American Family vs Erie: Which is Better for You?
Compare rates from the top car insurance companies in your area.
American Family or Erie: Which company is best for you?
Selecting an auto insurance company is complex: companies' rates vary based on your driving record, location, and age, and every company's discounts differ. American Family and Erie are counted among America's most popular insurers, providing competitively priced insurance policies across many states.
To help take the sting out of shopping for car insurance, we've gathered average rates from Erie and American Family. The below cover an array of rating factors, including credit rating, driving record, and demographics. Examine these rates and find the right policy for you.
Seeking additional insights? Check out our comprehensive reviews of American Family and Erie.
American Family vs. Erie: by credit level
If you have very poor credit, American Family could be the best option for you. On average, American Family offers lower rates than Erie for drivers with credit scores of lower than 580. Insurance shoppers with extraordinary credit — a score of 800 or better — should lean toward Check out common insurance costs by credit score for Erie and American Family below.
INSURER RATES BY CREDIT SCORE: ERIE VS. AMERICAN FAMILY
| Credit level | American Family avg. annual premium | Erie avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,931 | $2,402 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,294 | $1,040 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,220 | $894 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,009 | $743 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $941 | $726 |
American Family vs. Erie: by citation
If you're carrying an at-fault collision, speeding ticket, reckless driving citation, or DUI on your driving record, Erie could be a better choice than American Family. Each auto insurance company prices its policies differently, so don't be afraid to shop around to understand which insurance company suits you.
INSURER RATES BY VIOLATION: ERIE VS. AMERICAN FAMILY
| Citation | American Family avg. annual premium | Erie avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,763 | $893 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $990 | $772 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,857 | $1,163 |
| Reckless driving | $1,857 | $760 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,270 | $747 |
American Family vs. Erie: by age
Car insurance companies rely on a driver's age to indicate risk, pricing premiums accordingly. Insurance is commonly expensive for teen drivers — due to their increased odds of being involved in an accident — and more affordable for drivers aged 25 or older. Since each insurance company prices age brackets uniquely, it's wise to compare rates and find a great fit.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose Erie over American Family: the former's average annual rates are $1,572 less than the latter's..
INSURER RATES BY AGE: ERIE VS. AMERICAN FAMILY
| Age | American Family avg. annual premium | Erie avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,810 | $2,238 |
| 20s | $1,685 | $1,108 |
| 30s | $1,101 | $1,108 |
| 40s | $1,089 | $755 |
| 50s | $1,089 | $692 |
| 60s | $986 | $676 |
Finances aside, American Family and Erie each carry pros and cons, including discount programs, customer satisfaction ratings, add-ons, and financial stability. Be sure to weigh these elements before deciding.
| Discount Comparison | American Family | Erie |
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| Good Student |
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| Multiple Policies |
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| Multiple Vehicles |
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| Air Bags |
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| Good Driver |
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| Defensive Driver |
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| Student Away at School |
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| Driver Training |
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| Green Vehicles | ||
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| Pay in Full |
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| Military |
| Ratings Comparison | American Family | Erie |
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| Financial Strength | Excellent | Superior |
| JD Power Rankings | Above average | Excellent |
| User Satisfaction | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Other Products | American Family | Erie |
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| Other Features | American Family | Erie |
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| About | American Family strives to provide their customers with industry-leading service, an exceptional claims experience and products that build long-term relationships. | Erie Insurance provides customers with the flexibility to customize their car insurance by offering over 30 extra policy features, along with the highest levels of customer service. |
| Roadside Assistance | American Family’s Emergency Roadside Service covers reasonable costs you can incur if you're car breaks down. These costs may include mechanical labor for up to one hour at the place of your vehicle’s breakdown, towing to the nearest place where the necessary repairs can be made, delivery of gas and oil, the cost of labor for a tire change or battery charge (not including the cost of any delivered item), and the cost of labor for locksmith services (not including the cost to replace locks or keys). | Erie provides 24-hour roadside assistance for an additional fee on your policy that covers reasonable auto towing and required labor cost at the site of your vehicle breakdown. |
| Additional Discounts | None Available | Erie offers an additional discount called "Reduced Usage" that provides a lower rate on your policy if your vehicle is unused for 90 consecutive days during the policy period. |
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