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Over 5 years of experience in financial writing
Certified in financial planning by Boston University
Erin is a writer and journalist specializing in personal finance. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
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Over 3 years of experience producing content on insurance and personal finance.
Key architect of Insurify's quality score.
Courtney's deep knowledge of personal finance goes beyond insurance and includes credit cards, consumer loans, and banking. She loves creating practical content.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
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Table of contents
Erie and State Farm are two popular auto insurance companies, but they have some major differences. While State Farm is a national insurer serving all 50 states, Erie is a regional company that offers coverage in only a dozen. If you live somewhere Erie is available, you’ll find that both are good options thanks to their affordable premiums and high customer satisfaction ratings.
When you’re shopping for insurance, it’s important to compare quotes, coverages, and discounts to determine which of the two companies is best for your needs.
Erie and State Farm have cheap premiums, but Erie’s are slightly lower overall.
Erie auto insurance has optional coverages than State Farm, with specialty coverages that include accident forgiveness, new-car replacement, and gap insurance.
Neither State Farm nor Erie stands out for its discounts, but State Farm has a slightly larger lineup that includes its safe driving app, Drive Safe & Save.
Erie vs. State Farm: The verdict
While Erie and State Farm are both highly rated insurance companies that have some key benefits, State Farm edges out Erie because of its nationwide availability. Erie is only available in 12 states in the East Coast and Midwest regions.
But both insurers are among the best car insurance companies for affordable insurance premiums, excellent customer service, and high ratings in J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction study.[1]
Erie has more coverage options, which makes it an attractive option for the price.
If you live in a state where both Erie and State Farm are available, you can take into account each insurer’s coverage options and discounts — State Farm offers more — as well as get a personalized quote to help you choose the better option for you.
Factor | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.4 | 9.3 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 3.83 | 4 |
| Average quote: liability only | $78 | $56 |
| Number of discounts | 8 | 10 |
| Number of states where it operates | 12 | 50 |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Erie
Erie is a regional insurance company that serves 12 states and Washington, D.C., and has high J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings in multiple regions.[2]
| User Reviews | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.4 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $78/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $122/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
Erie Insurance has been selling auto coverage since 1925. The company operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and also offers more than two dozen types of insurance, including home, life, and business insurance. AM Best gives Erie superior ratings for financial stability and credit strength. The company has a lower-than-expected number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and ranks third in overall customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power rankings. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and AM Best ratings
Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets
Offers numerous optional auto coverages
Available in only 12 states
Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online
Offers fewer discounts than competitors
State Farm
State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the country, serving customers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., while maintaining excellent customer service.[3]
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $56/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $108/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
State Farm is the largest U.S. auto insurer by market share and has operated for more than 100 years. Available in all 50 states, State Farm stands out for its customer service, extensive discounts, and optional coverages. The insurer ranked fifth for overall customer satisfaction in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Safe drivers can enjoy many State Farm discounts, including ones for young motorists who complete an approved driver training course, for having a vehicle with certain safety equipment, and for going three years or longer without violations or at-fault accidents.
High rates of customer satisfaction
Rideshare insurance available
Savings for bundling auto with home, renters, condo, or life insurance
No gap insurance offering
May not be the cheapest choice for drivers with violations
Accident forgiveness limited to longtime customers with clean driving records
Erie YourTurn vs. State Farm Drive Safe & Save
Both Erie and State Farm offer telematics programs that monitor driving habits and offer benefits for good drivers.
Erie’s YourTurn program uses a smartphone app to monitor your smoothness, speed, and phone use while driving. The program aims to help drivers improve their habits behind the wheel. And when you earn a high driving score, you can collect monetary rewards that include gift cards and charitable donations.
State Farm’s program, Drive Safe & Save, also monitors your driving habits using an app. However, instead of offering rewards like Erie’s does, it offers a discount on your premiums. You’ll get a discount just for signing up, and then you can save up to 30% per year on your policy for demonstrating safe driving habits.
Erie vs. State Farm: Which is the cheapest?
Erie and State Farm offer insurance premiums cheaper than the national average rates for both liability-only and full coverage. Erie has cheaper full-coverage insurance, while State Farm offers cheaper liability coverage.
Of course, each driver’s car insurance quotes depend on individual factors, and the cheapest car insurance company for someone else may not be the cheapest company for you. Factors that affect your premiums include your driving record, age, credit profile, insurance coverage needs, and more.
State Farm: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
Your driving history plays a significant role in determining your auto insurance rates. Customers with clean driving records typically pay the lowest insurance premiums. Although their rates are comparable, State Farm has cheaper liability-only coverage than Erie.
Driver Type | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $78 | $56 |
State Farm: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
A speeding ticket nearly always results in an insurance rate increase, as is the case with Erie and State Farm. But State Farm has cheaper average liability rates for drivers with speeding tickets.
Driver Type | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $107 | $71 |
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Why Is My Car Insurance So High? (2025)
State Farm: Cheapest for teen drivers
Teen drivers often pay some of the highest insurance premiums because of their lack of experience. Erie and State Farm both have relatively affordable average liability rates for young drivers, but State Farm wins out as the cheapest car insurance company for teens.
Driver Type | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $147 | $114 |
State Farm: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Depending on your state, your credit history can influence your insurance premiums, and drivers with poor credit tend to pay more than drivers with good credit. State Farm has cheaper liability rates for drivers with bad credit.
Driver Type | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $131 | $90 |
State Farm: Cheapest for senior drivers
Insurance premiums tend to decrease as a driver gets older but often start to increase again when a driver reaches their 70s when health issues can affect driving ability.[4] State Farm’s average liability rates are cheaper than Erie’s for senior drivers.
Driver Type | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $53 | $40 |
Compare coverages: Erie vs. State Farm
When you’re shopping for insurance, it’s important to consider the coverage options that each insurer offers. Overall, Erie offers more coverage options than State Farm, but both insurers are missing some key coverages.
First, both Erie and State Farm offer standard coverages, such as bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist, comprehensive, and collision coverage. However, they differ on some additional coverage options that may be less common.
Here’s how Erie’s and State Farm’s coverages stack up to each other.
Coverage | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Gap insurance | Yes | No |
| New car replacement | Yes | No |
| Rideshare coverage | No | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | No |
Compare discounts: Erie vs. State Farm
Discounts are another way to save money on your premiums. They lower your costs based on certain personal information and characteristics related to your policy, vehicle, and more.
Neither Erie nor State Farm offers as many discounts as many of their competitors, but you still have ways to save. State Farm offers 12 discounts, while Erie offers eight. Both offer popular discounts, such as one for bundling your auto insurance with other insurance products, like home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance, and one for having certain vehicle safety features.
The table below shares a list of some of the most popular auto insurance discounts and whether these two companies offer them.
Discount | Erie | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | No | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | No | No |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | No | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | Yes |
| New car | No | No |
| Military/affiliation | No | No |
| Good student | No | Yes |
| Loyalty | Yes | No |
| Auto pay | No | No |
| Student away at school | Yes | Yes |
| Homeowner | No | No |
| Alternative fuel | No | No |
Erie vs. State Farm FAQs
Are you considering an insurance policy from either Erie or State Farm? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about these two companies.
Is Erie car insurance good?
Erie can be a good auto insurer for many drivers thanks to its relatively affordable premiums and abundance of coverage options. However, like any insurance company, it’s not right for everyone, and the best car insurance policy for you depends on your unique situation, needs, and personal experience.
What company is State Farm’s biggest competitor?
State Farm has several major competitors, including other top insurers with national coverage like Progressive, GEICO, and Allstate.
What is the best alternative to State Farm?
The best alternative to State Farm depends on what you’re looking for in an insurance policy. State Farm offers affordable premiums, nationwide coverage, and excellent customer service, but it doesn’t offer as many coverage options or discounts as some competitors. Decide what you’re looking for that State Farm doesn’t offer, and then find an insurance company that shines in that area.
What are the differences between Erie Insurance and State Farm?
One key difference between Erie and State Farm is availability. State Farm is available nationwide, while Erie is available in only 12 states. They also differ in terms of their coverage options and discounts — Erie has more coverage options, while State Farm offers more discounts.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Liberty Mutual Insurance Review: 3,213+ User Ratings
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GEICO Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
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Farmers Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
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Allstate Insurance Review: 7,746+ User Ratings
Sources
- J.D. Power. "2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study."
- J.D. Power. "2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study."
- NAIC. "Property and Casualty Insurance Industry 2022 Top 25 Groups and Companies by Countrywide Premium."
- III. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips."
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Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist based in Madison, Wisconsin. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time. Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
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Over 3 years of experience producing content on insurance and personal finance.
Key architect of Insurify's quality score.
Courtney's deep knowledge of personal finance goes beyond insurance and includes credit cards, consumer loans, and banking. She loves creating practical content.
Featured in
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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