MetLife vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Pioneer State Mutual offers slightly more affordable premiums than MetLife
• MetLife has less expensive prices for policyholders who are looking to purchase insurance with a spouse
• Pioneer State Mutual offers cheaper average premiums for policyholders who drive fewer than 6,000 miles every year

MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching to a new insurance policy. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering huge savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual for your next policy, but which company will offer you less expensive rates?

Looking at the national average rates for both carriers, MetLife is around $30 more a month than Pioneer State Mutual.

Even so, that doesn't mean Pioneer State Mutual will necessarily be cheaper than MetLife for every driver. Car insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to determine prices, so depending on where you live or how old you are (among a whole bunch of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual by a range of different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

MetLife vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual only compete against each other in Michigan, where MetLife offers the cheaper average rates. MetLife drivers tend to pay about $77 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Pioneer State Mutual for their auto insurance.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance payment than just where you live. Continue reading to learn more about how other variables will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance premiums of any other group of drivers. Usually, that's because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an auto insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

That being said, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance rates. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Pioneer State Mutual for their insurance pay over 45% less than those who use MetLife. It's worth noting that MetLife offers car insurance in 44 different states compared to Pioneer State Mutual's one, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

But both carriers will decrease rates by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for MetLife policyholders reduce about $500 and Pioneer State Mutual's prices drop around $250 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age typically enjoy some of the lowest auto insurance rates out there. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which generally decreases their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise prices.

When looking at MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? MetLife gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older more than 15% more affordable than the national average for Pioneer State Mutual.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance rates are normally less expensive for married drivers than they are for single drivers? That's generally because married couples tend to own and insure more than one vehicle, which can often earn you a discount.

For those who are single, the difference in average premiums between these two companies is significant, with Pioneer State Mutual prices coming in at a quarter less than MetLife's. The advantage for married policyholders with MetLife is also obvious, where drivers save about 20% a month.

MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into accidents and file an insurance claim, which means they'll typically end up paying more for auto insurance than women.

Women normally pay almost $30 per month less than men with MetLife; women and men get the same monthly premiums with Pioneer State Mutual.

When it comes to the most affordable prices for each gender, Pioneer State Mutual offers the cheapest average rates for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $44 a month and women save around $16 with Pioneer State Mutual compared to the average MetLife policyholder.

MetLife vs. Pioneer State 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.

It's no secret that 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 car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

However, the most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers and passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes collision and comprehensive coverages that protect your own car, alongside what you get with a liability policy).

Looking specifically at state minimum limits for liability insurance, Pioneer State Mutual has the edge, with average monthly prices coming in at $182. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Pioneer State Mutual again has the edge, with policies averaging about $438 per month to MetLife's $466.

Is MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from auto insurance carriers offering great rates for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

You'll probably end up paying more with collisions and speeding tickets on your record, but which of these two companies offers the most affordable premiums to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use MetLife for their car insurance can usually expect their monthly bill to go up around 21% after getting a speeding ticket. Pioneer State Mutual policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 42%.

If you have gotten a ticket, MetLife tends to offer the best prices at around 23% cheaper, while Pioneer State Mutual has the edge for drivers with a clean record.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

MetLife drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their rates climb by over 40%, while those who have insurance through Pioneer State Mutual will see about a 15% increase.

At the end of the day, drivers who use Pioneer State Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with average premiums coming in at $247 compared to MetLife's $368.

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 insurance bill -- generally a lot more than an accident or speeding ticket. On average, MetLife will increase your rates around 55% after a DUI, while Pioneer State Mutual's average prices increase by more than 50%.

Pioneer State Mutual has the overall cheapest premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $425 a month, but it's worth noting that MetLife's average rates come from 44 states compared to just one for Pioneer State Mutual, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual Rates?

Did you know many auto insurance carriers take into account your credit score when determining prices? Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as an insurance factor, but it might come into play for several policyholders.

Insurance carriers argue that someone with bad credit is less likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them riskier to insure. Because of that, drivers with bad credit will often be forced to pay more.

Looking at MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual specifically, which carrier has the best rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Michigan is one of a small number of states that prohibits car insurance companies from using credit scores to calculate premiums. And since Pioneer State Mutual is only available in Michigan, there is no data available on how credit score impacts rates because it's not a factor at all. This may be a good thing, since MetLife and other carriers tend to increase premiums quite a bit in other states if you don't have excellent credit.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have a below average credit score and live in Michigan, the good news is it won't cost you extra when it comes to auto insurance. As you can see, poor credit can really cost MetLife drivers in other states, but no need to worry if you live in Michigan.

Is MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a pretty big impact on your monthly prices. Typically, those who drive less will end up with more affordable premiums since there's less of a chance of causing a collision and filing an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Pioneer State Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for MetLife, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles annually paying about $3 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, for drivers in both categories, Pioneer State Mutual is the cheaper company.

MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your vehicle can play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Usually, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, Pioneer State Mutual boasts the most affordable average prices in rural and suburban areas, while MetLife wins in urban areas.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, MetLife's average rates are around $389 while Pioneer State Mutual offers premiums about $395. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $304 with Pioneer State Mutual compared to MetLife's $333 monthly. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay about $231 per month with Pioneer State Mutual and $299 with MetLife.

MetLife vs. Pioneer State Mutual Discounts

You want to save as much money as you can, right? The best way to do that is by utilizing as many car insurance discounts as possible.

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 qualify for.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and looked at all of the different discounts MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual offer their customers so that you can see which one can save you the most money each month.

MetLife knocks Pioneer State Mutual out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 36 different discounts to Pioneer State Mutual's 12.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like ABS discounts, distant student discounts, discounts for being a good student, and passive restraint discounts. MetLife also offers discounts for AAA, academic, agency transfer, and more.

On the other hand, Pioneer State Mutual has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like affiliation policy experience discounts, comp only discounts, and non-affiliation experience discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your auto insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which insurance company is the right company for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Pioneer State Mutual might be best for you if....

• You like the personalized touch of a small, regional carrier.
• You want the most robust protection via a "full coverage" policy.
• Your neighborhood is in a rural area.

MetLife might be best for you if...

• You've received a ticket for speeding recently and don't want to see your rates rise.
• You're married and plan to have both of your names on the vehicle's insurance policy.

Hopefully, this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual 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 multiple companies, not just MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of top auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

MetLife vs. Pioneer State Mutual FAQs

Is MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual cheaper?

Pioneer State Mutual is the less expensive of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $310 a month with Pioneer State Mutual and $340 for MetLife. That being said, that doesn't mean Pioneer State Mutual will be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are lots of different variables that come into play when it comes to your car insurance cost.

Who is better, MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". One carrier is not necessarily "better" for every policyholder -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, MetLife is more affordable for drivers with excellent credit, while Pioneer State Mutual offers less expensive rates for drivers with a recent DUI.

Why do MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers use lots of different factors when calculating the premiums they charge. Things like where you live, gender, where you call home, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both MetLife and Pioneer State Mutual calculate prices using different variables, so it's likely they'll offer different rates. The best way to determine which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the auto 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 do all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance companies for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't MetLife or Pioneer State Mutual 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.