USAA Auto & Home Insurance Review
USAA is one of the top insurance companies in the country. It offers cheap car insurance and reliable customer service for members of the U.S. military.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Is USAA a good insurance company?
USAA is a great option for both auto and home insurance. The company offers some of the cheapest car insurance for those who qualify, and has rates that are around average for home coverage.
Overall, USAA has a long-standing reputation for excellent customer service, although it has more complaints about its auto service recently.
USAA only sells insurance to current military service members, veterans and some members of military families. So, most people can't get a policy.
Compare USAA to other top auto insurance companies | |
|---|---|
| |
| Read review |
| |
| Read review |
| Read review |
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.
- Federal agency employees:Certain current and former employees of federal agencies can qualify.
Pros and cons
Pros
Excellent claims process
Very 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
No in-person customer support
Is USAA auto insurance good?
USAA auto insurance is an excellent choice for most people who can get it. The company tends to have extremely cheap rates, along with lots of discounts and enough coverage add-ons for most people.
Is USAA auto insurance cheap?
USAA’s car insurance quotes are significantly cheaper than average, especially for young drivers.
Full coverage car insurance from USAA is around 40% cheaper than the national average for good drivers. And minimum liability insurance from USAA costs around 46% less than average.
Find the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Average USAA car insurance rates
USAA also has very affordable car insurance for teens and high-risk drivers.
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 cars on base.
Car insurance rates for teens
How much is USAA car insurance for teen drivers?
USAA avg. rate | National avg. rate | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | $112 | $235 | $123 |
| Full coverage | $310 | $599 | $289 |
| Speeding ticket | $163 | $280 | $117 |
| Accident | $180 | $320 | $140 |
Rates are for an 18-year-old man. Speeding ticket and accident rates are for a minimum liability policy.
Car insurance rates for high-risk drivers
How much is USAA car insurance for high-risk drivers?
USAA avg. rate | National avg. rate | Savings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding ticket | $153 | $258 | $105 |
| Accident | $174 | $310 | $136 |
| DUI | $248 | $391 | $143 |
| Poor credit | $226 | $412 | $186 |
Rates are for a 30-year-old man with a full coverage policy.
Why is USAA insurance so expensive?
USAA auto insurance is actually much cheaper than other major companies. However, car insurance rates have gone up significantly over the past few years, which might make USAA's rates feel expensive to long-time customers.
Over the past five years, USAA has raised car insurance rates by around 30%. Based on USAA's current rates for good drivers, that's an increase of around $29 per month for a full coverage policy.
While that may feel like a big rate hike, it's actually less than the national average over that time period, which was over 37%. It's also less than some of USAA's biggest competitors. Over the past five years, Geico has raised rates by 39%, and Allstate customers saw rate hikes of nearly 43%.
Does USAA have good auto insurance coverage?
USAA has a good variety of coverage options but doesn’t offer anything that you wouldn't 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 car. Unlike other insurers — which let you select a daily limit as well as a limit per accident — 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. It will also pay for gas delivery, a tire change and any labor done 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 bought.
Drivers with no at-fault accidents for five years while being insured with USAA automatically receive this benefit. You can also buy this coverage for a small annual fee.
How to lower your USAA car insurance bill with 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
You could save up to 15% on your car insurance rates if you keep your car on base.
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. You also qualify for accident forgiveness. This discount isn't available in all states, so ask your insurance agent if you can get it.
Defensive driving course
Taking an approved defensive driving course can lower your USAA rates. Ask your insurance agent or contact USAA to see which courses are approved in your area.
Driver training course
Completing a driver's education course can earn you a discount on your car insurance. This course is usually meant for drivers under the age of 21.
New vehicle
If your vehicle is less than three years old, it may qualify for a discount. This is because newer vehicles have advanced safety features that reduce your risk of filing a claim.
Anti-theft device
If your vehicle has an anti-theft device, you can get a break on your USAA car insurance rates. This discount applies to both factory-installed anti-theft devices and ones you install after buying the car.
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. That means no traffic tickets and no accidents.
Automatic payments
Scheduling automatic payments can save drivers up to 3% with USAA. You can set up automatic payments on USAA's website or in the mobile app.
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 SafePilot Miles
Is USAA home insurance good?
USAA is a good option for home insurance because of its strong customer service and the extra coverages that come with a standard policy. Rates are slightly higher than average, but you can also get military-specific coverage and discounts.
Is USAA home insurance cheap?
USAA's home insurance isn't as cheap as its auto insurance, but it's still a good deal.
USAA is 7% more expensive than the national average, with rates typically around $2,200 for a policy with $350,000 of dwelling coverage.
The main reason home insurance from USAA is more expensive than average is because mid-sized or regional insurance companies tend to offer more affordable home insurance rates.
However, if you compare USAA to other major insurance companies, it tends to cost about 15% less. While you can usually find cheaper quotes at State Farm or Allstate, USAA is more affordable than Farmers, Travelers and Progressive.
Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Average annual home insurance rates
Company | Annual rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
| State Farm | $1,617 |
|
| Allstate | $2,139 |
|
| USAA | $2,200 |
| Farmers | $2,657 |
| Travelers | $2,933 |
Rates are for a policy with $350,000 of dwelling coverage, $100,000 of personal liability and a $1,000 deductible.
Why is USAA homeowners insurance so expensive?
USAA home insurance only costs slightly more than the national average. But it may feel expensive if you're a loyal USAA customer who has gone through recent rate hikes.
Over the past five years, USAA has raised homeowners rates by an average of about 30% nationally. While that sounds like a lot, it's not nearly as much as other major home insurance companies.
The average five-year increase across major insurance companies was 48%. American Family, Farmers, Nationwide and Progressive all raised rates by well over 50% during this time period.
Does USAA have good homeowners insurance coverage?
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. This is in addition to standard protections like dwelling coverage and liability coverage.
Coverage offered with every policy
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. Both active duty and reserve service members qualify for this discount.
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
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.
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. This is different from standard wildfire insurance coverage that just covers repairs and replacements to your property.
Add-on coverage
USAA lets homeowners buy additional coverage for their personal property under its VPP add-on. This includes items like musical instruments, high-cost electronics and jewelry. The policy gives homeowners more protection than home insurance alone and also covers a wider range of types of damage, all without a deductible.
This coverage pays for damage caused by sewage or water backups in your home and on your property. It also covers damage from sump pump overflows.
USAA offers what it calls Home Protector coverage, which adds 25% extra to your coverage for rebuilding costs and pays for the removal of debris.
Most home insurance won’t pay for damage caused by an earthquake unless you buy extra coverage. This coverage pays for repairs to your home and replacing your property after an earthquake, shock wave or tremor.
How to save on USAA homeowners insurance with discounts
USAA offers several home insurance discounts, though most are similar to what you’ll find with other major companies.
You’ll be able to save up to 10% on your home insurance if you also cover your cars through USAA.
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.
If you have technology in your home that monitors smoke, water leaks or the house’s security, you can save up to 8% on your annual bill. This discount only applies to qualifying devices, so be sure to ask your agent before installing new equipment.
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.
If you keep your policy for three years in a row, you’ll save up to 5% on your annual rate.
If you have no claims in five years, USAA could reduce your rates by up to 15%.
What other services and insurance does USAA offer?
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
Does USAA have 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 can provide you with certain tools to help start your career or deal with 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
Not only are these tools helpful in organizing big changes, but they can also 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 also offers a 40% discount on estate planning services through its partner Trust & Will.
Does USAA have good customer service?
USAA has historically been right at the top of most customer service ratings, and that's holding true for 2026.
USAA earned the highest score on J.D. Power's home insurance customer satisfaction survey. In addition, it only gets about one-third as many customer complaints from homeowners as an average company its size. That means you can count on USAA to get your life back to normal quickly after an accident or emergency.
USAA was also ranked second for its auto insurance and property claims satisfaction. However, auto insurance customers filed about 32% more complaints about USAA than expected for a company its size. That's a higher rate of complaints than the company had in the past. While the USAA still has relatively good service, it may not be quite as good as its longtime reputation.
USAA insurance ratings
Reviewer | Rating |
|---|---|
| Auto: J.D. Power claims | 2nd out of 21 |
| Auto: NAIC | 32% more complaints than average |
| Home: J.D. Power customer satisfaction | 1st out of 27 |
| Home: J.D. Power claims | 2nd out of 16 |
| Home: NAIC | 64% fewer complaints than average |
| Financial strength: AM Best | A++ (Superior) |
How do I 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 served in the past, 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 2018 Honda Civic and good credit. Home rates are for a home with the median value in each state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Rate change data is from RateWatch from S&P Global, which uses annual data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Customer service ratings include customer complaints compiled by the NAIC as well as the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance, Auto Claims and Property Claims Studies.
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.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
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.
