Allstate and USAA are giants in the U.S. insurance industry. Both are among the top five companies based on direct premiums written, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).[?]
For car insurance, USAA tends to be less expensive than Allstate, but it’s available only to military members and their families. While Allstate may be more expensive, it has extra coverage options and benefits that USAA doesn’t. And since Allstate doesn’t have membership restrictions, it’s worth a look.
Compare car insurance companies to see how Allstate and USAA stack up in terms of coverages, discounts, and customer satisfaction.
USAA has the highest J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating.
Allstate sells gap insurance, while USAA offers car replacement assistance.
USAA customers pay an average of $52 per month for liability-only insurance, while Allstate customers pay an average of $74 per month.
Allstate vs. USAA: Our verdict
If you qualify for USAA coverage, it’s hard to beat. Active and retired military service members and their families can save a significant amount by switching to USAA auto insurance.
The company offers robust coverage options and discounts that are available nationwide. As a result, USAA is one of the most affordable choices for anyone with military connections.
But if you aren’t eligible, Allstate is worth considering. It offers coverage nationwide, provides customizable policies, and has multiple discounts that can help reduce your costs.
No single insurer has the lowest rates or the best coverage for every driver. Shopping around and comparing personalized quotes from several insurers will help you find the best car insurance company for your needs.
Allstate vs. USAA
Allstate: Best for new-car owners
USAA: Best for qualifying service members and veterans
USAA vs. Allstate: Which is cheaper?
For most drivers, USAA is cheaper than Allstate. The table below highlights the average rates for different coverage types and driver profiles:
Driver Type | Allstate | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Adult drivers | $135 | $91 |
| Liability-only coverage | $74 | $52 |
| Full coverage | $139 | $99 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $182 | $128 |
| Drivers with a DUI | $205 | $146 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | $182 | $130 |
| Poor credit drivers | $169 | $117 |
| Good credit drivers | $121 | $88 |
| Teen drivers | $296 | $185 |
| Senior drivers | $108 | $76 |
Allstate vs. USAA car insurance discounts
Insurance discounts can reduce the cost of your policy. USAA and Allstate each have several active discounts, but USAA has more available discounts.
The table below highlights the car insurance discounts each company offers:
Discount | Allstate | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Safe driver | ✔ | ✔ |
| Defensive driving course | In some states | ✔ |
| Multi-policy | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-car | ✔ | ✔ |
| Low mileage | ✔ | ✔ |
| Telematics | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-theft device | ✔ | ✔ |
| New car | ✔ | ✔ |
| Military/affiliation | ✖ | ✔ |
| Good student | ✔ | ✔ |
| Loyalty | ✖ | ✔ |
| Auto pay | ✔ | ✔ |
| Student away at school | ✔ | ✖ |
| Homeowner | ✖ | ✖ |
| Alternative fuel | ✖ | ✖ |
| Pay in full | ✔ | ✖ |
Compare customer satisfaction and financial strength
When you choose an insurance company, you want to be confident that your insurer will be responsive to questions and financially able to pay claims. AM Best, a credit-rating agency that evaluates insurance companies, rates both companies highly.
AM Best gives Allstate an A+, but USAA receives its highest possible A++ rating.
USAA also scores much higher than Allstate in the 2025 J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
When it comes to customer reviews, results are mixed. The NAIC reports that USAA receives a higher-than-expected number of complaints, while Allstate has fewer than average.
But on Trustpilot, Allstate customers mention long wait times and poor communication. USAA customers report similar issues, particularly with claims handling and communication.
The table below showcases customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings for each company.
Score | Allstate | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.9 | 9.1 |
| Customer reviews | 3.9/5 (7,711 reviews) | 4.9/5 (2,423 reviews) |
| J.D. Power | 693/1,000 | 741/1,000 |
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior) | A++ (Superior) |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.69 (Below average) | 1.32 (Above average) |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.12 out of 5 stars | 1.16 out of 5 stars |
Recent customer reviews of Allstate car insurance
We collect verified reviews from actual policyholders to see how customers feel about Allstate. See what customers have to say about Allstate’s customer service, how the company handles claims, and their overall experience.
Recent customer reviews of USAA car insurance
Below are verified reviews from actual USAA customers. You can see how customers feel about USAA’s rates, their satisfaction with customer service, and the claims process.
Allstate Drivewise vs. USAA SafePilot
Both USAA and Allstate have usage-based insurance (UBI) programs. Unlike pay-per-mile programs, which base your premiums on how many miles you drive, UBI programs also take into consideration how safely you drive.[?]
Allstate’s Drivewise program uses an app to track your speed, braking habits, and phone use. It also tracks the time of day you drive. After you take 50 trips during a driving period, you can earn a discount at your policy renewal based on your safe driving habits. Allstate’s website mentions that savings amounts vary by state.
USAA’s SafePilot program also works with a smartphone app. It tracks your trips and monitors your driving habits, such as braking and phone use. You get up to 10% off your premium when you enroll in the program, but you can qualify for up to 30% off at renewal (depending on your driving habits).
One important difference exists between SafePilot and Drivewise. With USAA’s SafePilot program, your premiums will never increase based on your driving habits. In contrast, if you enroll in Allstate’s Drivewise program and demonstrate high-risk driving habits, you could see your rates increase.
The table below highlights the key features of these telematics programs.
Feature | Allstate Drivewise | USAA SafePilot |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Drivers who want higher savings and broad availability | Drivers who want to maximize savings |
| Savings potential | Varies | Up to 30% on renewal |
| How it works | Uses an app on your phone to track speed, braking, acceleration, mileage, and the time of day you drive | Uses your smartphone’s sensors to track speed, braking, and phone distractions |
| Availability | 48 states (not available in Alaska or California) | 47 states (not available in California, Delaware, New Jersey); additional restrictions apply in Massachusetts |
| Data tracked | Speed, braking, time of day you drive, phone activity while driving | Braking, time of day you drive, location, phone activity while driving, annualized hours driven |
| App rating (App Store/Google Play) | 4.8/5 stars 4.0/5 stars | 4.5/5 stars 4.0/5 stars |
| Average discount for good drivers | Varies | 10%–30% |
| Driver feedback tools | Trip summaries and driving feedback, safe driving challenges | Trip summaries and driving feedback, tips for improvement |
| Gamified rewards | ✖ | ✖ |
| Compatibility | Smartphone app only | Smartphone app only |
| Collision detection | ✔ | ✔ |
USAA has another program, SafePilot Miles, for drivers in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. If you drive less than 8,000 miles per year, you could save up to 20%.
Compare coverages: Allstate vs. USAA
Both Allstate and USAA offer the typical forms of car insurance, including liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. They also issue less common forms of coverage, such as rideshare insurance.
Where they differ is with gap insurance. Allstate offers gap insurance, which can help cover the cost between what you owe on a car if it’s stolen or totaled and the car’s value.
Unlike Allstate, USAA doesn’t offer gap insurance. But it does offer car replacement coverage. If you’re in an accident and your car is totaled (or if it’s stolen), USAA will pay you 20% more than the car’s actual cash value, regardless of whether you have an outstanding auto loan or not.
Car replacement coverage doesn’t work for leased vehicles. And if you financed a higher-end or luxury vehicle, the 20% over the actual cash value may be far less than what you owe on a loan.
For example, say you buy a $50,000 car with a five-year car loan. After two years, the car is worth $36,000, but you owe $48,700. Then, you’re in a serious accident and the vehicle is a total loss.
With USAA’s car replacement coverage, USAA would give you 20% over the car’s current value, so you’d walk away with $43,200 to pay back your loan — but you’d still be on the hook for the remaining $5,500 you owe. With gap insurance, that balance would be covered.
The table below highlights the different coverages available through Allstate and USAA.
Coverage | Allstate | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (BI) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Property damage liability (PD) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Collision | ✔ | ✔ |
| Comprehensive | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roadside assistance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rental reimbursement | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gap insurance | ✔ | ✖ |
| Classic car insurance | ✔ Coverage provided through a third-party insurer | ✔ Coverage provided through a third-party insurer |
| Rideshare insurance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Coverage for driving in Mexico | ✔ Coverage provided through Mexican insurers | ✖ |
Allstate vs. USAA FAQs
For more information on Allstate and USAA, see the answers to frequently asked questions to help you choose which insurer is right for you.
Which is cheaper: Allstate or USAA?
USAA has lower average rates than Allstate across every age group and driver profile, according to Insurify data.
Which company is USAA’s biggest competitor?
USAA is one of the largest writers of private passenger insurance policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute.[?] Its biggest competitors include Allstate, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, and State Farm.
What are the disadvantages of USAA?
The biggest drawback to USAA is that only service members, veterans, and family members are eligible for coverage. If you don’t have military ties, you won’t qualify for membership and won’t be able to buy insurance through the company.
Can you get USAA if you’re not in the military?
Yes. You can qualify for USAA membership if you’re married to or the child of a qualifying member. You may also qualify for USAA insurance if you’re employed by an eligible federal agency.
Which car insurance company offers the cheapest insurance?
USAA is among the cheapest companies. NJM, Auto-Owners, and COUNTRY Financial also have some of the lowest average insurance rates.
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