Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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USAA offers car insurance to its members, which includes U.S. military members and veterans, pre-commissioned officers, and the spouses and children of USAA members. Whether you’re unhappy with the cost and found a cheaper plan or you want perks that USAA doesn’t offer, you can cancel your USAA car insurance policy at any time, for any reason.
But before you cancel with USAA, you’ll need to have a new policy in place to avoid any gaps in coverage and legal headaches.
Quick Facts
USAA requires members to call before canceling.
Liability-only coverage costs $106 per month on average with USAA, according to Insurify data.
Financial solutions may be available for members struggling to pay their premium.
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How to cancel USAA car insurance
If you’re moving, you need to add a new vehicle or driver, or it’s time to renew, you may be considering switching your car insurance company. However, one of the most common reasons people change insurers is to save money.
Whatever your reason for canceling your USAA car insurance policy, here are the five steps you’ll want to follow:
1. Check your policy renewal date
While you can cancel your USAA insurance at any time, the best time to cancel and switch insurers is usually when your current policy is up for renewal.[1] USAA typically automatically renews most car insurance policies, so it’s important to know your renewal date if you’re considering switching.
USAA also doesn’t make it clear on its website if it charges cancellation fees. So switching to a new policy when your existing policy ends can be a good way to avoid racking up any charges beyond your new policy’s premium. To check your USAA policy renewal date, you can review your renewal packet or bills online, contact your agent, or use the USAA mobile app to view your account information.
2. Compare car insurance quotes
It’s important to shop around for coverage from other insurers before you cancel your USAA insurance. This can help you find the best plan that works for your insurance needs and budget.
To easily search through many quotes at the same time, you can use an online quote-comparison tool. However, be careful when using certain lead-generation sites — especially if they feel a bit spammy.
3. Enroll in a new car insurance policy
You likely need to enroll in new coverage before canceling your USAA plan since most states require drivers to carry car insurance by law. Once you’ve found the right plan, simply sign up with the new insurer. You can often pick your preferred start date. So if you plan to switch on your USAA renewal date, you can have your new policy start on the same day.
USAA doesn’t offer the ability to cancel your policy online or through the mobile app. If you want to cancel your USAA car insurance, you’ll have to give customer service a call to discuss your situation.[2] The company says this is to see if members are at “financial risk” and to potentially provide assistance.
While it’s unclear what type of help USAA can offer, it does list a few different payment options for members struggling to pay their premium, including the ability to pause a payment, carry a late payment over to your next bill, or spread out past due payments across three bills. If you’re looking to cancel for any other reason, aside from financial, you still need to call to start the cancellation process.
Important Information
Remember, before canceling your USAA car insurance, you must first be enrolled in a new plan to avoid a lapse in coverage. If you’re without car insurance, you could be in legal trouble since your state likely requires drivers to have a minimum level of coverage. But you could also face hefty out-of-pocket costs if you cause an accident without insurance.
5. Confirm cancellation
After you cancel your USAA car insurance, you want to confirm the cancellation was successful. Depending on when you cancel your policy, you could be eligible for a refund. If you canceled on your renewal date, you likely won’t get any cash back. But if you prepaid with USAA or pay month-to-month and then switch insurers before your term is up, USAA might owe you a refund.
You can check your plan documents or with USAA directly if you’re unsure about what type of refund you can expect and how the payment will be sent. If you had your USAA car insurance on autopay, you should also check your bank or credit card statement to make sure that the charges don’t continue.
Does USAA charge cancellation fees?
USAA doesn’t make it clear on its website if it charges a cancellation fee, so if you cancel during the policy period, you may have to pay a fee. However, if you wait until your renewal date to end your USAA plan, you likely won’t have to pay any fees. Check your policy documents or call USAA directly to find out exactly what you may owe when canceling, if anything.
USAA car insurance costs vs. other insurance companies
One of the top reasons people choose to switch insurers is to save money. Many different factors can affect the cost of car insurance, such as your location, your driving history, the kind of car you drive, your age, and your credit.[3] So if you’re considering canceling your USAA car insurance, be sure to compare plan costs across different insurance companies to find the best rate for your budget.
Here’s a look at the average monthly cost of USAA versus other major car insurance companies:
Insurance Company
Average Quote: Full Coverage
Average Quote: Liability Only
USAA
$152
$106
Auto-Owners
$109
$76
Travelers
$172
$131
State Farm
$175
$125
GEICO
$178
$125
Nationwide
$182
$167
Allstate
$212
$146
American Family
$227
$158
Direct Auto
$231
$194
Progressive
$238
$161
Liberty Mutual
$284
$198
Farmers
$317
$218
The General
$451
$259
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
USAA car insurance FAQs
Canceling your USAA car insurance doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, but you’ll want to be aware of some important things before you part ways. Below, you’ll find answers to some commonly asked questions about canceling a USAA policy.
How long does it take to cancel your policy with USAA?
The USAA website doesn’t specify how long it takes to cancel your policy, so it’s a good idea to call and speak with a representative if you’re interested in terminating coverage.
Can you cancel your USAA insurance policy online?
The USAA website doesn’t make it clear if you’re able to cancel your USAA insurance policy online or through its mobile app. Instead, the company asks that you call directly to discuss your options if you’re thinking about canceling.
Can you cancel your coverage with USAA at any time?
Yes. You’re allowed to cancel your USAA policy at any time, for any reason. If you’re considering switching, with Insurify’s quote-comparison tool, you can check out auto insurance rates from highly rated insurers to find the best plan for your needs.
Does USAA charge a cancellation fee?
The USAA website doesn’t have any clear information about fees you may face for canceling your policy. Be sure to check your policy’s fine print or contact USAA directly for more information.
Do you need a new car insurance policy before you cancel your policy with USAA?
Yes. Almost every state requires car insurance coverage by law, so it’s important to have a new policy in place before you cancel your USAA insurance. This can help you avoid a gap in coverage, which can be especially troublesome if you’re in a car accident or get pulled over.
Sarah Archambault enjoys helping people figure out smarter ways to use their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans. She’s created and edited content for Credit Karma, Experian and Sound Dollar, along with banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies.
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
