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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Safe Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | N/A |
| JD Power Rankings | Excellent | N/A |
| User Satisfaction | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Other Products | USAA | Safe Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | USAA | Safe Auto |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Am I covered for an accident if my policy had lapsed while without an Uber passenger?
Unfortunately, if there was no coverage in place, no company will honor the claim. Uber coverage is in place while the app is active, though this only covers liability.
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 license
To sum, having her pay out of pocket might be your best option. Let me explain.
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Should I get full coverage from a less well-known insurer?
Whether or not the company is a "mainstream" provider doesn't mean that you would have a bad claims experience. There are several companies out there that have been around for several years and just don't advertise like other companies.
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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