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2 Best Car Insurance Companies for Veterans and Military Families

author-photoWritten by Derek San Filippo
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Derek San Filippo

Derek has written 100+ articles on property & casualty, health and life insurance topics as an insurance expert for Smar...

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editor-photoEdited by Dan Marticio
editor
Dan Marticio

Dan Marticio is the content manager at SmartFinancial and has written 150+ articles across multiple insurance verticals....

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Published October 25, 2023

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SmartFinancial has ranked USAA and GEICO as the best car insurance companies for veterans and military families, as these two carriers are at the top in terms of coverage, customer satisfaction and military-specific perks and discounts.

Here's an in-depth look at these providers and what they offer to those who have served and their loved ones.

Key Takeaways

  • USAA serves exclusively military families and offers unique perks, such as special deals on entertainment and shopping.
  • GEICO provides a 15% military discount and its Military Center provides specialized customer service for military members.
  • USAA offers a discount of up to 60% for members storing their vehicles for a prolonged period of time, which can be beneficial for those who are deployed.
  • GEICO has a similar benefit, providing a 25% discount for those deployed in specific danger zones.
  • Liberty Mutual, Kemper and Farmers also offer military discounts to active military members and veterans but do not specify the discount amount.

On This Page

Expand Table of Contents

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies for Veterans?

USAA and GEICO stand out when it comes to car insurance for veterans. Below, we dive into each carrier, as well as other honorable mentions.

USAA

USAA is a premier insurance provider dedicated to serving veterans, military personnel and their families, offering both insurance and banking solutions nationwide. The company's coverage is extensive, including standard car insurance, roadside assistance, rideshare coverage and unique policies for motorcycles, boats and RVs.

For veterans still living on base, you can get a 15% discount on comprehensive coverage for having your vehicle(s) garaged at a military installation.[1] Also, veterans who store their vehicles for extended periods of time may qualify for a 60% discount on their car insurance.[1]

Other benefits exclusive deals on entertainment, shopping, car care and other services.[2] Veteran perks can also be extended to family members through USAA's legacy discount, providing a 10% discount to drivers who are under 25.[1]

USAA also stands out for its exceptional customer satisfaction, receiving the highest ratings from J.D. Power in 2023 across all 11 regions surveyed.[3] Their telematics program, SafePilot, also received the highest ranking in the J.D. Power study, which can be ideal for safe drivers who want to secure even lower rates.

While this isn't necessarily related to their auto insurance product, USAA also waives deductibles on covered losses to military equipment and uniform for their homeowners and renters insurance policies. This is a welcome military-centric perk on top of the bundle discount if you purchase auto and home/renters insurance from USAA.[4]

GEICO

GEICO was originally founded with government employees in mind so it’s little surprise why they are on the shortlist for insuring our veterans. The GEICO Military Center is tailored to serve the insurance needs of current and former military personnel. Staffed by veterans, the center offers specialized policies and comprehensive services, easily accessible at 800-MILITARY (645-4827) or online.

Among the insurance companies we analyzed, GEICO was one of the few companies to offer a military discount and the only one to publicly specify the amount — a 15% discount to all former military members.[5] A GEICO auto policy can include the following types of coverage:

Furthermore, GEICO caters to a diverse range of vehicles such as motorcycles, ATVs, boats and RVs and even offers specialized policies like Mexican travel insurance. Although not as impressive as USAA, GEICO did rank above average in five out of 11 regions in the 2023 J.D. Power study.[3] However, GEICO did secure the highest official ranking in the New England region, which is comprised of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Also, GEICO tied for the highest rating in its division for usage-based insurance (UBI).

Honorable Mentions

In addition to USAA and GEICO, we also wanted to highlight Liberty Mutual, Kemper Insurance and Farmers, as these companies offer military discounts but the amount is not specified and the availability can depend on your location.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies for Military Members?

The best car insurance companies for military members will remain firmly in the hands of USAA and GEICO. Both providers offer sizable discount opportunities for active duty personnel, catering to those who may be shipped out at a moment's notice along with solid customer service.

GEICO in particular offers an emergency deployment discount that can be as high as 25% on top of the general military discount of 15%.[6] Qualifying areas for the deployment discount are designated by the Department of Defense (DoD) with over 40 countries listed.[7]

However, USAA is number one when it comes to deployed military members. Their storage discount is unparalleled, as we’ve mentioned earlier, with savings as high as 60%.[1] And if you allow friends or family to drive your vehicle infrequently while you’re away, you could still receive a discount.[8]

Who Has the Best Military Discounts for Car Insurance?

GEICO comes out on top due to their basic military discount of 15% for active duty members and veterans in addition to their deployment discount.[5] USAA comes second with its 60% long-term storage discount, making it a good option for those who are deployed. Liberty Mutual, Kemper and Farmers are, again, noteworthy mentions due to their military discount, although the exact discount amount isn’t listed.

It's important to note that the availability of military discounts may vary based on one's geographical location.

State Farm, for example, offers a military discount for active duty members who are stationed in Louisiana or who are deployed and whose spouse/dependents live in Louisiana.[9] Unfortunately, State Farm's discount is unavailable to veterans.

How To Get Car Insurance if You’re an Active Duty Military Member or Veteran

When exploring insurance options, it's advisable to gather quotes from at least three to five different providers. Keep in mind that a military discount doesn’t necessarily equate to the highest savings. Due to underwriting differences, you could get lower rates from a provider who doesn’t offer special discounts for current or former military. Hence, you should get several quotes from different carriers.

SmartFinancial has streamlined the process of shopping around for car insurance. Just fill out one form detailing your coverage needs and budget and you can secure a personalized auto insurance policy in mere minutes. Input your zip code below to claim your FREE quote for the best car insurance for military members.

Receive Your Free Car Insurance Quote Today!

FAQs

Is USAA for military members and personnel only?

USAA serves military members and personnel, as well as their spouses, widows/widower and children.

How do you get a military discount on car insurance?

To get a military discount on car insurance, you typically need to provide proof of your military service, such as a military ID or discharge papers when applying for coverage.

Do all veterans get car insurance discounts?

Veterans will get car insurance discounts if their provider offers an applicable discount. The veteran will need to provide evidence showing they served in order to receive savings on their plan.

How common are car insurance discounts on Veterans Day?

You usually won’t find Veterans Day deals for car insurance. However, discounted rates and/or financing options on purchasing a vehicle may be available from dealerships.

Sources

  1. USAA. “Auto Insurance Discounts.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  2. USAA. “Streaming and Entertainment.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  3. J.D. Power. “Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue To Surge, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  4. USAA. “Deployment.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  5. USAA. “Streaming and Entertainment.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  6. GEICO. “What Is Military Car Insurance?” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  7. GEICO. “Car Insurance Discounts - Savings on Auto Insurance.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  8. Defense Finance and Accounting Service. “Imminent Danger Pay.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  9. USAA. “Here’s What You Need To Know About Storing Your Car While on Duty.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  10. State Farm. “Competitive Louisiana Auto Insurance Discounts.” Accessed October 13, 2023.

 

  1. USAA. “Auto Insurance Discounts.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  2. USAA. “Deployment.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  3. J.D. Power. “Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue To Surge, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  4. USAA. “Streaming and Entertainment.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  5. GEICO. “What Is Military Car Insurance?” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  6. GEICO. “Car Insurance Discounts - Savings on Auto Insurance.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  7. Defense Finance and Accounting Service. “Imminent Danger Pay.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  8. USAA. “Here’s What You Need To Know About Storing Your Car While on Duty.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
  9. State Farm. “Competitive Louisiana Auto Insurance Discounts.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
About the Author
Derek San Filippo
Derek San Filippo
Auto Insurance Expert

Derek has written 100+ articles on property & casualty, health and life insurance topics as an insurance expert for SmartFinancial. Within his decade-long career writing about finances, entertainment, religion and philosophy, Derek spent three years writing financial articles for credit unions throughout the U.S. He prides himself on his ability to translate complex topics into actionable tips for everyday people.

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