USAA Insurance Review: Quotes For Car, Home Owner, Life & Renters

Recently, USAA received a perfect score for the overall satisfaction of the insurance itself. However, you may be wondering if it is the right choice for you. You can read this helpful USAA insurance review to find out the pros and cons and make an informed decision based on your particular needs.

Introduction

USAA is an automotive insurance company that is highly ranked in a variety of consumer surveys. For one, the company ended up getting a perfect score for Overall Satisfaction from the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Auto Insurance Claim Satisfaction Survey.

One interesting thing about the company is that it offers investment and banking services, as well as its auto insurance. Therefore, if you are the type of person that likes to bundle a variety of services with a single provider, this could be an excellent option for you. For one, it makes it a lot easier for you to stay organized and pay bills because you only have one company with which to deal.

Of course, you can also choose to use the auto insurance service from the company and are not required to use any other services that it provides.

Who is a Candidate for USAA Auto Insurance?

Purchasing USAA auto insurance can be an excellent choice, but only a few candidates are suitable. To become a policyholder with the company, you must be affiliated in some way with the military. It is available to any member of the United States Armed Forces, including Navy and Army. You can be a retired, active, or honorably separated member to qualify for a policy with this company. The membership can also extend to candidates of commissioning programs and veterans. Along with such, former spouses, spouses, and children of USAA members can also be eligible for policies with the company.

Highlights of USAA Auto Insurance

While most insurance companies offer similar services, USAA does have some perks that other insurance companies don’t provide.

For example, customers can get accident forgiveness, which is a generous policy option. If you are a member with the company for five years and get into an at-fault accident (where you did something wrong to cause the accident), the company will forgive the accident and not increase your automotive insurance premiums. However, it should be noted that some states require this feature to be an add-on that must be paid for separately from the policy.

Along with such, you can get the standard auto policy, but you can also compare their extended vehicle protection, boat insurance, RV insurance, and even get a motorcycle insurance quote. If you’re a driver that stores your vehicle at the military base, you can also get a 15 percent discount on the comprehensive coverage, which is available in most states.

USAA earned high scores from the study for offering speedy claims service, customer service, and adjustment approval, as well. Therefore, if you need to call the company or start a claim, the process is likely to be quick and straightforward, which reduces your stress and helps you complete the process sooner.

Filing your claim with USAA is also straightforward. As a customer, you can call the claims hotline. However, you can also download and use the mobile app, which allows you to submit photos for the claim, report your claim, and review the status of your claim.

Pricing for USAA Auto Insurance

The company has three coverage tiers available that you can choose from, including the expanded, standard, and basic varieties.

It can be a little challenging to get a baseline comparison, so for this review, consider these specifications: The vehicle is a 2009 Honda Civic with 75,000 miles and is located in the Northeast USA. There are two registered drivers, both between the ages of 30 and 39, and both drivers have clean records.

Basic Coverage

With the vehicle/driver information from above, the quote is about $115 per month with the Basic Coverage option for two people. That coverage includes:

• Bodily injury liability, which totals $20,000 per person and/or $40,000 per accident
• Property damage liabilities, which totals $10,000 per accident
• Comprehensive coverage, which includes a $500 deductible for each occurrence
• Collision coverage, which includes a $500 deductible for each occurrence
• Reimbursement for rental vehicles
• Labor and towing costs
• Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage
• Medical payment coverage

For most people, a low deductible is the most desirable thing, and the basic coverage plan offers that. Along with such, rental reimbursement and towing costs can also be a money-saver. This insurance policy is also likely to cover the minimum coverage required for your state, though you should check that out yourself to ensure that it is accurate.

However, property/bodily injury coverage amounts aren’t as high as other options, so you may want to consider another tier level.

Standard Coverage

For about $15 more dollars each month, you can upgrade to the Standard Coverage, which offers a higher liability for bodily injury and property. For most people, it is more than what your state requires for minimum insurance coverage, but it can be better to hold more than the minimum coverage, anyway.

Using the same vehicle/driver information as before, Standard Coverage was quoted at $130 each month. For this price and tier, you get:

• Bodily injury liability, which totals $50,000 for each person and $100,000 for each accident
• Property damage liability, which totals $50,000 per accident
• Comprehensive coverage, which includes a $500 deductible for each occurrence
• Collision coverage, which includes a $500 deductible for each occurrence
• Reimbursement for rental vehicles
• Labor and towing costs are covered
• Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage
• Medical payment coverage

In a sense, everything remains the same, such as what you get for the price. You’re still going to get medical coverage payments, towing and labor costs, and rental reimbursement. You’re still covered if the other motorist doesn’t have insurance and causes an accident, and more. However, you also get much more liability coverage for body and property damages.

Expanded Coverage

If you desire even more coverage than the Basic or Standard offers, you have one more option. The Expanded Coverage offers increased protection for that same vehicle/driver combo as listed earlier. The quote received was for $140 per month, which is $10 more than the Standard Coverage tier. With the Extended Coverage, you get:

• Bodily injury liability, which totals $100,000 per person with $300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability, which totals $100,000 per accident
• Comprehensive coverage, which includes a $500 deductible for each occurrence
• Collision coverage, which includes a $500 deductible for each occurrence
• Labor and towing costs are covered
• Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage
• Medical payment coverage

All of the perks and features for each tier level stays the same, including medical payments, coverage for uninsured motorists, and towing and labor costs. However, the one caveat is that the Expanded Coverage does not include rental reimbursement charges. Therefore, if you must rent a car while yours is in the shop being fixed, you have to pay that out of pocket without getting any money from the insurance company.

However, you can easily see that USAA allows you to potentially triple the amount of coverage you receive beyond your state’s required legal minimums while the premium is only raised to a few extra cents per day. Therefore, it might make sense to consider the Standard or Expanded Coverage tiers so that you can be sure that your vehicle is covered regardless of how extensive the damages are.

It’s also important to understand that your quote and the price you agree to pay might be more or less than the numbers listed here. You should input your particular make and model, as well as the ages for all the drivers who might use the vehicle under the insurance coverage.

No Guarantees for Renewal

One of the caveats that were noticed during this review is that you aren’t guaranteed renewal each year. Therefore, you may purchase coverage for the year, but you must be reevaluated at the end of the calendar year (or whenever you set-up coverage). For example, if you purchase auto insurance in June of this year, next June, you must reapply for the same coverage.

If the prices rise, you cannot be grandfathered in at the lower price that you’ve been paying for the last year. Therefore, you cannot keep a lower price than what others pay for more than the calendar year. However, you might consider talking to a representative and ask them if they offer extended policy renewals. They might lock in rates for up to two years, though this is not a common practice. In fact, most people don’t even ask about it; just note that the company isn’t required to lock rates at any amount.

It is also a drawback because you may not qualify for the auto insurance again, especially if you have had an accident in the past year. The representatives look at your overall history with the company; if you’ve only been with them a short time, you may not get renewed at all, let alone at the same rates as before.

Is USAA the Right Choice for You?

If you are or were in the military (any status and any branch) or your spouse or parent was in the military, this insurance company might be the right choice for you. You could obtain a policy if you were part of the military service.

Many times, insurance companies are wary of providing coverage to military personnel or may have higher premiums and less coverage because of their policies and options.

This company delivers a total package because it offers great services to its customers and reasonable rates with low deductibles. In fact, it didn’t matter what coverage you desired (for the particular vehicle and driver information used for the purpose of the review). You still only paid the first $500 of the damages and the rest were covered by the insurance company.

The company has also consistently earned high rankings and awards from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, among others. Plus, it holds an excellent reputation within the industry of insurance.

USAA is also highly convenient for people who want to bundle auto insurance with many other services, such as savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, and other property coverage (such as houses and apartments). You can learn more by visiting the company’s website directly, and you can also get a quote for yourself and your family.

Along with such, the company does make it easy to file a claim because you can download and use the mobile app or call a claims specialist. It’s also helpful to know that if you get into an accident that was your fault, the company can forgive the issue without raising your premiums. However, stipulations do apply, so you should talk to a representative about this feature if it is something you desire.

Still looking for the best auto insurance? Why don't you check out our other reviews like our in-depth guide on Farmers auto insurance, Nationwide car insurance, and Liberty Mutual car insurance? I'm sure you'll find a lot of helpful information to help you make your decision.

FAQ

General USAA Questions

This section covers basic questions about USAA as a company.

What does USAA stand for?

USAA stands for the United Services Automobile Association. They have been in business since 1922.

Where is USAA located?

USAA is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, which is also where the company was founded more than 96 years ago.

What is USAA insurance?

USAA Insurance is an insurance and banking company that’s open to members of the armed services and their descendants. Also according to home insurance reviews they rank well in customer satisfaction. They will also help you purchase health insurance if you need it.

How to get USAA insurance?

It’s pretty easy to get USAA insurance – you just need to be a qualifying individual and apply for their insurance online. They also offer short term health care insurance if that's something you need.

Is USAA insurance good?

Yes, USAA is one of the best options for current and former military members looking to save money on car insurance. They have other insurance types as well. For example ask them if they offer term life insurance no medical exam required.

How to add a car to USAA insurance?

The easiest way to add a car to your USAA car insurance is to contact your insurance agent. You can find the number to call on your insurance card.

How to apply for USAA auto insurance?

The best way to apply for USAA car insurance is to contact an insurance agent. You can search for local insurance agents in your area to find out who to contact.

Is USAA a good car insurance company?

Yes, USAA is a good car insurance company. They are very highly reviewed and offer great deals for current and former members of the military. They're not only for military members though. See how to qualify.

USAA Claims and Coverage

This section will answer the most common questions people have about USAA car insurance claims and coverage.

How to file a claim with USAA auto insurance?

You can file a claim with USAA auto insurance by calling the insurance agent on your card or by logging into your account online and selecting the option to file a claim.

How long does it take USAA to pay insurance claim?

The timeframe for payment on an insurance claim with USAA depends on lots of different factors, like the nature of the accident or claim, your location, and more. You should contact your agent for more information about how long your claim will take. It depends on the type of insurance too wheher it be auto or home insurance. Consider having a home warranty in addition to home insurance. Take a look at the best home warranty companies 2020 has to offer.

Does USAA car insurance include roadside assistance?

Yes, if you have USAA’s Extended Vehicle Protection Program. This covers roadside assistance up to $100 for common roadside issues.

Will USAA jumpstart my car?

In most cases, you need to be part of USAA’s Extended Vehicle Protection Program. This will cover up to $100 for a jump start.

Does USAA auto insurance cover rental trucks?

Yes, USAA auto insurance covers rental trucks up to your policy limits as long as you use USAA as your primary insurance and waive insurance offers from the rental company.

How does USAA determine the value of a car?

USAA doesn’t publicize how they perform valuations. They determine the fair market value of a car based on the rules and regulations for the state that you’re in.

How much damage to total a car under USAA?

USAA doesn’t list the amount of damage needed to total a car, but it usually occurs when a car’s damage meets or exceeds 75% of its fair market value.

How much does USAA pay for totaled car?

In many cases, yes. It depends on what kind of insurance you have from USAA. If you have comprehensive coverage, then you’re probably covered.

Does USAA car insurance cover hail damage?

USAA will cover hail damage to your vehicle if you have a comprehensive insurance policy with them.

Does USAA cover rental cars for repairs?

That depends on your particular insurance policy. You’ll have the option to add rental car coverage while your car is getting repaired when you sign up for your policy.

What happens when your car is totaled by USAA?

If your car is totaled, then USAA will take possession of the wrecked car and will pay out a claim for the fair market value of your car minus any deductible you have.

Will USAA fix a flat tire?

If you are part of USAA’s Extended Vehicle Protection Program, then USAA roadside assistance will come and help you fix a flat tire.

Does USAA cover tire replacement?

That depends on how the tire was damaged and your specific insurance policy. You’ll need to contact your USAA agent to get information about your situation.

Does USAA auto insurance cover rodent damage?

That depends on your particular insurance policy. If you have comprehensive coverage, then USAA will cover rodent damage to your car.

Does USAA cover DUI accidents?

That depends on your specific policy and the laws in the state where you reside. You’ll need to talk to your USAA agent to find out the specifics for your situation.

Does USAA cover rental cars?

In almost all cases, yes. Your primary USAA auto insurance will cover rental cars. However, you should check with USAA on the steps you should take to ensure that USAA is your primary insurer on the rental car.

What is covered under USAA roadside assistance?

USAA roadside assistance includes limited towing, jump-start, out of gas, and other, similar services.

What does USAA pay on settlements?

That depends on the specific situation. USAA will always try to make sure that they give a fair and accurate payment in any settlement.

Does USAA cover moving trucks?

USAA credit card rental car insurance doesn’t include trucks. However, your USAA primary auto insurance policy might, depending on the specific policy.

Does USAA cover rental cars in Europe?

Yes – as long as you book your car through USAA’s rental car program and decline the coverage offered by the rental car company.

Does USAA offer gap insurance?

In most cases – USAA doesn’t offer gap insurance for leased vehicles, but it does offer gap insurance for purchased vehicles.

Does USAA insure rebuilt cars?

Sometimes – it depends on the specific situation and the laws in your state. You’ll need to contact USAA for more information.

Does USAA reimburse towing?

USAA will reimburse towing as long as you have towing and labor coverage or physical damage coverage for your policy.

Will USAA cover a cracked windshield?

USAA comprehensive policies will cover windshield repair and replacement. However, you may not be covered if you only have liability coverage.

Does USAA cover blown engine?

That depends on what caused the engine damage. USAA doesn’t cover your engine breaking due to normal wear and tear, but comprehensive policies will cover damage from accidents, vandalism, and more.

USAA Auto Insurance Pricing

We’ll answer the most common questions people have about the price of USAA car insurance in this section.

How much is gap insurance with USAA?

The cost of gap insurance with USAA depends on many different factors, like how much your car is worth, how much you borrow to finance it, and more.

How much is full coverage auto insurance with USAA?

The price of full coverage auto insurance with USAA depends on lots of different factors, like the state where you live, your car, and your driving record. You should talk to an agent to see how much USAA insurance will be in your case.

Does USAA car insurance go down at 25?

In most cases, yes. USAA car insurance prices will go down when you turn 25. However, this won’t be the case if you have accidents, claims, or tickets.

How cheap is USAA car insurance?

USAA car insurance is one of the cheaper options available for former and current members of the military and their families.

How much is USAA car insurance per month?

The exact rate you get from USAA depends on lots of different factors, but the average price per month is about $106.91.

Other USAA Questions

This section covers questions that don’t fit neatly into our other categories. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, then check here.

Will USAA insure a salvage title vehicle?

USAA will insurance salvage title vehicles in some instances, but it depends on the specific vehicle and the state where you reside.

What is USAA accident forgiveness?

USAA will forgive one at-fault accident after being a member for 5 years. That means your rates won’t go up after being in an at-fault accident.

Who underwrites USAA auto insurance?

USAA is underwritten by USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group, which was founded in 1922.

Why am I not eligible for USAA auto insurance?

You might not be eligible for USAA auto insurance if you or an immediate family member are not a current or former member of the US military.

What is the number for USAA auto insurance?

The phone number for USAA auto insurance is 800-531-8722.

Can I add my girlfriend to my car insurance with USAA?

Yes, you can add your girlfriend to your USAA car insurance in most cases. If you live together, then you might be required to add her to your car insurance.

Does USAA offer supplemental medicare insurance?

We were able to find that USAA does indeed help you with medicare supplement insurance. We also compare the best medicare supplement plans 2020 has to offer. Some people opt for health insurance alternatives such as medical cost sharing. Take a look at Medishare pricing for example.

Does USAA have identity theft services?

USAA does offer identity theft and credit monitoring services to its members at an extra cost. We recently reviewed the best identity theft protection consumer reports has covered on their site. You may want to compare services first.

Does USAA offer renters insurance?

It probably depends on the state but you do have to be signed up as a member to access their site and get a quote. We have reviewed other companies you could compare such as Lemonade renters insurance. Read more: Is lemonade insurance legit? Also they offer home insurance and you may qualify for a discount if you have home security service but ask them to confirm.

Will USAA cover new tires for my car?

Usually the only way tires are covered is if roadside assistance is a part of your policy and even then it may only be to repair a flat tire and not get you new tires. If you need new tires we suggest looking at online tires for the best possibly prices.