If you have served in the military, you and your family are eligible for special discounts on military car insurance. USAA is the leading provider of active and retired military personnel, offering great prices and the best customer satisfaction rates. Geico is another major provider of military car insurance in the United States. Through Geico, active duty military members and those going on emergency deployment are eligible for a discount. Several other insurers offer discounts on military car insurance:
- Arbella
- The General
- Armed Forces Insurance
Each military auto insurance company has its guidelines, offering different auto insurance discounts for veterans. To rate these companies, we looked at each provider’s coverage options, discounts, customer service ratings, and average premiums.
What are the best car insurance companies for military personnel and veterans?
USAA
Specializing in exclusive products and services for retired and active-duty military personnel and their families, USAA auto insurance is the top value when looking for the best military auto insurance discounts.
Depending on the state you live in, USAA offers up to 15% off comprehensive coverage for a car or truck parked 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 driving safely, being a good student, insuring multiple vehicles, staying with the company for an extended period, bundling policies, and taking an approved defensive driving course. If drivers haven’t had an at-fault accident in five years, they automatically get free accident forgiveness coverage on their policy.
Although USAA generally offers affordable auto insurance policies, specific rates vary by state and several personal factors. If you’re eligible for USAA discounts, you’ll save even more money. On its website, USAA explains how it calculates auto insurance rates.
To get a quote from USAA, you will need to verify your eligibility. Whether you apply online or by phone, be prepared to submit information about the details of your military service. Your eligibility must be verified before you can proceed with the listing process.
Geico
Geico stands for Government Employees Insurance Company. Government or military employees and their families qualify for military auto insurance discounts. Geico offers up to a 15% discount to veterans and military personnel. Active duty military gets an extra 15% discount.
To qualify for Geico veterans auto insurance discounts, you need to be a member of:
- Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
- Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)
- National Infantry Association (NIA)
- Geico also offers military discounts to members of certain associations, such as the Armed Forces Benefits Association (AFBA), the Navy League of the United States (NLUS), the Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), and the American Society of Military Controllers ( ASMC). If a client is part of an emergency deployment in an area of imminent danger, he is entitled to a discount of up to 25%.
In addition to 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.
To determine how much you’ll pay for Geico car insurance, you’ll need to get a personalized quote. However, Geico is known for its cheap rates for all types of drivers. Depending on where you live, a car insurance policy through Geico could be cheaper than USAA. To claim the military discount, be prepared to verify your military status with the correct documentation.
Arbella
Arbella is a small insurer that is available to residents of Massachusetts and Connecticut who are deployed more than 100 miles from their cars. Offers a 10% discount for active-duty military.
The General
Insurance the General offers auto insurance to everyone, regardless of military status. However, the company does offer a military discount to active duty service members in Louisiana. And unlike the other providers on this list, The General is a great insurance option for people with poor credit scores or a bad driving record.
Armed Forces Insurance
Similar to USAA auto insurance, Armed Forces Insurance is an insurance company focused on the military. Prices and services are very competitive between the two military car insurance companies.
The main differences between AFI and USAA auto insurance are:
- You can join the USAA if you are on active duty or retired from the military or if someone in your family is. Former spouses are included.
- AFI membership adds active or retired Department of Defense civilian employees or current and former NOAA or PHS commissioned officers as eligible.
How to cancel car insurance for an upcoming deployment?
If you’re preparing for deployment, it’s important to make some changes to your car insurance policy. The best option is to pause your coverage, rather than cancel your policy entirely. Canceling your auto insurance causes a lapse in coverage, which has consequences like higher rates and even license suspension.
If you have auto insurance through USAA, you can save up to 60% on your insurance by storing your vehicle while it’s deployed. You also qualify for a discount based on the number of miles you drive in a year. If you are a Geico customer, you can suspend or reduce your insurance coverage if you are deployed and keep your car for more than 30 days.
How to reinstate your car insurance?
Upon returning home from deployment, you will need to reinstate your auto insurance policy. Fortunately, this is a quick and easy process. Assuming you still have an active car insurance policy, simply contact your provider and let them know you’d like to reinstate your coverage.
If you dropped your coverage to save money during deployment, consider upgrading certain coverages before you start driving. Keep in mind that you must reinstate your insurance before you hit the road. Driving without insurance or proof of financial responsibility is illegal, and carries serious consequences if you are caught.
Frequently asked questions
Which company has the best car insurance discounts for military members?
USAA Insurance Company has the best auto insurance discounts for military and veterans. Not only could you save big on your auto insurance, but USAA also has high customer satisfaction rates.
What factors will affect my monthly auto insurance premium?
Your monthly or annual premium depends on your age, location, credit score, driving record, type of car, and marital status. These factors apply to both military and non-military auto insurance.
How do I get my military auto insurance discount?
Depending on the insurance company, you need to be on active duty or retired from the military, or a close family member of military personnel such as your spouse or child, to qualify.
Who is eligible for USAA insurance?
Here is who is eligible for USAA car insurance:
- Active duty, guard, reserved, retired, and honorably discharged officers and enlisted personnel of the US armed forces.
- Contract cadets, midshipman candidates, or officers in commission programs (Academy, ROTC, OCS/OTS)
- Adult children (18+) of USAA members who have or have had a USAA auto or property insurance policy
- Spouses, ex-spouses, widowers, and widowers of USAA members who have or have had a USAA auto or homeowners insurance policy
Are there other ways to save on your car insurance policy?
And it is. Both USAA and Geico offer additional discounts not related to military participation. You can save more money on your monthly 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 more. Most insurance providers have a list of the discounts they offer on their websites.
What proof can I use to show that I am eligible for military auto insurance?
The verification process is different for each insurance company, but you will likely need to present photo identification (driver’s license, state ID card, or passport), as well as one of the following military documents:
- DD-214
- discharge certificate
- Profit and Exit Statement (LES)
- Military orders if you are on active duty
- NGB-22
- Letter of appointment from the Academy or ROTC contract