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State Farm vs. USAA Auto Insurance (2024)

When comparing State Farm vs. USAA auto insurance, USAA offers full coverage for $58 monthly, and State Farm’s full coverage is $86/mo. USAA has better rates and customer service ratings but only sells to the military. Compare discounts and rates to see if State Farm or USAA car insurance is better.

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Rachel Bodine

Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All...

Feature Writer

Daniel Walker

Licensed Auto Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...

Licensed Auto Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Oct 2, 2024

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Things to Remember

  • USAA insurance has cheaper rates on average than State Farm, but State Farm is also a relatively cheap company in the car insurance market 
  • USAA and State Farm both have strong financial ratings, good coverage options, and an array of discounts 
  • State Farm is a good second choice if drivers don’t qualify for USAA auto insurance

USAA and State Farm are some of the best auto insurance companies with affordable rates and good customer service. However, USAA sells auto insurance exclusively to military and veteran families, whereas State Farm sells to all drivers. Since the two companies are comparable, State Farm is a good choice if you don’t qualify for USAA insurance. 

However, if you have the choice between USAA and State Farm, you are probably wondering which one you should choose. We go over everything you need to know, from each company’s pros and cons to customer ratings, so keep reading for a comprehensive State Farm vs. USAA auto insurance comparison. 

State Farm vs. USAA Auto Insurance Pros and Cons 

At a glance, both companies have more pros than cons. To give you a quick look at some of the benefits and disadvantages of both companies, we’ve outlined their pros and cons before we dive into a more in-depth look at rates, discounts, coverages, and more. 

USAA Pros and Cons 

USAA is one of the most popular options among military members and veterans, as it offers low rates compared to other auto insurance companies. Some of its best pros are as follows: 

  • Affordable car insurance rates. USAA boasts some of the cheapest average rates for drivers, making it one of the most affordable companies on the market. 
  • Good customer satisfaction ratings. USAA scores well on customer satisfaction studies and generally has good customer reviews online. 
  • USAA membership perks. USAA offers shopping discounts, travel deals, and more for USAA members. 

These are just a few of the pros of USAA. As for its cons, the biggest con is that USAA is only available to veterans and military members. So while USAA car insurance rates are great and it has good customer service, it only sells to a small portion of drivers. 

State Farm Pros and Cons 

Like USAA, State Farm also has some great pros: 

  • Affordable car insurance rates. On average, State Farm has some of the cheaper rates on the market for the majority of drivers. 
  • Good customer satisfaction ratings. State Farm also has good customer service ratings and reviews. 
  • Decent range of coverages. State Farm offers all the basic insurance coverages needed to drive legally, as well as add-on coverages. 

State Farm does have a few more cons than USAA. While it has some of the cheapest rates on average for most drivers, its range of coverages is smaller than other, more expensive companies. It also is not the cheapest company on average for drivers with bad credit, although it is still one of the better companies price-wise overall. 

Which company is better? 

When looking at State Farm vs. USAA, the companies are similar. USAA does have cheaper rates on average and better customer service ratings overall. If you qualify for USAA, then this is probably the better choice. However, because USAA only sells to a limited customer base, if you aren’t military or a veteran, then State Farm is a great second choice. 

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State Farm vs. USAA Auto Insurance Rates 

In general, USAA’s rates are some of the cheapest on the market, with State Farm’s being a close second. The table below shows what State Farm and USAA will cost on average for full coverage car insurance and minimum liability insurance coverage

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates From Top Providers

Insurance CompanyMonthly Rates
Allstate$160
American Family$117
Auto-Owners$33
Farmers$87
Geico$80
Liberty Mutual$174
Nationwide$115
Progressive$105
State Farm$86
Travelers$99
USAA$59
U.S. Average$119

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As you can see, State Farm is still fairly low in price, even though USAA has lower average rates, making them both great options for car insurance. 

Rates by Credit Score 

Your credit score does impact how much you’ll pay for car insurance at State Farm and USAA unless you live in one of the few states where using credit score as a rating factor is banned. The table below shows the average rates for drivers with bad credit scores at USAA and State Farm. 

Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Rating

Insurance CompanyRates with Poor CreditRates with Fair CreditRates with Good Credit
American Family$203$136$116
Farmers$269$160$140
Geico$148$99$82
Liberty Mutual$355$226$177
Nationwide$166$133$120
Progressive$206$138$109
State Farm$200$117$91
Travelers$194$128$107
Allstate$296$197$176
Average$226$148$123

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USAA has better rates for drivers with bad credit scores, so if you have a poor credit score and qualify for USAA insurance, you should go with USAA over State Farm. 

State Farm vs. USAA Insurance Coverages 

While both State Farm and USAA are cheaper auto insurance companies, we want to make sure that the coverages they offer are adequate for the majority of drivers. Both insurance companies offer all the basic coverages, such as liability insurance, comprehensive insurance, and collision insurance

Both USAA and State Farm offer a full array of auto insurance coverages. USAA does offer a few extra add-ons that State Farm doesn’t, but overall the companies are comparable. State Farm may not have some extra coverages like gap insurance, but it does have rideshare insurance and roadside assistance, which aren’t offered by some other insurance companies. 

State Farm vs. USAA Discounts 

Even at companies with cheaper than average rates, you can still find additional savings with auto insurance discounts.

Both State Farm and USAA offer safe driving programs that can save drivers a significant amount on their auto insurance policy. Besides the safe driving programs, some of the auto insurance discounts that stand out for each company include the following: 

  • State Farm’s Steer Clear Discount. Drivers under 25 who have been free of accidents and tickets for three years can participate in the Steer Clear program for a discount. 
  • State Farm’s safety equipment discount. Drivers who own cars with multiple safety features, such as anti-theft devices, can earn a discount. 
  • USAA’s overseas storage discount. Military members who go overseas and store their unused vehicles can get a discount of over 50% until they resume driving. 
  • USAA’s loyalty discount. Members whose parents were also USAA members can often get a loyalty discount. 

State Farm and USAA have great discounts that can help you save on an already cheap policy. 

State Farm vs. USAA Usage-Based Insurance Discounts

USAA and State Farm have usage-based insurance programs that offer car insurance discounts to safe drivers. However, usage-based car insurance programs have some differences.

Both USAA and State Farm won’t raise your rates for poor driving performance during the program, which is good. The programs are similar, but State Farm offers its program in more states than USAA. 

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State Farm vs. USAA Ratings 

Another factor we want to look at for our comparison of State Farm and USAA is their ratings and reviews. Industry and customer reviews give a clear insight into a company’s customer service and financial stability. 

J.D. Power Industry Ratings 

Both USAA and State Farm received above-average ratings from J.D. Power’s 2022 study of customer satisfaction. USAA did score slightly higher than State Farm, but both companies did well overall. J.D. Power’s 2022 study of claims satisfaction also ranked both companies highly, with USAA scoring slightly above State Farm again. 

Both companies also have solid financial ratings on sites like A.M. Best, so neither company is in danger of going bankrupt. This means that both companies can pay out claims easily without financial issues. 

Customer Complaints and Reviews 

Some of State Farm’s and USAA’s ratings are from different sites.

USAA and State Farm have low customer ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but this is common. USAA did score slightly better with the BBB than State Farm for customer reviews. The companies’ apps also had similar ratings on the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

The Final Word on State Farm vs. USAA 

When it comes to USAA insurance vs. State Farm insurance, both companies are very similar in terms of coverage offered and average rates. However, USAA is consistently cheaper on average than State Farm, making it the better choice for qualifying customers. If a driver isn’t military or a veteran, though, State Farm is one of the next best choices for affordable rates. 

If you want to find an affordable company in your area, the best thing to do is to find and compare auto insurance quotes from different companies. You can use our free quote comparison tool to see which auto insurance companies are the best for your coverage needs and budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy State Farm and USAA insurance online?

Yes, you can purchase both State Farm and USAA auto insurance policies online. However, with USAA, you will need to qualify for membership first before you can purchase an auto insurance policy.

How do USAA and State Farm compare to other insurance companies?

Compared to other companies, both USAA and State Farm have lower-than-average auto insurance rates. Both have decent customer service and financial ratings, making them competitive choices in the auto insurance market.

What drivers should get State Farm insurance?

Drivers who don’t qualify for USAA auto insurance should look into State Farm as an option. We recommend getting quotes from a few different auto insurance companies. A company that is cheap for one driver may not be cheap for another driver. Getting quotes will tell you if State Farm is the right choice for you or if a comparable company better suits your needs and budget.

What drivers should get USAA insurance?

Military members and veterans should look into getting USAA insurance, as it offers some of the cheapest rates in the auto insurance market. It also ranks well for customer service and claims handling, making it a great choice for the majority of drivers.

What is the difference between State Farm and USAA auto insurance?

State Farm and USAA are both reputable insurance companies, but they cater to different groups of customers. State Farm is a widely recognized insurer that serves a broad range of customers, while USAA primarily provides coverage to members of the military and their families. The main difference lies in their eligibility requirements and target customer base.

Which company offers better rates: State Farm or USAA?

It’s difficult to definitively say which company offers better rates as insurance premiums are influenced by various factors such as the driver’s age, location, driving history, and type of vehicle. However, USAA is often recognized for providing competitive rates to its eligible members due to its focus on military personnel. State Farm also offers competitive rates and may be a better option for non-military customers.

Does State Farm or USAA provide better customer service?

Both State Farm and USAA have generally positive reputations for customer service. State Farm has a vast network of local agents who can provide personalized assistance, while USAA is known for its exceptional customer service and high satisfaction ratings among its military customer base. Ultimately, the quality of customer service can vary based on individual experiences and preferences.

Which insurance company has a better claims process: State Farm or USAA?

Both State Farm and USAA have streamlined claims processes and strive to provide efficient claim settlements. USAA has often been praised for its smooth claims handling and responsiveness, while State Farm also has a good track record in handling claims. It’s advisable to contact each company directly or consult customer reviews to gather specific information about their claims processes.

Can anyone get insurance from USAA?

No, not everyone can obtain insurance from USAA. USAA membership is limited to active, retired, and honorably discharged military personnel, as well as their immediate family members. However, in some cases, former USAA members may retain eligibility even if they are no longer affiliated with the military. It’s important to check the eligibility criteria outlined by USAA to determine if you qualify for their coverage.

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