USAA or Safe Auto: Which Company is Best for You?
Picking an auto insurance company can be complicated: every company's rates differ based on your location, age, and driving history, and companies offer an array of discounts. USAA and Safe Auto are two of the US' most popular insurance companies, providing competitively priced coverage across large swaths of the US.
In an effort to make shopping for car insurance easier, we gathered typical policy rates from Safe Auto and USAA. These take into account an array of rating factors, chief among which are credit history, driving history, and age. Compare rates and find an affordable policy today.
Take a deep dive: Check out our full reviews of USAA and Safe Auto.
USAA vs. Safe Auto: premium comparison
USAA vs. Safe Auto: prices by credit level
If you have extremely bad credit, USAA could be the best option for you. Typically, USAA offers more affordable premiums than Safe Auto for drivers with credit scores of 579 or less. Those with extraordinary credit — a score of 800 or higher — should opt for USAA, which typically beats Safe Auto by $1,081 per year. Check out common insurance rates by credit tier for Safe Auto and USAA below.
COMPARING AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY CREDIT SCORE: Safe Auto VS. USAA
| Credit level | USAA avg. annual premium | Safe Auto avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,682 | $3,799 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,247 | $2,483 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,057 | $3,358 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $910 | $1,937 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $840 | $1,921 |
USAA vs. Safe Auto: rates for bad drivers
If you're saddled with an at-fault collision, ticket, reckless driving violation, or DUI on your résumé, USAA could be a better choice than Safe Auto. Each insurance company prices its policies differently, so it's worth comparing quotes to understand which insurer is best for you.
RATES BY VIOLATION: Safe Auto VS. USAA
| Violation | USAA avg. annual premium | Safe Auto avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,304 | $2,867 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $947 | $2,837 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,952 | $2,867 |
| Reckless driving | $1,472 | $2,867 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,124 | $2,738 |
USAA vs. Safe Auto: rates by age bracket
Auto insurance companies use age to estimate risk, pricing premiums accordingly. Car insurance is commonly more expensive for drivers younger than 25 — because of their inexperience — and more affordable for middle-aged drivers. Since each insurance company prices age tiers in a different way, it's wise to compare rates and find great coverage.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose USAA over Safe Auto: USAA offers average yearly savings of $5,398, compared to Safe Auto.
RATES BY AGE: Safe Auto VS. USAA
| Age bracket | USAA avg. annual premium | Safe Auto avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $2,864 | $8,262 |
| 20s | $1,261 | $2,764 |
| 30s | $963 | $2,764 |
| 40s | $957 | $2,053 |
| 50s | $889 | $1,862 |
| 60s | $845 | $1,707 |
Setting aside cost, USAA and Safe Auto each come with pros and cons, including their customer satisfaction ratings, discount programs, add-ons, and financial stability. Dive into the data before making your decision.
| Discount Comparison | USAA | Safe Auto |
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| Good Student |
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| Multiple Policies |
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| Multiple Vehicles |
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| Anti-Theft Device(s) |
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| Defensive Driver |
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| Student Away at School | ||
| Driver Training |
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| Affinity Membership Alum |
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| Pay in Full |
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| eSign or ePay | ||
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| New Vehicle |
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| Military |
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| Ratings Comparison | USAA | Safe Auto |
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| Financial Strength | Superior | N/A |
| JD Power Rankings | Excellent | N/A |
| User Satisfaction | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Other Products | USAA | Safe Auto |
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| Other Features | USAA | Safe Auto |
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| About | USAA is known for their award-winning service, distinguished products and making their customers' needs a priority. | Safe Auto strives to provide affordable insurance to every driver, no matter the situation. |
| 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. | Safe Auto's roadside assistance coverage pays for towing services and certain repair costs required to make your car operable. |
| Additional Discounts | USAA offers discounts for vehicles with daytime running lights and vehicles in storage, as well as a legacy discount for drivers under 25 years old whose parents have had USAA auto insurance. | Safe Auto specializes in providing minimum, state required coverage and full coverage to drivers who have had some trouble getting affordable rates due to tickets, accidents, and license issues. |
| Recent Questions |
Our son-in-law is a USAA member (Navy). Can we join also?
Parents are not eligible for USAA. USAA eligibility flows "downstream" — so descendants, i.e.
Can I get USAA insurance from son in law
Although I am not a licensed agent for USAA, it is my understanding that you need to be a child or spouse of an established member to get a policy. Meaning, you aren't eligible to get your own policy away from your son-in-law.
Does USAA membership extend to grandchildren
From my knowledge, your parent's would also have to be members in order for you to qualify. But, as I'm not an agent for USAA, I would call them and speak to an insurance agent directly.
Does my son-in-law's status as a Marine qualify me as USAA member?
USAA membership extends to spouses, children, and possibly parents. Assuming your child (who is married to your son-in-law) is on the membership as well, you may be able to qualify.
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Do I pay a deductible for a liability claim?
You are not responsible for a deductible unless you have comprehensive and collision coverage. Since you only have liability, the damages to your car will not be covered which means there is no deductible.
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