USAA Renters Insurance Review


Updated: October 3, 2024

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5/5

satisfaction

5/5

affordability

5/5

stability


pros

checkmarkHigh customer satisfaction and financial stability ratings
checkmarkOffers a wide range of online features and tools
checkmarkAvailable in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

cons

closeRenters insurance is only available for veterans, active military personnel and their family members
closeNo unique discounts

Verdict

USAA has a high customer satisfaction rating and a low index in customer complaints. It also has a superior rating when it comes to financial stability. The coverages for USAA renters insurance are more than the industry average but only a few unique ones. In terms of discounts, USAA offers three common discounts.

Does USAA Have Good Customer Service?

USAA provides excellent customer service and can adequately perform its responsibilities to policyholders. Because of this, MoneyGeek gave it 4.8 stars out of 5 for its overall performance. Among other renters insurance companies, USAA has the highest rating.

The reason for this high score is that USAA earned five stars for customer satisfaction and financial stability. Also, in terms of affordability, USAA garnered 4.65 stars.

Customer Satisfaction Rating

According to J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Home Insurance Study, USAA received a score of 893 out of 1,000 for customer satisfaction. USAA is the highest-scoring company among all renters insurance providers. The study analyzed customer satisfaction in interaction, policy offerings, price, the billing process, policy information and claims.

The NAIC Company Complaint Index measures customer satisfaction using the number of complaints received by the company compared to other insurance companies. The national average is 1.00. The lower the score, the fewer complaints that the company received. USAA has an NAIC Company Complaint Index of 0.47.

Financial Stability Rating

AM Best rates insurance companies according to their financial strength and stability. The financial stability of a company signifies its ability to meet its insurance obligations. USAA received an A++ rating from AM Best. As of the highest rating, an A++ rating means USAA has a superior ability to protect you when you file a claim.

What to Expect From USAA Renters Insurance

Insurance companies have different processes for setting up a policy, so it’s important to find out the protocols for your chosen insurer. MoneyGeek laid out a step-by-step guide on how you can start, manage and cancel renters insurance from USAA.

  1. 1
    Getting a quote

    Renters can get a quote on USAA’s official website after creating an online account. MoneyGeek also collected quotes from USAA to help you get started. You can see these in the next section.

  2. 2
    Customer support

    You can contact USAA via phone, mail or fax. For USAA account holders, you can send a message using their website. USAA’s business hours vary based on the type of service you are calling for, but they are generally open on Mondays to Saturdays.

  3. 3
    Filing a claim

    USAA policyholders can file a claim using their customer service channels, on their website or on the USAA Mobile App. USAA will need relevant information, such as the damages and their causes. You may also need to send photos. You will hear back from an adjuster within 48 hours of filing your claim.

  4. 4
    Canceling your policy

    Policyholders can easily cancel their renters insurance with USAA online.

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STATE AVAILABILITY

USAA renters insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Take note that USAA only caters to veterans, active military personnel and their family members.

How Much Does USAA’s Renters Insurance Cost?

Renters insurance in the United States costs about $159 per year on average or $13 per month. However, your policy can cost more or less than this average based on different factors.

The most powerful determining factor is your coverage limit which is based on the value of your personal property. You can estimate the value of your personal belongings through MoneyGeek’s personal property calculator or by calling USAA directly to get a quote.

AVERAGE COST OF USAA RENTERS INSURANCE
Personal Property Coverage
Annual Rate

$20,000

$116.60

$50,000

$171.38

$100,000

$251.24

The coverage limit you choose determines the price of your renters insurance. As a result, you want to choose the amount that will cover your personal property, damages and other items that you need. Starting at $20,000 is a safe choice, but the coverage amount that meets your needs could be different. MoneyGeek’s calculator below will help you figure out the right coverage amount for you.

Personal Property Coverage Calculator

When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.

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clothing & accessories

Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, gloves, etc.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Your renters insurance protects your items during covered events. As a result, the value of your personal property will help you determine the cost of the renters insurance that you need. Knowing this information will save you a lot of money in the long run.

What Discounts Does USAA Offer?

USAA advertises three discounts on their renters insurance policies. This is lower than the industry average. While USAA’s discounts are not unique, they help you save money when you stay claims-free, if you bundle your renters insurance with auto insurance and when you equip your house with security devices.

Discount
Description

Multi-Policy Discount

USAA provides a 10% discount on your total premium when you bundle renters insurance and auto insurance. The discount is not available in all states.

Protective Device Discount

USAA partners with ADT home security systems. USAA customers can get a discount from ADT in addition to the discount on their insurance.

Claims-Free Discount

Renters can get a discount if they remain claims-free. The availability of this discount depends on your location, company or coverage.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Bundling your insurance policies can save you a lot of money. USAA allows policyholders to save money by bundling their renters and auto insurance policies.

Which Coverage Types Does USAA Offer?

USAA has ten coverages, while the industry average for the number of coverages is seven. This company offers coverage for a wide range of damages, such as aircraft, riots and explosions.

Some coverages are built into your policy, while others are not. For example, flood damage coverage is automatically included in a USAA renters insurance policy. Extra electronic protection, on the other hand, can be added to your policy for an additional fee.

USAA’s renters insurance policyholders can benefit from additional coverages that they can include in their policies. While these coverages can cost additional money, they can protect more of your personal property, especially valuable items. Below is a list of coverages you can add to your policy.

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    Electronics coverage

    The electronics coverage is an add-on for an extra level of protection for your computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles and other electronic gadgets. It covers loss and damage of the devices. Policyholders will only pay a deductible of $250.

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    Valuable Personal Property (VPP)

    Adding Valuable Personal Property Insurance protects your jewelry, fine art, stamps and coins and more. It covers the loss and damage of these items. Consumers also do not have to pay a deductible. This coverage is an add-on.

Insurance companies don’t automatically cover everything in their renters coverage. As a result, it’s important to ensure that you’re getting all the standard coverages. The standard coverages include personal property coverage, personal liability coverage, medical payments and additional living expenses.

Additionally, checking the fine print of your policy will guarantee that you have all the coverages you need. This step is crucial for renters who need flood, earthquake or insect coverage since these are rarely offered.

Renters Insurance Coverages: What to Expect

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Standard:
  • Personal Property Coverage
  • Personal Liability Coverage
  • Medical Payments Coverage
  • Additional Living Expenses (Loss of Use)
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Rarely Offered:
  • Flood Coverage
  • Earthquake Coverage
  • Insect or Bed Bug Coverage

What Online Renters Insurance Tools Does USAA Offer?

USAA provides several online tools to make renters’ lives easier. Keep in mind that you might need a USAA online account and a USAA membership to access these services.

Customers can use USAA’s official website and mobile app to manage their accounts and access different financial services offered by the company. Calculators, financial advice and flexible payment options are available as well. Policyholders can even file a claim online.

Online price quotes
Mobile app
Flexible payment options
Calculators
Financial advice resources
Online claims

Other USAA Insurance Products

In addition to renters insurance, USAA offers many other insurance products. These include rideshare insurance, business insurance, life insurance, annuities, umbrella insurance and more. These policies are incredibly useful to protect you and your property in case of a financial emergency. You can purchase these insurance policies in addition to renters insurance.

Type of Product
Description

Auto Insurance

USAA offers auto insurance policies. These can be bundled with your renters insurance to save money.

Rideshare insurance

For rideshare drivers, this insurance fills in the gaps in their existing personal auto policies or rideshare company’s policies.

Life insurance

USAA life insurance offers a term of up to 30 years, life coverage and extra benefits for active-duty military personnel.

Annuities

Before or during retirement, USAA offers deferred and income annuities.

Umbrella insurance

Umbrella insurance protects your properties in case of litigation. This includes your home, automobile and other assets.

Methodology

To evaluate USAA’s quality as a renters insurance company, MoneyGeek examined USAA's website, manually collected quotes and consulted consumer intelligence organizations such as J.D. Power, the NAIC and AM Best.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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