USAA Insurance Review (2026)
- Overall rating: solid (4.1/5 stars)
- Average cost: $835 for a 6-month policy
- 92% of customers recommend USAA
Read more below to get a quote directly from USAA.
USAA Insurance: A solid choice for eligible shoppers
USAA consistently ranks among the top auto insurance providers for customer satisfaction — and with good reason. It offers highly competitive premiums, strong coverage flexibility, and a suite of member perks that go beyond insurance, earning USAA a solid rating from experts at The Zebra.
However, eligibility is limited to military members and their families, and while customer service is widely praised, the claims experience can fall short in terms of speed and communication. Still, for those who qualify, USAA remains one of the most well-rounded options on the market.
Mobile App Functionality and Usability: Manage claims, payments, and documents from your phone.
Financial Strength Ratings: USAA's strong ratings indicate the carrier can pay claims during major events.
Communication During Claims Process: Poor communication forces you to chase down claim updates.
Dispute Resolution Fairness: USAA's unfair resolution can leave valid claims unpaid.
How The Zebra evaluates insurance companies
| Rating | Explanation | Star rating equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Subpar | Lowest ranking, suggesting instability or high risk | 0-1.9 |
| Fair | Somewhat stable but not consistently reliable | 2-2.9 |
| Good | Generally dependable with moderate stability | 3-3.9 |
| Solid | Strong, reliable and dependable with minor risks | 4-4.4 |
| Exceptional | Highest rating, indicating outstanding stability and reliability | 4.5-5 |
Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies
The team of insurance experts at The Zebra evaluates companies by focusing on customer experience first, with an emphasis on service quality, reliability, and ease of interaction. Unlike previous models, pricing is not scored but is instead presented separately as context for comparison.
Each category has been scored using a combination of our internal customer satisfaction survey results and published scores from reputable organizations such as AM Best and J.D. Power.
- Service Accessibility & Support Quality (25%): This category measures how easy it is to get help when needed, evaluating factors such as support channel availability (phone, chat, in-person, app), response times, agent knowledge, service hours, and language accessibility.
- Claims Experience (25%): This category assesses how smoothly the claims process works, considering ease of filing (online, app, or phone), transparency and communication, processing times, and fairness in dispute resolution.
- Digital Experience & Policy Management (25%): This category evaluates the convenience of managing your policy: this includes mobile app usability, website experience, account management, digital document access, self-service options, and platform integrations
- Trust & Reliability (25%): This category looks at a company’s overall reliability, measuring financial strength, market stability, regulatory history, communication transparency, and consistency in policy terms.
Price context: Pricing varies significantly based on individual circumstances and risk factors. Customers can evaluate cost-effectiveness based on their specific situation and the service quality scores provided.
How much is USAA car insurance?
Currently, the national average for a 6-month car insurance policy is $1,084, whereas USAA is about $835.[1]
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
See how USAA stacks up against competitors →
Discounts offered at USAA: Car buying tools and discounts with some manufacturers
USAA stands out with its extensive list of available discounts. USAA offers a number of car insurance discounts for its members along with discounts with some manufacturers when you're in the market for another vehicle.
Young drivers (under 21) can earn a discount if they have taken a basic training course.
Drivers without accidents for at least five years could save on their premiums.
Applicable for vehicles under three years old may land a savings on their policy.
| Good Grades | Safe Driver |
| Garaging your car on a military installation | Defensive Driving Course |
| Safe Driving Program | Multi-Vehicle |
| Bundle and Save | Newer Vehicle |
| Anti-Theft Device | MyUSAA Legacy |
| Loyal member | Driving Less |
To learn more about each discount USAA has to offer, see their discounts page.
Compare with other companies
See how USAA stacks up against similar companies
Cost: $835 average cost for a six month policy
Customer satisfaction: High
Our take:
- Limited eligibility
- A wide range of coverage options and benefits
- USAA received an A+ Superior financial strength rating from A.M. Best
Cost: $954 for a six month auto policy
Customer satisfaction: High
Our take:
- Higher prices than USAA
- Worse customer service scores than USAA
- Worse bundling options than USAA
Cost: $1,133 average cost for a six-month policy
Customer satisfaction: High
Our take:
- Higher prices than USAA
- Worse customer service scores than USAA
- Worse trust and reliability scores than USAA
USAA's customer service & claims experience: Outstanding customer service, frustrating claims process
USAA's customer service and claims can range from great to frustating depending on what you need. If its helps with your policy or a simple claim, you will have a great experience. Some of the more complicated claims can suffer from lack of communication and leave a few claims unpaid.
Thinking about USAA?
See what other drivers are asking
Does USAA membership extend to grandchildren?
Do I qualify for USAA if my brothers are active military members?
USAA Customer Survey results
92% of customers recommend USAA
The Zebra conducted a survey across 4,000+ users to gather ratings on major carriers' customer service, claims process, ease of use, and more. See how USAA was rated in individual categories by expanding the section below.[2]
Source: The Zebra
How much will your rates climb after filing a claim with USAA?
No one wants to file a claim, but sometimes it's impossible to avoid. See the table below for some examples of what you could be facing after filing a claim.
Updating data...
| Accident/Violation | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Two comp claims | $867 |
| One comp claim | $867 |
| None | $867 |
| At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 | $1,183 |
| At-fault accident - greater than $2000 | $1,229 |
Source: The Zebra
USAA's claims process is accessible online and via their mobile app, making it convenient for policyholders. While simple claims are often resolved quickly, more complex cases can lead to longer wait times. Customer satisfaction surveys consistently place USAA in the middle tier, indicating they offer reliable service but may struggle with handling complicated claims efficiently.
Coverage options: Flexible and customizable
USAA offers a variety of basic auto insurance coverage options: liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, collision and comprehensive. We've outlined below some of USAA's unique coverage options and add-ons for policyholders.
✔️ Rental reimbursement
✔️ USAA extended benefits
Confirming your coverage is also easy to do on your USAA declarations page.
Carrier pulse: Recent news from USAA
- USAA ends pay-as-you-go program and switches to telematics.[3]
Final thoughts: Is USAA right for you?
In essence, USAA stands as a progressive leader in the insurance industry, providing an extensive array of coverage possibilities at competitive rates. With its versatile bundling solutions and advanced technology integration, USAA empowers policyholders with numerous avenues to customize their protection. All in all, The Zebra considers USAA to be a top choice for a eligible applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions about USAA
Get quotes from USAA and other top companies
Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
Anonymized User Survey. The Zebra
USAA ends popular perk for members, unveils replacement. My San Antonio
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.