Best Car Insurance for Veterans: Quotes and Discounts 2023

If you’re a member of the U.S. armed forces, you may be able to save on car insurance through discounts and special rate programs. 

“Carriers in many states offer occupation discounts, which may include active military and veterans,” says Laura Adams, an insurance analyst. “Car insurers provide discounts to various groups they want to attract with savings or believe are less-risky customers.”

Current and former service members pay an average of $201 a month for minimum coverage and $273 for full coverage, according to Insurify data. But your driving record, credit score, and coverage options also influence how much you pay.^[1] Additionally, insurance premiums vary with every company, and only a handful offer military discounts.  

One of the best ways to find cheap car insurance for veterans is to compare car insurance quotes so you can find the best coverage for you.

Cheapest auto insurance for veterans

The cheapest auto insurance policies are minimum-coverage plans, which typically include bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. These policies only have the minimum amount of coverage required by your state, so they cost less than full-coverage options.^[2] The average cost of minimum car insurance for veterans is $201 a month, according to Insurify data. 

“Factors that car insurers evaluate when setting rates depend on what’s allowed in the state where the driver lives,” Adams says. “They typically include your coverage amount, deductibles, vehicle make and model, address, driving history, age, gender, credit (in most states), marital status, and annual mileage.”

The cost of minimum coverage varies with every company, so it’s important to shop around and compare as many providers as possible. Here’s what the average minimum-coverage policy costs at the following companies.

Cheapest car insurance for veterans by state

Many factors affect your car insurance rate, including where you live.^[1] Rates range from a low of $55 a month in North Carolina to $368 a month in Florida. 

Within each state, car insurance prices vary by ZIP code, according to population, crime levels, and other factors within a local area.^[3] Here are the cheapest liability policies for veterans, by state: 

Best car insurance companies for veterans

Clearcover, USAA, and Liberty Mutual are the three best car insurance companies for veterans. These carriers offer excellent customer service, cost-effective car insurance policies, and discounts for military members. Each received a strong Insurify Composite Score (ICS), a proprietary scoring system that weighs multiple factors to determine the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.

Which companies offer car insurance discounts for veterans?

Many national and regional car insurance companies offer special discounts and auto insurance rates for military members. However, discounts vary and every company sets its own requirements. 

The company may, for example, offer special pricing to former, current, or reserve service members. Discounts may be available to some or all branches of the armed forces. Depending on the insurance carrier and the discount, you may need to show proof of service to qualify for the discount or special rate. Here are some examples of insurance companies that offer discounts to military members:

• Arbella: Military members who are away from home can get up to 10% off their car insurance policies.

• Clearcover: Active-duty military personnel in all states receive a 15% discount on their rate, and military-affiliated customers in Louisiana get an additional 25% off their premiums.

• Direct Auto: Active-duty service members may save up to 25% off their car insurance policies in Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama.

• Farmers Insurance: Active-duty, retired, and honorably discharged military veterans can receive a discount on their insurance premiums, although the insurer doesn’t specify how much.  

• GEICO: Active-duty and retired service members may receive a military discount of up to 15% off their insurance premiums. GEICO also provides discounts for professional military association affiliation and emergency deployment discounts to service members working in imminent danger pay areas. 

• Kemper: Active-duty military and National Guard members may qualify for a discount, although the insurer doesn’t specify how much.

• Liberty Mutual: Active, retired, and reserve members of the armed forces can receive a discount on their insurance premiums, although the insurer doesn’t specify how much.

• USAA: Depending on your state, you can earn up to 15% off comprehensive coverage if your vehicle is garaged on a military base. And if you’re deployed, you could earn up to 60% off your USAA auto insurance premium while your car is in storage. 

How to reinstate car insurance after deployment

Pausing your car insurance may be an option if you’re deployed and won’t drive for several months. Once you return from deployment, contact your car insurance company and let it know you’re reinstating coverage. You may need to start a new policy, depending on the insurance company and how long you’ve gone without active coverage. 

You may be fined if you’re caught driving without insurance coverage or a valid registration, so make sure everything’s in order before driving or taking your car out of storage.^[4] Once your policy is reactivated, follow these steps: 

1. Update your insurance information. Ask your insurer whether it will contact your state’s vehicle registration department to update your insurance details. If you need to complete this process yourself, ask your insurer for guidance.

2. Get your insurance cards. Print your insurance cards, order copies, or download the insurer’s app so you can carry proof of coverage while driving. 

3. Check your registration. To make sure your registration is still valid, visit your state’s department of motor vehicles. Every state has a different website, but you can search for “vehicle registration” or “check the status of your vehicle registration.” Follow the steps to find your registration details.

How to save on car insurance as a veteran

It’s a good idea to regularly review your coverages and discounts because “your insurer may not know you have life (changes) or driving changes that reduce your rate,” Adams says. 

In addition to military discounts, service members may find other ways to save on their car insurance premiums. Here are some popular ways to save: 

1. Look for general discounts. Insurance companies typically offer a menu of car insurance discounts that can lower the cost of your premiums. For instance, you may snag a lower rate by being a safe driver or a loyal customer, taking a defensive driving course, or belonging to an affiliated organization. 

2. Choose a higher deductible. Insurance companies typically lower your premium if you agree to pay a higher deductible, which is your out-of-pocket cost when filing a claim.^[5] If you increase your deductible, be sure you can afford to cover it.

3. Bundle your policies. You may also save money by buying multiple insurance policies with the same company. For instance, you may be able to bundle car insurance and homeowners insurance policies for a discount on both plans.^[6]

4. Improve your credit rating. Six states — California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington — have banned insurers from using credit to set rates.^[7] But if you live in a state where insurers can base your rate on your credit history, you may save money by improving your credit. Drivers with excellent credit may pay as much as $2,000 less per year on insurance premiums than drivers with poor credit.  

5. Shop around for car insurance. You may save money on car insurance when you compare insurance quotes to find the best plan. Explore your options to find the right coverage for your budget and needs.

Car insurance for veterans FAQs