MetLife vs. Trustgard Auto: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for insurance, Trustgard Auto offers significantly more affordable rates than MetLife
• MetLife offers more discounts than Trustgard Auto Insurance
• Trustgard Auto tends to be a much less expensive option for residents of rural areas

MetLife vs. Trustgard Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to MetLife or Trustgard Auto as your top options, but between the two, which company will offer you cheaper prices?

Looking at nationwide averages, MetLife is quite a bit more expensive than Trustgard Auto, with premiums averaging $340 per month compared to just $137 with Trustgard Auto.

That being said, that doesn't mean Trustgard Auto will necessarily be more affordable than MetLife for every driver. Auto insurance companies vary their rates depending on things like how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, how old you are, where you live, and a ton of other factors, so prices will differ quite a bit from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both MetLife and Trustgard Auto by lots of different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

MetLife or Trustgard Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

MetLife and Trustgard Auto only compete against each other in three states, with Trustgard Auto offering cheaper premiums to the average driver in all of them. Indiana has the most noticable difference, where Trustgard Auto prices are over 70% less expensive than car insurance premiums at MetLife.

There's a lot more that goes into your insurance cost than just where you call home. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers generally pay a lot more for car insurance than any group on the road. Usually, that's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

Even so, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their auto insurance. As you can see above, teens who use Trustgard Auto save more than $500 a month compared to those who use MetLife. It's worth noting that MetLife offers insurance in 44 different states compared to Trustgard Auto's three, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

However, both carriers will offer you dramatically lower prices by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for MetLife policyholders lower over 70% and Trustgard Auto's premiums drop nearly 70% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to auto insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the lowest prices you can find.

So, which carrier offers the best rates to retired drivers? Trustgard Auto gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older almost 55% more affordable than the national average for MetLife.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but car insurance premiums tend to be more expensive for single drivers than they are for married couples. That's typically because married drivers tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Trustgard Auto is the clear winner for single policyholders, with prices about $264 per month cheaper than MetLife, on average. The advantage for married policyholders with Trustgard Auto is also obvious, where drivers save more than 55% a month.

MetLife vs. Trustgard Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident, which means they'll normally end up paying more for insurance than women.

On average, men see rates nearly 10% per month higher with MetLife, while with Trustgard Auto, the difference is closer to 6% a month.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Trustgard Auto offers the most affordable average premiums for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $212 per month and women save around $193 with Trustgard Auto compared to the average MetLife policyholder.

MetLife or Trustgard 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 a complicated subject for most people. Everyone needs auto insurance, but there are so many different coverages and limits that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Trustgard Auto generally offers significantly less expensive rates of $79 compared to MetLife's $215. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Trustgard Auto again has the edge, with policies about $250 a month cheaper than MetLife, on average.

Is MetLife or Trustgard Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

It's no secret secret that at-fault accidents and tickets lead to higher prices, but which carrier -- MetLife or Trustgard Auto -- has the lowest premiums for 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 per month if they get a ticket, while Trustgard Auto normally raises rates around $50 a month, on average.

But Trustgard Auto is usually the more affordable option for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records, offering premiums that are 55% and 47% 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 rates increase by just under $150, while those who have insurance through Trustgard Auto will see about a $35 increase.

Overall, the more affordable premiums come from Trustgard Auto, with monthly prices averaging $133 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 -- typically a lot more than a collision or ticket. MetLife drivers usually see a 55% raise in their insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Trustgard Auto will normally increase prices by around 43%.

Trustgard Auto has the overall most affordable rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $171 per month, but it's worth noting that MetLife's average rates come from 44 states compared to just three for Trustgard Auto, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact MetLife and Trustgard Auto Rates?

You may not realized it, but your credit score can be used as one of the factors to calculate your monthly auto insurance premiums. Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it does affect a lot of policyholders out there.

The reasoning insurance carriers use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so generally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with cheaper rates.

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

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Trustgard Auto. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save just under 50% compared to MetLife, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $146 or 53% less expensive each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Trustgard Auto typically offers lower premiums than MetLife when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $199 per month less with Trustgard Auto compared to MetLife, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of about $360 a month.

Is MetLife or Trustgard 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 car insurance bill. Usually, the more miles you put on your car each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Trustgard Auto charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for MetLife, with policyholders who drive the least paying around $3 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, Trustgard Auto is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

MetLife vs. Trustgard Auto: 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 auto insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a sizable impact as well. Typically, 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.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, Trustgard Auto usually comes out as the lowest option for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Trustgard Auto's average rates are about $147 a month compared to MetLife's $389. People in suburban areas pay around $132 with Trustgard Auto compared to MetLife's $333 monthly. Those in rural areas can expect to pay about $134 per month with Trustgard Auto compared to MetLife's $299.

MetLife vs. Trustgard Auto 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. That's where auto insurance discounts comes into play.

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

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both MetLife and Trustgard Auto so that you can see which one offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

MetLife knocks Trustgard Auto out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 20 more discounts than Trustgard Auto.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for being a good student, and group discounts -- but MetLife also offers AAA discounts, ABS discounts, academic discounts, and more that Trustgard Auto does not.

On the flip side, Trustgard Auto has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts, advanced safety feature discounts, company car discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is MetLife or Trustgard Auto Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain variables have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, at the end of the day, is MetLife or Trustgard Auto the right carrier for you and your specific driver profile?

Trustgard Auto might be best for you if....

• You want to save money on your car insurance after an accident.
• Your credit score is high.
• You and your spouse are buying auto insurance together.

MetLife might be best for you if...

• You are considering moving to another state -- Trustgard Auto Insurance is only available in three states.
• You're looking for the carrier with the most discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between MetLife and Trustgard Auto 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 auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from multiple carriers, not just MetLife and Trustgard Auto. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

MetLife vs. Trustgard Auto FAQs

Is MetLife or Trustgard Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Trustgard Auto is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $137 per month compared to $340 for MetLife. However, Trustgard Auto won't necessarily be the cheapest company for each driver, since there are a range of different factors that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance payment.

Who is better, MetLife or Trustgard Auto?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither carrier is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do MetLife and Trustgard Auto offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at lots of different variables when calculating the prices they charge policyholders. Factors like gender, age, your driving record, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both MetLife and Trustgard Auto calculate premiums using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different carriers.

How do I know if MetLife or Trustgard 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 ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be MetLife or Trustgard Auto 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.