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USAA Auto Insurance Review: Custom-Made for Military Members

Review Updated
Dana George
By: Dana George

Our Insurance Expert

Eric McWhinnie
Check IconFact Checked Eric McWhinnie
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

USAA auto insurance is a good fit for present and former military members and their families. Policies are designed specifically for military family needs.

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Best for military members and their familiesUSAA
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

USAA offers military members and their families some of the best auto insurance coverage available. Premiums are lower than most competitors, there are plentiful coverage options, and many opportunities to save further with premium discounts. Free accident forgiveness coverage after five years also means premiums won't go up if a crash happens. USAA is open only to military members, veterans, and their families. For those who qualify, it's likely their best bet for car insurance.

Pros

  • Top-rated customer service
  • Variety of discounts
  • Flexible payment plan
  • Access to coverage 24/7
  • Easy to use from anywhere in the world
  • Financially secure

Cons

  • Available only to military members and their families

Full USAA auto insurance review

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Monthly premium costs

In addition to understanding the unique circumstances of military members, USAA is also appreciated for its low rates.

35y, female, clean record 35y, male, clean record 35y, female, one accident 18y, male, clean record
$1,647 $1,665 $2,329 $4,348
Data source: The Ascent's analysis of standardized personas.

Cost comparison

As mentioned, USAA insures only military members and their families. USAA members who switched from another insurance carrier saved an average of $707 a year, according to the company.

USAA Average Rate National Average Rate
Clean Driving Record $1,625 $2,728
Accident on Record $2,329 $2,973
Speeding Ticket on Record $2,012 $3,015
DUI on Record $3,067 $2,847
18 Years OId - New Driver $4,348 $6,291
65 Years Old - Senior $1,564 $2,140
Military Service $1,661 $2,375
Minimum Coverage (Liability Only) $511 $787
Data source: The Ascent's analysis of standardized personas.

Discounts

USAA offers a wide range of discounts, including:

  • Anti-theft device
  • Automatic payments
  • Defensive driving
  • Driver training
  • Family
  • Good student
  • Low mileage
  • Military installation (for drivers who live and park their vehicle on base)
  • Multi-policy
  • Multi-vehicle
  • New vehicle
  • Safe driver
  • USAA SafePilot
  • Vehicle storage (when the driver is deployed)

Coverage

Policy types

  • ATV
  • Aviation insurance
  • Boat
  • Classic car insurance
  • Condo insurance
  • Earthquake insurance
  • Flood
  • Homeowners
  • Life insurance
  • Motorcycle
  • Personal watercraft insurance
  • RV
  • Renters
  • Small business insurance
  • Umbrella

Coverage types

  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Liability
  • Medical payments
  • Ridesharing
  • Roadside assistance
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorists

Although USAA focuses on veterans and their families, the insurer offers the same types of coverage as other larger insurers.

Customer service and ratings

USAA is the leading brand for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power, and has an A++ rating with AM Best and a AAA rating with S&P Global Ratings for financial strength.

Other insurance available

  • Aviation
  • Bicycle and electric bike
  • Home and property
  • Small business
  • Health
  • Life
  • Mobile phone
  • Personal cyber
  • Pet
  • Special events
  • Travel

Alternatives to consider

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Best for price conscious consumersGeico
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
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= Poor
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Read our Geico review

Logo for Liberty Mutual
Best for customizable insuranceLiberty Mutual
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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Read our Liberty Mutual review

For drivers who aren't eligible for USAA but want a highly ranked auto insurer: Geico provides some of the least expensive premiums in the industry.

For those who like perks: Liberty Mutual has perk offerings, like accident forgiveness and better car replacement, that make it an attractive alternative for drivers looking for worry-free coverage.

USAA auto insurance summary

USAA auto insurance could be a good fit for drivers who:

  • Want to take advantage of insurers who understand their military experience
  • Seek the lowest policy rates

USAA may be the right choice for military members and their families, but if it's not, there are plenty of car insurance companies vying for their business.

Our auto insurance rating methodology

At The Motley Fool Ascent, insurers are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on pricing, coverage options, and customer satisfaction; however, we also take into account features like unique discounts, online and app-based experiences, and branch access. Our highest-rated auto insurances generally include low costs, solid coverage, and high customer satisfaction.

Our Insurance Experts

Dana George
By: Dana George

Writer

Dana George has a BA in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University. For more than 25 years, she has written and reported on business and finance, and she's still passionate about her work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And though she finds the color orange unflattering on most people, she thinks they'll enjoy Champaign tremendously.

Eric McWhinnie
Check IconFact Checked Eric McWhinnie

Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.