USAA is a national insurance company that offers car insurance to active-duty U.S. military members, veterans, pre-commissioned officers, and the spouses and children of its members.
If you’re looking to switch insurers to save on cost or find an insurance company that offers more perks, you can cancel your USAA policy anytime, for any reason.1 But before switching, you’ll need to compare quotes and have a new policy in place to avoid a lapse in coverage, which could result in hefty fines and legal headaches.
USAA requires members to speak with a customer service representative before canceling.2 So if you were hoping to cancel your USAA car insurance policy on the website, chat online, use the mobile app, or send your cancellation in the mail, you’re out of luck.
Members are allowed to cancel a USAA policy for any reason, at any time — although if you’re canceling because of financial hardship, USAA may want to discuss your situation to try to keep your coverage. If you have questions about cancellation or your policy in general, check your policy details or contact your USAA agent for help.
USAA doesn’t make it clear if it charges any fees to cancel, but you may be eligible for a partial refund on your premium if you cancel early.
Canceling your USAA insurance when your auto policy is up for renewal can help you avoid potential issues from a lapse in coverage, including serious financial and legal consequences. USAA typically renews most car insurance policies automatically, so if you want to cancel your policy, it’s important to know your renewal date and take the necessary steps to switch insurers.
To find your renewal date, check your USAA bills, contact your agent, use the USAA mobile app, or review your USAA renewal packet. Be sure to have your USAA policy number handy and any other required information.
If you’re considering canceling your USAA coverage, it’s important to shop around for rates from other insurers before you switch — especially if you’re looking for a more affordable policy.
When comparing different auto insurance quotes, keep in mind that many insurance companies offer an array of discounts. So it’s important to ask about options that can lower your car insurance bill, like multi-policy, multi-car, safe driver, and student discounts.
The best way to compare multiple quotes at once is to use an online quote-comparison tool or car insurance search engine to shop for auto plans that fit your budget and insurance needs. These sites partner with insurance companies to provide you with highly accurate, real-time quotes.
When comparing quotes, it’s a good idea to avoid lead-generation sites that may gather and sell your personal information.
Most states require drivers to carry insurance by law.3 So before canceling your USAA policy, you’ll likely need to enroll in new coverage to avoid hefty out-of-pocket costs or legal issues. You can usually purchase a policy online, over the phone, or in person if the company has local agents.
To finalize your rate, the new insurance company may check your credit and ask for some necessary information. When signing up, expect to provide certain personal details about yourself, your vehicle information, and your driving history — including your date of birth, ZIP code, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
You’ll typically need to make the first month’s premium payment to activate the new policy and will need to provide payment details, such as your credit card number. Although paying your policy in full could come with a discount, most insurance companies allow monthly installments. Your insurance agent can help you understand the terms of your policy.
Once you’ve signed up for a new insurance policy, you’ll need to cancel your USAA policy. Since USAA doesn’t offer the ability to cancel online or through the mobile app, you’ll have to contact customer service by phone. USAA says it requires this to check if members are at “financial risk” and potentially provide assistance.
USAA offers some options to help lower your rate, such as enrolling in its SafePilot program, which can save you up to 30% for safe driving. An agent can also help you review your existing coverage and discounts for savings.
If you’re struggling to pay, USAA offers a few options, including pausing a payment, carrying a late payment over to your next bill, or spreading out past-due payments across three bills.4
But even if you’re not canceling for financial reasons, you’ll still need to call USAA directly to start the cancellation process.
After you cancel your USAA car insurance, it’s important to check that the cancellation was successful. If you were making automatic payments, check your bank account and credit card statements to confirm payments have stopped.
If you cancel before the term is up, USAA might owe you a refund. Contact USAA directly or check your policy documents to see if you’re due a refund and how the money will be sent.
USAA offers similar coverage options and discounts as larger insurance companies like Allstate, GEICO, and State Farm. But unlike standard insurers, which allow most types of drivers to sign up, USAA is only available to people affiliated with the military, including members of the military, veterans, or family.
Here’s a look at the average monthly cost of USAA versus other major car insurance companies:
If you’re considering canceling your USAA insurance, you’ll want to pay close attention to some important things before switching to a new policy. Below, you’ll find answers to some commonly asked questions about canceling a USAA policy.
It’s unclear. USAA doesn’t make it clear on its website if you’ll face any fees for canceling your auto policy. It’s a good idea to check your policy’s fine print or contact USAA directly to check on fees to end your policy.
Yes. USAA members can cancel an auto policy at any time, for various reasons, like life changes or higher rates.
Most states legally require drivers to have insurance. So, canceling on your renewal date can help avoid a lapse in your insurance coverage. Just be sure the new insurance policy’s start date is before your USAA policy ends to avoid costly headaches for driving without insurance or having to pay for damages out of pocket.
After you cancel your USAA insurance policy, you can contact customer service to make sure the cancellation was successful. If you used automatic payments from a financial institution, such as a bank account or credit card, double-check your statements to make sure that payments to USAA don’t continue after cancellation.
No, but the insurer has options available. USAA members struggling with financial security may be eligible for pausing a payment, carrying a late payment over to their next bill, or spreading out past due payments across three bills.
You can’t through USAA. The insurer doesn’t allow members to cancel car insurance online or using its mobile app. Instead, you’ll have to contact customer service by phone to discuss canceling your USAA policy.
)
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Featured in
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)