USAA serves veterans and active members of the military, offering not only insurance but also financial products such as bank accounts, credit cards and investments. If you’re eligible to buy a policy, USAA renters insurance is well worth considering.

The company’s renters policies are more comprehensive than most. Nearly every insurer will cover things like theft and fire damage, but USAA also covers your stuff if it’s destroyed by flooding or earthquakes. (Insurance for these disasters typically costs extra from other companies.)

Even with this additional coverage, USAA renters insurance is less expensive than the national average, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

To buy renters insurance from USAA, you must be a USAA member. The following people are eligible for membership:

• Active members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard and reserves.

• Military veterans who were honorably discharged.

• Precommissioned officers.

• Children of USAA members.

• Spouses of active military or veterans.

• Widowed spouses of USAA members, or divorced spouses who haven’t remarried.

Best for: Veterans or active members of the military who are living in a rental or on a base.

How we rate renters insurance companies

Our star ratings are based on consumer complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; financial strength grades from AM Best; coverage and discounts available; and the overall consumer experience. See our criteria for evaluating renters insurance companies.

Why you can trust NerdWallet

USAA renters insurance pros and cons

No extra charge for flood or earthquake coverage.	Available to veterans, active members of the military and their families only.
Far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
Has options tailored for active-duty military, including no-deductible coverage for uniforms.

How USAA renters insurance rates

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.

USAA renters insurance earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The renters insurance scoring formula takes into account policy coverage options and discounts, ease of filing a claim, website transparency, the financial strength of the company, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and more.

Availability

USAA renters insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It may also be available if you’re stationed outside the U.S. Contact USAA directly for specifics.

USAA renters insurance coverage

Landlords sometimes require tenants to purchase a policy with a minimum amount of renters liability insurance, but otherwise, the coverage you choose is generally up to you. Below are the four types of coverage included in most standard renters policies:

	Covers your clothing, furniture, electronics and other belongings.
	Pays for hotel stays, restaurant meals or other expenses if you have to live elsewhere while your home undergoes covered repairs.
	Pays out if you’re responsible for injuries to other people or damage to their property.
	Covers injuries to other people in your home, regardless of fault.

USAA also includes the following types of coverage, which often cost extra from other companies:

• Earthquake coverage. USAA will also pay for damage due to earthquakes.

• Replacement cost coverage. Some renters policies cover your items on an “actual cash value” basis. That means if a fire damages your 5-year-old leather recliner, the insurance company would pay out only what the chair is worth at the time of the accident (likely far less than what you originally paid for it). With replacement cost coverage, USAA will pay you enough to buy a new recliner.

USAA doesn’t charge a deductible if your military uniform or equipment is damaged in a covered claim. The company may also cover your belongings if you’re deployed overseas or living outside the U.S.

You can pay extra to add the following types of coverage to a USAA renters policy:

• Electronics. Adding USAA’s tech package gives your gadgets additional coverage beyond what’s offered in a standard renters policy. Say you spill coffee on your laptop keyboard or lose your phone on the subway — your device will be covered, minus a $250 deductible.

• Valuable personal property. Got expensive jewelry, musical instruments or guns? Because renters policies often have limited coverage for these items, you may want to buy extra insurance to be sure you’re fully covered. Unlike your renters policy, the valuable personal property coverage has no deductible. An appraisal may be required.

USAA renters insurance rates

The average annual cost of USAA renters insurance is $145 a year, or about $12 a month, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s cheaper than the national average of $179 per year. Here’s how USAA’s rates stack up against some of its competitors.

Our sample rates were calculated for 30-year-old renters with a $500 deductible, $30,000 of personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage.

Discounts

Depending on where you live, you may be able to save on your renters policy by:

• Bundling it with a USAA auto policy.

• Adding a home security system.

• Living in military housing.

Consumer complaints

USAA received far fewer home insurance complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (NAIC home insurance complaints also cover other home policy types, including mobile home, renters and condo insurance.)

Consumer experience

Website: You can log in to the USAA website to get a quote, pay your bill, view policy documents and file claims. The site offers general insurance information plus advice on topics such as preparing for natural disasters and life in the military.

App: The company’s highly-rated mobile app lets you access not only your insurance policies but also other USAA products such as bank accounts and credit cards. You can use the app to pay bills, report claims and see policy information.

Renters insurance buying guide

Before you compare renters insurance companies, gather key information such as the address of the rental and any safety and security features the unit has.

You should also figure out how much coverage you need. Take a quick inventory of your belongings: How much would it cost you to replace them? Include all furniture, electronic devices, clothing, jewelry and household items. This total is the minimum amount of personal property insurance you should have.

Your liability limit should be high enough to cover your net worth, while your deductible should be an amount you’d feel comfortable paying in an emergency.

When evaluating renters insurance quotes, make sure each rate estimate includes the same coverage limits and deductibles so you know you’re getting a fair comparison. While it’s tempting to buy the cheapest policy, you may also want to read reviews of your preferred company to make sure it offers good customer service.

How to file a renters insurance claim

File as soon as it’s safe. The sooner you report a theft or damage to your home, the sooner your insurer can assign an adjuster and start working on paying out your claim. Some companies let you file claims online or through their app, while in other cases you may have to call your agent or insurer instead. Have your policy number handy.

Document the damage. Bolster your claim by taking photos or video of all damage. If something was stolen, report it to the police before you contact your insurance company. Your insurer may ask for a copy of their report.

Prevent further damage. After you’ve taken pictures of everything broken or destroyed, take steps to prevent additional damage, such as putting a tarp over a broken window to protect your belongings inside. Keep receipts for any supplies you buy, as your insurer may reimburse you later.

Other renters insurance companies to consider

Not ready to make a decision? You may be interested in these other renters insurance companies:

Frequently asked questions

Does USAA renters insurance cover food spoilage?

Yes, food that spoils in a power outage is covered up to $500 with no deductible.

Does USAA renters insurance cover items in a storage unit?

Yes, your belongings are covered while they’re in a storage unit either in the U.S. or overseas. Check with your agent about specific rules regarding storage.

What other types of insurance does USAA offer?

USAA also sells auto, homeowners, boat and life insurance, among other policies. Learn more about USAA auto insurance.

Does USAA renters insurance cover food spoilage?

Yes, food that spoils in a power outage is covered up to $500 with no deductible.

Does USAA renters insurance cover items in a storage unit?

Yes, your belongings are covered while they’re in a storage unit either in the U.S. or overseas. Check with your agent about specific rules regarding storage.

What other types of insurance does USAA offer?

USAA also sells auto, homeowners, boat and life insurance, among other policies. Learn more about 

USAA auto insurance

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