AAA vs. Allstate: Which Is the Best? (2024)

Allstate’s above-average customer satisfaction score and higher Insurify Quality (IQ) Score may make it a better choice for auto coverage than AAA.

Sarah Sharkey
Written bySarah Sharkey
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer
  • 7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • Contributor to top media, including USA Today

A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.

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Katie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 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 April 17, 2024

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Allstate is one of the largest companies in the insurance industry. In contrast, AAA works with various regional insurance partners to offer car insurance options to its members, but you’ll still find coverage in every state.

Each company has strengths and weaknesses. For example, Allstate earned a higher customer satisfaction rating in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Additionally, Allstate offers more robust coverage options. But AAA stands out for its roadside assistance services, which require a separate membership fee.

You should take a close look at each company and consider how your insurance needs match up. Compare quotes from these insurers, as well as customer service, coverage options, and discount opportunities.

Quick Facts
  • Both Allstate and AAA earn high Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores of 4.2 and 3.5, respectively.

  • Allstate is available to everyone. But you’ll need to purchase an AAA membership to qualify for car insurance options provided by regional partners.

  • Allstate offers more coverage options than AAA.

AAA vs. Allstate: The verdict

Allstate earned a higher Insurify Quality (IQ) Score than one of AAA’s regional partners, CSAA. Allstate also tends to offer lower car insurance premiums than AAA. However, AAA offers a few more ways to score a discount than Allstate, which could affect how much you pay.

Most drivers know of AAA through its roadside assistance membership program. But the company also works with a network of regional insurance companies to provide car insurance policies. Notably, drivers have to pay for a AAA membership to access insurance options through AAA.

Drivers who already have an AAA membership and prefer the emphasis on rescues in roadside emergencies might choose to work with AAA. However, drivers who want a wider range of coverage options and cheaper policies might find what they’re looking for with Allstate.

FactorAAAAllstate
IQ Score3.54.2
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score800 out of 1,000814 out of 1,000
Average quote: liability only$90$62
Number of available discounts1514
Number of states where it operates5050
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Our editorial team spent 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. Criteria are weighted 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 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: We use 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 20,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered 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 United States, 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 identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.

AAA

AAA offers emergency roadside assistance plans, which cover services like a jump-start or fuel delivery. The company also partners with regional insurance companies to offer car insurance coverage to AAA members. For example, coverage is available through the CSAA Insurance Group in some locations.

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IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.5
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815
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.
$90/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.
$142/mo

When AAA began in 1902, it was a small, members-only motor club. The organization introduced insurance coverage for members a few decades later. Other aspects of the club, like exclusive discounts, travel help, and emergency roadside assistance, have stayed the same throughout the years. Today, the company partners with regional insurance companies to offer insurance coverage for millions of members.

Pros
  • Unique membership perks like travel discounts and members only DMV locations

  • Standard extra coverage such as roadside assistance

  • High customer satisfaction

Cons
  • Limited company options

  • AAA membership is required to obtain coverage

  • Coverage varies based on location

Read our CSAA review
Jay - April 16, 2024
Verified

Detailed Experience with AAA in a High-Risk Area

I have been using AAA for auto insurance for 7 years and have had a combined auto and home insurance policy for two or three years. However, I must admit that my home coverage is limited to Fire & Liability. My house is located less than 5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, but it's 70 feet above sea level, so wind is my primary concern. I have taken measures to secure my home against wind damage, including upgrading my garage door to a 150 mph rating, reinforcing all our second-story windows, and installing hurricane-rated installations including all the French doors on both floors. I have also reinforced the gable ends of the original part of the house and the second-story roof is a hip design. We even installed hurricane-rated skylights in the old gable roof. Storm flood surge is not a concern for us unless there's an extreme event like a Chixalub asteroid hit in the Gulf. We have weathered the after-effects of several former cyclones with ratings of 1 & 2. Consequently, I have not had to submit any claims for the home or our two automobiles for over a decade. My biggest complaint is the lack of personal service since my agent left AAA about a year ago. I have not been able to find a replacement locally. After I complained about this, they sent me a renewal policy with a premium that has doubled. However, this is due to how Florida manages disaster insurance. Every time there's a major cyclone event, every car, home, business, etc. insurance policy gets an assessment to pay for the uncovered damages when the local insurers go out of business or move to another state. This is a penalty for the inadequate insurance business model that uses state-run insurance corporations to cover those who cannot get insurance elsewhere. These corporations are usually unable to cover hurricane or sinkhole risks for everyone. The system doesn't help the average household very much unless you are wealthy or you self-insure.

Lora - April 15, 2024
Verified

Parking Lot Accident

A man hit my car in a parking lot while I was backing up. I was more than 5 feet out of the parking space. The man, in his 90s, was driving too fast and didn't see my car. However, AAA deemed it my fault.

James - April 15, 2024
Verified

Excellent

I received quotes from multiple companies and, all things considered, none were better than AAA!

Allstate

Allstate is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States. Not only did the company earn an above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score, but it also earned a higher IQ Score and offers lower rates. The company has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best.

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IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.2
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
833
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.
$62/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.
$138/mo

Founded by Sears department store executives in 1931, Allstate offers auto, home, motorcycle, ATV, renters, condo, and term life insurance. Operating in all 50 states, the company has superior ratings from A.M. Best for financial strength and credit. However, Allstate has many negative reviews on consumer websites, and a slightly higher-than-average complaint rating in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Consumer Complaint Index. Allstate offers many discounts, including for good students, multiple policies, bundling auto and home insurance, new vehicles, safe driving, and good payment history.

Pros
  • Well-established with superior ratings from A.M. Best

  • Pay-per-mile option available

Cons
  • Low customer satisfaction

  • Rates are merely average compared to other insurers

Read our Allstate review
Michael - April 16, 2024
Verified

Poor Customer Service and Website

The customer service is poor. The website is also poor.

Roderick - April 16, 2024
Verified

Searching for a Good Agent

It started out great, but since my agent retired, I don't feel welcome anymore.

Elinor - April 16, 2024
Verified

Very Good

My broker, Jarred Smoke, is terrific!

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AAA SMARTtrek vs. Allstate Drivewise

Allstate and AAA both have telematics programs that provide drivers the opportunity to earn a discount for safe driving habits.

The AAA SMARTtrek program offers a participation discount of up to 10%. Once you allow the mobile app to track your driving behavior, you can easily check your driving scores for every drive you complete. Depending on your habits, the program can help you earn a policy discount for safe driving.

Allstate’s Drivewise program is an option for any Allstate policyholder to enroll in. When you sign up for the program, you’ll allow the mobile app to track your driving behavior. Throughout the program, you can earn a policy credit for safe driving habits every six months. The exact amount you’ll save varies based on your driving habits.

AAA vs. Allstate: Which is the cheapest?

Car insurance companies consider many different factors when determining your car insurance premiums. Your age, gender, driving record, and location can all influence how much you pay for auto coverage.

Since everyone’s situation is unique, it’s useful to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to make an informed decision for your situation. But Allstate generally offers cheaper rates than AAA.

Allstate: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

Drivers without any incidents like car accidents or speeding tickets pay lower rates with Allstate. The table below shows the average liability rates from AAA and Allstate.

Driver TypeAAAAllstate
Clean driving record$90$62
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Allstate: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

Drivers with an incident on their driving record, like a speeding ticket, DUI, or at-fault accident, pay more for car insurance. On average, drivers with a speeding ticket pay less for car insurance with Allstate.

In the table below, you can see how each insurance company’s liability-only policy compares in cost.

Driver TypeAAAAllstate
18-year-old$143$108
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Allstate: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

Drivers with poor credit typically pay more for car insurance than people with good credit. Here are the average liability coverage costs for drivers with poor credit from AAA and Allstate.

Driver TypeAAAAllstate
Drivers with bad credit$103$67
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Allstate: Cheapest for senior drivers

Senior drivers can find more affordable car insurance premiums with Allstate over AAA. But it’s still a good idea to shop around to find the most affordable option for your situation.

Driver TypeAAAAllstate
Senior drivers$65$49
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Compare coverages: AAA vs. Allstate

Both AAA and Allstate offer standard coverage options, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Only AAA members can choose to purchase auto insurance through an AAA partner.

Beyond the basics, Allstate and AAA each offer ample add-ons like gap insurance and rideshare insurance. Although people know AAA best for roadside service, both companies offer roadside assistance coverage, which could include the help of a tow truck. If you’re looking for more than basic roadside assistance, AAA is likely the better car insurance company for you.

However, Allstate doesn’t offer trip interruption coverage, while AAA does.

CoverageAAAAllstate
Gap insuranceYesYes
Rideshare insuranceYesYes
Emergency road service coverageYesYes
Rental car reimbursementYesYes
Travel expenses coverageYesNo

Compare discounts: AAA vs. Allstate

AAA and Allstate each offer a wide range of discounts. For example, you might score a discount from either insurer by earning good grades or purchasing multiple types of policies through the same company. AAA offers a slightly wider selection of discounts, which can make a difference to your budget, though specific discount offerings vary by AAA insurer.

The table below highlights some key discounts available to drivers through each insurance company.

DiscountAAAAllstate
Clean driving recordYesNo
Defensive driving courseYesNo
Multi-policyYesYes
Multi-carYesNo
Low mileageYesNo
Telematics (safe driving app)YesYes
Anti-theft deviceYesYes
New carNoYes
Military/affiliationYes (AAA membership discount)No
Good studentYesYes
LoyaltyYesNo
AutopayYesYes
Student away at schoolYesNo
HomeownerNoNo
Alternative fuelNoNo

AAA vs. Allstate FAQs

Determining the right car insurance company for you will depend on your specific coverage needs. The following information should help answer your remaining questions about coverage from AAA and Allstate.

  • Is Allstate more expensive than AAA?

    Typically, no. On average, Allstate offers more affordable car insurance premiums than AAA, but it’ll depend on your location, driving record, and more. Allstate drivers pay $62 per month for liability insurance and $138 for full-coverage insurance, on average.

    For comparison, the average cost of coverage from CSAA is $90 per month for liability and $142 for full coverage.

  • Does Allstate Insurance have a good reputation?

    An above-average customer satisfaction rating in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study indicates the company has a relatively good financial reputation. And customers filed a below-average number of complaints for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index.

  • Do you have to be a AAA member to buy its insurance?

    Yes. You have to have a AAA membership to buy its car insurance products. At least one covered driver must have a membership. An AAA membership provides access to help during roadside emergencies like a flat tire.

  • Is AAA good at paying claims?

    Yes. AAA has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, which indicates a strong financial position to pay out claims.

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 50+ 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • 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.

Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 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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