American Family Insurance vs. USAA: Which Has Cheaper Car Insurance Rates in 2023
Enter your Insurance Company Comparison zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
UPDATED: Mar 14, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
- USAA car insurance is available only to active and retired military and their family members
- USAA’s rates are often 20%-30% cheaper than those of other car insurance companies
- American Family offers a higher discount for using its driving app than USAA
- American Family doesn’t have a military or garaging discount
You’re researching American Family and USAA car insurance, but you have questions. What is USAA? What does USAA stand for? Is there a catch?
USAA stands for United Services Automobile Association — which means you’re eligible for coverage if you or your family member serve in any branch of the military.
A cheap car insurance policy with this company is available only to active and retired military and their family members.
In our American Family vs. USAA car insurance guide, we compare car insurance rates by age, driving record, and credit score. Which company will provide the best and cheapest car insurance for you?
We also compare available discounts and ratings from agencies with a credible and trustworthy view of American Family vs. USAA car insurance companies.
Before jumping into this American Family vs. USAA car insurance review, enter your ZIP code to start comparing multiple companies in your area.
Is American Family car insurance or USAA car insurance cheaper based on age?
The more we drive, the safer and more aware we become behind the wheel. For this reason, car insurance companies use age as one of the most influential factors in quoting your car insurance rates.
In most states, it’s legal to base car insurance rates on marital status and gender; however, some have banned this. What’s easier to find, affordable American Family vs. USAA car insurance quotes?
Let’s compare American Family insurance rates and USAA insurance rates based on age, gender, and marital status.
Demographic | American Family Average Annual Rates | USAA Average Annual Rates |
---|---|---|
Single 17-year-old female | $5,997 | $4,808 |
Single 17-year-old male | $8,131 | $5,386 |
Single 25-year-old female | $2,289 | $1,989 |
Single 25-year-old male | $2,695 | $2,126 |
Married 35-year-old female | $2,203 | $1,551 |
Married 35-year-old male | $2,224 | $1,540 |
Married 60-year-old female | $1,993 | $1,450 |
Married 60-year-old male | $2,014 | $1,449 |
Generally, expect USAA car insurance rates to be about 25%-30% cheaper than most other car insurance companies.
Wondering about USAA vs. American Family car insurance for teen drivers? Insurance rates for teens will always be higher because they lack experience.
USAA insurance rates for teen drivers are significantly lower than American Family rates for this demographic, especially for male teens.
If you have a teenage boy on your policy and you’re eligible for USAA, this should be an easy choice.
Is American Family car insurance or USAA car insurance cheaper based on driving record?
Speeding tickets, accidents, or DUIs on your driving record will raise your car insurance rates no matter what company you pick because these infractions make you look like a high-risk driver.
Infraction | American Family Average Annual Rates | USAA Average Annual Rates |
---|---|---|
Clean record | $2,694 | $1,934 |
With one speeding violation | $3,026 | $2,193 |
With one accident | $3,723 | $2,516 |
With one DUI | $4,330 | $3,506 |
When it comes to rates by driving record, USAA car insurance quotes are about half the amount of American Family car insurance quotes.
However, USAA takes accidents and DUIs much more seriously. Rates with USAA will increase your rates by 30%-81% if you are in an accident or get a DUI.
American Family will only raise your rates by 12%-61% if you are in an accident or get a DUI.
Is American Family car insurance or USAA car insurance cheaper based on credit score?
If you experience some type of financial trauma such as incurring medical debt or going through a divorce, your good credit score can drop in a matter of months.
In most states, it’s legal for car insurance companies to factor in your credit score when determining your rates; however, some are banning this practice along with factoring in gender and marital status.
Car insurance companies justify checking your credit score based on the assumption that those with higher credit scores are more responsible and less likely to file a claim.
Let’s take a look at how American Family and USAA set rates for drivers with different credit scores.
Credit History | American Family Average Annual Rates | USAA Average Annual Rates |
---|---|---|
Good Credit (670-739) | $2,692 | $1,821 |
Fair Credit Score (580-669) | $3,170 | $2,220 |
Poor Credit Score (300-579) | $4,468 | $3,691 |
Again, USAA will usually have the cheapest insurance rates compared to other car insurance companies.
Your rates with American Family will increase 18%-66% if your credit score drops significantly; rates with USAA will more than double.
You may live in a state where basing car insurance on credit score is illegal. Be sure to check out our car insurance by state page before judging American Family vs. USAA car insurance rates based on credit score alone.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Does American Family or USAA have better car insurance discounts?
If you have a bad driving record or a low credit score, getting good discounts will offset your high rates.
USAA has more discounts than American Family based on our records, but it never hurts to ask an agent to make sure you’re taking advantage of as many discounts as possible.
Discounts | American Family | USAA |
---|---|---|
Adaptive Cruise Control | n/a | n/a |
Adaptive Headlights | n/a | n/a |
Anti-lock Brakes | yes | n/a |
Anti-Theft | yes | n/a |
Claim Free | yes | 12 |
Continuous Coverage | yes | n/a |
Daytime Running Lights | n/a | n/a |
Defensive Driver | 10 | 3 |
Distant Student | n/a | n/a |
Driver's Ed | n/a | 3 |
Driving Device/App | 40 | 5 |
Early Signing | n/a | 12 |
Electronic Stability Control | n/a | n/a |
Emergency Deployment | yes | n/a |
Engaged Couple | yes | n/a |
Family Legacy | yes | 10 |
Family Plan | yes | n/a |
Farm Vehicle | yes | n/a |
Fast 5 | yes | n/a |
Federal Employee | yes | n/a |
Forward Collision Warning | n/a | n/a |
Full Payment | n/a | n/a |
Further Education | yes | n/a |
Garaging/Storing | yes | 90 |
Good Credit | n/a | n/a |
Good Student | n/a | 3 |
Green Vehicle | n/a | n/a |
Homeowner | yes | n/a |
Lane Departure Warning | n/a | n/a |
Life Insurance | n/a | n/a |
Low Mileage | n/a | n/a |
Loyalty | yes | n/a |
Married | n/a | n/a |
Membership/Group | n/a | n/a |
Military | yes | n/a |
Military Garaging | yes | 15 |
Multiple Drivers | n/a | n/a |
Multiple Policies | n/a | n/a |
Multiple Vehicles | n/a | n/a |
New Address | n/a | n/a |
New Customer/New Plan | n/a | n/a |
New Graduate | yes | n/a |
Newer Vehicle | yes | 12 |
Newly Licensed | n/a | n/a |
Newlyweds | n/a | n/a |
Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker | n/a | n/a |
Occasional Operator | n/a | n/a |
Occupation | n/a | n/a |
On Time Payments | n/a | n/a |
Online Shopper | n/a | n/a |
Paperless Documents | n/a | n/a |
Paperless/Auto Billing | n/a | 3 |
Passive Restraint | 30 | n/a |
Recent Retirees | yes | n/a |
Renter | yes | n/a |
Roadside Assistance | yes | n/a |
Safe Driver | n/a | 12 |
Seat Belt Use | n/a | n/a |
Senior Driver | n/a | n/a |
Stable Residence | yes | n/a |
Students & Alumni | n/a | n/a |
Switching Provider | n/a | n/a |
Utility Vehicle | n/a | n/a |
Vehicle Recovery | yes | n/a |
VIN Etching | yes | n/a |
Volunteer | yes | n/a |
Young Driver | n/a | $75 |
American Family car insurance company offers discounts of 10%-40% for taking defensive driver training, having air bags, and using its driving device or app.
American Family and USAA both offer up to a 20% discount for using their driving app or device.
USAA car insurance company may offer lower discounts, but those that are offered are pretty good. You can save 10%-12% by being a family legacy, signing early, driving a newer vehicle, being claim-free, and being a safe driver.
And, with USAA, if you’re an active military member and get deployed, you will get a 90% discount for garaging your vehicle while you’re away.
Our records show that American Family doesn’t have a military or garaging discount, but it still pays to get a quote because car insurance companies are offering new discounts daily to keep up with the competition.
If you’re interested in USAA vs. American Family home insurance, be sure to ask an agent about bundling discounts.
Does American Family or USAA have better car insurance mobile apps?
Usage-based car insurance has become a hot trend in the car insurance industry in the last decade or so, and all of the best car insurance companies have a driving app that uses your mobile phone or a device installed into your vehicle.
Large car insurance companies also provide a more general app to enable you to pay your bill, make changes to your coverage levels, and provide electronic verification of insurance in states that permit this.
How do American Family and USAA car insurance compare in financial strength and customer satisfaction?
Purchasing car insurance is an important financial responsibility, so you want to make sure you’re selecting the right company that will be there for you when you need it most.
A company’s financial strength, customer satisfaction with the claims process, and customer complaints should be reviewed prior to making your decision.
The following three agencies provide insight into these factors:
A.M. Best scores companies based on their ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations, such as balancing premiums collected and claims paid. The highest score A.M. Best awards is Superior A++.
Consumer Reports collects annual data from its subscribers regarding customer satisfaction of the claims process, step by step. In its 2017 survey, 27 insurance companies were rated, and scores ranged from 86 to 96.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners collect (NAIC) a complaint ratio based on the total number of customers vs. the total number of complaints.
In 2017, the national average complaint ratio was one. The lower the ratio, the better.
Rating Agency | American Family | USAA |
---|---|---|
AM Best Rating | A | A++ |
Consumer Reports | 89 | 95 |
NAIC Company Complaint Ratio | 0.79 | 0.74 |
NAIC Total Complaints | 73 | 296 |
With A.M. Best, American Family comes in strong with an excellent rating, but USAA has the highest possible rating. This should be helpful when deciding to buy American Family vs. USAA car insurance.
The two companies are also highly competitive when it comes to customer complaint ratios. Both are below 1.0, which is a good sign of customer satisfaction.
Also a strong sign of customer satisfaction through the claims process, USAA has a much higher score than American Family from Consumer Reports.
Before you choose between American Family vs. USAA car insurance, enter your ZIP code to compare multiple car insurance companies in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a named operator policy?
- Will Geico insure a car not in my name?
- What Is Covered in a Jeep Powertrain Warranty? 2023
- Cheapest Jeep Insurance Rates in 2023
- Do trucks cost more to insure?
- How long does a DUI stay on your record?
- Does the Porsche Club of America offer car insurance?
- View All Coverage Questions
Popular Rate Quotes
- Ford F-150 Insurance
- Ford Escape Insurance
- Chevrolet Equinox Insurance
- Toyota Rav4 Insurance
- Honda CR-V Insurance
- Toyota Camry Insurance
- Honda Civic Insurance
- Dodge Ram Insurance
- Toyota Sienna Insurance
Compare Rates and Save
Find companies with the cheapest rates in your area