USAA insurance is only for military members, veterans, and their families. Once someone becomes a USAA member, USAA eligibility can be passed down through their spouse and children, even if the family members themselves never join the military
Who Can Qualify for USAA Insurance?
Active, retired, and honorably discharged members of the U.S. military
USAA is so cheap because the company is the largest insurer of the military community, and that volume allows USAA to offer more competitive rates. USAA has more than 6% of the total private-passenger insurance market, despite only offering coverage to service members. A minimum coverage policy from USAA costs an average of $53 per month, and USAA premiums can be made even cheaper by taking advantage of discounts such as paid-in-full discount and annual mileage discount. Plus, USAA rewards customer loyalty with discounts for insuring more than one car and bundling multiple policies, such as home and auto.… read full answer
Average Monthly Rates for USAA vs. Top Competitors
Note: Premiums are representative of a 45-year-old good driver in CA; individual premiums will vary.
USAA is especially cheap for young drivers in particular. That’s because USAA has special savings opportunities for drivers in this category, such as discounts for students who maintain at least a B average.
Your final premium is based on a variety of factors, though, such as your driving record, insurance history, and more. Every insurance company determines their rates differently, so even though USAA is among the cheapest car insurance companies, the only way to confirm you’ve found the lowest price is to compare quotes from multiple companies.
Yes. USAA offers rental car insurance. USAA rental car insurance is usually included in a driver’s personal car insurance policy if the driver carries liability, comprehensive, or collision coverage and is driving in the U.S.
Each policy is unique, though, and there may be certain exclusions based on your specific situation. It’s very important to confirm the details of your policy by calling customer service at 1 (800) 531-8722 before declining additional coverage at the rental counter.… read full answer
USAA Rental Car Insurance Coverage Limits
The same USAA coverage limits that apply to your personal vehicle will also apply to a rental car. If you only carry liability insurance, USAA will pay for the other driver’s injuries and property damage after an at-fault accident—but not physical damage to the rental. You need a full-coverage policy to have damage to the rental car covered by your insurer.
If you rent a car similar in value to your personal vehicle, you probably have enough insurance. But if your personal vehicle is a 15-year-old sedan and you decide to rent a 2022 luxury car, you should look into extra coverage. That’s because the limits you’ve chosen for your personal policy may not be sufficient to cover damage to a more expensive rental car.
One option to make up for insufficient coverage when renting a car is to get a collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental counter, which leaves the rental company responsible if the car is damaged, vandalized, or stolen. In addition to a CDW, rental car companies offer a few other types of insurance if you don’t have enough coverage with your USAA policy. These include supplemental liability protection, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage.
USAA Rental Car Reimbursement
USAA also offers rental car reimbursement, which helps pay for the cost of a rental car while your personal vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim. If you add rental reimbursement to your policy, your insurance company will pay a fixed amount per day toward the cost of your rental, up to a maximum per-claim limit.
For example, if you choose $25 per day/$600 per loss as your rental reimbursement limits, USAA will pay up to $25 per day, but no more than $600 per claim for your rental. Rental reimbursement coverage costs between $2 and $15 per month, on average, but you’ll need to call customer service to get a personalized quote and add this coverage to your policy.
The insurance offered by the rental company often duplicates coverage drivers already have through health, life, and auto insurance. You may also have rental insurance from your credit card company, which is nullified if you purchase the rental company’s coverage.
USAA roadside assistance is worth it for drivers who are looking for basic coverage at a low price. USAA customers can purchase roadside assistance as a policy add-on for $12 to $20 per year in order to get coverage for things like towing, gas delivery, and flat-tire changes.
USAA roadside assistance members can request service online or call 800-531-8555.… read full answer
What USAA Roadside Assistance Covers
Towing to the nearest repair facility
Locksmith services for lost keys or keys locked in the vehicle
Gas delivery
Jump starting a battery
Changing a flat tire
USAA Roadside Assistance vs. Popular Competitors
Company
USAA
Geico
Progressive
Average Cost
$12-$20 per year
$14 per year
$16 per year
Towing Limit
Anywhere within 50 miles
To the nearest qualified repair facility
15 miles or the nearest qualified repair shop
Winching
Only applicable if you're stuck on or near a public road
Safe distance
100 feet
Tire Change, Jumpstart, Fuel Delivery
Yes
Yes
Yes
Other Key Things to Know About USAA Roadside Assistance
It’s worth noting that USAA roadside assistance does not include battery replacement and only offers extraction if your car is stuck on or near a public road. Additionally, drivers will need to pay out of pocket for a new key or for the gas itself in the event of a lockout or refueling service call.
Since USAA roadside assistance is fairly basic compared to the roadside assistance offered by most auto clubs, it might not be worth it for drivers who want robust coverage and extra perks. Plus, if you are not already a USAA member, you’ll need to qualify in order to get USAA car insurance with roadside assistance.
USAA Roadside Assistance Reviews
USAA roadside assistance ranks 13th out of 22 companies in WalletHub’s analysis of the best roadside assistance providers. Despite its low cost, USAA roadside assistance offers only average coverage and does not allow customers to choose between multiple levels of coverage. Major insurance companies that rank above USAA include Travelers, Nationwide, and Progressive, since they offer more coverage options than USAA.
WalletHub’s USAA Car Insurance Review gave USAA 3.3 out of 5 stars, noting its low prices and many discounts. However, USAA’s customer service has received many complaints. This dissatisfaction extends to USAA’s roadside assistance, according to customer reviews. Several drivers have noted long wait times and difficulty getting in touch with a representative.
How to Decide if USAA Roadside Assistance Is Worth It
Your driving habits and budget are the most important factors when deciding if it’s worth purchasing roadside assistance through USAA. If you have a long commute or frequently take road trips far from home, USAA might not provide enough coverage for you. On the other hand, drivers who do not anticipate needing winching or long-distance towing will find USAA to be a budget-friendly choice.
If USAA roadside assistance does not offer enough coverage for your specific needs, it’s a good time to compare quotes and see if it’s worth switching car insurance providers. Otherwise, you can always maintain your USAA policy and purchase roadside assistance from an auto club like Better World Club or Good Sam. Auto clubs are generally more expensive than USAA but provide more coverage along with added discounts and perks.
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