AAA vs. AARP Auto Insurance (2024)

When choosing between AAA and AARP car insurance, you’ll want to know exactly what you’ll get before you sign up for a policy. But it’s not as simple as just choosing the option that provides cheap auto insurance. 

Keep reading to compare AARP and AAA car insurance quotes and policy options from both companies to see how you might benefit from buying car insurance from either insurer.

AAA vs. AARP Auto Insurance Quotes

If you assume that AAA, AARP, or most insurance companies are about the same, you’re not alone. However, those who do their due diligence and compare quotes beforehand may be delighted to find they can customize their coverage and save without skimping on customer service.

Below, we compare auto insurance rates by age so you can see how AAA and AARP insurance stacks up against the top companies in the nation: 

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age, Gender, & Provider

Insurance Company	Age: 18 Female	Age: 18 Male	Age: 30 Female	Age: 30 Male	Age: 45 Female	Age: 45 Male	Age: 65 Female	Age: 65 Male
	$328	$378	$99	$103	$88	$86	$86	$84
	$448	$519	$168	$176	$162	$160	$158	$157
	$305	$414	$116	$137	$115	$117	$113	$114
	$405	$461	$125	$128	$114	$111	$111	$109
	$597	$629	$160	$167	$139	$139	$136	$136
	$220	$254	$90	$87	$80	$80	$78	$78
	$626	$626	$174	$200	$171	$174	$167	$170
	$283	$318	$87	$91	$78	$77	$77	$76
	$303	$387	$124	$136	$113	$115	$111	$112
	$591	$662	$131	$136	$112	$105	$109	$103
	$253	$292	$77	$79	$72	$71	$71	$69
	$229	$284	$94	$103	$86	$86	$84	$84
	$407	$469	$126	$133	$115	$113	$112	$109
	$530	$740	$99	$108	$98	$99	$96	$97
	$180	$203	$74	$79	$59	$59	$58	$57
U.S. Average	$416	$501	$128	$139	$119	$119	$117	$117

The youngest drivers usually pay the most, regardless. Auto insurance rates usually go down as driver age increases, but only to a point. Many drivers over 60 may see their auto insurance policy increase in cost, even for safe drivers. 

A younger driver listed under another’s AARP policy may actually save money in the long run, but the average cost to insure a driver is much lower for AAA. The average AAA policy runs around $160 per month, while car insurance through AARP will cost you about $200.

This likely has a lot to do with the fact that AARP is not itself an insurance company. Rather, members get their auto insurance through The Hartford. Read The Hartford auto insurance review to compare quotes.

AAA vs. AARP: Discounts, Roadside Assistance, and Coverages 

Before we take a look at the many discounts and policy benefits of both the AAA and AARP, it’s important to understand that AARP is not an insurance company — it is the American Association of Retired Persons. 

Both AAA and AARP are membership programs that sell auto insurance coverage through affiliated partners. AARP partners with The Hartford insurance, while AAA uses different partners depending on the state. For example, AAA sells policies through Interinsurance Exchange to drivers in Southern California. Read our Interinsurance Exchange auto insurance review to learn more.

If you have AARP or AAA membership, this means you’re paying for the premium service of their trusted recommendations, which may or may not be helpful to you. If you’re interested in finding affordable AAA or AARP car insurance quotes, consider the pros and cons of joining either group by reading reviews on the website from actual members.

AAA vs. AARP Car Insurance Discounts

Both companies offer substantial auto insurance discounts if you qualify, but AARP will be more understanding of a lower credit score. This might benefit you in most states where a credit report can factor into the underwriting process for your policy. 

Both AARP and AAA car insurance discounts allow bundling your policy with life and property insurance, and AARP even offers a loyalty discount.

AAA vs. AARP Roadside Assistance

AAA provides towing and roadside assistance plans to drivers through their own network of regional partners. AARP partners with Allstate to offer roadside assistance plans to members. 

Allstate car insurance offers AARP members a 10%-20% discount off of the company’s standard rates as part of a special promotion. 

AAA and AARP offer similar services to their customers if they’ve opted for this feature, from changing a tire, recharging or replacing your battery, or using a winch to pull your car out of a bad spot. The biggest distinction is that AAA provides 200-mile towing coverage and various types of auto theft insurance, while AARP does not. 

AAA’s towing distance could be a benefit for folks out there making a long, cross-country trip, considering just how scarce auto services become once you’re driving across I-40 in New Mexico or Arizona.

AAA vs. AARP Auto Insurance Coverages

Both AAA and AARP auto insurance offer policies that meet your state’s auto insurance requirements. That means they will cover you for bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM and UIM). 

They also provide full coverage if you need additional collision and comprehensive insurance.

However, AARP shines where it guarantees you’ll be able to renew your coverage automatically as long as you’re paid up and can acquire a driver’s license. This may not be a concern for many people out there, but for retirees and those on a fixed income, information like this can save them a world of trouble.

AAA vs. AARP Customer Service Ratings and Satisfaction 

AARP and The Hartford are below the median complaint rating for auto insurance, but AAA has much more complaints than the average company. Customers also report higher claims satisfaction with AARP.

AAA shines when it comes to the total shopping experience. Those who prefer to use their smartphones to access policy information and check accounts will appreciate the AAA mobile app, as it has a much higher rating on both the Google Play Store and Apple.

AARP does not even have an app on the Apple Store. You’ll use The Hartford’s app instead since it is the actual company providing car insurance for AARP members. 

Claims Satisfaction

Have you ever changed your insurance company based on how you were treated during a previous claim or interrogated during a new policy’s underwriting process? Then you’ll appreciate that AARP pays off during critical times when it comes down to fixing a problem and getting it right for the customer. 

For claim satisfaction, AARP outperforms AAA car insurance.

Customer Complaints

Compared to AARP, AAA receives more complaints overall. Its complaint ratio is 3.82, meaning AAA auto insurance receives over three times the amount of complaints than other insurers its size. Since AARP partners with The Hartford, customers will enjoy much better customer service.

However, while AARP is a non-profit organization, The Hartford is a publicly-traded, for-profit insurance business. If you choose to buy AARP vehicle insurance, once you have a policy, you’ll be handled by a separate, publicly-traded for-profit corporation.

Final Words on AAA vs. AARP Auto Insurance

There are benefits to both AAA vs. AARP memberships, so make sure you do your research and determine what you need ahead of time. AARP has fewer complaints and special benefits for seniors and retirees, but AAA has lower car insurance rates on average.

At the end of the day, only you can decide which insurance company can serve you best for what you pay. So, take the time to compare these and more companies with our free quote comparison tool below.