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Navy Federal Auto Insurance

Unlock discounts to one of the top-rated car insurance companies with your Navy Federal Credit Union membership.

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In This Review:
Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
03/01/2024 11:54 PM

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Key Points:

  • Navy Federal auto insurance is available to active military and their families, as well as various Department of Defense (DOD) personnel.
  • Navy Federal has partnered with Geico since 2016.
  • Negative reviews of Navy Federal auto insurance often focus on claims processing issues.

In this guide, we’ll explore if Navy Federal auto insurance is the best for your wallet and your peace of mind. We will discuss Navy Federal reviews, coverage options, and cost to see how it stacks up against the best auto insurance providers.

Whenever you shop for car insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors such as your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your premium, so what’s best for your neighbor might not be best for you.

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Navy Federal was founded in 1933 and has partnered with Geico since 2016. According to a press release on Business Wire, the aim of the partnership was to provide affordable, Geico-backed Navy Federal auto insurance to Navy Federal’s eight million members. Both Navy Federal Credit Union and Geico have earned national accolades and top ratings from industry leaders.

Navy Federal Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Partnered with Geico
  • Bundling options for home and auto coverage
  • Long list of discounts

Cons

  • Specific eligibility requirements
  • Claims processing issues cited in customer reviews

Navy Federal Eligibility

While Navy Federal car insurance offers its coverage and discounts through Geico, the company does have restrictions on eligibility. The following people may be eligible for Navy Federal:

  • Active duty, retired, or veteran members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Air National Guard
  • Members of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP)
  • Department of Defense (DOD) reservists, officer candidates/ROTC, civilian employees, US government employees of DOD, civilian retirees, and annuitants
  • Family members of service members listed above including parents, grandparents, spouses, children, siblings, grandchildren, and household members

Aside from auto insurance, Navy Federal Credit Union also offers savings accounts, cash rewards credit cards, personal loans, certificates, auto loans, and private student loans.

Coverage Options With Navy Federal

Navy Federal auto insurance offers all the standard types of auto coverage through Geico, plus a few extras.

Insurance CoverageDetails
Liability Coverage (BI/PD)Liability coverage takes care of any injuries or damage that you cause in an accident. This coverage, which is described 25/50/15, breaks down to $25,000 in bodily injury per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 in property damage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)This type of coverage is highly recommended, even when it’s not required. If you get into an accident with a driver that has little to no insurance of their own, and they are at fault, you can still get coverage.
Comprehensive CoverageAccidents don’t always involve other vehicles. Comprehensive car insurance pays for damage from weather-related incidents, animals, vandalism, and theft.
Collision CoverageIf you’re at fault in an accident, this coverage comes into play. After paying a deductible, insurance will cover part of the cost to fix your own vehicle.
Medical Payments (MedPay)Even if you have strong health insurance, MedPay is a smart add-on to your car insurance. Many plans will offer coverage for up to $10,000 in medical costs in the event of an accident, without a deductible.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)If you live in a no-fault state, PIP is required for all car owners. In addition to medical costs, PIP may cover things like lost wages, household services, or in the event of a death, funeral costs. Coverage applies no matter who is at fault in the accident.

Before signing up for coverage, check your state’s financial responsibility laws, which dictate how much and what form of coverage you are required to have to legally drive in your state. We recommend purchasing more than your state’s minimum to ensure you are financially protected in case of an accident.

Additional Coverage

While most companies offer the six basic types of car insurance listed above, what sets companies apart are the add-ons that they offer. Navy Federal offers the following additional coverage through Geico:

Additional CoverageDetails
Emergency Road ServiceGeico offers 24/7 emergency roadside care to customers for as little as $14 per year, including those with the Navy Federal auto insurance option. The app has a built-in GPS locator that simplifies the process of getting help to you faster. This service typically covers battery jump-starts, flat tire services, and up to $100 of lockout services.
Rental ReimbursementThis optional coverage reimburses renting a car when your own vehicle is in the shop after a covered claim. You can also rent a car if your car has been totaled, but only within certain time limits. Geico has a partnership with Enterprise and will directly bill Geico so you don’t have to pay upfront.
Mechanical Breakdown InsuranceGeico insurance offers an alternative to an extended warranty on your new car. Mechanical breakdown insurance covers mechanical issues that are not due to maintenance or standard wear-and-tear for a $250 deductible.

How much do you save when signing up for Navy Federal auto insurance? As is the case with most insurance plans, this is completely dependent on your driver profile. As a result of our analysis of data obtained from Quadrant Information Services, premium rate estimates for a 30-year-old with good credit and a spotless driving record ranged from $1,000 to $3,000.

Geico, and thereby Navy Federal, is more transparent about its process than many companies, however. The insurer’s actuaries use an extensive set of data based on an evaluation of your personal factors and driving history to determine coverage risk–and therefore your premium and deductible. These factors include:

  • Your location
  • Your driving record
  • Vehicle’s safety features
  • Factors that change over time, such as discounts for loyalty and having a good driving record

Driver Discounts

Navy Federal offers an extensive list of discounts. The majority of customers fit into at least one of the cost-saving categories below:

DiscountDetails
Vehicle EquipmentSave on your premiums when your car has things like airbags, anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft system, and daytime running lights, or falls into the “new vehicle” category.
Driver History and HabitsTo get between 15 and 25 percent off portions of your policy, hit simple milestones like going five years without an accident or proving that you wear your seatbelt.
EducationEarn a range of discounts by taking a defensive driving course, a driver’s educational course, or by being a good student.
AffiliationGeico offers affiliation discounts, just like with Navy Federal auto insurance. Other discounts cover emergency deployment and federal employees.
Multi-PlanSave money when you purchase coverage for multiple cars or more than one type of plan.

One of the perks of Navy Federal’s auto insurance running through Geico is the company’s history with a straightforward claims process. In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠, Geico ranked just below average with a score of 871 out of a possible 1,000.

You can submit a claim in three ways:

  • By phone
  • Online
  • On Geico’s mobile app

There are a few extra perks to reporting your claim through Geico’s mobile app, such as roadside assistance, reimbursement estimates based on photographs, scheduling an appointment with the estimator, and an easy claim tracker.

What To Report When Filing A Claim

When you get into an accident, it is recommended to report the following details to help you when filing your claim:

  • State where it happened
  • Date and time of the accident
  • Overview of the event
  • Contact information for involved parties
  • Police report details
  • Vehicle locations

If the accident has just occurred and you’ve yet to gather all the details, begin your claim by reporting everything you know. You can fill in the remaining details when you have them.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) website is a trustworthy site to visit for detailed complaints and a look into how a company handles them. Navy Federal Credit Union is not BBB accredited and is currently not rated. Comments and complaints on the page mainly focus on Navy Federal’s banking services.

In our August 2022 nationwide survey of nearly 7,000 respondents, over 1,000 Geico policyholders gave the company 4.1 stars out of 5.0 for overall customer satisfaction. The provider also received industry-average ratings for coverage options and affordability.

To review Navy Federal auto insurance it makes more sense to take a look at Geico, since it is the company that actually provides the quotes and claims services to customers.

Positive Geico Auto Insurance Reviews

Positive reviews often focus on customer service and how specific representatives guided customers through the process. Others mentioned how much they were able to save on car insurance through Geico.

“I’ve used Geico for the last 7 years and they have done a great job for me. No issues with claims. No reactive rate hikes after claims. Great communication. I’d recommend this company.”

– Mark C. via BBB

“Absolutely hands down the best customer service in the market. Simple billing and policy changes. Common sense, fantastic company.”

– Emily O. via BBB

Negative Geico Auto Insurance Reviews

Though Geico received an A+ rating from the BBB, it has over 2,000 complaints in the last three years. That’s fairly standard for a large insurance company. Geico representatives have resolved more than 900 complaints  in the past year.

Overall, complaints stem from complicated claims processing issues or not receiving payment in a timely manner. According to reviews, customers occasionally must jump through time-consuming and complicated hoops to get a straight answer about claims.

“Been with Geico for about 5 years. Multiple policies. In the end they are overpriced and have sub par customer service. Shop around, there are better companies out there folks.”

– Chris Carson via Trustpilot

With great coverage and discounts backed by Geico, Navy Federal auto insurance is a great option to both save money and get a solid plan. Through its Geico partnership, Navy Federal shines when it comes to comprehensive services and transparency about its quotes and claims processes. Even if you qualify for coverage, it’s still a good idea to get quotes from other providers to compare rates and coverage.

Navy Federal: Recommended Competitors

Geico–whether offered as Navy Federal auto insurance or on its own–sits near the top of our list of the nation’s best car insurance companies. It has the same rating as USAA, another agency that serves military members and their families.

USAA: 4.5 Stars

Geico and USAA were nearly neck-and-neck in our survey, with only a few differences:

USAA is a smaller company compared to Geico and correspondingly receives fewer complaints overall. It earned some of the highest scores in industry studies by J.D. Power and offers additional coverage for things like gap insurance and car replacement.

That being said, the Navy Federal Credit Union casts a wider net when it comes to eligibility. To qualify for USAA you must be a member of the military, a veteran, or family member. If you do not qualify, we think the Navy Federal auto insurance discount for Geico is a great second choice. For more information, read our full USAA auto insurance review.

Progressive: 4.5 Stars

If you need one more alternative to Navy Federal car insurance that’s great for the military, Progressive car insurance also performed well in our study. Progressive has been rolling with the times, adding unique services like cost-comparison tools and rideshare coverage for its customers. Other top features and benefits include:

  • Its unique program called Snapshot® that can get you a personalized quote based on driving habits
  • The Name Your Price® tool to help you find plans that fit your budget
  • Lower-than-average customer complaints
  • Extensive discounts

Veterans, military members, and their families have a lot of great options for car insurance. Always remember to compare your options so you can partner with the right business to keep you and your vehicle safe and covered. For more, read our full Progressive auto insurance review.

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Here are some frequently asked questions about Navy Federal auto insurance:

Is Navy Federal associated with Geico?

Yes. Navy Federal has partnered with Geico since 2016 to bring quality coverage and an array of discounts to eligible drivers.

Is USAA better than Navy Federal?

Our team actually rates these companies nearly equally. The question of which is the better insurance provider or financial services company for you will likely come down to your exact needs. It’s always best to compare quotes from multiple auto insurance providers to get the best rates.

What is the cheapest car insurance for military members?

According to our research, USAA is typically the cheapest auto insurance provider for members of the military and their families. Navy Federal, with the help of Geico’s many discounts, is another affordable option.

How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

  • Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
  • Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
  • Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
  • Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

Dash Lewis Content Writer

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