USAA is a reliable insurer for U.S. military members and their households. This business provides a complete series of insurance coverage items, consisting of vehicle insurance coverage, for its members.
Below, we’ll stroll you through the benefits and drawbacks of USAA vehicle insurance coverage to assist you choose if it’s the ideal prepare for you.
USAA Auto Insurance Policies Pros and Cons
USAA’s protection consists of advantages such as numerous discount rate choices and a mobile app with in-app client service. However, USAA has actually restricted schedule and a high rate of client problems.
- Helpful client service
- Four kinds of protection with numerous add-ons
- Lower rates typically than other insurance providers
- Only offered to military members and their households
- High rate of client problems
- USAA subscription needed
Pros discussed
USAA provides a series of advantages for members of the military and their households, consisting of well-rated client service, numerous strategy choices and more inexpensive premiums (based upon our sample quotes).
Great client service
USAA has a 24/7 client helpline for roadside help, concerns and assist filing claims. It likewise provides a live chat through the online member website.
USAA’s mobile app has an in-app assistant that can address concerns or link you to a customer care agent. The app is ranked 4.8/5 stars on the Apple App Store and 4.1/5 stars on Google Play, with favorable evaluations on both platforms describing friendly, timely client service.
Lots of strategy choices offered
USAA provides 4 primary kinds of protection: extensive, crash, liability and uninsured or underinsured driver. These are basic protection types provided by many car insurance coverage suppliers.
It likewise provides a series of extra protections that can be contributed to your strategy, consisting of rental vehicle compensation, space insurance coverage, roadside help and mishap forgiveness.
USAA’s optional add-ons permit insurance policy holders to tailor their strategies. For example, rideshare insurance coverage offers additional protection for rideshare motorists. If you drive for a business like Uber or Lyft, rideshare insurance coverage ensures you’re covered in between consumers since the insurance coverage supplied by your rideshare business may just cover you while you have a client. Each add-on raises your insurance coverage premium, however the specific expense depends upon your base strategy, suitable discount rates and other aspects.
Low rates
According to our sample quotes, USAA vehicle insurance coverage expenses around $1,200 to $1,500 every year for a safe motorist. The nationwide typical expense for complete car protection is around $1,900 every year.
Your specific USAA vehicle insurance coverage quote will depend upon numerous aspects, consisting of age, state of house, variety of insured automobiles, policy type and add-ons. No car insurance coverage service provider is 100% less expensive than others for each situation. However, sample quotes reveal that USAA’s rates are usually lower than quotes from other business. If you do not receive USAA protection, there are other low-cost vehicle insurance coverage suppliers worth looking into.
Cons discussed
Despite its advantages, USAA has its downsides. This insurance company needs a USAA subscription to purchase a policy and subscription is unique to military members and their households. It likewise gets numerous online client problems on websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an above-average National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) rating for client problems.
Exclusive to military households
USAA car insurance coverage is an item of the United Services Automobile Association. To end up being a USAA member, you need to be an active or previous military member or a direct family member of an active or previous military member. A direct relative (partner or kid) of another USAA member can likewise receive subscription. For example, if your partner has USAA subscription through their moms and dad’s military subscription, you likewise certify even if you have no loved ones in the armed force.
Despite its name, this subscription association provides more than simply vehicle insurance coverage. It has a complete series of insurance coverage items, consisting of house and service insurance coverage. USAA likewise provides banking, loans and financial investment services for members.
High variety of problems
Although USAA’s app is extremely ranked by users and the business has a strong J.D. Power ranking — suggesting above-average client complete satisfaction — it gets numerous problems for its settlement provides and declares hold-ups.
The NAIC tracks and records client problems versus insurer based upon the policy type. The typical rating is 1.0, so ratings above this have actually above-average problems compared to other business. USAA’s NAIC index rating for all policy types is 1.52, however its rating for industrial car policies is just 0.0.
You need to be a member
USAA car insurance coverage is just offered to USAA members. That suggests eligibility is restricted.
If you certify, USAA subscription is totally free. Signing up for subscription needs calling USAA’s client service line and providing evidence of your eligibility. You might require access to your relative’s subscription number if you aren’t a U.S. military member.
Although there’s no charge, ending up being a USAA member is an additional action in the insurance coverage purchasing procedure and can be a trouble. That’s specifically real if you aren’t thinking about utilizing USAA’s other services or bundling your policies.
USAA Auto Insurance Plans
USAA provides a series of adjustable car policies. Along with 4 basic kinds of protection, it has a long list of insurance coverage riders to adjust your policy to your requirements. How much you’ll spend for vehicle insurance coverage depends upon the kind of strategy and riders you select.
Below is a short summary of some typical protection choices provided by USAA. Remember that the prices and requirements of these strategies might differ based upon your state, age, driving history — consisting of speeding tickets — insurance coverage history and the kind of vehicle you drive. Because your premiums will depend upon numerous aspects and differ from service provider to service provider, you ought to gather numerous quotes if you wish to change your vehicle insurance coverage.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive protection is a basic car insurance coverage that covers most harm to your car. This protection type is frequently described as “full” vehicle insurance coverage. USAA’s extensive insurance coverage covers damage to your car brought on by things beyond your control, such as an animal going out in front of you, falling branches, theft, vandalism, fires, and weather-related damages.
USAA’s extensive protection likewise consists of glass damage protection. This strategy will waive your deductible for windscreen and window repair work.
Collision
USAA’s crash covers damage from a mishap brought on by you or another motorist. It likewise covers damage if you struck a nonmoving item like a tree or pole.
Liability
Liability insurance coverage safeguards you versus other celebrations when you’re associated with an automobile mishap with another motorist or in a mishap that harms home. Insurance business interact with each other to figure out the portion of liability each insurance policy holder is accountable for and spend for damages, repair work and medical expenses appropriately. In other words, if it’s identified that you are 100% responsible for a mishap, damage and injury, your business will pay 100% of the other celebration’s claims. If it’s chosen that you’re just 25% responsible for the mishap and the outcomes of it, your insurance coverage will just pay 25% of the other celebration’s claims. The other celebration’s insurance coverage will pay the staying 75%.
All states lawfully need some type of liability insurance coverage. Without it, you’ll be accountable for the complete expense of the mishap. You might likewise deal with legal repercussions, such as license suspension, fines, car seize or perhaps prison time, depending upon the laws in your state. Remember that if you just have liability insurance coverage, USAA won’t spend for damages to your car.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist
There will constantly be motorists who support the wheel without insurance coverage or without having enough insurance coverage. But you don’t need to be held economically accountable for your injuries brought on by the uninsured or underinsured motorist.
USAA permits you to choose additional protection for you, your guests and your car damage ought to an uninsured or underinsured motorist hit you. You can include this protection to your extensive, crash or liability policy.
Insurance riders
An insurance coverage rider, or add-on, is additional protection you can contribute to your policy. Some of USAA’s most popular riders consist of:
- Towing and labor: This rider covers the expense of towing and mechanic’s costs if you require roadside help. It costs approximately $18 annually however will differ for each strategy.
- Accident forgiveness: This rider ensures that an insurance policy holder’s rates won’t increase after one at-fault mishap. It’s just offered to certified motorists and costs an additional $59 annually typically.
- Rental compensation: This rider offers compensation for a rental if your vehicle is amounted to in a mishap. USAA rental vehicle insurance coverage lets insurance policy holders select the kind of car they desire protection for. On average, it costs an additional $53 annually.
- Gap insurance coverage: USAA’s space insurance coverage rider is called Total Loss Protection. This rider costs approximately $40 annually and can cover the distinction in between your amounted to vehicle’s money worth and your loan balance. This rider just uses to members who get a vehicle loan through USAA.
The expenses noted above are approximations based upon a typical USAA insurance coverage quote. The specific expense for each rider depends upon your strategy and premium.
Limitations
USAA’s extensive protection does not cover theft of possessions in your vehicle, damage brought on by striking an item or basic wear and tear to your car. While USAA’s extensive protection consists of glass with a waived deductible for repair work, you might need to pay your deductible for a complete windscreen replacement.
USAA likewise has protection limitations that differ by strategy. If the damage to your car will cost more than your policy limitation, your vehicle will be thought about amounted to, and USAA will not spend for repair work.
USAA Credentials
USAA Insurance Company was established in the 1920s. Today, it’s a widely known name and among the most popular insurance providers in the U.S. regardless of its minimal schedule. Here’s a fast summary of USAA’s qualifications as a recognized insurance coverage service provider.
Awards
USAA won 2 awards from Insurity, a software application service provider and host of the Excellence in Insurance awards in 2022. The “Claims Champion” and “Policyholder Experience Knockout” titles were granted to USAA in 2015.
Both awards were the outcome of USAA’s launch of the SafePilot program. The program benefits safe driving by providing lower insurance coverage premiums.
Financial stability
USAA has an A++ ranking with AM Best. That rating reveals an incredibly high level of monetary strength. Although a business’s monetary strength doesn’t necessarily affect its products or pricing, it does mean there is very little risk of losing your USAA policy due to company bankruptcy.
Third-party ratings
USAA’s third-party ratings include:
- NAIC: 1.52 overall but 0.0 for commercial auto
- J.D. Power: 4.4 out of 5
- S&P: Aa1
- Moody’s: Aaa
Regulatory actions
In March 2022, USAA was fined by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network — a section of the U.S. Department of Treasury — for not meeting Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering agreements. The total fine of $140 million is currently being paid through USAA’s earnings. According to USAA’s website, the issues addressed in this case did not affect individual policyholders, and the fine will not affect rates.
USAA Car Insurance Accessibility
USAA is limited to military members and their families. However, for those who qualify, USAA is a fairly accessible insurer. Here’s what you need to know.
Availability
USAA membership is limited to U.S. military members, spouses and children. But membership extends beyond this, too. For example, if your spouse is a member through their parent, you also qualify for membership, even if your spouse isn’t in the military.
Contact Information
You can contact USAA insurance customer service at 1-800-531-8722. Support is available 24/7 and can help members connect to roadside assistance. You can also reach USAA through its shortcut mobile number (8722) or by mail at 9800 Fredericksburg Rd. San Antonio, Texas, 78288.
If you’re outside the U.S., you can reach USAA through its international number: 1-210-531-8722. Support here is also available 24/7 but may have a wait time of around 15 minutes.
User Experience
USAA is well-rated for its user experience. You can use the USAA website or mobile app to get a quote, calculate rates, find applicable discounts or submit claims.
USAA’s app was recently upgraded and now comes with an AI personal assistant, EVA, which can provide customized alerts and insights. The app allows you to submit a claim anytime, anywhere in the world.
Coverage limitations
USAA receives a high rate of customer complaints for its coverage limitations. However, its affordable plans may have lower coverage limits than comparable insurance providers.
Customer Satisfaction
USAA’s overall NAIC score of 1.52 shows more customer complaints than average. Most public complaints on the Better Business Bureau refer to USAA’s coverage limitations and settlements.
USAA Car Insurance FAQ
Who is eligible for USAA Car Insurance?
Active military members, veterans and pre-commissioned officers are eligible for USAA car insurance. You are also eligible if you are the spouse or child of a military member or an existing USAA member.
How does USAA verify eligibility?
You will need to give proof of your eligibility to join USAA. That may be an official document certifying your military history or the policy number of a relative.
How to cancel car insurance from USAA?
You can cancel your USAA car insurance by calling the customer helpline at 1-800-531-8722. You can also cancel your policy through the website or by mail. USAA does not charge a cancellation fee or early termination fee.
USAA’s corporate headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, but it has branch locations in all 50 states.
How we Evaluated USAA Car Insurance
We evaluated USAA car insurance by comparing it with other top-rated insurance companies. Some of the factors we considered included the following:
- Range of coverage options: USAA offers a variety of coverage options and optional riders.
- Pricing: USAA is more affordable, on average, than other top auto insurance providers.
- Customer reviews and complaints: USAA receives more than average customer complaints online.
- Accessibility: USAA auto insurance is only available to USAA members. If you have a membership, its policies are accessible in all 50 states.
- Customer service: USAA’s customer service is available 24/7 and, according to customer reviews, has limited wait times.
- Third-celebration rankings and credentials: USAA has high scores from third-party reviewers like J.D. Power, however its NAIC score falls short.
- Ease-of-use: USAA’s policies are easy to access and understand through the website and updated mobile app.
Summary of USAA Car Insurance Review
USAA car insurance offers low rates for qualifying drivers across the U.S. This insurer stands out for its range of plans, affordability and helpful customer service. The main drawback of USAA insurance is that it’s only available to USAA members and their households. It likewise has a higher-than-average rate of client problems.
