Veterans Day: Insurance Discounts and Deals for Veterans

Car insurance companies generally don’t offer Veterans Day discounts but some carriers offer a policy premium discount for veterans and active military. If you’re shopping for a new car, several car dealers may offer Veterans Day promotions that can help veterans save on their next car purchase or lease.

Key Takeaways Veterans Day car insurance discounts are generally unavailable but veterans may qualify for a military discount and cheaper car prices. SmartFinancial rates USAA as the best car insurance carrier for veterans for its wide selection of member benefits. Claiming a veterans car insurance discount often requires you to show proof of military service, such as a military ID, VA card or veteran organization membership card. Ford, Honda and Toyota are among several car manufacturers that offer Veterans Day promotions on new or used car purchases and leases.

Car Insurance Discounts for Veterans and Military Members

Among the national insurance carriers reviewed, SmartFinancial found that only GEICO, Farmers and Liberty Mutual offered discounts to veterans.^[1][2][3] Discount availability may vary by location.

Company	Discount
GEICO	15%
Farmers	✓
Allstate	X
Nationwide	X
Erie	X
Travelers	X
USAA	X*
Liberty Mutual	✓
State Farm	Active duty only, must live in Louisiana[4]
Kemper	Active duty only[5]

^{*USAA exclusively serves military families so there is no discount just for membership in the military}

How To Get Military or Veterans Car Insurance Discounts

Claiming a military or veterans car insurance discount requires you to choose an insurance company that offers the discount and to show proof of past military service.

1. Find an Insurance Company That Offers Discounts to Veterans

GEICO offers a 15% car insurance discount to veterans.^[1] Discounts are also available from Farmers and Liberty Mutual but these insurance companies do not advertise how much you can save on their websites. Meanwhile, other insurance companies offer a military discount but there may be some restrictions. For example, Kemper offers a discount only to active duty members and the same goes for State Farm but the policyholder must also live in Louisiana.^[4][5]

If you're on active duty and deployed, USAA and GEICO are worth considering. GEICO provides a notable emergency deployment discount of up to 25%, while USAA offers an unmatched storage discount of up to 60%.^[1][6] An added perk of going with USAA is that the long-term storage discount may still apply even if your friends or family occasionally use your vehicle during your deployment.^[7]

SmartFinancial recommends that you shop around, even if the car insurance company does not offer a military or veterans discount.

While discounts are always nice, you may still find a cheaper policy even from a company that does not offer military discounts. Each company uses its own pricing methodology, which can result in a cheaper policy elsewhere for the same car insurance coverage.

2. Show Proof of Military Service

To claim a veterans discount, the insurance company will typically request proof of service. Veterans can qualify for the discount by supplying one of the following documents:

• Military ID
• Veteran organization membership card
• VA card
• Discharge papers (DD form 214)
• Leave and earning statement
• Visit a physical location while dressed in uniform

Which Companies Provide the Best Car Insurance for Veterans?

USAA and GEICO offer the best car insurance for veterans according to SmartFinancial’s analysis.

USAA

USAA stands as a leading insurance provider, committed to serving veterans, active military personnel, and their families. In fact, you can only buy a USAA auto policy if you’re active duty, a veteran or the spouse or child of one who is still alive.

Veterans stationed on base may enjoy a 15% discount on comprehensive coverage when their vehicles are garaged on military premises. Additionally, those storing vehicles long-term might be eligible for a 60% insurance discount.^[6]

In 2023, USAA car insurance received top accolades from J.D. Power across all surveyed regions, with their SafePilot telematics program also earning high praise, making it a prime choice for safety-conscious drivers seeking competitive rates.^[8]

USAA also offers an extensive range of member benefits, offering additional savings on flights, hotel fares and more. Below, we’ve compiled a list of perks and savings opportunities for USAA members:^[9]

Airline	Discounted Fare	Other Benefits
Alaska Airlines	✓	15% off in-flight meals 5 free checked bags
Allegiant Airlines	X	2 free checked bags No charge for oversized checked baggage
American Airlines	✓	3 free checked bags*
Delta Airlines	X	3 free checked bags* $50 to $300 off vacation bookings through Delta Vacations
Frontier Airlines	X	2 free checked bags* No oversize/overweight fees on first 2 free checked bags
Frontier Airlines	X	2 free checked bags No oversize/overweight fees on first 2 free checked bags
Hawaiian Airlines	X	2 free checked bags*
JetBlue	5% off for activity duty	2 free checked bags*
Southwest Airlines	✓
United Airlines	X	2 free checked bags*

^{*Increases to 5 if traveling on orders}

USAA members can save 5% to 25% on ground transportation services, as well.

Company	Discount
Amtrak	10%
Avis	Up to 25%
Budget	Up to 25%
Dollar	5%
Enterprise	5%
Greyhound	10%
Hertz	✓
National Car Rental	✓
Penske	10% off truck rentals for Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move

Traveling USAA members can enjoy savings on bookings with select hotels.

Hotel	Discount
Best Western Hotels & Resorts	✓
Choice Hotels	✓
Expedia	10%
CheapTickets	18%
Extended Stay America	✓
Great Wolf Lodge	Up to 30%
Hilton Hotels & Resorts	✓
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts	10%-15%
Red Roof Inn	10% for military; 20% with Veterans Advantage
Sandals Resort	10%
Wyndham Hotels	Up to 20%

As a USAA member, you can also save on restaurants, amusement park tickets, recreational activities and more:

• 10% to 20% off major national chain restaurants, like Popeyes, Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse, Pizza Hut
• Amusement parks, like Disney World, Disneyland, Dollywood, Six Flags, Universal Studios
• Movie theaters, like AMC, Cinemark, Regal Cinemas
• Sporting events
• Ski resorts

GEICO

With a 15% military discount and 25% deployment discount, GEICO is a solid choice for veterans and active duty alike.^[1] In addition, GEICO’s Military Center is staffed with professionals and veterans who are dedicated addressing the insurance needs and inquiries of military policyholders.^[10]

While not surpassing USAA, GEICO still performed commendably in the 2023 J.D. Power study, ranking above average in five out of 11 regions. Notably, they clinched the top spot in the New England region.^[8]

Do Car Manufacturers or Dealerships Have Veterans Day Sales?

Some car companies hold military car insurance sales promotions for Veterans Day, applying a discount towards veterans’ car purchases or leases or offering reduced rates on auto loans. This can be helpful, especially with new car prices at an all-time high.

To qualify for these promotions, you must be an active military member or a veteran and show proof of service. Some companies may enforce additional requirements on veterans (e.g., 12 to 24 months of separation from active or reserve duty). Ask your car dealer for more details, including how long the promotion will last.

Here are the special Veterans Day car sales and and other promotions that may be available in your area in 2023.

Company	Veterans Day Promotion	Find Local Dealer
Acura	$750 savings towards eligible 2023 or newer Integra, TLX, RDX or MDX vehicle when leasing/financing through Acura Financial Services[11]	Find local dealer
BMW	$500 to $5,000 savings toward a lease or new BMW vehicle purchase[12]	Find local dealer
Ford	Cash reward toward the purchase or lease of any new and eligible 2022/2023/2024 Ford or Lincoln vehicle[13]	Find local dealer
General Motors	Special offer on new and unused GM cars; SUVs; crossovers; midsize, light-duty and HD pickup trucks; and passenger and cargo vans[14]	Find local dealer
Harley Davidson	No money down, 9.14% APR for up to 60-month term for highest-credit applicants on eligible Harley‑Davidson motorcycles financed through Eaglemark Savings Bank[15]	Find local dealer
Honda	$500 savings toward 2023 or newer Honda vehicle when financing/leasing car through Toyota Financial Services (TFS)[16]	Find local dealer
Hyundai	$500 savings toward purchase or lease of select Hyundai vehicles[17]	Find local dealer
Mitsubishi	Up to a $500 rebate on select Mitsubishi vehicles[18]	Find local dealer
Nissan	$500-$1,000 savings toward select Nissan vehicles[19]	Find local dealer
Subaru	$500 savings toward car purchase of select Subaru vehicles[20]	Find local dealer
Toyota	Rebate toward financing/leasing new Toyota car through Toyota Financial Services (TFS)[21]	Find local dealer

Local Events

Car dealers may hold local promotions and events. In 2022, the Helpful Honda team went to local gas stations across Southern California and offered veterans and Honda drivers free gas at the pumps.^[22] Carson City Toyota in California donates to a different charity each month. In 2021, they donated to Veterans Guest House, a resource for veterans and their families that provides overnight accommodations while receiving medical treatment in the Reno/Sparks area.^[23]

In 2022, the Subaru Armed Forces Resource Group attended a virtual military hiring event, adorned over 1,000 wreaths on veterans' graves and lent support in reintegrating veterans into mainstream society.^[24]

See if car dealers in your area are holding any special events or promotions for Veterans Day. If you’re buying a new car, ask if there are regional benefits you can stack on top of nationwide promotions. For example, the BMW military incentive may be combined with local deals.^[12]