Veterans Day: Insurance Discounts and Deals for Veterans

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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]

best car insurance carriers for active duty military and veterans by SmartFinancial

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]

Find the Best Car Insurance for Veterans

FAQs

Is Veterans Day a good time to shop for insurance?

Car insurance companies generally do not offer Veterans Day car insurance sales or discounts, but some car dealers do when you finance or lease an eligible vehicle. Purchasing a new car can be a good time to also shop for a new car insurance policy with cheaper rates.

What proof do you need to show you’re eligible for a veterans discount?

To claim a discount for veterans, you will typically need to provide valid military ID or some other proof of service, such as a veteran organization membership card, a VA card or your discharge papers.

Can you save money when buying a car on Veterans Day?

Yes, Acura, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and several other major automakers offer deals on buying or leasing an eligible car.

Is USAA only for veterans?

No, USAA also sells policies to active duty personnel. The spouse or children of military-affiliated individuals who are still may also buy a policy.

Sources

  1. GEICO. “Car Insurance Discounts.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  2. Farmers. “Insurance Discounts.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  3. Liberty Mutual. “Available Insurance Discounts.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  4. State Farm. “Competitive Louisiana Auto Insurance Discounts.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  5. Kemper. “Kemper Auto Discounts Give You More Ways To Save.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  6. USAA. “Auto Insurance Discounts.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  7. USAA. “Here’s What You Need To Know About Storing Your Car While on Duty.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  8. JD Power. “2023 Auto Insurance Study.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  9. USAA. “How To Get the Best Military Discounts.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  10. GEICO. “Military Car Insurance & Coverage Discounts.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  11. Acura. “Current Acura Offers.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  12. BMW. “BMW Military Incentive.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  13. Ford. “Ford Proud To Honor.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  14. General Motors. “About the GM Military Appreciation Program.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  15. Harley-Davidson. “Motorcycle Financing.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  16. Honda. “Military Appreciation. Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  17. Hyundai. “Military Program.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  18. Mitsubishi. “Mitsubishi Military Rebate Program.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  19. Nissan. “Nissan Military Program.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  20. Subaru. “Subaru Military Discount Program.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  21. Toyota Financial Services. “Military Rebate.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  22. Socal Honda Dealers. “Helping Veterans With Free Gas.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  23. Nevada Appeal. “Carson City Toyota Supports Veterans Through Campagni Cares.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.
  24. Subaru. “Employee Resource Groups.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2023.

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