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

AAA has cheaper premiums and higher customer satisfaction, but Liberty Mutual offers the consistency and availability of a major insurer.

Erin Gobler
Written byErin Gobler
Erin Gobler
Erin Gobler
  • 5+ years of finance writing experience 

  • Certificate of financial planning from Boston University

Erin is a personal finance writer and journalist with work featured in major publications. Her writing explores investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.

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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie 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
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.

Updated March 26, 2024

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When you’re shopping around for auto insurance, you should consider coverage from AAA and Liberty Mutual. AAA is a membership-based company that offers cheaper coverage than Liberty Mutual on average. Liberty Mutual has more coverage options and consistent offerings nationwide.

Before signing up for auto insurance, it’s a good idea to shop around and get quotes from multiple companies, including AAA and Liberty Mutual. By comparing rates, customer service, discounts, and coverage options, you can find the best car insurance company offering the cheapest coverage for you.

Here’s what you need to know about AAA and Liberty Mutual before you buy a new auto insurance policy.

Quick Facts
  • Liability car insurance costs an average of $91 per month from AAA and $96 from Liberty Mutual.

  • A number of regional insurers, like CSAA and the Auto Club of Southern California, underwrite car insurance policies for AAA drivers.

  • Neither AAA nor Liberty Mutual lead in customer or claims satisfaction, but AAA companies rank better in J.D. Power customer satisfaction studies.

AAA vs. Liberty Mutual: The verdict

AAA and Liberty Mutual are popular insurance companies that provide quality coverage options. Overall, more customers may find AAA to be the better choice due to its affordable cost and higher customer satisfaction. But you may prefer working with a major insurer like Liberty Mutual due to the consistency in coverage offerings and reliability.

Ultimately, the best insurer for you will depend on your driving record, age, coverage needs, ZIP code, and more. When shopping around for coverage, always keep an open mind to find the best and cheapest insurer for you.

Here’s how AAA and Liberty Mutual compare.

FactorAAALiberty Mutual
Insurify Quality (IQ) Score3.53.8
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score820 out of 1,000799 out of 1,000
Average quote: liability only$91$96
Number of available discounts1013
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.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    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. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

AAA

Founded more than 115 years ago, AAA offers roadside assistance services and auto insurance under an umbrella of different companies. Auto Club Enterprises Insurance Group holds 1.45% of the private-passenger auto market share, CSAA holds 1.11%, and Automobile Club Michigan Group holds 0.7%.[1]

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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.
$91/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.
$145/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

Margaret - March 24, 2024
Verified

Excellent

The agent I worked with was more than excellent.

Leslie - March 24, 2024
Verified

Poor Customer Service

They charged me for someone who is not in my home for the card that provides road service, and they kept adding $30 each month without explaining why!

Dolores - March 24, 2024
Verified

Excellent

They still offer the lowest rate in the market for us.
Read our CSAA review

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual Insurance is the sixth-largest auto insurer in the country, with about 5% of the market share. Despite its popularity and a wide array of coverage and discount options, it has generally low satisfaction rankings among its customers and a high number of complaints.

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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.
3.8
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
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.
$96/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.
$202/mo

In business for more than 100 years, Liberty Mutual offers auto, homeowners, condo, renters, flood, life and other insurance products. Policyholders have access to 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 from A.M. Best and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the company has three times the expected rate of complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index, and low ratings on consumer review sites Trustpilot and Sitejabber.

Pros
  • Wide range of available discounts

  • Accident forgiveness available

Cons
  • Many negative reviews and customer complaints

  • Premiums are relatively high compared to industry average

Teresa - March 25, 2024
Verified

High rates

In my opinion, the rates are high.

Judith - March 24, 2024
Verified

Frustrated and Disappointed!

Starting my policy a month behind without informing me was the first mistake. Having to wait on hold for mediocre customer service is very frustrating!

Roberta - March 24, 2024
Verified

Some Good and Some Bad!

Be sure to compare rates.
Read our Liberty Mutual review

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AAA SMARTtrek vs. Liberty Mutual RightTrack

Both AAA and Liberty Mutual offer telematics programs that allow you to save on your premiums based on their driving habits.

AAA’s SMARTtrek program tracks driving habits — including smoothness, phone use, speed, and duration — using a mobile app. AAA members who participate will see all their driving results, along with feedback on how to drive more safely. You can save up to 10% on your premiums for signing up.

Similarly, Liberty Mutual’s RightTrack program tracks your trips for 90 days using a mobile app to receive a score and qualify for a discount. It tracks braking, acceleration, nighttime driving, rush-hour driving, low-speed driving, and distracted driving. You can save 10% on premiums for enrolling in the program and up to 30% based on your driving habits.

AAA vs. Liberty Mutual: Which is the cheapest?

AAA and Liberty Mutual both offer insurance premiums that are lower than the overall national average. It’s important to know that each insurance company uses its own formula to set insurance rates, taking into account information like your age, gender, driving history, location, credit score, and more.[2]

You may find that the insurer that offers the cheapest rates for you is different from the cheapest on average. Shop around with several companies to find the best rates for your unique situation, either by working with an insurance agent or broker or by shopping online.

AAA: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

Good drivers with clean driving records free of violations generally pay the lowest rates. AAA offers slightly lower rates than Liberty Mutual for drivers with clean records.

Driver TypeAAALiberty Mutual
Clean driving record$91$96
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.

AAA: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

If you have a speeding ticket on your driving record, you may find cheaper rates through AAA than Liberty Mutual. Having a speeding ticket on your record will likely cause an increase in your premium either way.

Driver TypeAAALiberty Mutual
Drivers with a speeding ticket$113$129
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.

AAA: Cheapest for teen drivers

Young drivers, especially teenagers, pay the highest insurance premiums of any demographic due to a lack of driving experience and higher risk. Teen drivers can earn cheaper rates with AAA, on average.

Driver TypeAAALiberty Mutual
18-year-old$143$154
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.

AAA: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

Your credit score can have a significant effect on your insurance premiums. A bad credit score often results in higher premiums. Drivers with poor credit pay less on average with AAA.

Driver TypeAAALiberty Mutual
Drivers with bad credit$104$120
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.

AAA: Cheapest for senior drivers

Insurance premiums tend to decrease throughout your life but may increase again once you reach your 70s. AAA charges significantly lower rates for older drivers than Liberty Mutual.

Driver TypeAAALiberty Mutual
Senior drivers$66$78
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. Liberty Mutual

With a wide range of coverage offerings, AAA and Liberty Mutual stand out in the insurance industry. Both insurers offer standard types of car insurance coverage, including liability insurance, comprehensive insurance, and collision insurance. Both offer optional coverage add-ons like new-car replacement, gap insurance, and accident forgiveness.

Liberty Mutual offers teacher auto insurance, but AAA doesn’t. However, you’ll have almost every option available to you with either company.

CoverageAAALiberty Mutual
New-car replacementYesYes
Rental car reimbursementYesYes
Gap coverageYesYes
Original parts replacementYesYes
Teachers auto insuranceNoYes
Accident forgivenessYesYes
Vanishing deductibleYesYes
Roadside assistanceYesYes

Compare discounts: AAA vs. Liberty Mutual

Discounts can help you save money on your auto insurance premiums, and both insurers have plenty of discounts you can qualify for with some variation. For example, Liberty Mutual offers a discount for military members, but AAA doesn’t.

Both companies provide the most standard discounts, including savings for earning good grades, setting up auto pay, and bundling your policy with other insurance products like home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance. It’s important to note that AAA discount availability can vary by location and AAA car insurance company.

See how AAA and Liberty Mutual car insurance compare in popular discount offerings.

DiscountAAALiberty Mutual
Clean driving recordYesYes
Defensive driving courseNoNo
Multi-policyYesYes
Multi-carYesYes
Low mileageNoNo
Telematics (safe driving app)YesYes
Anti-theft deviceYesNo
New carYesNo
Military/affiliationNoYes
Good studentYesYes
LoyaltyNoNo
Auto payYesYes
Student away at schoolYesYes
HomeownerNoYes
Alternative fuelNoNo

AAA vs. Liberty Mutual FAQs

The following information should answer your remaining questions and help you decide which insurer works best for your insurance coverage needs. Before comparing quotes from AAA, Liberty Mutual, and other insurers, you should determine how much coverage you need.

  • Why is Liberty Mutual so cheap?

    Though it’s more expensive on average than AAA, Liberty Mutual’s premiums are still below the national average. Liberty Mutual customers may earn affordable rates due to the company’s wide variety of discount options. Ultimately, how much you pay for coverage will depend on your driver profile and location.

  • Is AAA a good place to get auto insurance or are its rates too high?

    AAA can be a great option for auto insurance. It has car insurance rates below the overall national average and solid discount offerings. But whether it’s a good insurer for you depends on your personal situation. It’s important to get a quote from AAA and several other auto insurance companies to determine how rates compare.

  • Does Liberty Mutual have good car insurance?

    Liberty Mutual is one of the largest auto insurers in the U.S. It offers affordable policies with more coverage options than many competitors while maintaining excellent financial strength.

    But each person has a unique situation and insurance needs. You should always determine the right types of insurance and coverage levels for you when shopping around for quotes.

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.

Sources

  1. 2022 Property and Casualty Market Share. "National Association of Insurance Commissioners." Accessed February 15, 2024
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed February 15, 2024
Erin Gobler
Erin Gobler

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.

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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