Esurance vs AAA Auto Insurance

Shopping for auto insurance can be very perplexing, especially if you are faced with a variety of choices in types of companies and the way they conduct business.

Comparing two auto insurance companies side by side can be a good way to get a clear picture of your options and decide on the right provider for you. Esurance and AAA are two very popular auto insurance companies but also very different.

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About Esurance

Esurance has a unique history among auto insurance companies. The company began as a venture by several computer experts in the Silicon Valley of California who wanted to try out an insurance company which operated wholly through internet services.

The idea caught on, largely through Esurance’s catchy advertising campaigns and large internet presence. Today, Esurance is owned by Allstate, but still maintains its online presence by primarily selling and managing accounts through the internet.

Its target market is people who prefer online interaction to face-to-face contact. While personal help is available through telephone contact, most business with Esurance is conducted online.

Read a full Esurance Auto Insurance Review

About AAA Auto Insurance

The Automobile Association of America, or “Triple A,” was founded in Chicago in 1902 as a club for automobile enthusiasts. Through the years, AAA has grown to include a host of regional and state AAA clubs, and many of these groups offer independent automobile insurance.

While there is no central “AAA Insurance,” each group offers competitive rates and a variety of coverage.

Most people still think of AAA as an automobile club which provides services such as towing, roadside assistance and recommendation on automobiles however almost every driver can obtain auto insurance through state or regional AAA groups.

Read a full AAA Auto Insurance Review

Esurance Customer Service Ratings

Esurance has not enjoyed terribly high customer service ratings, possibly due to its primarily online format, which can be difficult for some users.

In the 2011 J. D. Power and Associates survey, a standard in the automobile insurance industry, Esurance scored only 763 out of 1,000 possible points, a full 27 points below the national average.

This score meant that Esurance was ranked 24th out of the 33 companies compared in the survey.

Esurance’s low scores came from a number of “below average” ratings in various categories. Esurance scored only two out of five stars in overall customer satisfaction, billing and payment, and contacting the insurer.

Esurance did score three out of five stars, or “average,” on pricing and policy offerings.

AAA Customer Satisfaction Ratings

It is difficult to get a full picture of how satisfied customers are with AAA. Because insurance is offered through so many venues with this organization, different groups may have different customer satisfaction ratings.

For example, the Automobile Club of Southern California, or ACSC, is an AAA group which operates in southern California.

According to the J. D. Power and Associates 2011 survey, this company scored three out of five stars, or “average,” in all categories except “contacting the insurer,” in which the company scored two out of five stars, or “below average,” and four out of five stars, or “above average,” in pricing.

ASCS scored 777 out of 1,000 points, which placed it 15th among the 33 companies surveyed.

On the other hand, California State Automobile Association, or CSAA, which operates in Northern and Central California, was rated as “average” in every category except “contacting the insurer,” and received a score of 769 out of 1,000 points, ranking 21st out of the 33 companies.

Which auto insurance company is better – Esurance or AAA?

While neither of these auto insurance companies reviewed have outstanding customer service ratings, this may be due to the fact that all of them operate in a primarily online or phone-based medium for interactions with customers.

Not all customers are pleased with having to manage their own online accounts and may feel that these companies do not concern themselves as much with individuals as companies which operate on an agency basis.

However, both companies offer good auto insurance coverage at reasonable prices. If you are already a member of AAA, or would like the other benefits AAA membership brings, it would benefit you to explore your area’s AAA website for insurance opportunities.

Some AAA websites have quote comparison features which will compare your current insurance prices with those of AAA.

Esurance also offers a variety of online tools for you to use in assessing your insurance needs and their offerings. Both companies have a strong online presence and offer a variety of policy types to meet your needs.

Explore the websites of both companies and always talk to their online or on-the-phone representatives to learn more about current rates and plans.

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