Best Auto Insurance Options For Veterans

If you're a veteran or active member of the military, you may be eligible for some of the best car insurance rates. USAA, Armed Forces Insurance, and Geico are some of the top insurance companies that offer exclusive discounts and services for members of the military.

USAA is an insurance company that offers coverage exclusively to former and current service members and their families. They have some of the cheapest rates for both minimum and full coverage.

Geico offers a military discount of up to 15% off its already low rates and up to 25% for those deployed to an imminent danger zone.

Armed Forces Insurance provides auto policies to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. They also offer rate quotes from multiple insurers, allowing you to select the best option for your budget and coverage needs.

Other insurance companies that offer military discounts include Farmers, Liberty Mutual, and State Farm.

Discounts for veterans

Veterans and active-duty military personnel can benefit from a range of discounts on auto insurance. Some companies, such as USAA, cater exclusively to veterans and current service members, while others offer specific discounts and services for those who have served.

USAA

USAA is a highly-ranked auto insurance provider that serves only the military community, including veterans, active-duty military, and their families. They offer some of the lowest annual average rates for auto insurance and provide discounts for drivers who garage their vehicles on base or store them during deployment. USAA also boasts excellent customer service and has been recognised for its cheap rates and customer satisfaction.

Geico

Geico offers a military discount of up to 15% for retired or active-duty military, National Guard members, and members of military professional organisations. They also provide a 25% emergency deployment discount for those deployed to "imminent danger pay areas". Geico has a dedicated customer service line for service members, staffed by veterans, and offers the option to suspend or reduce coverage during military duties.

Farmers

Farmers Insurance offers a 10% discount for current and former military personnel. They also provide a range of other discounts, including for paperless policies, timely payments, being a homeowner, and installing anti-theft features. Bundling home and auto insurance can result in additional savings of up to 20%.

Armed Forces Insurance

Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) provides auto insurance quotes from multiple insurers within its network, allowing customers to choose the best option for their budget and coverage needs. AFI serves veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and employees of the Department of Defense and other government agencies. They also offer additional benefits, such as identity theft resolution services and resources for permanent change of station (PCS).

State-Specific Discounts

Some states, such as Louisiana, require insurers to offer a military discount. In Louisiana, auto insurance companies must provide a 25% discount on liability insurance for full-time active military personnel.

Discounts for active-duty military

If you're an active-duty service member, you can save on car insurance with providers that offer military discounts. Some companies also offer additional benefits for members of the armed forces, such as dedicated support lines and the option to suspend coverage while deployed.

USAA

USAA is available to service members, veterans, and their families in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It offers some of the cheapest rates for both minimum and full coverage compared to other providers. USAA provides discounts if you are deployed or store your vehicle on a military base. You can save up to 60% on coverage if you store your vehicle during deployment (except in Hawaii, North Carolina, or Virginia) and up to 15% off comprehensive coverage for parking on base. USAA also offers car replacement assistance, which can pay out up to 120% of a car's cash value if it's totaled or stolen.

Geico

Geico offers a military discount of up to 15% off its auto insurance rates for current and former military personnel. If you're deployed to an imminent danger zone, Geico offers an additional discount of up to 25%. Geico provides global coverage and access to a dedicated customer service line staffed by veterans. Active-duty customers can also suspend or reduce coverage during military duties.

Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance offers a 10% military discount on car insurance. They provide coverage in every state except Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Farmers Insurance has below-average complaints compared to other insurers and offers a variety of other discounts, such as paperless policies, timely payments, and anti-theft features.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers a competitive 10% military discount on car insurance. They also provide additional savings for members of the Military Benefits Association. Liberty Mutual's comprehensive-only insurance option makes it a good choice for active service members anticipating deployment.

Armed Forces Insurance

Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) offers auto insurance to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. They also cover employees of the Department of Defense, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Public Health Service. AFI provides rate quotes from multiple insurers, allowing you to choose the best option for your budget and coverage needs. AFI members receive identity theft resolution services, resources for permanent change of station (PCS), and a PTSD card.

Discounts for military families

If you're a veteran or a member of the military with a family, you might be eligible for some of the best auto insurance rates and discounts. Here's a guide to discounts for military families:

USAA

USAA is a popular choice for auto insurance for military families, offering exclusive insurance to active military, veterans, and their families. While USAA doesn't offer a specific discount for veterans, they provide excellent rates for members. USAA boasts that most people who switch to them from other carriers save an average of $725 on their annual auto insurance premiums. Additionally, if your parents were in the military and had a USAA auto insurance policy, you might qualify to save up to 10% on your own policy. You can also save 10% if you bundle your home and auto insurance with USAA. The company is also known for its good customer service and has high customer satisfaction ratings.

Geico

Geico is another good option for auto insurance for military families, offering a discount of up to 15% for retired or active-duty military, National Guard members, those in the Reserves, and members of military professional organizations like the Navy Federal Credit Union. They also offer up to a 25% emergency deployment discount for military members deployed to "imminent danger pay areas" designated by the Defense Department and who store their cars under an approved storage protection plan. Geico has a dedicated customer service line for service members, staffed by veterans. They also offer the option to suspend or reduce coverage during military duties.

Farmers

Farmers Insurance offers a 10% discount for former and current military personnel. They also offer discounts for going paperless, paying on time, being a homeowner, and installing anti-theft features. You can save up to 20% by bundling home and auto insurance.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers a competitive 10% military discount for car insurance, as well as additional savings for members of the Military Benefits Association. They also offer a comprehensive-only insurance option, which is a good choice for active service members anticipating deployment.

Armed Forces Insurance

Armed Forces Insurance provides auto insurance exclusively to veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families, as well as active or retired Department of Defense employees. They offer rate quotes from multiple insurers within their network, allowing you to select the best option for your budget and coverage needs. AFI members also receive identity theft resolution services, resources for a permanent change of station (PCS), and a PTSD card.

State Laws

Some states have laws requiring insurers to offer discounts to military service members. For example, Louisiana requires insurers to offer a 25% military discount on liability insurance for full-time active military personnel.

Other Tips for Saving on Auto Insurance

Even with a military discount, auto insurance can be expensive. Here are some tips for military families to save on auto insurance:

• Shop around and compare quotes from different companies.
• Ask about military discounts, even if they're not advertised.
• Utilize other discounts, such as paperless policies, telematics programs, and student discounts.
• Maintain an active policy, even if you're not driving your vehicle during training or deployment. You can usually put your vehicle in "storage mode" and remove all coverage except comprehensive.
• Keep a clean driving record.
• Look for other types of insurance, such as home or renters insurance, that can be bundled with your auto insurance for additional savings.

Discounts for storing your car during deployment

If you're a veteran or active member of the military, you may be eligible for discounted car insurance rates. Some companies offer special discounts and services for members of the military.

USAA

USAA offers auto insurance exclusively for veterans, active-duty military and their families. It has the cheapest rates on average among the military car insurers. USAA offers a discount of up to 60% for storing a vehicle you won't be driving and up to 15% off comprehensive coverage for parking on base.

Geico

Geico offers a military discount of up to 15% on its already low rates. If you're deployed to an imminent danger zone, there's a discount of up to 25%. Geico also offers a dedicated customer service line for service members.

Arbella

Arbella offers a 10% discount for Massachusetts customers deployed on active duty at least 100 miles from their car.

Armed Forces Insurance

Armed Forces Insurance provides auto insurance for veterans, active-duty personnel and their families, as well as active or retired Department of Defense employees. While there are no specific discounts listed online, Armed Forces Insurance is an agency, so it can give you quotes from multiple insurers within its network.

Farmers

Farmers Insurance offers a 10% discount for former and current military.

Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage offers vehicle storage options for military service members, including at-home storage, on-base storage, and renting a storage unit at a self-storage facility.

The Vault

The Vault is a car storage facility that offers military discounts for deployment storage rates.

Other Options

Some other car insurance companies that offer military discounts include Liberty Mutual, Auto-Owners, and Nationwide. Additionally, some military bases offer vehicle storage options for service members.

Customer service for veterans

Customer service is a key differentiator when it comes to auto insurance for veterans. Some companies stand out for their exceptional service, including:

USAA

USAA is consistently ranked as one of the best auto insurance providers for veterans and active-duty military personnel. In addition to offering highly competitive rates, USAA excels in customer service. In a survey of consumers, nearly nine out of ten USAA customers described themselves as likely or very likely to renew their car insurance policy. USAA also received high marks for claims handling, with 90% of customers reporting satisfaction with the resolution of their claims. USAA's website is user-friendly, and the company offers a wide range of coverage options and benefits tailored to the needs of military personnel, such as coverage for cars left on base and discounts for storing vehicles during deployment.

Geico

Geico is another popular choice for auto insurance among veterans and military families, offering a 15% discount for retired or active-duty military personnel, National Guard members, and members of military professional organizations. Geico also provides a dedicated customer service line for veterans and has a robust website and mobile app. However, it's important to note that Geico has received some criticism for below-average customer satisfaction in handling auto insurance claims.

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners Insurance is highly regarded for its customer service, receiving high marks from J.D. Power and significantly fewer complaints compared to its competitors. They offer a variety of insurance types beyond auto, and their add-ons include accident forgiveness, gap insurance, and additional expense coverage.

Farmers

Farmers Insurance also stands out for its customer service, offering nearly two dozen discounts for car insurance, including a 10% reduction for former and current military personnel. They also provide discounts for paperless billing, timely payments, being a homeowner, and installing anti-theft features.

Nationwide

Nationwide offers personalized services, such as their On Your Side® Review, which is a free annual insurance evaluation to ensure customers are taking advantage of all available discounts. They also have low rates for various groups, including seniors, parents of teen drivers, and high-risk motorists.

When choosing an auto insurance provider, veterans should consider not only the cost of premiums but also the quality of customer service, the availability of discounts, and the overall satisfaction of current customers. These factors can help ensure a positive experience and adequate coverage.

Frequently asked questions