USAA Auto Insurance Review (2024)

USAA Auto Insurance highlighting its appeal to military members, veterans, and their families. With competitive monthly rates starting at $58, the insurer is recognized for its longstanding reputation and superior financial strength rating.

The review covers various facets, including coverage options, add-ons, and discounts, with a focus on a telematics program rewarding safe driving habits. It details the insurer’s mobile app features, perks for policyholders, and provides a breakdown of rates for different demographics.

Overall, this review positions USAA Auto Insurance as a solid choice for eligible individuals, offering quality service and potential cost savings.

What You Should Know About USAA

Though there are few complaints about USAA’s auto insurance, every insurance company has pros and cons you should weigh when shopping for coverage.

Customers express satisfaction with their USAA auto insurance coverage, which reflects in the company’s financial and customer satisfaction ratings. However, USAA car insurance also has various drawbacks that potential policyholders should consider before purchasing a policy.

USAA car insurance isn’t the right choice for everyone. You should compare rates against your USAA auto insurance quote to see if the company fits your needs and budget.

Is USAA good insurance?

Yes, USAA is a reputable insurance company you can trust to pay out claims and offer excellent customer service. Since 1922, USAA has served military members, veterans, and their families with auto and other insurance offerings, cementing itself as a trusted name in the insurance industry.

Read more: Top Auto Insurance Providers for Veterans

In the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study — which measures auto insurance satisfaction — USAA received the highest score of any insurance company in the study. The study examined insurance rates, claims, interaction, policy offerings, billing process, and policy information to rank USAA and 45 other companies.

Policyholders don’t need to worry about whether USAA auto insurance will pay out claims. A.M. Best, an agency that measures insurance companies’ financial strength, gives USAA a score of A++, or superior.

On the other hand, its complaint index score from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is 2.27, meaning it receives more than twice the amount of complaints relative to a company of its size.

USAA offers affordable rates, excellent customer service, stable finances, and the ability for policyholders to make the company their one-stop-shop for insurance products. However, you should consider whether you want to do business with an insurer that has a high complaint volume.

USAA Insurance Coverage Options

Most insurance companies offer the same standard insurance companies, including the minimum liability car insurance coverage you need to drive legally.

Almost all U.S. states require liability insurance, but you should consider full coverage auto insurance consisting of the coverages below to protect you and your vehicle. However, you’ll pay more for full coverage than with a liability-only policy.

Aside from add-on coverages, below is a list of the typical auto insurance coverages sold by most companies, including USAA:

• Bodily injury liability. Bodily injury liability pays for the medical expenses of other parties in an accident you cause. However, it doesn’t cover your medical bills.
• Property damage liability. Property damage liability pays for the vehicle or property damage you caused to others in an accident. This coverage doesn’t cover your vehicle or property.
• Collision coverage. Collision auto insurance coverage pays for your vehicle damages if you crash into another object, like another vehicle or stationary object, regardless of fault. It isn’t legally required, but some lenders may require it if you have a vehicle loan or lease.
• Comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage pays for your vehicle damages resulting from non-collision incidents, like weather, falling objects, vandalism, animal damage, or theft.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for your vehicle damages and medical bills if you get involved in a hit-and-run or get into an accident with an uninsured driver.
• Medical payments/personal injury protection. These coverages pay for medical bills after an accident. However, medical payments (MedPay) and personal injury protection coverage (PIP) aren’t the same since MedPay covers less than PIP.

The coverages above consist of a full coverage car insurance policy, though the law won’t require it. However, your lender may require full coverage if you have a car loan or lease. Regardless, you should consider carrying full coverage so you won’t pay out of pocket to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident.

Read more: Which states have the worst drivers?

Does USAA sell any add-on car coverages?

Though you can get full coverage or a liability-only policy, you can also get other add-on coverages with USAA to maximize protection for your vehicle. However, the more add-ons you have, your car insurance rates will increase.

If you want to protect your vehicle beyond the standard auto insurance coverages, review the additional coverages below to see if they would benefit your circumstances.

• Roadside assistance. USAA’s roadside assistance comes to the rescue if you get stranded on the side of the road. It offers towing, lockout services, jump-starts, fuel delivery, and more.
• Accident forgiveness. With USAA accident forgiveness, your rates won’t increase after an accident. You can get this perk with the company after remaining claim free for five years.
• Rideshare insurance. If you drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, you can get coverage through USAA to cover your vehicle. You could also rent a vehicle for ridesharing purposes to protect your personal car.
• Rental reimbursement. If your vehicle is in the shop for repairs after a covered claim, this coverage helps cover the cost of a rental car.
• Car replacement assistance. USAA’s car replacement assistance reimburses you an additional 20% on top of your vehicle’s market value after a total loss.
• Classic car insurance. American Collectors Insurance offers classic car insurance through USAA for vintage and antique vehicles. Vehicles must be stored in a locked garage and driven on a limited basis.

USAA offers everything you need to maintain a road-legal insurance policy and much more, allowing you to customize your policy to fit your unique needs and budget. However, you should only buy the coverages you need since you’ll pay higher rates if you have several add-ons.

Does USAA offer any perks for its policyholders?

Drivers with USAA also enjoy various benefits, like discounted travel, home products, car care, retail, health, and entertainment.

For example, USAA policyholders can save up to 25% with rental car companies like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, or Budget. The company also offers price matching on hotels, cruises, and vacation packages. So if you’re a frequent traveler, USAA likely has some perks you could benefit from.

USAA also offers 24/7 ADT home protection, and a three-month deployment credit for one deployment in a two-year period.

What other insurance types does USAA sell?

Not only does USAA sell auto insurance, but it also offers various other insurance products, allowing policyholders to make USAA a one-stop shop for insurance. Drivers can also bundle their auto policy with a home insurance policy, for instance, to qualify for a bundling discount.

USAA offers the following insurance products:

• Condo
• Renters
• Landlord
• Umbrella
• Life
• Home

Read more: USAA Renters Insurance Review

USAA also partners with third parties to provide other insurance offerings, like:

• Mobile home
• Farm and ranch
• Boat
• Motorcycle or ATV
• RV
• Small business
• Classic car
• Pet
• Travel
• Special event
• Supplemental health
• Mobile phone protection
• Personal cyber

As you can see, USAA offers various other insurance products to fit almost any driver’s needs. Policyholders can also bundle these coverages with their auto insurance to save on their rates.

Does USAA have a mobile app?

Yes, USAA has a mobile app available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store. The app allows you to pay your auto insurance bill, request roadside assistance, get an ID card, and file a claim.

USAA’s website says it recently improved its mobile app and plans to make further improvements throughout 2022, like simplified navigation, smart search, and improved app performance. In addition, new updates allow you to chat with a USAA agent and log in to the app with your face, fingerprint, or voice.

USAA’s mobile app ratings are good. On the App Store, the app has a 4.8/5 star rating, whereas the Google Play Store has an average rating of 4.1/5 stars. Many negative reviews complain that the app is difficult to navigate.

USAA Insurance Rates Breakdown

While comparing average rates is a good way to see how much you could pay for auto insurance, insurers consider other factors when setting rates. Below is a list of factors insurance companies consider when setting rates to offset the risk you pose as a policyholder:

• Age
• Location
• Credit score
• Gender
• Marital status
• Occupation
• Car make and model
• Driving record
• Coverage amount

The average rates below should give you an idea of what you might pay for car insurance, but you should still get a USAA auto insurance quote to know for sure. You should also compare quotes against other companies to ensure you get the best deal.

USAA Car Insurance Rates for Teen Drivers

Insurance companies consider teen drivers high risk since they lack experience behind the wheel and often engage in distracted driving. Teen males especially pay the highest rates, but younger drivers see rates drop when they turn 25.

Look at the table below to see how much teen drivers pay on average:

As you can see, teen drivers can save if they qualify for USAA coverage. For example, a 16-year-old male driver pays about $249 monthly for full coverage car insurance with USAA, almost 60% cheaper than the national average.

USAA Car Insurance Rates for Young Adult Drivers

Drivers in their 20s still see higher rates than other demographics, but they begin to decrease after 25 if they maintain a clean driving record.

Young adult drivers pay about $85 a month for USAA full coverage, approximately $64 less monthly than the national average. The next cheapest company for young adult drivers is State Farm, charging around $110.

USAA Car Insurance Rates for Adult Drivers

Since adult drivers have several years of driving experience, rates tend to be lower than those for teens and young adults.

As you can imagine, USAA’s auto insurance rates for adult drivers are the cheapest.

USAA Car Insurance Rates for Senior Drivers

Insurance companies view drivers in their 60s as high risk due to age-related issues like slower reflexes, vision loss, or other health conditions. These issues make them more likely to cause an accident and a payout for their insurance company, leading to higher auto insurance rates.

However, senior drivers could save if they qualify for USAA. Check out the average rates for older policyholders below.

USAA senior drivers can expect to pay around $57 monthly for full coverage car insurance, around 50% cheaper than the national average. Other competitive companies for senior drivers include Geico and State Farm, with monthly rates of $78 and $84, respectively.

USAA Car Insurance Rates After a Speeding Ticket

A speeding ticket will cause your car insurance rates to increase since it shows insurance companies you engage in risky driving. Since your insurer checks your driving record each policy renewal, you’ll notice higher rates after renewing with a speeding ticket.

USAA offers the lowest rates for drivers after they get a speeding ticket. Look at the table below to see how much you might pay for USAA auto insurance after a speeding violation.

As you can see, the average monthly auto insurance rate after a speeding ticket is $146, whereas USAA only charges $67. You could also find affordable full coverage rates after a speeding ticket with State Farm and Geico.

USAA Car Insurance Rates After an Accident

Finding cheap auto insurance after an accident can be challenging, particularly if the accident was your fault. However, USAA offers some of the lowest rates for drivers with an accident on their driving record.

USAA’s full coverage rates after an accident are around 54% lower than the national average. Drivers with State Farm, Geico, or Travelers could also save on auto insurance after an accident.

USAA Car Insurance Rates After a DUI

Insurance companies take DUI convictions seriously, so expect higher car insurance rates after a DUI.

Drivers who operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to cause an accident, so you’ll obviously pay more if you have a DUI. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 30% of traffic fatalities involve drunk drivers.

As expected, USAA takes the No. 1 spot for its DUI insurance rates.

USAA auto insurance costs about $107 monthly for full coverage after a DUI. You could also find an affordable policy with State Farm or Progressive.

USAA Car Insurance Rates for Poor Credit

Believe it or not, a poor credit score can impact how much you pay for auto insurance coverage. Insurance companies believe drivers with poor credit are more likely to file a claim or miss insurance payments, so they receive higher rates.

Look at the table below to see how much drivers with poor credit could pay for a USAA full coverage car insurance policy.

As you can see, USAA drivers with poor credit pay less than the national average.

How much is USAA minimum car insurance coverage?

A minimum auto insurance policy, or liability auto insurance, offers the coverage you need to drive legally, though required coverages vary by state.

While minimum insurance is cheaper than a full coverage policy, it offers little protection since it doesn’t cover your vehicle or medical bills. So, we recommend carrying full coverage unless your car is old or depreciated in value.

USAA has competitive rates for liability-only insurance. Refer to the table below to see what you might pay for USAA’s minimum auto insurance coverage.

USAA’s average minimum coverage rates are very affordable, coming in at $22 monthly. Geico and State Farm also carry low liability-only rates, charging $30 and $33, respectively.

How much is a USAA full-coverage car insurance policy?

A full coverage auto insurance policy consisting of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages offers the greatest protection for your and your vehicle. While a full coverage policy costs more than minimum coverage, it provides more protection, and some drivers could choose not to carry full coverage if their vehicle is old or low in value.

Expect to pay around $58 monthly for a full coverage USAA auto insurance policy, with the next cheapest options being Geico and State Farm.

USAA Discounts Available

Though you’re already getting some of the lowest rates with USAA, the company offers a diverse array of discounts to give policyholders more opportunities to save on auto insurance coverage.

Depending on your location, USAA drivers could enjoy the following car insurance discounts:

Discount eligibility depends on various factors, like your vehicle, personal characteristics, and policy. Certain discounts may also not be available in every state, so check with a USAA representative to see what discounts you can get.

USAA SafePilot Program

If you’re looking for the best auto insurance companies for people who don’t drive often, USAA’s SafePilot program allows low-mileage, safe drivers to save on their auto insurance rates. Participants receive a 10% discount simply for enrolling, with the opportunity to earn up to 30% depending on their driving habits.

SafePilot is a usage-based telematics program that utilizes a mobile app to track your driving and award savings if you have safe driving habits and drive little. Unlike other telematics programs, SafePilot only gives one driving score per policy. So, if you have multiple drivers on a single policy, the discount considers the average score of each driver.

The app considers driving information like harsh braking, hand-held calling, phone usage, location, and time of day. One downside of the program is that it penalizes drivers for hands-free calling, something most insurance companies’ telematics programs don’t do.

USAA says your rates won’t go up if you enroll in SafePilot and drive unsafely, though you could lose your initial sign-up discount. However, some telematics programs, like Geico DriveEasy, can raise your rates if you drive poorly. (For more information, read our “Geico DriveEasy Review“).

Read more: USAA SafePilot Insurance Review

How else can I save on my USAA auto insurance rates?

Though USAA already offers lower-than-average rates and numerous ways for policyholders to get additional savings, there are other ways to lower your rates. While many factors, like age or gender, are outside of your control, there are some factors you can control.

• Lower your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in, so the lower it is, the lower your car insurance rates. However, don’t lower your deductible to an amount you can’t afford to pay out of pocket.
• Insure a cheap vehicle. If you want to save on your USAA car insurance, you could purchase a vehicle with low value or one that would be cheap to repair, as insurers generally charge these vehicles lower rates.
• Practice safe driving. Your car insurance company will take note if you practice safe driving, avoid accidents, and remain ticket-free.
• Drop unnecessary coverages. If you have an older car that’s depreciated in value, you could drop collision and comprehensive coverages and only carry liability. In general, it’s best to drop full coverage if insurance rates are higher than the potential payout.

Consider the tips above and see if you qualify for any vehicle- or policy-based discounts on your USAA car insurance.

How USAA Ranks Among Providers

In the ever-evolving landscape of auto insurance, choosing the right provider is a crucial decision. Among the myriad options, USAA has consistently positioned itself as a frontrunner, particularly catering to the distinctive needs of military members, veterans, and their families.

• Financial Strength: Backed by superior financial strength ratings, USAA stands out as a financially stable and secure insurance provider.
• Customer Satisfaction: USAA has achieved top rankings in customer satisfaction, notably earning the highest score in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
• Comprehensive Coverage: With a focus on meeting the unique needs of its target demographic, USAA offers comprehensive coverage options, ensuring policyholders have access to a range of protections.
• Add-ons and Discounts: USAA provides flexibility with various add-ons and discounts, allowing policyholders to customize their coverage and potentially save on costs.

This exploration affirms that, for those seeking not just coverage but a partner they can rely on, USAA shines brightly in the constellation of auto insurance providers.