Even if you’re in the military, you can still go beyond the lowest car insurance rates to find the right policy for your needs. This means looking for an auto insurer that recognizes the special circumstances facing active duty military members, such as emergency deployments, coverage cancellation and vehicle storage. Additionally, many insurance companies honor the service of current military members, veterans and Reserve or National Guard members with a substantial discount. To find the policy that works for your needs, take a look at some of the top providers of military car insurance before getting rate quotes.
Compare Auto Insurance Quotes – For Military Personnel
Getting car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies is one way to snag great rates and terms on military car insurance policies. Many insurers offer discounts on military insurance and veterans insurance, but not all discounts provide the same amount of savings. Shop around, use an online tool to compare auto quotes instantly and research your top contenders to find the military insurance policy that works for you.
To give you a head start, we reviewed three of the top insurers that provide military insurance. The chart below offers an at-a-glance comparison of the companies’ rates based on a 25-year old driver living in Philadelphia.
| Company | 2016 Honda Accord | 2016 Dodge Ram |
|---|---|---|
| USAA (available to servicemembers and their families) | $118 | $130 |
| Geico | $202 | $218 |
| Esurance | $174 | $224 |
USAA
Unlike many insurers who cater to non-military members and military members alike, USAA is only available to active military members, veterans and military families. To be eligible, you need to qualify according to USAA’s criteria, which include being one of the following:
- Active Military: A member of the Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard or Marines
- Former Military: An individual who separated or retired with an honorable discharge
- Family: Un-remarried former spouses, widows and widowers of USAA members or children whose parent had or has USAA property or auto insurance
- Cadets and Midshipmen: Individuals enrolled at U.S. service academies, on ROTC scholarship or in advanced ROTC
In addition to standard coverage options, USAA offers extras such as rental reimbursement to defray the cost of renting a vehicle while yours is in the shop for repairs, along with roadside assistance for towing and other services. The insurance company also offers special discounts for certain circumstances. Examples include:
- Safe Driver: Reduce your premiums by keeping a clean driving record for at least five years
- Driving Courses: Take an approved driver training or defensive driving course to earn a discount on your premium
- Vehicle Storage: Save up to 60%–90% when you insure a vehicle that’s in an approved storage facility
Esurance
Esurance is big-name insurer and Allstate’s online-only insurance division that boasts a user-friendly website, stellar mobile apps and a host of interactive tools that make it easy for do-it-yourself insurance buyers to find the information they want, compare quotes instantly and sign up for insurance — all without talking to an agent. Esurance coverage options include standard policy offerings, such as collision, liability, comprehensive and personal injury protection.
Where Esurance really shines is with the added services it provides for members of the military. For example:
- Cancellation/Reinstatement for Deployments: Esurance makes it simple to cancel your car insurance policy without any fees if you’re deployed overseas. Once you return home, you can reinstate your policy without the usual penalties and rate increases caused by a gap in your coverage. To reinstate the coverage, you simply need to submit a letter from your commanding officer to verify your dates of deployment.
- Military Reassignments and Coverage: If you have to move because of a reassignment, notify Esurance to update the policy as soon as you’re settled. If your new home is in a state where Esurance doesn’t offer policies, the company helps to connect you with a new policy and a different insurance company.
- Removing Relocated Drivers: If you’re a military family member and your loved one is deployed or reassigned but you’re staying home, Esurance lets you temporarily remove the driver from your policy and add the driver back upon his or her return.
Geico
Geico has been offering auto insurance to the military since 1936 when the company first opened its doors. This company has an established reputation for low prices. Additionally, as one of the largest insurers in the country, Geico offers a full suite of coverage options. The website features a coverage estimator tool to help you figure out exactly how much coverage you need.
Geico offers standard coverage options such as comprehensive, collision, liability, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage. The insurer also offers extras, such as:
- Roadside Assistance: Coverage that helps whenever you need to replace a flat tire, jump your car battery or fill your empty gas tank
- Rental Reimbursement: This optional coverage pays for some or all of your rental car costs while your car is in the repair shop after a covered incident
- Mechanical Breakdown: This option goes beyond an extended warranty at a lower price to cover all the parts and systems of your car. It also allows you to choose where the repairs are completed.
Geico offers special discounts of up to 15% for active duty service members, members of the Reserves or National Guard and retired military personnel. The provider also offers an emergency deployment discount if you deploy to an imminent danger pay area, which is determined by the Department of Defense. You may also qualify if you have orders to report to a designated area or if you store your vehicle using an approved storage protection plan.
