I evaluated all three alternatives - Costco, AARP, and brokers. They all have advantages and disadvantages. Costco (through CONNECT by American Family) often gives great discounts for a bundle, but coverage options vary by state. AARP’s plans through The Hartford get solid service ratings, but tend to be a little more expensive. Brokers evaluate multiple insurance companies all at once, which is particularly helpful since North Carolina has been seeing rising rates.
If you bundle home and auto, apply for identical quotes from all three - the same limits and deductibles - and then see which gives you the best deal after any discounts.
To summarize: Costco = price, AARP = service, Broker flexibility. Make sure you are comparing the same type of insurance before you choose.