- Nationwide – Great for high-value homes
- USAA – Best for military and veterans
- Westfield – Best for price
With 15 years of immersion in the world of personal finance, Ashley Kilroy simplifies financial concepts for individuals striving toward financial security. Her expertise has been showcased in reputable publications including Rolling Stone, SmartAsset and Money Talks News. She's committed to equipping readers with the knowledge needed to achieve their financial goals.
Ashley Kilroy
With 15 years of immersion in the world of personal finance, Ashley Kilroy simplifies financial concepts for individuals striving toward financial security. Her expertise has been showcased in reputable publications including Rolling Stone, SmartAsset and Money Talks News. She's committed to equipping readers with the knowledge needed to achieve their financial goals.
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
Fact Checked
Ashlee Valentine
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
As a veteran or active military member, you and your family have plenty of homeowner insurance options. While some home insurance companies have discounts for military members, it’s smart to shop among many available options to find the best overall price and coverage options.
Here are our top picks for the best homeowners insurance companies for veterans and military members.
Read more
Show Summary
- Top 3 Home Insurance Companies For Veterans and Members of the Military
- Nationwide
- USAA
- Westfield
- Summary: Best Home Insurance for Military Members and Veterans
- Homeowners Insurance Requirements for VA Loans
- How Does Military Deployment Affect Your Homeowners Insurance?
- How Much Does Military Home Insurance Cost?
- What Home Insurance Companies Offer Military Discounts?
- Other Ways Military Members and Families Can Save on Home Insurance
- Methodology
- Homeowners Insurance for Veterans and Military Members FAQ
- Next Up in Homeowners Insurance
Top 3 Home Insurance Companies For Veterans and Members of the Military
Summary: Best Home Insurance for Military Members and Veterans
*USAA home insurance is open only to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Homeowners Insurance Requirements for VA Loans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs partners with private lenders to offer eligible military members, veterans and surviving spouses home financing through Veterans Affairs (VA) loans.
VA loans are usually attractive financing options for potential homebuyers since there are no down payment, credit score or private mortgage insurance requirements. Plus, VA loans usually have competitive interest rates.
Although the VA doesn’t have some of the requirements of other lenders, they do require all borrowers to purchase enough homeowners insurance to protect the home against risks common to the community. For example, if a property resides in a special flood hazard area (SFHA), the borrower must obtain flood insurance equal to the loan value.
Who Is Eligible For Military-Specific Home Insurance?
Qualifications you might need to be eligible for military-specific home insurance include the following:
- You are an active duty, National Guard, or U.S. Army Reserve member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- You retired from the U.S. Armed Forces.
- You are separated from the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge.
- You are a spouse or surviving spouse, an active or retired military member.
- You are a child of an active or retired military member.
How Does Military Deployment Affect Your Homeowners Insurance?
Before you leave on deployment, it’s crucial to understand how your absence will impact your home insurance policy. Whether out of state or across the globe, homeowner insurance policies usually have limitations for when you’re away.
Here are a few things you must consider before you deploy.
Occupancy clause
Vacant or unoccupied homes are usually more vulnerable to vandalism and damage from things like busted pipes or fires. Since no one is there to tend to unexpected issues, damages will likely go unnoticed.
Due to these risks, insurance companies include vacancy or occupancy clauses in their policy terms. A vacancy clause usually states that your property cannot be left unattended for more than 30 to 60 days. If your deployment exceeds this timeframe, your insurers may void your coverage. So, it’s best to check the occupancy requirements with your insurer to ensure your home is protected while you’re away.
In some cases, insurers will offer vacant home insurance, which protects your home while you’re deployed.
War zone exemption
While you’re away on deployment, your home insurance policy will usually cover the personal belongings you take with you. However, if any of your stuff is damaged or destroyed while in a war zone, your policy typically won’t repair or replace your belongings.
Policy cancellation or lapse
If your policy is set to renew while you’re away, you want to ensure you pay your bill in advance or set up autopay. If your policy expires, you may struggle to obtain coverage once you get back home. Additionally, your rate can increase if you let your policy lapse for more than 30 days.
How Much Does Military Home Insurance Cost?
Home insurance costs an average of $1,582 per year for dwelling coverage of $350,000, based on Forbes Advisor’s analysis of homeowners insurance rates. Military members should compare home insurance quotes from several insurers in order to find the best price.
Cheapest home insurance for veterans and military members
Here are rates based on Forbes Advisor’s analysis of the largest home insurers in the country. Military members should get home insurance quotes from USAA and a few other companies to zero in on the best price.
| Home insurance company | Average annual home insurance cost |
|---|---|
|
Nationwide
|
$1,309
|
|
USAA*
|
$1,243
|
|
Westfield
|
$1,164
|
|
American Family
|
$1,251
|
|
Chubb
|
$1,717
|
|
Erie
|
$1,378
|
|
State Farm
|
$1,475
|
|
Farmers
|
$1,877
|
|
Allstate
|
$1,313
|
|
Auto-Owners
|
$1,645
|
|
Progressive
|
$746
|
|
Country Financial
|
$2,283
|
|
Shelter
|
$2,337
|
|
Travelers
|
$2,404
|
Rates are based on dwelling coverage of $350,000. *USAA home insurance is open only to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Average cost of home insurance by state
| State | Average cost per year of $350,000 in dwelling coverage | Cheapest home insurance company in state |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,996
|
Allstate
|
|
|
Alaska
|
$1,101
|
Allstate
|
|
$1,262
|
Armed Forces Insurance Exchange
|
|
|
$2,156
|
USAA
|
|
|
$1,013
|
Armed Forces Insurance Exchange
|
|
|
$2,164
|
Auto-Owners
|
|
|
$1,083
|
Century National
|
|
|
$872
|
Cumberland Insurance Group
|
|
|
$2,512
|
Progressive
|
|
|
$2,332
|
United Property & Casualty
|
|
|
Hawaii
|
$364
|
Dongbu Insurance Co.
|
|
Idaho
|
$1,119
|
Nationwide
|
|
$1,416
|
Erie
|
|
|
$1,370
|
Cincinnati Insurance
|
|
|
Iowa
|
$1,636
|
Nationwide
|
|
Kansas
|
$2,525
|
Auto-Owners
|
|
$2,206
|
Cincinnati Insurance
|
|
|
$3,549
|
Bankers Insurance
|
|
|
$962
|
Concord
|
|
|
$1,256
|
Brethren Mutual
|
|
|
$1,138
|
State Farm
|
|
|
$1,209
|
AAA
|
|
|
$1,507
|
Auto-Owners
|
|
|
$2,734
|
State Farm
|
|
|
Missouri
|
$1,762
|
Nationwide
|
|
Montana
|
$1,406
|
Kemper
|
|
Nebraska
|
$2,591
|
Nationwide
|
|
Nevada
|
$745
|
Universal Insurance
|
|
$802
|
||
|
$858
|
United Property & Casualty Insurance
|
|
|
$1,368
|
Foremost
|
|
|
$1,087
|
Kemper
|
|
|
$1,560
|
State Farm
|
|
|
North Dakota
|
$1,656
|
State Auto
|
|
$1,025
|
Armed Forces Insurance Exchange
|
|
|
$3,651
|
Armed Forces Insurance Exchange
|
|
|
$784
|
Mutual of Enumclaw
|
|
|
$884
|
Cumberland Insurance Group
|
|
|
$1,271
|
State Farm
|
|
|
$1,394
|
Bankers Insurance Group
|
|
|
South Dakota
|
$1,895
|
Nationwide
|
|
$1,641
|
American National
|
|
|
$2,547
|
Armed Forces Insurance Exchange
|
|
|
Utah
|
$643
|
Unigard
|
|
$845
|
Vermont Mutual
|
|
|
Virginia
|
$1,100
|
Cincinnati Insurance
|
|
$1,088
|
PEMCO
|
|
|
West Virginia
|
$1,280
|
USAA
|
|
$949
|
Rockford Mutual
|
|
|
Wyoming
|
$1,145
|
Allied
|
What Home Insurance Companies Offer Military Discounts?
Some insurance companies that offer military discounts on home insurance include:
- Farmers
- Geico
- Kemper
- Liberty Mutual
Note that Geico partners with other insurance companies that sell homeowners insurance. When you request a quote, you’ll be matched with another insurance company.
Military-specific home insurance company discounts
USAA and Armed Forces Insurance offer competitive rates and are only available to military members. As a result, they do not offer a military discount. They do offer other home insurance discounts that are common among standard insurers.
USAA homeowner discounts include those for:
- Being claims-free for five years
- Home and auto bundles
- Monitored fire or safety systems
- Water and smoke detection
USAA also offers discounts on PODS Moving & Storage, ADT Home Security and Angi handyman and cleaning services through its USAA Perks program.
Home insurance discounts and credits from Armed Forces Insurance include those for:
- Building code effectiveness grading
- Central station burglar and fire alarm
- Gated or guarded community
- New home
- New roof
- Windstorm mitigation
Other Ways to Save on Military Home Insurance
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Comparison Shop
One of the most effective ways to trim home insurance costs is to shop around. I recommend comparison shopping with at least three different companies because the price for a policy can vary significantly from insurance company to the next. Request quotes for the same coverage levels from each insurer so that you’re comparing apples to apples.
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Ask if Raising your Deductible Will Lower Your Rates
You can save money on your home insurance by raising your deductible. The deductible is the amount deducted from an insurance claim check. By lowering a potential claim payout, we’ve found that you can get cheaper home insurance. Ask your home insurance agent or company how much you will save if you increase your deductible.
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Ask About Other Discounts
In addition to military discounts, I always suggest that homeowners see if they qualify for other home insurance discounts related to a home’s features and policy details. An insurance agent can help you review your policy to see what savings opportunities are available to you. Common homeowner discounts include: claims-free, loyalty, multi-home, multi-policy (also known as bundling), new or renovated home. and protective and safety devices.
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Other Ways Military Members and Families Can Save on Home Insurance
Comparison shopping
One of the most effective ways to trim home insurance costs is to shop around. We recommend comparison shopping with at least three different companies because the price for a policy can vary significantly from insurance company to the next. Request quotes for the same coverage levels from each insurer so that you’re comparing apples to apples.
Ask if raising your deductible will lower your rates
You might be able to save money on your home insurance by raising your deductible. The deductible is the amount deducted from an insurance claim check. By lowering a potential claim payout, you may get cheaper home insurance. Ask your home insurance agent or company how much you will save if you increase your deductible.
Ask for discounts
In addition to military discounts, you can qualify for other home insurance discounts related to the features of the home and policy details. An insurance agent can help you review your policy to see what savings opportunities are available to you.
For example, inform your agent if you’ve made any recent changes to your home, such as adding a security system or replacing an old roof. Since agents are not likely aware of household changes, sharing this information can help you ensure you receive all eligible discounts. You can also contact your home insurance company directly and ask what discounts are offered.
Here are some other homeowner discounts your insurer may offer:
Claim-free homeowner insurance discount
Insurance companies may offer a discount if you go without filing a home insurance claim for an extended time. For example, if you are claims-free for five or more years, USAA provides a discount of up to 15%.
Disaster preparedness home insurance discount
If you live in a place where severe weather is typical, insurance companies may offer a discount if you install weather protection features—for example, storm shutters or shatterproof windows—to protect your home from damage.
Loyalty discount
Insurance companies value loyalty. Some award you by offering discounts for keeping your policy with them for an extended time. For instance, you can save up to 5% if you have a USAA home insurance policy for three consecutive years.
Multi-home insurance discount
Owning multiple homes and insuring them with a single insurance company can help you qualify for a discount.
Multi-policy discount or bundling discount
You may cut your insurance costs when purchasing multiple policies from one insurance company. For example, bundling auto and home insurance or home and boat insurance may help you save money on your home insurance cost. USAA customers may save up to 10% on their rate by bundling home and auto policies.
New or renovated home insurance discount
If you insure a newly constructed or renovated house, you can typically snag a price break on your homeowners insurance policy.
Payment discount
You can qualify for a discount if you pay your annual home insurance rate upfront or go paperless.
Protective and safety device discount
If your home has devices such as smoke detectors, security systems, sprinklers, or deadbolts, you may be eligible for a discount.
Proximity to fire hydrant or department discount
Your insurance company may offer a discount if a fire-control resource like a fire hydrant or fire station is close to your home.
Roof age discount
You can qualify for a discount if your home has a newer roof.
Methodology
To find the best home insurance for veterans and military members, we scored companies based on these factors:
- Home insurance rates (50% of score): Based on average rates for each insurance company for homes with dwelling coverage of $200,000, $350,000, $500,000 and $750,000. Source: Quadrant Information Services.
- Complaints (20% of score): Based on complaints about home insurance that were upheld by state insurance departments. Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Availability of extended and/or guaranteed replacement cost coverage (20% of score): Extra dwelling coverage is valuable in the event of large disasters when construction materials and labor costs tend to spike. We gave points to companies that offer either extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage. Source: Forbes Advisor research.
- Banned dog lists (10% of score): Banned dog breed lists can make homeowners ineligible for coverage. (A company’s banned dog list might not be applicable in all states.) While any homeowners insurance company could potentially ban any dog with a biting history, not all put a ban on specific breeds. Source: Forbes Advisor research.
Homeowners Insurance for Veterans and Military Members FAQ
How Does Homeowners Insurance Work?
Homeowners insurance financially protects your home and your belongings due to damage or destruction, and protects you if you’re liable for others’ injuries or property damage. A standard home insurance policy is usually comprised of several coverages that pay out up to your policy limits, including:
- Dwelling Coverage
- Liability Coverage
- Loss Of Use Coverage
- Other Structure Coverage
- Personal Property Coverage
How much home insurance do I need?
When determining how much home insurance coverage you need, go through each coverage type in a standard policy, adjust each one if needed and then consider extra coverage to fill any gaps.
Purchase enough homeowners insurance to cover the cost of:
• Rebuilding the structure of your home at comparable quality at current labor and material costs
• Replacing your possessions
• Offsetting the cost of living somewhere else if your home is inhabitable for some time
• Protecting your assets (i.e., investments and savings) if someone sues you
Does the VA pay for homeowners insurance?
No. While homeowners insurance is required for buying a home with a VA loan, the VA doesn’t supplement the coverage cost. Instead, VA borrowers are usually responsible for the cost. However, sellers sometimes purchase a full year of coverage as part of buyer concessions.
VA lenders usually require borrowers to secure sufficient homeowners insurance before closing. And, if the property is in a special flood hazard zone (SFHA), the borrower must also purchase flood insurance.
Is USAA home insurance only available to veterans?
No, USAA home insurance is also available for current U.S. military members, pre-commissioned officers and eligible family members such as spouses or children. In addition, widows, widowers and unmarried ex-spouses of the military can qualify for USAA home insurance.
