USAA SafePilot Insurance Review (2023)
USAA policyholders can enroll in SafePilot to save money on car insurance. With SafePilot, USAA tracks customers’ driving habits and rewards safe drivers with additional savings on coverage.
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- SafePilot is a usage-based program offered by USAA that tracks a person’s driving habits
- The SafePilot program tracks habits like braking, acceleration, driving time of day, and distracted driving
- People who drive safely can save up to 30% on their auto insurance coverage with USAA
When you search for car insurance coverage, the cost of a policy is likely your top concern. As a result, many people search for cheap auto insurance coverage or companies that offer discounts to help lower the cost of auto insurance in their state.
If you qualify for car insurance with USAA, you could save money on your policy by enrolling in SafePilot. USAA SafePilot is a usage-based auto insurance program that allows policyholders to save money when they practice safe driving. SafePilot tracks customers’ driving habits, and the company rewards individuals who drive safely with lower auto insurance premiums.
However, you must qualify for coverage with USAA by being affiliated with the military. Even if you have affiliations individually or with a parent or spouse, you could save up to 30% on your car insurance coverage by participating in the SafePilot program.
It can be difficult to choose an auto insurance policy. Before making any coverage decisions, you should find and compare rates with multiple car insurance companies. Comparing quotes from multiple companies will allow you to determine which car insurance company offers the coverage you want at a price that works with your budget.
What is USAA SafePilot?
SafePilot with USAA is a usage-based auto insurance program that tracks and monitors how individuals drive their vehicles. If you are a safe driver, you will receive additional discounts on your auto insurance coverage.
Participants automatically earn 10% off their car insurance costs by signing up for SafePilot. If you drive safely, you could be eligible to save an additional 30% on your monthly or annual auto insurance rates.
USAA uses an app on policyholders’ smartphones to track different aspects of their driving practices. The better participants score on the SafePilot app, the more money they will save on their auto insurance coverage.
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How does the SafePilot program with USAA work?
To participate in the USAA SafePilot program, you must download the SafePilot app from USAA. The SafePilot app is available for iOS and Android users.
You have 14 days once you enroll in the SafePilot program as your trial period. During this time, the SafePilot app monitors and assesses your driving patterns and offers tips and guidance for improvement. However, this period does not impact your final driving score or your ultimate discount for participating in the SafePilot program.
After the 14-day trial period, SafePilot begins scoring your driving behavior. The app will score your driving habits for the duration of your policy, and the score you receive will ultimately determine how much you will save on your car insurance coverage. However, you will not receive additional discounts until you renew your policy with USAA.
The USAA SafePilot program does not stop monitoring your driving habits after you renew your policy. Instead, the company continues tracking your driving habits and behaviors and adjusting your discount based on your performance. USAA states that poor driving habits will not cause your rates to increase. Still, the company can increase your rates for other reasons.
Is SafePilot with USAA worth it?
SafePilot may be a good program, but other usage-based insurance programs may offer more promise.
USAA SafePilot is not for everyone simply because the company does not offer coverage to individuals who do not have an affiliation with the United States military. In addition, other telematics or usage-based programs don’t penalize policyholders for things like hands-free phone usage, while SafePilot does.
USAA SafePilot service reviews suggest customers are not pleased with the SafePilot app. USAA policyholders state that the SafePilot app and program penalize too harshly for hard braking and immediate stops. Additionally, many customers believe the SafePilot app does not correctly identify whether an individual is a driver or passenger, which could result in unfair assessments of things like distracted driving and hands-free phone usage.
How does SafePilot compare to other programs?
USAA is not the only company to offer a usage-based auto insurance program. Companies like Allstate, Nationwide, State Farm, Geico, and Liberty Mutual all have their own versions of a telematics-based auto insurance program.
Furthermore, companies like Allstate, Nationwide, and Liberty Mutual do not consider phone usage when determining your discount opportunities. However, Geico and Progressive state on their company websites that they may raise a policyholder’s rates if that individual participates in high-risk driving.
Learn more about Geico DriveEasy Service Review here to see how the company’s usage-based program differs from SafePilot.
Average Annual Telematic Insurance Rates by Company
| Insurance Company | Program | Device | Unemployed Annual Rates | Earned Savings (Up to) | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | AAADrive | Mobile App | $1,984 | 30% | $1,389 |
| Allstate | Drivewise | Mobile App | $1,984 | 25% | $1,488 |
| American Family | KnowYourDrive | Plug-in | $1,984 | 40% | $1,190 |
| Esurance | DriveSense | Mobile App | $1,984 | 30% | $1,389 |
| Liberty Mutual/SafeCo | RightTrack | Mobile App or Plug-in | $1,984 | 30% | $1,389 |
| MetLife | My Journey | Plug-in | $1,984 | 30% | $1,389 |
| Nationwide | SmartRide | Plug-in | $1,984 | 40% | $1,190 |
| Progressive | Snapshot | Mobile App or Plug-in | $1,984 | 20% | $1,587 |
| Mile Auto | Mile Auto | Neither | $1,984 | 40% | $1,190 |
| State Farm | Drive Safe & Save | Mobile App or Plug-in | $1,984 | 50% | $992 |
| The Hartford | TrueLane | Plug-in | $1,984 | 25% | $1,488 |
| Travelers | IntelliDrive | Mobile App | $1,984 | 30% | $1,389 |
| Metromile | Metromile | Mobile App | $1,984 | 60% | $794 |
USAA does offer the cheapest auto insurance rates from a national insurer. The average USAA auto insurance policy is nearly 50% cheaper than the national average, and customers pay just $224 for a six-month liability-only policy, which equates to just $37 per month.
If you are affiliated with the U.S. armed forces, you should get an auto insurance quote from the company. You may be happy with the rates USAA offers for car insurance coverage in your state.
USAA’s SafePilot program may not be worth it for many policyholders because it continually tracks and monitors your driving patterns. The SafePilot app may falsely accuse you of using your phone while driving or penalize you for hard braking.
Still, if you’re willing to put up with the downsides of the SafePilot program, you may save a significant amount of money by doing so.
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How much money can I save with SafePilot?
Once you enroll in the SafePilot program, you automatically save money on car insurance rates. The amount you save by enrolling in the program varies from state to state, but the most you can save is 10% on your coverage.
USAA states that the number of drivers you have on your auto insurance policy will impact your savings with the SafePilot program. For example, if multiple drivers are listed on your policy, but not everyone enrolls in the program, you will lose savings since other people will drive the vehicle without being monitored.
What does SafePilot track?
SafePilot deducts points for certain activities, and the app tracks several driving patterns and habits. Some of the things SafePilot deducts points for include:
- Touching your phone while driving
- Hands-free phone calls while driving
- Hard braking for any reason
Many USAA policyholders state the SafePilot app is inaccurate in its assessment of braking patterns and hands-free phone usage. In addition to monitoring how you drive, the app monitors and tracks information from your smartphone. Some of the things the app tracks include:
- Location
- Speed
- Time of day
- Whether you’re the driver or passenger
- Acceleration
- Swerving
- Cornering
- Distance driven
- Annual hours driven
The USAA SafePilot app tracks you 24/7, making some policyholders uneasy. If you do not want the app to track you, you may not want to enroll in the SafePilot program.
USAA also stipulates in its contract that it can use your information and data to analyze collisions. So, if you’re in a car accident and enrolled in SafePilot, USAA can use your phone’s information to determine whose fault it was.
Where is SafePilot available?
SafePilot is currently available in 37 states in the U.S. USAA sells auto insurance policies in every state, but SafePilot is only available in the following states:
States Where USAA Safe Pilot is Available
| USAA SafePilot Availability | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Maryland | Pennsylvania |
| Alaska | Michigan | Rhode Island |
| Arizona | Minnesota | South Carolina |
| Arkansas | Mississippi | South Dakota |
| Colorado | Missouri | Tennessee |
| Florida | Montana | Texas |
| Georgia | Nebraska | Utah |
| Idaho | Nevada | Virginia |
| Iowa | New Mexico | Washington |
| Kansas | North Dakota | West Virginia |
| Kentucky | Ohio | Wyoming |
| Louisiana | Oklahoma | |
| Maine | Oregon | |
If you do not live in a state listed above, you may still be eligible for a USAA auto insurance policy. In addition, anyone interested in a usage-based car insurance program can research other car insurance companies that offer the service.
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Can anyone get a USAA policy?
Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies for car insurance coverage with USAA. As noted previously, you must be affiliated with the United States military to purchase auto insurance or any insurance product with USAA. The company extends insurance policies to active, retired, and separated veterans with a discharge type of “Honorable” and “General Under Honorable Conditions” from the U.S. military. USAA also allows family members of military personnel to purchase insurance coverage.
Does USAA offer other auto insurance discounts?
In addition to the SafePilot auto insurance program, USAA offers additional discount opportunities to its policyholders. Some of the most popular discounts with USAA include:
- Safe driver
- Defensive driver
- Driver training course
- Good grades
- Multi-car
- Multi-policy
- New vehicle
- Anti-theft device
- Garaging on a military installation
- Deployment
If you are deployed, you could save 60% on your auto insurance policy with USAA. Other discounts with the company could help you save up to 25% on your auto insurance coverage, though it depends on other factors like where you live and how often you drive.
USAA SafePilot Insurance: The Bottom Line
USAA’s SafePilot program allows policyholders to save money on coverage when they enroll in the usage-based assessment. SafePilot tracks your driving habits and determines how safe you are behind the wheel. USAA states its policyholders will not receive rate increases due to enrolling in the program.
Still, USAA’s app leaves much to be desired, and customers state it unfairly assesses their driving patterns, braking patterns, and hands-free phone usage. So if you’re interested in a usage-based program to save money, you may want to look elsewhere for coverage.
Remember to find and compare auto insurance quotes with multiple companies before you commit to a policy. Comparing quotes will help you determine which company offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is USAA SafePilot?
SafePilot is a usage-based auto insurance program offered by USAA. It tracks and monitors the driving habits of policyholders and rewards safe drivers with additional savings on their coverage.
How does the SafePilot program with USAA work?
To participate in the SafePilot program, policyholders must download the SafePilot app from USAA and enroll in the program. The app tracks driving habits and assigns a score based on safe driving behavior. The score determines the amount of savings on the auto insurance premiums.
Is SafePilot with USAA worth it?
While SafePilot may offer potential savings, it may not be suitable for everyone. Some policyholders have expressed dissatisfaction with the SafePilot app, citing issues with the assessment of braking patterns and hands-free phone usage. It is recommended to consider other usage-based insurance programs and compare options before making a decision.
How does SafePilot compare to other programs?
USAA is not the only insurance company offering a usage-based auto insurance program. Other companies like Allstate, Nationwide, State Farm, Geico, and Liberty Mutual have their own versions. It’s important to research and compare different programs to find the one that best suits your needs.
How much money can I save with SafePilot?
The savings with SafePilot vary depending on the state and the number of drivers on the policy. Policyholders automatically save 10% by enrolling in the program, and additional savings of up to 30% are possible based on driving behavior.
What does SafePilot track?
SafePilot tracks various driving patterns and habits, including speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration, and phone usage. The app also collects data from the policyholder’s smartphone, which some individuals may find intrusive.
Where is SafePilot available?
SafePilot is currently available in 37 states in the U.S. However, USAA offers auto insurance policies in all states, so individuals who do not live in the eligible states can still obtain coverage without participating in SafePilot.
Can anyone get a USAA policy?
No, not everyone is eligible for USAA coverage. USAA is exclusively available to individuals affiliated with the United States military, including active, retired, and separated veterans with certain discharge types. Family members of military personnel are also eligible.
Does USAA offer other auto insurance discounts?
In addition to the SafePilot program, USAA offers additional discounts to its policyholders, such as deployment discounts and multi-policy discounts. The specific discounts available may vary depending on factors such as location and driving habits.
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.