National Mutual vs. State Auto: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, National Mutual offers significantly cheaper rates than State Auto
• National Mutual offers more discounts than State Auto Insurance
• National Mutual offers more affordable average prices for policyholders who may not have much of a commute

National Mutual vs. State Auto: 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 hefty discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to National Mutual or State Auto as potential options, but between the two, which company will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, National Mutual has average rates that are about 22% per month less expensive than those from State Auto.

Even so, that doesn't mean National Mutual will necessarily be cheaper than State Auto for every driver. After all, insurance companies can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like where you call home, your credit score, your driving record, or even your age (among other things), so premiums will change quite a bit from person to person.

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

National Mutual or State Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

National Mutual and State Auto only compete against each other in one states, with State Auto offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. Ohio has the most noticable difference, where State Auto rates are more affordable than car insurance premiums at National Mutual.

That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your auto 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 other group of 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.

However, 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 National Mutual for their insurance pay more than $250 less than those who use State Auto.

That being said, with both carriers, you'll see your premiums lower significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average prices for National Mutual policyholders reduce over 60% and State Auto's premiums drop nearly 75% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates you can find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which typically reduces their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase prices.

When looking at National Mutual and State Auto specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? National Mutual gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $33 less expensive than the national average for State Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance prices are usually more affordable for married policyholders than they are for single drivers? That's generally because married couples tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, National Mutual is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates around $87 a month cheaper than State Auto, on average. The advantage for married drivers with National Mutual is also obvious, where drivers save almost $20 per month.

National Mutual vs. State Auto: 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 insurance men will normally end up paying a little more.

On average, men see prices nearly 10% a month higher with National Mutual, and almost 10% with State Auto.

When it comes to the most affordable premiums for each gender, National Mutual comes out on top for both men and women, with average rates $59 less for men and $56 cheaper for women.

National Mutual or State 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.

Auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different limits and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, National Mutual typically offers significantly more affordable premiums of $94 compared to State Auto's $149. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, National Mutual again has the edge, with policies about $60 per month less expensive than State Auto, on average.

Is National Mutual or State 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 collisions and tickets lead to higher rates, but which carrier -- National Mutual or State Auto -- has the lowest prices for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

National Mutual policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $11 a month if they get a ticket, while State Auto usually raises premiums around $48 per month, on average.

But National Mutual has cheaper prices for drivers in both categories. Drivers with a clean record can save about $39 a month and drivers with a speeding ticket can save around $76 per month with National Mutual Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

National Mutual drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their rates increase by over $75, while those who have insurance through State Auto will see about a $100 increase.

Overall, drivers who use National Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $207 compared to State Auto Insurance's $269.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single accident or ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. On average, State Auto will increase your premiums around 55% after a DUI, while National Mutual's average prices climb by just under 60%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, National Mutual tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $325 monthly compared to $380 from State Auto.

How does Credit Score Impact National Mutual and State Auto Rates?

Did you know that many insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating premiums? This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for lots of policyholders.

The reasoning auto 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 more affordable prices.

Looking specifically at State Auto and National Mutual, 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, you'll usually find a better deal with National Mutual. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save over 35% compared to State Auto, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $67 or 29% cheaper every month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

National Mutual typically offers lower prices than State Auto when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $41 a month less with National Mutual compared to State Auto, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $56 a month.

Is National Mutual or State Auto 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 car insurance payment? Normally, those who drive less will end up with less expensive premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither National Mutual or State Auto report increasing rates for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Still, National Mutual comes out as the most affordable for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their vehicle annually, with average prices of $201 per month for both.

National Mutual vs. State Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can play a pretty big role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Typically, those who live in rural areas will pay less than policyholders in urban areas because there are a lot fewer cars on the road in those areas, which decreases the chances of an accident.

National Mutual tends to offer the cheapest premiums for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, National Mutual offers rates around $214 per month compared to State Auto's $317. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay about $201 a month for National Mutual and $236 for State Auto. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the lowest premiums from both companies, with average monthly prices coming in at $189 and $225 for National Mutual and State Auto respectively.

National Mutual vs. State Auto Discounts

Regardless of 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 possible, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many insurance discounts as you can.

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 can take advantage of.

In the table below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by National Mutual and State Auto so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Overall, National Mutual has a slight advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. State Auto offers a grand total of 18 discounts, while National Mutual has 19.

Both carriers offer a lot of the same discounts -- like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for being a good student, and paid in full discounts -- but National Mutual also offers claim free discounts, continuous insurance discounts, education discounts, and more that State Auto does not.

On the flip side, State Auto has a couple unique discounts of its own -- ABS discounts, advantage program discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is National Mutual or State Auto Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, at the end of the day, which insurance carrier is the best one for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

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

• Your credit is less-than-stellar.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" auto insurance.
• You drive often but have a short commute.

State Auto might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare National Mutual and State Auto. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your 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 a handful of carriers, not just National Mutual and State Auto. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best insurance companies in your area, all for free.

National Mutual vs. State Auto FAQs

Is National Mutual or State Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, National Mutual is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $201 per month compared to $259 for State Auto. Even so, National Mutual won't necessarily be the most affordable company for each driver, since there are lots of different variables (things like gender, age, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, National Mutual or State Auto?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all comes down to what your unique auto insurance profile looks like.

Why do National Mutual and State Auto offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the rates they charge policyholders. Variables like age, gender, where you park your vehicle, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both National Mutual and State Auto calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different carriers.

How do I know if National Mutual or State Auto 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 make 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. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be National Mutual or State 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.