Best Military Car Insurance for Veterans and Families
Best Military Car Insurance for Veterans and Families
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
If you’re a veteran or active member of the military, you and your family might be eligible for some of the best car insurance rates around.
USAA offers auto insurance exclusively for veterans, active-duty military and their families. Others provide special discounts and services for members of the military.
And in Louisiana, auto insurers are required to offer a 25% military car insurance discount to full-time active military. This discount applies to liability insurance, which pays for damage you cause in an at-fault accident. If you’re deployed outside the state, you must be single or your family must live in Louisiana to qualify. Rates vary by company.
The Best Car Insurance for Veterans and Military Members
Choosing the right car insurance can be a daunting task for anyone, but for veterans and military members, finding an insurer that understands their unique needs is crucial. Luckily, several insurance companies offer special discounts and perks tailored specifically for service members and their families. In this post, we’ll explore the top picks for military car insurance, taking into account customer satisfaction, consumer complaints, overall ratings, and discount details.
USAA: Best for Cheap Car Insurance for Veterans and Military
NerdWallet Rating: 5.0
Who It’s For:
USAA is the go-to insurer for active military members, veterans, and their families. It stands out for offering some of the lowest rates in the industry, specifically for those with a military background.
Key Benefits:
- Exclusive Membership: USAA is unique because it only serves former and current military members and their families. This includes those currently enlisted in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard, and Reserves. It also extends to retired or honorably discharged members, U.S. service academies, advanced ROTC members, officer candidates, and families of these groups.
- Substantial Discounts: USAA offers a 15% discount on comprehensive coverage for vehicles parked on a military base in most states. Additionally, if you’re not driving your car and have it stored securely, you can get up to a 60% discount—ideal for those on deployment. However, note that this storage discount is not available in Hawaii, North Carolina, or Virginia.
- High Customer Satisfaction: USAA consistently receives fewer consumer complaints than expected, based on data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Moreover, it scores high in customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports.
While USAA is not ranked in NerdWallet’s general best car insurance companies due to its exclusive membership, if it were, it would undoubtedly be among the top five.
Geico: Best Military Car Insurance Discount
NerdWallet Rating: 5.0
Why Geico Stands Out:
Geico is a popular choice for car insurance, offering extensive discounts and nationwide availability. It’s particularly appealing for military members due to its specific military-related discounts.
Key Benefits:
- Military Discount: Geico provides up to a 15% discount on auto insurance for active duty military, retired military personnel, National Guard members, Reserves, and members of military professional organizations like the Navy Federal Credit Union.
- Emergency Deployment Discount: Geico offers up to a 25% discount for military members who are deployed to “imminent danger pay areas” as defined by the Department of Defense, provided they store their cars according to an approved storage protection plan.
- Reliable Service: According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Geico receives about the expected number of consumer complaints compared to other insurers of its size. This indicates a solid reputation and reliable service.
Because Geico’s military discount applies not only during deployment but also when living on a base, it can offer substantial savings. However, as with any insurance, rates are personal, so it’s best to compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers to find the best deal for your specific needs.
Arbella: Best deployment discount from a small company
NerdWallet rating: Not rated.
Discount details: Arbella’s 10% discount is available to Massachusetts customers deployed on active duty at least 100 miles from their car.
Although Arbella is too small to be rated by NerdWallet at this time, it ranked No. 7 out of 11 among other New England insurers in J.D. Power’s 2023 Auto Insurance Study for customer satisfaction
. It had fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Armed Forces Insurance: Best military car insurance agency
NerdWallet rating: Not rated.
Discount details: While there are no specific discounts listed online, Armed Forces Insurance is an agency, so it can give you quotes from multiple insurers within its network.
Like USAA, Armed Forces Insurance provides auto insurance for veterans, active-duty personnel and their families. However, it expands coverage beyond the military and includes active or retired Department of Defense employees.
Military car insurance rates
USAA has the cheapest minimum car insurance for veterans and military members on average, according to our January 2024 rates analysis. Although Liberty Mutual and Armed Forces Insurance offer military car insurance, they aren't included in our analysis because they don't provide rate data.
Arbella (like nearly all companies) was more expensive than USAA in our annual nationwide analysis of car insurance minimum coverage rates. However, it has the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates from the insurers catering to military members, including USAA, beating it out by $3.
Here are the average annual rates for state-mandated coverage from companies offering military car insurance or a military discount:
| Military insurance company | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Arbella | $1,429 | $503 |
Farmers | $3,106 | $938 |
Geico | $1,846 | $491 |
USAA | $1,432 | $362 |
Who offers military car insurance discounts
| Company | Military discount details |
|---|---|
USAA | Up to 60% when storing a vehicle you won’t be driving (except HI, NC and VA) and up to 15% off comprehensive when garaging on base in most states. |
Geico | Up to 15% nationwide. Eligibility varies by state. |
Arbella | 10% in Massachusetts only. |
Farmers | Varies depending on the state. Not all states are eligible. |
Liberty Mutual | Amount varies by state and policy. Not all states are eligible. |
How to save on car insurance for veterans and military personnel
Even with a military discount, car insurance can get expensive. Here are a few ways veterans and active military members can lower their auto insurance bill:
Talk to your insurer about your options during deployment. Car insurance companies that market to service members are aware of the special circumstances those customers might face, such as an overseas deployment, which might necessitate storing a vehicle and suspending or reducing coverage.
If you’re facing a military deployment, consider factors such as your location, car insurance provider and the length of time you’ll be away. You may be tempted to cancel your policy, but having a lapse in car insurance coverage, even while on military deployment, can result in higher premiums and being labeled a high-risk driver. That’s why suspending or reducing car insurance is generally the better choice.
Check with your agent or insurance company to determine the best strategy. USAA and Geico, for example, provide financial guides and checklists for service members facing deployment.
Shop around. If you’re a veteran or active member of the military looking to find the cheapest price, it’s vital that you compare auto insurance rates. Shop for the best deals and get quotes before deciding on the military car insurance policy that’s best for you.
Look for savings beyond a military discount. Don’t stop looking for savings just because you’re getting a military or veterans discount. You may qualify for other car insurance discounts simply for being a good driver or bundling home and auto insurance policies.
For example, USAA offers discounts if you’ve maintained a clean driving record for five years or if your vehicle is 3 years old or less. You might also qualify for more savings if you’re a good student, complete a defensive driving course or if you cover two or more vehicles with your policy.
Comments
Post a Comment