USAA Auto & Home Insurance Review
USAA is one of the top insurance companies in the country. It offers cheap car insurance and solid customer service for members of the U.S. military.
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Editor's Rating
USAA will only sell insurance to current military service members, veterans and some members of military families. But if you can get coverage, you’ll get some of the lowest car insurance rates and above-average customer service. USAA home insurance prices are about average, but the company does offer military-specific coverage and discounts.
Pros and cons
Pros
Top-notch customer service
Cheap car insurance
Special coverage and discounts for military members
Cons
Only available to military members, veterans and some military family members
Home insurance rates are just average
USAA insurance review: Is USAA good?
USAA is a great option for both home and auto insurance. The company offers some of the cheapest car insurance you can find and has rates that are around average for home coverage.
Overall, USAA has historically had some of the best customer service available, although there have recently been more complaints about its auto service. Additionally, USAA has strict eligibility requirements. Only a few groups of people can buy a policy.
Can you get USAA insurance?
You must be in one of the following four categories to be eligible for USAA membership.
- Active-duty service members: Includes those in the National Guard and reserves.
- Veterans: Requires an honorable discharge or general under honorable conditions discharge.
- Family members: Children, spouses or some former spouses of a USAA member can qualify.
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USAA auto insurance review
USAA auto insurance quotes
USAA’s car insurance quotes are considerably cheaper than average, especially for young drivers. The company’s average rates for full coverage are 37% cheaper than average, while its minimum coverage is 43% cheaper.
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Average USAA car insurance rates
Minimum coverage
Full coverage
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
| USAA | $34 |
| Erie | $41 |
|
| State Farm | $50 |
| American Family | $61 |
|
| Geico | $61 |
Minimum coverage
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
| USAA | $34 |
|
| Erie | $41 |
|
| State Farm | $50 |
|
| American Family | $61 |
|
| Geico | $61 |
Full coverage
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
| USAA | $100 |
|
| Erie | $106 |
|
| State Farm | $124 |
|
| American Family | $160 |
|
| Geico | $161 |
An 18-year-old driver can get rates from USAA that are around half the national average. Young soldiers living on base can also get a discount for keeping their car on base.
Rates for teens
$86/mo
$177/mo
USAA auto insurance coverage review
USAA has a good variety of insurance offerings but doesn’t offer anything that you wouldn't likely be able to find with a similar national insurer.
Car replacement assistance coverage
This is what other companies call "new car replacement coverage." Car replacement assistance (CRA) pays 120% of the current value of your vehicle, if it is totaled. You can’t get this coverage for leased cars, so you would need both comprehensive and collision coverage.
Rental reimbursement
If your vehicle is in the shop after an accident your insurance covers, USAA will pay for a rental. Unlike other insurers — which let you select a daily limit as well as a limit per claim — USAA lets customers select a type of vehicle: economy, standard, multipassenger truck or large SUV. The specific coverage limits for rental reimbursement will be spelled out in your insurance policy.
Towing and labor
If you need roadside assistance, this coverage will pay for the costs of towing your car to the nearest repair shop, as well as gas delivery, a tire change and any labor performed where your car broke down. USAA will specify coverage limits on your individual policy.
Rideshare gap protection
This coverage protects you as a rideshare driver during times when there might be a gap between your own insurance and the coverage provided by the rideshare service — such as Uber or Lyft.
USAA also has all of the standard coverages, such as liability, comprehensive and collision insurance, offered by almost every insurance company.
Highlighted benefit: Accident forgiveness
With accident forgiveness, USAA auto insurance customers will not see their rates go up after one at-fault accident. Similar to accident forgiveness programs offered by other large companies, including Geico, this coverage can either be earned or purchased.
Qualifying drivers who have had no at-fault accidents for five years while being insured with USAA will automatically receive this benefit. You can also buy this coverage for a small annual fee.
USAA auto insurance discounts
USAA offers a wide set of discounts, which are mostly in line with what you can find at other major insurance companies. One key highlight is the stored vehicle discount, which can more than cut your rate in half when you are deployed.
Stored vehicle discount
Value: Up to 60% off your rates You’ll need to store your vehicle in a secure location and make sure it’s not driven for at least 30 days in a row.
Military installation
If you garage your vehicle on a military base, you can get up to 15% off your comprehensive coverage.
Annual mileage
USAA could lower your rate if you drive less, based on the number of miles that you drive each year.
Bundling
You can save up to 10% off your property insurance if you bundle your car and homeowners insurance with USAA. You can also put together an auto and renters insurance bundle.
Multivehicle
If you cover two or more vehicles on your USAA policy, you could get a break on your rates.
Safe driver
You’ll get this discount if you have a good driving record for over five years. Additionally, you also qualify for accident forgiveness.
Defensive driving course
Taking an approved defensive driving course can lower your USAA rates.
Driver training course
Completing a driver's education course can earn you a discount on your car insurance.
New vehicle
If your vehicle is less than 3 years old, it may qualify for a discount.
Anti-theft device
If you have an anti-theft device installed, you can get a break on your USAA car insurance rates.
Good grades
Full-time students can get up to 10% off USAA insurance with a GPA of at least 3.0. Drivers can also qualify if they are in the top 20% of their class academically or make the honor roll or dean's list.
MyUSAA Legacy Discount
If you are under 25 and are a dependent of a USAA member, you can get up to a 10% discount. You do need a clean driving record for the past three years.
Automatic payments
Scheduling automatic payments can save drivers up to 3% with USAA.
USAA SafePilot
The USAA SafePilot program offers you a 10% discount to track your driving and phone use in the car. If you're a safe driver, you could save up to 30% off your policy.
USAA home insurance review
USAA is a good option for home insurance because of its strong customer service and its range of extra coverage that comes with a standard policy. Rates are usually only near average, but you can also get military-specific coverage and discounts.
USAA home insurance quotes
USAA is slightly more expensive than average, with rates almost in line with the national average. With the company’s average rate of $1,518 per year, USAA is cheaper than Farm Bureau, Chubb and Travelers but more expensive than State Farm, Allstate and Nationwide.
Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Average annual home insurance rates
Company | Annual rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
| State Farm | $1,363 |
|
| Allstate | $1,369 |
| Nationwide | $1,390 |
| Farmers | $1,475 |
|
| American Family | $1,495 |
|
| USAA | $1,518 |
USAA homeowners coverage review
USAA homeowners insurance has extra types of coverage as part of its basic policy that other companies don’t. Those include replacement cost coverage, which means your items will be replaced as if they were new, wildfire coverage, identity theft protection and military-specific coverage, in addition to standard protections like dwelling coverage and liability coverage.
Coverage offered with every policy
Military-specific benefits
USAA homeowners insurance policies cover your military uniforms and equipment, and you won't have to pay a deductible if those items are damaged at home while you're on duty.
Identity theft
All USAA homeowners policies provide up to $5,000 of coverage for losses related to identity theft. USAA also offers identity protection services, and the least-expensive level of ID protection is free for USAA customers.
Full replacement cost for home and belongings
USAA homeowners policies always cover the full replacement cost of your home and belongings. For example, if you buy a laptop for $1,000 and it's stolen after you own it for two years, USAA will pay you $1,000 to replace it, even if the laptop is only worth $500 at the time of theft. Some insurers only provide the actual cash value (ACV) or charge extra for replacement cost coverage.
Wildfire Response Program
If you live in wildfire-prone areas, you’ll be automatically enrolled in USAA’s wildfire protection program. That comes with professional monitoring of wildfires in your area and response from firefighting companies to secure your home as much as possible.
Add-on coverage
Increased coverage for your home
USAA offers what it calls Home Protector coverage, which adds 25% extra to your coverage for rebuilding costs, as well as paying for the removal of debris.
Water backup coverage
This coverage pays for damage caused by sewage or water backups. It also covers damage from sump pump overflows.
Earthquake coverage
Most home insurance won’t pay for damage caused by an earthquake, unless you purchase extra coverage. This coverage pays for repairs to your home and replacing your property after an earthquake, shock wave or tremor.
Personal injury coverage
Personal injury coverage can help pay legal costs if you’re accused of libel, slander or defamation.
USAA also offers customers a contractor network for home repairs called Contractor Connection. If you use a network contractor, which the company says it vets, the workmanship will come with a five-year warranty.
USAA discounts for homeowners
USAA offers a good set of home insurance discounts, but not an outstanding one. Most of the discounts are similar to what you’ll find with other major companies.
Auto bundling
You’ll be able to save up to 10% on your home insurance if you also cover your cars through USAA.
Multiproduct
If you get a policy other than car insurance from USAA, you can lower your home rates by up to 5%. That includes rental property insurance, life insurance and valuable personal property insurance.
Connected home
If you have technology in your home that monitors smoke, water leaks or the house’s security, you can save up to 7% on your annual bill.
Protective device
You’ll be able to cut your bill by up to 5% if you have a monitored fire alarm or home security. That means those devices connect to an outside company, which can more quickly send firefighters or police if something happens.
Loyalty
If you keep your policy for three years in a row, you’ll save up to 5% on your annual rate.
Claim-free
If you have no claims in five years, your rates could be reduced by up to 15%.
Other USAA services and insurance
USAA offers a range of insurance policies beyond just home and auto coverage. It also offers a large set of noninsurance products to former, current and future members of the military, as well as their families.
- Life insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
- ATV insurance
- RV insurance
- Classic car insurance
- Umbrella insurance
- Boat insurance
- Renters insurance
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Medicare plans
- Landlord insurance
- Travel insurance
- Flood insurance
- Mobile home insurance
- Farm insurance
- Pet insurance
Flood insurance
Standard home insurance policies from USAA do not cover damage from flooding. The company offers policies through the National Flood Insurance Program. You can get up to $250,000 of coverage to protect the structure of your home and $100,000 of coverage for its contents.
USAA can offer banking services, as well as a variety of loans and investment services.
- Checking and savings accounts
- Credit cards
- Auto loans
- Mortgages
- Personal loans
- RV/boat/motorcycle loans
- Investment education
USAA health and dental insurance
USAA can help its members get health, dental and vision insurance through several other companies. Its in-house agency, USAA Life General Agency, can connect you with multiple companies to get individual or family health plans as well as some Medicare coverage. For other types of coverage, USAA contracts with individual companies.
Tools for military members
USAA will provide you with certain tools that can help with starting your career or life changes. The tools include pay calculators and checklists for ending your service.
- Timeline for joining the military
- Military pay calculator
- Deployment pay calculator
- Checklist for deployment
- Permanent change of station checklist
- Checklist for leaving service
- Military separation assessment
- Job-finding service
These tools are not only helpful in organizing big changes, but also can point you to military resources that are useful after you’re done serving — including free legal assistance through the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG), VA benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and financial planning tools.
USAA insurance customer reviews and ratings
USAA has historically been right at the top of most customer service ratings, but that’s slipped in the past year. The company received around an average number of complaints about its car insurance for its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The company’s home coverage still rates well.
USAA also slipped a little in the J.D. Power claims satisfaction survey. Usually No. 1 on the list, USAA fell behind Erie and Amica. That still means the company has relatively good service, but not quite as good as its longtime reputation.
USAA insurance ratings
Reviewer | Rating |
|---|---|
| NAIC: Auto | 2% fewer complaints than average |
| NAIC: Homeowners | 48% fewer complaints than average |
| AM Best | A++ (Superior) |
| J.D. Power | 3rd out of 20 |
Contact USAA
There are multiple ways to get in contact with USAA representatives, and you can also connect to them online. You will need your USAA ID number to get rate information or will have to explain how you are eligible.
- USAA phone number: 210-531-8722 or 800-531-8722
- Roadside assistance: 800-531-8555
- Claims fax number: 800-531-8669
- Online claims center
- USAA.com
How to apply for USAA membership
You can apply for USAA membership online, but you will need to supply some personal information, and the process can get a bit complicated. If you are getting membership through a family member, they might need to add you to their profile or confirm your relationship with them.
If your parent is a member, you’ll need their USAA number and to have them add you to their profile.
If you’re enlisting, you won’t be able to join until you start basic training.
If you’re pre-commissioned and signed a contract, you will be able to enroll, even if you’re still in ROTC or officer candidate school.
If you did serve, you’ll need to provide information like your rank and when you reported for basic training. You’ll also have to provide more general information, like where you live and your Social Security number.
Alternatives to USAA
Most Americans will not qualify for USAA membership. If that includes you, or if you do qualify but want to comparison shop, a few other national companies may offer good policies or low rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is USAA a good insurer?
Yes. USAA consistently offers cheap rates, as well as good customer service. However, most people can’t get policies, and USAA has very few in-person offices.
Who is eligible for USAA insurance?
You can get insurance from USAA if you meet one of three criteria: You've served in the U.S. military
Is USAA cheap?
Yes, USAA's auto insurance is often the cheapest option available, while its home rates are just average.
What is the USAA phone number?
The primary phone numbers for USAA are 210-531-8722 and 800-531-8722. Those numbers can be used for claims, insurance needs or most other services offered by USAA.
Methodology
USAA was rated based on its prices, coverage offerings and customer service compared to other large insurance companies.
ValuePenguin experts analyzed home and auto insurance quotes from every ZIP code in the United States to find prices for USAA and its top competitors. Auto insurance rates are for a 30-year-old man with a 2015 Honda Civic and average credit. Home rates are for a home with the median value in each state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Customer service ratings include customer complaints compiled by the NAIC as well as the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Home Insurance Study.
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes may be different.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.