Home Insurance for Military and Veterans: What You Need to Know
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USAA and Armed Forces Insurance sell homeowners policies specifically for the military community.
Other companies offer home insurance discounts for members of the military.
Whichever policy you buy, check what coverage you’ll have while you’re deployed.
When it comes to insuring their homes, veterans and current members of the military have plenty of choices. A couple of insurance companies serve the military exclusively, with features designed to accommodate the needs of those on active deployment. Other insurers offer military discounts.
Here’s what to know about buying homeowners insurance for veterans and military.
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Home insurance companies for veterans and military
The two insurance companies below exclusively serve veterans and members of the military.
USAA
USAA offers not only insurance but also bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages and other financial products for military families.
The company’s homeowners policies have several features tailored to the needs of military policyholders. Unlike most insurers, USAA will cover your personal belongings even if they’re damaged by an act of war, and it won’t reduce your coverage for a house left vacant while you’re deployed. It also covers military uniforms without a deductible for service members on active or reserve duty.
USAA includes home-sharing coverage standard for those who rent out their home on vacation rental websites (which could come in handy if you’re seeking a little extra income during a deployment).
Although USAA homeowners policies are available in every state and Washington, D.C., coverage options may vary by location.
USAA membership is open to:
Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard or military reserves.
Veterans who’ve retired or been honorably discharged.
Precommissioned officers.
Spouses and children of USAA members.
» MORE: USAA home insurance review
Armed Forces Insurance
AFI sells both its own military home insurance policies and those of partner companies. Members can choose their preferred rate and package.
The company offers a variety of ways to customize your policy. Optional endorsements include coverage for identity theft, water backup damage and valuable personal items such as jewelry.
You’re eligible for Armed Forces Insurance membership if you fall into one of the following categories:
Active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard or military reserves, or their current or surviving spouse.
Veteran who’s retired or been honorably discharged, or their current or surviving spouse.
Active or retired civilian employee of the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs.
Member of a service academy, including Merchant Marines and ROTC cadets.
Child, parent or former spouse of a current or former AFI member.
Former AFI member.
Active, retired or former commissioned officer of the U.S. Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Home insurance companies with military discounts
The following companies sell insurance to a broad population but offer home insurance discounts specifically for veterans and members of the military.
Farmers Insurance offers a discount of 2% to 8% to active, retired, reserve and honorably discharged members of the military. The discount varies by state and isn't available everywhere.
Liberty Mutual offers savings on homeowners insurance for active, retired or reserve members of the military in some states.
Keep in mind that you may find cheaper home insurance with another company, even if it doesn’t offer a military discount. Every insurer calculates its rates slightly differently, so it’s worth seeking home insurance quotes from at least three companies.
» MORE: The cheapest home insurance
Special considerations for military home insurance
It’s never a bad idea to read your homeowners policy carefully to make sure you understand your coverage, but it’s particularly important for active members of the military who expect to be deployed. You might find certain gaps in coverage that you’ll want to be aware of.
For instance, homeowners policies typically offer at least some coverage for your personal belongings when you’re away from home, but they commonly exclude damage related to war. So if you’re deployed to a combat zone, you may not have adequate coverage for the clothing and personal effects you bring with you. As noted above, USAA is an exception, covering up to $10,000 for items lost due to war, with no deductible.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for vacancy clauses in your policy. If you’re insured with a company other than USAA, certain types of coverage may be limited once your home has been vacant for a minimum period of time, usually 30 or 60 days. If you expect your deployment to be longer than that and no one else will be living in your home, discuss your options with your insurer. Learn more about unoccupied and vacant home insurance.
Some people elect to rent out their home to others during deployment. If you choose this alternative, you may need to swap your homeowners policy for a landlord or rental dwelling policy to make sure your home is properly covered. Again, your agent or insurer can advise you.
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