables when calculating the prices they charge. Factors like gender, age, your driving record, where you park your car, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Maryland Automobile and State Auto calculate rates using different formulas, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different carriers.

How do I know if Maryland Automobile or State Auto is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from several 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 quotes from dozens of your local top insurance carriers for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't Maryland Automobile or State Auto at all, but another you hadn't even thought of!

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.