Choosing an auto insurance company is sometimes difficult: every company's rates differ by location, age, and driving history, and every company provides a different set of discounts. USAA and American Family are two of the most popular insurers, providing affordable insurance policies in many states.
In an effort to simplify the process of comparing insurance companies, we have gathered average costs from American Family and USAA. These take into account a variety of rating factors, including credit, driving record, and age. Examine these rates and find your next car insurance policy today.
Seeking additional insights? Read our full reviews of USAA and American Family.
If you have very bad credit, American Family could be a better option for you. On average, American Family offers lower rates than USAA for drivers with credit scores of lower than 580. Drivers with excellent credit — a score of 800 or better — should opt for USAA, which typically beats American Family by $101 per year. Check out typical insurance rates by credit tier for American Family and USAA below.
| Credit level | USAA avg. annual premium | American Family avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,682 | $1,931 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,247 | $1,294 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,057 | $1,220 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $910 | $1,009 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $840 | $941 |
If you have an at-fault accident, ticket, reckless driving violation, or DUI in your recent history, USAA could be a better choice than American Family. Every car insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so it's worth comparing quotes to find out which insurance company suits you.
| Citation | USAA avg. annual premium | American Family avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,304 | $1,763 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $947 | $990 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,952 | $1,857 |
| Reckless driving | $1,472 | $1,857 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,124 | $1,270 |
Car insurance companies use a driver's age to estimate risk, assigning rates accordingly. Insurance is often priciest for teen drivers — because of their inexperience — and relatively affordable for middle-aged drivers. Since every insurance company evaluates ages in a different way, it's worth comparing rates and shopping around.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose USAA over American Family: USAA offers average yearly savings of $946, compared to American Family.
| Age | USAA avg. annual premium | American Family avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $2,864 | $3,810 |
| 20s | $1,261 | $1,685 |
| 30s | $963 | $1,685 |
| 40s | $957 | $1,089 |
| 50s | $889 | $1,089 |
| 60s | $845 | $986 |
Costs aside, there are myriad pros and cons of both USAA and American Family, including their discount programs, add-ons, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Dive into the data before making your decision.
| Discount Comparison | USAA | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| Good Student | ||
| Multiple Policies | ||
| Multiple Vehicles | ||
| Anti-Theft Device(s) | ||
| Anti-Lock Brake System | ||
| Air Bags | ||
| Good Driver | ||
| Defensive Driver | ||
| Student Away at School | ||
| Driver Training | ||
| Green Vehicles | ||
| Affinity Membership Alum | ||
| Advanced Purchase | ||
| Pay in Full | ||
| Home Owner | ||
| eSign or ePay | ||
| Telematics | ||
| New Vehicle | ||
| Annual Mileage | ||
| Military |
| Ratings Comparison | USAA | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | Excellent |
| JD Power Rankings | ||
| User Satisfaction | A++ | A |
| Other Products | USAA | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | USAA | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| About | USAA is known for their award-winning service, distinguished products and making their customers' needs a priority. | American Family strives to provide their customers with industry-leading service, an exceptional claims experience and products that build long-term relationships. |
| Roadside Assistance | 24-hour roadside assistance is included in all of USAA's Extended Vehicle Protection programs. Pricing varies depending on which plan you select. Roadside assistance will pay up to $100 per occurrence of the following: towing service, flat tire change, emergency gas delivery, battery jump, and locksmith services. Substitute Transportation is available up to $250 per occurrence. Travel/Lodging Reimbursement is available up to $300 per occurrence. | American Family’s Emergency Roadside Service covers reasonable costs you can incur if you're car breaks down. These costs may include mechanical labor for up to one hour at the place of your vehicle’s breakdown, towing to the nearest place where the necessary repairs can be made, delivery of gas and oil, the cost of labor for a tire change or battery charge (not including the cost of any delivered item), and the cost of labor for locksmith services (not including the cost to replace locks or keys). |
| Additional Discounts | USAA offers additional discounts for vehicles with daytime running lights and vehicles in storage, as well as a legacy discount for members under 25 years old whose parents have had USAA auto insurance. | None Available |
| Recent Questions | Our son-in-law is a USAA member (Navy). Can we join also? Parents are not eligible for USAA. I believe USAA eligibility flows "downstream" — so descendants, i.e. Can my brother use his insurance for damage he caused to my vehicle?Unfortunately, car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. In this case, he cannot use his own insurance to cover the damage he caused to your vehicle. Agree to be paid out of pocket with driver with no licenseTo sum, having her pay out of pocket might be your best option. Let me explain. Can I get USAA insurance from son in lawAlthough I am not a licensed agent for USAA, it is my understanding that you need to be a child or spouse of an established members to get a policy. Meaning, you wouldn't be eligible to get your own policy away from your son-in-law. See More Questions | |
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| Top States | Arizona California Florida Illinois Michigan New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas | Arizona California Florida Illinois Michigan New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas |