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- USAA membership is open to active-duty military, veterans with an honorable discharge and their eligible family members, including spouses, children, stepchildren and widows/widowers.
- USAA offers several discounts, including safe driver, good student, multi-vehicle, bundled policies and a deployment storage discount that can save up to 60%.
- If you don’t qualify for USAA, you still have options, and CarInsurance.com’s comparison tools can help you find affordable rates based on your ZIP code and coverage details.
If you’re one of the 2.4 million military personnel serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, you qualify to become a member of USAA, which continually provides outstanding customer service and affordable insurance rates to its constituency.
USAA is a full-service financial company offering insurance, banking and investment products to military members and their families.
At CarInsurance.com, we’ve broken down every eligibility scenario so you can get a clear answer quickly and decide your next step with confidence.
What is USAA?
USAA (United Services Automobile Association) is one of the leading companies for auto insurance, banking and retirement solutions built exclusively for U.S. military members, veterans and their families.
The company was founded in 1922 by a group of Army officers who decided to self-insure one another. In 1923, eligibility expanded to include other military branches, and the organization was renamed the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) the following year.
At the time, insurance companies considered military officers a high-risk group; USAA was founded so they and other military members could get adequate insurance coverage.
USAA is not open to the general public. Membership is earned through military service or family connection to a current or former USAA member.
How to apply for USAA insurance
Applying for USAA coverage is straightforward, but you’ll need to verify your eligibility. Here’s what to expect:
- Confirm your status: You must be active duty, a veteran, an eligible family member or a cadet/midshipman.
- Gather documents: Commonly requested items include:
- Military ID or service records (e.g., DD-214 for veterans)
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate) for family members
- Social Security Number and driver’s license
- Create an account: Start your application on USAA.com by setting up an online profile.
- Choose your coverage: Once your eligibility is confirmed, you can shop for auto, home and other insurance products.
USAA eligibility at a glance
USAA membership is limited to the military community and their families. You may qualify if you are:
- Active Duty, Guard or Reserve: Currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Veteran or retired: With an honorable or general discharge.
- Eligible family members: Spouses, widows, widowers, and children of current or former USAA members.
- Cadets and midshipmen: At U.S. service academies, ROTC or in advanced training programs.
Alternatives if you don’t qualify for USAA
Not everyone meets USAA’s eligibility requirements, but you still have other options for affordable coverage:
- GEICO: Offers military discounts of up to 15% for active duty, veterans and federal employees.
- Armed Forces Insurance (AFI): Provides coverage specifically for military members, veterans and their families.
- Navy Federal Credit Union partners: NFCU members can access discounted policies through select carriers.
- Mainstream insurers: Companies like State Farm, Progressive and Allstate also offer competitive rates and safe-driver discounts that can rival USAA pricing.
Check out the best car insurance for military members in 2026.
Sophie’s next step
Not sure which insurer offers the best rate for your situation? Use our car insurance calculator to compare rates from multiple insurers. No personal information required to get started.
Who is eligible for USAA car insurance?
USAA offers auto insurance to members of the U.S. military and their immediate family members. Eligibility is tied to membership, and it must be established before it can be passed down to your family members.
One important rule: You are not eligible to become a USAA member through a deceased family member if that person was not a USAA member while they were alive.
People who qualify for USAA insurance include:
- Active-duty enlisted personnel and officers, including those in the Guard or Reserve
- Retired or honorably discharged military members
- Pre-commissioned officers, such as contracted cadets or midshipmen enrolled in a service academy
- Adult children of USAA members
- Widows or widowers of USAA members
- If you, your spouse, or a parent is currently employed with USAA
Sophie’s quick tip
Membership isn’t automatic, not even for veterans. You have to sign up first. Once you’ve established your own membership, you can pass it to your spouse, children or stepchildren. Don’t skip this step, because that chain of membership is what allows your family to qualify.
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
Which family members qualify for USAA membership?
USAA extends membership eligibility to several family relationships, but the rules vary depending on how you’re related to the member. Now, let’s break down some more USAA eligibility criteria.
- Spouse: Marrying a USAA member makes you eligible for your own membership, which you can retain even if you divorce. However, if you are a former spouse, you will lose your eligibility to join USAA if you remarry.
- Children: You are eligible for a USAA membership if your parents are members, but the reverse is not true. If you are a USAA member, your parents are not eligible.
Hi J H! Based on our current eligibility guidelines you would not be able to sponsor your parents for membership; however, we might have a possible solution for some of our products with USAA or USAA Insurance Agency. -NM
— USAA (@USAA) February 10, 2021
- Stepchildren: If a member remarries, their spouse’s children are eligible for USAA membership.
- Nieces and nephews: If you are a niece or nephew of a USAA member, you can only become a member if your aunt or uncle is your legal guardian.
- Cousins: If your cousin is your guardian and a USAA member, you are eligible for USAA insurance.
- Grandchildren: If you are a grandchild of a USAA member, you can become a USAA member in one of two ways: first, if your grandparent adopts you and becomes your legal guardian. The second is that your parents are USAA members because one of their parents was a USAA member. One can qualify as long as no generations are skipped in terms of USAA membership.
Hello Thom. Thank you for your inquiry. If the grandparent and parent both joined USAA, the grandchild would be eligible for USAA membership. You can learn more about eligibility on the USAA website by selecting “Join USAA”. -DC
— USAA (@USAA) September 13, 2021
Find out the USAA eligibility rules for grandparents and grandchildren.
Sophie’s wise words
USAA membership is passed down through generations. Once that chain is broken, meaning a generation doesn’t hold membership, descendants in subsequent generations can no longer qualify, regardless of military service.
How does USAA verify eligibility?
USAA requires documentation to confirm your eligibility. You’ll typically need to provide:
- A copy of your military service records or government-issued ID
- Proof that a family member served in the military
For veterans, the most common document is the DD Form 214 (long version), the official record issued by the U.S. Department of Defense confirming release or discharge from active duty. According to the U.S. National Archives, this form is the standard proof of military service for benefits and membership eligibility purposes.
People also ask
If you have a family member who is retired military but not a member of USAA, are you eligible for USAA auto insurance?
No, if you have a family member who is retired from the military but not a member of USAA, you are not eligible for auto insurance from USAA. USAA offers auto insurance exclusively for veterans, active-duty military, and spouses and children of USAA members.
Find out whether wives, widows and former spouses of veterans can get USAA insurance.
What car insurance products does USAA offer?
USAA offers a comprehensive suite of auto insurance products — from essential liability and collision policies to modern, usage-based plans and enhanced service add-ons — designed to fit a wide range of lifestyles and preferences.
See what types of coverage USAA provides in the table below.
| Coverage Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Liability/Collision/Comprehensive | Standard protection against accident and non-accident damages |
| PIP/MedPay | Medical and income coverage (varies by state) |
| Uninsured/Underinsured | Covers at-fault, under- or uninsured drivers |
| Roadside Assistance | Emergency help on the road |
| Rental/Replacement | Keeps you mobile during repairs |
| Rideshare Insurance | Coverage during ridesharing gigs |
| Accident Forgiveness | Keeps rate increases down after a first incident |
| SafePilot (Telematics) | Save by driving safely or driving less |
| SafePilot Miles | Personalized pricing for low-mileage drivers |
What car insurance discounts does USAA offer?
USAA offers several ways to lower your car insurance premiums. Many of these are similar to what you’d find at other major insurers — but a few are unique to the military lifestyle.
- Good driving discount: If you maintain a good driving record for more than five years, you’ll be eligible for USAA’s good driver discount. Alas, it isn’t available in every state, but if you can get it, you may save up to 30% on your insurance.
- Defensive driving discount: If you take an approved course, you can get a defensive driving discount, depending on your age and state.
- Driver training course: Drivers younger than 21 who complete an approved introductory driving training course can get a 30% discount if they live in a state eligible for USAA’s SafePilot safe-driving program.
- Good-student discount: You can get a good-student discount for high school and college students who maintain good grades. Talk to your customer representative, but most states offer discounts of 10%-15% for good grades.
- Stacked discounts: USAA encourages you to take advantage of discounts to lower your premium.
- Bundle discounts: If you already have homeowners or renters insurance with USAA, and you add auto insurance, you’ll get up to 10% off your homeowners or renters insurance.
- Multi-vehicle discounts: Insure more than one car with USAA, and you may be eligible for a lower premium.
- New-vehicle discounts: If your car is less than 3 years old, you might get a discount on your insurance.
- Anti-theft device discount: Do you have an alarm system, wheel lock or GPS-based vehicle recovery system? That added layer of protection could equate to a discount. This isn’t available in all states and may require an annual certification. Learn about the top 11 anti-theft devices that can help you get a discount.
- Storing your car discount: If you’re deployed or simply don’t use your car very often, keeping it in storage means you won’t be driving it. This lowers the risk and could also help you save up to 60% off your insurance premium. Call USAA if your vehicle is stowed while you’re on a military deployment, as that can save you money.
- Driving less discount: If you’re putting fewer miles on your car each year, it could mean a less-expensive premium. The discount you’re eligible for depends on how many miles you’re driving.
- Loyal member discount: Have you been a USAA member for quite some time, or has your family been members for generations? If so, you might be able to receive a lower premium.
- Accident forgiveness: It’s an optional feature and free after five years of paying for it. But your rates won’t go up if you’re in an accident. Of course, you must remember that you must pay for accident forgiveness for five years.
What other perks does USAA offer?
If you add a teen driver to your USAA policy, once they turn 18 and get their own policy, they may save up to 10% as a new independent USAA member.
USAA members also have access to retail partner discounts, including car rentals of up to 25%, travel deals, shopping rewards and 24/7 home security monitoring through ADT.
Frequently asked questions about USAA eligibility
Can I use any USAA products and services if I’m not a USAA member?
Generally, no. Most USAA products and services require an active membership. Maybe there’s a loophole we aren’t aware of, but generally, you have to be a USAA member to use their products and services.
Do I qualify to join USAA if my parent is a veteran?
It depends. If your parent was a USAA member, their membership can be passed on to you. However, if your parent served in the military but never established a USAA membership, you cannot become a member solely through their service record.
Am I eligible for USAA membership after a divorce?
If you become a USAA member through marriage, you can still keep your USAA membership after your divorce. However, you cannot join after marriage unless you meet the eligibility requirements.
What other options do I have if I don’t qualify for USAA insurance?
If you don’t qualify for USAA membership and want an affinity discount, see if you qualify for a AAA membership or an AARP membership. Shop for car insurance and get at least three quotes around the time your auto insurance policy renews.
Your next step after checking eligibility
If you meet USAA’s eligibility requirements, you’ll have access to competitive rates, multiple discounts and coverage options built around military life. If you don’t qualify, there are plenty of reputable insurers offering affordable coverage and CarInsurance.com’s expert-reviewed guides and comparison tools are here to help you navigate your choices confidently, on your own terms.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- The Soldiers Project. “What Percentage of Americans Have Served in the Military?” Accessed March 2026.
- U.S. National Archives. “National Personnel Records Center: DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents.” Accessed March 2026.
- AARP. “Membership and benefits.” Accessed March 2026.
- AAA. “Save 53% on AAA membership.” Accessed March 2026.
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