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USAA is a nationwide car insurance company that provides coverage exclusively to active military members, veterans, and their families. If that applies to you, USAA may be a good fit, since it generally has lower-than-average prices and good customer service.
AAA, or the American Automobile Association, is best known for its roadside assistance membership. However, AAA also offers car insurance through its network of automobile clubs. Since each club is independent, the coverage options, rates, and quote process vary.
If you qualify for coverage from both companies, USAA is likely the best choice, since it has better rates and higher claims satisfaction scores. However, AAA is still worth checking out to ensure you get the best price and coverage.
How we evaluate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
USAA pros and cons
- Multiple discounts, including military-specific savings.
- USAA generally has below-average rates.
- A low number of customer complaints in 2024, according to the NAIC.
- Only current military personnel, veterans, and their families are eligible for USAA.
- Does not have as many coverage options as some competitors.
- May have fewer discounts than some other companies.
Learn more in our USAA review.
AAA pros and cons
- Some AAA auto clubs have a wide variety of extra coverage options.
- AAA members receive discounts on travel, dining, and entertainment.
- Multiple discount options are available.
- You may need to be an AAA member to qualify for coverage.
- Relatively low claims satisfaction scores in J.D. Power's 2024 survey.
Learn more in our AAA review.
Which company is better?
| USAA | AAA | |
| AM Best | A++ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 726 out of 1,000 | 692 out of 1,000 |
| BBB | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC complaints (private passenger) | 0.97 (private passenger) | N/A |
USAA earned an A++ rating from AM Best, which measures an insurance company's financial stability and ability to pay claims. AAA (or triple A) earned an A+ rating, which is below USAA's A++, but both companies are financially sound.
However, USAA has a much higher claims satisfaction score in J.D. Power's 2024 complaint satisfaction survey, earning 726 out of 1,000 (the survey average was 697). AAA earned 692 out of 1,000, coming in slightly below average, but still very close to the survey average.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index uses market-wide data to track and score complaints received by insurance companies. The index is expressed as a score of 1.00. USAA received fewer than expected complaints in 2024, earning a score of 0.97.
The NAIC does not have data on AAA, so we can't compare it to USAA or other auto insurance companies.
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Which company is cheaper?
I'm not in the military, so I don't qualify for USAA's coverage. However, USAA's rates are generally among the lowest available, according to data from Insurify.
I live in Colorado and can receive AAA's coverage. I think it's worth considering if you have AAA coverage in your area, but AAA's insurance prices can vary from one auto club to another. You will also likely need to purchase an AAA membership to receive the best rates and discounts on your car insurance, which raises the cost of your premium.
When I attempted to compare AAA's prices with my current insurance based on my zip code, I noticed that I couldn't get a quote online. I would have had to contact an agent to get a price or learn about coverage availability. However, other clubs in the AAA network have different options. For instance, you can get a quote online if you live in California or Michigan.
For comparison purposes, we used CSAA, which is one of the largest AAA insurance providers.
| Driver type | USAA liability-only monthly premium | USAA full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $46 | $96 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $55 | $116 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $58 | $122 |
| DUI on driving record | $74 | $156 |
| Teen driver | $79 | $168 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $35 | $74 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $36 | $75 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
| Driver type | CSAA liability-only monthly premium | CSAA full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $80 | $125 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $100 | $157 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $110 | $172 |
| DUI on driving record | $129 | $202 |
| Teen driver | $121 | $190 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $56 | $88 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $51 | $80 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Clean driving record
If you have a clean driving record, USAA customers pay an average of $46 per month for liability-only coverage and $96for full coverage. Since each AAA club has a different policy and pricing options, there isn't an "average" cost for AAA. However, with CSAA, the average for liability-only coverage is $80 per month, and $125 per month for full coverage.
Average rate:
Speeding ticket on driving record
If you're looking for ways to reduce your car insurance premiums, avoiding speeding tickets can help. For example, USAA charges $55 for liability-only coverage and $116 for full coverage, which isn't a significant increase. CSAA averages $100 for liability-only and $157 for full coverage after a speeding ticket.
At-fault accident on driving record
At-fault accidents on your driving record will likely increase your car insurance premium drastically. USAA's liability-only coverage after an accident averages $58 a month, and $122 for full coverage. Comparatively, CSAA is $110 per month for liability only and $172 for full coverage.
DUI on driving record
DUIs are dangerous and almost always come with higher insurance costs. With USAA, a DUI conviction means your premiums increase to a monthly average of $156 for full coverage and $74 for liability-only coverage. CSAA is $202 per month for full coverage and $129 for liability-only.
Teen driver
Car insurance for teens generally costs more than it does for more experienced drivers. However, if you use USAA, you'll likely pay an average of $168 per month for full coverage and $79 a month for liability. With CSAA, the average cost of full coverage is $190, while liability coverage averages $121 per month.
Senior driver
Senior drivers in their 60s and 70s will likely see a decrease in their insurance costs, especially once their teenage drivers are no longer on the policy. With USAA, people in their 60s may pay an average of $35 a month for liability-only coverage and $74 for full coverage. The CSAA average for drivers in their 60s is $56 for liability-only and $88 for full coverage.
Discounts
If you qualify for USAA's coverage, it has multiple discount options, including military-specific savings. However, it doesn't have some of the more common discounts available with other companies, such as for safety features on your car or for paying your premium in full.
AAA may offer multiple ways to save money on car insurance, but the options available depend on your zip code and the specific club. You'll likely find standard discounts for having more than one car or for being a good driver. However, you may also receive additional discounts (and better rates) if you purchase an AAA membership along with your insurance policy.
| Discount | Does USAA have it? | Does AAA have it? |
| Loyalty | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | No | Yes |
| Anti-lock brakes | No | Yes |
| Anti-theft | Yes | Yes |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | No | Yes |
| New car | Yes | Yes |
| Pay in full | No | Yes |
| Automatic payments | No | Yes |
| GAP insurance | No | No |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | Yes | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
SafePilot vs AAADrive
If you avoid speeding, hard braking, or driving at night, you could save money on your car insurance by using the insurance company's telematics program. However, you usually have to let your insurance company monitor your driving through your phone or a plug-in device.
USAA offers the SafePilot program in select locations through a phone app. The app runs in the background of your phone, monitoring your driving habits. After you sign up, you're eligible for a 10% discount and could save as much as 30%, depending on your driving habits, though it's not guaranteed.
AAA's program is called AAADrive and involves downloading an app and logging your trips. The program will provide you with a driving score, which is used to determine your discount (up to 25%) when your policy renews.
Coverage
USAA offers standard coverage options, including liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. It also offers some specialty coverages, such as accident forgiveness in certain areas.
AAA insurance also typically offers standard coverages, but the policy options may vary depending on the specific AAA club or region. The only way to know for sure what policies are available in your area is to request a quote from a AAA agent.
| Coverage | Does USAA have it? | Does AAA have it? |
| Liability | Yes | Yes |
| Collision | Yes | Yes |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes |
| Medical payments coverage (MedPay) | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | Yes | Yes (in some states) |
| Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | In some areas | Yes (through AAA membership) |
| Rental car reimbursement | In some areas | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | GAP coverage; not available in some areas | No |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes (in some areas) | Yes (in some areas) |
| Loan/Lease payoff | No | Yes |
FAQs
How do I contact USAA?
USAA members can call the main number at 210-531-USAA (8722) or 1-800-531-USAA (8722). USAA also offers a shortcut mobile number #USAA (8722), although it may not work with all carriers. Online, members can use the chat button on the USAA website to chat with a virtual agent.
How do I contact AAA?
AAA members can call customer service at 1-888-883-8417 for a quote or file an insurance claim by calling 1-800-67-CLAIM (1-800-672-5246). Members can also contact AAA through the AAA website.
Is AAA insurance better than USAA?
Generally, USAA offers more competitive pricing than AAA. However, AAA may offer more discounts and roadside assistance options. USAA earned higher claims satisfaction scores than AAA in J.D. Power's 2024 claims satisfaction survey.
Are USAA and AAA the same company?
No, USAA and AAA are not the same company. Although both offer car insurance, USAA is available only to current and former military members, as well as their families. Comparatively, AAA coverage is available in only 14 states and Puerto Rico.
Bottom line
Although USAA and AAA's coverage is not available to everyone, if you happen to qualify for one or both, consider getting a quote to help you find the best car insurance.
Both companies can help you save more compared to some other insurance carriers, and they each have sound financial ratings. Additionally, USAA has relatively high claims satisfaction scores, and AAA may have some coverage options and discounts that you can't find with USAA.
When researching insurance companies, remember to get at least three quotes and read customer reviews to help you find the right coverage at the right price.
Average rate:
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