How to Save Money with the Car Insurance Military Discount

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Written by J.J. Starr Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated February 28, 2023

There are nearly 19 million active duty, reserve, and veteran service members in the United States — about 7.5% of the adult population. To both thank military members and to earn their business, many auto insurance companies offer discounts and other advantages tailored to people in and retired from the profession. 

This article covers all the essential details about getting a military discount. By the end, you’ll know the exact steps to secure more affordable coverage. Let’s get started. 

Key Takeaways 

• The military car insurance discount is typically available to members of all branches of the United States military and the National Guard. 
• Active duty, reserve, and veteran service members usually qualify.
• The discount saves drivers between 5% and 15% on their premiums. It lasts for as long as the policy owner stays with the insurance provider. 
• To get the discount, policyholders must submit a copy of their military or veteran’s ID card. Some insurers require discharge paperwork as well. 
• The best car insurance policy may not offer a military discount. Consider how a policy meets your needs, preferences, and budget when deciding on the right one. 

What is a Military Discount For Auto Insurance?

Many auto insurance companies offer current and former military members reduced car insurance rates. The military discount saves policyholders between 10% and 15% and doesn’t expire. Additional car insurance discounts can apply to military members when deployed. For example, some companies have an emergency deployment discount that offers extra savings to military members deployed to a DOD-designated area.

There are other ways for service members to save on car insurance, deployed or not, which we will cover later in this article.

Who is Eligible?

The military car insurance discount is available to active duty, veteran, and reserve service members of all branches of the United States military, including the:

• Army
• Airforce
• Coast Guard 
• Marine Corps
• National Guard
• Navy
• Space Force

Each insurance company has unique discount rules and procedures. Some may want to see honorably discharged documentation, while others have looser constraints. It’s important to always read car insurance policy terms carefully.

How to Sign Up For a Military Discount?

There are a few steps for getting this discount, so let’s go over each in detail. 

Find a Policy Offering The Discount

The good news: You’ll have plenty of options — we share 12 below. Even better: several free online tools, including Compare.com, can provide you with a list of auto insurance companies that offer policies in your area and a military discount. Don’t forget to look into the discounts available on your current policy — you may be able to get your discount retroactively applied and earn a credit on your next bill.

Once you find a few options, you’ll want to look at what the company says about the discount on their website.  

Verify the Discount Rules

Go to the insurer’s website and look up the military discount. A quick way to do this is to put the insurer’s name and “military discount” into your search bar. 

• Tip: If you’re having trouble finding it on the discount page, hit [ctrl + F] and search for “military” on the page.  

Some insurers will provide a lot of information about the savings opportunity, while others won’t. If you have questions about it, you can always call the insurer to find out more. 

Choose Your Policy 

Choosing the best insurer among your options may take time and effort. An excellent car insurance policy meets the policyholder’s needs, preferences, and budget. Let’s take a closer look at each.

• Needs: Every driver has minimum coverage requirements that include at least state minimum liability. Many drivers also opt to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. 
• Preferences: Knowing what you value most from your insurance company is essential. Do you like to call customer service? You need a company with a 24/7 line. Prefer to self-manage your policy? You want an insurer with a great website and mobile app. 
• Budget: While keeping rates as low as possible may be a top priority, consider how much more you’d be willing to pay for a better-fitting policy. In other words, strike a balance between your budget, needs, and preferences. 

Purchase the Policy

Once you’ve chosen your policy, you need to buy it. You can typically call or buy online and may be required to make a down payment. 

Submit Documentation

With most insurance, you’ll need to submit some form of documentation that proves your service in the military. A military ID card or veteran’s ID is usually enough. But, some insurers may require additional information, such as your discharge paperwork.

Follow-Up

When your bill comes, be sure to read over it carefully. Ensure your military (and any other) discount appears within the itemized list of charges. You should contact your insurance agent if you have any concerns about your discount. 

Which Companies Offer Military Discounts For Car Insurance?

Many auto insurers give discounts to current and former military members. But some discounts are better than others, and some rules are more favorable. Below is a list of the best national and regional insurers that offer a military discount (and other advantages). 

Discounts vary from state to state, so check the rules as detailed by your insurer. 

Other Tips

In addition to discounts on standard car insurance, military members should also know about the following programs. 

Pay-Per-Mile Auto Insurance

Any driver can sign up for pay-per-mile car insurance, but it’s an excellent choice for active-duty military personnel. Military members pay very low premiums when deployed because they do not use their vehicles.

Companies that offer pay-per-mile insurance coverage include:

• Allstate Milewise
• Hugo Insurance
• Metromile 
• Mile Auto
• Nationwide Smartmiles
• Noblr

Armed Forces Insurance 

AFI provides coverage to military families, veterans, and Department of Defense employees. The company offers a full suite of insurance products in addition to auto, including: 

• Homeowner’s
• Renter’s
• Life
• Business
• Pet

J.D. Power hasn’t included AFI in recent studies, but A.M. Best last rated its creditworthiness as B+ (Good). The company has also earned a 94% renewal rate and 3.7 stars on Trustpilot.

Discounted AAA Roadside Assistance 

AAA offers a “military membership” that reduces the first year’s subscription by $9.99 and waives the enrollment fee. Members then get 10% off each annual renewal. Active-duty military personnel, veterans, and members of the National Guard or Reserves are eligible. The company also extends the discount to family members. 

Discounted AARP Membership

Military veterans get 30% off annual membership dues to AARP. Benefits of membership include discounts on an enormous range of products and services, including:

• Health and wellness 
• Hotel stays
• Long-term car insurance
• Pharmacies
• Cruises
• Car rentals
• Flights
• Travel planning

Car Insurance Military Discount FAQs

Do military members get car insurance discounts?

Many car insurance companies offer current and former military members discounts. The discount is typically between 5% and 15%, but it will depend on the auto insurer. Many large companies, including GEICO and Liberty Mutual, offer this discount. But it’s also popular with smaller insurers, including Farm Bureau and Kemper insurance.

Who has the best car insurance for the military?

Based on our research, we’ve found that GEICO tends to offer the best discounts to military members. But car insurance is about more than discounts. Be sure to consider other factors, such as customer service, online and mobile tools, and coverage options, when selecting the right policy. 

Do car dealerships give military discounts?

Yes, car dealerships often create sales and offers specifically for the military community. Automakers also offer special pricing directly to the consumer. However, service members should use caution when navigating the car-buying world. Scammers love to target younger soldiers, especially when returning home from overseas. A common scam right now is to insist on payment with gift cards. 

But military service members should also look out for “legal“ scams that are prevalent. Some dealerships are less than reputable and will take advantage of young service members by approving them for very high-interest rates or other unfavorable loan terms.

Can I use my military ID for discounts?

Yes, you can use your military ID (or, for veterans, your digital veteran’s ID) to earn a discount with retailers and service providers all over the country. When presenting proof of military service to your car insurance company, research which forms of identification are accepted. Most car insurance companies accept a military or veteran’s ID, but others may ask for additional supporting documentation.

Do military members get better car loans?

Yes, military members can get several advantages when purchasing a car through a lender. A military car loan comes with more straightforward approval requirements, lower interest rates, lower down payment, extended repayment periods, no prepayment penalties, and additional legal protections.

J.J. Starr Insurance Writer

J.J. Starr is an insurance writer for Compare.com who specializes in auto insurance and personal finance. She has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand. Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J was a registered banker and life insurance consultant. She holds a master's degree in writing from New York University and a bachelor's degree from Stephens College.