USAA is one of the top car insurance companies in the nation by market share. Perhaps more importantly, the company regularly tops customer satisfaction surveys, including those conducted by The Zebra and JD Power. USAA currently has some of the industry's best overall scores in terms of customer and claims satisfaction. Below, we'll dive into our ratings, pricing data and policy options to see if USAA car insurance is right for you.
USAA Insurance Review
USAA earned an overall score of 5/5 in The Zebra's review. Read more below to find out if they're the right carrier for you.
Edited By Kristine Lee
USAA at a glance
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Best for auto insurance
4.6/5 — USAA was the top-ranked auto insurance company in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction survey, scoring the highest marks for claims satisfaction, ease of interaction, customer service, the likelihood of recommendation and trust.
Best for homeowners insurance
4.6/5 — USAA was the top-ranked homeowners insurance company in our survey, scoring the highest marks for claims satisfaction, ease of interaction, customer service, the likelihood of recommendation, trust and online satisfaction.
Who is eligible for USAA coverage?
In general, active duty and retired military members — and select family members — are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage. USAA is known as one of the highest-rated insurance companies primarily because its exclusivity allows it to focus on a select group of customers. Once USAA membership is obtained, customers can then purchase insurance and take advantage of the many benefits and discounts available to members. USAA membership is free and offers a number of perks on its own. To find out more about USAA insurance eligibility, feel free to call 800-531-USAA (8722) or have a look at a more detailed breakdown of eligibility below.
Who can join USAA?
To meet eligibility requirements for USAA membership and insurance coverage, you must be an active, retired, or separated veteran (with an Honorable discharge from the U.S. military). Specifically, military service personnel who have served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Coast Guard and Army Reserve are eligible.
Also eligible for membership are pre-commissioned officers such as officer candidates and contracted cadets or midshipmen attending a U.S. Service Academy, prep school or ROTC program.
USAA membership eligibility is open to the following family members:
- Spouses
- Widows, widowers and un-remarried ex-spouses of USAA members
- Children of USAA members
- Step-children of USAA members
In 2022, Stars and Stripes announced that USAA would extend membership eligibility to those with a "general under honor discharge." This type of discharge is typically a result of minor misconduct or not meeting certain standards.
What information is required to apply for USAA membership?
For veterans, active duty, and guard and reserve members, the following information is required at application:
- Branch of service
- Rank
- Date of active service (and end of service for veterans)
For contracted cadets, midshipmen and officer candidates, the following information is required at application:
- Branch of service
- Commissioning source
- Commissioning date
USAA car insurance review
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.6/5: USAA auto insurance topped almost every category of The Zebra's customer satisfaction study.
Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Excellent: USAA was one of the top-rated companies in terms of claims satisfaction, according to J.D. Power's most recent study.
Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Excellent: J.D. Power rated USAA near the top of the list in overall customer service satisfaction for auto insurance.
Financial strength — Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating by AM Best shows USAA's solid ability to pay out claims.
NAIC Rating — Excellent: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received relatively few customer complaints regarding USAA auto insurance compared to the market median.
Where is USAA car insurance available?
USAA is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
USAA auto insurance coverage options
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 average rates as well as some unique coverage options and add-ons for policyholders.
USAA extended benefits
This covers lost wages, essential disability services and death benefits in the event of a collision.
USAA roadside assistance
This optional coverage provides lockout services, gas delivery, tire change and towing service if your vehicle will not start. Learn more about roadside assistance programs.
Rental reimbursement
This is a tiered coverage that provides rental car reimbursement costs, depending on your chosen coverage tier. If your vehicle is damaged by a covered loss, i.e., not routine maintenance, you can use this coverage for a pre-determined time, up to a predetermined amount, based on your coverage level.
Accident forgiveness
If you stay accident-free for five years as a USAA customer, your premium won’t increase after your first at-fault accident. See more information on how accident forgiveness works.
USAA rideshare coverage
USAA provides rideshare coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers. The company's website advertises rideshare coverage for as low as $6 per month. This coverage is not available in every state, however. See USAA's rideshare coverage availability in the table below:
| Company | States Available |
|---|---|
| USAA rideshare insurance | AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OK, OR, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY |
USAA membership auto insurance benefits
A primary perk of USAA is its membership benefits. Below are some of the car-related benefits that come with a USAA membership.
USAA membership benefits: car loans
USAA helps its members with car loans in three ways:
- Loan flexibility: For new vehicles, you can reduce your monthly payments by up to 84 months.
- Waived application fee
- Affordable rates: If you use USAA’s Car Buying Service — explained below — you can save on your USAA auto loan.
In addition to these benefits, USAA helps members buy out their leased vehicles' contracts and offers special loans for disability vehicles.
USAA car buying service
USAA’s car buying service helps members buy a vehicle in the following ways:
- Discounted prices: A certified dealer provides a discounted price, including waived dealer fees and special offers on the vehicle.
- Dealership comparison: USAA members can compare thousands of dealers' prices for the same model to find the cheapest possible price.
- Price comparison: USAA displays a range of prices for the same make/model for USAA members vs. non-members.
USAA bonus cash offers
USAA works with auto manufacturers to offer up-front discounts. Depending on the company, USAA customers can earn discounts of thousands of dollars on any new vehicle purchased through USAA. Below are the advertised savings:
- Up to $1,000 off Jeep
- Up to $1,000 off Dodge
- Up to $1,000 off RAM
- Up to $4,500 off Mercedes-Benz
- Up to $1,000 off BMW
USAA car buying tools
Once you find the car of your dreams, USAA can help you budget accordingly with its membership services:
- Auto loan calculator
- Monthly cost breakdown calculator
USAA insurance discounts
USAA offers a number of discounts for its members. Below are some highlights.
Discounts related to driving habits
- Safe driver discount: This applies to drivers without accidents for at least five years.
- Defensive driving: This applies to drivers who have completed a defensive driver's training course.
- Driver training: Young drivers (under 21) can earn a discount if they have taken a basic training course.
- Good student: Students with above a 3.0 GPA can earn a discount.
Discounts related to your vehicle
- New vehicle: Applicable for vehicles under three years old.
- Multi-vehicle: Only for a policy with two or more vehicles.
- Annual mileage: Depending on your mileage, you can earn a discount on your policy.
- Vehicle storage: If your vehicle is in storage, you can have a premium reduction of as much as 60%.
Discounts related to your membership status
- Family discount: If your parents were USAA members, your personal USAA policy will be discounted by 10%.
- Length of membership savings: USAA advertises you can save by staying with their services by offering competitive insurance premiums.
- Military installation discount: If your vehicle is garaged on a military base, you can save 15% on your comprehensive coverage.
USAA online features and apps
USAA offers a highly-rated mobile app for accessing ID cards and policy info, requesting roadside assistance and reporting claims. USAA also offers banking services to its members, which are also accessible through the same app.
USAA telematics
The USAA SafePilot app is critical for the company's SafePilot telematics program, as it monitors driving habits such as hard braking that can influence your rates. The company offers a 10% discount just for enrolling. A further discount of up to 30% is possible at your policy renewal.
Compare rates quickly and easily.
How much does USAA car insurance cost?
We used our methodology to compare average monthly rates from USAA to see how it compares to other companies.
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $114 |
| State Farm | $131 |
| Progressive | $157 |
| Nationwide | $123 |
| GEICO | $129 |
| Farmers | $149 |
| Allstate | $201 |
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
| Age Group | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Teens | $327 |
| 20s | $147 |
| 30s | $112 |
| 40s | $104 |
| 60s | $101 |
| 50s | $99 |
| Accident/Violation | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Speeding 16 - 20 MPH over limit | $136 |
| At-fault accident - greater than $2000 | $161 |
| DUI | $211 |
USAA bundling options
Most insurance companies offer a multi-policy discount for bundling auto insurance with homeowners or renters insurance. USAA has a wide array of additional insurance products available to its members. Have a look at some of the most popular options below.
Additional insurance products offered by USAA
| Insurance Line | |
|---|---|
| Homeowners | Motorcycle |
| Renters | Offroad vehicles and ATVs |
| Condo | Boat and watercraft |
| Life | Classic car insurance |
| Landlord | Umbrella |
| Motorhome | Farm and ranch |
| Pet insurance | Small business |
Get the protection you need at the best price.
USAA homeowners insurance review
USAA homeowners insurance is a popular option for many USAA members. Similar to their car insurance offerings, the company receives outstanding customer reviews and ratings from outside rating agencies. Indeed, The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey found USAA was the top company in each category offered.
The company offers a number of great policy options to suit most homeowners. That, paired with its high claims satisfaction, suggests that homeowners eligible for USAA home insurance coverage would be satisfied.
Read on to learn more about USAA homeowners insurance coverage options, discounts and rates.
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.6/5: USAA topped every category of our homeowners customer satisfaction survey.
J.D. Power Rating — Among the Best: J.D. Power rates USAA above average in claims and customer service satisfaction.
Financial strength — Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating by A.M. Best shows USAA's ability to pay out claims is solid.
NAIC Rating — Excellent: Regarding USAA, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received relatively few customer complaints when compared to the market median.
Where is USAA homeowners insurance available?
USAA home insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
USAA homeowners insurance options
USAA homeowners coverage offers the standard options available in most home policies. This includes dwelling, other structures, personal property, liability, loss of use and medical payments to others. Read on to see USAA's special home coverage options as well as information on pricing and ways to save.
Identity theft insurance
Your policy includes up to $5,000 in identity theft protection (not available in North Carolina).
Home sharing coverage
USAA home-sharing coverage protects both you and your guests if renting out a room or property through a home-sharing service.
Earthquake coverage
Damage from earthquakes isn't covered by any standard home insurance policy, but USAA claims to offer this coverage as an add-on in most states.
Replacement cost coverage
Replacement cost value (RCV) coverage applies to your personal property should it need to be replaced. With this coverage option, your belongings will be replaced at full value without considering depreciation.
USAA homeowners insurance discounts
While USAA homeowners rates are already highly competitive, the company also offers customers further opportunities to save. Check out the list below for USAA's home insurance discounts and other ways to save.
Claims free discount
Going five years without a claim can land you a 10% discount on your homeowners policy.
Protective device credit
USAA offers a discount for having a monitored home security system. USAA partners with ADT to offer credits for the installation of home security devices and monitoring services. Furthermore, military members being deployed may be eligible for a further three months of free monitoring services.
Newer home discount
Newer homes are statistically less likely to suffer from many of the issues plaguing older homes, making them safer and — in the eyes of USAA — cheaper to insure.
Bundling
Combine your homeowners and auto coverages (among others) and you could be eligible for a discount of up to 10%.
Adjusting your deductible
Though not technically a discount, the deductible amount that you choose can have a big impact on your monthly insurance rates. In general, a higher deductible will lead to lower premiums. Make sure, however, that your deductible isn't beyond your means should you have to make a claim.
Find the most affordable rate by comparing quotes.
How much does USAA home insurance cost?
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $115 |
| State Farm | $124 |
| Nationwide | $103 |
| Farmers | $156 |
| Allstate | $130 |
How to cancel a USAA policy
To cancel a USAA policy, simply call 1-800-531-8722 and request a cancellation. Similarly, you may also send a written cancellation request to this address:
USAA
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78288
Key customer satisfaction survey findings — USAA
Overall takeaways
Auto insurance
The Zebra conducted a survey with the intention of understanding carriers from a customer's perspective. We asked how each major carrier held up in online experience, claims satisfaction, ease of use, customer service, trustworthiness and willingness to recommend. USAA topped the list overall, being the highest-rated company in nearly all categories. Ratings were high for both males and females and across many age groups. In short, USAA is a strong choice for many active-duty servicemen and servicewomen, retired military members and their families, with one of the only drawbacks being the company's online experience.
Homeowners insurance
Among the 15 carriers included in the survey, USAA ranked the highest in all of our primary categories. Overall, female respondents were more favorable for USAA's homeowners product: USAA ranked number one in most categories for female respondents.
Methodology
Findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,134 current U.S. auto and home insurance customers, with Census-balanced sampling by age, gender and region. Categories with n=<20 responses are considered insufficient sample size and are not reported. This survey was developed by The Zebra and executed by independent research firm Maru/Blue in 2021.
Survey highlights
- USAA was the best-reviewed insurance company overall
- Both male and female respondents overwhelmingly reported high ratings for USAA's auto insurance
- Online satisfaction is the only area where USAA lagged according to respondents
Compare USAA with competitors
- USAA vs. 21st Century
- USAA vs. Allied
- USAA vs. American Family
- USAA vs. Amica Mutual Insurance
- USAA vs. Auto Club (AAA)
- USAA vs. Erie
- USAA vs. Esurance
- USAA vs. Farmers
- USAA vs. Foremost
- USAA vs. GEICO
- USAA vs. Infinity
- USAA vs. Liberty Mutual
- USAA vs. Mercury
- USAA vs. MetLife
- USAA vs. Nationwide
- USAA vs. Progressive
- USAA vs. Root Insurance
- USAA vs. Safe Auto
- USAA vs. Safeco
- USAA vs. State Farm
- USAA vs. The General
- USAA vs. The Hartford
- USAA vs. Travelers
Find affordable rates today.
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 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.