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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years of experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Updated
Home insurance for veterans works the same way as standard homeowners coverage. But veterans may have access to military-specific insurance companies and discounts that civilians don’t. And if you use a Veterans Affairs (VA) loan to buy your home, mortgage lenders still require coverage just like other types of financing.[1]
This article covers the ins and outs of home insurance for veterans, including insurance companies specializing in military coverage, the best insurance companies to consider, and how to find the lowest rates.
Our top picks for veterans include USAA, Armed Forces Insurance, and Nationwide for their coverage options and customer service.
Specialized coverage for veterans and savings opportunities may also extend to your spouse and children, depending on the insurer.
Savings for veterans are often advertised as “military discounts” and typically range between 10% and 15% of your policy, though availability and savings vary by insurer and state.
Home insurance for veterans generally offers the same type of coverage for your home as a standard homeowners policy. But as a veteran, you might have access to more insurance options when shopping around for quotes.
Some insurance companies offer special discounts for veterans, while others exclusively sell policies to military members, veterans, and their families.[2]
If you took out a VA loan to buy your home, your mortgage lender likely has specific home insurance coverage requirements you need to meet to qualify for financing. Lenders don’t offer insurance coverage, so you’ll still have to shop around to find the best policy.
Purchasing home insurance as a veteran works the same way as buying a standard homeowners policy. You still need to buy enough coverage to meet lender requirements and protect your home against perils. Finding a policy that balances coverage needs with your budget should still be your top priority; you may have more options to choose from than civilians.
Comparing quotes from at least three insurers can help you find the best fit, especially if you get quotes from both military-focused companies and standard insurers. Once you’ve found a policy, you’ll still need to provide information about your home and location, but insurers may also ask for proof of service history or duty status to confirm your eligibility.
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Some insurance companies specifically cater to military members and veterans, including USAA and AFI. Both insurers also extend service to immediate family members, your spouse and children, and some federal agency employees. But you may be able to find cheaper or more comprehensive coverage elsewhere, so it’s important to shop around.
If you’re buying your home with a VA-backed loan, home insurance is required to get a mortgage, but coverage needs vary by lender. Most lenders ask for proof of home insurance before closing, and if your lender uses an escrow account to pay your home insurance premiums, the amount will be added to your monthly mortgage payment.
How much you pay for coverage depends on the insurer, coverage limits, and other factors like your ZIP code and claims history. And you may need to buy extra coverage, like flood insurance, depending on what your lender requires.
While all homeowners policies include dwelling, personal belongings, and liability coverage, some home insurance companies also tailor coverage and products around the needs of military members and veterans.[3] But you might find more savings as a veteran with standard insurers, so it’s always worth asking about discounts and comparing multiple quotes.
Here are our picks for the best home insurance companies for veterans.
USAA regularly makes the top of J.D. Power’s customer and claims satisfaction studies. Policyholders can find a wide array of coverage options and endorsements, including high-value home coverage, flood insurance, and valuable personal property coverage. Plus, USAA offers car insurance, life insurance, and other financial products.
USAA waives the deductible if military uniforms and other gear are damaged. USAA members can access a generous perks program that provides discounts for travel and home security systems.
Top-ranking customer and claims service
Perks program with USAA membership
Bundling discount lower than some competitors
Rates affordable but not the cheapest
Plenty of endorsement options
New home and roof credits
Unrated by J.D. Power
Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Veterans can get affordable rates with AFI, plus strong discounts like a companion policy credit (a bundling discount), gated community, and savings for hurricane mitigation. AFI also offers a strong menu of optional coverages, including water backup, flood, earthquake, and more. But you won’t find a working Android app, and reviewers dislike the one for iOS.
Nationwide’s easy-to-use website and highly rated mobile apps make it easy to self-manage your policy and claims. Veterans will also find rare coverage options, like better roof replacement, identity theft, equipment breakdown, and brand new belongings coverage that extends replacement cost coverage.
While there’s no military discount, the company offers many other discounts that may help lower your rate.
Strong claims service
Coverage in all 50 states
Average customer satisfaction scores
Poor reviews on Trustpilot
Erie is a regional insurer with strong customer service and claims satisfaction. It has more than 14,000 local insurance agents and tends to offer affordable rates and generous discounts, like savings of up to 25% for bundling home and auto insurance.
Great claims and customer service
Affordable rates, even with bad credit
Limited availability
No military-specific discounts
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.1 /5 |
|---|---|
| J.D. Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 643 |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $230/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $317/mo |
State Farm offers coverage nationwide with a team of more than 19,000 local agents providing personalized service. The company provides most homeowners with the coverage they need, but State Farm doesn’t have as many coverage options as other insurers on this list.
There’s also no military discount and few discount options, but State Farm’s rates are relatively affordable.
High marks for customer service
Wide policy availability
Low claims satisfaction
No military-specific discounts
Our independent editorial team reviewed more than two dozen national and regional insurance companies to determine the top five home insurance companies for service members. We chose the insurers above based on company reputation, customer reviews, claims satisfaction, financial strength, national availability, coverage options, discounts, and average rates.
Home insurance rates for veterans vary considerably by insurance company, home location, and other factors like your credit and claims history. That’s why it’s so important to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the lowest rates.
The table below shows the cheapest home insurers for veterans with policies that provide $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Grange | $112 |
| CSAA | $116 |
| Amica | $130 |
| AIG | $143 |
| Westfield | $149 |
| National General | $161 |
| USAA | $166 |
| American Family | $180 |
| AFI | $182 |
| Foremost | $203 |
| Mercury | $203 |
| Allstate | $204 |
| Travelers | $205 |
| ASI | $210 |
| Farmers | $226 |
| State Farm | $230 |
| Auto-Owners | $250 |
| Encompass | $268 |
| Nationwide | $274 |
| Erie | $277 |
| Country Financial | $291 |
| Chubb | $302 |
| Allied | $325 |
| Metropolitan | $354 |
| Shelter | $355 |
Average rates shown are for all policies and aren’t specific to military members or veterans.
Several insurers offer discounts or other savings opportunities for veterans and military members. Discount options may differ depending on your location, so it never hurts to ask the insurer or your agent about ways to save.
Here’s a look at some ways veterans can save on home insurance based on our research.
Company | Advertised Savings |
|---|---|
| USAA | The perks program offers military members savings on travel, moving costs, and more. |
| AFI | Savings for military members are built into its pricing model rather than specific discounts. |
| GEICO | Military members can save up to 15% |
| Liberty Mutual | Not disclosed |
| Farmers Insurance | Not disclosed |
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No matter your starting average rate, veterans can save on home insurance costs. Here are a few strategies to try:
Bundle insurance. Most insurers offer a multi-policy discount for bundling home and car insurance (or other products, like life insurance).
Maintain good credit. In most states, insurers factor your credit history into pricing and offer better rates for better credit.
Raise your deductibles. Higher deductibles usually mean lower insurance premiums.
Ask about discounts. If you don’t see a military discount, it never hurts to ask.
Shop around. Comparing home insurance quotes regularly means you never miss the chance to save money.
Here are some fast answers to the most common questions veterans ask about getting home insurance coverage.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t issue home insurance. But it offers resources online that may be helpful for veterans who need coverage.
Yes. Your lender will require you to carry home insurance when you use a VA-backed home loan. Additional coverage options, like earthquake insurance or higher policy limits, may also be required in high-risk areas.
USAA and AFI are strong options for homeowners insurance for veterans, but so are State Farm, Nationwide, and Erie. Ultimately, the best company is the one that offers the best fit for your needs and budget.
USAA usually offers affordable homeowners insurance coverage to service members, but it isn’t always the cheapest. Comparing quotes can help find the lowest rates.
Yes, veterans are often eligible for discounts on homeowners insurance. But not every insurance company offers military discounts, and savings opportunities may vary by location.
GEICO, Liberty Mutual, and Farmers Insurance offer military discounts, while USAA and AFI say they bake savings into their rates.
USAA and AFI offer special home insurance products for veterans and service members. Spouses and children may also qualify for coverage.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years of experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
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