USAA Renters Insurance Review 2024

About USAA renters insurance

USAA renters insurance earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall performance and is among NerdWallet’s Best Renters Insurance Companies for 2024. USAA serves veterans and active members of the military, offering renters policies that are more comprehensive than most. Nearly every insurer will cover things like theft and fire damage, but USAA also covers your stuff if it’s destroyed by flooding or earthquakes. (Insurance for these disasters typically costs extra from other companies.)

Even with this additional coverage, USAA renters insurance is less expensive than the national average, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

To buy renters insurance from USAA, you must be a USAA member. The following people are eligible for membership:

• Active members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard and reserves.

• Military veterans who were honorably discharged.

• Precommissioned officers.

• Children of USAA members.

• Spouses of active military or veterans.

• Widowed spouses of USAA members, or divorced spouses who haven’t remarried.

Where USAA stands out

Generous coverage. It’s tough to find a renters insurance policy that will cover flood and earthquake damage, but USAA’s does. Add replacement coverage for your personal belongings, and USAA has some of the most complete coverage available for renters.

Customer satisfaction. USAA draws very few consumer complaints to state regulators, and its renters insurance scored highly for consumer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2024 Home Insurance Study.

Where USAA falls short

Availability. Only active military, veterans and their families can buy USAA renters insurance.

» MORE: 6 reasons not to skip renters insurance

State availability

USAA renters insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It may also be available if you're stationed outside the U.S. Contact USAA directly for specifics.

» MORE: The cheapest renters insurance

USAA renters insurance coverage

USAA also includes the following types of coverage, which often cost extra from other companies:

• Flood insurance. USAA works with the National Flood Insurance Program to cover your items in case of flood damage.

• Earthquake coverage. USAA will also pay for damage due to earthquakes.

• Replacement cost coverage. Some renters policies cover your items on an "actual cash value" basis. That means if a fire damages your 5-year-old leather recliner, the insurance company would pay out only what the chair is worth at the time of the accident (likely far less than what you originally paid for it). With replacement cost coverage, USAA will pay you enough to buy a new recliner.

USAA doesn’t charge a deductible if your military uniform or equipment is damaged in a covered claim. The company may also cover your belongings if you’re deployed overseas or living outside the U.S.

You can pay extra to add the following types of coverage to a USAA renters policy:

• Electronics. Adding USAA’s tech package gives your gadgets additional coverage beyond what’s offered in a standard renters policy. Say you spill coffee on your laptop keyboard or lose your phone on the subway — USAA will cover your device, minus a $250 deductible.

• Valuable personal property. Got expensive jewelry, musical instruments or guns? Because renters policies often have limited coverage for these items, you may want to buy extra insurance to be sure they’re fully covered. Unlike your renters policy, the valuable personal property coverage has no deductible. An appraisal may be required.

USAA renters insurance rates

The average annual cost of USAA renters insurance is $142 a year, or about $12 a month, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s cheaper than the national average of $148 per year. Here’s how USAA’s rates stack up against some of its competitors.

Our sample rates were calculated for 30-year-old renters with a $500 deductible, $30,000 of personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage.

» MORE: The average cost of renters insurance in every state

Discounts

Depending on where you live, you may be able to save on your renters policy by:

• Bundling it with a USAA auto policy.

• Not filing any claims.

• Adding a home security system, automatic sprinklers or monitored fire alarm.

• Living on a base or in a service academy.

• Attending a senior military college as a cadet.

Consumer complaints

USAA received far fewer home insurance complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (NAIC home insurance complaints also cover other home policy types, including mobile home, renters and condo insurance.)

» MORE: USAA life insurance review

Consumer experience

Website: You can use the USAA website to get a quote, pay your bill, view policy documents and file claims. The website offers general insurance information plus advice on topics such as preparing for natural disasters and life in the military.

App: The company’s highly rated mobile app lets you access your insurance policies and other USAA products, such as bank accounts and credit cards. You can use the app to pay bills, report claims and see policy information.

Claims: You can submit a renters insurance claim online or through the app. Once filed, you can log into your account to track the status of your claim. If you have trouble, you can call USAA’s main number at 800-531-8722.

Customer service: You can get answers to quick questions from USAA’s “virtual agent" or call 800-531-8722.

Other renters insurance companies to consider

Not ready to make a decision? You may be interested in these other renters insurance companies:

» MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review

Methodology