Paul Sanchez
USAA homeowners insurance is available to current and past military members and their immediate families. It offers affordable premiums with bundling discounts and a straightforward claims process. To obtain a quote, you must share the details of your or your family member's military service. You can create an account online, call an agent, or visit a physical location to get a quote. Once you receive a quote, you can review and confirm your coverage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible? | Only USAA members can obtain homeowners insurance. Membership eligibility is based on military affiliation and is open to active and retired military members, pre-commissioned officers, spouses, and children. |
| How to get a quote | Create an account to get a quote online, call an agent, or visit an in-person location. |
| Information required | Information on your home’s age and construction, as well as details on previous insurance. |
| Types of coverage | Dwelling coverage, other structures coverage, personal property coverage, and coverage for expenses associated with living elsewhere while the home is being repaired or rebuilt. |
| Add-ons | Earthquake insurance, water and sewage backup insurance, and additional coverage for expensive items like jewelry, art, and technology. |
| Discounts | Bundling discounts, connected home discounts, protected home discounts, and claims-free discounts. |
| Exclusions | Damage from earthquakes, floods, or routine maintenance and code upgrades is typically not covered. Termite and insect damage is also not usually covered. |
| Financial stability | AM Best has given USAA an A++ rating, indicating top-tier stability and a strong ability to pay claims. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Membership eligibility
USAA homeowners insurance is only available to USAA members. Membership is primarily designed for military personnel, including active-duty members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves. Retired and honourably discharged veterans are also eligible for membership.
Family members of military personnel can also be eligible for USAA membership. This includes spouses, unmarried former spouses, children, and stepchildren of current and former military members. However, it is important to note that if an eligible servicemember chooses not to join USAA, their spouse cannot join either. Additionally, if a USAA member and their spouse divorce, the former spouse will lose their eligibility unless they were already a member. Membership eligibility can be passed down to children, but not to parents or siblings.
To establish membership, eligible individuals must provide documentation, such as their branch of service and start date. Retired or honourably discharged individuals must also provide their end date. Eligible family members will need to provide their Social Security Number and their military relative’s USAA number.
Upfront Mortgage Insurance: No Refunds, No Regrets
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Policy coverage
USAA offers comprehensive coverage options and affordable premiums for homeowners insurance. However, it is essential to note that USAA homeowners insurance is only available to current military members, veterans, pre-commissioned officers, and qualifying family members (children and spouses). Here is a detailed overview of the policy coverage:
Dwelling Coverage:
USAA's dwelling coverage includes damage to your home and any attached structures, such as a garage, deck, or porch. This coverage ensures that your home is rebuilt or repaired in case of a total loss. With the addition of USAA's Home Protector coverage, you can increase dwelling coverage by 25%, which includes repairs to other structures on your property, such as sheds, fences, and driveways.
Other Structures Coverage:
This aspect of the policy covers damage to other unattached structures on your property, including swimming pools. It is important to note that certain high-value items, such as jewelry, art, or expensive technology, may require additional valuable personal property insurance or separate policies.
Personal Property Coverage:
USAA's personal property coverage includes damage to your personal belongings, even if they are not in your home at the time of loss. This coverage also extends to furniture, clothing, electronics, and other personal items.
Loss of Use Coverage:
If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril, loss of use coverage will help pay for expenses incurred while you live elsewhere during repairs or rebuilding.
Personal Liability Coverage:
Personal liability insurance protects you against lawsuits if someone is accidentally injured or their property is damaged while on your premises. It covers medical expenses and legal fees associated with such incidents.
Medical Payments Coverage:
This coverage pays for medical expenses for anyone injured on your property or by your pets, including legal fees and damages if you are sued.
Identity Theft Coverage:
USAA offers $5,000 in identity theft protection, which is an unusual standard coverage not typically provided by other insurers.
Replacement Cost Coverage:
Unlike many insurers, USAA offers replacement cost coverage as a standard option, calculating the current replacement cost of your belongings without considering depreciation.
Add-on Coverages:
USAA offers supplemental coverage for specific incidents, such as earthquake insurance and flood insurance, which is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Additionally, if you participate in home-sharing or rent out your property, you may require additional liability insurance and coverage for lost rental income.
It is important to note that USAA's coverage options may vary depending on your location and specific circumstances. To fully understand your policy coverage, it is recommended to speak with a USAA agent and review the terms and conditions of your policy.
Erie Homeowners Insurance: Pitbull Coverage Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Discounts
USAA homeowners insurance is known for its higher-than-average premiums. This is due to its comprehensive coverage, superior customer service, and location-based risk assessments. However, USAA offers various discounts and savings opportunities to help offset the costs.
Firstly, USAA offers bundling discounts. You can save up to 10% when you insure your property and autos with them. This includes bundling home and auto insurance, as well as other types of insurance such as valuable personal property insurance.
Secondly, USAA offers safe home discounts. You can get a discount of up to 15% on comprehensive coverage if you park your car on a military base. Additionally, if you install a security system in your home, you can get a safe home discount, which can provide significant savings.
Thirdly, USAA offers loyalty discounts for longstanding customers. They also offer accident forgiveness, which can help reduce costs.
Finally, maintaining a good credit score can also help lower your insurance costs. Insurance companies are more likely to offer favourable rates if you have a good credit score.
It's important to note that USAA homeowners insurance is only available to members of the military community and their families. To qualify, you must share the details of your or your family member's military service.
Homeowner Insurance: Dell Phone Coverage?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Claims
USAA is known for its commitment to providing personalized assistance and support to its policyholders. Their representatives are available to answer any questions and guide customers through the claims process.
When filing a claim with USAA, it is important to first identify the type of damage or loss. This could include damage to the structure of your home, your personal belongings, or both. Specifying the cause of the damage, such as a natural disaster, theft, or vandalism, is also crucial. Once you have identified the type of damage, the next step is to gather all the necessary documentation. This may include photographs or videos of the damage, receipts for damaged or stolen items, and any police or incident reports. Providing thorough documentation will expedite the claims process and help ensure a smooth and timely resolution.
USAA offers replacement cost coverage, which means they do not factor in depreciation when evaluating a claim. This is an advantage as it allows for a more accurate assessment of the cost to replace damaged items. Additionally, USAA provides coverage for expenses associated with living elsewhere while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.
It is important to note that USAA does not cover damage from earthquakes, floods, or water backups under their standard policies. However, you can obtain supplemental coverage for these perils. Damage to expensive items like jewelry, art, and technology may also require add-ons to your policy, as they may exceed coverage limits.
In some cases, USAA may deny a claim or attempt to minimize its value. They may demand prior medical records or point to changes in the home that increased its susceptibility to damage. If your claim is denied, review the reason provided and consider appealing the decision if you believe it was wrongful. Having an attorney involved can help ensure you receive a fair settlement, as they can negotiate on your behalf and, if necessary, file a lawsuit to hold the insurer accountable.
Homeowners Insurance: What's Covered for Broken Gas Lines?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Add-ons
USAA offers a range of add-ons to supplement its homeowners insurance policies. These include:
Earthquake Insurance
Earthquake insurance is available as an add-on to your homeowners insurance policy. This is important because damage caused by earthquakes is not covered by the standard USAA homeowners insurance policy.
Flood Insurance
USAA offers flood insurance through the federally funded National Flood Insurance Program or through a private insurer. This is a valuable add-on, as damage caused by floods is not covered by the standard USAA homeowners insurance policy.
Home-Sharing Coverage
If you participate in home-sharing or rent out your property, USAA offers additional liability and personal property coverage. This add-on increases your liability limits and covers damage to your personal property when you share, exchange, or rent out your home on a short-term basis.
Personal Cyber Insurance
USAA offers personal cyber insurance, which provides comprehensive protection in the event of cyber incidents. This add-on covers identity theft restoration services, hacked electronic data restoration, psychiatric services, lost wages, and relocation services if you or a household member is a victim of cyberbullying.
Collectibles Insurance
USAA offers collectibles insurance as an add-on to protect valuable items such as vintage toys and military memorabilia. This type of coverage pays the full insured value of the item in the event of a covered loss.
Valuable Personal Property Insurance
High-value items, such as expensive jewellery, art, watches, cameras, musical instruments, and technology, may require additional coverage beyond the standard personal property coverage. USAA offers valuable personal property insurance to protect these items, providing peace of mind for homeowners with extensive collections or valuable possessions.
Penn National: Homeowners Insurance Coverage Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Membership eligibility is based on military affiliation and is open to active and retired military members, pre-commissioned officers, spouses, and children. Surviving spouses may be eligible in certain circumstances, but the eligible parent or spouse must become a USAA member first for the spouse and children to sign up.
To take out a USAA policy, speak with an agent. You’ll need information on your home’s age and construction, as well as details on previous insurance. The agent will send you a quote to review. Once you’re satisfied, you can confirm your coverage.
The standard policy typically covers the cost of rebuilding or repairing your home. It does not include sheds, detached carports or garages, or any other structures not directly attached to your home. USAA provides replacement cost coverage as standard, meaning they pay to replace the item rather than its depreciated value. Personal property is also covered, and depending on your coverage, you can usually file personal property claims for theft, vandalism, and other claims.
Damage from earthquakes, floods, or water backups is not covered, though you can obtain supplemental coverage. Termite and insect damage isn’t typically covered either. Maintenance, upkeep, and wear and tear are also not covered.
Yes, USAA offers bundling discounts, connected home discounts, protected home discounts, and claims-free discounts.
