USAA, GEICO, and Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) are three of the best auto insurance companies for military personnel and veterans. The best military car insurance companies all feature:

Low premiums

Generous military discounts

Flexible policy management options for deployed members

Extensive membership benefits

USAA

J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating: 874/1000

Average annual full coverage premium: $1,235

Best perk for military members: 60% storage discount for deployed service members

USAA—the United Services Automobile Association—is the ultimate car insurance company for active duty service members and veterans. USAA offers banking services in addition to auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance and other insurance products. Membership is only available to U.S. military members and veterans, along with their spouses and children.

The main advantage of a USAA auto insurance policy: Cheap rates. While every driver will get different quotes, USAA consistently offers the cheapest car insurance rates of any insurance company in the country.

Other benefits of USAA insurance:

Advice Center

with resources for military life, financial literacy, retirement planning, and more

Investment opportunities

through Charles Schwab and Victory Capital

Deployment Preparations Checklist

for active duty service members

Deductible-free uniforms and gear coverage for renters

Membership discounts on car rentals, travel, shopping, and more

Usage-based insurance through SafePilot and Noblr

MORE:

USAA SafePilot insurance review: Is it worth it?

GEICO

J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating: 857/1000

Average annual full coverage premium: $1,536

Best perk for military members: 25% emergency deployment discount for military members in imminent danger pay areas

GEICO actually stands for Government Employees Insurance Company—which means that military car insurance is part of its roots. With cheap auto insurance rates for most drivers and tons of resources for members of the military, GEICO is a strong pick for military car insurance coverage.

The main advantage of a GEICO auto insurance policy: Special discounts and a dedicated customer service line for military members. Military members can get fast, reliable service by calling (800) MILITARY (645-4827).

Other benefits of GEICO insurance:

15% discount on total insurance premium for active duty or retired military service members, National Guard, and Reserves

25% discount for service members deployed to imminent danger pay areas designated by the Department of Defense (DOD)

Membership discounts for members of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and Navy League of the United States (NLUS)

One of the

best-rated mobile apps

for digital policy management

MORE:

Does GEICO have vehicle storage insurance coverage?

AFI

J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating: N/A

Average annual full coverage premium: N/A

Best perk for military members: 15% discount for vehicles garaged on a military base

Like USAA, AFI (Armed Forces Insurance) exists just for military members. A member-owned insurance exchange founded in 1887, AFI offers insurance products including auto, business, collector vehicle, homeowners, renters, and life insurance to active duty, retired, and honorably discharged members of all branches of the U.S. military, along with their family members.

The main advantage of an AFI auto insurance policy: Personalized service. AFI’s NAIC complaint index is just 1.37—considerably lower than both USAA and GEICO’s.

Other benefits of AFI insurance:

PTSD resources

for veterans and active duty military

Speciality coverage for classic and collector vehicles

Community engagement and awards

Is USAA really the cheapest for military families?

The short answer: Yes, USAA car insurance is almost always the cheapest option for military members and veterans.

USAA average annual full coverage premium	$1,235
Average annual rate with a speeding ticket	$1,445
Average annual rate with an at-fault accident	$1,741
Average annual rate with a DUI	$2,297

USAA insurance for drivers with violations

Even if your driving record isn’t perfect, USAA typically assigns lighter rate hikes to drivers with speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and even DUIs than the average company. But depending on your situation, you might find a lower rate with another company.

Event	Average rate increase for USAA members	Average rate increase for most insurance companies	Company with lower average rate increase
Speeding ticket	17%	29%	Allstate (15%)
At-fault accident	41%	43%	Erie (29%)
DUI	86%	101%	Progressive (36%)

The bottom line: While most military drivers will find the cheapest auto insurance coverage with USAA, it’s still worth

shopping around

and comparing rates from other insurance providers—especially if you have violations or accidents on your record.

MORE:

How USAA’s accident forgiveness really works

How to pause your car insurance before a deployment

Not all states allow military families to

pause or suspend their insurance coverage

while deployed.

If you have a deployment coming up, your first step should be to reach out to your insurance agent to discuss your options. Some insurance companies allow military members to suspend liability, collision, uninsured motorist, medical payments/personal injury protection, and roadside assistance during a deployment if:

You can prove that your vehicle will be securely stored for your whole deployment

You maintain a small amount of

comprehensive coverage

on the vehicle in case of property damage

If you’re not able to pause or reduce your coverage during deployment, reach out to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) instead to file an affidavit of non-use before you cancel your car insurance policy.

Most insurance agencies will automatically report an

insurance lapse

to the DMV—and any unauthorized lapse in insurance coverage will lead to higher car insurance quotes in the future.

MORE:

How to cancel USAA car insurance

Which car insurance companies offer a discount to military members and veterans?

Only a handful of companies offer dedicated

car insurance discounts

to military members and veterans—and eligibility may be limited based on where you live.

Alfa Insurance: Unspecified discount for active duty military members

Arbella Insurance: Up to 10% discount for military members deployed 100 miles or more from their garaging address

Direct Auto: Up to 25% discount for active duty military members in Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana

Kentucky Farm Bureau: Defensive driving discount available for military members

Farmers: Unspecified discount for active duty and reserve members and honorably discharged veterans

GEICO: Up to 15% for active duty and retired military members

Kemper: Unspecified discount for active duty military and National Guard members

Liberty Mutual: Unspecified discount for active duty, retired, and reserve members

USAA: 15% discount on comprehensive coverage for vehicles garaged on a military base

In most cases, other companies that advertise military auto insurance discounts, like Nationwide and Progressive, only offer those discounts in the state of Louisiana. Louisiana state law RS 22:1425 requires all auto insurance companies to offer a 25% discount to active military personnel based in the state.

And don’t forget that military members can take advantage of car insurance discounts available to other drivers—from bundling home and auto insurance to tracking your driving, there are tons of ways to earn discounts!

MORE:

A guide to military car insurance discounts

AfterDeployment.org:
An online resource for service members and families following a deployment.
2023 Military Pay Charts:
A calculator to estimate pay based on pay grade and years of service
Military.com deployment guide
: Extensive guide for families and service members before and during deployment
VA Service Member Benefits
: Guide to VA benefits for active duty and retired military members
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Military Driver Programs
: Resources for service members and veterans transitioning to transportation careers

FAQs

Is USAA car insurance only for the military?

Yes. USAA car insurance is only available to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves—along with their spouses and children.

Is car insurance cheaper if you’re in the military?

Usually. Many insurers offer some form of discount to military members, and all military members are eligible for car insurance through USAA, which typically has the cheapest overall rates for auto insurance.

What proof do you need to join USAA?

In order to verify your military service and join USAA, you’ll need a government-issued ID and proof of service such as a DD214 form, Leave & Earnings Statement, discharge certificate, or active duty orders.

What’s the difference between USAA and other insurance companies?

USAA is a financial services organization catering exclusively to military members, veterans, and their immediate family members. In addition to insurance, USAA offers banking and other financial resources for members.