How Much You Can Actually Save on Car Insurance as a Military Member
If you’re in the military or retired from it, certain insurance companies offer discounts and premium reductions designed with you in mind. The savings can add up significantly — sometimes hundreds of dollars a year — especially if you combine the right discounts and coverage strategies. Below are some real-world examples and estimates based on recent data and analyses.
USAA
USAA is often regarded as the top choice for servicemembers and veterans because it exclusively serves the military community (active duty, reserves, retirees, spouses, dependents). NerdWallet
On average, full‑coverage car insurance from USAA costs about $1,670 per year (or $342 per year for liability-only coverage), before applying some of the military-specific discounts. NerdWallet For many military members, these discounts bring the cost significantly lower. USAA
Depending on your situation, the savings from USAA may include:
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Up to a 15% discount if your vehicle is garaged on a secure military base. USAA
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If you are deployed or otherwise storing the vehicle (e.g. long‑term storage when you’re not using it), you may get up to 60% off your premium while the vehicle is parked. USAA
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Additional reductions may come from multi‑vehicle policies, bundling auto with home/renters insurance, safe‑driver discounts, or programs that track safe driving. USAA
In practice, many USAA members report saving an average of about $725 per year compared with previous insurers. USAA
GEICO
GEICO is widely available (nationwide) and offers discounts for active duty, reservists, National Guard, retirees, and their families. GEICO
Some of the savings you might expect with GEICO:
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Up to a 15% discount on total premiums for eligible military members. GEICO
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If you are ordered to deploy and qualify under GEICO’s “Emergency Deployment Discount,” you may get additional savings — especially if your vehicle is stored under approved storage protection. GEICO
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Multi‑policy and multi‑vehicle discounts may also apply if you insure more than one vehicle or combine auto coverage with renters/homeowners insurance. RateSonic
To put this into perspective: one comparison lists the “average” annual full‑coverage premium from GEICO (for military members) at about $1,951 — after applying a typical 9% discount — though these numbers vary by state, driving history, and coverage level. Carinsurance.com
Other Insurers Worth Checking
While USAA and GEICO are the most consistently highlighted for military discounts, other companies sometimes offer discounts depending on state, coverage type, or specific policy terms:
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Some sources note that insurers like Farmers Insurance and Liberty Mutual may offer around a 10% discount for veterans or military — though the availability and size of that discount can vary widely depending on the insurer and your state. WalletHub
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In rare cases, policies like storage coverage (e.g. during a deployment) may dramatically lower premiums when your vehicle is not being used. Insurance Panda
Putting It All Together: What You Could Actually Save
Suppose you were paying $2,000 per year for full coverage before military‑specific discounts. With a 15% military discount, that could reduce your premium by $300 — to about $1,700. If you qualify for a deployment or storage discount (e.g. 50–60%), and your vehicle is not being driven for some period, you might only pay $800–$1,000 for that period of time — a savings of $1,000 or more.
With USAA, many members across the U.S. have reported average annual savings of $700–$800 per year compared with previous non‑military insurance providers. USAA
If you bundle policies (auto + homeowners/renters), insure multiple vehicles, maintain a clean driving record, and take advantage of deployment or storage discounts, your savings could be even more significant.
Tips to Maximize Discounts and Savings
It helps to evaluate your situation honestly and update your insurer whenever circumstances change: for example, storing a vehicle while deployed, reducing coverage if you are driving less, bundling multiple policies, or combining multiple cars under one policy. Reach out directly to insurers and ask which discounts you qualify for — active duty, Reserve/National Guard status, deployment, multi‑vehicle, bundling, storage, etc. Because discount availability can vary widely by state and by insurer, it’s often worth requesting multiple quotes to compare.
Also keep in mind that cheap doesn’t always mean “best.” Look closely at coverage levels, deductibles, and benefits like emergency deployment coverage or storage options — especially if you frequently relocate, deploy, or store a vehicle for long periods.
