Auto Insurance · Head-to-head
State Farm vs USAA: Which auto insurance wins?
Side-by-side comparison of State Farm and USAA auto insurance — average premiums, coverage strength, claims & support, and editorial verdict.
State Farm
Highest customer satisfaction scores in the major-carrier tier (J.D. Power 2025). Best in class when bundled with home/renters/life — the Drive Safe & Save telematics + multi-policy stack averages 25% off vs. solo auto. Branch + agent network is the largest in the country for in-person service.
USAA
Cheapest national carrier across virtually every driver profile — but eligibility is restricted to active-duty military, veterans, and their immediate family members. Customer service consistently ranks #1 in J.D. Power surveys (2018-2025). If you qualify, USAA is almost always the right answer.
Editor's verdict
USAA wins decisively if you qualify; State Farm is the best non-military alternative.
USAA's $1,065/year national average is $406 cheaper than State Farm's $1,471 — and USAA outscores State Farm on J.D. Power (where USAA is #1 vs. State Farm's #3). The catch: USAA is military-only. For non-eligible drivers, State Farm offers the closest service-quality match in the civilian market — 19,000 agents, top-tier claims handling, AM Best A++ financial strength. Verdict: military-eligible → USAA, always. Civilian → State Farm is the closest equivalent.
- USAA is $406/year cheaper than State Farm (Quadrant 2024) — but eligibility is restricted.
- USAA ranks #1 on J.D. Power every year since 2019; State Farm ranks #3.
- Both carry AM Best A++ — strongest financial-strength tier.
- USAA membership is restricted to military, veterans, and immediate family.
- State Farm offers the closest civilian service-quality match — 19,000 local agents.
Side-by-side breakdown
| Feature | State Farm | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg full-coverage premium | $1,471/yr | $1,065/yr |
| Avg liability-only premium | $568/yr | $420/yr |
| A.M. Best financial strength | — | — |
| Best for | bundling · good credit | military · good credit |
| Overall rating | 4.5/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Price & savings score (40%) | 4.4 | 4.9 |
| Coverage strength score (25%) | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| Quote & buy experience (20%) | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Claims & support score (15%) | 4.7 | 4.9 |
Avg full-coverage premium
State Farm
$1,471/yr
USAA
$1,065/yr
Avg liability-only premium
State Farm
$568/yr
USAA
$420/yr
A.M. Best financial strength
State Farm
—
USAA
—
Best for
State Farm
bundling · good credit
USAA
military · good credit
Overall rating
State Farm
4.5/5
USAA
4.9/5
Price & savings score (40%)
State Farm
4.4
USAA
4.9
Coverage strength score (25%)
State Farm
4.6
USAA
4.8
Quote & buy experience (20%)
State Farm
4.5
USAA
4.8
Claims & support score (15%)
State Farm
4.7
USAA
4.9
Editor verdicts
Why we rate State Farm 4.5/5
Highest customer satisfaction scores in the major-carrier tier (J.D. Power 2025). Best in class when bundled with home/renters/life — the Drive Safe & Save telematics + multi-policy stack averages 25% off vs. solo auto. Branch + agent network is the largest in the country for in-person service.
Read the full State Farm reviewWhy we rate USAA 4.9/5
Cheapest national carrier across virtually every driver profile — but eligibility is restricted to active-duty military, veterans, and their immediate family members. Customer service consistently ranks #1 in J.D. Power surveys (2018-2025). If you qualify, USAA is almost always the right answer.
Read the full USAA reviewWho should pick which?
Pick State Farm if…
- Your driver profile leans bundling — State Farm's underwriting is best-in-class there.
Pick USAA if…
- You want the lowest annual premium — USAA averages $1,065/yr for full coverage, $406 less than State Farm.
- You value claims responsiveness — USAA scores higher on claims & support.
- You want a smooth quote-and-buy flow with minimal phone follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most-searched questions about State Farm vs USAA.