Military Auto Insurance Laws

In the United States, insurance laws are delegated largely to individual states. They’re responsible for penning laws, establishing minimums, and determining the required coverages to drive legally. So even if you’re far from home at basic training or deployed overseas, those laws still apply, and you must meet the minimums.

Many insurance companies offer special discounts and preferential pricing for military members, and as you’ll see, this can manifest itself in different ways and through different discounts. Let’s talk about how to find the best coverage at the most affordable rate for you.

If you’re shopping for veteran auto insurance policies, studying your state and military auto insurance laws before buying is important. Doing so lets you understand the basics of veteran auto insurance and ensure you carry adequate coverage.

Understanding Military Auto Insurance Laws

Service members tend to hop from state to state, and the length of residency can vary drastically. While there aren’t any particular policies for such leapfrogging, some states have enacted laws to simplify things as much as possible.

The rule of thumb is this: your home state is where your law is. So, for example, if your vehicle is registered in Georgia, you must carry Georgia insurance even if you’re stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. As such, your policy will be subject to Georgia minimums.

The United States is a single country, so being properly licensed and insured in your home state allows you to travel freely anywhere in the U.S., even when the state you’re driving in varies in liability or coverage limits. Of course, accidents in other states can get tricky, but that only makes it even more pertinent to ensure you have proper coverage at home.

If it’s unclear whether you’re properly covered, ask your agent or insurance company. Failing to maintain proper insurance can result in fines, license suspension, and more. (For more information, read our “Can you get car insurance without a license?“).

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When to Insure Your Vehicle in a Different State if You’re Military

It’s a common question: Do I have to move my car insurance if I’ve been deployed or stationed in another state? The answer depends on the longevity of your stay and the state. If you intend to settle for a while and aren’t using a location back home as your permanent residence, chances are you’ll change it all over. You’ll register your vehicle in a new state, pay the property taxes, and insure it to meet your new state requirements.

However, if everything about you personally remains the same while you’re abroad, nothing may need to change. If it’s a short-term stay, such as basic training, and your vehicle is back home, there’s a much smaller chance that you’ll have to file some paperwork. Note: this can vary by state, so ask to be sure.

Every military member is different. So, registering your vehicle and changing your insurance depends largely on your family situation back home. The easy rule of thumb is just to ask. This is a common issue for military members, so many people around you likely have the answers you’re looking for.

Military Auto Insurance Laws During Deployment

If you’re overseas, you aren’t operating your vehicle. Uncle Sam isn’t willing to lug your personal vehicle across any oceans to enable joy rides from the DMZ, nor would you expect him to. By the same token, insurance companies understand that deployed service members don’t drive the vehicles registered to them. So, they offer discounts.

Discounts vary based on the type of service you’re undertaking. For example, some offer small discounts for simply being in the military, while many others offer to slash hefty sums off your premiums for active deployment.

The biggest discount for service members tends to come from active deployment. The best practice is to inform your insurer when you know the date you’ll ship out. That way, they can log in advance that you’ll be away from your vehicle and provide discounts accordingly.

Still, several discounts are on the market for service members. Here’s a quick peek at how you might expect to save:

Military Discounts from the Major Auto Insurance Companies

Serving your country shouldn’t come with an oversized bill. Learn more about deployments and auto insurance options.

Reinstating Military Auto Insurance After Deployment

While it can be tempting to keep your arrival home to yourself so you can maintain your discounts, there’s a problem with that. Not only is it against the rules, but you can run into issues if you get into an accident when you’re supposed to be out of the country. In addition, your insurer may not cover the accident.

Nobody likes to overpay for insurance, but getting sued when a claim doesn’t pay out is worse. Once you’re home, inform your insurance company. While you might see higher rates, you’ll have proper coverage. Here’s how to find cheap auto insurance for veterans.

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How to Save on Military Auto Insurance

While the same insurance rules apply, certain rules of thumb can help you along the way:

• Low mileage discount: Whether you’re home or away, your insurance company could label you a low-mileage driver and offer a discount. So, ensure your company gets a regular odometer reading, so you only get charged for actual miles driven on a rolling basis.
• Multiple vehicle discount: If you have more than one vehicle, don’t insure them with separate companies. Your insurance rates will decrease when you insure more than one vehicle with the same company. If you only have one car and you’re leaving it with a family member, see if you can join their insurance to get this military auto insurance discount.
• Avoid financing: While it may seem obvious, you should consider future obligations before purchasing a vehicle. Not only does financing mean monthly installments plus interest, but it means you must carry full coverage auto insurance, which can be tricky while in the military.

Comprehensive and collision coverage are among the most expensive coverage options available, so beware. Being deployed won’t invalidate these requirements, either. These coverage options must be selected and paid for if the loan exists.

The Bottom Line on Military Auto Insurance Laws

As we’ve learned, most auto insurance laws still apply if deployed. You’re still a citizen of your home state, so you must abide by those laws. While discounts give you wiggle room, insurers still plan on having a nice little share of your money. Be sure to avoid auto insurance lapses or, if needed, to sell your car while deployed.

To find the best military auto insurance coverage, get several quotes to avoid overpaying or settling for coverage you don’t trust. You may not expect to use it often, but chances are your life is a bit too busy to spend countless hours arguing with your insurance company.

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