How Military Members Can Get Huge Discounts on Car Insurance

May is Military Appreciation Month, but military service members, veterans, and their families deserve the nation's appreciation all year round. One way for military members to get some added "thanks" from America -- any time of the year -- is to get a special discount on car insurance.

Not every auto insurance company offers military discounts. But some of the best car insurance companies can help service members get significantly cheaper car insurance than they might find on their own. Since the cost of car insurance has gone up so much in the past few years, saving 10%-15% or more on car insurance premiums can help create some breathing room in a budget.

Let's look at a few ways that military members can save big money on car insurance -- not just during Military Appreciation Month, but all year!

1. Try USAA auto insurance

Any military member who wants cheaper auto insurance should start their search with USAA (United Services Automobile Association). This organization is more than an insurance company; it also offers banking, investing, and other financial services for military members and their families.

USAA auto insurance is an excellent deal. Based on The Motley Fool's Ascent's research, USAA average car insurance premiums are about $1,844 per year for all drivers, compared to $3,017 for the national average. That means USAA can offer a 39% discount off the national "average" car insurance company's policy.

Keep in mind that your exact auto insurance premium will depend on your age, location, driving record, and other factors. But military members are likely to get the cheapest car insurance from USAA -- no other car insurance company is likely to beat USAA rates. In fact, USAA survey data shows that USAA members saved about $725 per year by switching car insurance to USAA.

To get USAA auto insurance, drivers must join USAA -- and membership is only open to military members, former military service members (veterans and retirees), and their families. But if drivers qualify, this is the best car insurance that anyone in America is likely to get -- and the discounts are exclusively for military members, veterans, and their families.

2. Try other military discount car insurance companies

USAA will probably have the best price on car insurance for military members, but it's always good to shop around for price quotes. Drivers should check with a few of these other car insurance companies that are known for offering military discounts.

Armed Forces Insurance (AFI)

Armed Forces Insurance has been in business since 1887, and like USAA, it is dedicated exclusively to military members, veterans, and their families. This company provides personalized service and nationwide partnerships with top insurance carriers; buying car insurance with AFI is like having your own personal insurance agent who helps drivers get the best deal.

Geico

Geico is known for its talking gecko spokesperson, and for being one of the best cheap car insurance companies. The Motley Fool's Ascent's research found that Geico's national average car insurance premium for all drivers is $2,106 per year (only $262 more than USAA). But this company can also help military members save even more money on car insurance -- Geico offers military discounts of up to 15%.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers military discounts for auto insurance. This company is known for offering personalized, customizable auto insurance policies so drivers don't have to buy more coverage than they need. However, Liberty Mutual auto insurance premiums might be more expensive than drivers would get from USAA, AFI, or Geico.

As of 2022, according to The Motley Fool's Ascent's research, the average premium for 35-year-old drivers (men and women) with clean driving records was $2,274 per year. That's $430 more than USAA's average premium for all drivers. Even with a Liberty Mutual military discount, drivers might still be better off with USAA.

3. Try a safe driving insurance plan

Some car insurance companies are now offering special insurance plans that reward safer driving with discounts. If policyholders sign up for one of these plans, they agree to share some of their driving data with their car insurance company so they can show it how safely they drive -- such as safe accelerations, braking, and driving the speed limit.

All three of these military discount car insurance companies offer special programs where drivers can earn safe driving discounts:

USAA SafePilot®

USAA offers a safe driving discount program called the USAA SafePilot® program. If drivers agree to sign up for this plan and use the USAA safe driving app, they can qualify for car insurance discounts of up to 30%.

Liberty Mutual RightTrack®

Liberty Mutual offers the RightTrack® safe driving discount program for customers who agree to share some driving data via mobile app or plug-in device. With this safe driver program, drivers can earn up to 30% discounts on car insurance premiums.

Geico DriveEasy

Geico also offers a discount program for safe drivers called DriveEasy. If policyholders agree to share some of their driving data with Geico's DriveEasy mobile app, they can earn discounts. But unlike the other two car insurance companies on this list, Geico does not publish approximate discounts on its website.

Bottom line

The best way for military members to save money on car insurance is to become a member of USAA or Armed Forces Insurance (AFI). These companies are dedicated to providing cheap car insurance and other financial services for military members -- as part of the military community, you and your family are "in" with these companies. Other car insurance companies like Geico and Liberty Mutual can also be worth checking for military discounts.