MetLife vs. National General: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, National General offers significantly less expensive premiums than MetLife
• MetLife offers more affordable average rates for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record
• National General tends to be a much cheaper option for policyholders who may not have much of a commute

MetLife vs. National General: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering huge discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to MetLife or National General as your top options, but between the two, which carrier will save you the most?

As you can see, MetLife has average rates that are about 25% per month more expensive than those from National General when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean National General will be the less expensive option for each driver. After all, auto insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your driving record, where you call home, your credit score, or even your age (among other things), so premiums could differ drastically from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both MetLife and National General by several different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

MetLife or National General: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

MetLife and National General only compete against each other in Texas, where National General offers the cheaper average prices. For Texas residents, National General offers car insurance for $249 a month on average. MetLife's average premiums come out to be over 40% more expensive, at $361 per month.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance payment than just your home state. Continue reading to see how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- usually pay a lot for auto insurance compared to older drivers. The reason is that 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. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have National General for their auto insurance pay more than $350 less than those who use MetLife. It's worth noting that MetLife offers insurance in 44 different states compared to National General's one, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

Even so, with both carriers, you'll see your prices reduce significantly once you turn 25. For example, average premiums for MetLife policyholders lower over $500 and National General's rates drop nearly $400 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll typically enjoy the most affordable car insurance prices out there. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly rates for insurance.

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between MetLife and National General? National General gets the edge here, with average premiums coming in at around $179 monthly compared to MetLife's $205.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married couples tend to get slightly more affordable auto insurance rates than those who are single. That's because policies for married drivers normally cover more than one car, which lots of companies will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, National General is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices about $136 a month cheaper than MetLife, on average. The advantage for married policyholders with National General is also obvious, where drivers save around $35 per month.

MetLife vs. National General: 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 car insurance men will generally end up paying a little more.

Usually, men see premiums almost $30 a month higher with MetLife, and about $16 more with National General.

Looking at overall affordability, National General comes out as the lowest option for both genders, with average prices 27% less for men and 26% cheaper for women.

MetLife or National General: 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, insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are so many different limits 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 (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which usually refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, National General typically offers significantly less expensive premiums of $151 compared to MetLife's $215. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, National General again has the edge, with policies around $100 per month more affordable than MetLife, on average.

Is MetLife or National General 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.

You'll probably end up paying more with tickets and accidents on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the cheapest rates to drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

MetLife policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $59 a month if they get a ticket, while National General normally raises premiums about $20 per month, on average.

That being said, National General has cheaper rates for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are $59 and $98 less expensive, respectively, compared to MetLife.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

MetLife drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their premiums climb by just under $150, while those who have insurance through National General will see around a $300 increase.

Overall, MetLife offers the most affordable rates for drivers with an at-fault collision on their records, with monthly prices averaging $368 compared to National General Insurance's $472.

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 car insurance bill -- generally a lot more than a collision or speeding ticket. On average, MetLife will increase your premiums about 55% after a DUI, while National General's average rates rise by over 10%.

National General has the overall lowest premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $183 a month, but it's worth noting that MetLife's average rates come from 44 states compared to just one for National General, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact MetLife and National General Rates?

Often times, your credit score can be used as one of the variables to calculate your monthly auto insurance prices. This isn't always the case (Hawaii, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it might come into play for many policyholders.

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

So, which company 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 National General. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 10% compared to MetLife, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $51 or 19% more affordable each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

National General typically offers lower prices than MetLife when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $77 a month less with National General compared to MetLife, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of around $220 per month.

Is MetLife or National General 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 insurance carriers will charge for coverage. That's because the more miles you put on your vehicle each year, 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 National General charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for MetLife, with policyholders who drive the least paying about $3 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, National General is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

MetLife vs. National General: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can play a big role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Generally, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for car insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

National General tends to offer the lowest premiums for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save around 18% with National General compared to MetLife. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay about 28% less with National General compared to MetLife. In urban areas, National General Insurance's average rates are around 33% less than MetLife.

MetLife vs. National General 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 utilizing as many auto insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem difficult to find all the of the ones you can take advantage of.

In the table below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by MetLife and National General so that you can find the one that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

MetLife blows National General away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 28 more discounts than National General.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like anti-theft discounts, group discounts, and passive restraint discounts. MetLife also offers AAA discounts, ABS discounts, academic discounts, and more that National General does not.

On the flip side, National General has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts, discounts for getting driver training, low mileage discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is MetLife or National General Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts companies offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is MetLife or National General the best company for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

National General might be best for you if....

• You're looking for the best rates in TX.
• Your neighborhood is in the suburbs.
• You have a short commute.

MetLife might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national insurance company.
• Your driving record contains an at-fault accident.
• You want to save extra money with discounts.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare MetLife and National General 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 carriers, not just MetLife and National General. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. 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.

MetLife vs. National General FAQs

Is MetLife or National General cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, National General is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $249 per month compared to $340 for MetLife. But National General won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for everyone, since there are a variety of different variables (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, MetLife or National General?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". Neither company is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile. For example, MetLife offers less expensive rates for drivers with an at-fault collision on their record, while National General is cheaper for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do MetLife and National General offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at several different factors when calculating the prices they charge policyholders. Variables like gender, age, where you call home, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both MetLife and National General calculate premiums using different factors, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different carriers.

How do I know if MetLife or National General is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company 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 area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be MetLife or National General 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.