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USAA Insurance Reviews

Our reviews team rates USAA Insurance 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and names it the Best For Military Members for its great customer service, prices, and coverage.

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USAA car insurance is popular among military members and their families. But what do USAA insurance reviews reveal about the company and its claims process?

If you or a family member are an active-duty or retired service member, our review takes a close look at USAA reviews, cost, coverage, and reputation to help you decide whether it’s the best choice for you. We’ll also compare USAA to other providers that scored well in our industry-wide review of the best car insurance and cheapest car insurance companies.

USAA Car Insurance Reviews

We give USAA a 4.5 rating out of 5.0 and recognize it as one of the top insurers in the country for military members, veterans, and their families. The company’s “4.5” rating was aggregated from USAA’s performance across four main areas — cost, coverage, reliability, and customer service.

Reviews CategoryRatings Score
Reliability4.5
Availability4.0
Coverage4.8
Cost4.7
Service4.3
Technology4.9

These scores were calculated using the same methodology our review team uses to deliver unbiased assessments of auto insurance companies.

Is USAA Good Insurance?

Not only are USAA policies some of the least expensive nationwide, but USAA also boasts excellent customer service and full coverage offerings. The only drawback to USAA insurance is that it isn’t available to all drivers. If you aren’t a member of the military, a veteran, or the child or spouse of a USAA member, you won’t be able to purchase USAA auto insurance. Below is a breakdown of our rating of USAA and each category that makes up our ratings.

Pros And Cons of USAA Auto Insurance

To help put these scores in perspective, here are the pros and cons of USAA insurance:

Our Take

Pros Affordable rates for most drivers High satisfaction scores and ratings in J.D. Power studies A++ financial strength rating Highly rated mobile app
Cons Only available for military members, veterans, and their families Usage-based insurance program not available in all states Not the cheapest option for drivers with a DUI

USAA Car Insurance Reviews And Ratings

With more than a century in the auto insurance industry, USAA has developed an overall positive reputation. However, the company is not currently rated by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and does not hold accreditation with them at this time. But it does have an A++ AM Best financial strength rating, which rates companies on their financial stability and ability to pay out customer claims.

USAA Customer Satisfaction Survey

Our Jalopnik reviews team conducted a survey on the quality of 15 different car insurance providers. Of the nearly 7,000 respondents, 5.6 percent had a USAA policy. The table below showcases the average ratings USAA received from customers across several survey categories:

Survey CategoryRating
Overall Satisfaction4.3
Affordability3.8
Coverage Selection3.9
Mobile App Rating4.2
Customer Service From Agents4.2
Claims Service4.3

*All ratings are out of 5.0 points each.

USAA Car Insurance Claims

Most customers’ reviews of the USAA insurance claims process are positive. In the  J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM, USAA’s score places it fourth across all insurance providers. However, this seems to conflict with reporting by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). USAA’s NAIC complaint index is 1.06, which is above the national average.

USAA Customer Insurance Reviews: BBB

Nearly 1,000 customer reviews on the BBB give the provider an overall rating of 1.2 out of 5.0. The company has closed over 3,700 complaints on the BBB website in the last three years. This is an extraordinarily low number for a company of its size. Below are some positive reviews and complaints about USAA insurance’s services.

Positive USAA Insurance Reviews

Many reviewers on the BBB report that USAA customer assistance is excellent and that claims service is quick and efficient.

“I have been with USAA […] for over 24 years now and [it has] the most professional, understanding, knowledgeable, and friendly people I have ever met throughout my life. There have been no delays in service, such as roadside assistance, vehicle repairs, financial assistance, investing money, etc. I seriously have never been let down in over 24 years working with USAA.”

– Jason G., Aug. 19, 2022 via BBB

“We love USAA! We have [it] for our auto insurance […] [It has] excellent customer service–very knowledgeable. [Each] time we have had to file a claim, [the company’s employees] have expedited the process and communicated with us well. We’ve had [USAA] as our primary insurance company for about 30 years, and have never had one complaint with [it]!”

– Debbie C., Nov. 16, 2021 via BBB

Negative USAA Insurance Reviews

There are some reports of poor claims service with USAA. Here’s the report of one person whose car was hit from behind by a driver with USAA insurance:

“I had my car in the shop for almost about a month. […] I went to go pick up my car and was told that I owed over $3,000. […] I [called] USAA  [to] try and figure out what was going on and [a representative] told me that they had sent me a reimbursement check–which they had not. I think they screwed up the address. […] I paid 100% for this accident and [USAA] paid for nothing.”

-Avrina L., Dec. 16, 2022 via BBB

Some customers also talk about bad roadside assistance after accidents:

“The roadside program is horrible and the USAA call center representative was not helpful. [I] waited four hours for a tire change, and [assistance] never came. I had to pay a local shop to come. The second time, we called at 10 a.m. and [we were] stranded on the highway until four p.m. [There wasn’t any] inclement weather or anything, and the operators were not helpful.”

– Monsurah D., Dec. 16, 2022 via BBB

Negative experiences seem to be the exception. Based on the low volume of complaints and high scores in industry surveys, USAA has one of the superior customer reputations among insurers.

USAA Mobile App Reviews

USAA auto insurance policies can be managed through the USAA mobile app, which can also be used to pay your bills and file claims. The USAA insurance app has a 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5.0-star rating on the App Store. These are high scores and indicate that the app works well with few issues.

USAA SafePilot Reviews

The SafePilot app has a 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating on Google Play. Several reviewers note that the app has trouble tracking driving data and often doesn’t work. The app is better reviewed in the App Store where it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 and appears to be working well for most users.

About USAA Insurance Company

Founded: 1922
Headquarters: San Antonio, TX
States available: All 50 states
AM Best financial strength rating: A++

United Services Automobile Association (more commonly known as USAA) has been providing top-rated insurance coverage to customers for nearly 100 years. The insurer is known for its high customer satisfaction–which is backed up by scores of positive USAA insurance reviews from customers. USAA’s insurance products are available in every state for those who qualify for membership.

USAA Car Insurance Coverage

USAA offers the six standard types of car insurance coverage, which include:

Liability Bodily injury (BI) liability insurance covers the medical expenses for other drivers and their passengers after an accident where you are at fault. Property damage (PD) liability coverage pays for damages to other drivers’ vehicles following an at-fault accident.
Collision Collision insurance pays for damages that occur while your car is moving, either with another vehicle or a road hazard, or if you flip your vehicle.
Comprehensive Comprehensive insurance pays for damages to your own vehicle that are caused by animals or natural disasters. It also pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is stolen or vandalized.
Medical Payments Medical payments (MedPay) covers medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident.
Personal Injury Protection Personal injury protection (PIP) pays the medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident. PIP may also pay for other expenses such as lost wages.
Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you are hit by another driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to fully pay for the cost of damages.

USAA Coverage Options

In addition to standard coverage, USAA offers the following coverage options:

Roadside Assistance Provides services for towing, lockouts, winching, and fluid delivery
Rental Reimbursement Pays for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop for covered repairs
Car Replacement Assistance If your vehicle is a total loss, pays an additional 20% over the car’s actual cash value
Accident Forgiveness Can be purchased or is provided free after you’ve gone accident-free for five years and guarantees your insurance premium won’t rise after an accident
Rideshare Insurance Helpful if you use your vehicle for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft

Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement are standard add-on offerings among insurers. Car replacement assistance (CRA) policies are less common but useful to ensure you can replace your vehicle with the newest model if it gets totaled. A CRA policy is especially valuable to those who drive a lot–and may quickly depreciate the value of their vehicle.

USAA Rental Car Insurance

USAA will cover the damages or pay for the rental if you have rental car reimbursement on your personal car insurance plan. Your personal plan should also cover rentals as a standard, but it is limited to your policy terms. USAA also offers a rental car insurance program through four major rental companies including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz.

USAA Commercial Auto Insurance

USAA offers commercial auto insurance through USAA’s partner network. Their commercial auto insurance can include up to five standard parts: liability insurance, medical coverage, comprehensive, collision, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. You may need USAA commercial car insurance if your vehicle is used for a business, ads are displayed on your business vehicle, you own a trucking business, or you rent vehicles for your business.

USAA Rideshare Insurance

USAA offers rideshare insurance as an add-on to your personal auto insurance policy for people who are drivers for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. These policies are usually affordable and can be as low as $6 per month and also offer better coverage than rideshare companies.

USAA Usage-Based Insurance

The USAA usage-based insurance program is called SafePilot and it monitors and scores your driving for possible discounts on your policy. Your trips are automatically logged and scored, so there’s no need to open the app every time you drive. The SafePilot program is currently available in most states except for the following: 

  • California
  • Delaware
  • Massachusetts (certain restrictions)
  • New Jersey
  • New York

How To Cancel USAA Auto Insurance

Policyholders can request to cancel their USAA auto insurance policy through their online account, by mail, or by speaking with a customer service representative at 1-800-531-8722. You can arrange to have your policy canceled immediately or at a later date. You will need your name, address, date of birth, and policy information when making a cancellation request. 

If you paid for your insurance policy up front, USAA will prorate the unused portion. The insurer does not impose any cancellation or early termination fees.

How Much Is USAA Car Insurance?

We found that the average 35-year-old married driver with good credit and a clean driving record pays $1,054 per year or $88 per month for full-coverage car insurance from USAA. 

USAA Car Insurance Prices

According to our cost research, USAA is one of the cheapest car insurance options for most drivers–which is supported by many USAA insurance reviews. However, the cost estimates reflected in the sections below will likely not reflect USAA car insurance prices for yourself. That’s because car insurance quotes are influenced by various factors, which we’ll explain below.

USAA Car Insurance Rates By State

The table below shows rate estimates for a USAA policy for a 35-year-old married driver who has a good credit score and clean driving history. It’s important to note that these are estimates and the rates you receive may vary.

StateAnnual Rate EstimateStateAnnual Rate Estimate
Alabama$987 Alaska$949
Arizona$1,257 Arkansas$933
California$1,408 Colorado$1,202
Connecticut$1,275 Delaware$1,240
District of Columbia$1,129 Hawaii$1,006
Georgia$1,208 Kansas$843
Idaho$648 Louisiana$1,576
Kentucky$1,409 Maryland$920
Maine$568 Michigan$1,718
Minnesota$1,060 Mississippi$860
Missouri$758 Montana$865
Nebraska$1,044 Nevada$1,239
New Hampshire$714 New Mexico$882
New York$1,974 North Dakota$762
Ohio$1,027 Oklahoma$953
Oregon$945 Pennsylvania$1,457
Rhode Island$918 South Carolina$1,105
South Dakota$1,196 Tennessee$797
Texas$1,481 Utah$896
Vermont$724 Virginia$824
Washington$813 West Virginia$870
Washington$813 Wyoming$920

*Cost information not available for USAA auto insurance in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

USAA Car Insurance Rates By Age

USAA's car insurance rates for teen drivers and young adult motorists are relatively standard. The younger a driver is, the higher their auto insurance premiums usually are, and USAA is no exception. Below are the company's average annual estimates for full-coverage car insurance per age group.

AgeEstimated Average Car Insurance Cost
16$4,784
17$3,398
18$2,897
19$2,261
21$1,609
25$1,292
30$1,160
40$1,079
45$1,051
50$1,021
55$1,012
65$1,057
75$1,260

USAA High-Risk Auto Insurance Rates

Auto insurance premiums always rise for drivers who have any speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, DUI convictions or other traffic violations on their records. Here are the average annual car insurance rates for USAA drivers by traffic violation:

Traffic ViolationUSAA’s Estimated National Average Per Year
Speeding Ticket (16 to 20 mph over limit)$1,413
DUI Conviction$2,236
Accident (single vehicle $2,500)$1,647
Accident (single vehicle $2,500 + 16 to 20 mph over limit)$1,903
Two Accidents$2,565

Is USAA Car Insurance Expensive?

No, USAA car insurance is not expensive compared with other large insurance providers in the U.S. We found that USAA car insurance tends to be around 39 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,730 per year.

USAA Insurance Compared To Others

See how USAA's average national rates per year for both minimum and full-coverage car insurance stack up against other providers like State Farm, Geico, and Progressive.

Car Insurance Company Full Coverage Annual Rate Estimate
USAA $1,054
Nationwide $1,281
Geico $1,308
State Farm $1,481
Progressive $1,611

USAA Car Insurance Quotes

USAA car insurance rates depend on a variety of factors and are highly personalized. Below is a list of what information car insurance premiums are determined based on:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Location
  • Driving record
  • Credit score
  • Marital status
  • Vehicle type

The best way to get an idea of how much a policy with USAA would cost you is to reach out for your own personalized car insurance quote. USAA insurance reviews often mention how simple and straightforward the quote process is.

USAA Car Insurance Discounts

One way that customers save money on insurance is through discounts. Every insurer has its own set of discount offers, and finding a provider that offers valuable discounts for which you are eligible can greatly reduce overall car insurance costs. USAA discount offers include:

Good Student Discount Offered to full-time students with good grades
Safe Driver Discount Available for drivers with a clean driving record for 5 or more years
Garage Discount Available for customers who garage (regularly park) their vehicle at a military installation–applies to comprehensive coverage policies
Defensive Driving Discount Offered to drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course
Driver’s Ed Discount Available to drivers under 21 who complete a driver training course
Bundling Discount Provides premium discounts for policyholders who also have USAA property insurance products, such as USAA home insurance or renters insurance
Multi-Vehicle Discount Provides discounts for those who insure more than one car with USAA
New Vehicle Discount Available for vehicles that are no more than three years old
Anti-Theft Discount Provides a comprehensive insurance discount for vehicles with anti-theft devices installed
Storage Discount Offers up to a 60 percent discount on premiums to service members who keep their cars in storage on a military base while deployed
Loyalty Discount Available to customers with a parent who has a policy with USAA

Below are a couple more options you have for car insurance discounts with USAA.

USAA Rental Car Discount

USAA's car rental discounts can be as high as 30 percent for members depending on the rental car company. Each company also includes additional benefits such as unlimited mileage and a break on additional driver fees. Currently, the four car rental companies that offer USAA rental discounts include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz. Budget and Avis both only offer discounts on their members-only sites. Below is a breakdown of each company's unique discounts:

  • Avis: Currently Avis offers a deal of up to 30 percent of rental rates with free upgrades.
  • Budget: Recent discount deals for Budget offer 10 percent off of rates at neighborhood locations, free upgrades, and $10 off regular rates when spending at least $175.
  • Enterprise: According to the USAA website Enterprise offers a discount of 5 percent.
  • Hertz: This company offers a standard discounted rate and combined with special offers can be up to 25 percent on time and mileage rates. Another discount offer is on international rentals that are up to 10 percent.

USAA SafePilot Discount

SafePilot® can give you a discount of up to 30 percent on your policy bill by monitoring your driving habits through a mobile app. Premium reductions are offered to those who avoid driving at night, brake gently, and maintain low annual mileage.

USAA Insurance Products

Insurance products offered through USAA include:

  • Auto insurance
  • Boat insurance
  • Motorhome insurance
  • Renters insurance
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Medical insurance
  • Pet insurance

Below is a detailed summary of their coverage options for their homeowners and life insurance policies.

USAA Homeowners Insurance

USAA offers home insurance coverage for military members, veterans, and their families. The company provides the following types of homeowners insurance: 

  • Dwelling coverage: This covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home if it is damaged or destroyed by a covered event. 
  • Personal belongings coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your personal property items if they were damaged or destroyed by a covered event. 
  • Home sharing coverage: This protects you and your guests if you’re renting out a room or your entire house. 
  • Loss of use coverage: This covers your increase in living expenses if your home is not livable after a covered loss. 
  • Personal liability coverage: This provides coverage when you are legally responsible for accidental injury or damage to the property of others. 
  • Other structures: This covers other structures on your property separate from the home, such as detached garages, storage sheds, fences, and driveways. 

The insurance provider also provides earthquake coverage for those wanting extra protection. Those who purchase both home and auto insurance through USAA can save up to 10 percent off their insurance by bundling their policies. 

USAA Life Insurance

USAA offers two types of life insurance coverage, term coverage and permanent coverage. Term life insurance provides temporary coverage that lasts up to 30 years with a fixed monthly payment. It costs as little as $12 a month and can pay off your mortgage or your children’s education after you are gone. A permanent life insurance policy offers coverage that lasts a lifetime. It includes a death benefit that’s paid to a beneficiary. 

To find out more about USAA home and life insurance, you can contact the company at 800-531-5433.

USAA Auto Insurance Reviews: Conclusion

Our team rates USAA Insurance 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its great customer service, ratings, and cheap rates. For these reasons and more, our reviews team also names it the Best For Military in 2022. Overall, USAA has great prices as well as mostly positive customer reviews so it can be a great option for your insurance needs, but it must be noted that it is only offered to military families.

If you're eligible, joining USAA allows insurance benefits to carry over and cover your family members. Although USAA can be a good option, we urge you to search around and compare insurance quotes to find the best deal.

USAA Auto Insurance Competitors: Best Companies

If you aren't a service member or part of a military family, or you want to compare other car insurance options, you can request personalized car insurance quotes from several of our other top-recommended insurers. It's generally a good idea to compare rates from several providers when shopping for car insurance.

Geico: Best For Discounts

We award Geico 4.6 out of 5.0 stars, for its long list coverage options, record of reliable claims service, and availability towards most drivers.

Geico has a long history of meeting customer claims obligations. Premium rates are low and may be the cheapest option for many drivers–especially for good drivers, young drivers, and drivers with poor credit.

Progressive: Best Usage-Based Insurance

Progressive is one of the largest insurers in the country, and it offers low auto insurance rates for drivers with recent traffic violations or DUIs in particular. The provider offers full coverage car insurance plus a number of valuable add-on options.

We recognized Progressive for having the Best Usage-Based Insurance because of its Snapshot® program, which makes the provider a great option for those who don’t drive very often or those with excellent driving habits. The Snapshot app is well reviewed on both Google Play and the App Store.

USAA Insurance Reviews: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions from USAA auto insurance reviews:

Where does USAA rank in insurance?

In our 2022 review of the best car insurance companies, we rated USAA a 4.6 out of 5.0 and named it Best For Military Members. The only other company we rated as high was State Farm.

Is USAA cheaper than most?

USAA has the cheapest auto insurance for many drivers, and our quote research indicates that it is the cheapest insurer on average. However, individual rates vary depending on a number of factors, so the only way to find the cheapest insurance for your vehicle is to compare personalized quotes.

Does USAA pay claims well?

USAA insurance reviews indicate that the company reliably pays customer claims. While some have complained about USAA claims service on the BBB website, the volume of complaints is exceptionally low for a company of USAA’s size.

How much is USAA car insurance per month?

USAA monthly premiums can range anywhere from $20 a month to hundreds of dollars a month. Your rates will depend on the policy you choose as well as personal details such as your age, gender, driving history, and more.

Can anyone join USAA?

Not everyone can join USAA. USAA membership is only available to members of the U.S. armed services, veterans, or those who have either a parent or spouse who is a USAA customer.

Can you pay USAA car insurance monthly?

Yes, you can sign up for monthly payments for your USAA car insurance. However, you can receive policy discounts if you pay your premium up front and in full. Setting up automatic payments will also reduce your overall insurance bill.

What are USAA auto insurance payment options?

Your USAA auto insurance bill can be paid with a checking or savings account. You also have the option to pay with MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. You can pay your bill online, over the phone, or through mail.

How We Rate Insurers

Our auto insurance review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the 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 easy-to-use claims apps.

*Data accurate at time of publication.