Our Editorial Opinion on USAA Auto Insurance
USAA, an acronym for United Services Automobile Association, is the premier insurance provider for former and current military members and their families. Through its free membership, members can qualify for a range of insurance products, including auto insurance.
Business Insider compared USAA auto insurance to the best auto insurance companies and found it to be a terrific option if you're eligible for membership. Car insurance through USAA is competitively priced and offers numerous discounts, with potential savings of up to $725 per year by switching, according to the company website. Plus, you can get auto insurance coverage through USAA across the U.S. in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and some international locations.
USAA Auto Insurance Overview
USAA Auto Insurance is an affordable and reputable provider that exclusively serves people affiliated with the U.S. military. The company offers competitive rates and a wide range of discounts – including a 15% discount for on-base military members.
When you purchase car insurance from USAA, you can opt into the SafePilot Program and the Usage Based Program, which save you additional money for driving safely or driving less. Additionally, property owners can access further savings by bundling home and auto insurance.
USAA makes it easy to purchase and manage a car insurance policy. You can get an online quote in minutes, and the USAA mobile app allows you to update your policy and file claims on your phone.
The main drawback with USAA car insurance is that most consumers are ineligible. However, for military members, veterans, and their immediate family, USAA auto insurance is an excellent choice.
USAA Auto Insurance Pros and Cons
USAA Auto Insurance Pros
- Exclusive discounts for military members and their families
- Strong customer satisfaction ratings
- Wide range of coverage options in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C.
- Personalized service from local agents
- Financially strong and stable company
- User-friendly mobile app
USAA Auto Insurance Cons
- Only available to military members and their families
- Rates may be higher than some competitors for non-military members
USAA Auto Insurance Plans Available
Car insurance isn't just a smart idea to protect you and others — generally, there's a minimum requirement for liability coverage designated by your state.
USAA Auto Insurance offers four primary types of car insurance that cover a variety of events. You can mix and match to combine coverage types for maximum protection. Car insurance coverage offered by USAA includes:
- Liability coverage: Your state will likely have specific minimum liability coverage requirements. This coverage pays for damage to another party's vehicle and can protect your finances if the other driver is injured or dies because of a car accident. It's important to note that there are minimum limits and you may want to get higher limits. To get even more protection, you can opt for an umbrella policy that provides more robust limits.
- Collision coverage: Collision coverage covers the costs of damages to your car related to collisions. So, if you're in a collision with another vehicle or hit an object like a pole or mailbox, you can file a claim to fix your car.
- Comprehensive coverage: Getting comprehensive coverage protects you from other events that can damage your car that are not collision-related. Some of these events include hail, debris, fires, and floods.
- Uninsured and underinsured coverage: Though there are requirements, not every driver may have car insurance coverage or enough in the event of an accident. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can pay for injuries if you're hurt and there isn't enough coverage to pay for it. In some cases, it may also cover damage to your vehicle in the event of a hit-and-run.
These are the main USAA car insurance options to choose from if you're looking for standard coverage. However, you can also expand your benefits by choosing one of the optional coverage types.
Additional Coverage Options (Riders) From USAA Car Insurance
To round out your car insurance benefits, you can look into optional coverages available through USAA. These include:
- Roadside assistance: If you want to make sure you have someone to help you if you need a tow or a jumpstart, getting roadside assistance is a smart idea. The best roadside assistance plans can also provide help with flat tires or bring gas to you if your car stops running because your tank is on "E." Plus, you get help if you're locked out or get stuck. Most of these services will be covered at no cost. USAA also has a high towing limit of 50 miles. You can request help through the app, and someone will come within 1-1.5 hours.
- Rental reimbursement: If your car is out of commission due to an accident or other qualified loss, this coverage can reimburse you for a rental. That way, you still have a way to get around but won't incur all the costs.
- Rideshare gap protection: If you drive through ridesharing apps, you may want to consider this protection, which helps cover you while you wait for your next ride to be booked. Typically, your regular coverage will cover you if you're not working with the app, and the rideshare company may cover some events if you're performing duties related to the app.
- Umbrella insurance: Liability coverage may have limits that don't cover you in severe events, and your personal assets may be at risk. Umbrella insurance through USAA can get you up to a million dollars in coverage.
- Classic car insurance: If you're a classic car collector or enthusiast, you can get specialized auto insurance through USAA and American Collectors Insurance. This takes into consideration the worth of your car and mileage and can provide unique benefits catered to your situation.
How Much Does USAA Auto Insurance Cost?
Car insurance premiums are influenced by many different factors. These can include driving history, miles driven, type of car, age, where you live, your gender, and your credit score (which is not legal in all states). Your rate will also depend on the car insurance provider as well as the coverage options you purchase.
Based on USAA data, members could save up to $725 per year when switching auto insurance providers and getting a policy with USAA.
| Average USAA Full Coverage Quote (Monthly) | Industry Average (Monthly) | |
| Young Drivers (25 and under) | $121 | $484 |
| Middle age (26-59) | $70 | $265 |
| Senior Drivers (60+) | $60 | $242.67 |
Source: Insurify
USAA Auto Insurance Discounts
To lower USAA car insurance costs, you may qualify for the following discounts:
- Get up to 30% off with USAA SafePilot if in a qualifying state. You download an app, which can track your safe driving habits.
- Save up to 10% when you bundle home insurance with car insurance policies with USAA.
- You can get up to 15% off if you're on a military base and put your vehicle in a garage.
- You may qualify for additional discounts if you store your car or have low annual mileage.
- Automatic payments can get you up to 3% off auto insurance coverage through USAA.
- Get up to 10% off if your parents have a USAA policy through the MyUSAA™ Legacy Discount.
- Score a discount when teen drivers get good grades.
- If you insure more than one vehicle, you can get a multi-vehicle discount.
How to Purchase and Manage a Auto Insurance Policy from USAA
Before purchasing USAA car insurance, you should ensure you're eligible. Only USAA members can buy car insurance from the company, and membership is limited to people connected to the US military.
USAA membership is available to the following people:
- Active duty military
- National Guard
- Reservist
- Veterans
- ROTC cadets and midshipmen
- Officer candidates
- Spouses and children of people who meet the above criteria
- Service academy appointees
If you're eligible for USAA membership, you can request a quote for USAA car insurance online. Go to the official USAA website and click "Get an auto quote." From there, you'll be asked to provide information about your vehicle, driving history, military connection, and other drivers on the policy.
When requesting a quote, make sure you have the following information on hand:
- The driver's license numbers of all drivers on the policy
- The make, model, year, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of every vehicle on the policy
- Your driving record
Once you've received your quote, you can complete the purchase of USAA car insurance right on the website. Then, you can manage your policy through the USAA website or the USAA mobile app.
How to File a Claim With USAA Auto Insurance
You can file a claim with USAA via the mobile app. The app allows you to submit photos of your car's damage and keep tabs on your claim so you know the status.
You can also file a claim on your USAA account on your desktop. The process will take about 15 minutes and can be done anytime. Once you submit, you'll get a claims representative assigned to your case.
You'll need to include:
- Names of all parties involved
- Insurance info for all parties involved
- Time, date, and location of the incident
- Vehicle make and model for all parties involved
You'll want to take good-quality photos of the damage as well. According to the USAA website, you submit a claim sharing details of the incident, get an inspection, and then receive your payment after the deductible is taken out. Then, you can proceed with repairs to get back on the road. Depending on the nature of your claim, it may take up to several weeks to resolve it.
USAA Auto Insurance Customer Service & Support Experience
USAA Auto Insurance prides itself on serving people affiliated with the US military, and that dedication extends to the customer service it provides for auto insurance.
The company gets top ratings from third parties, including an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 747 in J.D. Power's recent auto insurance customer satisfaction study. Policyholders praise USAA in reviews as trustworthy and professional — although some complain about excessive fees and poor roadside assistance.
USAA's mobile app, which can be used to manage policies and file claims, is also highly rated. It earns an average of 4.7 stars on Google Play and 4.8 stars on the Apple App Store, with users calling it "reliable" and "efficient."
Get Quotes
Compare auto insurance quotes and find an affordable car insurance policy that is right for you.
USAA Auto Insurance Alternatives
USAA vs. GEICO Auto Insurance
GEICO Auto Insurance is well-known for its affordable car insurance coverage. The average monthly GEICO premium for middle-aged drivers is $93 compared to USAA's $70 average. This is slightly higher than USAA's $114 per month average premium. Though the cost is a bit higher, GEICO doesn't have the eligibility restrictions that USAA has.
GEICO Auto Insurance offers similar coverage options, but has a unique option that USAA doesn't — mechanical breakdown insurance. This can help cover repairs in the event your car breaks down. Similar to USAA, GEICO also has a high level of customer satisfaction.
Read our GEICO auto insurance review.
USAA vs. Progressive Auto Insurance
Progressive Auto Insurance car insurance has many of the same coverage options as USAA but also has a unique additional coverage option called custom parts and equipment value. This can help you cover costs for any custom parts you added to your vehicle. So, if you've made changes to your vehicle, this can be an attractive option.
Progressive also has a unique deductible savings account bank feature, which can help lower your deductible if you don't file a claim during a specified period. You can also use Progressive's Name Your Price tool to see what options are within your budget.
USAA and Progressive both offer bundling discounts, but USAA estimates up to a 10% discount, whereas Progressive estimates an average of 4% savings, so USAA may be better for bundling.
Read our Progressive auto insurance review.
USAA vs. State Farm Auto Insurance
USAA is only available for a certain population, whereas State Farm Auto Insurance is a major national provider of car insurance coverage.
State Farm Auto Insurance and USAA offer standard coverage options and similar optional coverage types. State Farm states that you could save up to 24% if you have multiple policies with State Farm, which is more than USAA's estimated savings of up to 10%.
State Farm coverage stands out for its teen driver coverage and discounts available. Good grades could lower costs by 25%, and through Steer Clear, drivers under 25 with no moving violations within three years could qualify for discounts of up to 15%.
There are also many State Farm agents who can support you in the insurance buying process, but it may be wise to get quotes and shop around first.
Read our State Farm auto insurance review.
USAA Auto Insurance FAQ
To reach a USAA car insurance customer representative, call the main number at 800-531-8722. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT and Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT. Customer service is not available on Sundays or holidays.
You can qualify for USAA membership and take advantage of affordable car insurance and other products by serving in the military. Current and former military members, spouses, and children are eligible for free USAA membership.
USAA provides competitive car insurance rates for military members who qualify. Additionally, USAA has many discounts available that may lower premiums for customers.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed USAA Auto Insurance
Business Insider evaluates auto insurance companies based on a combination of important factors. For example, customer service ratings, accessibility, price, user-friendliness, and other factors all play a role in the overall performance of an auto insurance company. We also look at third-party ratings, like J.D. Power customer satisfaction surveys and financial stability ratings from AM Best.
Our rating is only one aspect of a review. We break down the pros and cons to help consumers make informed decisions. Whatever your needs, we recommend getting three auto insurance quotes to compare companies and find your most competitive option.
You can read more about how Business Insider rates auto insurance.
