The best home insurance companies for military veterans
Veterans and active-duty military personnel have a number of options when purchasing homeowners insurance, like membership with top-rated insurers like USAA, Armed Forces Insurance, and other military-exclusive insurance providers.
These companies generally cater their policies specifically to members of the armed forces and their families. USAA, for example, provides a special coverage for military uniforms. Numerous other insurers, including GEICO and Liberty Mutual, offer special discounts to veterans and active-duty personnel.
We looked at the average rate with each company, coverage options, and availability of perks, veterans benefits, and discounts exclusively for VA members and their families to find the best homeowners insurance for veterans in 2023.
Methodology: Why you can trust our picks for the best home insurance companies
Our team of licensed insurance experts at Policygenius selected the best homeowners insurance for veterans by analyzing companies based on the following criteria:
Coverages and programs that cater specifically to veterans and the military
Strong customer satisfaction ratings and reviews
Competitive rates compared to the national average
To find these rates, we analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Best overall company for veterans
2023 Policygenius award winner
USAA
4.9
Bundle home & auto
All 50 states
Offers extended replacement cost
Mobile app
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
USAA's robust coverages and high marks for customer service and claims satisfaction make it a solid home insurance option for military members and their families.
Pros and cons
Pros
Affordable rates
Over a dozen additional coverage options
Industry-best customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Cons
Limited to people affiliated with the U.S. military
More details
Why USAA is best for veterans
USAA homeowners insurance, in particular, is among the best in the industry, featuring a full suite of flexible coverage options at competitive rates with excellent customer service and impeccable claim satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power.
One particular coverage perk for active-duty members is military uniform coverage, which covers enlisted members’ uniforms if they’re damaged while on active or reserve duty. USAA doesn’t charge a policy deductible for damaged uniform claims.
The company also offers affordable rates. A homeowners policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage costs on average $1,479 per year with USAA — over $400 cheaper than the national average of $1,754.
USAA membership eligibility requirements
You’ll likely qualify for membership with USAA if you fit one of the following, according to the USAA website:
Active duty military personnel
Member of the National Guard or Reserve
Veteran
Eligible family member of a military personnel, cadet, or midshipman
Children of USAA members
Pre-commissioned officers
More about USAA
USAA has over $150 billion in total assets and is one of the largest insurance companies around. With USAA, you can get homeowners insurance, condo insurance, car insurance as well as financial services like banking and investments.
Best coverage add-ons for veterans
Armed Forces Insurance
4.0
Bundle home & auto
All 50 states
Offers earthquake insurance
Offers flood insurance
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) offers home insurance policies to veterans, active military members, and their families. It’s a good pick if you’re looking for affordable rates and a slew of extra coverage add-ons.
Pros and cons
Pros
Cheap rates that are 23% below the national average
Several valuable coverage add-ons, including water backup, valuable items, flood insurance, earthquake insurance, and more
Gives back to the military community by supporting local food banks and providing resources for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder
Cons
Only available to members of the military, veterans, and their families
Poor customer service and financial strength ratings
Doesn’t offer an app
More details
Why Armed Forces Insurance is best for veterans
An AFI homeowners insurance policy costs on average $1,513 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage — which is a few hundred dollars cheaper than the national average.
The company offers upgrades and coverage add-ons, like earthquake and flood coverage. You can even qualify for discounts if you live in a gated community or install safety features like burglar alarms and cameras.
Armed Forces Insurance membership eligibility requirements
You’ll likely qualify for membership with Armed Forces Insurance if you fit one of the following, according to the AFI website:
Active-duty, retired or honorably discharged military, including National Guard, Reserves, and Coast Guard
Active or retired Department of Defense civilian employee
Service Academy including Merchant Marine or ROTC cadet
Spouse or child of a current or former AFI member
Active, retired or former commissioned officer of the NOAA or PHS
Former spouse of a current or former AFI member
More about Armed Forces Insurance
Armed Forces Insurance was founded in 1887 and offers homeowners, renters, and auto insurance. The company scored a 3.9 out of 5 stars from Consumer Advocate — which is considered “very good” on their rating scale. And although AFI is a much smaller company than USAA, it offers much of the same coverage and perks.
Homeowners discounts for military and veteran families
Several insurance companies in different states offer discounts on your homeowners insurance rates based on your profession, including if you’re an active-duty member of the armed forces or a retired veteran.
You might want to start your search with one of these popular companies that offer military discounts:
1. Farmers
One way to trim your premiums with Farmers is through its affinity discount, which provides a discount for employees, retirees, and members of approved businesses and professional groups in your state. Military personnel and veterans of the armed forces are among the discount-eligible professions.
Read our Farmers homeowners insurance review
2. Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual also offers a military discount to veterans and those who currently serve in the military, according to the Liberty Mutual website.
Read our Liberty Mutual homeowners insurance review
3. Geico
if you’re on active duty, a veteran, or a member of the National Guard or Reserves, you may be eligible for a military discount of up to 15%, according to the Geico website.
Read our Geico homeowners insurance review
VA loans and home insurance
One of the overarching benefits of a service member and veteran status is access to homeownership assistance through VA loans, which are mortgages that require no down payment and typically have a low interest rate. While the Department of Veterans Affairs itself doesn’t offer homeowners insurance, the mortgage lender servicing the VA loan may recommend insurers or have relationships with certain providers.
As is the case with most kinds of mortgages, your lender will require you to purchase homeowners insurance before letting you take out a VA loan on a home and keep the home insured through the duration of the mortgage term.
Does being deployed affect your homeowners insurance?
There are a couple of stipulations found in most homeowners insurance policies that may impact deployed service members’ coverage.
Look for any of these two clauses in your policy when you’re shopping for home insurance.
Vacancy or occupancy clause
Most homeowners insurance policies won’t cover your home if it’s been vacant or unoccupied for greater than 30 to 60 days. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer a separate vacant and unoccupied home insurance policy or endorsement that can activate once you’re deployed for service.
War exclusion
Most standard homeowners insurance policies list “acts of war” as an excluded peril in the policy. That means if you’re deployed and your personal belongings are destroyed by combat overseas, your insurer won’t pay out for the loss.
Check to see if your insurance company offers an exemption to this peril for members of the military. As we touched on earlier, USAA offers uniform and war zone coverage for deployed service members.
Frequently asked questions
Is USAA only for veterans?
No. You’re eligible for USAA membership if you’re on active duty, enlisted in the National Guard or Reserve, a veteran, an eligible family member of military personnel, an eligible family member of a USAA member, or a cadet or midshipman.
How much cheaper is USAA homeowners insurance?
Rates for a standard homeowners insurance policy through USAA are typically lower than competitor rates, but how much you'll pay for home insurance depends on a variety of factors. The best way to get the lowest possible rate is to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies, including USAA for veterans.
Can I use the VA loan after I get out of the military?
Yes! VA loans are meant for both active and retired members of the military, which means you can still get a VA loan even if you are retired from the military.
Does the VA loan pay for home insurance?
The VA doesn't offer home insurance, it offers VA loans which are mortgages. Your mortgage lender will likely require you to purchase home insurance, which are not covered by your VA loan.
