MetLife vs. The Hartford: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for insurance, The Hartford offers significantly less expensive prices than MetLife
• MetLife may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than The Hartford
• The Hartford has cheaper rates for policyholders who haven't received any speeding tickets or been in a collision in the last few years

MetLife or The Hartford: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching to 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 have narrowed it down to MetLife or The Hartford for your next policy, but which company has more affordable prices for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, MetLife is around $75 more a month than The Hartford.

Even so, that doesn't mean The Hartford will necessarily be cheaper than MetLife for every driver. Insurance carriers vary their rates depending on things like how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, where you live, how old you are, and a ton of other factors, so premiums could differ drastically from person to person.

Wanting to know if MetLife or The Hartford is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average rates can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

MetLife vs. The Hartford: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

MetLife and The Hartford only compete against each other in California, where The Hartford offers the cheaper average premiums. The Hartford drivers tend to pay about $97 per month less on average compared to drivers who use MetLife for their car insurance.

That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance cost than just where you live. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

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

But that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance prices. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have The Hartford for their car insurance pay over 55% less than those who use MetLife. It's worth noting that MetLife offers auto insurance in 44 different states compared to The Hartford's one, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

However, with both companies, you'll see your premiums reduce significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average prices for MetLife policyholders lower more than 70% and The Hartford's premiums drop over 30% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? The Hartford gets the slight edge here, with average prices coming in at about $192 a month compared to MetLife's $205.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance premiums are usually more expensive for single drivers than they are for married drivers? This usually boils down to married couples having more than one vehicle on their policy -- something quite a few insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

For those who are single, the difference in average prices between these two companies is significant, with The Hartford premiums coming in at a third less than MetLife's. It's not quite so glaring for married policyholders, where drivers who use MetLife save around 4% a month.

MetLife or The Hartford: Average Rates by Gender

Because women are less likely to get speeding tickets and get into accidents, they run a lower risk of filing a claim with insurance. So, insurance carriers will tend to charge women less than men.

On average, men see rates about $30 per month higher with MetLife; men and women end up paying the same monthly prices with The Hartford.

When it comes to the most affordable rates for each gender, The Hartford comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $89 a month and women save around $61 with The Hartford compared to the average MetLife policyholder.

MetLife vs. The Hartford: 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 auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are several different coverages that account for a range of different things. Some protect you and your car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

The two most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- collision and comprehensive -- alongside what you get with a liability policy).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability insurance, The Hartford has the significant edge, with average monthly premiums coming in at $135. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, The Hartford again has the edge, with policies averaging about $394 per month to MetLife's $466.

Is MetLife or The Hartford Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their car 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 speeding tickets and collisions lead to higher rates, but which carrier -- MetLife or The Hartford -- has the cheapest premiums for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use MetLife for their insurance can normally expect their monthly bill to go up around 21% after getting a speeding ticket. The Hartford policyholders can expect a bit more drastic of an increase of about 36%.

That being said, The Hartford has more affordable prices for drivers in both categories. With The Hartford, drivers with a clean record can save around $94 a month and drivers with a ticket can save about $82 per month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both companies will raise premiums pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault collision with MetLife raising by around 40%. The Hartford has a less extreme raise, but you can still expect to pay more than 50% more than you were prior to your first accident.

At the end of the day, the less expensive rates come from The Hartford, with average prices coming in at $262 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 car insurance bill -- generally a lot more than an accident or speeding ticket. For example, The Hartford increases average rates by nearly $350 a month -- that's nearly a 75% increase.

The Hartford has the overall most affordable premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $474 per month, but it's worth noting that MetLife's average rates come from 44 states compared to just one for The Hartford, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact MetLife and The Hartford Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can be used as one of the variables to determine your monthly insurance prices. Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as an auto insurance factor, but it will come into play for many drivers.

Auto insurance companies argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, policyholders with good credit will often be rewarded with more affordable premiums.

So, which company offers the best prices for drivers with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

You'll often be rewarded if you have great credit. With MetLife, improving your score from "good" to "excellent" will typically save you about 20%. The Hartford, on the other hand, doesn't have data available for credit scores, which means they most likely don't use credit to calculate your rates.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Having bad credit can cost you with MetLife. For drivers with less-than-stellar credit, at MetLife, you may pay around 35% per month more if you have "poor" credit compared to those with "fair" scores. It's an even larger difference when compared to drivers with "good" or "excellent" scores. The Hartford, on the other hand, doesn't have data available for credit scores, which means drivers with bad credit might find better rates with The Hartford over MetLife.

Is MetLife or The Hartford 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 prices. Usually, 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.

For both remote workers and those taking short commutes, The Hartford tends to be the less expensive option. The Hartford average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in more than $100 cheaper than MetLife. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay $50 less with The Hartford over MetLife.

MetLife or The Hartford: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can have a pretty big impact on your monthly insurance payment. Normally, policyholders who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural drivers since there are a lot more cars on the roads where they live.

The Hartford boasts the lowest average rates for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, The Hartford's average premiums are about $273 a month compared to MetLife's $389. People in suburban areas pay around $265 with The Hartford compared to MetLife's $333 monthly. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay about $255 per month with The Hartford compared to MetLife's $299.

MetLife vs. The Hartford Discounts

No matter why you might be in the market for a new auto insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as you can. That's where car insurance discounts comes into play.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be difficult 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 The Hartford offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

MetLife knocks The Hartford out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 36 different discounts to The Hartford's 13.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but MetLife also offers discounts for AAA, academic, agency transfer, and more.

On the other hand, The Hartford has a few proprietary discounts of their own like lay-up credit discounts and umbrella policy discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is MetLife or The Hartford Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain factors have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, when it comes down to it, is MetLife or The Hartford the right carrier for you and your specific driver profile?

The Hartford might be best for you if....

• Your driving record includes a DUI charge.
• Your home is in a busy urban area.
• You've started working from home and don't have much of a commute.

MetLife might be best for you if...

• You have below-average credit.
• You're looking for discounts -- MetLife has the most.
• You're married and plan to have both of your names on the vehicle's car insurance policy.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between MetLife and The Hartford. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just MetLife and The Hartford. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

MetLife vs. The Hartford FAQs

Is MetLife or The Hartford cheaper?

The Hartford is the more affordable of the two carriers when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $265 per month with The Hartford and $340 for MetLife. Even so, that doesn't mean The Hartford will be the most affordable carrier for everyone, since there are lots of different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance bill.

Who is better, MetLife or The Hartford?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither company is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, MetLife is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit, while The Hartford offers more affordable rates for drivers with a recent DUI.

Why do MetLife and The Hartford offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies use several different factors when determining the premiums they charge. Variables like where you park your vehicle, where your home is, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both MetLife and The Hartford calculate prices differently, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different carriers.

How do I know if MetLife or The Hartford is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of 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 car insurance carriers for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't MetLife or The Hartford 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.