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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Wawanesa offers significantly more affordable premiums than MetLife
• MetLife offers less expensive average prices for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit
• Wawanesa has more affordable premiums for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years

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

Are you in the market for 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've maybe even narrowed it down to MetLife or Wawanesa, but which carrier will save you the most?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Wawanesa has average rates that are about 70% per month less expensive than those from MetLife.

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

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

MetLife or Wawanesa: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

MetLife and Wawanesa only compete against each other in California, where Wawanesa offers the cheaper average rates. For California residents, Wawanesa offers car insurance for $104 a month on average. MetLife's average premiums come out to be over 70% more expensive, at $362 monthly.

There's a lot more that goes into your auto insurance bill than just where you live. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- normally pay a lot for 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 that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance prices. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $500 less a month by choosing Wawanesa over MetLife. It's worth noting that MetLife offers auto insurance in 44 different states compared to Wawanesa's one, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

That being said, both companies will offer you dramatically lower premiums by the time drivers turn 25. Wawanesa offers the steepest decrease, with 25-year-olds paying a third less what 18-year-old drivers are charged. MetLife's average rates drop over 70% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between MetLife and Wawanesa? Wawanesa gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $118 less expensive than the national average for MetLife.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive car insurance prices than married policyholders. That's because policies for married couples usually cover more than one car, which lots of carriers will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, Wawanesa is the clear winner for single drivers, with rates around $315 per month cheaper than MetLife, on average. The advantage is also clear for married drivers - Wawanesa offers the cheapest average premiums.

MetLife vs. Wawanesa: Average Rates by Gender

Because men are more likely to get into accidents and get tickets, they run a larger risk of filing a claim with insurance. Therefore, men generally pay more for auto insurance than women.

With MetLife, men typically pay nearly $30 a month more than women; and with Wawanesa, everyone ends up paying the same monthly prices regardless of gender.

Looking at overall affordability, Wawanesa offers the lowest average rates for both men and women, with average premiums 71% less for men and 68% cheaper for women.

MetLife or Wawanesa: 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.

Insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are a range of different coverages that account for multiple different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

However, most 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 normally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Wawanesa generally offers significantly more affordable prices of $64 compared to MetLife's $215. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Wawanesa again has the edge, with policies about $300 per month less expensive than MetLife, on average.

Is MetLife or Wawanesa 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.

It's no secret secret that at-fault accidents and tickets lead to higher premiums, but which company -- MetLife or Wawanesa -- has the most affordable prices for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

MetLife policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $59 a month if they get a ticket, while Wawanesa typically raises prices around $31 per month, on average.

Even so, Wawanesa is usually the more affordable option for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering rates that are $146 and $174 cheaper, 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 rise by just under $150, while those who have insurance through Wawanesa will see about a $40 increase.

Overall, drivers who use Wawanesa end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $113 compared to MetLife's $368.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple ticket or even a collision. MetLife drivers usually see a 55% climb in their insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Wawanesa will typically raise rates by around 41%.

Wawanesa has the overall lowest prices for drivers with a DUI on their records at $125 per month, but it's worth noting that MetLife's average rates come from 44 states compared to just one for Wawanesa, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact MetLife and Wawanesa Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating premiums? This isn't always the case (for example, California and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect a lot of policyholders out there.

Insurance carriers 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, drivers with good credit will often be rewarded with less expensive rates.

Looking at MetLife and Wawanesa specifically, which one has the best premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have fantastic credit, MetLife will normally reward you. Jumping from a "good" credit score to an "excellent" one will usually save MetLife customers about 20%. Because Wawanesa, doesn't have data available for credit scores, they most likely don't use credit to calculate your prices.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have bad credit, it can cost you with MetLife. As you can see, MetLife customers with poor credit scores pay around 35% a month more than those with fair scores (and even more compared to drivers with good or excellent scores). On the other hand, Wawanesa doesn't have data available for credit scores, which means drivers with bad credit could find better rates with Wawanesa over MetLife.

Is MetLife or Wawanesa 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 considerable impact on how much car insurance companies will charge for coverage? Generally, the more miles you drive, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

For both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles yearly, as well as those who average twice that figure, Wawanesa offers more affordable rates than MetLife. Wawanesa's average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in about 71% cheaper than MetLife. Those who drive 12,000 miles annually can expect to pay around 68% less with Wawanesa over MetLife.

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

Where your home is can play a substantial role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Normally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas due to the small number of vehicles that are on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, Wawanesa usually comes out as the most affordable option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the lowest prices from both companies, but Wawanesa comes out on top with average rates about $95 monthly. Wawanesa also has more affordable average premiums for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $275 and $228 per month respective difference when compared to MetLife policyholders in similar areas.

MetLife vs. Wawanesa 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 taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as you can.

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.

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

MetLife knocks Wawanesa out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 34 more discounts than Wawanesa.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but MetLife also offers AAA discounts, ABS discounts, academic discounts, and more that Wawanesa does not.

Wawanesa's discounts come through just two categories -- Good Driving and Mature Driver.

Final Thoughts: Is MetLife or Wawanesa Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average prices for many of the factors car insurance companies look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is MetLife or Wawanesa the right carrier for you and your specific profile and needs?

Wawanesa might be best for you if....

• You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
• Your driving record contains an at-fault accident.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your insurance.

MetLife might be best for you if...

• You have less-than-stellar credit.
• Your credit score is high.
• You're looking for the carrier with the most discounts.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare MetLife and Wawanesa and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire 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 Wawanesa. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. 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. Wawanesa FAQs

Is MetLife or Wawanesa cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Wawanesa is the less expensive of the two carriers, offering average rates of $104 a month compared to $340 for MetLife. However, Wawanesa won't necessarily be the cheapest company for each driver, since there are a bunch of different variables (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, MetLife or Wawanesa?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for every driver -- it all comes down to what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, Wawanesa offers cheaper premiums for drivers with a recent DUI, while MetLife is more affordable for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do MetLife and Wawanesa offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at many different factors when determining the prices they charge drivers. Variables like where you call home, where you live, age, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both MetLife and Wawanesa calculate rates using different factors, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different carriers.

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

The only way to find the auto insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies 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 free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be MetLife or Wawanesa 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.