USAA vs. Amica

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?

When comparing car insurance rates between USAA and Amica, it can be useful to examine how each performs across a variety of driver profiles to see which is the cheapest car insurance company. This comparison not only highlights USAA's general trend of offering lower rates but also presents Amica's rates as a viable option for those who may not meet USAA's specific membership criteria. Refer to the detailed table below to gain a clear perspective on potential savings and evaluate which provider might offer you the best coverage in terms of cost efficiency.

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.

Discounts available from both carriers

Both USAA and Amica provide several discount opportunities that could offer potential savings on your car insurance premiums. Exploring these discounts may help you determine which provider offers the best financial advantage for your specific circumstances.

• Bundling home and auto: USAA offers up to 10 percent off property insurance when bundling with auto, while Amica can save you up to 30 percent when you bundle auto and home insurance.
• Multi-car discount: Amica offers up to 25 percent off when you insure multiple vehicles, whereas USAA also provides a discount for multi-car policies, but it does not specify the amount.
• Driver safety discount: Both carriers offer discounts for completing approved driver safety courses, encouraging safer driving habits that may also lower your insurance rates.

USAA 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 discounts

• Homeownership: If you own a home, you may be eligible for a discount. 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 and Amica telematics programs

Telematics programs, which monitor driving behavior through various technological means, have become a cornerstone of modern auto insurance, offering tailored premiums based on individual driving habits. Both USAA and Amica incorporate these advanced tools into their insurance offerings, helping policyholders potentially reduce their rates by demonstrating safe driving. USAA's SafePilot and Amica's StreetSmart are prime examples of how these programs can benefit drivers who maintain good driving habits. The detailed comparison below outlines key features and differences between the two, such as the type of device used, program availability and specific driving behaviors monitored.

USAA vs Amica: customer experience comparison

One of the key areas to consider when trying to determine if USAA is better than 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.

Customer complaints

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index serves as a critical tool for evaluating an insurer's customer satisfaction relative to its size. This index is calculated by comparing the number of validated complaints an insurance company receives in a year to its total market share. Essentially, the index provides a standardized measure, with a baseline index of 1.0 representing the industry average. Insurers scoring above 1.0 have more complaints than expected for their size, while scores below 1.0 indicate fewer complaints, suggesting potentially better customer satisfaction. This metric can be helpful for consumers looking to gauge the reliability and customer service quality of an insurance provider.

USAA auto insurance customer complaints

Amica auto insurance customer complaints

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates in July 2024 for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates include the most recent approved rate changes filed by insurance companies that affect our profile. These revised rates are then weighted based on the population density in each geographic region so that policyholders can see the impact rates have in their areas. 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 2022 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 or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

Incidents: 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.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 25-70 (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.

Bankrate Scores

Our 2024 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.

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. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average 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, Demotech 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.