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AARP and AAA are both worthwhile membership programs that offer various perks for their members, including car insurance.
Of the two companies, AAA may be a more affordable option for car insurance than AARP, primarily because of its many discounts. It's especially better for teens and younger drivers because it offers good student and away-at-school discounts. You also don't need to be a AAA member to get coverage, though being one gets you a discount. However, AAA car insurance is only available in 14 states. Since the underwriting insurer differs by state, the benefits, coverage, and discounts may also vary.
AARP's car insurance, offered through The Hartford, may be a better option if you're over 50. I'm an AARP member and have looked into The Hartford, but I found that it's on the high side. While the cost of coverage may be higher than that of AAA and other insurers, The Hartford ranks in the top 10 for overall customer satisfaction for claims and has a lower-than-average number of customer complaints.
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.
AARP pros and cons
- AARP membership offers many other perks like travel discounts, car rental discounts, life insurance, dental coverage, and vision insurance.
- The Hartford ranks above average for overall claims satisfaction.
- Coverage is for AARP members only.
- You must be at least 50 to buy a policy through The Hartford.
Learn more in our The Hartford review.
AAA pros and cons
- AAA offers many different insurance discount options.
- It serves both members and nonmembers in the available states.
- It has a strong A+ financial strength rating from AM Best.
- Availability is limited to 14 states.
- Membership is required to enjoy the most discounts.
- Policy coverage and discounts can vary depending on the underwriting insurer.
Learn more in our AAA review.
Which company is better?
| AARP | AAA | |
| AM Best | A+ | A+ |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 701/1,000 | Varies from 692/1,000 for Automobile Club Group to 706/1,000 for Auto Club of Southern California |
| BBB | A+ (Not accredited) | A+ (Accredited) |
| NAIC complaints (private passenger) | 0.79 (below average) | N/A |
When it comes to various insurance industry ratings, neither AARP nor AAA comes out better than the other. Both have an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best, indicating financial stability.
As far as overall claims satisfaction rankings in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, AARP ranked slightly above average at 701 out of 1,000 while AAA's ranking varied by the regional company. For example, Automobile Club Group was below average at 692 out of 1,000 while the Auto Club of Southern California ranked above average at 706 out of 1,000. (The study average was 697.)
AAA received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The Hartford, AARP's car insurance provider, also has an A+ rating from the BBB but isn't accredited.
Judging whether AARP or AAA is better by looking at the customer complaints received is a bit difficult. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), AARP has below average number of customer complaints. However, it's hard to determine how many customer complaints AAA receives because the company provides its car insurance coverage through different insurers within the states it serves.
So, you have to look up the provider in each state, and those results can vary. For example, in Nebraska, the AAA car insurance underwriter is CSAA, which receives an average number of complaints.
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Which company is cheaper?
Overall, you may find that AAA's car insurance rates are cheaper than AARP's car insurance through The Hartford. As an AARP member, I decided not to go with The Hartford because their rates were higher than my current insurer's. I also got a quote from AAA, which was higher than what I am currently paying but also included the cost of a AAA membership ($64.99 per year at the cheapest level).
That said, comparing these two insurers on price is a little difficult. As noted, AAA's policies and premiums vary by ZIP code, so there isn't really meaningful data available on average cost, as there could be differences in price between local AAA clubs even within one state.
For context, though, here are the national averages across insurers so you can get a rough idea of what you might expect to pay with AAA. But again, your own policy quote will vary.
| Driver type | National average liability-only monthly premium | National average full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $105 | $192 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $141 | $265 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $146 | $274 |
| DUI on driving record | $166 | $313 |
| Teen driver | $194 | $364 |
| Senior driver | $85 | $160 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Compare these numbers to The Hartford's rates below to get an idea of where your AARP insurance might fall in relation to national averages.
| Driver type | The Hartford liability-only monthly premium | The Hartford full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $90 | $164 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $139 | $254 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $145 | $264 |
| DUI on driving record | $131 | $239 |
| Teen driver | $197 | $358 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $56 | $102 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $56 | $101 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Clean driving record
For drivers with a clean driving record, AAA may be slightly cheaper than The Hartford for liability-only coverage and significantly cheaper for full coverage. However, that may vary depending on the AAA underwriter in your state. Both companies offer safe driver discounts.
Average rate:
Speeding ticket on driving record
Drivers with a speeding ticket may also find that car insurance is cheaper through AAA than AARP's The Hartford. Again, the savings may be larger on full coverage policies.
At-fault accident on driving record
Getting in an accident where you're at fault can definitely increase your car insurance premiums. However, both AAA and AARP offer accident forgiveness for drivers they insure. This benefit protects you from seeing a jump in your premium costs after an at-fault accident.
DUI on driving record
Driving under the influence can threaten your ability to find car insurance coverage. If an insurer agrees to provide you coverage, it will most likely be a high-risk driver policy that will cost much more than if you had a clean record. Both The Hartford and AAA insure high-risk drivers, but you may find that AAA offers more affordable rates than The Hartford.
Teen driver
AAA is likely the better choice for insuring teen drivers because it offers good student discounts for teen drivers with a 3.0 GPA or higher. While insurance policies through The Hartford are only available to AARP members who are at least 50 years old, you can add teens to your policy, but the insurer's rates tend to be much higher.
Senior driver
Senior drivers may find that AARP's car insurance through The Hartford is cheaper because AARP membership is designed for those aged 50 and over. Unlike AAA, The Hartford also offers senior discounts. However, Insurify data showed similar or lower rates for drivers with CSAA.
Discounts
Like many car insurance companies, AARP and AAA offer discounts that can help you save money on car insurance. AAA has a more extensive list of discounts available, and you get a discount if you're a member (although membership isn't required).
AARP's insurance through The Hartford is designed specifically for seniors, so it makes sense that seniors get a discount on their insurance coverage. On the flip side, because you must be 50 to buy a policy from The Hartford, it's understandable that the insurer doesn't offer good student and away-from-home student discounts that benefit teen and young adult drivers.
| Discount | Does AARP have it? | Does AAA have it? |
| Loyalty | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | No | Yes |
| Airbag | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-lock brakes | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft | Yes | Yes |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | No | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | No | Yes |
| New car | No | Yes |
| Pay in full | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic payments | No | Yes |
| GAP insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Senior | Yes | No |
| Military | No | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
The Hartford TrueLane vs. AAADrive
Both AARP and AAA offer optional telematics programs that reward you for good driving habits. The Hartford has its TrueLane program, and AAA has AAADrive.
The programs are similar in that, if you enroll, you're prompted to download a mobile app that tracks your driving habits, such as your speed, acceleration, braking, and phone use while driving. You then receive a score on your driving performance.
If this score is good, then you may see your premiums decrease when you renew your policy. The Hartford claims you can save up to 40% on your car insurance using TrueLane, and AAADrive advertises up to a 25% discount.
Coverage
Both AARP and AAA provide liability insurance, which is required for drivers in most states. They also offer other standard car insurance coverages, such as collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. They also provide guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance, which you may need for a financed or leased car.
Where AARP and AAA differ is in some of their specialty insurance coverages. For example, The Hartford (AARP) offers full auto glass coverage, which covers the full cost of repairing or replacing windows, mirrors, and headlights. AAA's Enhanced Total Loss Replacement coverage will replace your car with a new model if it's totaled in an accident.
Here are the types of insurance coverage that both The Hartford and AAA offer.
- Bodily injury liability
- Property damage liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Medical payments
- Rental car reimbursement
- GAP insurance
- Roadside assistance
FAQs
How do I contact AARP?
To contact AARP about car insurance, you need to reach out to The Hartford. You can call 888-546-9099 for auto insurance quotes. For customer service, call 800-423-6789.
How do I contact AAA?
You can visit a local AAA office, contact a AAA insurance agent, or phone your local AAA auto club for general inquiries, questions about your policy, or quotes for a new policy. You can find your local club using AAA's search tool.
Which is better, AAA or AARP?
When it comes down to whether AAA or AARP is better, the choice depends on what you're looking for in car insurance coverage. AAA is often better because it offers more discounts, which are some of the best ways to lower your car insurance. It's also available for more drivers, including teens and young adults, though it's limited to just 14 states.
AARP's auto insurance policies through The Hartford are unavailable to drivers under age 50, so the company is a better choice for seniors. The Hartford also offers senior discounts. While you must be an AARP member to qualify for coverage, your membership includes many more benefits. If you've already joined AARP, it's worth checking out their car insurance options.
Bottom line
Choosing between AARP and AAA for car insurance ultimately depends on your age, location, and driving needs. If you're over 50 and already an AARP member, The Hartford offers tailored membership benefits and strong customer satisfaction. But if you are a younger driver, need more discount opportunities, or want flexible eligibility, AAA could be a more budget-friendly fit — assuming you live in one of the 14 states it serves.
Compare quotes from both providers and check out some of the other best car insurance companies to see which best aligns with your lifestyle and budget.
Average rate:
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