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Military car insurance: What to know and how to find the best deal

You can get a break on car insurance rates for serving in the U.S. armed forces, but finding the best deal involves more than searching for a military car insurance discount.

A winning battle plan requires assessing your needs, understanding different types of car insurance, shopping around for coverage, and choosing a company with a reputation for excellent customer service.

Here’s what to know and how to shop.

Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained.

At the basic level, car insurance for active and veteran military members works the same as car insurance for everybody else.

But there are some special issues to consider if you’re on active duty, and many companies offer discounts for both active and veteran service members.

Getting restationed every few years and the possibility of deployment make car insurance more complex for active-duty members.

“Think ahead and realize that military families often move every two to three years, so … you may end up in multiple states, and you may end up living overseas,” said Lizann Lightfoot, director of marketing for GoVA, a financial education organization for military families.

Consider companies with national and overseas coverage

Choosing a company with nationwide and overseas coverage can make those transitions easier, said Lightfoot, whose husband recently retired from the Marines. “No matter where you end up stationed, you’re able to maintain the same company with minimal disruption.”

Lightfoot’s family stayed with the same insurer for many years, even as they were restationed multiple times, including to Spain.

In addition, understand how to handle coverage when you’re deployed. You may be able to save by suspending or reducing coverage if the car is in storage, for example.

“You want to know what your cost-saving options are without disrupting your coverage,” Lightfoot said. “Those are questions that it’s best to ask in advance before you have those deployment orders.”

A variety of car insurance companies offer military discounts for veterans and active-duty military. Here are some examples.

USAA is the only major car insurer that serves strictly active and veteran military members and their families. The company offers coverage nationwide and overseas. Discounts include up to 15% for garaging a car on base and an unspecified discount for storing a vehicle. USAA scored higher than any of the 15 auto insurers included in J.D. Power’s 2024 auto insurance study on overall customer satisfaction.

Learn more: How to get all the best car insurance discounts

GEICO has a long history with the military community, having got its start in 1936 serving federal government employees, including certain military officers. Today, it caters to active-duty and veteran members through its Military Center, staffed with veterans. GEICO offers “worldwide coverage” and an up to 15% military discount for active-duty and veteran service members, National Guards members, and reservists. Other discounts are available for emergency deployment and for membership in professional military associations, such as the Association of the United States Army, the Navy League of the United States, the Fleet Reserve Association, and the Armed Forces Benefit Association. GEICO’s Storage Protection Plan lets you suspend or reduce coverage and save money if you store your car for 30 days or more.

Liberty Mutual offers a military discount for active, retired, or reserve military members. The company doesn’t specify the discount amount on its website.

Farmers Insurance offers an unspecified affinity discount for active duty, active reserves, retired, or honorably discharged military.

Some other car insurance companies may offer military discounts but don’t promote them on their websites, so it pays to ask about a military discount when you’re shopping for a new policy.

Learn more: Here’s how to shop for car insurance

Car insurance discounts aren't always spelled out on insurer websites because the availability and amount of discounts vary by state. Louisiana state law, for example, requires all auto insurance companies to offer a 25% car insurance discount for active-duty military and reservists, Louisiana Air National Guard and Louisiana Army National Guard members, retired military, and veterans with a disability rating of 50% or more.

Whether you’re a veteran or active-duty service member, here are the tactics for getting the right car insurance coverage at the best price.

Before setting off on the mission to get covered, understand the different types of car insurance and decide how much you need so you can compare quotes from multiple companies for the same coverage.

Learn more: Most common types of car insurance explained

Most states require a minimum amount of liability insurance, which covers damage and injuries you cause others in an accident. Some states also require other coverage types, such as uninsured and underinsured motorist and personal injury protection insurance.

Learn more: Minimum car insurance requirements in all 50 U.S. states

You must meet the state minimum requirements to drive legally, but you may need more coverage because the state minimums are relatively low. Buy enough liability insurance to protect your assets in case of a lawsuit.

Collision and comprehensive insurance are optional as far as state requirements go, but lenders and leasing companies usually require them for leased or financed cars. Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your car after an accident, and comprehensive kicks in if your car is damaged by something other than a collision, such as a storm or vandalism.

Consider other options too. If you’re stationed far away from family and friends, you may want roadside assistance coverage for that extra sense of security, Lightfoot noted.

Finally, decide on a deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before collision and comprehensive insurance kicks in. The higher the deductible, the lower your car insurance rate. Choose the highest deductible you can afford and keep that amount of cash in savings. That way, you’ll be all set if you have to make a claim.

Once you’ve nailed down how much coverage you need and a deductible amount, it’s time to shop.

The Insurance Information Institute advises getting quotes from at least three car insurance companies, including ones that sell through their own agents, through independent agents, and directly through their own websites or apps.

Make sure to ask about a military discount and any others that might apply, including a “bundling” discount for buying both car and home or renters insurance from the same company.

“On paper, your auto insurance might not be cheapest when compared to another company, but if you’re factoring in the discounts on your other types of insurance, you may be getting a better deal overall, so always look into bundling options,” Lightfoot said. “Military families typically should be paying for renters insurance if they’re living on base or renting off base or homeowners insurance if they own a property.”

Get car insurance company recommendations from other military members and veterans. Ask how satisfied they are with the price and service — and find out how easy it is to get questions answered and navigate the claims process.

Before buying a policy, talk to a company representative about your needs.

“Anyone you speak to should take the time to answer to your satisfaction,” the Insurance Information Institute advises on its website. “Remember, these are the people you'll rely on if the worst happens and you need to make a claim.”

Check online ratings and reviews, including the annual J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study and Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Choosing car insurance isn’t a one-and-done maneuver. Your needs and coverage prices will change. So it’s a good idea to review coverage every year and compare quotes to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

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