CarInsurance.com Insights
- Many insurers, including GEICO and USAA, offer up to 15% off premiums for active-duty military.
- Store your car during deployment and save up to 60% on coverage with select insurers.
- Military savings often combine with safe driver, bundling and multi-vehicle discounts for even bigger savings.
Get rewarded for your years of military service with car insurance discounts that can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings annually.
Insurers like GEICO, USAA and others offer benefits and discounts for military members and veterans, helping you save big money on your car insurance. You could slash up to 15% off your insurance premium simply for being active-duty military – and if you’re suddenly deployed, you might save even more.
Run through our list of military car insurance discounts below to ensure you receive all the savings you’re entitled to. We’ll let you know what each discount is for and who qualifies, plus help you learn exactly what to ask your insurance provider.
Deployment and storage discounts
If you’re deployed, you can often store your vehicle on base, in a garage, or in a secure location. Since you’re not driving it but merely storing it, you can often cut a deal on your coverage.
“Members of the military are encouraged to ask for discounts for active duty, low mileage and garaging on base, a savings of 10% to 20% in premiums,” says Rami Sneineh, vice president of Insurance Navy Brokers.
In addition to your military or veterans discount, ask your insurer if you qualify for one of these discounts:
On-base garage discounts
What they are: You can save money on your insurance premium when you garage your vehicle on base. At USAA, this discount can save you up to 15% on your comprehensive coverage.
Who they’re for: Typically, for active-duty military members with access to on-base secure storage.
Storage discounts
What they are: Reduced rates when a vehicle is stored on base or off-road during deployment. Some insurers, like USAA, will discount your premium up to 60% if you safely store your vehicle while deployed.
Who they’re for: Typically, active-duty military members storing their vehicle for 30 days or more while deployed.
Low mileage discounts
What they are: Lower your rates when you know you won’t be driving much (or at all). Some insurers offer discounts for drivers who drive less than 8,000 miles per year, for example.
Who they’re for: Military members and veterans. Some insurers offer low-mileage discounts or pay-as-you-drive policies to civilians as well.
TipTalk to your insurer to know whether a particular discount will work for your situation. They can tell whether you qualify based on your military status and policy type.
Emergency deployment perks
Suddenly deployed for crisis response? You may benefit from certain active-duty car insurance savings for emergency deployment situations.
Emergency deployment discounts
What they are: GEICO offers a discount for emergency deployment car insurance for military members deployed to imminent danger pay areas.
Who they’re for: You must be deployed to a Department of Defense-designated location and store your vehicle under a GEICO-approved storage protection plan.
Flexible insurance policies
What they are: Let your insurer know you’ll be deployed. They may agree to customize your policy, lower your premium or suspend/reduce your coverage while you’re gone. (Avoid canceling your car insurance because you may still be financially responsible. Plus, a lapse in coverage will make it much more difficult to find an affordable policy when you return.)
Who they’re for: Active-duty military personnel in deployment.
Multi-policy and loyalty savings for the military
Remember to ask your insurer about other ways to save. Multi-policy and loyalty discounts are popular ways for military members and civilians to save money on auto insurance.
Home and auto bundle discounts
What they are: Gain added savings by bundling your auto insurance with a homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy from the same insurer. For instance, USAA will lower your home insurance premiums up to 10% when you add auto coverage.
Who they’re for: Military families and veterans who have more than one policy with a particular insurer.
Loyalty discounts
What they are: Some insurers will reward you not only for your service, but for your loyalty. For instance, Progressive offers loyalty status based on how long you’ve been a customer.
Who they’re for: Check with your insurer. You may need to be a bundle customer to earn loyalty discounts, and there may be a time requirement, too. Note that the discount may not be available in all states.
Affinity discounts
What they are: Affinity discounts offer savings just for being a member of a particular group.
Who they’re for: Ask your insurer if you qualify for a discount based on membership. For example, if you’re a part of the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA), you could qualify for additional discounts with GEICO.
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Flexible payment options
Insurers understand military members sometimes have special needs, especially when PCSing, relocating for military reasons or deployment.
Flexible payments
What they are: Some insurers let you change your pay date, making it easier to line up your payments with your paycheck or benefit check.
Who they’re for: Military families who need or want to work around pay cycles.
Autopay discounts
What they are: Save money by arranging automatic payments for your premiums.
Who they’re for: People who want to ensure they don’t miss a payment. At USAA, you can receive a 3% discount by setting your premiums to autopay, which is useful while you’re deployed.
Wise Words
- Military savings often combine with safe driver, bundling and multi-vehicle discounts for even bigger savings.
Remember, savings will vary from person to person, so minimize your risk factors and shop around to compare rates. Ensuring you receive the discounts you’re entitled to for military members and veterans can save you significant money.
Frequently Asked Questions: Military car insurance discounts
Which company has the best military discount?
It depends on your unique circumstances, including driving history, vehicle, location, age, etc. GEICO, USAA and Armed Forces Insurance offer affordable coverage tailored for military members, while insurers like Farmers and Liberty Mutual offer military-specific discounts. You should compare rates from multiple companies to find the best one for you.
Do spouses qualify?
Sometimes spouses do qualify for military rates. For example, as a military spouse, you may be eligible for USAA car insurance, which typically has lower average rates than other companies. However, you should check the language of your policy, as some policies or discounts may only be available for the driver with active-duty or veteran military status.
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