If you’ve served in the military, you and your family are eligible for special military car insurance discounts. USAA is the top provider for active and retired military personnel, offering excellent pricing and top customer satisfaction ratings, according to a study by J.D. Power.
Geico is another major provider of military car insurance in the United States. There are also several other insurers that offer military car insurance discounts:
- Arbella
- The General
- Armed Forces Insurance
Each military auto insurance company has their own guidelines and provides different veteran car insurance discounts. To evaluate these companies, we looked at coverage options, discounts, customer service ratings and average premiums for each provider.
The best car insurance companies for military personnel and veterans
USAA
Specializing in products and services exclusively for retired and active-duty military personnel and their families, USAA Auto Insurance is the top value when you’re shopping for the best military auto insurance discounts.
Depending on the state you live in, USAA offers up to a 15% discount on comprehensive and collision coverage for a car or truck garaged on a military base. If you’re deployed, you’ll receive up to 60% off your car insurance while your car is in storage.
USAA offers additional discounts for safe driving, being a good student, insuring multiple vehicles, staying with the company for an extended period of time, bundling policies and taking an approved defensive driving course. If drivers have not had an at-fault accident in five years, they automatically get free accident forgiveness coverage on their policy.
The average annual rate for a medium tier auto insurance policy from USAA is $895, which is the most affordable option we found. However, the average rate varies greatly based on a number of factors including age, gender, location, credit score and more.
For example, with USAA, a driver with one accident is looking at a rate of $1,216, and a driver with poor credit would pay about $1,826. A single, 25-year-old female is looking at a rate of about $1,039, whereas a married 60-year-old female would be paying an average of $779.
Besides being the cheapest military auto insurance option, USAA Auto Insurance gets top ratings for customer service. Once you’re covered by USAA, they guarantee you can renew your policy for life as long as you pay your premiums, remain qualified and keep your driver’s license valid. USAA also offers a flexible payment plan at no added cost.
Geico
Geico stands for Government Employees Insurance Company. Government employees or military and their families qualify for military auto insurance discounts. Geico offers a 15% discount to veterans and military personnel. Active duty military get an extra 15% off.
To qualify for Geico’s veterans car insurance discounts, you need to be a member of:
- Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA)
- Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)
- National Infantry Association (NIA)
Geico also offers military discounts for members of certain associations, including the Armed Forces Benefits Association (AFBA), Navy League of the United States (NLUS), Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) and American Society of Military Controllers (ASMC). If a customer is part of an emergency deployment to an imminent danger zone, they are eligible for a discount of up to 25%.
Aside from military discounts, Geico offers a variety of ways for customers to save money on their auto insurance premiums. Drivers can get a discount for having certain vehicle safety features, taking a defensive driving course, being a good driver, bundling policies, insuring more than one vehicle, being a good student and more.
Geico’s military auto insurance is slightly more expensive than USAA. The average annual rate for a medium tier policy from Geico is $1,063. Across the board, premiums are higher than USAA.
A driver with one accident would pay a premium of about $1,691, and a driver with poor credit would pay about $1,853. A single, 25-year-old female is looking at a rate of about $1,160, whereas a married 60-year-old female would be paying an average of $972.
Other military insurance companies that offer discounts
Arbella
Arbella is a small insurer that is available for residents of Massachusetts who are deployed more than 100 miles away from their car. They offer a 10% discount for active-duty military.
The General
The General Insurance is a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corporation, that offers auto insurance to everyone, regardless of their military status. The company is rated highly among customers, and received an A- from AM Best. The General Insurance is widely available in 46 states.
Unlike the other providers on this list, The General is a great insurance option for people with poor credit scores or with a bad driving record. The General offers SR-22 insurance, which is a document required to prove that drivers have sufficient coverage if they are facing a traffic violation, such as a DUI or driving without a license.
Though The General’s mobile app, customers can view their policy, make changes to their policy, get their insurance card, file a claim and make payments. Unlike its competitors, The General does not include information about discounts and other benefits on its website. In order to view coverage options, you must get a quote online first.
Armed Forces Insurance
Similar to USAA Auto Insurance, Armed Forces Insurance is a military-focused insurance company. Prices and services are very competitive between the two military car insurance companies.
The main differences between AFI and USAA Auto Insurance are:
- AFI has a financial rating of B++ while USAA has a rating of A++ from the global credit rating agency AM Best.
- You can join the USAA if you’re active duty or retired military or if someone in your family is. Former spouses are included. Academy, ROTC, OCS/OTS candidates are also eligible. AFI membership adds active or retired department of defense civilian employees or current and former commissioned officers of the NOAA or PHS as eligible.
Frequently asked questions
Which carrier has the best car insurance discounts for the military?
USAA Auto Insurance has the best military and veteran automobile insurance discounts. Not only could you save considerably on your car insurance, but USAA rates high in customer satisfaction as well.
What factors will impact my monthly car insurance premium?
Your monthly or annual premium is dependant on your age, location, credit score, driving history, type of car and marital status. These factors apply to both military and non-military auto insurance.
How do I get my military discount on car insurance?
Depending on the insurance company, you need to be active duty or retired military, or a close family member of military personnel such as spouse or child, to qualify.
Who is eligible for USAA insurance?
Most likely, yes. You don’t have to be active duty military to get USAA car insurance. Here is who’s eligible for USAA car insurance, according to the USAA website:
- Active, retired and honorably discharged officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. military
- Officer candidates in commissioning programs (Academy, ROTC, OCS/OTS)
- Adult children (18+) of USAA members who have or had a USAA auto or property insurance policy
- Widows and widowers of USAA members who have or had a USAA auto or property insurance policy
Are there other ways to save on your car insurance policy?
Yes. Both USAA and Geico offer additional discounts unrelated to military involvement. You can save even more money on your monthly premiums by insuring a new vehicle, insuring multiple vehicles, bundling your insurance policies, being a good driver, being a good student, taking a defensive driving course, having certain safety features installed on your vehicle and more. Most insurance providers have a list of the discounts they offer on their website.
What proof can I use to show I’m eligible for military auto insurance?
The verification process is different for every insurance company, but you’ll likely need to submit a photo ID (driver’s license, state ID card or passport), as well as one of the following military documents:
- D214 Member 4 copy
- Discharge certificate
- Leaving and earning statement (LES)
- Military orders if you’re on active-duty
- NGB22
- Academy appointment letter or ROTC contract
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