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Costco vs Sam's Club Car Insurance: Costs & Discounts

If you’re weighing Costco vs Sam’s Club car insurance, you’re really comparing two different ways of getting member-priced coverage.

Both memberships can help you save, but they partner with insurers in different ways—and that changes how you shop, what discounts you can get, and the perks you’ll see on your policy.

How each membership’s car insurance works

Costco: Costco doesn’t underwrite car insurance; it offers access to policies through CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance (formerly Ameriprise). It’s a group-style program for Costco members, and Executive members may qualify for additional benefits or savings where available. Rates, discounts, and features vary by state.

Sam’s Club: Sam’s Club typically partners with an insurance agency/marketplace to connect members to multiple well-known carriers. That means you’ll compare quotes from several insurers through the Sam’s Club program rather than buying from a single exclusive carrier. The exact partner and lineup of insurers can change over time and by location.

What this means for you: With Costco, you’re essentially checking one primary option (CONNECT) designed for members. With Sam’s Club, you’re using a comparison hub that can surface the cheapest or best-fitting carrier for your profile. If you want a streamlined experience and member-centric perks, Costco can be appealing; if you want a wide net of quotes, Sam’s Club has an edge.

Availability and eligibility

Costco/CONNECT: Available in most, but not all, states. Eligibility requires an active Costco membership, and specific benefits (including any Executive-tier extras) can vary by state due to insurance regulations. If CONNECT isn’t available in your state, you won’t be able to buy the Costco-branded option.

Sam’s Club: Because Sam’s Club functions as a marketplace via a partner agency, availability usually mirrors each underlying carrier’s footprint. You’ll need an active Sam’s Club membership to access the program, but your final eligibility depends on the carrier you select.

Tip: Before you invest time in quoting, confirm availability for your ZIP code and have your membership number handy.

Coverage and add-ons

Both Costco/CONNECT and Sam’s Club-linked carriers offer the familiar core protections—liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and medical coverages—as well as optional extras. The difference is that Costco’s features come via a single underwriting partner, while Sam’s Club gives you carrier-to-carrier choice.

Common add-ons you may see (availability varies by state and carrier):

  • Roadside assistance
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Accident forgiveness
  • New car replacement or gap coverage
  • OEM parts coverage for repairs
  • Glass repair/replacement benefits
  • Usage-based/telematics programs for safe drivers

Discounts compared: Costco vs Sam’s Club

Costco (through CONNECT)

  • Member discount: Policies are priced for Costco members, with potential additional savings or perks for Executive members in some states.
  • Multi-policy/bundling: Savings for bundling home, condo, or renters insurance with auto (where offered).
  • Safe driver and accident-free: Rewarding clean driving histories.
  • Good student/student away at school: For eligible households with young drivers.
  • Vehicle safety and anti-theft: For cars with qualifying safety features.
  • Multi-vehicle: If you insure more than one car.
  • Paperless, pay-in-full, or autopay: Admin-related discounts where permitted.
  • Telematics/usage-based: In select states, a safe-driving program may reduce premiums based on driving behavior.

Sam’s Club (marketplace carriers)

  • Carrier-specific discounts: Because you’re shopping multiple insurers, available discounts vary—safe driver, accident-free, defensive driving courses, and claim-free periods are common.
  • Bundling: Many participating carriers discount when you bundle home or renters with auto.
  • Good student and distant student: Frequently offered across carriers.
  • Telematics/usage-based: Several marketplace carriers offer app-based safe-driving discounts.
  • Vehicle safety and anti-theft: Often recognized by most carriers.
  • Payment and digital: Paperless, autopay, or pay-in-full can add incremental savings.

Bottom line: Costco’s discount set is consistent with CONNECT’s offerings, while Sam’s Club’s discount menu depends on whichever carrier you choose through the marketplace. Either way, stacking a safe-driver program, bundling, and payment method discounts can create meaningful savings.

Price comparison: what’s usually cheaper?

There isn’t a universal winner. In many markets, Costco/CONNECT is competitive because it’s a member-oriented program with simplified pricing and strong underwriting. In others, the Sam’s Club marketplace pulls ahead because you can compare several carriers and land on the best rate for your specific drivers, vehicles, and location.

Rates are highly sensitive to factors like your driving record, credit-based insurance score (in states where allowed), age of drivers, annual mileage, garaging ZIP code, coverage limits, and the vehicles themselves. Two households on the same street can see very different quotes.

Practical advice: Get quotes from both. If Costco/CONNECT is available in your state, compare that single quote against two to four carriers surfaced by the Sam’s Club program. Use identical coverage limits and deductibles so you’re truly comparing apples to apples.

How to get quotes and maximize savings

  • Set your coverage targets: Decide your liability limits (aim above state minimums), deductibles, and must-have add-ons before you shop.
  • Gather data: VINs, driver license numbers, annual mileage, prior insurer, garaging address, and your membership number.
  • Quote both programs: If available, get a Costco/CONNECT quote and at least two marketplace carrier quotes via Sam’s Club.
  • Match options: Keep coverages identical across quotes (e.g., 100/300/100 liability, $500 comp/collision deductibles) to prevent “quote games.”
  • Ask about telematics: Safe-driving programs can add immediate or renewal-time discounts if you’re a low-risk driver.
  • Leverage bundling: If you carry home/condo/renters, run bundled quotes—it often delivers the single biggest discount.
  • Optimize payments: Pay-in-full or autopay/paperless can shave extra dollars off with both programs.
  • Check Executive/member-tier perks: If you’re a Costco Executive member, verify any added benefits; Sam’s Club Plus members should also ask if carriers offer tier-based incentives.
  • Review every 12 months: Rates move. Requote annually or after life changes (move, new driver, new car).

Which should you choose? Quick takeaways

  • Choose Costco/CONNECT if: You prefer a streamlined, member-focused program and value potentially consistent service/claims experience from one underwriting partner.
  • Choose Sam’s Club marketplace if: You want to cast a wide net across multiple carriers and prioritize the lowest premium for your driver profile.
  • Undecided? Quote both on the same day with identical coverage specs—the numbers will usually make the choice clear.

FAQs

Is Costco car insurance cheaper than Sam’s Club?

Sometimes—but not always. Costco’s program can be very competitive for many drivers, yet the Sam’s Club marketplace may surface a carrier that beats it for your exact risk profile. The only reliable answer is to compare live quotes.

Do I get special discounts just for being a member?

Costco members access CONNECT’s member pricing and may see extra benefits at the Executive level in some states. Sam’s Club members access a marketplace that negotiates with multiple carriers; any member-specific savings are embedded in the offer you receive from the selected insurer. All other discounts depend on the insurer and your profile.

Are both options available in every state?

No. Costco/CONNECT isn’t available in every state, and the Sam’s Club marketplace depends on partner carriers licensed in your state. Always check ZIP-level availability first.

Can I bundle home and auto?

Yes. Costco/CONNECT and many carriers accessed through Sam’s Club offer bundling discounts when you package home, condo, or renters with auto. Bundling can materially reduce the combined premium.

Final word: In the Costco vs Sam’s Club car insurance matchup, there’s no one-size-fits-all winner. Shop both, align coverages, and let the quotes—and service reputation—guide your choice.