Can you get USAA insurance without being in the military?

Asked by: Lillian Kuhn DVM  |  Last update: December 26, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (46 votes)

Despite USAA's broad eligibility criteria, a military connection is always required to purchase a policy, so many people are ineligible. Those who have never served in the armed forces and whose parents, step-parents, or spouse never served aren't eligible for coverage.

Can you join USAA as a civilian?

Many civilians can also benefit from USAA membership. The key to determining if a civilian is eligible is their relationship to another USAA member. Tip: If you are a spouse, unmarried former spouse, or child of a USAA member, you are likely eligible for your own USAA membership.

Does USAA offer insurance to non-military?

Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident can apply for USAA Life Insurance. You don't need a military connection. The ability to get a policy is based on things like age, health, lifestyle and the outcome of a medical exam, in some cases.

Can I get USAA if I didn't serve?

This is a fairly common question, as USAA is well-known for its customer service and often lower-than-average insurance rates. The downside is that USAA requires its members to be active, retired, or honorably separated officers of the U.S. military.

Who is not eligible for USAA insurance?

If you're asking, "Can I get USAA through my deceased grandfather?" the answer is no—siblings and grandchildren aren't eligible unless both parents and grandparents were USAA members. USAA insurance is only for military members' and veterans' direct family members.

How to Get USAA Insurance Without Military

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What are the disadvantages of USAA?

Cons
  • Not all homeowners can qualify for USAA.
  • Customer service hours are limited.
  • May not offer as many discounts as some carriers.

What proof do you need to join USAA?

Please provide a copy of an acceptable military document and government-issued ID. Examples of acceptable military documents include DD214(long version), Discharge Certificate, Leave & Earnings Statement or military orders if you're actively serving. If you are in a Delayed Entry Program please provide your DD Form 4.

Why does USAA have an F rating?

A check of the BBB website provides a few answers. The failing grade is due to two stated reasons. The first is that the company agreed this year to a $15 million settlement with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over how USAA's banking arm mishandled thousands of personal checking accounts.

Can I join USAA if my grandfather was a veteran?

If you are a grandchild of a USAA member, you can become a USAA member in one of two ways: The first is if your grandparent adopts you and they are your legal guardian. The second is if your parents are USAA members because one of their parents was a USAA member.

Is USAA available to federal employees?

Active and retired members of the military, state department employees, and foreign service officers are the only people who qualify for coverage through USAA, which means other federal employees (employees for the department of agriculture, department of transportation, and more) do not qualify for coverage through ...

Is USAA cheaper for veterans?

USAA was founded by Army officers in 1922 and continues to serve only the military community. While the organization doesn't offer a specific discount on home or auto insurance for veterans, it does provide excellent rates for members.

What insurance is only for military?

TRICARE is the uniformed services healthcare program for active duty service members, active duty family members, National Guard and Reserve members and their family members, retirees and retiree family members, survivors, and certain former spouses worldwide.

Is USAA connected to the military?

Military Affiliations

At USAA, we share that same loyalty and dedication to the military community. Since 2009, we've been joining forces with military affiliated groups to help spread the word about our financial products and services while assisting programs that benefit veterans, military members and their families.

How can I get into USAA without military?

Non-Military Eligibility for USAA Insurance

Spouses of military members can purchase policies from USAA if the military or former military member has a USAA policy. Even un-remarried ex-spouses are eligible for coverage, as are widows and widowers.

Can I get USAA if my brother served?

Typically, USAA requires customers to be members of the military themselves, although eligibility also extends to the children (or spouse) of military members as well. Therefore, it's our understanding that siblings are likely not eligible to get their own policy.

Who is eligible for USAA insurance?

Active duty officers and enlisted personnel; National Guard/Reserve officers and enlisted personnel; or officer candidates in commissioning programs. Retired or separated military personnel.

Can I get benefits if my grandpa was a veteran?



Under the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program, VA provides income to certain surviving loved ones of deceased Veterans and service members. Annual payments average about $15,500 to spouses and $7,000 to children.

Can you still have USAA after divorce?

Will I lose USAA membership in a divorce? If you've established USAA membership during marriage, you won't lose it upon divorce. If you didn't establish membership while married, please call us to discuss your options at 800-531-USAA (8722).

Who has better rates USAA or Navy Federal?

Overall, Navy Fed offers higher maximum APYs for its accounts. However, this is dependent on how much money you keep in your account. For savers with smaller balances, it's worth considering both financial institutions.

Are USAA rates really lower?

The insurer compares favorably to other companies we analyzed in terms of average costs. USAA has the lowest average rate overall among the 10 companies we analyzed and is the cheapest in most driver categories.

What year did USAA allow enlisted?

1996 — Enlisted personnel become eligible for membership. 1999 — We launch usaa.com, allowing members to conduct business online.

Does USAA verify military status?

12MM USAA members can verify their military affiliation with ID.me using their existing USAA accounts. This is the fastest and most popular verification option on the ID.me platform. ID.me has access to multiple authoritative databases and military personnel records, including veterans who served prior to 1985.

What qualifies you for a USAA account?

Who's eligible for USAA membership?
  • Active Duty military.
  • National Guard and Reservists.
  • Veterans who have honorably served.
  • Contracted ROTC Cadets and Midshipmen.
  • Officer and Warrant Officer Candidates.
  • Military spouses.
  • Children of USAA members.
  • Service Academy appointees.

Why am I not eligible for USAA?

To join USAA, separated military personnel must have received a discharge type of Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions. Eligible family members may also join USAA.