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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for insurance, Southern County Mutual offers significantly more affordable prices than State Auto
• Southern County Mutual offers less expensive average rates for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• State Auto offers more discounts than Southern County Mutual Insurance Company

Southern County Mutual vs. 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 discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might be considering Southern County Mutual or State Auto for your next policy, but between the two, which one will save you the most?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, State Auto has average rates that are about 30% per month more expensive than those from Southern County Mutual.

That being said, Southern County Mutual may not be the lowest or best option for every single driver out there. Car insurance carriers use all sorts of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among a whole bunch of other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average premiums from both Southern County Mutual and State Auto by multiple different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Southern County Mutual or State Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

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That being said, there are plenty of other factors that go into your auto insurance payment than just the state you live in. 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 insurance than any group out there on the road. It's normally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

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 Southern County Mutual save nearly $400 a month compared to those who use State Auto.

But with both companies, you'll see your prices lower significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for Southern County Mutual policyholders drop more than 50% and State Auto's prices reduce almost 75% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

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

When looking at Southern County Mutual and State Auto specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Southern County Mutual gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $38 cheaper than the national average for State Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance prices are generally more expensive for those who are single than they are for married couples? That's usually because married policyholders tend to own and insure several cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Southern County Mutual is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates around $123 per month more affordable than State Auto, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Southern County Mutual is also obvious, where drivers save over $20 a month.

Southern County Mutual vs. State Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women generally pay less for insurance than men? This is because men are more likely to get tickets and get into accidents, which increases the chances of an insurance claim.

Men usually pay nearly $20 per month more than women with Southern County Mutual, and about $24 more with State Auto.

Looking at overall affordability, Southern County Mutual comes out as the lowest option for both genders, with average premiums $83 less for men and $77 cheaper for women.

Southern County 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.

For most people, car insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are so many different terms and coverages that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

However, the most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which typically refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Southern County Mutual normally offers significantly less expensive prices of $105 compared to State Auto's $149. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Southern County Mutual again has the edge, with policies around $100 a month cheaper than State Auto, on average.

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

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from insurance carriers offering great rates for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

You'll probably end up paying more with tickets and accidents on your record, but which of these two companies offers the most affordable premiums to drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Southern County Mutual policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $10 per month if they get a ticket, while State Auto usually raises prices about $48 a month, on average.

Even so, Southern County Mutual has more affordable rates for drivers in both categories -- their rates are around 2% cheaper for drivers with clean records and 19% less expensive for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both carriers will increase prices pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with State Auto climbing by just under $100. Southern County Mutual has a less extreme rise, but you can still expect to pay $3 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, drivers who use Southern County Mutual end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly premiums averaging $169 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 speeding ticket when it comes to your auto insurance bill. For example, State Auto increases average prices by over $200 per month -- that's over a 55% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Southern County Mutual tends to be the much cheaper option with average rates of $207 per month compared to $380 from State Auto.

How does Credit Score Impact Southern County Mutual and State Auto 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 Michigan are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect a lot of drivers out there.

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

So, which company offers the cheapest rates for drivers 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 Southern County 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 large impact on your monthly insurance cost? That's because the fewer miles you put on your vehicle, the less likely you are to get into a collision and cause an insurance claim.

In this case, neither Southern County Mutual or State Auto report increasing prices for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Still, Southern County Mutual comes out as the most affordable for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car each year, with average premiums of $179 a month for both.

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

Where you park your vehicle can play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Normally, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

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

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the cheapest premiums from both companies, but Southern County Mutual comes out on top with average prices around $159 a month. Southern County Mutual also has more affordable average rates for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 36% and 25% per month respective difference when compared to State Auto policyholders in similar areas.

Southern County Mutual vs. State 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 car insurance discounts comes into play.

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 qualify for.

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

State Auto knocks Southern County Mutual out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 18 different discounts to Southern County Mutual's 18.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but State Auto also offers ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, advantage program discounts, and more that Southern County Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Southern County Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- corporate discounts and umbrella policy discounts.

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

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your insurance premiums. We've shown you all the discounts each carrier offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, is Southern County Mutual or State Auto the right fit for you?

Southern County Mutual might be best for you if....

• Your driving record contains an at-fault collision.
• You have above-average credit.
• You're buying car insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

State Auto might be best for you if...

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

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Southern County Mutual and State Auto. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best 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 a handful of companies, not just Southern County Mutual and State Auto. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Southern County Mutual vs. State Auto FAQs

Is Southern County Mutual or State Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Southern County Mutual is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $179 a month compared to $259 for State Auto. But Southern County Mutual won't necessarily be the lowest company for every driver, since there are a variety of different variables (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Southern County Mutual or State Auto?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No single carrier is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do Southern County Mutual and State Auto offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different factors when determining the rates they charge drivers. Variables such as your driving record, gender, where you live, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Southern County Mutual and State Auto use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different companies.

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

The only way to find the insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple 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 free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Southern County 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.