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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Key offers slightly more affordable prices than AAA
• AAA may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than Key Insurance Company
• Key tends to be a much cheaper option for policyholders whose driving record contains an at-fault collision

AAA or Key: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering hefty savings. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to AAA or Key as potential options, but which one will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, AAA is around $29 more a month than Key.

However, Key may not be the most affordable or best option for each driver out there. Insurance carriers use all sorts of complex algorithms to determine rates, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among a wide array of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Wanting to know if AAA or Key is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

AAA vs. Key: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

AAA and Key only compete against each other in Nevada, where AAA offers the cheaper average rates. AAA drivers tend to pay about $10 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Key for their auto insurance.

But there's more to calculating car insurance premiums than just where you call home. Keep reading to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers normally pay a lot more for auto insurance than any other group of drivers. That's because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an auto insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

Even so, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. As you can see above, teens who use Key save 1% a month compared to those who use AAA.

That being said, with both companies, you'll see your prices reduce significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average rates for AAA policyholders lower almost 60% and Key's prices decrease over 65% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age typically enjoy some of the cheapest insurance premiums you can find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which usually decreases their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise rates.

When looking at AAA and Key specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? Key gets the slight edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $15 less expensive than the national average for AAA.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance rates are generally more expensive for those who are single than they are for married couples? That's because policies for married policyholders usually cover multiple vehicles, which many carriers will give you a discount for.

For single policyholders, the difference in average prices between these two companies is not very significant, with Key premiums coming in at about 7% less than AAA's. But for married drivers, the advantage is clear - Key has the edge when it comes to average prices.

AAA or Key: Average Rates by Gender

Because women are less likely to get into collisions and get tickets, they have a lower chance of filing a claim with insurance. So, women normally pay less for insurance than men.

On average, men see rates around $35 per month higher with AAA, and about $53 more with Key.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Key offers the lowest average premiums for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $20 a month and women save around $39 with Key compared to the average AAA policyholder.

AAA vs. Key: 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.

For most people, car insurance can be pretty complicated. There are so many different terms and coverages that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy for you.

The two most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (which provides property damage and bodily injury coverage for other drivers and passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which typically refers to having collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to liability coverage).

When it comes to state minimum liability insurance, AAA has the edge, while Key offers the most affordable average prices for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Policyholders looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $25 with AAA Insurance, while full coverage comes out to be about $85 more affordable with Key Insurance Company.

Is AAA or Key Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from auto insurance carriers offering great rates 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 speeding tickets and at-fault accidents lead to higher premiums, but which company -- AAA or Key -- has the cheapest prices for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Key insurance policies don't report seeing their rates increase after getting a ticket, but AAA policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by around a third.

But Key tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering premiums that are 1% and 30% less expensive, respectively, compared to AAA Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

AAA policyholders who get in an accident can expect to see their rates rise by just under $150, while those who have insurance through Key will see about a $25 increase.

At the end of the day, drivers who use Key end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with average prices coming in at $235 compared to AAA Insurance's $339.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single accident or ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. For example, Key increases average premiums by more than $250 per month -- that's more than a 55% increase.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable prices, AAA tends to be cheaper for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $403 to Key's $483.

How does Credit Score Impact AAA and Key Rates?

Did you know many auto insurance companies take your credit score into account when determining rates? This isn't true for everyone (for example, Michigan and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it will come into play for lots of drivers.

Insurance carriers argue that those with good credit scores are more likely to pay their bills on time every month, which reduces the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with bad credit.

Looking specifically at Key and AAA, which carrier has the best premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, AAA will generally reward you the most. For drivers with "excellent" credit scores, AAA comes in over 35.09 more affordable. Drivers with "good" credit scores usually save about 13% with AAA compared to average prices from Key.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Key typically offers lower rates than AAA when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around 6% a month less with Key compared to AAA, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about 47% a month.

Is AAA or Key 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 car insurance companies will charge for coverage. Typically, those who drive fewer miles will end up with less expensive premiums since there's less of a chance of causing a collision and filing an insurance claim.

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

AAA or Key: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can play a substantial role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Generally, policyholders who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban drivers since there are a lot fewer cars on the road where they live, which lowers the chances of an accident.

Key boasts the most affordable average premiums in rural and suburban areas, while AAA wins in urban areas.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, AAA's average prices are about $384 per month compared to Key's $386. People in suburban areas pay around $234 with Key compared to AAA's $301 monthly. Those in rural areas can expect to pay about $234 per month with Key compared to AAA's $256.

AAA vs. Key Discounts

No matter why you might be in the market for a new car insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as you can. That's where insurance discounts comes into play.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be difficult to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you can take advantage of.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and broke down all of the different discounts offered by both AAA and Key so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

AAA knocks Key out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 29 more discounts than Key.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like discounts for being a defensive driver, discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company, and passive restraint discounts -- but AAA also offers discounts for AAA, academic, advance quote, and more.

Key's discounts come through just a few categories, including Defensive Driver, Good Driving, Multi-Car, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is AAA or Key Best for You?

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

Key might be best for you if....

• Your driving record contains an at-fault collision.
• Your neighborhood is in the suburbs.
• You drive fewer than 12,000 miles annually.

AAA might be best for you if...

• You have above-average credit.
• You're looking for the best rates on liability only coverage.
• Your home is in a busy urban area.

Hopefully, this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare AAA and Key. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your insurance.

But, at the end of the day, there's only one way to know for sure that you're getting the best possible deal on car insurance -- comparing quotes from multiple carriers, not just AAA and Key. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

AAA vs. Key FAQs

Is AAA or Key cheaper?

Key is the more affordable of the two carriers when looking at national average premiums, with policies averaging $285 a month with Key and $314 for AAA. However, that doesn't mean Key will be the cheapest company for each driver, since there are a range of different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, AAA or Key?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique insurance profile.

Why do AAA and Key offer me different rates?

Car insurance companies use several different variables when calculating the prices they charge. Factors like age, gender, your driving record, where you call home, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both AAA and Key use different formulas, so it's likely they'll offer different rates. The best way to determine which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different carriers.

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

The only way to find the auto 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 ZIP code and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance carriers for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't AAA or Key at all, but another you hadn't even thought of!

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.