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Homeowners insurance for military and veterans
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Best home insurance companies for military and veterans
While the best homeowners insurance for military and veterans is going to be a highly personal choice, we found a few providers that stand out from the pack. USAA, Armed Forces and Lemonade offer home insurance solutions that may work well for military members, veterans and their eligible family members. Depending on your home insurance needs, you may want to request quotes from these three companies.
USAA is one of the highest-rated home insurance companies on the market. The company also tied with Allstate for the 2024 Bankrate Award as the best Home Insurance Company Overall. USAA has excellent customer service ratings, good coverage options and low-cost policies (on average) that include coverage for perils like fire, theft and windstorms, as well as identity theft coverage, earthquake coverage, home sharing coverage and no-deductible coverage for military uniforms. Plus, your personal property is automatically insured at replacement cost value at no extra charge.
Standout features
- Earn discounts for bundling two or more policies, being claims free and installing a security system in your home to protect against theft and vandalism
- Provides coverage for uniforms for active duty and deployed military members
- Consistent high-scorer in the J.D. Power Home Insurance and Property Claims Satisfaction Studies
Pros
- Personal belongings are insured with replacement cost
- Home sharing coverage available if you are renting out a room or entire home
Cons
- Only military and qualifying family members are eligible to become USAA members and purchase USAA insurance policies
- Does not have physical brick and mortar locations or offices available for in-person insurance service
Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) is another insurance provider that caters specifically to military personnel and veterans. Like USAA, policies are only available to qualifying military members, veterans and their qualifying family members. Homeowners insurance policies from Armed Forces Insurance include coverage for your dwelling and personal belongings, plus liability insurance, medical payments and loss of use coverage. Armed Forces Insurance also offers a variety of optional coverage for everything from golf carts to identify theft. Its average rates are also lower compared to the national average.
Standout features
- Long list of optional coverage types, including animal liability coverage, water backup and sump overflow coverage, earthquake coverage and flood coverage
- Unique discounts including gated community discount and security device discounts, as well as credits for home features like a new roof, windstorm mitigation and building code effectiveness
Pros
- Membership extended to not only veterans, active-duty military and qualifying family members but also qualifying affiliates of the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, National Guard, Reserves, Coast Guard and more
- Offers multiple types of insurance, including auto, water craft, pet and more
Cons
- Above-average complaint index from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
- Unrated by AM Best for financial strength, following a request for its ratings to be removed
If you're interested in a more technology-driven approach to home insurance, consider Lemonade. Though it only offers home insurance in 23 states and Washington, D.C., it stands out thanks to its user-friendly mobile app and quick claims processing (assuming the claim is approved). This might be ideal if you are seeking the convenience of managing your home insurance policy from anywhere and want to have your claims handled without requiring lots of contact from company agents. Lemonade's strong digital presence was recognized in its 2024 Bankrate Award win for the Best Digital Home Insurance Company.
Standout features
- As a Certified B-Corporation, Lemonade maintains strict social and environmental standards
- Unused premium is donated to various charities chosen by policyholders through Lemonade’s Giveback program
Pros
- Claims can be filed through the mobile app, and if approved, are paid out nearly instantly
- Easy online quoting and digital policy management through the mobile app
Cons
- Does not have tailored coverage for active military members like the other carriers on this list
- No in-person service or dedicated agent for those who want a single resource to help with their insurance policy
Home insurance discounts for military members and veterans
If you are looking for cheap home insurance, it is possible to find a home insurance company that offers discounts for military members and veterans, even outside of the companies we reviewed above. Here are some insurance companies that offer military discounts:
- Geico: If you are affiliated with any branch of the military, you might qualify for a home insurance discount through Geico. The company’s website states that military personnel and National Guard/Reserve personnel can qualify for a discount of up to 15 percent on their premium. You can also get a discount for going on emergency deployment, or being a member of a professional military association, like the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).
- Farmers: Through Farmers’ affinity discount, military members may be eligible for a discount on their home insurance policy. According to Farmers’ website, members, employees and retirees of certain businesses, groups and professional associations can get a lower premium. We recommend contacting a Farmers agent to find out if any military-specific membership groups qualify.
- Liberty Mutual: Liberty Mutual uses Military Connect to offer qualifying home and car owners an extra discount when they bundle home and auto. Online, Liberty Mutual states that you can save 12 percent or more with a military bundle, but that the discount is not available in AK, CA, HI, MT, WY, NC, ND, NY and SD.
VA homeowners insurance
If you purchased your home with a VA loan — a special home loan for military members backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — you won’t have to worry about mortgage insurance. But, you may still be required to carry home insurance.
The VA does not have its own home insurance product. However, your VA-approved mortgage lender may offer some guidance on the best home insurance for veterans. Remember, VA loans are not given directly from the VA to a borrower; they are serviced through banks and other financial lending institutions. When finalizing your VA loan, it’s a smart idea to ask your bank about how much coverage you need and if they have relationships with reputable home insurance companies in your state.
What happens to my homeowners insurance if I am deployed?
Official military deployment could affect your homeowners insurance coverage and your premium. Many home insurance policies include two clauses that place certain limitations on your coverage when you get deployed overseas, or even to another state. Here’s what to look out for:
- Occupancy clause: Home insurance policies typically only apply to primary residences where at least one person is living at all times. If you get deployed for more than a month and no one else is living in the home, your coverage may become invalid. Vacant homes pose higher risks to home insurance companies; homes without occupants could have an ongoing issue that does not get reported in time before expensive damage is caused and can be a target for burglary or vandalism. Military-specific insurance companies, like USAA, are less likely to have this clause. If your policy explicitly states that it will not cover your home while you are deployed, ask your home insurance company about an endorsement to insure your home during the vacancy.
- War zone exemption: The other clause to be aware of is the war zone exemption. Your home insurance policy will cover your personal belongings anywhere in the world, but there may be an exception for war zones. Depending on where you get deployed, your home insurance policy might not cover the personal items you take with you. Most military-specific insurance companies, like USAA and Armed Forces, will not have this exemption.
Other than those two clauses, you’ll want to set up autopay before you’re deployed to help avoid a coverage lapse. Or, see about paying your premium for six-months or a year at a time.
Frequently asked questions
