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10+ years writing on personal finance topics
Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
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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.
Updated
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.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Liberty Mutual and The Hartford are top auto insurance companies that offer cheap car insurance rates, but which company is better depends on your driver profile and coverage needs. Liberty Mutual is the sixth-largest company by market share. The Hartford is smaller by comparison, offers low rates, and comes with high levels of customer satisfaction.[1]
Before deciding which company to get your policy from, compare their discounts and car insurance quotes, and look at customer service reviews and complaints. Here’s what you need to know about Liberty Mutual versus The Hartford to help you choose the better auto insurer for your needs.
The average cost of liability coverage is $161 per month through Liberty Mutual and $161 per month through The Hartford.
Liberty Mutual has cheaper average liability coverage rates, while The Hartford has cheaper average full-coverage rates.
The Hartford is available only to AARP members, restricting drivers’ eligibility.
Liberty Mutual is better than The Hartford for basic liability coverage, discounts, and unique coverage types and is also a larger insurance company, taking up more market share in the car insurance industry.
The Hartford offers more competitive rates for full-coverage car insurance and may have lower rates based on certain factors. For example, The Hartford has cheaper car insurance for senior drivers, according to Insurify data.
But the main drawback is eligibility, as The Hartford is available only for AARP members 50 and older. That excludes a significant number of drivers, so Liberty Mutual may be the best option to look into.
Factor  | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 7.7 | 8.3 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 3 | 3.5 |
| Average quote: liability only | $161 | $161 |
| Number of discounts | 13 | 8 |
| Number of states where it operates | 50 | 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.
Liberty Mutual is a large insurance company with a financial strength rating of A (Excellent) from AM Best. The company has a long history of offering a diverse array of coverage types, including unique insurance coverages for teachers.
| User Reviews | 3.5 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 7.7 /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. | $161/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. | $218/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
Liberty Mutual offers auto, homeowners, condo, renters, flood, life, and other insurance products. Auto policyholders can save with numerous discounts, including bundling, good student, military, student-away-at-school, claims-free, violation-free, and multi-car discounts. Liberty Mutual has an A rating for financial strength and credit from AM Best. The company often scores low for customer satisfaction and has more than three times the expected number of complaints from private auto policyholders, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Consumer Complaint Index.
Wide range of available discounts
Accident forgiveness available
Available in all 50 states and D.C.
Many negative reviews and customer complaints
Premiums are relatively high compared to industry average
Low customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
The Hartford is another national car insurance company and has the highest customer satisfaction ranking in the Northwest region in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. And it offers auto insurance policies exclusively to AARP members ages 50 and older.[2]
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 8.3 /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. | $161/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. | $243/mo |
Drivers appreciate the prompt customer service and reliable coverage but are frustrated by the significant annual price increases and limited policy options.
Drivers appreciate the prompt customer service and reliable coverage but are frustrated by the significant annual price increases and limited policy options.
The Hartford is known less for its home and auto coverage and more for its other products, including workers’ compensation, professional liability, and other business insurance, and its employee benefits offerings. The company sells auto insurance policies only to AARP members, offering member incentives like a 10% insurance discount. The Hartford provides several additional discounts for safe driving, taking a defensive driver course, certain vehicle safety features, paying in full, getting a quote online, and bundling auto with homeowners or another type of insurance.
Savings for AARP members
Above-average customer satisfaction
Available in all states and D.C.
Available only for AARP members
No accident forgiveness coverage
Higher-than-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Liberty Mutual RightTrack and The Hartford TrueLane are telematics programs that can assess a driver’s behavior and safety on the road.
Through the Liberty Mutual RightTrack program, enrolled drivers can get an initial discount of 10%. After you download it, the mobile app tracks your driving behaviors for 90 days. So every day you drive can affect your rate.
Once that period is complete, Liberty Mutual applies a discount of up to 30% to your auto insurance policy.
The Hartford’s TrueLane is also a mobile app that can help you get lower premiums. The app tracks your driving habits and provides tips for you to improve your safe driving skills. In addition, customers get a 12% discount upon enrollment and, based on driving behaviors, can get a discount of up to 25% at policy renewal.
Rates start at $40 per month
Which insurance company has the cheapest rates depends on the type of insurance policy you need. If you want to stick to the basics and get the state-required liability insurance, Liberty Mutual may have the cheaper rates. But if you want cheap full coverage and qualify for AARP membership, The Hartford may be the better option.
Rates can also vary between these two car insurance companies based on your personal factors like vehicle, location, credit history, and age. Here’s how Liberty Mutual’s and The Hartford’s average rates compare.
Drivers who don’t file claims or have moving violations on their records pay the lowest rates for car insurance. Between these two companies, Liberty Mutual wins out for the most affordable average rates for liability coverage.
Driver Type | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $161 | $161 |
A speeding ticket on your record increases your car insurance premiums because it signals a higher risk to car insurance companies.[3] Finding affordable coverage after a speeding ticket takes some work, but Liberty Mutual is cheaper than The Hartford for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Driver Type | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $204 | $240 |
Car insurance for teens and young drivers can be costly compared to other age groups because they have less experience behind the wheel. When comparing Liberty Mutual versus The Hartford, young drivers can find cheaper rates with Liberty Mutual.
Driver Type | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $276 | $437 |
As drivers age, their car insurance rates decrease as long as they have a clean driving record. As a car insurance company that caters specifically to AARP members 50 years and older, The Hartford has cheaper rates for senior drivers than Liberty Mutual.
Driver Type | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $131 | $93 |
Drivers with bad credit pay more for car insurance because insurance companies believe they’re at a higher risk of filing a claim. Some states prohibit companies from using credit-based insurance scores, but most don’t.[4] Liberty Mutual is cheaper than The Hartford for drivers with poor credit.
Driver Type | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $186 | $216 |
Liberty Mutual and The Hartford offer similar types of coverage. Both car insurance companies offer state-minimum coverages, including liability coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Plus, you can add collision and comprehensive coverages to your policy.
The Hartford stands out because it offers full glass coverage as an option, while Liberty Mutual doesn’t. Instead, Liberty Mutual’s selling point is its original parts replacement coverage, which The Hartford doesn’t offer.
Below are optional car insurance coverage types that you can consider adding to your policy with Liberty Mutual and The Hartford.
Coverage | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Gap insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Full glass coverage | No | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | Yes |
| Original parts replacement | Yes | No |
Save up to $1,100 by comparing quotes from the top 120+ insurance companies
Liberty Mutual has an abundance of car insurance discounts available for drivers. With discounts for owning a home, being a good student, having a clean driving record, and setting up automatic payments, drivers can save in numerous ways every year.
So even if The Hartford has more competitive rates for full-coverage car insurance, you may qualify for additional savings with Liberty Mutual.
Here are the car insurance discounts Liberty Mutual and The Hartford offer for you to compare your potential savings options.
Discount | Liberty Mutual | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | No |
| Defensive driving course | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy | Yes | No |
| Multi-car | Yes | No |
| Low mileage | No | No |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | No | No |
| New car | No | No |
| Military/affiliation | Yes | No |
| Good student | Yes | No |
| Loyalty | No | No |
| Auto pay | Yes | No |
| Student away at school | Yes | No |
| Homeowner | Yes | No |
| Alternative fuel | No | Yes |
If you’re considering Liberty Mutual versus The Hartford, here’s some additional information to help you make a decision.
It depends. The Hartford insurance can be a better option for senior drivers because you need to be an AARP member and 50 or older. But Liberty Mutual has more discounts and is available regardless of driver age or AARP membership status.
Many national car insurance companies compete with Liberty Mutual, including State Farm, GEICO, Travelers, and Farmers.
The Hartford has high customer service ratings and can be a good insurance company with competitive rates. But you must be an AARP member 50 or older to qualify for The Hartford’s car insurance.
Liberty Mutual and The Hartford both offer similar insurance coverages, like liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. But Liberty Mutual has some more coverage options, like original parts replacement, new-car replacement, and teachers’ auto insurance coverage.
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:
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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Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, "Dear Debt." Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. Her work has appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast. She lives in Los Angeles and enjoys jazz music, traveling, coffee, and spending time with her two cats and partner.
Melanie has been a contributor at Insurify since November 2022.
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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