USAA car insurance review 2023
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 1:34 p.m. UTC Nov. 2, 2023
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
USAA
Pros
- Low rates for young drivers, seniors and drivers with an accident, DUI or speeding ticket.
- Accident forgiveness and new car replacement coverage available.
- Rideshare coverage available.
- SafePilot usage-based insurance programs can help good drivers save.
Cons
- USAA membership and coverage are only available to members of the military community and their families.
- Gap insurance is not available.
- Number of customer complaints is higher than some evaluated competitors.
- Bundling savings is only 6% on average.
Why trust our insurance experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 780 companies analyzed.
- 7,800 rates reviewed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Does USAA have good car insurance?
Yes, USAA can be a good option for drivers who are eligible for membership. USAA offers some of the most affordable coverage among insurers we’ve analyzed, particularly for teen drivers, senior drivers and drivers with an accident, DUI or speeding infraction on their record.
Price isn’t the only consideration when choosing a car insurance provider, however, and that’s where USAA falls just short of some other insurers in our best car insurance and cheapest car insurance ratings. While more expensive providers receive low or very low levels of customer complaints, USAA’s complaint level is average.
In fact, USAA receives 2% more complaints than the industry average, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Geico receives slightly more customer complaints, but competitors like American Family, Nationwide, Auto-Owners, Travelers and Westfield perform better.
It’s also important to note that USAA car insurance is limited to members of the military community and their eligible family members, so coverage isn’t available to everyone.
Did you know? USAA is the best car insurance for high-risk drivers!
USAA compared to other top car insurance companies
| Company | Our rating | Average annual cost | Complaint level | LEARN MORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Family | 5.0 stars | $2,176 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Auto-Owners | 5.0 stars | $1,628 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Nationwide | 5.0 stars | $2,041 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| USAA | 5.0 stars | $1,412 | Average | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Geico | 4.5 stars | $1,716 | Average | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Travelers | 4.5 stars | $1,852 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Westfield | 4.5 stars | $1,759 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Allstate | 3.5 stars | $3,000 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Farmers | 3.5 stars | $2,381 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Progressive | 3.5 stars | $2,157 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| State Farm | 3.5 stars | $1,959 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Erie | 3.0 stars | $2,144 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Safe Auto | 1.0 stars | $2,647 | Very high | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners |
Who can get USAA car insurance?
Not everyone can get car insurance through USAA. Only members of the U.S. military — active, retired and separated veterans who have been honorably discharged — and their family members can get USAA car insurance.
Eligible family members include spouses, widows and widowers, former spouses who have not remarried and children of USAA members, including both biological and stepchildren.
Current USAA members can typically pass membership on to a spouse and children. They cannot, however, pass eligibility to their parents or siblings.
Types of coverages offered by USAA
USAA offers a range of car insurance coverage options, including:
- Liability car insurance.
- Collision and comprehensive car insurance.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Nonowners insurance.
- Accident forgiveness.
- Usage-based insurance.
- Car replacement assistance.
- Rideshare insurance.
- SR-22s.
- Roadside assistance.
- Rental reimbursement.
- Total loss protection, or gap coverage (some restrictions apply).
While USAA provides robust coverage, it’s missing a few unique options, including a vanishing deductible.
Other insurance products by USAA
In addition to car insurance, USAA offers other types of insurance, including:
- Flood.
- Homeowners.
- Life.
- Renters.
- Umbrella.
- Health.
- Condo.
- Mobile home.
- Motorcycle.
- ATV.
- RV and motorhome.
- Boat.
- Personal watercraft.
- Bicycle and e-bike.
- Classic and collector car.
- Aviation.
- Landlord.
- Valuable personal property.
- Long-term care.
- Farm and ranch.
- Collectibles.
- Cell phone protection.
- Business.
- Dental.
- Vision.
- Accidental injury.
Other services offered by USAA
USAA serves as a one-stop shop for financial products and services for eligible active and retired military members and their families.
Among USAA’s financial products and services are
- Checking accounts.
- Savings accounts.
- Credit cards.
- CDs.
- Auto loans.
- Home loans (including VA loans).
- Personal loans.
- Brokerage accounts.
- Mutual funds.
- IRAs.
- 529 education plans.
- Automated investing.
- Financial planning.
- Annuities.
USAA car insurance reviews
USAA receives a slightly higher-than-average volume of customer complaints. In the auto insurance industry, complaints generally focus on a provider’s claims process: frequency of denials, how long claims take to pay out and disappointing settlements.
Competitors such as Nationwide, Progressive, State Farm, Allstate and Farmers all receive below-average volumes of complaints. Geico receives slightly more than USAA.
Methodology
Our insurance experts evaluated top car insurance companies in the nation to determine which offer the best auto insurance based on average rates, coverage features, collision claims process and consumer complaints.
Each car insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
Cost: 50 points. We analyzed rates from Quadrant Information Services based on seven driver profiles for a policy with 100/300/100 in liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage and comprehensive and collision coverage. We awarded up to 50 points based on insurers’ average rates for:
- Drivers in various age groups.
- Drivers with bad credit.
- Good drivers.
- Drivers with infractions, such as speeding tickets, an accident or a DUI on their record.
Consumer complaints: 30 points. We collected complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which shows the volume of car insurance consumer complaints against each company. When a consumer lodges a complaint to their state’s department of insurance — often about an insurance company’s claims process, delays, denials or settlements — these complaints are logged and tracked.
Car insurance coverage features: 15 points. Car insurance policy features can help make coverage more affordable both before and after an accident or covered incident. We evaluated car insurance policies offered by each insurer and awarded points to insurers that offered these valuable benefits:
- Accident forgiveness (5 points).
- New car replacement (5 points).
- Vanishing deductible (5 points).
SR-22 availability: 5 points. After a major traffic violation, some drivers must provide proof that they have the type and amount of coverage required by their state. Proof of coverage is obtained through an SR-22 filing, but not all insurers offer SR-22. Insurance companies that offer SR-22s were awarded points.
Why some companies didn’t make the cut
Insurance companies with rates significantly higher than the national average, or with a substantial number of customer complaints, did not make our list of the best car insurance companies.
Car insurance companies with a lack of policy options, such as new car replacement or accident forgiveness, may also have been excluded, depending on how well they scored in other categories.
Only USAA members are eligible for USAA car insurance. Memberships is available to:
- Active, retired and honorably separated members of the U.S. military.
- Spouses, widows and widowers, un-remarried former spouses and children (biological and stepchildren) of eligible U.S. military members.
Even if you are eligible for coverage through USAA, it’s a good idea to compare quotes and coverage options from various insurers to find the best car insurance company for you.
Many consumers may like USAA insurance because of the low premiums. By far, most eligible drivers will find significant cost savings and a more affordable car insurance policy through USAA.
While USAA receives more customer complaints than some competitors, including State Farm, Progressive, Westfield and Allstate, the low rates for drivers of all ages and backgrounds are usually more than enough to offset the average complaint level.
USAA car insurance reviews and rates aside, this insurance is only available if you’re a USAA member, and membership is limited to eligible members of the military community and their families.
USAA may raise your rates after a no-fault accident. Car insurance providers like USAA raise rates for a number of reasons, including collisions, moving violations, new drivers and vehicles on the policy and moves to a new location.
Even though a no-fault accident is out of your control, your rates could go up. Multiple no-fault accidents can signal to insurers that you’re a high-risk driver.
Carrying accident forgiveness might keep your rates down after an accident. This optional coverage isn’t available in every state and could add to your premium payment. After five years of no at-fault accidents, USAA will waive the cost of this additional coverage.
If your car insurance rate increases after an accident, shop around and compare car insurance quotes to see if there is a more affordable car insurance option available.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
