Root vs USAA: Which is Better for You?
- Winner: USAA
- USAA is more expensive but substantially better rated than Root.
- Your experience with USAA and Root will vary based on individual rating factors.
Why you can trust The Zebra
Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specialized in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.
Ross h…
Credentials
- 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- Associate in Insurance (AINS)
- Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
Kristine joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer, with a property and casualty insurance license. Before joining The Ze…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 6+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry
Root vs. USAA: What's the difference?
The Zebra's choice: USAA
USAA is more expensive but it received higher ratings than Root.
Root:
- Cost: $47/month for full coverage
- Customer service: 3.5
- Claims handling: 2.5
- Digital experience: 4
- Trust: 2
- Overall rating: 2.9
Root comes out on top when it comes to cheaper rates
USAA:
- Cost: $70/month for full coverage
- Customer service: 4.1
- Claims handling: 2.5
- Digital experience: 4.8
- Trust: 4.8
- Overall rating: 4.1
USAA takes the win for customer service, digital experience and trust scores
Root vs. USAA: discount comparison
Compare the companies' discount options for car insurance in the below table.
Telematics options: Root vs. USAA
USAA and Root both offer telematics programs that measure your driving habits and calculate the level of risk you pose. Telematics-powered insurance represents Root's primary value proposition and underpins the carrier's entire pricing strategy.
Root is among the most popular telematics insurance companies. Root uses its telematics app to gather information and calculate customer premiums. Rates are then set based on the driver's actions behind the wheel and total mileage, rather than on factors such as demographic information and credit score.
USAA's usage-based plan allows customers to have their driving habits monitored in exchange for cheaper auto insurance rates. A discount of 10% is available at signup, with savings of up to 30% possible for safe drivers at the next policy renewal.
Zebra Tip: Choose Root for telematics
Root's easy-to-use mobile app and telematics-native approach to insurance separate it from traditional companies (even those like USAA that offer telematics savings).
Roadside assistance: Root vs. USAA
See below info on the roadside assistance packages offered by Root and USAA.
Root
Every Root policy includes roadside assistance, helping drivers in the event of car trouble. One of the few extra coverages available from Root is rental car coverage. If you purchase this coverage, Root will reimburse costs up to a specific amount for a rental car until your vehicle is fixed or replaced after a collision. Root also reimburses its customers for rides through Lyft.
USAA
USAA offers the below roadside assistance services:
- Towing
- Flat tire changing
- Fuel delivery
- Jump-starts
- Lock-out service
- Stuck vehicle assistance
Note: USAA membership includes these services at reduced rates for policyholders who don't subscribe to roadside assistance.
Root vs. USAA: home insurance
Each company offers home insurance policies. Read the below comparison to figure out which company is the best fit for you.
Root homeowners insurance review
Root allows its car insurance customers to add home insurance through its partnership with Homesite. Root home insurance is not available as a standalone insurance policy: a customer must be enrolled in Root's car insurance program to be eligible. Root claims customers who bundle home and auto policies receive 10% discounts on their home insurance premiums.
Based on Root's middling home insurance customer satisfaction scores, homeowners looking for top-notch customer satisfaction may want to find a policy with another carrier.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated: Root’s homeowners insurance partner, Homesite, is currently unrated by J.D. Power.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated
- Financial strength — Excellent: Homesite’s financial outlook is considered stable by AM Best.
- NAIC Rating — Above average: Homesite received more customer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
USAA homeowners review
Similar to USAA's car insurance offerings, the company receives outstanding customer reviews and ratings from outside rating agencies. Indeed, The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey found USAA was the top company in each category offered.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.6/5: USAA topped every category of The Zebra's homeowners customer satisfaction survey.
- J.D. Power Rating — Among the Best: J.D. Power rates USAA above average in claims and customer service satisfaction.
- Financial strength — Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating by A.M. Best shows USAA's ability to pay out claims is solid.
- NAIC Rating — Excellent: Regarding USAA, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received relatively few customer complaints when compared to the market median.
Which company comes out on top?
USAA (if you're eligible)
For those homeowners with eligibility through military service, USAA is a fantastic option for homeowners insurance. The company's affordable rates and a wide selection of coverage options also contribute to its status as a great choice.
Root vs. USAA: homeowners discount comparison
Each of the two companies offers home insurance discounts. Compare these side-by-side below.
| Discount comparison | Root | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ✓ | |
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) | ✓ | ✓ |
| New home construction | ✓ | ✓ |
Zebra Tip: Consider discounts when purchasing home insurance
Root and USAA both offer basic homeowners insurance discounts. When comparing insurance options, be sure to look out for discounts that apply to you.
Other insurance products and bundling options
Root and USAA offer other insurance products and the option to bundle policies to save money. Compare alternative offerings from the companies below.
| Other products | Root | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel trailer insurance | ✓ | |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | |
| Mobile home insurance | ✓ | |
| Umbrella | ✓ | |
| ATV insurance | ✓ | |
| Pet insurance | ✓ | |
| Commercial insurance | ✓ |
Find the best insurance policy for your needs.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.
