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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, Sentry offers significantly more affordable premiums than AAA
• AAA offers more discounts than Sentry Insurance
• Sentry offers cheaper average rates for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

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

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering big discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed it down to AAA or Sentry, but between the two, which one will offer you less expensive prices?

Looking at nationwide averages, Sentry has average rates that are about 40% per month more affordable than those from AAA.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean Sentry will be the less expensive option for every single driver. Insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate rates, so depending on how old you are or how good your credit score is (among many other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

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

AAA or Sentry: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

AAA and Sentry only compete against each other in one states, with Sentry offering cheaper prices to the average driver in all of them. Wisconsin has the most noticable difference, where Sentry premiums are over 30% less expensive than auto insurance prices at AAA.

But there's more to calculating car insurance premiums than just the state you live in. 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 -- normally pay a lot for auto insurance compared to older drivers. Typically, that's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

That being said, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance rates. As you can see above, teens who use Sentry save nearly $300 a month compared to those who use AAA.

But with both carriers, you'll see your premiums reduce significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average prices for AAA policyholders decrease almost 60% and Sentry's rates lower nearly 55% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll usually enjoy the lowest insurance prices you'll ever find. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly rates for auto insurance.

But who has the best premiums for retired drivers between AAA and Sentry? Sentry gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older almost 40% more affordable than the national average for AAA.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance premiums tend to be cheaper for married couples than they are for single policyholders. This usually boils down to married policyholders having multiple cars on their policy -- something several car insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Sentry is the clear winner for single drivers, with rates around $144 per month less expensive than AAA, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Sentry is also obvious, where drivers save nearly $85 a month.

AAA vs. Sentry: Average Rates by Gender

Women tend to pay less for insurance than men. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher prices.

On average, women see premiums about $35 per month cheaper with AAA, and around $20 with Sentry.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Sentry offers the cheapest average rates for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $126 a month and women save about $112 with Sentry compared to the average AAA policyholder.

AAA or Sentry: 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, auto insurance can be pretty complicated. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different terms and limits that it can be hard 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 their 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, Sentry generally offers significantly more affordable premiums of $104 compared to AAA's $169. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Sentry again has the edge, with policies around $150 per month cheaper than AAA, on average.

Is AAA or Sentry Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from 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 at-fault accidents and tickets lead to higher prices, but which carrier -- AAA or Sentry -- has the most affordable premiums for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

AAA policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $86 a month if they get a ticket, while Sentry usually raises rates about $25 per month, on average.

Even so, Sentry has less expensive prices for drivers in both categories, offering premiums that are 16% and 32% more affordable, respectively, compared to AAA Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their car insurance through AAA can expect to see around an $126 -- or about 37% -- increase in their auto insurance rates. Drivers who use Sentry for their car insurance will see a monthly bill around $43 (or 19%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their insurance company.

Overall, drivers who use Sentry end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $221 compared to AAA Insurance's $339.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple speeding ticket or even a collision. On average, AAA will raise your rates about 47% after a DUI, while Sentry's average premiums rise by 0%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, Sentry tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $178 monthly compared to $403 from AAA.

How does Credit Score Impact AAA and Sentry Rates?

Did you know that many auto insurance companies take into account your credit score when calculating premiums? This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and Hawaii are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for a lot of drivers.

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 more affordable prices.

Looking at AAA and Sentry specifically, which carrier has the lowest premiums for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Sentry. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save 7% compared to AAA, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $62 or 25% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Sentry typically offers lower rates than AAA when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $106 a month less with Sentry compared to AAA, and those with "poor" scores typically save an average of around $314 a month.

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

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a large impact on how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage? Normally, those who drive fewer miles will end up with more affordable premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

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

AAA vs. Sentry: 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 pretty big impact as well. Generally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas because there are a lot fewer cars on the roads in those areas.

Sentry boasts the cheapest average rates for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, Sentry offers premiums around $224 per month compared to AAA's $384. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay about $218 per month for Sentry and $301 for AAA. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the most affordable prices from both carriers, with average monthly premiums coming in at $143 and $256 for Sentry and AAA respectively.

AAA vs. Sentry Discounts

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

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be challenging to find all the ones you can take advantage of.

In the section below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by AAA and Sentry so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

AAA blows Sentry away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 28 more discounts than Sentry.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a homeowner, and paid in full discounts. AAA also offers AAA discounts, academic discounts, anti-theft discounts, and more that Sentry does not.

Sentry's discounts come through just a few categories, including Advance Quote, Defensive Driver, Homeowner, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is AAA or Sentry Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your insurance rates. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, is AAA or Sentry the best carrier for you and your specific needs?

Sentry might be best for you if....

• Your credit is below-average.
• Your home is located in the suburbs.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.

AAA might be best for you if...

• You're looking for the carrier with the most discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between AAA and Sentry. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your car 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 insurance -- comparing quotes from several companies, not just AAA and Sentry. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of top car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

AAA vs. Sentry FAQs

Is AAA or Sentry cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Sentry is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $195 a month compared to $314 for AAA. But Sentry won't necessarily be the lowest company for each policyholder, since there are many different factors (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, AAA or Sentry?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile.

Why do AAA and Sentry offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different variables when determining the premiums they charge drivers. Factors such as your driving record, where you live, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both AAA and Sentry calculate rates using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

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

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