Table of Contents
ToggleYes, 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.
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.
USAA compared to other top car insurance companies
COMPANY OUR RATING AVERAGE ANNUAL COST COMPLAINT LEVEL
American Family 5.0 stars $2,176 Very low
Auto-Owners 5.0 stars $1,628 Low
Nationwide 5.0 stars $2,041 Very low
USAA 5.0 stars $1,412 Average
Geico 4.5 stars $1,716 Average
Travelers 4.5 stars $1,852 Very low
Westfield 4.5 stars $1,759 Very low
Allstate 3.5 stars $3,000 Low
Farmers 3.5 stars $2,381 Low
Progressive 3.5 stars $2,157 Low
State Farm 3.5 stars $1,959 Low
Erie 3.0 stars $2,144 High
Safe Auto 1.0 stars $2,647 Very high
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.
While USAA provides robust coverage, it’s missing a few unique options, including a vanishing deductible.
Other insurance products by USAA
USAA serves as a one-stop shop for financial products and services for eligible active and retired military members and their families.
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.