What insurance does Costco accept?

Yes, car insurance through Costco is often cheaper than average, but it is not universally the lowest price for every driver.

Costco does not sell insurance directly. Instead, it partners with CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, to offer exclusive member discounts.

How Pricing Works

• Average Savings: Full-coverage policies through the Costco Auto & Home Insurance Services average around 10% below the national average, and some drivers report saving hundreds of dollars compared to major providers like GEICO or Progressive.
• Individual Variability: Rates depend heavily on your age, location, vehicle type, and driving record. Opinions on Reddit and Facebook are mixed, with some members finding better rates with competitors like State Farm, while others secure massive savings through Costco.
• Membership Requirement: You must maintain an active Costco membership to qualify for these rates and discounts.

Perks and Member Benefits

• Executive Perks: Costco Executive Members receive added benefits at no extra cost, including lifetime renewability (your policy cannot be unexpectedly canceled after multiple claims) and free roadside assistance.
• Standard Discounts: Available savings include multi-car discounts, good student rates, defensive driver courses, and garaging discounts.

Costco works with American Family Insurance (through Connect by American Family and Homesite) to provide auto, home, and umbrella insurance to its members.

Depending on the specific type of insurance or service you are looking for, Costco partners with different providers:

• Auto, Home, and Rents Insurance: Underwritten by subsidiaries of American Family Insurance and Homesite.
• Life Insurance: Offered through a partnership with Protective.
• Health Insurance (for Members/Businesses): Handled via the CBC Health Insurance Marketplace, which works with various regional and national carriers.
• Medicare Advantage Plans: Offered in select areas through a partnership with SCAN Health Plan.
• Employee Health Benefits: Most users on Reddit agree that Costco uses Aetna for internal employee health coverage.

Costco Optical accepts several major vision insurance plans, but coverage varies by location and warehouse.

Commonly Accepted Plans

While acceptance depends on the specific warehouse, commonly accepted providers include:

• EyeMed (Select and Access networks)
• Spectera (UnitedHealthcare Vision)
• Davis Vision
• Cigna Vision
• Superior Vision
• Aetna Vision Preferred

Important Rules to Keep in Mind

• Independent Optometrists: The eye doctors who perform exams inside Costco are independent contractors. They may not accept the exact same insurance plans as the Costco Optical department.
• Online Orders: You cannot use vision insurance for online purchases of glasses or contact lenses on Costco's website.
• Out-of-Network Options: If your specific plan is not directly accepted, you can often pay out-of-pocket and submit an itemized receipt to your insurance provider for out-of-network reimbursement.

You can check more details directly on the Costco Optical Landing Page.

Yes, getting glasses at Costco is generally worth it because their low markup policy keeps prices significantly lower than traditional optical stores.

Cost and Inclusions

• Pricing: A complete pair typically costs between $100 and $200, with single-vision lenses starting around $66 and frames averaging $60 to $100.
• Free Add-ons: Costco includes standard lens treatments—such as anti-reflective coating, scratch resistance, UV protection, and blue-light filters—at no extra charge.
• Eye Exams: Independent optometrists on-site charge roughly $75 to $110, and you do not need a membership to get an exam (though you do need one to buy glasses).

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Great value on mid-range frames (including Kirkland Signature and select designer brands), free adjustments, and a solid satisfaction guarantee.
• Cons: You must have a membership, choices for ultra-cheap or extreme high-end designer labels are limited, and orders usually take 7 to 10 days since they are made off-site.

A standard, comprehensive eye exam for eyeglasses at Costco typically costs between $79 and $110 out-of-pocket without insurance.

Because the eye doctors operate as independent Doctors of Optometry subleasing space inside the warehouse, Costco does not set or standardize the fees. Prices vary by location, and you pay the optometrist's private practice directly rather than Costco itself.

Breakdown of Costs & Rules

• Standard Eyeglass Exam: $79 to $110 (averaging around $90–$95 depending on the region).
• Contact Lens Exam: $129 to $185. A contact lens fitting adds specialized measurements and typically costs an extra $30 to $60 on top of the basic exam fee.
• With Insurance: Independent doctors inside Costco accept many major vision plans (such as VSP, EyeMed, and Davis Vision). In-network copays generally range from $10 to $25. You should call the independent doctor's office inside your local warehouse ahead of time to verify if they accept your specific plan.
• Costco Membership Policy: You do not need a Costco membership to schedule or receive an eye exam from the independent doctor. However, you do need a membership if you want to purchase eyeglasses, sunglasses, or contact lenses from the Costco Optical service counter after your test.