Best veterans and military car insurance of 2021

You and your family are eligible for special military car insurance discounts if you have served in a branch of the United States Armed Forces. USAA is frequently recommended as the best provider for active and retired military personnel, with competitive pricing and high customer satisfaction ratings. USAA received high customer satisfaction ratings across the board in J.D. Power's 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. However, there are several other auto insurers that are excellent choices for veterans and military drivers.

Another major provider of military car insurance in the United States is Geico. Active military members and those on emergency deployment are eligible for a discount through Geico. Other insurers that provide military car insurance discounts include:

• Arbella
• The General
• Armed Forces Insurance

Each military auto insurance company has its own set of rules and offers various veteran car insurance discounts. We looked at each provider's coverage options, discounts, customer service ratings, and average premiums to evaluate them.

Cost of car insurance for military drivers

Rate factors for veteran or military drivers shopping for car insurance are not heavily influenced by your specific military status. Active-duty, retired, and reserve military personnel all pay roughly the same amount for auto insurance, give or take a few dollars. CompareInsurance also discovered that rates for active and retired military personnel are roughly the same, regardless of whether you choose minimum coverage or full coverage for your car insurance.

Average rates for military drivers by status

The average military premium for basic auto insurance is less than $515 per year. The average military driver will pay around $1,720 per year for full coverage. It's worth noting that non-military drivers will actually pay slightly less for full coverage rates than military drivers. Non-military drivers, on the other hand, must pay a little more for minimum coverage.

National average rates for military and non-military drivers

Military families face unique stressors and life impacts that non-military families do not. That means military families have unique requirements for auto insurance, and even the best car insurance companies may not be the best fit for all drivers.

We discovered that some auto insurers offer better discounts, lifestyle support, and policy coverage to military personnel due to the unpredictable nature of military life.

The best car insurance companies for military personnel and veterans

USAA

USAA auto insurance is the best value when looking for the best military auto insurance discounts because it specializes in products and services exclusively for retired and active-duty military personnel and their families. Switching to USAA saves members an average of $725 per year, according to the company's website.

Depending on where you live, USAA offers up to a 15% discount on optional comprehensive coverage for a vehicle parked on a military base. If you are deployed, you can save up to 60% on your car insurance while it is in storage.

USAA provides additional discounts for safe driving, good grades, insuring multiple vehicles, staying with the company for an extended period of time, bundling policies, and completing an approved defensive driving course. If a driver has not been in an at-fault accident in the previous five years, they will automatically receive free accident forgiveness coverage on their policy.

Although USAA offers reasonably priced car insurance policies in general, specific rates vary by state and a number of personal factors. You will save even more money if you are eligible for USAA discounts. USAA explains how it calculates car insurance rates on its website.

To obtain a quote from USAA, you must first verify your eligibility. Be prepared to submit information about your military service history, whether you apply online or over the phone. Before you can begin the quote process, your eligibility must be verified.

Aside from being an affordable option for those who qualify, USAA Auto Insurance receives high marks for customer service and provides benefits such as flexible payment plans at no extra cost.

Geico

Geico is an abbreviation for Government Employees Insurance Company. Military auto insurance discounts are available to government employees and their families. Veterans and military personnel can receive up to a 15% discount from Geico. Active-duty military personnel receive an additional 15% discount.

To be eligible for Geico's veterans auto insurance discounts, you must be a member of one of the following three organizations:

• Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA)
• Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)
• National Infantry Association (NIA)

Members of certain associations, such as the Armed Forces Benefits Association (AFBA), Navy League of the United States (NLUS), Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), and American Society of Military Controllers, are also eligible for military discounts from Geico (ASMC). Customers who are part of an emergency deployment to an imminent danger zone are eligible for a discount of up to 25%.

Aside from military discounts, Geico provides a number of ways for customers to save money on auto insurance premiums. Drivers may be eligible for discounts 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 other factors.

A personalized quote will be required to determine how much you will pay for Geico auto insurance. Geico, on the other hand, is known for its low rates for all types of drivers. Depending on where you live, a Geico car insurance policy may be less expensive than a USAA policy. Be prepared to provide proof of your military status in order to receive the military discount.

Other insurance companies that offer military discounts

Arbella

Arbella is a small auto insurer available to residents of Massachusetts and Connecticut who are deployed more than 100 miles away from their vehicle. It provides a 10% discount to active-duty military personnel.

The General

PGC Holdings Corp. subsidiary General Automotive Insurance Services Inc. provides auto insurance to all customers, regardless of military status. However, active-duty military members in Louisiana are eligible for a military discount. And, unlike the other companies on this list, The General is a great insurance option for people with bad credit or a bad driving record.

Armed Forces Insurance Exchange

Armed Forces Insurance Exchange (AFI), like USAA, is a military-focused insurance company. The two military auto insurance companies offer very competitive prices and services.

The following are the primary differences between AFI and USAA auto insurance:

• From global credit rating agency AM Best, AFI has a financial rating of B+ (Good), while USAA has a rating of A++ (Superior).
• If you are active duty or retired military, or if someone in your family is, you can join the USAA. Ex-spouses are included. Candidates from the Academy, ROTC, and OCS/OTS are also eligible. AFI membership includes active and retired members of the Department of Defense.

Canceling your car insurance for an upcoming deployment

If you are getting ready to deploy, you should make some changes to your car insurance policy. The best option is to pause your coverage rather than cancel it entirely. Cancelling your auto insurance results in a lapse in coverage, which has ramifications such as higher rates and even driver's license suspension.

If you have USAA car insurance, you can save up to 60% on your insurance if you store your vehicle while deployed. You may also be eligible for a discount based on the number of miles you drive in a calendar year. If you are a Geico customer and are deployed for more than 30 days, you can suspend or reduce your insurance coverage.

How to reinstate your car insurance

When you return home from deployment, you must reinstate your auto insurance policy. Fortunately, this is a simple and quick procedure. If you still have an active car insurance policy, simply contact your insurance professional and inform them that you want to reinstate your coverage.

If you reduced your coverage during deployment to save money, consider increasing certain coverages before you begin driving. Remember that you must have your insurance reinstated before you hit the road. Driving without insurance or proof of financial responsibility is illegal, and there are severe penalties if caught.

Frequently asked questions

Which carrier has the best car insurance discounts for the military?

USAA offers the best auto insurance discounts for active-duty military and veterans. Not only could you save a lot of money on car insurance, but USAA also has a high customer satisfaction rating.

What factors will impact my monthly car insurance premium?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, your monthly or annual premium is determined by more than a dozen rating factors, including your age, geographic location, credit history, motor vehicle record, type of vehicle, occupation, miles driven per year, and marital status. These considerations apply to both military and civilian auto insurance.

How do I get my military discount on car insurance?

To qualify, you must be active duty or retired military, or a close family member of military personnel, such as a spouse or child, depending on the insurance company.

Who is eligible for USAA insurance?

According to the company's website, the following people are eligible for USAA auto insurance:

• Officers and enlisted personnel of the United States military who are on active duty, guard, reserve, retired, or have been honorably discharged.
• Cadets, midshipmen, and officer candidates enrolled in commissioning programs (academy, ROTC, OCS/OTS)
• Adult children (18 and older) of USAA members who have or have previously had a USAA auto or property insurance policy
• Spouses, ex-spouses, widows, and widowers of USAA members who have or have had a USAA auto or property insurance policy

Are there other ways to save on your car insurance policy?

Both USAA and Geico provide additional discounts that are unrelated to military service. You can lower your car insurance premiums by insuring a new vehicle, insuring multiple vehicles, bundling your insurance policies, being a good driver or student, taking a defensive driving course, and other methods. Most insurance companies have a list of discounts available on their website.

What proof can I use to show I’m eligible for military auto insurance?

Each insurance company's verification process is different, but you will almost certainly need to submit a photo ID (driver's license, state ID card, or passport), as well as one of the following military documents:

• DD-214
• Discharge certificate
• Leave and Earnings statement (LES)
• If you are on active duty, you must follow military orders.
• NGB-22
• ROTC contract or academy appointment letter

Methodology

CompareInsurance analyses rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. using Quadrant Information Services. The rates quoted are for a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit, and the following full coverage limits:

• Liability for bodily injury of $100,000 per person
• Liability for bodily injury of $300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability per accident is $50,000.
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury per person: $100,000
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident: $300,000
• The collision deductible is $500.
• The comprehensive deductible is $500.

CompareInsurance used minimum coverage limits that meet each state's requirements to determine minimum coverage limits. Our sample drivers drive a 2018 Honda Accord five days a week and travel 12,000 miles per year.

For the sake of comparison, rates were also compared with military status applied. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparison. Your quotations may differ.

Rates are based on data from the 2021 Quadrant Information Services.