Auto Insurance for Active Duty Military and Veterans (Tips to Save)

For all they do for the country, military service members and their families deserve the best auto insurance. Luckily, many insurance companies offer discounts for active-duty servicemen and women and veterans too. But, getting the best auto insurance for veterans and military service members means more than just discounts because they have unique needs that civilians don’t.

So, what is the best auto insurance for veterans? This article gives tips on finding the right car insurance companies for military members and veterans, as well as on auto insurance discounts for service members and veterans and other ways to get low cost car insurance with driver discounts. 

Whether you’re an active duty service member or a veteran, put your ZIP code into our search tool to find an insurance provider with the best car insurance for military members.

Which car insurance is best for the military?

There are just over 20 million military veterans in the country. According to U.S. News & World Report, the realities of military service can complicate things that many civilians take for granted, like finding the best car insurance for active-duty military.

The best car insurance for military members must obviously include military car insurance discounts. But long deployments, relocations, hospitalizations, and other active-duty demands mean it’s important to find an insurance company that doesn’t just offer military discounts but also caters to service members.

Below are some things active duty military and veterans should consider when shopping for the best car insurance. But first, are you sure you qualify for military car insurance?

Who qualifies for military car insurance

In order to get military car insurance discounts, you need to have a military affiliation. Insurance companies that primarily cater to military service members typically require active or veteran affiliation with the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserves.

Spouses of service members generally qualify as well. Widowed and divorced spouses of military members qualify so long as they do not remarry. Some providers allow the children and stepchildren of service members to obtain policies. Typically, students attending a military academy or enrolled in college on an ROTC scholarship also qualify for military discounts and other benefits.

<h3>What insurance companies give veterans discounts?</h3>

What about auto insurance for veterans? There are plenty of car insurance companies that offer veteran discounts, so be sure to comparison-shop. But be mindful that some insurance companies only offer discounts for active-duty military, and not for veterans. Even if an insurance company doesn’t offer discounts based solely on veteran status, they may offer affinity group discounts, and veterans groups sometimes qualify.

If you’re a veteran or spouse of a veteran and want to find a veteran’s car insurance company, or learn more about veteran’s car insurance discounts and other benefits for veterans, click here to talk with a knowledgeable insurance agent in your area.

Active Duty Discounts

Most major auto insurance companies offer discounts for policyholders on active duty. If your current provider doesn’t offer active-duty discounts, it’s time to shop around. Be sure to check with insurance companies whose primary customer base is military members.

Active duty service members can also save on car insurance if they park or store their vehicles on an armed forces base. Living on a military base, or at least storing your car on one, could result in lower car insurance rates due to the reduced risk of theft or damage to your vehicle on a secure and restricted base.

Deployments and Auto Insurance

Even if you don’t live or store your car on a military base, you can still likely lower your car insurance premiums during military deployment. Long-term deployment can lead to big-time savings on car insurance costs.

If you securely garage your car in long-term storage, your rates should drop significantly. Putting your car in long-term storage means it won’t be driven and, therefore, can’t get in car accidents. On top of lower rates, ask if they offer any storage protection plans to make sure your car is protected while you’re away. 

What if you want to cancel your policy while on deployment?

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, some insurance companies allow service members on deployment to cancel or suspend their policy without penalty and reinstate your policy when you return, and it won’t count as a lapse in coverage. As such, don’t forget to notify your insurance provider if you’re called away on deployment, and especially if you are deployed to an “imminent danger pay area,” as defined by the U.S. Department of Defense. 

However, states may have special military car insurance laws governing deployment and car insurance registration for military members. Many states allow servicemembers to continue registration and insurance coverage from their home states, no matter where they are stationed. But if a service member is employed in the new state, the vehicle might have to be registered and insured there in the new state of residence, so check with state law or your provider.

Other Discounts and Benefits

Military service members can take advantage of the cost-saving car insurance discounts that are available to civilians.

Bundling

Ask about bundling your auto insurance with other types of insurance like homeowners and renters coverage, which award you discounts for having multiple policies with the same insurance company.

Safe Driver Discounts

All drivers can lower their car insurance costs by being a safe driver. Almost all insurance companies offer safe driver programs through usage-based insurance (UBI), sometimes called telematic car insurance, which uses tracking devices in your car or on your phone through an app.

Good Grade Discounts

If you or someone in your family is a student, you may also qualify for a student car insurance discount based on good grades. Teen and young adult drivers who have taken safe driver training may also be able to get discounts in some cases. 

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Can active-duty military be veterans?

A veteran is not an active duty military service member. According to Penn State University’s Office of Veteran Affairs, a veteran is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions, which were other than dishonorable. Former or current members of the National Guard or Reserves are not considered to be veterans unless they had prior or subsequent service with an active component of the Armed Forces. That said, Reservists called to active duty by Executive Order do qualify as veterans.

Who insures military vehicles?

Is there such a thing as military vehicle insurance? Yes, companies that specialize in providing insurance to military members and their families typically are familiar with insuring military vehicles like Humvees, Willys MB Jeep, and other ex-military automobiles. Most major insurance companies will insure military vehicles as well.

You can expect qualifying requirements in order to insure a military vehicle, such as:

• Age of vehicle — Military vehicles must be 20+ years old
• Usage — No off-road driving, but battle reenactments may be allowed
• Modification — Military vehicles must be demilitarized (i.e., armaments removed or disabled)

Get Help

If you or your spouse is in the military, you definitely should be taking advantage of car insurance discounts for active service members and veterans. You should also ask about other benefits that are available to active duty military and veterans, as well as those offered to civilians. 

If your current auto insurance provider doesn’t offer military discounts, or if you’re in the process of applying for car insurance, put your ZIP code into our search tool now to talk with an insurance agent who can answer your questions and help with your military car insurance needs.

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Case Studies: Auto Insurance for Active Duty Military and Veterans (Tips to Save)

Case Study 1: John’s Military Discount

John, an active-duty military servicemember, was in search of affordable auto insurance that catered to his unique needs. He reached out to several insurance companies and found one that offered a specific military discount. By taking advantage of this discount, John was able to secure a lower premium compared to other non-military-specific insurance providers. 

Case Study 2: Lisa’s Safe Driver Program

Lisa, a veteran, wanted to find ways to lower her auto insurance costs. She enrolled in a safe driver program offered by her insurance company, which utilized telematic technology to monitor her driving habits. By maintaining safe driving practices and participating in the program, Lisa qualified for a significant discount on her premium. 

Case Study 3: Mark’s Bundled Policies

Mark, an active-duty military servicemember, was looking for ways to maximize his savings on auto insurance. He decided to bundle his auto insurance policy with his homeowner’s insurance policy from the same insurance company.

By combining both policies, Mark received a discounted rate on his auto insurance premium. This case study emphasizes the benefits of bundling policies and taking advantage of multi-policy discounts specifically tailored for military members.

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