Which is cheaper overall: American Family or Erie?

For full coverage with 100/300/100 in liability coverage and $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision insurance, Erie Insurance costs an average of $1,906. American Family costs more at an average of $1,912.

Erie Insurance costs an average of $385, while American Family has average rates for state minimum coverage of $516.

It's always a good idea to shop around for quotes, however, because prices and coverage vary from state to state and depend on your individual situation.

CompanyAverage annual rate for full coverageAverage annual rate for state minimum coverageAverage annual premium for liability-only (50/100/50) car insurance
American Family$1,912$516$782
Erie$1,906$385$445

American Family vs. Erie: Which company is cheaper by age group?

Erie Insurance has cheaper average rates for teen drivers at $4,634 per year, compared to American Family with an average rate of $5,413.

Insurance companies weigh age-based risk data heavily when calculating rates. Rates reduce over time as drivers gain experience on the road..

For adults, $1,906 charges American Family on average, while at Erie Insurance the average rate for an adult is $1,923.

The takeaway: Teens often pay more than double what adults do, but there are companies with cheaper rates for teens, so take the time to compare quotes.

Age groupAmerican FamilyErie
Teens$5,413$4,634
Young adults$2,873$3,057
Adults$1,906$1,923
Seniors$2,012$1,972

American Family vs. Erie: Which company is cheaper for high-risk drivers?

American Family has the best rates for high-risk drivers. A high-risk driver is someone who has multiple speeding tickets, accidents or a serious offense like a DUI on their record. This can make it a challenge to find affordable auto insurance.

For the drivers with DUI, American Family is cheaper, with average rates of $3,273.

Take a look at the table below for American Family rates compared to Erie rates.

Type of violationAmerican FamilyErie
1 At-fault property damage accident over $2K$2,877$2,634
1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K$2,877$2,562
At-fault bodily injury accident$2,905$2,677
Careless driving$2,482$2,225
DUI$3,273$3,696
Reckless driving$3,157$2,458
Speeding$2,613$2,254

American Family vs. Erie: Rates in your state

Insurance rates vary from state to state. Companies use information from your ZIP code, like weather, crime and traffic patterns, to calculate the risk. The table below shows where you'll find the cheapest rates for American Family and Erie. Remember, always shop around for multiple quotes as prices will ultimately be determined by your personal situation and driving record in addition to your location.

StateAmerican FamilyErie
Delaware$3,225N/A
IllinoisN/A$2,018
MarylandN/A$1,906
Nevada$2,848N/A
New YorkN/A$2,415
North CarolinaN/A$1,168
North Dakota$1,238N/A
OhioN/A$1,541
PennsylvaniaN/A$1,848
Rhode Island$2,924N/A
TennesseeN/A$2,004
VirginiaN/A$1,736
Washington$1,752N/A
West VirginiaN/A$2,092
WisconsinN/A$1,951

American Family vs. Erie: Which company offers better auto insurance discounts?

Discounts are a big draw for customers and can offer significant savings on your annual premiums. Below are some of the discounts American Family and Erie offer to their customers.

DiscountsErieAmerican Family
Air bags3%3%
Anti-theft device2%1%
Comp and coll deductibles19%5%
Daily commute8%7%
Days advanced purchase10%8%
Days per week drivenN/A6%
Electronic Funds TransferN/A2%
HomeownerN/A4%
Lower annual mileage8%4%
Loyalty5%2%
Marital status8%13%
Multi policy9%10%
Paperless/Electornic documentsN/A4%
Payment type11%9%
Primary use16%11%
Safety devices2%2%
TelematicsN/A9%
Years insuredN/A24%

Always be sure to ask about available discounts when you're shopping around for insurance to see what you may qualify for.

Bottom line: Should you choose American Family or Erie?

If rates are what matter most to you, Erie Insurance may be the choice for you. However, we always recommend considering more than just rates to find the best car insurance for your needs and comparing quotes from multiple companies.

Consider company reputation and available coverages to make your decision, and be sure to compare quotes from multiple companies.

Methodology

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

  • Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
  • Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
  • Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
  • 40-year-old driver
  • Honda Accord LX
  • Good credit
  • A clean driving record
  • 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Additional rate data is drawn based on:

  • Ages ranging from 16 to 75
  • Excellent, fair and poor credit
  • All available traffic violations
  • One or more at-fault accidents
  • All available year, make and model data

Rates were fielded by Quadrant Information Services, with more than 220 companies and 34,588 ZIP codes surveyed.

FAQ: Company comparison

How often should I compare auto insurance quotes?

You should compare auto insurance quotes at least once a year, or every time your policy renews.

It's generally worth paying more for great customer service, but you should choose a carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims. that provides a balance between low rates and high customer satisfaction.

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