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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for auto insurance, Trustgard Auto offers significantly cheaper premiums than State Auto
• State Auto offers more discounts than Trustgard Auto Insurance
• Trustgard Auto offers less expensive average rates for residents of urban areas

State Auto vs. Trustgard Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to State Auto or Trustgard Auto, but which carrier will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, State Auto has average rates that are about 45% per month more expensive than those from Trustgard Auto.

Even so, that doesn't mean Trustgard Auto will necessarily be cheaper than State Auto for every single driver. Insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how old you are, where you live, how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, and a variety of other factors. So, at the end of the day, prices from each carrier will differ quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of State Auto or Trustgard Auto is really the best for you, keep reading to see average premiums for each company broken down by several different rate factors.

State Auto or Trustgard Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

State Auto and Trustgard Auto only compete against each other in two states, with Trustgard Auto offering more affordable rates to the average driver in all of them. Illinois has the most noticable difference, where Trustgard Auto prices are over 70% less expensive than auto insurance rates at State Auto.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your car insurance bill than just the state you live in. Read on to learn 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 on the road. That's usually because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high premiums, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Trustgard Auto for their car insurance pay nearly $400 less than those who use State Auto.

That being said, with both carriers, you'll see your prices decrease significantly once you turn 25. For example, average rates for State Auto policyholders drop more than $500 and Trustgard Auto's prices reduce almost $250 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 cheapest premiums you'll ever find.

So, which carrier offers the best rates to retired drivers? Trustgard Auto gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older nearly 45% cheaper than the national average for State Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but auto insurance prices tend to be more expensive for single drivers than they are for married couples. This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something many insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Trustgard Auto is the clear winner for those who are single, with rates around $157 a month less expensive than State Auto, on average. The advantage for married policyholders with Trustgard Auto is also obvious, where drivers save almost 45% per month.

State Auto vs. Trustgard Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Because men are more likely to get into collisions and get tickets, they raise the chances of filing a claim with insurance. Therefore, men tend to get higher rates than women.

On average, men see premiums about $25 a month higher with State Auto, while with Trustgard Auto, the difference is closer to $9 per month.

When it comes to the most affordable prices for each gender, Trustgard Auto offers the lowest average rates for both men and women, with average premiums 48% less for men and 46% cheaper for women.

State Auto or Trustgard 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.

It's no secret that car insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are a range of different coverages that account for many 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 bodily injury and property damage for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Trustgard Auto normally offers significantly more affordable prices of $79 compared to State Auto's $149. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Trustgard Auto again has the edge, with policies around $150 a month cheaper than State Auto, on average.

Is State Auto or Trustgard Auto 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.

You'll probably end up paying more with tickets and accidents on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the cheapest rates to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

State Auto policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $48 per month if they get a ticket, while Trustgard Auto generally raises prices about $50 a month, on average.

But Trustgard Auto is typically the more affordable option for drivers both with clean records and with a speeding ticket, offering premiums that are $72 and $70 less expensive, respectively, compared to State Auto Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their car insurance through State Auto can expect to see around an $99 -- or about 37% -- increase in their insurance rates. Drivers who use Trustgard Auto for their auto insurance will see a monthly bill around $35 (or 26%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their car insurance company.

Overall, the cheaper prices come from Trustgard Auto, with monthly rates averaging $133 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 auto insurance bill -- normally a lot more than a collision or ticket. On average, State Auto will increase your prices about 55% after a DUI, while Trustgard Auto's average premiums climb by just under 45%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Trustgard Auto tends to be the much more affordable option with average rates of $171 per month compared to $380 from State Auto.

How does Credit Score Impact State Auto and Trustgard Auto Rates?

Did you know that many insurance companies take into account your credit score when calculating premiums? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for several drivers.

Auto insurance companies argue that those with good credit scores are more likely to pay their bills on time every month, which lowers the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with bad credit.

Looking at State Auto and Trustgard Auto specifically, which company has the lowest rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Trustgard Auto. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save over 40% compared to State Auto, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $100 or 44% less expensive each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Trustgard Auto typically offers lower prices than State Auto when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $122 per month less with Trustgard Auto compared to State Auto, and those with "poor" scores generally save an average of around $183 a month.

Is State Auto or Trustgard Auto Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a pretty big impact on how much car insurance carriers will charge for coverage. That's because the more miles you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident and cause an insurance claim.

In this case, neither State Auto or Trustgard Auto report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Even so, Trustgard Auto 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 rates of $137 a month for both.

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

Where your home is can have a substantial impact on your monthly insurance payment. Usually, those who live in rural areas will pay less than policyholders in urban areas because there are a lot fewer vehicles on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, Trustgard Auto generally comes out as the lowest option for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Trustgard Auto's average premiums are about $147 while State Auto offers prices around $317. People in suburban areas pay about $132 with Trustgard Auto compared to State Auto's $236 monthly. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay around $134 per month with Trustgard Auto and $225 with State Auto.

State Auto vs. Trustgard Auto Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by utilizing as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you're eligible for.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both State Auto and Trustgard Auto so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Looking at the total number of discounts, State Auto comes out ahead with 18 discounts to Trustgard Auto's 16.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but State Auto also offers ABS discounts, advantage program discounts, driver training discounts, and more that Trustgard Auto does not.

On the flip side, Trustgard Auto has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advanced safety feature discounts, company car discounts, education discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is State Auto or Trustgard Auto Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average premiums for many of the factors auto insurance companies look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. But, when it comes down to it, which carrier is the right one for you and your specific needs?

Trustgard Auto might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• Your neighborhood is in a city.
• You drive fewer than 12,000 miles yearly.

State Auto might be best for you if...

• You care about discounts (State Auto offers the most).

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between State Auto and Trustgard Auto and that it aids in making a more informed decision about 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 several carriers, not just State Auto and Trustgard Auto. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get free quotes from dozens of top insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

State Auto vs. Trustgard Auto FAQs

Is State Auto or Trustgard Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Trustgard Auto is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $137 per month compared to $259 for State Auto. However, Trustgard Auto won't necessarily be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are lots of different variables that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance cost.

Who is better, State Auto or Trustgard Auto?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No one carrier is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile.

Why do State Auto and Trustgard Auto offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the prices they charge drivers. Things such as age, where you call home, gender, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both State Auto and Trustgard Auto calculate rates using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different carriers.

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

The only way to find the insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com makes 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. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be State Auto or Trustgard 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.