USAA vs Amica

USAA, founded in 1922 by Army officers, has grown to become one of the largest auto insurance providers by market share in the U.S. It exclusively focuses on the needs of veterans, current military members and qualifying family members by limiting membership to these groups.

Amica is even older, founded in 1907, and is the oldest mutual automobile insurance provider in the U.S. As a mutual company, Amica returns some dividends to policyholders, depending on the financial metrics of the year. Amica emphasizes customer satisfaction and continuously receives high marks among the J.D. Power overall customer satisfaction survey. If you are interested in getting a quote from Amica, you can visit its website at amica.com.

• Bankrate Score methodology

  Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

  • Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
  • Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
  • Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

  Tier scores are unweighted to show the company’s true score in each category out of a possible five points.

USAA vs. Amica comparison

USAA and Amica are both highly-rated car insurance companies that offer coverage in most states. However, USAA only offers insurance to its members, and membership is limited to military members, veterans and their qualifying family members, while Amica does not have membership restrictions and is therefore available to a wider demographic. Still, both companies offer a number of potential benefits and downsides to drivers, and it may be helpful to consider these pros and cons when determining the best fit for your insurance needs.

USAA pros and cons

Amica pros and cons

Is USAA cheaper than Amica?

USAA offers cheaper average annual car insurance premiums for full and minimum coverage when compared to Amica. Drivers who purchase a full coverage car insurance policy with USAA will pay $106 less per year on average compared to drivers who purchase full coverage from Amica.

• Car insurance rates methodology

  Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  • $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  • $500 collision deductible
  • $500 comprehensive deductible

  To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Amica is generally cheaper for drivers with poor credit

Both car insurance carriers offer lower than average car insurance premiums if you have a good or excellent credit rating. While credit scores play an important role in determining auto insurance rates, a few states prohibit using these scores to calculate rates. This includes California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

• Rates by credit score methodology

  Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit the use of credit-based insurance scores as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

USAA is generally cheaper for young drivers

When adding young drivers to a parents’ policy, car insurance rates typically increase significantly. That’s because car insurance companies consider young and teen drivers to be at higher risk to insure due to their lack of driving experience. In general, USAA offers cheaper average rates for young drivers. The table below shows the average annual premium rates for full coverage for young drivers added to a parents’ policy from both Amica and USAA:

• Rates by age (young drivers) methodology

  The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a 16- through 20-year-old driver added to their parents’ policy. The total cost for the 18-year-old is related to a driver on their own insurance policy. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

USAA is generally cheaper for adult drivers

Car insurance rates tend to become cheaper after a certain age, as the risk is statistically lower when insuring a driver with more experience behind the wheel. For example, average rates drop significantly after the age of 40. In general, however, USAA offers the cheaper average rates for adult drivers when compared to Amica. The table below outlines each company’s average annual premium for adult drivers:

• Rates by age (adult drivers) methodology

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

USAA is generally cheaper for high-risk drivers

If you have a speeding ticket, accident or DUI conviction on your record, you can generally expect to pay more than drivers with a clean driving record. DUIs are one of the most serious driving infractions, and drivers can expect to pay significantly more with any insurance company if they have a DUI conviction on their record. However, USAA offers the cheapest average rates for high-risk drivers when compared with Amica. The table below includes average high-risk rate data for USAA and Amica, but there is no guarantee that either company will offer you a policy with a DUI on your record.

• Rates by driving record methodology

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

USAA vs Amica: discounts

Discounts are a simple way to save more on premiums. USAA and Amica both offer common discount opportunities to drivers, including bundling, multi-vehicle savings and good student discounts. There are also a few unique discounts each carrier offers, which may help you save more than you would through another insurance provider. For example, USAA offers military installation, SafePilot, and family discounts, while Amica offers accident-free, student away at school, and anti-theft installation discounts.

USAA unique discounts

• Good student discount: If you have a driver under the age of 25 in your policy, they might be eligible for a discount provided they uphold a GPA of B or higher. This could be especially beneficial for teenage and young drivers.
• Family discount: If you were previously covered under your parents’ or guardians’ USAA policy in the past could result in increased savings when securing your own policy. This discount could cut your premiums by as much as 10 percent.
• Military installation: Storing or garaging your vehicle on a military base could lead to savings. USAA provides a potential 15 percent discount on comprehensive coverage for vehicles kept on base. (This option is not available in NY.)

Amica unique discounts

• Homeownership: If you own a home, you may be eligible for a discount. The best part is, this discount is available even if your homeowners policy is not with Amica.
• Loyalty: If you have been a policyholder with the same insurer for at least two years, you may qualify for a loyalty discount. The discount is based on the number of years as a customer.
• Parent’s loyalty: If one of your parents has been an Amica policyholder, it may mean more savings for you when it’s time to get your own policy. Ask about this discount if your parents have been with Amica for at least five years.

USAA vs Amica: customer experience comparison

One of the key areas to consider when comparing USAA vs. Amica is the customer experience provided by both carriers. Both companies are considered among the best in the business when it comes to customer satisfaction regarding claims, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. In general, customers of these companies tend to be among the most satisfied with the service received during the claims process.

Both USAA and Amica provide robust online and mobile app support for policyholders. Whether you want to file a claim, change your policy, check the status of a claim, call for roadside assistance or make a payment, both auto insurers offer online capabilities.

USAA

• Apple store (4.8/5) — The USAA iOS app is highly rated, with customers positively touting the ease of use and design. Using the app gives you access to EVA, a digital voice assistant available for USAA policyholders needing more assistance. Users can also access all insurance information and request roadside assistance from in app.
• Google Play (4.8/5) — The ratings for the Android USAA app are lower than the Apple version, although it has the same features. The biggest complaint appears to be the frequent updates and freezes.

Amica

• Apple store (4.8/5) — The Amica iOS app is also well-received and provides many policy-management functions. You can even add additional coverages to your policy through the app. Users can request roadside assistance and pay bills via the app.
• Google Play (3.5/5) — The Android version has the same features and functions as the Apple version. The ratings are lower on Android, where users raise issues with functionality and the ability to make payments.

Frequently asked questions

• • Is USAA cheaper than Amica?

    Rates are dependent on a variety of personal factors, so your rates may be higher or lower. Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to examine average rates and found in many circumstances, USAA is less expensive than Amica. However, the best way to determine which carrier will be cheaper for you is to request car insurance quotes from both carriers if you’re eligible for USAA.

  • What is the best car insurance company?

    The best car insurance company is different for every driver. Determining what the best car insurance company is for your unique circumstances will depend on your needs, budget and circumstances. It may be helpful to start by considering what types of features and services you’ll want, whether it’s access to a local agency or mobile app functionality that lets you manage your policies from your phone. It may also be useful to think about what kind of coverage options you want, and what options are available at each carrier, as well as the discounts you may qualify for to lower your premium.

  • How do I start a quote?

    Many prominent insurers, including USAA and Amica, provide various options for requesting quotes. With USAA, the first step is establishing eligibility, after which you can generate a quote either online or over the phone. Both USAA and Amica offer the option of in-person meetings, and Amica has offices located nationwide for this purpose.

  • Do USAA and Amica offer homeowners insurance?

    USAA and Amica both offer homeowners insurance policies to customers who need this type of coverage. Both carriers offer an array of add-on coverage options, online quote access and other unique tools for homeowners searching for the right policy. In addition, both companies offer bundling discounts, which may help you save money on your coverage costs by purchasing both your homeowners insurance and car insurance with the same company.