USAA
- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.
- Policies available in all states and Washington, D.C.
- Available to active military, veterans and their families only.
The NerdWallet editorial team awarded USAA 5 stars out of 5 for overall performance in its 2025 auto insurance review. Our scoring formula evaluates consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.
USAA is the fifth-largest auto insurer in the country and offers a wide variety of insurance products while receiving high marks in customer satisfaction surveys. The company also offers investing and banking services.
USAA only sells auto insurance to active military members, veterans and their families, as well as the employees of certain government departments.
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
35+ years of combined experience covering insurance.
1.5 billion+ auto insurance rates analyzed by our team of experts.
700+ auto insurance companies analyzed in over 29,000 U.S. cities. (See our top picks.)
NerdWallet writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. Read our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.
- How we review auto insurance companies
In our auto insurance reviews, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account:
Financial strength. We use A.M. Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. NerdWallet does not recommend companies with a rating lower than a B.
Complaints. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The best auto insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints.
Ease of use. This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes how much coverage information is offered online, whether a user can start and track a claim online and get a quote and mobile app scores based on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.
Discounts. We look at both the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.
Where USAA stands out
Affordability. USAA is among the cheapest five insurance companies in the nation, on average, according to NerdWallet’s September 2025 analysis.
Coverage. USAA offers a wide range of coverage types you can choose from, including roadside assistance, rental reimbursement and rideshare insurance. Some options may not be available in every state.
Extra perks. USAA provides military-minded discounts if you are deployed or store your vehicle on-base. It may also offer accident forgiveness after five years of clean driving.
Where USAA falls short
Eligibility requirements. USAA only writes auto insurance policies for military families. This means it is unavailable to the majority of drivers even though it ranks among NerdWallet’s best car insurance companies of 2025.
Compare to other insurers
NerdWallet rating 5.0/5 |  NerdWallet rating 4.5/5 |  NerdWallet rating 4.0/5 |
Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts |
Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average |
NAIC complaints Fewer than expected | NAIC complaints Close to expected | NAIC complaints More than expected |
Bottom line USAA offers insurance to active military, veterans and their families only. | Bottom line Progressive offers a variety of discounts and insurance products to cater to most people, though there’s room for improvement when it comes to customer satisfaction. | Bottom line Liberty Mutual offers a long list of discounts, plus robust digital tools on its website and app. |
How much does USAA car insurance cost?
USAA car insurance costs an average of $1,457 per year for full coverage, compared to the national average of $2,285. These rates are according to NerdWallet’s September 2025 analysis.
| Company | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,927 | $750 |
| American Family | $2,142 | $697 |
| Farmers | $3,886 | $1,202 |
| GEICO | $1,983 | $489 |
| Nationwide | $2,695 | $949 |
| Progressive | $2,148 | $637 |
| State Farm | $2,140 | $490 |
| Travelers | $1,714 | $540 |
| USAA* | $1,457 | $373 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
These rates are for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history and good credit with full coverage insurance. Our full coverage rates include liability, comprehensive, collision and any additional insurance a state requires a driver to have. Your own price will depend on your driving history, car make and model, location and other factors.
For more information on USAA car insurance rates, including rates after an at-fault accident or DUI, check out the table below.
If you’re looking for the cheapest auto insurance rates possible, you may want to buy the minimum car insurance needed to drive in your state. Read our cheap car insurance article to see average minimum car insurance rates by company and state.
How USAA's rates compare
Factors like your driving and insurance history, vehicle information and credit score all affect the rates you’ll get from USAA and other companies. Since the cost of car insurance is different for each driver, it’s a good idea to compare rates from multiple companies to find the most affordable policy for you.
Here are USAA’s average annual auto insurance rates compared to national averages for full coverage insurance and four driving profiles based on NerdWallet’s September 2025 analysis.
| Driver profile | Company average rate | National average rate |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | $373 | $623 |
| Full coverage | $1,457 | $2,285 |
| One speeding ticket, good credit | $1,761 | $2,894 |
| One at-fault crash, good credit | $2,117 | $3,381 |
| One DUI, good credit | $2,824 | $4,251 |
| Clean driving record, poor credit | $2,650 | $3,808 |
USAA auto insurance coverage
The coverage options an insurer offers may determine whether or not that company is right for you. As you shop for auto insurance, it's important to understand what types of coverage you want beyond your state’s minimum requirements.
USAA offers the usual auto coverage choices, plus some optional features you can add (depending on your state) for an extra cost. These include:
Accident forgiveness. With this add-on coverage, which is free in some states after five years accident-free with the company, USAA won’t increase your auto insurance premiums after one at-fault accident.
Rideshare insurance. This optional coverage is available for customers who drive for companies like Uber or Lyft. Ridesharing companies generally pay for some liability when drivers are on their way to pick up a passenger and until drop-off, but not in between rides; this coverage fills that gap. It also covers you if you work for a delivery service.
Car replacement assistance. If your vehicle is totaled, having this coverage means you’ll receive the actual cash value of the car, plus an additional 20% of its value. You must have comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy to add this endorsement.
» MORE: Common types of car insurance
Auto insurance discounts
Depending on where you live, you may be able to save money on your USAA car insurance by:
Going at least five years without an accident.
Completing a defensive driving or basic driver training course.
Meeting USAA’s standards for a good student.
Having a car that is three years old or newer.
Installing an anti-theft device.
Insuring multiple vehicles through USAA.
Driving relatively few miles in a year.
Storing your vehicle in a safe location and not driving it.
Being a former dependent on your parents’ insurance and taking over as the new policyholder.
Having continuous auto insurance coverage through USAA.
Garaging your vehicle on a military base.
Having multiple policies with USAA.
» MORE: Car insurance discounts guide
First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure of where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.
Pricing based on tracked driving habits
Enrolling in USAA’s SafePilot or SafePilot Miles programs may allow you to lower your car insurance rates if you’re a safe or infrequent driver. Both programs collect data on your driving habits using USAA’s DriveSafe app.
SafePilot: This program offers discounts up to 30% upon renewal for good drivers. The discount you’ll receive is based on your driving score, which depends on factors like how hard you brake, how much you use your phone while driving and how often you drive.
SafePilot Miles: Your rate changes every month depending on how much you drive. SafePilot Miles offers a sign-up bonus up to 20%, and discounts up to 20% upon renewal for safe driving habits, like if you limit harsh braking and phone usage while driving.
Is USAA a good insurance company?
USAA received an overall satisfaction score of 80 out of 100 by a pool of its customers in a NerdWallet survey conducted online in June and July 2024. To put that in perspective, the average score among 11 insurers was 79, and the highest was 81.
Complaints and customer satisfaction
USAA had fewer than the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Though evaluated, USAA wasn’t ranked in J.D. Power’s auto insurance studies because its policies aren’t available to all consumers. It's worth noting, however, that customers gave largely positive feedback about the insurer for auto insurance shopping and claims satisfaction.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
More about USAA auto insurance
Website: USAA’s site has information about coverage options, plus advice on topics such as how to live in retirement, prepare for natural disasters and buy a car. Planners and calculators help you determine your financial needs.
App: Available for Apple and Android devices, the USAA app provides secure account access. You can pay bills, get ID cards, request roadside assistance or file a claim.
Other insurance options from USAA
USAA sells many other types of insurance. Here are some of the options.
Home and renters: USAA offers homeowners and renters insurance with all the standard features, plus a few useful extras. Learn more by reading NerdWallet’s USAA home insurance review and USAA renters insurance review.
Life: USAA sells permanent and term life insurance. You can learn more in NerdWallet’s USAA life insurance review.
USAA also offers other insurance policies, including:
Condo.
Landlord.
Umbrella.
USAA partners with third parties to sell the following types of insurance:
Mobile home.
Farm and ranch.
Boat.
Motorcycle or ATV.
RV.
Small business.
Classic car.
Pet.
Travel.
Special event.
Supplemental health.
Frequently asked questions
How can I contact USAA?
How can I contact USAA?
You can contact USAA at 800-531-8722, Monday to Saturday.
How do I get a quote from USAA?
How do I get a quote from USAA?
You can get a quote from USAA online.
How do I file a claim with USAA?
How do I file a claim with USAA?
You can file an auto claim online, through the mobile app or via fax. The USAA fax number is 800-531-8669.
Does USAA offer rideshare insurance?
Does USAA offer rideshare insurance?
Yes, you can add USAA’s rideshare coverage to make sure you’re insured during the time the app is on but you haven’t been matched yet with a rider.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.J.D. Power. 2025 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. Accessed Sep 9, 2025.
- 2.J.D. Power. 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Study. Accessed Sep 9, 2025.
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” and “poor” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are average rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit. In states where credit isn’t taken into account, we only used rates for “good credit.”
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
We used a 2022 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for drivers of the following ages: 20, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60 and 70.
Auto insurance survey methodology
The opt-in survey of 7,503 U.S. adults ages 18 and older was conducted online by Russell Research on behalf of NerdWallet in June and July 2024. Respondents were asked to rate one auto insurance brand they obtained or renewed a policy within the past 12 months, with at least some changes to the original policy. These brands were rated on overall satisfaction, overall value, online experience, trustworthiness, mobile app experience, claims experience and customer support on a scale of 1-100.
Only brands with 100 or more qualifying respondents are reported. Of those respondents: 300 were State Farm customers, 300 were Progressive customers, 300 were Allstate customers, 300 were GEICO customers, 100 were USAA customers, 157 were AAA customers, 100 were Liberty Mutual customers, 100 were American Family customers, 100 were Farmers customers, 100 were Travelers customers and 101 were Nationwide customers.
