AAA vs. ACCC: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for insurance, ACCC offers significantly cheaper prices than AAA
• AAA offers more discounts than ACCC Insurance Company
• ACCC tends to be a much more affordable option for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years

AAA vs. ACCC: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering huge discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed it down to AAA or ACCC as potential options, but between the two, which carrier will offer you less expensive rates?

Looking at nationwide averages, AAA is quite a bit more expensive than ACCC, with premiums averaging $314 per month compared to just $149 with ACCC.

Even so, that doesn't mean ACCC will necessarily be more affordable than AAA for every driver. Car insurance companies vary their rates depending on things like how clean your driving record is, where you live, how good your credit score is, how old you are, and a variety of other factors, so prices could vary drastically from person to person.

Luckily, we've broken down average rates from both AAA and ACCC by many different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

AAA or ACCC: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

AAA and ACCC only compete against each other in one states, with ACCC offering cheaper premiums to the average driver in all of them. Arizona has the most noticable difference, where ACCC prices are over 70% less expensive than auto insurance rates at AAA.

But there's more to calculating car insurance premiums than just your home state. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers generally pay a lot more for insurance than any other group of drivers out there on the road. The reason is that young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high prices, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $400 less a month by choosing ACCC over AAA.

But with both carriers, you'll see your rates drop significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for AAA policyholders decrease over $400 and ACCC's prices reduce nearly $150 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to car insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the cheapest premiums you'll ever see.

When looking at AAA and ACCC specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? ACCC gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $126 more affordable than the national average for AAA.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but auto insurance prices tend to be more expensive for those who are single than they are for married couples. This usually boils down to married drivers having multiple cars on their policy -- something a lot of insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, ACCC is the clear winner for single drivers, with premiums about $202 per month cheaper than AAA, on average. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - ACCC has the edge when it comes to average rates.

AAA vs. ACCC: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents, which means they'll usually end up paying more for car insurance than women.

Women normally pay around $35 a month less than men with AAA, while with ACCC, the difference is closer to $3 per month.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, ACCC offers the lowest average prices for both men and women, with average premiums 55% less for men and 51% cheaper for women.

AAA or ACCC: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

Auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different limits and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers and passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which typically refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages alongside what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, ACCC usually offers significantly less expensive rates of $95 compared to AAA's $169. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, ACCC again has the edge, with policies about $250 a month more affordable than AAA, on average.

Is AAA or ACCC Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from insurance carriers offering great prices for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

It's no secret secret that tickets and accidents lead to higher premiums, but which company -- AAA or ACCC -- has the most affordable prices for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

AAA policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $86 per month if they get a ticket, while ACCC generally raises premiums around $22 a month, on average.

However, ACCC is normally the cheaper option for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records. Drivers with a clean record can save about $87 per month and drivers with a ticket can save around $151 a month with ACCC Insurance Company.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

AAA drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their rates increase by over 35%, while those who have insurance through ACCC will see about a 30% increase.

Overall, drivers who use ACCC end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $181 compared to AAA Insurance's $339.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly car insurance bill -- typically a lot more than an accident or speeding ticket. For example, AAA increases average rates by just under $200 per month -- that's over a 45% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, ACCC tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $140 a month compared to $403 from AAA.

How does Credit Score Impact AAA and ACCC Rates?

In many cases, your credit score can come into play when companies calculate your monthly bill. This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and California are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for many policyholders.

Auto insurance carriers argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, drivers with good credit will often be rewarded with more affordable rates.

So, which carrier offers the best premiums for policyholders with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a solid credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with ACCC. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save just under 45% compared to AAA, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $122 or 49% less expensive each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

ACCC typically offers lower prices than AAA when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $151 a month less with ACCC compared to AAA, and those with "poor" scores generally save an average of around $328 per month.

Is AAA or ACCC Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in how much insurance companies will charge for coverage. Typically, the more miles you put on your vehicle each year, the more you can expect to pay for auto insurance.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much ACCC charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for AAA, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their car every year paying about $13 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles annually. Still, ACCC is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

AAA vs. ACCC: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can have a considerable impact on your monthly car insurance payment. Usually, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

When comparing these two carriers side-by-side, ACCC normally comes out as the cheapest option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the lowest premiums from both companies, but ACCC comes out on top with average prices around $130 monthly. ACCC also has more affordable average premiums for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $211 and $158 per month respective difference when compared to AAA policyholders in similar areas.

AAA vs. ACCC Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new auto insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many car insurance discounts as you can.

The hard part is finding all of the discounts you qualify for, since it can feel sometimes like every company has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both AAA and ACCC so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

AAA knocks ACCC out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 33 different discounts to ACCC's 11.

Both carriers offer lots of the same discounts -- like anti-theft discounts, EFT discounts, and discounts for being a good student -- but AAA also offers AAA discounts, academic discounts, advance quote discounts, and more that ACCC does not.

On the flip side, ACCC has a couple unique discounts of its own -- claim free discounts, diminution of value discounts, liability only discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is AAA or ACCC Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain factors have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is AAA or ACCC the right one for you and your specific needs?

ACCC might be best for you if....

• Your credit is less-than-stellar.
• You have above-average credit.
• You are purchasing your auto insurance with a spouse.

AAA might be best for you if...

• You're looking for discounts -- Aaa has the most.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between AAA and ACCC and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just AAA and ACCC. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of top auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

AAA vs. ACCC FAQs

Is AAA or ACCC cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, ACCC is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $149 a month compared to $314 for AAA. That being said, ACCC won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for everyone, since there are a variety of different variables (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, AAA or ACCC?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique insurance profile.

Why do AAA and ACCC offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies take a look at quite a few different factors when calculating the prices they charge drivers. Things like gender, your driving record, age, where you park your vehicle, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both AAA and ACCC use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different carriers.

How do I know if AAA or ACCC is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest rate. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be AAA or ACCC at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.