Pros Explained
Customer service every day of the week. In addition to a chat option that’s available around-the-clock, you can reach its customer service line seven days a week.
Home sharing coverage. If you’re renting out a room or an entire house, USAA offers what they call home sharing coverage. This is typically up to 25% of the amount on your dwelling insurance. Those who are house hosts on a regular basis might be interested in hopping on this type of insurance. This isn’t available everywhere, so check beforehand to see if your area is covered, and look closely at the fine print to learn of any restrictions.
Cons Explained
Must be in the military to become a member. While there are certainly some neat perks to having a homeowners insurance policy through USAA, you have to be in the military to qualify. Service members who are active, retired, or “honorably separated” and their eligible family members can join.
No local agents. USAA doesn’t have a network of local agents to walk you through the specifics on the types of coverage and rates in your area. It might take a little more time to come up with a policy that’s particular to your needs and situation.
USAA Standard Home Insurance Coverage Plan
One can expect a typical home insurance policy from USAA to contain the following:
Dwelling Coverage
The covers repairing or rebuilding your home from the ground up should it become damaged or destroyed due to a covered hazard. These perils typically include fires, windstorms and explosions, hail, or acts of vandalism or burglary. This usually includes structures that are connected to your home, such as an attached garage, chimneys, or a deck.
Personal Belongings
Should your personal belongings be destroyed, damaged, or stolen during a disaster or covered incident, this type of insurance will cover the cost of replacement.
Personal possessions that aren’t in your home during the time of the occurrence might also be covered—items in the trunk of your car or in your storage unit. However, collectibles, art, and jewelry aren’t always covered and might require additional insurance.
Loss of Use
Should your home become damaged to the point where you’re not able to live in it temporarily, then loss of use coverage will pay for the cost of staying in an Airbnb or hotel while your home is being repaired or rebuilt to its previous state. It also covers any other additional living expenses that you incur because of the state of your home. So if your kitchen is being repaired and you aren’t able to cook because of it, loss of use can cover the cost of takeout meals.
Personal Liability
If you, a family member, or pet were to cause bodily injury or property damage to a third party, personal liability coverage can cover the medical bills, costs of damage, or legal fees. Typically, this type of insurance will foot the bill no matter who was at fault.
Home Sharing Coverage
If you’re renting out a room, home sharing coverage pays for injuries of any guests. This might not be available in the state you live in. You’ll also want to comb over the fine print for restrictions.
Other Structures
This covers detached structures from your house—a garage, tool shed, fence, gazebo, guest house, mailboxes, etc.
Identity Theft Protection
When you hop on USAA’s home insurance policy, you automatically get $5,000 in identity theft coverage. However, if your home is in North Carolina, you’re out of luck, as identity theft protection isn’t available in that state.
USAA Home Insurance Discounts
You can shave off the cost of your policy with the following discounts:
Bundling insurance. Purchasing your home insurance along with USAA’s auto insurance could save you up to 10% on your premiums.
Upping your deductible. While not technically a discount, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. This stands true for all forms of insurance.
Security devices. Deadbolts, home security systems, fire alarms, and security cameras can all reduce how much you pay on home insurance.
Discount for a no-claims period. Should you file no claims for at least five years, you’re eligible for a discount of up to 10%.
USAA Home Insurance Availability
USAA home insurance is available for eligible military, veterans, and their families in all 50 states.
USAA Customer Service
Home insurance policyholders can chat with a virtual agent anytime. If they would like to talk to a customer service agent on the phone, agents are available seven days a week.
The hours are as follows:
- Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
- Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT
- Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), USAA didn’t receive any complaints in 2019. USAA has received a financial strength rating of A++ from AM Best, a sign of superior financial strength.
How to Make a Home Insurance Claim With USAA
Members can file a home insurance claim on USAA’s website or on its app. If a member has any questions about their claim or wants to report a claim over the phone, they can do so by talking to a USAA customer service rep at (210) 531-USAA.
USAA Home Insurance Cancellation Policy
Policyholders can cancel a home insurance policy at any time. There are no termination fees, and refunds will be issued should one have remaining days covered in their policy.
Other Insurance Provided by USAA
These types of insurance are offered to USAA members:
- Renters
- Valuable Personal Property
- Collectibles
- Condo
- Rental Property Insurance
- Mobile Home
- Flood
- Farm and Ranch
- Motorcycle/ATV
- Boat
- RV
- Classic Car Insurance
- Aviation Insurance
- Life and Health
- Long-Term Care
- Pet
- Travel
Get a USAA Homeowners Insurance Quote
USAA members can get a custom home insurance quote online. Once they log on to their account, they can go through the application process, which requires they answer a series of questions about the home’s size, structural components, and interior and exterior elements.
Verdict
USAA homeowners’ insurance is a strong option for military service members. Its policies, which are available in all 50 states, and seven-days-a-week customer service make USAA particularly attractive for those serving who may need to move coverage frequently.
Methodology
Investopedia is dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of homeowners insurance providers. We reviewed each insurance provider’s coverage options, discounts available, customer service and satisfaction to ensure that our content helps users make the right insurance decision for their needs.
