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At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
USAA, founded in 1922 by Army officers, has grown to become one of the largest auto insurance providers 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.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
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.
USAA vs Amica: car insurance rates comparison
When comparing USAA vs. Amica, you will notice both are highly rated in multiple areas. Both insurers earn impressive scores on Bankrate’s best insurance companies of 2021. Both earn high marks among the J.D. Power survey for customer service satisfaction and with AM Best financial strength ratings. We also awarded each company a Bankrate Score, with a maximum score of 5 out of 5, based on these factors, as well as the average premium data from Quadrant Information Services, along with policy features and discounts, mobile app accessibility and more. The better an insurance company performed in each of these categories, the higher its overall Bankrate Score.
| Car insurance company | Bankrate Score | AM Best | J.D. Power | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | 5.0 | A++ | 909/1,000* | $354 | $1,209 |
| Amica | 4.5 | A+ | 895/1,000 | $444 | $1,495 |
*Not officially ranked with J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions
Rates by credit score
Both car insurance carriers offer savings on 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. Washington attempted to ban the use of credit as a rating factor for insurance rates but the decision is still pending.
| Car insurance company | Poor | Average | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,317 | $1,309 | $1,209 | $1,070 |
| Amica | $2,255 | $1,572 | $1,495 | $1,418 |
Rates by age and marital status by age
Car insurance rates may also be impacted by your marital status or by adding young drivers onto your policy. Married drivers typically pay cheaper rates compared to single drivers. When adding young drivers to a policy, rates typically increase significantly. That’s because car insurance companies consider young and teen drivers to be higher risk due to their lack of driving experience behind the wheel.
| Car insurance company | Single | Married | Married with a 16-year-old driver* |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,209 | $1,038 | $3,001 |
| Amica | $1,495 | $1,537 | $3,788 |
Rates by driving record
A clean driving record is one of the best ways to secure low premiums. If you have a speeding ticket, accident or DUI conviction on your record, you can expect increased rates with both insurers.
| Car insurance company | Clean driving record | Speeding ticket | Accident | DUI conviction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,209 | $1,464 | $1,742 | $2,313 |
| Amica | $1,495 | $1,820 | $1,782 | $3,998 |
USAA vs Amica: discounts
Discounts are a simple way to save more on premiums. USAA and Amica both offer a menu of auto discounts, including bundling, multi-vehicle savings and good student savings. There are also a few unique discounts each carrier offers, which may help you save more than you would through another insurance company.
USAA
- Good student discount — If you’re a driver under the age of 25, maintaining a good GPA could result in an additional discount on your car insurance policy. This could be particularly advantageous for teen and young drivers.
- Family discount — If you were previously insured on your parents’ or guardians’ USAA policy, it could mean greater savings for you. This discount is worth up to 10% savings off premiums.
- Military Installation — If you store or garage your vehicle on base, you could save. USAA offers up to 15% savings on comprehensive coverage if you store your vehicle on base. (Not available in NY)
Amica
- 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. Ask about this discount if your parents have been with Amica for at least five years.
USAA vs Amica: online and mobile experience comparison
Both USAA and Amica provide robust online and mobile app support for policyholders. Whether you want to file 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.
- Google Play (4.3/5) — 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.
- Google Play (4.2/5) — The Android version has the same features and functions as the Apple version. The ratings are slightly lower than what USAA earns, but customers give positive reviews for an overall great customer experience.
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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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.
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Most major insurers, such as USAA and Amica, offer numerous ways to obtain quotes. You can first build a quote online or call the customer service number. Amica also has offices throughout the country if you prefer to meet in person.
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Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. 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 coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 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.
Credit-based insurance scores: 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. Washington’s ban on factoring credit in premiums is currently on hold in the courts.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
Status: Rates were evaluated based on the following marital/family status: single (base), married, 40 year married man and woman with a 16-year-old teen driver. Marital status is not a rating factor in HI and MI.
Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to a 40-year-old married couple’s policy. The rates displayed reflect the added cost to the parents’ policy.
Bankrate Score
Bankrate Scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry-standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience in addition to analysis of quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services, spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C. We know it is important for drivers and homeowners to be confident their financial protection covers the likeliest risks, is priced competitively and is provided by a financially-sound company with a history of positive customer support.
To determine how well the best car and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, S&P, NAIC, and Moody’s had the most impact on the companies’ Bankrate Scores. As price is a common consideration for drivers and homeowners, we analyzed quoted premiums based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with a 2019 Toyota Camry, as well as 40-year-old male and female homeowners with $250,000 in dwelling coverage. This profile, assessed across nearly 35,000 ZIP codes in the U.S., provided a basis on which drivers and homeowners may compare each provider.
While coverage options, insurer availability, affordability and customer experience are often the top priorities, Bankrate also analyzed each insurer’s online and mobile resources for policy management and claims handling. Insurance is rapidly evolving to keep pace with our digital world, so these aspects also carried weight in determining Bankrate Scores.
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