Safety vs. State Farm: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, State Farm offers significantly less expensive prices than Safety
• Safety has more affordable premiums for policyholders who haven't received any speeding tickets or been in a collision in the last few years
• State Farm offers more affordable rates for policyholders who drive fewer than 6,000 miles every year

Safety or State Farm: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching to a new insurance policy. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Safety or State Farm as potential options, but which carrier has cheaper premiums for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, State Farm is quite a bit cheaper than Safety, with prices averaging $158 a month compared to $217 with Safety.

However, that doesn't mean State Farm will necessarily be more affordable than Safety for every driver. Car 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 premiums will change quite a bit from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both Safety and State Farm by multiple different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Safety vs. State Farm: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Safety and State Farm only compete against each other in two states, with State Farm offering less expensive premiums to the average driver in all of them. Massachusetts has the most noticable difference, where State Farm rates are $278 more affordable than auto insurance prices at Safety.

There's a lot more that goes into your insurance bill than just your home state. Continue reading to see how other variables will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance rates of any other group of drivers out there on the road. It's normally because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

That being said, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their auto insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of almost 15% less per month by choosing State Farm over Safety.

Even so, both companies will offer you dramatically lower prices by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Safety policyholders decrease around $200 and State Farm's rates drop over $200 over that time.

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 lowest prices out there.

So, which carrier offers the best premiums to retired drivers? State Farm gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at about $111 per month compared to Safety's $164.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance prices are typically more expensive for single drivers than they are for married drivers? This usually boils down to married couples having several vehicles on their policy -- something a lot of car insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

For those who are single, the difference in average premiums between these two companies is significant, with State Farm rates coming in at a quarter less than Safety's. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - State Farm has the edge when it comes to average premiums.

Safety or State Farm: 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 generally end up paying a little more.

With Safety, women usually pay around $10 a month less than men, but with State Farm, the difference is closer to $12 per month.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, State Farm offers the cheapest average prices for both men and women, with average premiums $59 less for men and $60 cheaper for women.

Safety vs. State Farm: 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.

Car 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 for you.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability coverage (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes collision and comprehensive coverages that protect your own car, in addition to liability coverage).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability limits, State Farm has the edge, with average monthly rates coming in at $99. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, State Farm again has the edge, with policies averaging about $216 a month to Safety's $313.

Is Safety or State Farm 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.

You'll probably end up paying more with at-fault collisions and speeding tickets on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the most affordable prices to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Safety for their auto insurance can typically expect their monthly bill to go up around 32% after getting a speeding ticket. State Farm policyholders can expect a less drastic increase of about 14%.

If you have gotten a ticket, State Farm tends to offer the best premiums at around 18% cheaper, while Safety has the edge for drivers with a clean record.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Safety drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their rates increase by over $95, while those who have insurance through State Farm will see about a $30 increase.

At the end of the day, the less expensive prices come from State Farm, with average rates coming in at $163 compared to Safety Insurance's $226.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or speeding ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. Safety drivers usually see a 60% raise in their insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while State Farm will generally increase prices by around 25%.

How does Credit Score Impact Safety and State Farm Rates?

Did you know many auto insurance companies take into account your credit score when determining rates? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as an insurance factor, but it might come into play for several policyholders.

Car insurance companies argue that someone with bad credit is less likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them riskier to insure. Because of that, drivers with bad credit will often be forced to pay more.

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

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Safety or State Farm 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 how much insurance carriers will charge for coverage. Normally, those who drive less will end up with more affordable premiums since there's less of a chance of causing an accident and filing an insurance claim.

For both remote workers and those taking short commutes, State Farm tends to be the cheaper option. Safety's average rates for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in about 30% more expensive than State Farm. Those who drive 12,000 miles annually can expect to pay around 25% more with Safety over State Farm.

Safety or State Farm: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your vehicle can play a substantial role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Usually, drivers who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban policyholders due to the small number of cars that are on the roads where they live.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, State Farm typically comes out as the cheapest option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, State Farm's average premiums are about $185 while Safety offers prices around $282. People in suburban areas pay about $161 with State Farm compared to Safety's $221 a month. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay around $127 monthly with State Farm compared to Safety's $148.

Safety vs. State Farm Discounts

No matter 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 you can, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many auto insurance discounts as possible.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be hard to find all the ones you qualify for.

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

Overall, State Farm has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Safety offers a grand total of 18 discounts, while State Farm has 23.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but State Farm also offers discounts for ABS, defensive driver, drive safe & save, and more.

On the other hand, Safety has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like advance quote discounts, book transfer policy discounts, e-signature discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Safety or State Farm Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your insurance rates. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, which carrier is the best fit for you?

State Farm might be best for you if....

• You've received a ticket for speeding recently and don't want to see your premiums rise.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You want to save money while purchasing auto insurance for a teenager.

Safety might be best for you if...

• You have a clean driving record, free of accidents, tickets, or DUIs.

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

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just Safety and State Farm. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Safety vs. State Farm FAQs

Is Safety or State Farm cheaper?

State Farm is the less expensive of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $158 per month with State Farm and $217 for Safety. But that doesn't mean State Farm will be the lowest company for each driver, since there are a bunch of different variables (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Safety or State Farm?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No one carrier is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all boils down to your unique car insurance profile. For example, Safety is cheaper for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores, while State Farm offers more affordable premiums for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.

Why do Safety and State Farm offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers use many different factors when calculating the rates they charge. Things like where your home is, gender, age, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Safety and State Farm calculate prices differently, so it's likely they'll offer different rates. The best way to determine which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if Safety or State Farm is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of carriers 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 information once and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top auto insurance companies for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't Safety or State Farm 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.