USAA vs. Erie: Which Is the Best? (2024)

USAA’s affordable coverage, discounts, and nationwide availability make it the better choice — as long as you have military ties.

Alani Asis
Written byAlani Asis
Alani Asis
Alani Asis
  • 3 years of content writing

  • Bylines with leading financial publications

Alani is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. She aims to make complex topics more approachable through fun, digestible content.

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Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated October 29, 2024

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USAA and Erie are insurance companies that target different consumer segments. USAA is a nationwide insurer with very affordable rates, but it’s only available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their immediate family members. Meanwhile, Erie offers an assortment of coverages, but it only serves a few states.

Before buying an insurance policy, it’s a good idea to compare online quotes, coverages, and company reputation to find the best car insurance company for you.

Quick Facts
  • USAA auto insurance has more car insurance discounts than Erie.

  • Erie offers unique coverages in its standard policy, such as Erie Rate Lock and accident forgiveness.

  • Both companies offer a telematics program with lucrative rewards.

USAA vs. Erie: The verdict

USAA outshines Erie in various categories, receiving some of the highest scores for customer service and offering competitive rates with more discount opportunities. In contrast, where USAA falls short, Erie thrives, with Erie having a longer list of additional coverage options.

When it comes to accessibility, the “winning” auto insurance company depends on your circumstances and where you live. To apply with Erie, you’ll need to live in one of the eastern and central states. With USAA, you can qualify for coverage anywhere in the nation, but you need to be military-affiliated.

Factor
USAA
Erie
IQ Score9.49.0
Customer satisfaction score3.93.8
Average quote: liability only$46$50
Number of discounts108
Number of states where it operates5012
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
    • Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.

USAA

USAA is the fifth-largest auto insurance company in the United States based on 2023 market share data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).[1]

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User Reviews
3.6
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.4/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$46/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$100/mo

In business for more than 100 years, USAA exclusively serves members of the military and their immediate families. The company offers multiple types of insurance products, as well as banking, investing, and retirement services. Auto insurance customers have access to a number of discounts, including for bundling, insuring multiple vehicles, living on a military base, and more. A.M. Best gives USAA an A++ rating for financial strength, and the company had the highest or second-highest rating of all insurers in every region in J.D. Power’s Overall Customer Satisfaction Index. Customer reviews are mixed for service and claims processing.

Pros
  • Low premiums

  • SafePilot program rewards good driving with up to 30% discount

Cons
  • Only available to active-duty military, veterans, military spouses, or children of service members or veterans

  • No 24/7 customer phone support

Read more driver reviews of USAA
Kent - October 29, 2024
Verified

Excellent

The insurance is a bit high.

Dorothy - October 29, 2024
Verified

Significant Increase in Policy Payment

Be cautious not to have an accident, as my policy payment increased by $300 a month.

Martin - October 29, 2024
Verified

My Opinion

They have always been there when I've needed them. They're not the cheapest, but I've never been denied a claim.

Erie

Erie received an overall rating of second place in the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, which ranks companies based on the quality and efficiency of their claims handling.

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User Reviews
3.9
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.0/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$50/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$93/mo

For nearly 100 years, Erie Insurance has been selling auto coverage. The company operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and also offers more than two dozen types of insurance, including home, life, and business insurance. A.M. Best gives Erie an A+ rating for financial stability and credit strength. The company has a lower-than-expected number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Customer Complaint Index, and ranks third in overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power rankings. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Pros
  • Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and A.M. Best ratings

  • Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets

Cons
  • Available in only 12 states

  • Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online

Read more driver reviews of Erie Insurance
Satina - October 28, 2024
Verified

Erie Insurance Unreliable

The service is not good, and they are unclear about some policy benefits like 24-hour towing, which is non-existent but included in the policy.

Lana - October 25, 2024
Verified

Expensive but Efficient Company

Erie provides excellent claims service if you ever need it, but their rates are fairly expensive. I've been with them for 55 years.

Shannon - October 19, 2024
Verified

Could be Better

I had an unfortunate accident and they were very helpful at the time managing the claim, so the company was great. My rate did go up which I expected and it was reasonable at the time. When my policy was supposed to renew the following year, they wanted to again increase my rate by almost $100 per month. The insurance broker I dealt with was very rude when I called about canceling my policy because unfortunately, I can't afford that kind of increase as a single parent with one income.

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USAA SafePilot vs. Erie YourTurn

USAA SafePilot and Erie YourTurn are telematics programs that reward good driving. Both insurance companies use telematics data from a mobile app on your smartphone to monitor your behavior on the road. After you meet driving requirements, the app generates a score, which determines the benefits you receive.

  • USAA SafePilot: USAA’s SafePilot program rewards you with a 10% discount for enrolling and up to 30% off your personal auto policy based on your driving. One drawback of the app is that requirements apply. Policyholders must drive at least 325 miles and 16 hours to get a score and discount.

  • Erie YourTurn: Erie’s YourTurn program doesn’t give policy discounts for good driving. Instead, you can redeem gift cards, get cash back, and donate to charity with the points you earn. Erie also enforces minimum driving thresholds. Participants must drive at least 50 miles during each two-week scoring period to qualify for rewards.

USAA vs. Erie: Which is the cheapest?

USAA’s national average rates are slightly cheaper than Erie’s, but both insurers offer cheaper rates than the nationwide average of $104 per month for liability coverage.

Remember, your personal quote varies based on important factors like your ZIP code, driving profile, age and gender, coverage amount, and more.[2]

USAA: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

Drivers with a clean record pay lower rates because they’re less likely to file a claim. Good drivers can find the cheapest liability car insurance quotes with USAA.

Driver Type
USAA
Erie
Clean driving record$46$50
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

USAA: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

Drivers with a moving violation, such as a speeding ticket, have an increased risk of engaging in reckless driving behavior and causing an accident. If you have a previous speeding violation, you’ll typically find cheaper liability rates with USAA.

Driver Type
USAA
Erie
Drivers with a speeding ticket$54$62
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

USAA: Cheapest for teen drivers

Teen drivers pay some of the highest rates for auto insurance, as new drivers are more likely to cause an accident. Fortunately, young drivers may find cheaper options with USAA. Compare each company’s liability-only rates in the table below.

Driver Type
USAA
Erie
18-year-old$73$81
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Erie: Cheapest for senior drivers

Senior drivers who are 70 and older may pay higher insurance premiums as age-related conditions increase the likelihood of an accident. If you’re a senior driver, you may qualify for slightly lower rates with Erie, though both companies have competitive liability-only rates for older drivers.

Driver Type
USAA
Erie
Senior drivers$36$34
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

USAA: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

Drivers with bad credit experience elevated prices on their insurance bills. If you’re a driver with a low credit score, USAA is best for budget-friendly auto coverage.

Driver Type
USAA
Erie
Drivers with bad credit$55$79
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Compare coverages: USAA vs. Erie

Erie and USAA differ in some of the types of insurance options they offer, but you can purchase basic coverage from both companies. This includes required coverages, such as liability insurance, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Both companies also provide full-coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage.

Erie customers enjoy more unique coverage options than USAA policyholders. In addition, Erie’s standard policy includes coverages that most of its competitors offer at an extra fee, meaning more value for your dollar.

Coverage
USAA
Erie
Rental car reimbursementYesYes
Roadside assistanceYesYes
Accident forgivenessYesYes (included)
New car replacementYesYes
Pet injuryNoYes
Travel expensesNoYes
Rate lockNoYes (included)

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Compare discounts: USAA vs. Erie

Consider discounts when comparison shopping.[3] An auto insurance policy from USAA already offers low rates to various drivers, and its discount opportunities can lower your insurance rates even more. As the table below demonstrates, USAA has more discounts than Erie:

Discount
USAA
Erie
Clean driving recordYesNo
Defensive driving courseNoNo
Multi-policyYesYes
Multi-carYesYes
Low mileageNoNo
Telematics (safe driving app)YesYes
Anti-theft deviceYesYes
New carYesNo
Military/affiliationNoNo (but offers a discount for keeping your car on a military base)
Good studentYesNo
LoyaltyYesNo
Auto-payYesNo
Student away at schoolNoYes
HomeownerNoNo
Alternative fuelNoNo

USAA vs. Erie FAQs

If you’re trying to decide between USAA and Erie, consider the following additional information about these insurance companies.

  • What are the disadvantages of USAA?

    One disadvantage of USAA is its membership exclusions. Only members of the military community and their families qualify for coverage. It also offers fewer coverage options than several of its competitors.

  • Which company is USAA’s biggest competitor?

    State Farm is USAA’s biggest competitor in auto insurance based on market share. GEICO, Progressive, and Erie (in certain regions) are also major competitors in the car insurance industry.

  • Is Erie Insurance a reliable company?

    Yes. Erie Insurance is a reputable insurer. It ranked highly in J.D. Power’s claims and customer satisfaction surveys and earned an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best, indicating its solid financial strength.

  • What are the primary differences between USAA and Erie Insurance?

    The primary difference between USAA and Erie Insurance is availability. USAA offers insurance coverage nationwide but only to military personnel, veterans, and their immediate family members. Erie is a regional insurer, but non-military members can buy a policy.

Sources

  1. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2023 Top 25 Groups and Companies by Countrywide Premium."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
Alani Asis
Alani Asis

Alani Asis is a personal finance freelance writer with nearly three years of experience in content creation. She has landed bylines with leading publications and brands like Insider, Fortune, LendingTree, and more. Alani aims to make personal finance approachable through fun, relatable, and digestible content.

Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault
  • Experienced personal finance writer

  • Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

Featured in

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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