U.S. Civilian Auto Insurance: Can You Join Usaa?

USAA, or the United Services Automobile Association, offers insurance for active, retired, and separated veterans with an honourable discharge, as well as their spouses, children, and other family members. Civilians can benefit from USAA membership if they are related to a USAA member. For example, if you are a spouse, child, or step-child of a USAA member, you are eligible for your own membership. However, it is important to note that USAA membership cannot be passed on posthumously, meaning that if parents eligible for membership are deceased but not members, their children are not eligible.

Who can be added to a USAA auto insurance policy?

USAA insurance is primarily for military members and veterans. However, it also extends to their immediate families. This includes spouses, children, stepchildren, and widows. Grandchildren can also qualify if their parents and grandparents are USAA members.

If you are a USAA member, you can add your spouse to your insurance policy. You will need to provide their details, including their full name, date of birth, and driver's license number. You will also need to provide the details of the vehicle(s) they will be driving.

If you are not a USAA member, you can become eligible for membership if you are a spouse, unmarried former spouse, or child of a USAA member. You will need to provide proof of your relationship to the USAA member, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

It is important to note that USAA membership cannot be passed on posthumously. If your family member was eligible for USAA membership but was not a member before they passed away, you will not be eligible to join.

To add someone to your USAA auto insurance policy, you can contact USAA at 1-800-531-8722. You will need to provide the year, make, and model of the vehicle, the license plate number, state of registration, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

What is the eligibility criterion for USAA auto insurance?

USAA, the United Services Automobile Association, offers insurance to active, retired, and separated veterans of the US military if they have been honorably discharged. Immediate family members of military members and veterans are also eligible to join. This includes spouses, children, step-children, and widows.

USAA was founded in 1922 by 25 US Army officers who were unable to get car insurance because insurance companies considered military officers a high-risk group.

• Active-duty, retired, and honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the US military
• Officer candidates in commissioning programs, including Academy, ROTC, and OCS/OTS
• Adult children of USAA members
• Widows and widowers of USAA members who have or had a USAA auto or property insurance policy
• Un-remarried former spouses of USAA members who had USAA auto or property insurance while married
• Grandchildren (if both parents and grandparents are USAA members)

However, it is important to note that cousins and siblings do not meet USAA requirements for coverage. Additionally, if your family member was not a member of USAA while they were alive, you cannot become a USAA member.

What are the benefits of USAA auto insurance?

USAA is a highly-regarded insurance company that offers policies for current or retired military members and their immediate relatives. Here are some of the benefits of USAA auto insurance:

High Customer Satisfaction

USAA has high customer satisfaction ratings and is well-loved for its customer service. It has high scores from J.D. Power customer surveys and is ranked highly in the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. USAA also has the highest scores among companies reviewed for customer service, claims handling, discounts, and as an insurer for senior drivers.

Low Rates

USAA has the lowest average annual rate overall and comes in well below the national average in many specific driver categories. It has the lowest sample premium overall among companies we researched. USAA also has lower sample rates than average for drivers with a single accident or DUI on their record, and for policyholders with either poor, fair, or good credit. In some driver categories, the savings can amount to thousands of dollars per year compared to the national average, including for teen drivers, typically the most expensive age group to insure.

Wide Range of Discounts

USAA offers a wide variety of car insurance discounts that may help you save on your policy’s cost. These include discounts for anti-theft devices, automatic payments, bundling, defensive driving, driving new vehicles, good students, length of membership, and more.

SafePilot Program

USAA’s optional SafePilot Program tracks your time behind the wheel and rewards you for safe driving habits. You can receive a discount of up to 30% (with 10% just for enrolling) by downloading the SafePilot app to your smartphone and enrolling in the program. The app will record data such as how often you drive, whether you use your phone while driving, and if you’ve been in a crash.

Additional Coverage Options

In addition to the foundational types of auto insurance that states require, USAA stands out for its fair amount of coverage options. These include accident forgiveness, new car replacement coverage, rental car reimbursement, rideshare insurance, and roadside assistance.

Other Insurance and Financial Services

USAA provides a wide variety of other insurance products, including homeowners insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, and special event insurance. It also offers a range of financial services, including banking, investments, and retirement products.

How do you become a USAA member?

USAA, or the United Services Automobile Association, was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers who were unable to get car insurance. Since then, it has grown to over 13 million members and provides insurance and financial services to military service members and their families.

Who is eligible for USAA membership?

Active, retired, and honorably separated members of the U.S. military, including pre-commissioned officers such as cadets and midshipmen at U.S. service academies, are eligible for USAA membership. Along with enlisted personnel, this includes those on active duty or who are part of the guard or reserve.

In addition, eligible family members can also join USAA. This includes spouses, widows/widowers, former spouses (as long as they have not remarried), children (including step-children), and adult children of USAA members. It's important to note that for children to be eligible, the parent must join USAA while living. Membership cannot be passed on posthumously.

Siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, and in-laws of USAA members are not eligible for membership, unless a niece or nephew is legally adopted by their aunt or uncle, or a cousin is the legal guardian of the member.

To prove eligibility, you must supply a Social Security number and a valid government-issued ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID card. Proof of military service is also crucial for those directly associated with the military. Active-duty military members will typically need their current military ID or orders, while veterans might need to submit a copy of their DD Form 214. Pre-commissioned officers can provide proof of commissioning status, such as a statement from their commanding officer or current orders if they are within 24 months of commissioning.

You can request a quote from the USAA website, use the online chat feature, or call 800-531-8722 to speak to an agent. They will ask you a few questions and then tell you whether you're eligible and how much you'll pay. Once your eligibility is established, you can set up your membership, activate your online account, and make your first payment.

What is USAA?

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is a financial services company that provides insurance and banking products exclusively to members of the military, veterans, and their families. It was founded in 1922 in San Antonio, Texas, by 25 U.S. Army officers who were unable to secure auto insurance because they were considered a high-risk group.

USAA has since expanded to offer banking and insurance services to past and present members of the Armed Forces, including officers and enlisted personnel, and their families. The company is one of the largest providers of auto insurance in the U.S., writing over $16.4 billion in car insurance premiums in 2022.

USAA offers a range of insurance products, including auto insurance, homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, life insurance, health insurance, and various specialty insurance products. They also provide banking services such as checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and loans.

USAA is known for its excellent customer service and has consistently high customer satisfaction ratings. The company also offers a variety of discounts and perks to its members, including discounts on car insurance, travel, shopping, and more.

In terms of eligibility, active-duty military members, retirees, and honorably discharged veterans are eligible for USAA membership. Additionally, family members of current USAA members, including spouses, children, and in some cases, grandchildren, are also eligible. However, it's important to note that USAA membership cannot be passed on posthumously, and eligibility does not extend to parents or siblings.

Frequently asked questions