USAA Insurance vs. American Family Insurance

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.

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

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.  

Yes, USAA offers discounts on rental cars from Enterprise, Avis, Budget and Hertz Car Rental. The exact amount of a USAA rental car discount depends on factors such as the type of car and the length of the rental period, but USAA customers can save up to 25%. In order to get a discount, you will need to provide the rental car company with your USAA policy number.

USAA Rental Car Discounts 

Can I Use USAA's Insurance for My Rental Car?

If you have liability, comprehensive, or collision coverage on your USAA policy, they will transfer to your rental car. Your rental car will have the same coverage limits as your personal car. As long as the car you're renting is of similar value to your own, you can probably skip the rental company's coverage. You'll also want to pass on rental insurance at the counter if you plan to use a credit card as secondary coverage.

Yes, American Family has glass coverage for customers with comprehensive insurance. American Family customers can file a glass claim under their comprehensive coverage if their windshield was damaged due to something besides an accident, such as an animal, a weather event, or vandalism. If the windshield was damaged in a crash, drivers can file a claim with their collision insurance if they were at fault or with the at-fault driver's liability coverage.

Fixing a cracked or chipped windshield is important for safety reasons, since damaged windshields can obstruct a driver's vision and weaken the car's frame. But if the damage is minor, you might be able to have your windshield repaired rather than replaced. A general rule of thumb is that windshields can be repaired if there is a chip smaller than a quarter or a crack smaller than a dollar bill.

To encourage customers to drive safely, American Family waives the comprehensive deductible for windshield repairs. Several states also have specific laws about car insurance deductibles for windshield repairs and replacement.

State Laws on Deductibles for Glass Coverage

• Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina require companies to waive the deductible for both windshield repair and replacement.

• Kentucky and South Carolina require companies to waive the deductible for all auto glass that you can see out of, not just the windshield.

• Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York require insurers to offer customers the option of a $0 glass deductible plan. This option is often referred to as full glass coverage.

If you don't live in one of these states, you will likely have to pay your comprehensive deductible in order for your windshield to be completely replaced. You can check with American Family if you're unclear about your policy details or your state's laws. For more information, check out WalletHub's guides to comprehensive and windshield insurance.

Yes, USAA does offer free towing for customers who have the company's roadside assistance coverage. USAA roadside assistance is provided by Agero, generally costs $20 per year and includes towing services to the nearest repair facility. USAA customers can request roadside assistance online, or they can call 800-531-8555.

USAA Roadside Assistance and Towing Coverage

• Towing services to the nearest repair facility
• Flat-tire changes
• Jump starts
• Gasoline delivery
• Lockout services

While USAA's roadside assistance covers towing and other services, it doesn't cover the cost of repair parts, replacement keys, or major fixes due to things like engine failure or structural damage. You should also be aware that USAA's towing services do not apply if you need winching (extrication from mud, snow, ice), and you can't get services at an off-road location (only on or near public roads).

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.

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 2021 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 does not offer gap insurance, unlike seven of the top 10 car insurance companies. USAA's option for gap insurance is called Total Loss Protection but it's only available for purchase to customers who get an auto loan through USAA.

Alternatives to USAA Gap Insurance

You have several options if you're a current USAA customer and are looking for gap insurance. You could switch insurers and purchase a policy from a company that does offer gap insurance (or loan/lease payoff coverage, which is similar), like Nationwide or Progressive.

You could also maintain your policy with USAA and purchase gap insurance from a dealership or a stand-alone company. However, it's worth noting that dealership gap insurance is often the most expensive option since it's usually rolled into your loan and charged interest.

For more information, check out WalletHub's complete guide to gap insurance.

No, USAA does not offer temporary car insurance. The only way to get short-term car insurance from USAA, or any other reputable insurer, is to purchase a six or 12-month policy and cancel when you no longer need it. If you decide to terminate your USAA car insurance policy early, you will not be charged any cancellation fees. You may also be able to get a refund for any unused coverage time you've prepaid for.

One USAA alternative to temporary car insurance is a non-owner policy, which is available to drivers who do not own or have regular access to a vehicle. Non-owner car insurance is cheaper than a standard auto policy, since you are not covering a specific vehicle. If you rent or borrow vehicles often but don't own a car yourself, then USAA's non-owner car insurance is an affordable option. 

Yes, USAA will pay for windshield replacement or repair services for customers who have comprehensive coverage. USAA waives the comprehensive deductible for windshield repairs, though customers will still need to pay their deductible for full replacement unless their policy or state law says otherwise.

How USAA Windshield Replacement Works Depending on State

If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, you will not need to pay your deductible for windshield replacement or repairs. Additionally, insurance companies in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York must offer a "full glass coverage" policy that allows customers to choose a $0 deductible for glass repairs.

On the other hand, if the windshield was damaged in an accident and the policyholder was at-fault, USAA customers can file a collision claim, though their exact policy details will determine if they need to pay a collision deductible. And if the policyholder was not at-fault, the at-fault driver's liability insurance should cover the damage without a deductible.

If you're not sure whether you will need to pay a deductible for windshield replacement, you can check your policy details or call USAA's customer service line at 1 (210) 498-2722. To file a claim for windshield repair or replacement, you can use USAA's online portal.

No, USAA does not offer extended car warranties anymore. USAA canceled its extended car warranty program in 2018, and it has not replaced extended warranty coverage with anything similar, such as mechanical breakdown insurance, either.

Alternatives to a USAA Extended Warranty

• AAA Extended Warrany
• Allstate Extended Warranty
• Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• American Family Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Like extended warranties, mechanical breakdown insurance covers damage to major systems in a vehicle, including the engine and transmission.

For more information, check out WalletHub's guides to mechanical breakdown insurance and extended car warranties.

Yes, USAA insurance rates are competitive, since the company is one of the five cheapest insurers nationally, according to WalletHub's cheap car insurance analysis. USAA car insurance costs an average of $633 annually, or $53 per month.

USAA's car insurance rates are based on your driving record and experience, along with factors like the type of car you drive, your ZIP code, your insurance history, and more. Your coverage and deductible choices also impact your final quote, as do your eligibility for discounts.

Sample USAA Car Insurance Rates

These sample quotes are representative of USAA's insurance prices, but individual results will vary. To learn more about how we obtained these sample quotes, check out the methodology section of our complete USAA car insurance review.