AAA is a group of insurance companies, and pricing, coverage options, ratings, and discounts vary by region. It's key to get quotes from both AAA and Allstate before choosing between the two companies. That said, AAA generally fares better for customer satisfaction in most areas while Allstate is better rated for financial strength.
AAA is a good choice for drivers seeking full coverage insurance in the Southwest, especially households with a teen driver. CSAA, the AAA auto insurer for the region, is top rated for customer satisfaction and offers cheaper full coverage premiums on average than Allstate, particularly for teens.
However, AAA requires that drivers in many cities purchase an AAA membership in order to qualify for auto insurance, which impacts your total cost. It's important to weigh the options for your individual circumstances. You may also decide on another insurer altogether.
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.
AAA pros and cons
- Affordable premiums and exclusive discounts for AAA members
- May offer GAP insurance and new car replacement coverage
- Ratings and coverage options vary by region
- May require AAA membership
Learn more in our AAA review.
Allstate pros and cons
- Premium credits and rewards for safe driving
- Optional accident forgiveness
- 24/7 chat support
- Below-average J.D. Power rating for claims satisfaction
- Subpar usage-based program
Learn more in our Allstate review.
Which company is better?
Because each AAA auto club has its own third-party ratings, it's tough to compare AAA's reputation to Allstate's. In general, Allstate stands out for its high financial strength grade from AM Best, which indicates the company has a superior financial ability to pay out claims to policyholders.
AAA insurers fare better than Allstate in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, with all three AAA insurance companies scoring higher than Allstate. But the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, which more broadly measures customer satisfaction in each region, shows differences from one region to the next. For example, Allstate performs better in the North Central region while AAA is top rated in the Southwest.
Likewise, NAIC complaint indices for AAA vary by underwriter. Allstate has about the expected number of complaints with the NAIC relative to its size. Both companies have poor customer reviews on average, but AAA is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.
If you can't decide between AAA and Allstate, you may want to consider some of our top picks for the best car insurance companies. Other auto insurers have stronger ratings than Allstate and AAA, and you may find them more affordable as well.
AAA | Allstate | |
AM Best | A- or A (Excellent) | A+ (Superior) |
J.D. Power claims satisfaction | Varies by underwriter | 691/1,000 (below average) |
BBB | Accredited with an A+ rating | Not accredited |
NAIC complaints (private passenger) | Varies by underwriter | 1.02 (About expected) |
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Which company is cheaper?
AAA offers auto insurance through several regional underwriters that may have different pricing. CSAA Insurance Group, which underwrites AAA car insurance in the largest number of states, charges slightly lower full coverage car insurance rates on average than Allstate. But Allstate offers cheaper liability-only premiums on average.
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 |
Driver type | Allstate liability-only monthly premium | Allstate full coverage monthly premium |
Clean driving record | $59 | $128 |
Speeding ticket on driving record | $71 | $154 |
At-fault accident on driving record | $75 | $162 |
DUI on driving record | $96 | $207 |
Teen driver | $118 | $254 |
Senior driver | $44 | $95 |
Data sourced from Insurify |
Clean driving record
CSAA offers slightly cheaper premiums to drivers with a clean record for full coverage insurance, but Allstate beats CSAA when it comes to liability premiums. What's more, Allstate's Safe Driving Bonus and Deductible Rewards programs allow you to earn a credit and a lower deductible for each period you remain accident free. But you'll need to get an individual quote with AAA to get accurate pricing information, especially if CSAA is not the underwriter in your region.
Average rate:
Speeding ticket on driving record
Allstate offers cheaper premiums for drivers with speeding tickets than CSAA. But again, premiums for AAA auto insurance vary by zip code, and since we only have data for CSAA, it's important to compare quotes in your region.
At-fault accident on driving record
Average rates for CSAA car insurance are more expensive for drivers with at-fault accidents. If you caused an accident recently, you might save money by choosing Allstate, particularly if you're opting for liability-only coverage. But it's important to compare quotes from Allstate and the AAA insurance company in your area before making a decision.
DUI on driving record
CSAA and Allstate charge similar rates to DUI drivers on average, but CSAA is slightly cheaper for full coverage, and Allstate is cheaper for liability-only coverage. Depending on where you live, buying car insurance with a DUI may be cheaper through AAA than Allstate, so make sure to compare quotes.
Teen driver
CSAA offers affordable rates to teens on average, especially for full coverage. Its average premium of $190 per month for teen drivers is significantly lower than both Allstate and the national average. But liability-only insurance for teens is slightly cheaper at Allstate. While both companies offer the teenSMART driving program, which offers premium savings and teaches teens safe driving habits, Allstate offers it in more states than AAA.
Senior driver
CSAA offers cheaper full coverage car insurance rates for drivers in their 60s and 70s, while Allstate offers cheaper liability-only insurance rates. But the two insurers are close in price for senior drivers, and actual premiums vary by region, so it's worth getting a quote from both Allstate and AAA.
Discounts
AAA car insurance discounts vary by state, but the company offers a unique premium discount for AAA members in some states. If you already have a AAA membership for the company's roadside assistance service, you can benefit from exclusive discounts and bundling options when you sign up for AAA auto insurance. In some cities, AAA membership may be required to purchase AAA auto insurance.
Allstate offers a shorter list of discounts than some competitors, but the company offers several ways for young drivers to qualify for a discount. Allstate also provides unique rewards for drivers who maintain a clean record.
The chart below shows the common discounts each company offers to lower your car insurance premium. Keep in mind that available discounts vary depending on which auto club underwrites your AAA policy. Allstate discounts may also vary by state so ask your insurance agent which savings opportunities you qualify for.
Discount | Does AAA have it? | Does Allstate have it? |
Loyalty | Yes | No |
Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
Multiple vehicle | Yes | No |
Airbag | Yes | No |
Anti-lock brakes | Yes | Yes |
Anti-theft | Yes | Yes |
Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
Good student | Yes | Yes |
Away-from-home student | Yes | Yes |
New car | Yes | Yes |
Pay in full | Yes | Yes |
Automatic payments | Yes | Yes |
GAP insurance | Yes | Yes |
Senior | No | No |
Military | No | No |
Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
AAA Usage-based programs vs. Allstate Drivewise
Usage-based programs can help you save money on car insurance if you avoid risky driving behaviors.
AAA's regional insurance providers offer their own usage-based programs.
- SMARTtrek: Offers a 10% enrollment discount, then uses a mobile app to track your driving behavior and apply a discount or surcharge to your premium
- AAADrive: Allows you to get driving feedback before enrolling and potentially earn a discount if you meet the requirements after signing up
- MySafeDrive: Save up to 10% when enrolling and up to 20% when your policy renews
- AAA OnBoard: Save up to 15% when enrolling and up to 30% when your policy renews
AAA's usage-based/telematics programs were not rated by J.D. Power in the 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Allstate ranked below average with a score of 818/1,000.
Allstate Drivewise offers crash detection and the potential for a discount on your premium if you take the minimum number of trips and avoid risky driving behaviors. But your rate could also increase in some states with high-risk driving. If you're interested in saving money with a usage-based program, you may want to check out higher-rated programs from Nationwide or GEICO.
Coverage
The coverages available from AAA vary by state, but you can expect to find all the standard coverages. In some states, you can also buy GAP insurance or new car replacement coverage, which are two ways to protect your investment if you recently bought a new vehicle. AAA may also offer accidental death benefits, a helpful add-on for folks who don't have life insurance.
Note that AAA auto insurance doesn't include roadside assistance, but an AAA membership provides roadside assistance for any vehicle you drive.
Allstate offers unique coverage for classic cars and tourist policies for people who drive to Mexico. The company also provides low-cost rideshare coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers and offers roadside assistance as an add-on.
Both AAA and Allstate offer:
- Bodily injury liability
- Property damage liability
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Medical payments
- Personal injury protection
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
- Rental car reimbursement
- GAP insurance
FAQs
How do I contact AAA?
You can use the AAA office locator to find the contact information for your local auto club or search for "Contact AAA in [Your State]" in your search engine of choice. You can also call the number on your AAA membership card.
How do I contact Allstate?
To reach Allstate customer service, you can call 1-800-726-6033, send an email, or use Allstate's 24/7 chat support. Existing Allstate customers can also access many self-service options through the online portal or mobile app.
Is Allstate or Triple A better?
Since AAA uses several regional insurance companies to write its policies, it's tough to compare the company generally to Allstate. But AAA companies are better rated for claims satisfaction while Allstate is better rated for financial strength. The best company for you will depend on your state, your coverage needs, and your individual premium quote.
Bottom line
If you're deciding between Allstate and AAA, it's best to start by comparing car insurance quotes from both companies along with a few other auto insurers. In addition to pricing, consider the coverage options and discounts available from each company in your area. Generally speaking, Allstate wins for financial strength while AAA companies are better rated for customer satisfaction in most areas. But the best company for you will depend on your location and coverage needs.
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