Military and Veteran Car Insurance Discounts

Military members and veterans lead and have led some of the busiest lives of anyone. So it's understandable you want to save as much time as possible when searching for the cheapest car insurance. Military members and veterans can not only find affordable car insurance rates but also stand to save much more on their coverage by way of military discounts.

An independent insurance agent in your town can help you get a car insurance policy if you're still in need of coverage. And your agent can also help find and apply any military car insurance discounts you may qualify for to reduce your rates even further.

What Is Military Car Insurance?

You may have heard the term military car insurance or may just be wondering, "What car insurance is best for military members?" In short, military car insurance is a type of auto insurance only available for active-duty military members, retired military members or veterans, and military families. Military personnel can find these special auto policies from various car insurance companies, such as USAA.

Military car insurance policies often come with built-in savings for your military service, emergency deployment, or affiliations with various recognized military organizations. However, even if you don't get military car insurance, you can often still earn discounts on a standard car insurance policy.

How Much of a Discount Does the Military Get on Car Insurance?

The specific percentage of savings provided by various military car insurance discounts can range from 3% up to 25% and higher, depending on the specific discount. The state of Louisiana requires all car insurance companies to provide a 25% military car insurance discount to customers who are full-time active military members on liability coverage. In other states, the savings each military member earns on their car insurance depend on the specific discount and the auto insurance company.

USAA, a car insurance carrier that offers coverage specifically to active duty and retired military and veterans and their family members, offers various discounts that range from 3% to 60%. The carrier reports that USAA members save an average of $725 annually on car insurance after switching from another insurer. 

On the low end, USAA's automatic payment discount offers 3% in savings, while the carrier's military on-base discount offers savings of up to 60% to those who garage vehicles they aren't planning to drive on base. This discount is available in most states.

What Military Car Insurance Discounts Are Available?

The type of military car insurance discounts you find varies depending on the insurance company. However, there are a few common military car insurance discounts that you can find from many different car insurance companies in most states. Keep in mind that the specific percentage of savings on your car insurance rates also varies by carrier.

Military discounts

These discounts are offered to those who are currently on active duty, are veterans or retired from the military, or are members of the National Guard or Reserves. These discounts can vary in percentage but often average around 15%.

Deployment discounts

Some auto insurance companies offer savings for active military members while they're deployed. Though the percentage of savings varies by carrier, these discounts can range up to 25%.

Emergency deployment discounts

Many car insurance companies offer discounts to military members who are ordered to deploy to imminent danger pay areas. To qualify for these discounts, military members must either have received orders to deploy to one of the Congress-approved designated areas by the Department of Defense or have a vehicle stored according to an approved storage protection plan. These discounts are not offered by all carriers and may not be available in every state.

Membership and affiliation discounts

These discounts are offered to military service members and veterans who belong to various professional organizations and associations. Some qualifying organizations include the Association of the United States Army, the Armed Forces Benefit Association, and the Navy League of the United States. However, you might be offered a discount even if you belong to an organization that's not military-related, such as AARP.

Low-mileage discounts

Military members and veterans who don't drive often may be eligible to receive low-mileage discounts from certain car insurance companies. For veterans, especially, these discounts may be easy to earn. Though requirements vary by carrier, to qualify for a low-mileage discount, you typically must drive fewer than 8,000 miles per year.

Storage plan discounts

A few car insurance companies offer discounts for military members who put their vehicles into storage while deployed. Though requirements vary by carrier, often, you're not required to store your vehicle in a designated storage facility. However, your carrier will likely have requirements for the length of time your vehicle must not be used for you to earn this type of discount.

Bundling discounts

Almost every auto insurance company offers bundling discounts for customers who purchase two or more types of coverage, such as homeowners insurance or renters insurance, with their auto insurance. Bundling your insurance through the same carrier can award you several perks in addition to the savings you earn on each type of coverage, such as easier policy management and only one bill to pay.

Military on-base discounts

This discount is offered by USAA, but may be available from other carriers as well. The insurance company offers savings of up to 15% for military members who garage their vehicles on base and up to 60% for those who aren't planning to drive their vehicles for a while.

Autopay discounts

Many car insurance companies offer discounts for customers who opt into automatic payments. This means less work for both the customer and the insurance company. The exact savings vary by location and carrier.

Paperless discounts

Customers who choose to receive their bills and all other policy documentation electronically often qualify for additional savings from most car insurance companies. The exact percentage of savings varies by location and carrier.

Monthly payment plan discounts

These discounts are awarded by carriers that allow customers to pick a specific date of each month when their premium payments will be made. The exact percentage of savings varies by location and carrier.

Good student discounts

Many car insurance companies offer discounts for customers, including active-duty military members and veterans, who have insured teen drivers on their policies. To qualify for good student discounts, teen drivers often must maintain at least a B average.

Safe driver discounts

If you've maintained a clean driving record free of accidents, traffic violations, citations, or speeding tickets, you might be qualified to earn additional savings on your auto coverage. Many car insurance companies offer safe driver discounts to all qualified customers, including active military members and veterans.

Multi-vehicle discount

In most cases, military members and veterans can save a good bit of money on car insurance by insuring more than one vehicle through the same carrier. These multi-car discounts are offered by many auto insurance carriers across the country.

How to Get Military Car Insurance Discounts

Car insurance companies require proof of your service in order to be eligible for any specific military or veteran discounts. You'll likely be asked to provide official documents that detail your military status. These may include a letter of deployment, an ROTC contract, a D214 Member 4 copy, or a discharge certificate. If you shop for car insurance coverage with an independent insurance agent, your agent can also advise you on exactly which documents are required to receive the discounts you're entitled to.

The Best Car Insurance Companies for Military and Veteran Discounts

Many car insurance companies offer some form of military and veteran discounts. However, some carriers offer better discount options and overall coverage. Here are a few of our top recommendations for the best car insurance companies for military and veteran discounts this year.


           

Military Car Insurance Company	Discount Savings	Star Rating
USAA	Up to 60% savings for military members and veterans who aren't using their vehicles (except in HI, NC, and VA), and up to 15% savings on comprehensive coverage for military members who garage their vehicles on base.	5 Stars
Liberty Mutual	Savings percentage varies by location and eligibility. Military and veteran discounts aren't offered in every state.	4.5 Stars
Arbella	Up to 10% savings. Discount only offered in Massachusetts.	4.5 Stars

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FAQs About Military and Veteran Car Insurance Discounts

An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find Military and Veteran Car Insurance Discounts

Now you know how military and veteran car insurance discounts work. But we all know how valuable your time is, so why do the hard work yourself? Independent insurance agents stay on top of the industry and all the latest military and veteran car insurance discounts, so you don’t have to. These agents can help you review your coverage options from multiple carriers in your area.

They’re not just there at the beginning, either. If something unexpected should happen and you need to file a car insurance claim, they’ll help you meet deadlines and ensure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to. That can take a lot of work off your shoulders, and it’s the least we can do to say thanks.