AARP vs. AAA: Customer service, reviews and satisfaction
We explore how customers rate their AARP and AAA car insurance policies based on the insurance shopping experience, claims processing satisfaction and overall complaints.
AAA car insurance receives better customer service reviews than AARP
When examining the car insurance shopping experience, including how customers rate their overall satisfaction, policy offerings, price and local agent experience, AAA performed better than AARP.
Results are from J.D. Power's 2019 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, which used a large customer survey to rate the largest car insurers in the country. Ratings are based on a 5-point scale.
For J.D. Power's purchase experience customer satisfaction index, AAA also received higher marks than AARP. Scores are based out of 1000.
-
AAA (Auto Club of Southern California): 867
-
AAA (Auto Club Group): 857
-
AARP (Hartford): 846
Overall satisfaction | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Policy offerings | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Price | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Local agent | 3 | 3 | 2 |
{"backgroundColor":"white","content":"\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"align-center\"\u003EAAA car insurance receives better customer service reviews than AARP\u003C\/h3\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen examining the car insurance shopping experience, including how customers rate their overall satisfaction, policy offerings, price and local agent experience, \u003Cstrong\u003EAAA performed better than AARP\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EResults are from J.D. Power's 2019 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, which used a large customer survey to rate the largest car insurers in the country. Ratings are based on a 5-point scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EFor J.D. Power's purchase experience customer satisfaction index, AAA also received higher marks than AARP. Scores are based out of 1000.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"ShortcodeList--root \"\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv class=\"ShortcodeList--content ShortcodeList--content-margin\"\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\"ShortcodeList--column\"\u003E\n \u003Cul class=\"ListUnordered--root ListUnordered--bullet\"\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\"ListUnordered--list-item\"\u003E\n AAA (Auto Club of Southern California): 867\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\"ListUnordered--list-item\"\u003E\n AAA (Auto Club Group): 857\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003Cli class=\"ListUnordered--list-item\"\u003E\n AARP (Hartford): 846\n \u003C\/li\u003E\n \u003C\/ul\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"ReactComponent--root\"\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\"js-react-component-rendered js-react-component-ComparisonTable\" data-component-name=\"ComparisonTable\"\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\"ComparisonTableRoot-sc-jl9psb bgqgcQ\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledRootWrapper-sc-3qeib4 jYHfZo\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledTableWrapper-sc-5nmmx9 fesmOM\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledTableOverflowWrapper-sc-hixhp9 gVbnK\"\u003E\u003Ctable class=\"StyledTable-sc-ujzn9t jVpJxq\"\u003E\u003Cthead class=\"StyledHeaderRow-sc-1m1b8dn hCELBb\"\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r gPTwhA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFeatures\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r glLrYA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAAA (Auto Club of Southern California)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r glLrYA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAAA (Auto Club Group)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r glLrYA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAARP (Hartford)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/thead\u003E\u003Ctbody class=\"StyledBody-sc-14y8oc0 dcdMVT\"\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003EOverall satisfaction\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003EPolicy offerings\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003EPrice\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003ELocal agent\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp class=\"SortableTable--footnote\"\u003EThe Auto Club of Southern California and The Auto Club Group are AAA affiliate organizations that underwrite its car insurance policies. Hartford auto insurance underwrites policies for AARP.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cscript type=\"application\/json\" class=\"js-react-component\" data-component-name=\"ComparisonTable\"\u003E{\"alignsHorizontal\":[\"left\",\"right\",\"right\",\"right\",\"right\"],\"alignsVertical\":[],\"columnWidths\":[],\"data\":[[\"Features\",\"AAA (Auto Club of Southern California)\",\"AAA (Auto Club Group)\",\"AARP (Hartford)\"],[\"Overall satisfaction\",\"4\",\"3\",\"3\"],[\"Policy offerings\",\"4\",\"3\",\"3\"],[\"Price\",\"4\",\"3\",\"3\"],[\"Local agent\",\"3\",\"3\",\"2\"]],\"footnote\":\"The Auto Club of Southern California and The Auto Club Group are AAA affiliate organizations that underwrite its car insurance policies. Hartford auto insurance underwrites policies for AARP.\",\"hideHeaderRow\":false,\"hasMarginBottom\":true,\"isExpandable\":true,\"isSortable\":false,\"maxWidth\":\"1215\",\"minWidth\":\"100%\",\"showSearch\":false,\"sortColumnIndex\":0,\"sortDirection\":\"asc\"}\u003C\/script\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n","padding":"double"}
AARP beats AAA car insurance for claims satisfaction
Regarding claims satisfaction, customers gave AARP slightly better reviews than AAA, though there are crucial differences across individual categories including first notice of loss (FNOL), repair services, claim processing and settlement.
Results are from J.D. Power’s 2018 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Ratings are based on a 5-point scale.
Satisfaction | 3 | 3 | 3 |
FNOL | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Estimation | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Repair | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Rental | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Service | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Settlement | 3 | 4 | 3 |
{"backgroundColor":"white","content":"\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Ch3 id=\"claims\" class=\"align-center\"\u003EAARP beats AAA car insurance for claims satisfaction\u003C\/h3\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003ERegarding claims satisfaction, customers gave \u003Cstrong\u003EAARP slightly better reviews than AAA\u003C\/strong\u003E, though there are crucial differences across individual categories including first notice of loss (FNOL), repair services, claim processing and settlement.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EResults are from J.D. Power\u2019s 2018 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Ratings are based on a 5-point scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"ReactComponent--root\"\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\"js-react-component-rendered js-react-component-ComparisonTable\" data-component-name=\"ComparisonTable\"\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\"ComparisonTableRoot-sc-jl9psb bgqgcQ\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledRootWrapper-sc-3qeib4 jYHfZo\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledTableWrapper-sc-5nmmx9 fesmOM\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledTableOverflowWrapper-sc-hixhp9 gVbnK\"\u003E\u003Ctable class=\"StyledTable-sc-ujzn9t jVpJxq\"\u003E\u003Cthead class=\"StyledHeaderRow-sc-1m1b8dn hCELBb\"\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r gPTwhA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFeatures\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r glLrYA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAARP (Hartford)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r glLrYA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAAA (Auto Club of Southern California)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003Cth colSpan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledHeaderCell-sc-nsptsd frWuiR\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"StyledColumnHeaderWrapper-sc-12xyb2r glLrYA\"\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAAA (Auto Club Group)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/th\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/thead\u003E\u003Ctbody class=\"StyledBody-sc-14y8oc0 dcdMVT\"\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003ESatisfaction\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003EFNOL\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003EEstimation\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003ERepair\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003ERental\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003EService\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E2\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee XfhRD\"\u003ESettlement\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E4\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd colSpan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" width=\"\" class=\"StyledBodyCell-sc-5cu9ee frAYUA\"\u003E3\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp class=\"SortableTable--footnote\"\u003EThe Auto Club of Southern California and The Auto Club Group are AAA affiliate organizations that underwrite its car insurance policies. Hartford underwrites car insurance policies for AARP.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cscript type=\"application\/json\" class=\"js-react-component\" data-component-name=\"ComparisonTable\"\u003E{\"alignsHorizontal\":[\"left\",\"right\",\"right\",\"right\",\"right\",\"right\",\"right\",\"right\"],\"alignsVertical\":[],\"columnWidths\":[],\"data\":[[\"Features\",\"AARP (Hartford)\",\"AAA (Auto Club of Southern California)\",\"AAA (Auto Club Group)\"],[\"Satisfaction\",\"3\",\"3\",\"3\"],[\"FNOL\",\"4\",\"3\",\"3\"],[\"Estimation\",\"3\",\"3\",\"2\"],[\"Repair\",\"3\",\"3\",\"3\"],[\"Rental\",\"4\",\"3\",\"3\"],[\"Service\",\"3\",\"3\",\"2\"],[\"Settlement\",\"3\",\"4\",\"3\"]],\"footnote\":\"The Auto Club of Southern California and The Auto Club Group are AAA affiliate organizations that underwrite its car insurance policies. Hartford underwrites car insurance policies for AARP.\",\"hideHeaderRow\":false,\"hasMarginBottom\":true,\"isExpandable\":true,\"isSortable\":false,\"maxWidth\":\"1215\",\"minWidth\":\"100%\",\"showSearch\":false,\"sortColumnIndex\":0,\"sortDirection\":\"asc\"}\u003C\/script\u003E\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E","padding":"double"}
AAA receives fewer complaints than expected, compared to AARP
AAA (Auto Club) received better customer service ratings than AARP (Hartford), based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) complaint index.
AAA received a complaint index of 0.74 in 2018, which was lower than the national median of 1.00, as well as AARP's 0.90. Both companies' complaint index indicates the insurer received a lower frequency of complaints than expected for a company of its size.
{"backgroundColor":"white","content":"\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"align-center\"\u003EAAA receives fewer complaints than expected, compared to AARP\u003C\/h3\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAAA (Auto Club) received better customer service ratings than AARP (Hartford), based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) complaint index.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAAA received a complaint index of 0.74 in 2018, which was lower than the national median of 1.00, as well as AARP's 0.90. Both companies' complaint index indicates the insurer received a lower frequency of complaints than expected for a company of its size.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E","padding":"double"}
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.