AAA vs Travelers: Which is Better for You?
- The Zebra's pick: Travelers
- Travelers is cheaper and has better ratings than AAA.
- Your experience with Travelers and AAA will vary based on individual rating factors.
Why you can trust The Zebra
Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as a licensed insurance professional and content strategis…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 6+ years of experience in the insurance industry
Beth Swanson is The Zebra’s Insurance Analyst and Communications Specialist, covering content, PR, and legislative insurance trends. A licensed insur…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- Associate in Insurance (AINS)
- Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specialized in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.
Ross h…
Credentials
- 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
AAA vs. Travelers: What's the difference?
The Zebra's choice: Travelers
While scores for both companies are similar, Travelers offers lower rates on average.
AAA:
- Cost: $101/month for full coverage
- Customer service: 3.3
- Claims handling: 3
- Digital experience: 4.8
- Trust: 4
- Overall rating: 3.9
AAA wins when it comes to digital experience
Travelers:
- Cost: $61/month for full coverage
- Customer service: 3.8
- Claims handling: 3
- Digital experience: 3.8
- Trust: 4.5
- Overall rating: 3.8
Travelers takes the win for cheaper rates, claims handling, and better trust scores
AAA vs. Travelers: rates for high-risk drivers
If you've got a speeding ticket or DUI/DWI in your driving record, Travelers could be a better choice than AAA. Each auto insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so don't be afraid to shop around to figure out which insurer suits you.
| Citation | AAA avg. annual premium | Travelers avg. annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $4,078 | N/A |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $4,002 | N/A |
| DUI/DWI | $5,530 | $2,004 |
| Reckless driving | $5,530 | N/A |
| Speeding ticket | $4,078 | $1,752 |
The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
AAA vs. Travelers: rates by age
Auto insurance companies rely on a driver's age to indicate risk, pricing premiums accordingly. An auto insurance policy is commonly more expensive for teen drivers — due to their inexperience — and most affordable for middle-aged and older drivers. Because every car insurance company rates ages differently, it's wise to compare rates and find great coverage.
For drivers in every age group — including teen drivers — Travelers was significantly more affordable than AAA.
| Age tier | AAA avg. annual premium | Travelers avg. annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | $10,256 | $3,622 |
| 20s | $4,644 | $1,645 |
| 30s | $4,644 | $1,348 |
| 40s | $3,195 | $1,237 |
| 50s | $3,083 | $1,167 |
| 60s | $2,887 | $1,165 |
Aside from finances, AAA and Travelers each carry pros and cons, including their customer satisfaction ratings, discount programs, add-ons and financial stability. Be sure to get quotes and compare rates before purchasing a policy.
Compare rates and start saving today!
AAA vs. Travelers: discount comparison
Below you can see a head-to-head rundown of discount options for auto insurance.
Due to AAA's partnerships with other car insurance companies to provide policies, some of these discount options may not be available in some locations. Always ask about what discounts you are eligible for when shopping for your policy.
Telematics options: AAA vs. Travelers
Both AAA and Travelers offer telematics programs, which determine your car insurance premium based on how you drive. This data is usually collected via an app or plug-in device. Find out more about each company's telematics options below.
Depending on the state in which they reside, some customers may be able to sign up for OnBoard, AAA's telematics option. The company boasts savings of 15% at sign-up, with total savings of up to 30% possible for eligible drivers. However, there is no separate app at the time of writing, meaning that all participants must download the AAA mobile app.
Travelers IntelliDrive offers drivers the chance to save up to 20%. Participating policyholders must download a mobile app that tracks your driving habits for 90 days, after which time you might see savings. Bear in mind that this program is not available in all states.
Zebra Tip: Explore both insurers for telematics offerings
Traveler's IntelliDrive and AAA's OnBoard operate similarly and could provide comparable savings for safe drivers.
Roadside assistance: AAA vs. Travelers
Below you'll find a breakdown of the different types of roadside assistance available from each company.
AAA
Perhaps no other company is more closely associated with roadside assistance than AAA. For that reason, it's no surprise that the company has an expansive selection of options available to both members and policyholders. Below is a list of options available:
- Jumpstarts
- Towing
- Fuel delivery
- Vehicle lockout
- flat tire service
- Stuck vehicle services
AAA offers different levels of membership that apply to roadside assistance. Those in higher tiers are often reimbursed for larger amounts or eligible for towing for longer distances. The highest tier even offers trip interruption coverage.
Travelers
Travelers offers two tiers of Roadside assistance, both available 24-hours a day. Have a look at how each package compares below:
| Plan features | Basic plan | Premier Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Towing | Yes (up to 15 miles) | Yes (up to 100 miles) |
| Jump starts | Yes | Yes |
| Fuel Delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Flat tire change | Yes | Yes |
| Lockout services | Yes | Yes |
| Winching services | Yes | Yes |
| Trip interruption coverage* | No | Yes |
| Personal property coverage** | No | Yes |
| Plan features | Basic plan | Premier Roadside Assistance |
| Towing | Yes (up to 15 miles) | Yes (up to 100 miles) |
| Jump starts | Yes | Yes |
| Fuel Delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Flat tire change | Yes | Yes |
| Lockout services | Yes | Yes |
*Covers up to $200 per day, up to a maximum of $600
** Provides $500 of coverage for personal property damaged or stolen
AAA vs. Travelers: home insurance
While both companies have a sizable presence in the auto insurance industry, Travelers is more popular for homeowners coverage than AAA. See our comparison to find out which company might be the best fit for your home insurance needs.
AAA homeowners insurance review
As with AAA's car insurance offering, the company partners with a number of affiliated insurers to provide homeowners coverage. These companies include CSAA and Auto Club Indemnity Company. Ratings of AAA's home insurance offering are a composite of these companies in an effort to give a broad idea of what customers can expect.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.2/5: AAA ranked 14th in the overall homeowners carrier category of The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey.
- Customer Service (J.D. Power) — Below Average: The average J.D. Power ranking of CSAA and Auto Club of Southern California Insurance group comes in just shy of the average for customer satisfaction.
- Financial Strength (AM Best) — Excellent: With a financial rating of “excellent,” you can rest assured AAA will be able to handle your claims.
- Claims Satisfaction (NAIC) — Fewer complaints than average: The average number of complaints across different branches of AAA homeowners insurance companies is fewer than average.
Travelers homeowners review
Travelers has a large footprint in the home insurance space. The company has a variety of coverage options, discounts and reasonable rates overall. However, the company's homeowners offering didn't do quite as well in The Zebra Customers Satisfaction Survey. Find out more about the company and its ratings below.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.3/5: Travelers received a 4.3 out of 5 in The Zebra's survey of customer satisfaction, 14th out of 15 companies.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Average: In J.D. Power's most recent property claims satisfaction report, Travelers came in just below the industry average.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: Travelers fell below the industry average in J.D. Power's customer satisfaction study.
- Financial strength — Excellent: According to AM Best, Travelers has strong financials and will be able to handle your claims.
- NAIC Rating — Good: Fewer complaints were logged by the NAIC in regards to Travelers' homeowners insurance, falling just below the national complaint index.
Which company comes out on top?
Tie
In this case, both companies come out very close in terms of homeowners insurance ratings. As a prospective customer, you should compare quotes and coverage options from each company to see which is best for your unique coverage needs.
AAA vs. Travelers: home insurance rate comparison
The average annual home insurance rate for AAA is $1,212, while Travelers comes in higher at about $1,500. Travelers and AAA both differ in their underwriting methods, so it's important to remember that your quotes may not match these exactly when you are searching for home coverage.
Similar to car insurance, homeowners insurance prices can vary based on certain personal and location factors. Companies use not only your insurance history when putting together your quotes, but also historical data for the neighborhood, including crime rates, location to fire fighting services, and the likelihood of natural disasters.
The insurer with the cheapest home insurance rates is AAA at around $101 per month, somewhat cheaper than Traveler's average of $125 per month.
The Zebra’s homeowners insurance data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
AAA vs. Travelers: homeowners discount comparison
Both AAA and Travelers provide discounts to homeowners who meet certain criteria. While these discounts are not as plentiful as many competitor companies, they may still help customers find significant savings.
| Discount comparison | AAA | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | |
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid in full | ||
| Early signing | ||
| Auto pay | ✓ | |
| Green home | ✓ |
Zebra tip: Check out Travelers if you are seeking home insurance discounts
Travelers offers far more discount options than AAA for qualifying customers, though this doesn't necessarily mean that they will be cheaper for everyone.
Other insurance products and bundling options
Both AAA and Travelers have many insurance products available. Many of these can be bundled together for additional savings. See how the product offerings from AAA and Travelers compare below.
| Other products | AAA | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel trailer insurance | ✓ | |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile home insurance | ||
| Umbrella | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offroad vehicles and ATVs | ✓ | ✓ |
Find the best insurance policy for your needs.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.
