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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
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John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
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As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Table of contents
If you’re an active-duty service member, veteran, or military family member, you have access to exclusive car insurance benefits. Between military-specific discounts and deployment coverage options, the savings can add up fast. You can also access some federal protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
This guide will cover how to manage your auto insurance policy before and after deployment and how to stack military discounts with other savings to get the lowest possible rate.
Here’s what you need to know about the best car insurance companies for military members.
USAA is available exclusively to military members, veterans, and qualifying family members, and it offers some of the cheapest rates on the market.
Active-duty service members can reduce or suspend certain coverages during deployment rather than canceling outright to avoid a coverage lapse and higher rates on return.
You can stack military discounts with other savings, such as bundling, safe driver discounts, and telematics programs, to maximize savings.
Best car insurance companies for military members
Finding the best car insurance as a military member means looking beyond an insurer’s base rate.
The auto insurers below stand out for military-specific discounts, deployment flexibility, and service tailored to the needs of active-duty members, veterans, and military families. See full-coverage insurance costs from the best insurers for military members below.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Cost for Military Members | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $100 | Active-duty military members and veterans |
| GEICO | $142 | Deployment flexibility |
| Liberty Mutual | $208 | Low-mileage military drivers |
USAA: Best for active-duty military members and veterans
| User Reviews | 4.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.1 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $52/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $100/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
USAA is the only major insurance company that exclusively serves the military community, and it consistently earns top customer satisfaction scores.[1] The insurer offers military-specific discounts, including up to 15% off comprehensive coverage for vehicles garaged on base and up to 60% off storage coverage during deployment.
Eligibility extends to honorably discharged veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and qualifying family members.
Deployment storage discount of up to 60%
On-base garaging discount of up to 15% on comprehensive coverage
Excellent J.D. Power customer and claims satisfaction scores
Doesn’t have local offices
No 24/7 customer support
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
GEICO: Best for deployment flexibility
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.2 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $86/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $142/mo |
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
GEICO operates a dedicated Military Center staffed by veterans. Members deployed to areas in imminent danger, as designated by the Department of Defense, can qualify for an additional emergency deployment discount when storing their vehicle under an approved storage plan. It also offers a military discount of up to 15% to active-duty, retired, and honorably discharged members, as well as additional discounts for members of certain military-related organizations.
Emergency deployment discount for eligible customers
Military discount of up to 15% available
Has a veteran-staffed Military Center
Limited network of local agents
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score[2]
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
Liberty Mutual: Best for low-mileage military drivers
| User Reviews | 3.4 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.7 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $150/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $208/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
Liberty Mutual offers a named military discount for active-duty, retired, and Reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as additional savings through the Military Benefits Association. Additionally, Liberty Mutual’s RightTrack telematics program rewards low mileage and safe driving with up to 30% off at renewal — a meaningful perk for military personnel with minimal vehicle use before or after deployment.
Military discount available to active-duty, retired, and Reserve members
Additional savings through the Military Benefits Association and RightTrack
Excellent J.D. Power claims satisfaction scores
Rates tend to run higher than those of USAA and GEICO
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores in most regions
RightTrack is available in only 37 states and Washington, D.C.
Military car insurance discounts by company
Not every insurance company advertises a named military discount. Instead, some simply offer competitive base rates that can still beat out military-specific savings elsewhere. It’s worth asking your insurer directly about eligibility for a military discount, since car insurance discounts can vary by state.
Here’s a look at six insurance companies that offer discounts for military members.
Insurance Company | Military Discount Amount | Eligibility Requirements | Deployment Discount? | Vehicle Storage Option? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | Up to 15% for on-base coverage | Active duty, veterans, National Guard, Reserves, precommissioned officers, employees of certain federal agencies, and eligible family members | Up to 60% off if you store your vehicle while deployed | Yes |
| GEICO | Up to 15% | Active duty, veterans, National Guard, and Reserves | 25% for deployments to imminent danger pay areas | Yes |
| Liberty Mutual | Doesn’t disclose | Active-duty, veterans, and Reserve service members | No | No |
| Farmers | Doesn’t disclose | Active-duty, Reserves, veterans, and honorably discharged service members | No | No |
| State Farm | Doesn’t disclose | Only for active duty or reservists in the Louisiana Air or Army National Guard | No | No |
| Direct Auto Insurance | Up to 25% | Active-duty service members in Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana | No | No |
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Car insurance during military deployment
Facing deployment can raise urgent questions about what to do with your car insurance. The right strategy for you will depend on the length of your deployment, where you plan to store your vehicle, and whether you want to reduce, suspend, or maintain your coverage.
Should you cancel or reduce coverage during deployment?
Canceling your auto policy outright might seem like a money-saver, but it creates a lapse in coverage that can follow you long after you return. Insurers often treat a coverage gap as a risk factor, which can significantly raise your rates. If you have an outstanding loan, you may also have to pay for pricey lender-placed insurance.[3]
Instead, ask your insurer about suspending certain coverages or switching to a reduced plan while your vehicle is in storage.
How to store a vehicle on base
Storing your vehicle on a military installation during deployment is one of the most effective ways to cut costs. Since you won’t be driving the stored vehicle, you may be able to drop liability coverage and collision coverage and keep only comprehensive insurance.
Comprehensive-only coverage can protect your car against theft, fire, weather damage, and other non-collision events while it’s in storage.
How to reinstate coverage after deployment
Once you return, you’ll need to at least restore your state’s minimum liability coverage before driving again. Here’s what you need to do:
Contact your insurer. Notify your insurer of your return date before or immediately upon return.
File a non-use affidavit if needed. Check if your state requires an affidavit of non-use, which some states require to confirm you didn’t drive your vehicle during the storage period.[4]
Request reinstatement of any suspended coverages. Ask your insurer to help you reinstate your insurance coverage from before deployment.
Review your coverage limits. Your situation may have changed, and your policy should reflect it. Make any necessary changes.
Receive and pay the adjusted premium. Confirm your premium and any changes to your rate before your first day back behind the wheel.
SCRA protections for military car insurance
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal law that gives active-duty military members a range of financial and legal protections, including a few specific auto provisions.
The SCRA provides a 6% interest rate cap on auto loans taken out before active-duty service and protection against vehicle repossession without a court order. The law also gives military members the right to terminate a vehicle lease if they receive orders for a permanent change of station or deployment of 180 days or more.[5]
The SCRA covers all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard members activated under Title 10 federal orders, Reserves called to active duty, and more.
It’s important to note that most SCRA protections aren’t automatic. You need to take action and submit documentation, typically including a copy of your active-duty orders.
Cheapest car insurance for military members
The rates below reflect the average cost of car insurance for people with clean driving records and average or better credit. Military discounts can further reduce these rates, so it’s a good idea to get car insurance quotes from multiple companies before committing.
Here’s a look at some of the cheapest insurers for basic liability insurance.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $47 |
| USAA | $52 |
| State Farm | $55 |
| Allstate | $75 |
| GEICO | $86 |
| Progressive | $91 |
| Direct Auto | $95 |
| Nationwide | $96 |
| Farmers | $109 |
| Liberty Mutual | $150 |
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How to save on military car insurance
Military members have more levers to pull than most drivers when it comes to cutting insurance costs. Here are the most effective ways to lower your rate:
Stack military discounts with general savings
You can combine a military car insurance discount with other savings, like multi-vehicle, bundling, good driver, and safe driving discounts. Stacking these can add up to significant savings beyond the military discount alone.
Compare quotes from military-friendly insurers
Even with military discounts, rates vary widely between companies. For example, USAA isn’t the cheapest insurer for every driver profile. Get quotes from at least three to five insurers before choosing a policy.
Enroll in a telematics or usage-based program
Programs like USAA SafePilot, Progressive Snapshot, and Liberty Mutual RightTrack reward safe driving with discounts of up to 30%. These programs are especially valuable during periods of low vehicle use and can pair well with pay-as-you-go car insurance.
Adjust and maintain coverage during transitions
Review your coverage after every permanent change of station (PCS) move, deployment, or major life change, like marriage, buying a new vehicle, or adding a teen driver. Maintaining continuous coverage, even at a reduced level during deployment, keeps insurers from flagging you as high-risk when you return.
Car insurance for military families and dependents
Military car insurance benefits often extend beyond the service member. USAA, for example, extends membership eligibility to spouses, children, and even certain former spouses of members. As long as a parent or spouse has or had a USAA policy, family members can qualify for their own coverage.
Military spouses face unique challenges around PCS moves. When your family relocates to a new duty station, you’ll need to update your policy to reflect the new state, notify your insurer of the address change, and confirm that your current insurer operates in the destination state. Coverage requirements vary by state, so what was sufficient before the move may not meet minimums at the new location.
Adding car insurance for teenagers to a military family’s existing policy is usually more cost-effective than setting them up on a separate stand-alone policy. Multi-vehicle and multi-driver discounts on a family plan can offset some of the added cost.[6]
Military car insurance FAQs
You can find answers to common questions about military car insurance below.
Is USAA car insurance only for military members?
USAA car insurance isn’t available to the general public, but it extends coverage beyond current service members and veterans. The insurer also sells car insurance to military spouses, children, and other qualifying family members.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance for the military?
While some insurers, like USAA, offer consistently low premiums, your rates will depend on several factors. In other words, cheap car insurance for military members can come from many insurers, depending on your driver profile and location.
Can military members suspend car insurance during deployment?
Some insurers allow active-duty members to reduce or suspend certain auto insurance coverages during deployment. You shouldn’t outright cancel your coverage though, as it creates a coverage lapse.
Does the SCRA affect car insurance rates?
The SCRA doesn’t directly cap car insurance premiums, but it does prevent an insurer from refusing coverage based on SCRA protections.
How do PCS moves affect car insurance?
A PCS move requires updating your policy for the new state, notifying your insurer, and confirming your insurer operates there. Coverage minimums vary by state, so your existing limits may need to change.
Is car insurance cheaper for active-duty military?
Car insurance for active-duty military can be cheaper thanks to military discounts, on-base garaging discounts, and insurers like USAA that build their entire pricing model around serving the military community.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- J.D. Power. "It's Now a Buyer's Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds."
- J.D. Power. "Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, J.D. Power Finds."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance."
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "Information for Military and Veterans."
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "You have rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act."
- Insurance Information Institute. "10 questions to help assess your changing insurance needs."
)
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
)
)
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Featured in
)
)
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
)
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.