Are You Paying Too Much for Your
Veteran and Military Auto Insurance?
You May Be Eligible for Veteran and Military Car Insurance Discounts
One of the simplest ways to save money on car insurance is by taking advantage of a discount. Many major car insurance providers offer various potential discounts — for students, good drivers, members of specialty organizations, and especially veterans and active military. As a current or former service member or veteran, you may be paying too much for car insurance.Armed Forces car insurance discounts may extend to:
Coast Guard- National Guard
- Reserves
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Navy
- Veterans & spouses/ family members
Coast Guard
National Guard
Reserves
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Army
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Navy
Veterans & spouses/ family membersVeterans and members of the service are highly esteemed. Popular insurance providers like Geico, Farmers, Progressive and USAA are likely to offer a sizable military discount;
- Geico offers up to a 15% discount
- Farmers Insurance offers an estimated 5% discount
- Progressive offers military discounts in select states
There is a reason that car insurance discounts are offered to military service members: reputation.
Car insurance rates are calculated based on many different statistical risk variables. You may have noticed that car insurance rates tend to naturally decrease with age for drivers with good driving records. These drivers are considered less likely to cause an accident. In the same way, military members and veterans are known for their discipline and training. For this reason and others, military service members are often offered discounted insurance rates.
how to qualify for discounts
on veteran and military auto insurance
So now you know that a military car insurance discount is available, but how do you take advantage of it?
Most big-name car insurance companies will offer some type of military or veteran discount when you request a quote. Several specialty car insurance providers offer exclusive military rates that are more competitive than some market rates.Highly rated for its relationship with the military, and the services it provides specific to service members, USAA offers insurance coverage for active duty service members and military veterans who have been honorably discharged.
USAA was created by army officers as a low cost auto insurance option for fellow service members and veterans. Since the company was formed in 1922, it has grown to provide coverage for millions of servicemen and women around the world.Armed Forces Insurance (AFI), established in 1887, is another specialty auto insurance provider, well-rated for its military and veteran discounts.
Armed Forces Insurance offers membership to active duty, retired, or honorably discharged military (including National Guard and Reserves); Department of Defense civilian employees; NOAA or PHS officers; Service Academy members; and spouses and children. In states where AFI coverage is not available, Armed Forces Insurance can insure through an affiliate provider in 48 states.The only way to find out if you qualify for a military discount from a standard or specialty provider is to ask for a free quote.
An insurance company can help you determine your personal risk factors and military status to provide a more accurate discounted rate. Many insurance companies offer tools that will help you buy auto insurance online. Online insurance tools make comparing options easy and instant.how much will you save
with veteran and military auto insurance?When you’re looking for cheaper car insurance, money talks.
The best way to find out what kind of military discount you may be eligible for is to request multiple quotes from competing car insurance providers. By some estimates, you can expect to save an average of 15% off your annual premium if you are a veteran or are currently serving in the military.
Run by an active duty Air Force officer, The Military Money Manual gathered military discounted 2015 car insurance estimates for six months of coverage from leading providers: 
- Allstate
- Esurance
- Geico
- Progressive
- USAA
Your personal risk factors, such as age, vehicle type, driving history, geographic location, and gender, can also influence a discount.
For example, if you have a serious driving infraction on your record, like a DUI, you may pay more than a civilian does for car insurance, even with a military discount. In most cases, men pay more for car insurance than women as they are seen as riskier drivers. In the next section, we’ll discuss exactly what you can do to fully utilize your discount and keep your car insurance rates low.8 quick tips for cheaper
veteran and military auto insuranceThese military and veteran discounts are available, but the rest is up to you.
There are several variables out of your control, like gender and age, that can impact car insurance. Yet many other factors are within your control and can be used to minimize your premium.Here are seven ways to pay less on car insurance as a military member or veteran:
- Drive safeThis seems like a no-brainer, but it’s true. Your car insurance rates are directly impacted by your driving history. State Farm offers drivers a 5% discount just for signing up for their Drive Safe & Save defensive driving program.
- Bundle cars If you have more than one driver under your roof, you’re in luck. Adding two or more vehicles to the same policy could offer savings of up to 20%.
- Bundle policies Lumping together renter’s, homeowner’s, condo and/or life insurance with the same provider could offer a discount of up to 22%.
- Cancel collision If you are deployed and won’t be driving your car at home for an extended period of time — more than a month — make sure to tell your car insurance provider. Many insurers will allow you to cancel additional collision coverage during deployment when a vehicle is not in use.
- Pay upfront If you have the means to set aside a sizable chunk of cash, now is the time to do it. Paying for your premium annually instead of month-by-month will offer an extra discount, on top of a discounted military rate.
- Raise your deductible If you can afford it, do it. Your deductible amount is inversely related to your car insurance premium; meaning, if you are able to afford a higher deductible — $1000, for example — you’ll pay less in annual insurance.
- Compare providers This last point is perhaps the most important of all, and it can’t be overstated: When you comparison shop and receive quotes from a minimum of three car insurance providers, you’ll get a better idea of a fair market military discount rate.
- A simple comparison could save you hundreds of dollars a year on your premium
Drive safeThis seems like a no-brainer, but it’s true. Your car insurance rates are directly impacted by your driving history. State Farm offers drivers a 5% discount just for signing up for their Drive Safe & Save defensive driving program.
Bundle cars If you have more than one driver under your roof, you’re in luck. Adding two or more vehicles to the same policy could offer savings of up to 20%.
Bundle policies Lumping together renter’s, homeowner’s, condo and/or life insurance with the same provider could offer a discount of up to 22%.
Cancel collision If you are deployed and won’t be driving your car at home for an extended period of time — more than a month — make sure to tell your car insurance provider. Many insurers will allow you to cancel additional collision coverage during deployment when a vehicle is not in use.
Pay upfront If you have the means to set aside a sizable chunk of cash, now is the time to do it. Paying for your premium annually instead of month-by-month will offer an extra discount, on top of a discounted military rate.
Raise your deductible If you can afford it, do it. Your deductible amount is inversely related to your car insurance premium; meaning, if you are able to afford a higher deductible — $1000, for example — you’ll pay less in annual insurance.
Compare providers This last point is perhaps the most important of all, and it can’t be overstated: When you comparison shop and receive quotes from a minimum of three car insurance providers, you’ll get a better idea of a fair market military discount rate.A standard discount is available to active military and veterans from most major and specialty car insurance providers.
This insurance discount is a small token of appreciation for the men and women who have served our country.
