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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, First Chicago offers significantly cheaper rates than AAA
• AAA offers more discounts than First Chicago Insurance
• First Chicago tends to be a much more affordable option for residents of rural areas

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

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You might have narrowed your search down to AAA or First Chicago for your next policy, but between the two, which carrier will offer you less expensive premiums?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, First Chicago has average rates that are about 50% per month more affordable than those from AAA.

But that doesn't mean First Chicago will necessarily be less expensive than AAA for every driver. Car insurance carriers use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate rates, so depending on how old you are or how good your credit score is (among a multitude of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

So, if you want to find out which of AAA or First Chicago is really the best for you, keep reading to see average prices for each carrier broken down by lots of different rate factors.

AAA or First Chicago: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

AAA and First Chicago only compete against each other in Illinois, where First Chicago offers the cheaper average premiums. For Illinois residents, First Chicago offers auto insurance for $156 per month on average. AAA's average prices come out to be over 70% more expensive, at $279 a month.

There's a lot more that goes into your insurance bill than just where you live. Continue reading to learn more about how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- usually pay a lot for auto insurance compared to older drivers. It's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

However, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance rates. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have First Chicago for their insurance pay nearly $350 less than those who use AAA.

Even so, both companies will lower premiums once you turn 25. For example, average rates for AAA policyholders reduce almost 60% and First Chicago's prices decrease nearly 60% 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 most affordable rates you can find.

So, which company offers the best prices to retired drivers? First Chicago gets the edge here, with average premiums coming in at around $114 monthly compared to AAA's $238.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance rates are normally more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married drivers? This usually boils down to married policyholders having more than one car on their policy -- something many insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, First Chicago is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices about $186 a month cheaper than AAA, on average. The advantage for married couples with First Chicago is also obvious, where drivers save more than $100 per month.

AAA vs. First Chicago: Average Rates by Gender

Men tend to pay more for car insurance than women. This is because men are more likely to get speeding tickets and get into collisions, which raises the chances of an insurance claim.

On average, men see premiums over 10% a month higher with AAA, while with First Chicago, the difference is closer to 7% per month.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, First Chicago offers the cheapest average rates for both men and women, with average premiums $169 less for men and $147 cheaper for women.

AAA or First Chicago: 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.

It's no secret that insurance can be pretty complicated. There are many different coverages that account for multiple different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

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 a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, alongside what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, First Chicago generally offers significantly more affordable prices of $73 compared to AAA's $169. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, First Chicago again has the edge, with policies around $200 a month cheaper than AAA, on average.

Is AAA or First Chicago Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their auto insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

Tickets and accidents will most likely raise your premiums, but is AAA or First Chicago less expensive for drivers with spotty 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 First Chicago typically raises prices about $35 a month, on average.

That being said, First Chicago is normally the cheaper option for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering rates that are 49% and 52% less expensive, respectively, compared to AAA Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Both companies will increase premiums pretty significantly if you get into an at-fault accident with AAA increasing by just under $150. First Chicago has a less extreme increase, but you can still expect to pay over $35 more than you were prior to your first collision.

Overall, the more affordable prices come from First Chicago, with monthly rates averaging $146 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 insurance bill -- generally a lot more than an accident or ticket. AAA drivers usually see a 47% climb in their auto insurance prices after a DUI charge, while First Chicago will typically raise premiums by around 52%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, First Chicago tends to be the much cheaper option with average premiums of $225 a month compared to $403 from AAA.

How does Credit Score Impact AAA and First Chicago Rates?

You may not realized it, but your credit score can be used as one of the variables to determine your monthly car insurance rates. This isn't always the case (for example, Hawaii and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect several drivers out there.

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, policyholders with good credit will often be rewarded with less expensive premiums.

So, which company offers the best prices for drivers with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with First Chicago. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 30% compared to AAA, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $108 or 44% more affordable each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

First Chicago typically offers lower rates than AAA when it comes to drivers with less-than-perfect credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $149 per month less with First Chicago compared to AAA, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $340 monthly.

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

How much you drive can have a big impact on your monthly insurance cost. That's because the more miles you put on your car, the more likely you are to get into a collision and cause an insurance claim.

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

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

We've already mentioned how your home state can play a role in how much you pay for car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a considerable impact as well. Generally, 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 companies side-by-side, First Chicago normally comes out as the cheapest option for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, First Chicago Insurance's average premiums are about $188 less than AAA Insurance. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $173 less with First Chicago compared to AAA. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $111 with First Chicago compared to AAA.

AAA vs. First Chicago Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by utilizing as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be hard to find all the ones you're eligible for.

In the table below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts AAA and First Chicago offer their customers so that you can find the one that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

AAA knocks First Chicago out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 24 more discounts than First Chicago.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but AAA also offers AAA discounts, academic discounts, COVID-19 relief discount, and more that First Chicago does not.

On the flip side, First Chicago has a unique discount of its own -- a ABS discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is AAA or First Chicago Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average rates for many of the factors auto insurance companies look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which carrier is the right company for you and your specific needs?

First Chicago might be best for you if....

• You have a clean driving record, free of collisions, tickets, or DUIs.
• You have above-average credit.
• You are purchasing your car insurance with a spouse.

AAA might be best for you if...

• You care about discounts (Aaa offers the most).

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between AAA and First Chicago and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from multiple carriers, not just AAA and First Chicago. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. 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. First Chicago FAQs

Is AAA or First Chicago cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, First Chicago is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $156 a month compared to $314 for AAA. However, First Chicago won't necessarily be the lowest company for every driver, since there are a variety of different variables that are considered when it comes to your insurance payment.

Who is better, AAA or First Chicago?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No single carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique car insurance profile looks like.

Why do AAA and First Chicago offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at a lot of different factors when calculating the prices they charge drivers. Variables like age, gender, your driving record, where you call home, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both AAA and First Chicago calculate premiums differently, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different carriers.

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

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from several 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 information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be AAA or First Chicago 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.