USAA has been providing life, auto, homeowners, health, and property insurance to over 13 million active-duty military, veterans, and their families since 1922. Only military members were eligible for USAA insurance originally, but the company has expanded its eligibility over the years.
Here’s a list of who is eligible for USAA insurance:
- USAA employees – You can be eligible for USAA insurance even if don’t work for USAA, but your spouse does.
- Active military members
- National Guard and Reserve officers
- Military veterans – Only those with honorable discharges are typically eligible for USAA insurance.
- Family members of active military members or veterans
- You can be eligible if your parents are active military members or veterans
- You can be eligible if your aunt or uncle are active military members or veterans only if they are your legal guardians
- You can be eligible if your cousin is an active military member or veteran and also your legal guardian
- If you’re the grandchild of a USAA member, you can be eligible if your grandparent becomes your legal guardian. If one of your parents is a USAA member because of their parents, then you can also be eligible.
- Cadet or Midshipmen – Includes cadets and midshipmen in ROTC and at a U.S. Service Academy
- Widows and widowers of USAA members, unless they remarry
- Anyone with a direct lineage to a U.S. military veteran
USAA members can also lose their eligibility. You can lose it by being dishonorably discharged, or if you’re the former spouse of a military member and have remarried someone who does not have any ties to the military.
How do you become a USAA member?
Even if you served in the military, you are not automatically a USAA member, so you’ll still have to sign up. You can become a USAA member for free. Visit USAA’s website to check if you’re eligible. You’ll need to provide your date of birth, social security number, and contact information, as well as details about your military service, or your family’s.
Who is Eligible for USAA Insurance?
One of the cons of USAA Insurance is that it is only available to military personnel and eligible family members. But that’s not the case with Lemonade Insurance. The latter offers a wide variety of policy types, including renter’s insurance, home insurance, pet insurance, and term life insurance. All of these policies can be assessed by anyone. Thanks to being a public benefit corporation, the experience is unique.
USAA Insurance Alternatives
One of the cons of USAA Insurance is that it is only available to military personnel and eligible family members. But that’s not the case with Lemonade Insurance. The latter offers a wide variety of policy types, including renter’s insurance, home insurance, pet insurance, and term life insurance. All of these policies can be assessed by anyone. Thanks to being a public benefit corporation, the experience is unique.
As long as you are generally healthy and your age is anything between 18 and 60, you can apply. Meanwhile, you may not be eligible for any of its policies if you have a history of cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
What does USAA insurance cover?
USAA insurance covers a plethora of insurance options. You can find a plan that’s best suited for your budget and needs since their plans are highly customizable. Also, make sure to take advantage of their discounts to lower the cost. Here are some insurance policies available through USAA:
- Car, boat, motorcycle, RV insurance
- Homeowners, renters, landlord, condo insurance
- Flood insurance
- Life insurance
- Health insurance
- Travel insurance
- Small business insurance
- Pet insurance
USAA insurance benefits
USAA offers many insurance benefits and perks. Here are some to keep in mind:
- Many discounts
- You can qualify for a discount if you have a good driving record
- You can qualify for a discount if you’ve taken a defensive driving course
- You can qualify for a discount if you take a driving training course
- Students with good grades may qualify for discounts
- You can save by bundling your insurance policies, such as homeowners and renters insurance with USAA
- You can qualify for a discount if you insure multiple vehicles through USAA
- You may qualify for a discount if your car is relatively new (no older than 3 years)
- You may qualify for a discount if you have low mileage on your car
- You may qualify for a discount if you installed anti-theft devices in your car or home
- You may qualify for a discount if you’re a loyal USAA member
- You may get 15% off your policy by housing your vehicle on a military base
- Rewards – Get cash rewards through USAA’s Member Advantages Loyalty Program. You can use the cash for anything you want, such as shopping and travel. It operates similarly to getting rewards through a credit card.
- Financial advice and budget planning – USAA offers financial advice to its members
- Banking – Competitive credit cards for members, USAA-preferred ATMs, and direct deposit for military pay
- Part-ownership – USAA is a member-owned company
- Low-interest rates and insurance premiums
- No ATM fees
Pros and Cons of USAA Insurance
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent customer service | Available only to military personnel and eligible family members |
| Affordable prices | Membership is required to get all the benefits |
| A lot of coverage options | Baking account limitations |
| Good discounts | – |
| Great financial products available | – |
| Policies are available in all states | – |
Can you access USAA’s services if you’re not eligible for membership?
USAA has expanded its eligibility requirements throughout time to include immediate family members of military personnel. If you’re thinking of becoming a member, try to figure out whether you have a relationship with a current or former member of the military and what that relationship entails. If you’re not eligible for membership, you can’t access most of USAA’s products and services, but you can still qualify for a few. Without being a USAA member, you could qualify for USAA’s life insurance policies and investment services. That’s because USAA offers full and partial membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USAA membership free?
Yes, you don’t have to pay a fee to become a USAA member.
Can I get USAA insurance if my father was a veteran?
You can get USAA insurance through your father if he’s a USAA member.
Can I get USAA insurance if my brother was a member?
You can’t get a USAA membership through your brother unless he became a member through your parents. In that case, you’d have to prove eligibility through the membership of one of your parents. All children of current or former military members are eligible for USAA membership.
Can I still be eligible for USAA membership after a divorce?
You can keep your USAA membership if you get divorced from a current or former military member, but you can’t join after the marriage ends. Also, you become ineligible if you remarry someone with no military associations.
Do I have to be a military member to use the USAA Bank?
Yes. The bank is available only for current and former military members and their families, as well as those who have an honorable discharge.
Can I lower my insurance costs with USAA?
Typically, yes. USAA offers great discounts. You can choose to bundle policies, install security systems in your home or car, or lower your coverage limits. USAA offers highly customizable insurance plans.