USAA auto insurance rating in 2024

USAA is a top pick for coverage in various categories, with low rates for comprehensive and liability-only policies. It offers tailored services to the military community, including nationwide availability, 24/7 customer service, and discounts for deployed members and on-base vehicle storage.

USAA car insurance pros and cons

The upside and downside to getting car insurance from USAA.

Pros

Liability-only coverage policies are the most affordable option with USAA offering rates that are 30% lower than the national average.
J.D. Power's customer surveys have given stellar customer satisfaction some of the top scores.
Unlike other insurers, USAA does not charge a higher premium for those who pay monthly instead of annually.

Cons

Limited eligibility. Policies are limited to military families and veterans.
No brick-and-mortar offices. Customer service is not available on Sundays or holidays.
USAA provides car replacement assistance that can compensate more than your car's actual cash value, but it is more costly than gap insurance.

Who qualifies for USAA?

To obtain a policy, you must become a member of USAA. Membership is usually restricted to:

Active duty officers and enlisted personnel
National Guard/Reserve officers and enlisted personnel
Officer candidates in commissioning programs
Retired or separated military personnel
Children and spouses of current USAA members

Separated military personnel must have received an Honorable Discharge or better.

Type of USAA car insurance

Military families and veterans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. can access USAA's policies for various vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, motorhomes, boats, bicycles, and others.

Basic coverage

If you lease or finance your car, full coverage car insurance is usually necessary.

In most states, the minimum amount of coverage required for liability insurance is what it pays for damages if you are found to be responsible for an accident.
Collision: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident.
Comprehensive insurance covers damages or losses not resulting from a collision, such as theft, weather damage, and hitting an animal.

Additional coverage

Some states may mandate these policies, while they may be optional or unavailable in others.

Car replacement assistance: Gap insurance covers the difference between what's owed on a vehicle and its worth, and can pay out 120% of a car's cash value if it's totaled or stolen.
USAA rates won't increase due to one at-fault accident if you maintain an accident-free record for at least five years.
MedPay: This type of insurance covers medical expenses for you, your passengers, and pedestrians, regardless of who is at fault.
No-fault insurance, also known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), can compensate for lost wages, child care, and even funeral expenses resulting from an accident.
Help with jump starts, fuel delivery, lockouts, flat tires, towing, and winching is available through roadside service.
USAA will cover the cost of a rental car if your vehicle is damaged in a covered accident and is being repaired.
Rideshare insurance: While rideshare companies typically provide coverage only when a ride request is accepted, this add-on extends coverage to any time you're logged on to the rideshare app, including waiting for a request.
If you're involved in an accident with a driver who has minimal or no insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance can help cover your repair and medical expenses. This type of insurance is mandatory in approximately half of the United States.

USAA car insurance rates

USAA offers lower rates than the national average: A 40-year-old male with good credit and a clean driving record will pay an average of $1,709 a year for full coverage and $435 for minimum coverage. This is significantly less than the national average of $2,299 for full coverage and $637 for liability only. However, your personalized quote may vary based on your age, location, driving history, and other factors.

High-risk drivers

High-risk drivers, including those with speeding tickets and at-fault accidents, typically pay more for insurance. However, USAA's rates are lower than typical for such drivers, and it also considers drivers with DUIs, which some insurers won't.

USAA car insurance discounts

Not all USAA discounts are available in all states, and some policies may not be combined.

Anti-theft devices: Discount for installing a car alarm or other security systems.
Automatic payments: Save up to 3% by paying premiums through autopay.
Completing a basic driver training course can help eligible drivers save money.
Defensive driver training: Discount for completing an approved defensive driving course.
Storing during deployment can save you up to 60%, but this offer is not valid in Hawaii, North Carolina, or Virginia.
Students with a B or better grade average can receive up to 10% off on their driving insurance if they are under 25 years old.
After remaining a policyholder for three years, you will receive a discount of up to 10%.
Multi-vehicle: Discount available if you insure two or more vehicles with USAA.
Bundling USAA home and auto insurance can result in a savings of up to 15% for customers.
Comprehensive car coverage discounts of up to 15% are available for military personnel who park their vehicles on base.
Vehicles up to three years old are eligible for a discount.
This pay-per-mile plan is designed for infrequent drivers, offering a fixed lower rate along with a variable rate based on driving frequency and safety.
Maintaining a good driving record for at least five years qualifies you for a discount on safe driving.
USAA's app tracks driving habits and offers up to 30% off for good behavior, but it's not available in California, Delaware, or New Jersey.
Drivers under 25 who haven't had any major violations in the past three years can earn up to 10% off their MyUSAA Legacy discount if they take over as the new policyholder.

Compare prices for car insurance

USAA customer satisfaction

USAA is highly regarded for customer satisfaction, receiving a score of 711 out of 1,000 on J.D. Power's 2024 customer survey, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 676. In a separate survey of auto insurance claims, USAA scored 900 out of 1,000, surpassing the average of 878. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau gave USAA its highest grade, an A+, based on information about its interactions with the public, including customer complaints.

The company has received high scores from credit rating agencies like A.M. Best and S&P Global, indicating its financial strength and ability to pay on claims.

Other types of USAA insurance

USAA, founded by Army officers to insure their vehicles, now provides a range of insurance options beyond just automotive coverage.

Pet insurance through Embrace

USAA offers bundling of home and auto policies that can result in savings of up to 15%. In addition to insurance, USAA provides banking and credit products such as credit cards and auto loans.

How does USAA compare to other car insurance?

USAA vs. State Farm

While both State Farm and USAA are included in CNBC Select's top car insurance list, USAA stands out for its affordability, with an average annual premium of $1,709 for full coverage, compared to $2,406 with State Farm.

On-base parking and deployment storage discounts are available from USAA, while State Farm does not offer any specific military discounts.

While both USAA and State Farm provide accident forgiveness, USAA requires a shorter period of accident-free driving, specifically five years, compared to State Farm's nine years.

USAA vs. Geico

Geico and USAA are closely matched in a price comparison, with Geico offering full coverage for $1,782 per year and USAA offering it for $1,709. However, Geico provides a military discount of up to 15%, which could make it the better choice for certain individuals.

Geico's customer service and claims satisfaction ratings were below average.

How do I buy car insurance from USAA?

To purchase USAA auto insurance, you must be a current or former service member or a member of a military family. You can obtain quotes or purchase a policy online, but you will need to provide details about your military status, such as branch, rank, and dates of service. Additionally, you will be asked about your driving history, including:

Driver's license number
The VINs and model year of the cars you wish to insure are required.
Information on any tickets, at-fault accidents or DUI convictions.

USAA offers customer service over the phone, but it is not available 24/7. Representatives can be reached at 800-531-8722, Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT. However, customer service is not available on Sundays or major holidays.

The USAA website offers a live chat option where an agent can answer questions about coverage. Additionally, the USAA mobile app allows users to file and track claims, obtain proof of insurance, add drivers and vehicles to their policy, pay bills, and request roadside assistance.

Is USAA car insurance right for me?

If you're a veteran or part of a military family, USAA is worth considering due to its competitive rates for full and liability-only coverage, as well as various discounts that can further reduce your premium.

If you move to a new state, you won't need to find new insurance since USAA is available in all 50 U.S. states.

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