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

Quick Facts

• In general, Trustgard Auto offers significantly more affordable premiums than AAA
• AAA offers more discounts than Trustgard Auto Insurance
• Trustgard Auto offers more affordable prices for drivers with a DUI charge on their record

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

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering hefty discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might be considering AAA or Trustgard Auto, but between the two, which company will save you the most?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, AAA has average rates that are about 55% per month more expensive than those from Trustgard Auto.

Even so, Trustgard Auto may not be the most affordable or best option for each driver out there. Insurance carriers use a ton of complex algorithms to calculate rates, so depending on how clean your driving record is or how old you are (among multiple other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

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

AAA or Trustgard Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

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

But there's more to calculating car insurance prices than just the state you live in. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance rates of any group out there on the road. It's usually because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

However, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have Trustgard Auto for their auto insurance pay nearly $350 less than those who use AAA.

But with both companies, you'll see your premiums lower significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for AAA policyholders drop almost 60% and Trustgard Auto's prices decrease nearly 70% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the lowest insurance premiums out there. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which normally decreases their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase rates.

When looking at AAA and Trustgard Auto specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Trustgard Auto gets the edge here, with average prices coming in at around $96 per month compared to AAA's $238.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance premiums are typically more expensive for single drivers than they are for married couples? This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something lots of insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Trustgard Auto is the clear winner for those who are single, with rates about $199 a month more affordable than AAA, on average. The advantage is also clear for married policyholders - Trustgard Auto offers the cheapest average premiums.

AAA vs. Trustgard Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents. That means when it comes to auto insurance men will generally end up paying a little more.

Usually, women see prices more than 10% per month less with AAA, and around 6% less with Trustgard Auto.

When it comes to the lowest premiums for each gender, Trustgard Auto offers the most affordable average rates for both men and women. On average, women save about $164 a month and men save about $189 with Trustgard Auto compared to the average AAA policyholder.

AAA or Trustgard Auto: 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.

Insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. There are several different coverages that account for lots of 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 (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which typically refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Trustgard Auto usually offers significantly cheaper prices of $79 compared to AAA's $169. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Trustgard Auto again has the edge, with policies around $250 per month less expensive than AAA, on average.

Is AAA or Trustgard Auto 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 collisions will most likely raise your premiums, but is AAA or Trustgard Auto more affordable 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 a month if they get a ticket, while Trustgard Auto normally raises prices about $50 per month, on average.

That being said, Trustgard Auto is usually the cheaper option for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records. Drivers with a clean record can save around $115 a month and drivers with a ticket can save about $151 per month with Trustgard Auto Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

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

Overall, the less expensive rates come from Trustgard Auto, with monthly prices averaging $133 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 an accident. AAA drivers usually see a 47% increase in their car insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Trustgard Auto will typically climb premiums by around 43%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Trustgard Auto tends to be the much cheaper option with average rates of $171 monthly compared to $403 from AAA.

How does Credit Score Impact AAA and Trustgard Auto Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can be used as one of the factors to determine your monthly insurance prices. This isn't always the case (for example, California and Michigan are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it will come into play for quite a few drivers.

The reasoning car insurance carriers use is that policyholders with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so generally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with more affordable premiums.

Looking specifically at Trustgard Auto and AAA, which carrier has the best prices 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 Trustgard Auto. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save just under 40% compared to AAA, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $119 or 48% less expensive each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Trustgard Auto typically offers lower premiums than AAA when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $164 a month less with Trustgard Auto compared to AAA, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about $369 a month.

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

How much you drive can have a sizable impact on how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage. Typically, the more miles you drive, the more you can expect to pay for car insurance.

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

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

Where your home is can play a pretty big role in how much you pay for insurance. Normally, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

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

Those in rural areas can expect to pay about $134 per month with Trustgard Auto and $256 with AAA. People in suburban areas pay a monthly rate of around $132 with Trustgard Auto compared to $301 with AAA. For drivers in urban ZIP codes, Trustgard Auto's average rates are about $147 while AAA offers premiums around $384.

AAA vs. Trustgard Auto Discounts

Regardless of 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 possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With so many discounts out there, it may seem hard to find all the of the ones you're eligible for.

In the table below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts AAA and Trustgard Auto offer their customers so that you can see which one offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

AAA blows Trustgard Auto away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 17 more discounts than Trustgard Auto.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but AAA also offers AAA discounts, academic discounts, driver training discounts, and more that Trustgard Auto does not.

On the flip side, Trustgard Auto has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advanced safety feature discounts, company car discounts, education discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is AAA or Trustgard Auto Best for You?

You've seen the role certain variables have on your auto insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which carrier is the best company for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Trustgard Auto might be best for you if....

• Your credit is less-than-stellar.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" car insurance.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your auto insurance.

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 Trustgard Auto and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your insurance.

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

AAA vs. Trustgard Auto FAQs

Is AAA or Trustgard Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Trustgard Auto is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $137 per month compared to $314 for AAA. But Trustgard Auto won't necessarily be the most affordable company for each policyholder, since there are many different factors (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, AAA or Trustgard Auto?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". No single carrier is "better" for every driver -- it all boils down to your unique insurance profile.

Why do AAA and Trustgard Auto offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at a lot of different variables when calculating the prices they charge drivers. Factors such as gender, your driving record, where you park your car, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both AAA and Trustgard Auto calculate premiums using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

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

The only way to find the car 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, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be AAA or Trustgard Auto 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.