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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, Rockford Mutual offers significantly cheaper premiums than State Auto
• Rockford Mutual has less expensive prices for policyholders who live in rural neighborhoods
• State Auto may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than Rockford Mutual Insurance Company

Rockford Mutual or State 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 hefty savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Rockford Mutual or State Auto as potential options, but which carrier will save you the most?

Looking at the national average rates for both carriers, State Auto is quite a bit more expensive than Rockford Mutual, with premiums averaging $259 a month compared to just $169 with Rockford Mutual.

Even so, that doesn't mean Rockford Mutual will necessarily be more affordable than State Auto for every driver. Car insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to determine rates, so depending on how old you are or where you live (among many other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

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

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

Rockford Mutual and State Auto only compete against each other in two states, with Rockford Mutual offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. Illinois has the most noticable difference, where Rockford Mutual premiums are $146 more affordable than auto insurance prices at State Auto.

But there's more to insurance than just where you live. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how auto insurance carriers calculate your premiums. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers typically pay a lot more for car insurance than any group on the road. Normally, that'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 rates, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of over 45% less per month by choosing Rockford Mutual over State Auto.

That being said, with both companies, you'll see your premiums decrease significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for Rockford Mutual policyholders lower around $300 and State Auto's prices drop about $500 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the lowest insurance premiums out there. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which usually lowers their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise rates.

When looking at Rockford Mutual and State Auto specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Rockford Mutual gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older almost 30% cheaper than the national average for State Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

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

For those who are single, the difference in average prices between these two carriers is significant, with Rockford Mutual rates coming in at a third less than State Auto's. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - Rockford Mutual has the edge when it comes to average prices.

Rockford Mutual or State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know men tend to pay more for insurance than women? That's because women are less likely to get into collisions and get tickets, which decreases the chances of filing a claim with insurance.

Men typically pay nearly 10% more a month than women with Rockford Mutual, and around 9% more with State Auto.

When it comes to the cheapest rates for each gender, Rockford Mutual offers the most affordable average premiums for both men and women, with average rates $94 less for men and $86 cheaper for women.

Rockford Mutual vs. 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.

For most people, auto insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are several different coverages that account for many 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.

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

Looking specifically at state minimum liability insurance, Rockford Mutual has the significant edge, with average monthly premiums 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 per month to State Auto's $369.

Is Rockford Mutual or State Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

At-fault accidents and speeding tickets will most likely raise your prices, but is Rockford Mutual or State Auto more affordable for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Rockford Mutual for their auto insurance can normally expect their monthly bill to go up around 29% after getting a speeding ticket. State Auto policyholders can expect a less drastic increase of about 22%.

However, Rockford Mutual tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have a recent ticket and those with clean records. With Rockford Mutual Insurance Company, drivers with a clean record can save around $50 a month and drivers with a speeding ticket can save about $48 per month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both companies will increase rates pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault collision with State Auto raising by around 37%. Rockford Mutual has a less extreme rise, but you can still expect to pay nearly 25% more than you were prior to your first accident.

At the end of the day, drivers who use Rockford Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with average prices coming in at $158 compared to State Auto Insurance's $269.

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 a collision or ticket. On average, State Auto will raise your premiums about 55% after a DUI, while Rockford Mutual's average rates increase by just under 50%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable premiums, Rockford Mutual tends to be cheaper for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $229 to State Auto's $380.

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

Did you know many auto insurance carriers take into account your credit score when determining prices? Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a car insurance factor, but it does affect lots of drivers out there.

The reasoning car insurance carriers use is that policyholders with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so normally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with less expensive premiums.

Looking at Rockford Mutual and State Auto specifically, which company has the cheapest rates for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, Rockford Mutual will usually reward you the most. For policyholders with "excellent" credit scores, Rockford Mutual comes in more than 30.41 more affordable. Drivers with "good" credit scores typically save about 38% with Rockford Mutual compared to average prices from State Auto.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Rockford Mutual typically offers lower rates than State Auto when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around 34% a month less with Rockford Mutual compared to State Auto, and those with "poor" scores generally save an average of about 35% per month.

Is Rockford Mutual or State 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 prices. Typically, the more milage you put on your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

In this case, neither Rockford Mutual or State Auto report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. That being said, Rockford Mutual comes out as the most affordable for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car annually, with average prices of $169 per month for both.

Rockford Mutual or State 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 insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a big impact as well. Normally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas since there are a lot fewer vehicles on the road where they live, which reduces the chances of an accident.

Rockford Mutual boasts the most affordable average rates for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, Rockford Mutual's average premiums are around $233 while State Auto offers rates about $317. People in suburban areas pay around $131 with Rockford Mutual compared to State Auto's $236 monthly. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay about $144 a month with Rockford Mutual and $225 with State Auto.

Rockford Mutual vs. State Auto Discounts

You want to save as much money as you can, right? 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 hard to find all the of the ones you qualify for.

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

State Auto blows Rockford Mutual away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 18 different discounts to Rockford Mutual's eight.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but State Auto also offers discounts for ABS, advance quote, advantage program , and more.

On the other hand, Rockford Mutual has a few proprietary discounts of their own like homeowner discounts and renewal discounts.

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

You've seen the effect certain variables have on your car insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. But, at the end of the day, is Rockford Mutual or State Auto the right one for you and your specific needs?

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

• You have a clean record.
• Your credit score is high.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.

State Auto might be best for you if...

• You're looking for discounts -- State Auto has the most.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Rockford 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 sure-fire 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 Rockford Mutual and State Auto. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple quotes from some of the best insurance carriers in your area, all for free.

Rockford Mutual vs. State Auto FAQs

Is Rockford Mutual or State Auto 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 $259 for State Auto. But that doesn't mean Rockford Mutual will be the lowest carrier for every driver, since there are a range of different factors that come into play when it comes to your car insurance bill.

Who is better, Rockford Mutual or State Auto?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for each policyholder -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like.

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

Car insurance carriers use many different variables when calculating the premiums they charge. Things like age, gender, your driving record, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Rockford Mutual and State Auto calculate rates differently, so it's likely they'll offer different prices. The best way to determine which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different companies.

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

The only way to find the auto 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 information once and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top car insurance companies for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't Rockford Mutual or State Auto 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.