Compare car insurance for the military

If you’re a member of the US armed forces, the reserves or are a veteran, several insurance companies offer rewards for your service with discounts and perks — for life. But the best car insurance companies cater to the military with discounted rates, customizable payment plans, coverage options during deployment and customer support that’s versed in military members’ needs.

We reviewed the top military-friendly companies for their discount, payment plans and customer support, choosing insurers with perks for active and veteran military members.

Finder Rating: 5 / 5

★★★★★

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Best overall for military members: USAA

Optional
Roadside assistance

New car protection

Accident forgiveness

• Info
• Features
• Details

USAA is our top choice for military car insurance because of its highly rated customer service and low rates for military members and their families. It also offers solid support if you're deployed — including help with lowering your coverage and getting international car insurance in some countries.

• Highly rated customer service
• 60% discount for secure car storage while deployed
• 15% discount for cars on base
• Offers international car insurance in 15 countries
• Extends coverage to family members

States served	All 50 states
Roadside assistance	Optional
Pay schedule	12 months, 6 months, custom
Claims methods	Online, Phone
New car protection	No
Accident forgiveness	Yes

Finder Rating: 4 / 5

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Best cheap rates for service members: Geico

Optional
Roadside assistance

New car protection

Accident forgiveness

• Info
• Features
• Details

Geico has a long-standing reputation for low rates and deep discounts, including for military service and insuring multiple vehicles. The company also caters to those who get deployed overseas, allowing you to drop down to storage insurance and offering policies worldwide.

• Known for low rates for most drivers
• 15% discount for active military or veterans
• 25% off if you're deployed to imminent danger zones
• Worldwide car insurance coverage

States served	All 50 states
Roadside assistance	Optional
Pay schedule	12 months, 6 months, custom
Claims methods	Online, Phone, Agent
New car protection	Yes
Accident forgiveness	Yes

Finder Rating: 4 / 5

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Best for payment flexibility: Direct

Optional
Roadside assistance

New car protection

Accident forgiveness

• Info
• Features
• Details

Direct Auto's 25% military discount is one of the highest available, and it offers several installment plans for payments as well as text-to-pay. You can also access insurance reps by way of 400 local offices for in-person support.

But its military discount applies only to liability, comprehensive, collision and uninsured motorist coverage if you live in Alabama, Florida or Louisiana.

• 25% discount for active military
• Text to pay for convenience
• 400 offices for local support
• Caters to drivers with an imperfect record

States served	Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Roadside assistance	Optional
Pay schedule	monthly, custom
Claims methods	phone
New car protection	No
Accident forgiveness	No

Finder Rating: 4 / 5

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Best military support in Japan: Chubb

Optional
Roadside assistance

New car protection

Accident forgiveness

• Info
• Features
• Details

Chubb offers car insurance to USAA members deployed in Japan. You'll get access to a long list of agents located on and off military bases, helping you meet Japan's strict car insurance requirements. Chubb is known for its wide coverage options and for insuring high-value vehicles.

• Meets Japanese and US Forces car insurance requirements
• Offers English-speaking agents on and off base
• Offers free roadside assistance and driver/passenger accident coverage
  

States served	All 50 states
Roadside assistance	Optional
Pay schedule	12 months, 6 months
Claims methods	online
New car protection	No
Accident forgiveness	No

• How we chose these best picks

  When choosing top insurance companies, we started with those that offer discounts and perks specifically for military personnel. Insurance companies with these offerings topped our best military car insurance choices: strong military discounts, extra savings for deployed service members, payment flexibility and good customer support ratings.

Car insurance companies with military discounts

How to compare car insurance as a military member

Buying car insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially if you serve or have served in the military. Consider the coverage and options that best fit your needs:

1. Consider your current military role when choosing coverage.

Before you get quotes from different companies, decide whether you need basic or wide car insurance protection — your military role may play into your decision. So if you’re stationed on base in the US and don’t drive much, you might not want many car insurance add-ons, or you might choose a pay-per-mile policy to reward your low mileage.

2. Compare military-friendly companies to standard companies.

Get quotes from a variety of insurance companies, even if they don’t offer a military discount or other convenient features. Despite a company offering a military discount, you could find the coverage you need at a lower price with a standard car insurance company.

3. Look for perks designed for the military.

Consider whether you need features like customizable payment plans or overseas support. If you typically serve in the States, these features may not matter to you, while a local agent’s support might be essential if you’re deployed overseas.

• Military discounts. Ask about discounts for active or past military service or garaging your car when getting quotes.
• Emergency deployment. If you’re given last-minute deployment orders, you could qualify for a deployment discount for comprehensive coverage.
• Flexible policy management. Deployed troops could see extra flexibility in suspending, canceling and reinstating auto insurance.
• Flexible payment schedule. Many companies let you choose when to pay monthly premiums based on your pay schedule, which might not fall on a standard employer schedule.
• Car buying support. Programs like USAA’s Overseas Vehicle Purchase Program help military members get a car if they’re stationed overseas for over 30 days, with car purchase discounts and delivery to duty stations.

Get car insurance quotes for military members

Compare coverage from a variety of insurance companies, whether you’re on active duty or a veteran. Then, select Get quotes to see your customized rates.

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Name	Product	Military discount	Roadside assistance	New car protection	Accident forgiveness	Available states
Progressive		Yes	Optional			All 50 states	Discover coverage that’s broader than competitors, valuable discounts up to 30% off and perks like shrinking deductibles that reward no claims.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
USAA		Yes	Optional			All 50 states	Affordable car insurance with highly rated customer service. Only available to military members and veterans and their family.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The General		Yes	Optional			All states except Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey	Snag affordable coverage for high-risk drivers, a marketing claim backed by our rate analysis which showed premiums less than $80 a month.	Get quotes More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Farmers		Yes				All 50 states	Say hello to a local Farmers agent who can help you find the best savings from a long list of coverage options.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Should I cancel my insurance while deployed?

Canceling car insurance during deployment isn’t usually the best option since dropping all coverage leaves your car vulnerable to damage from weather, theft and animals.

Plus, canceling will show up on your insurance history as a lapse in car insurance coverage. Most insurers consider lapsed coverage a sign of a risky driver, though some may keep your rates low if you explain about your deployment.

If you drop coverage without filing the proper registration forms with your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you could get your registration suspended.

4 ways to save on car insurance while deployed

You have a few options to save if you’re not using your car while you’re on base or deployed.

1. Drop to the minimum coverage required.

Dropping to state-minimum car insurance is the easiest way to save money without filing extra paperwork to prove that you’re not driving while deployed. You’ll also avoid showing a gap in your car insurance coverage.

Most states require you to buy at least property damage and bodily injury liability coverage to pay for car damage or injuries that you cause to other drivers and passengers. Some states also require uninsured motorist to pay for damage caused by an uninsured driver or personal injury protection to pay for your own medical bills and lost income if you get injured.

2. Get storage insurance.

Some companies let you drop your coverage down to only comprehensive coverage while your car is sitting in a garage or on base. Comprehensive coverage keeps your car protected against theft, weather damage and vandalism, and you drastically reduce your premium.

Storage insurance also avoids a lapse in car insurance coverage, but you may have to send a copy of your military orders to qualify.

Storage insurance doesn’t meet your state’s insurance requirements, so you’ll need to raise your coverage before driving again.

3. Suspend or cancel your policy.

To suspend or cancel your policy, explain to your car insurance company that you’re getting deployed overseas. Your insurer may want proof of your military orders and canceled car registration before canceling since insurance is required to drive in most states.

4. Buy nonowner car insurance, if you’re selling your car.

If you’re selling your car because of deployment, look into nonowner insurance coverage to avoid showing a lapse in your car insurance history. This type of policy protects you against liability if you damage someone else’s car or injure others in an accident.

Bottom line

While USAA’s strong commitment to members of the military make it a strong choice among competitors, consider comparing car insurance companies before deciding on the best fit for you.