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

Quick Facts

• In general, Rockford Mutual offers significantly cheaper prices than MetLife
• MetLife may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than Rockford Mutual Insurance Company
• Rockford Mutual offers more affordable average rates for policyholders who drive fewer than 6,000 miles yearly

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

Are you considering a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering large savings, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You might be considering MetLife or Rockford Mutual as your top options, but which company will save you the most?

As you can see, MetLife has average rates that are around 50% a month more expensive than those from Rockford Mutual when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

But that doesn't mean Rockford Mutual will necessarily be cheaper than MetLife for every single driver. Auto insurance carriers 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 all sorts of other factors, so rates will differ quite a bit from person to person.

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

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

MetLife and Rockford Mutual only compete against each other in two states, with Rockford Mutual offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. Wisconsin has the most noticable difference, where Rockford Mutual rates are $222 more affordable than car insurance premiums at MetLife.

That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance bill than just your home state. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- generally pay a lot for auto insurance compared to older drivers. It's because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high prices, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Rockford Mutual for their car insurance pay over 55% less than those who use MetLife. It's worth noting that MetLife offers insurance in 44 different states compared to Rockford Mutual's two, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

Even so, both companies will reduce premiums by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average rates for MetLife policyholders drop about $500 and Rockford Mutual's prices decrease around $300 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll normally enjoy the lowest auto insurance premiums 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 Rockford Mutual? Rockford Mutual gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older more than 40% cheaper than the national average for MetLife.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance rates are typically less expensive for married drivers than they are for single policyholders? This usually boils down to married policyholders having more than one vehicle on their policy -- something lots of auto insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

For single drivers, the difference in average prices between these two companies is significant, with Rockford Mutual premiums coming in at about half of MetLife's. For married couples, the advantage is clear again - Rockford Mutual has the edge when it comes to average prices.

MetLife or Rockford Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents. That means when it comes to car insurance men will usually end up paying a little more.

With MetLife, women generally pay almost $30 per month less than men, and around $16 less with Rockford Mutual.

When it comes to the cheapest rates for each gender, Rockford Mutual comes out as the lowest option for both genders, with average premiums $177 less for men and $165 cheaper for women.

MetLife vs. Rockford 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 pretty complicated. There are a range of different coverages that account for lots of 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.

That being said, the most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- collision and comprehensive -- in addition to liability coverage).

Looking specifically at state minimum limits for liability insurance, Rockford Mutual has the significant edge, with average monthly rates coming in at $88. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Rockford Mutual again has the edge, with policies averaging about $251 a month to MetLife's $466.

Is MetLife or Rockford Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

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

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use MetLife for their insurance can usually expect their monthly bill to go up around 21% after getting a speeding ticket. Rockford Mutual policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 29%.

However, Rockford Mutual has more affordable premiums for drivers in both categories -- their rates are around 45% cheaper for drivers with clean records and 39% less expensive for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

MetLife drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their prices climb by over 40%, while those who have insurance through Rockford Mutual will see around a 25% increase.

At the end of the day, the more affordable premiums come from Rockford Mutual, with average rates coming in at $158 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 auto insurance bill -- typically a lot more than an accident or ticket. On average, MetLife will increase your premiums about 55% after a DUI, while Rockford Mutual's average prices increase by nearly 50%.

Rockford Mutual has the overall cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $229 per month, but it's worth noting that MetLife's average rates come from 44 states compared to just two for Rockford Mutual, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact MetLife and Rockford Mutual Rates?

Did you know many car insurance companies take into account your credit score when determining prices? This isn't true for everyone (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as an insurance factor) but it might come into play for several policyholders.

Auto 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 Rockford Mutual specifically, which carrier has the best rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, Rockford Mutual will normally reward you the most. For drivers with "excellent" credit scores, Rockford Mutual comes in just under 39.19 less expensive. Drivers with "good" credit scores usually save around 49% with Rockford Mutual compared to average premiums from MetLife.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Rockford Mutual typically offers lower prices than MetLife when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about 49% per month less with Rockford Mutual compared to MetLife, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of around 57% monthly.

Is MetLife or Rockford Mutual 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 sizable impact on your monthly insurance cost? Normally, those who drive less will end up with cheaper rates 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 Rockford Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for MetLife, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their car annually paying about $3 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles each year. Still, for drivers in both categories, Rockford Mutual is the more affordable company.

MetLife or Rockford 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 car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a substantial impact as well. Generally, 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, Rockford Mutual normally comes out as the cheapest option for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Those in rural areas can expect to save around 52% with Rockford Mutual compared to MetLife. People who live in suburban areas pay about 61% less with Rockford Mutual compared to MetLife. For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, Rockford Mutual Insurance Company's average premiums are around 40% less than MetLife.

MetLife vs. Rockford Mutual Discounts

No matter 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 you can, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many auto insurance discounts as possible.

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem challenging to find all the of the ones you're eligible for.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and broke down all of the different discounts offered by both MetLife and Rockford Mutual so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

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

A couple of those are overlapping for things like discounts for being a good driver, discounts for being a good student, and multi-policy discounts. MetLife also offers discounts for AAA, ABS, academic, and more.

Rockford Mutual's discounts come through just a few categories, including Anti-Theft, Defensive Driver, Good Driving, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is MetLife or Rockford Mutual Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average rates for many of the variables insurance carriers look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. But, when it comes down to it, which insurance carrier is the best company for you and your specific needs?

Rockford Mutual might be best for you if....

• You want to save money on your car insurance after an accident.
• You want the most robust protection via a "full coverage" policy.
• You want to save money while purchasing auto insurance for a teenager.

MetLife might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national insurance company.
• You care about discounts (MetLife offers the most).

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between MetLife and Rockford Mutual and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of companies, not just MetLife and Rockford 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 top car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

MetLife vs. Rockford Mutual FAQs

Is MetLife or Rockford Mutual cheaper?

Rockford Mutual is the cheaper of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $169 a month with Rockford Mutual and $340 for MetLife. Even so, that doesn't mean Rockford Mutual will be the lowest carrier for every policyholder, since there are a variety of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, MetLife or Rockford Mutual?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No single company is necessarily "better" for each policyholder -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do MetLife and Rockford Mutual offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers use a lot of different variables when calculating the premiums they charge. Things such as age, where you park your vehicle, your driving record, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both MetLife and Rockford Mutual use different formulas, so it's likely they'll offer different rates. The best way to determine which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different companies.

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

The only way to find the car 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, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your area information and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance companies for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't MetLife or Rockford 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.