Which carrier has the best auto or home coverage for you?
Root and USAA both offer solid auto and homeowners insurance options. Use the following analysis comparing the two companies to decide which is right for you.
As one of the first insurance companies to fully adopt telematics technology, Root resides at the cutting edge of pricing strategies, assigning rates based on customers' driving habits instead of more traditional rating factors.
The company's eventual goal is to curtail the use of credit scores in its pricing tactics by 2025. Root auto insurance could be a solid option for those who drive less frequently.
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USAA is one of the most popular car insurance companies in the nation. The company regularly resides at the top of customer satisfaction surveys, including those conducted by The Zebra and J.D. Power. USAA has earned some of the industry's best ratings in customer and claims satisfaction.
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USAA's customer service, rates, and coverage are difficult to beat. The catch is that the company's coverage is only available to U.S. military service members and their families. For drivers ineligible for USAA, Root is a good option with some potential for savings.
We gathered ratings and reviews from leading third-party sources to measure claims satisfaction, customer complaint totals and other important factors. See below these ratings.
| Ratings comparison | Root | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Not Rated | Superior |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Not Rated | Excellent |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Not Rated | Excellent |
| NAIC rating | Below Average | Excellent |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | Not Rated | 4.6 |
USAA is among the highest-rated and -regarded insurance companies in the country, so it's no surprise it comes out on top in the comparison versus Root.
Findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,134 current U.S. auto and home insurance customers, with Census-balanced sampling by age, gender and region. Categories with n=<20 responses are considered insufficient sample size and are not reported. This survey was developed by The Zebra and executed by independent research firm Maru/Blue in 2021.
Compare the companies' discount options for car insurance in the below table.
USAA and Root both offer telematics programs that measure your driving habits and calculate the level of risk you pose. Telematics-powered insurance represents Root's primary value proposition and underpins the carrier's entire pricing strategy.
Root is among the most popular telematics insurance companies. Root uses its telematics app to gather information and calculate customer premiums. Rates are then set based on the driver's actions behind the wheel and total mileage, rather than on factors such as demographic information and credit score.
USAA's usage-based plan allows customers to have their driving habits monitored in exchange for cheaper auto insurance rates. A discount of 10% is available at signup, with savings of up to 30% possible for safe drivers at the next policy renewal.
Root's easy-to-use mobile app and telematics-native approach to insurance separate it from traditional companies (even those like USAA that offer telematics savings).
See below info on the roadside assistance packages offered by Root and USAA.
Every Root policy includes roadside assistance, helping drivers in the event of car trouble. One of the few extra coverages available from Root is rental car coverage. If you purchase this coverage, Root will reimburse costs up to a specific amount for a rental car until your vehicle is fixed or replaced after a collision. Root also reimburses its customers for rides through Lyft.
USAA offers the below roadside assistance services:
Note: USAA membership includes these services at reduced rates for policyholders who don't subscribe to roadside assistance.
Each company offers home insurance policies. Read the below comparison to figure out which company is the best fit for you.
Root allows its car insurance customers to add home insurance through its partnership with Homesite. Root home insurance is not available as a standalone insurance policy: a customer must be enrolled in Root's car insurance program to be eligible. Root claims customers who bundle home and auto policies receive 10% discounts on their home insurance premiums.
Based on Root's middling home insurance customer satisfaction scores, homeowners looking for top-notch customer satisfaction may want to find a policy with another carrier.
Similar to USAA's car insurance offerings, the company receives outstanding customer reviews and ratings from outside rating agencies. Indeed, The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey found USAA was the top company in each category offered.
For those homeowners with eligibility through military service, USAA is a fantastic option for homeowners insurance. The company's affordable rates and a wide selection of coverage options also contribute to its status as a great choice.
Each of the two companies offers home insurance discounts. Compare these side-by-side below.
| Discount comparison | Root | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ✓ | |
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) | ✓ | ✓ |
| New home construction | ✓ | ✓ |
Root and USAA both offer basic homeowners insurance discounts. When comparing insurance options, be sure to look out for discounts that apply to you.
Root and USAA offer other insurance products and the option to bundle policies to save money. Compare alternative offerings from the companies below.
| Other products | Root | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel trailer insurance | ✓ | |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | |
| Mobile home insurance | ✓ | |
| Umbrella | ✓ | |
| ATV insurance | ✓ | |
| Pet insurance | ✓ | |
| Commercial insurance | ✓ |
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 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.
