Auto Insurance for Military Personnel Overseas
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Written by
Chelsey Tucker
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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UPDATED: Mar 19, 2020
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- Military personnel enjoy cheap auto insurance rates together with their families and veterans
- Insurance providers can slap military personnel with hefty fines if they relocate without making prior provisions in their special coverage policies
- Military officers enjoy emergency deployment discounts that also apply when deployed to imminent danger areas
- If you chose to leave your car behind, you must keep it under your insurer’s approved storage protection plan
Many insurance providers in the U.S. offer cheap car insurance rates for the men and women in the military forces.
It’s a way of thanking those who put their lives on the line for their country and also rewarding the maturity and discipline levels developed by the military personnel, even the young drivers.
Discounts apply even to veterans and spouses or adult children of the serving military staff.
Discounts are offered this cadre of consumers due to frequent deployment situations that they experience every now and again. If you don’t get special coverage, the insurer may penalize you with higher rates if you change location without prior arrangements.
In the past, service members deployed overseas had a difficult time maintaining their policies and would often choose to discontinue their coverage.
However, the insurance companies now give a waiver on your car insurance policies enabling you to continue enjoying the discounts overseas and when you return home.
If you are affiliated with the military and in need of more affordable auto insurance rates, start comparison shopping today! Enter your ZIP code above!
Is it wise to discontinue your policy?
No matter where you’re deployed overseas, the best decision is to talk to your insurance company and continue with your coverage. That way you’ll keep enjoying low premiums and attractive discounts.
If you choose to discontinue your policy, your rates may rise dramatically. When you return home, you may be surprised by the large amounts of premiums insurance firms will charge you.
The following are scenarios that may happen when deployed overseas.
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You are Overseas and Your Car is in the U.S.
According to the Department of Defense, over 10 percent of the 1.4 million U.S. troops are deployed overseas every year. The majority of them are in Japan and Germany, contrary to the prevailing opinion that troops are only deployed to war zones.
Depending on where you’re going to overseas, you may need to bring your car along. However, for hotspots like Iraq and Afghanistan, you may not have that option of shipping your vehicle along.
Many officers find it easier to pack their cars for the duration they’ll be away, as opposed to letting someone else use it. That way you can drop all your coverage except the comprehensive coverage to cater for losses from natural disasters or fires.
The problem arises when you fail to acquire a state required liability cover and you may be forced to turn in your registration and license plates.
When you return home, you will have to re-register your car and obtain new insurance coverage.
The best alternative is to lock your vehicle in a secure garage and keep your coverage running. That way your car is adequately covered and you don’t need to turn in the car tags and registration.
When you return, you can receive as much as 70 percent discounts from some insurer.
You’re Moving with Your Car Overseas
For those military officers moving to less turbulent locations, it may be convenient to take your car along and continue enjoying your U.S. auto insurance. Do your research well and find insurance firms with affiliate auto insurers abroad.
All you need is to provide proof of insurance at the port of entry and you’ll be free to drive.
Spouses of military officers also enjoy the same coverage. Some companies will also include voyage coverage as you ship your car overseas and back home.
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Selling Your Car before Deployment
Some officers find it easier to sell their cars before the deployment.
It is a good option, but make sure you acquire a statement from your base provost marshal indicating that you’ve had no accident for the duration you were at the base. That statement coupled with your previous auto insurance policy prior to deployment should convince the insurers to offer you good rates when you return home.
One mistake you should never make is letting your coverage lapse when you’re away. It’s tantamount to causing a big accident considering the premium rates you’ll have to pay when you return.
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Canceling Your Insurance Coverage
Some insurance companies allow military personnel to easily cancel their car insurance policies and later reinstate without any change in rates due to gaps in coverage. Shop around and see which insurer provides the most flexible options during deployment.
If you will leave your car behind and don’t expect to use in anytime soon, it would be more economical and convenient informing your insurance provider through email or phone call. They will need to know when you need the policy canceled and when you expect to end the cancellation and reinstate the policy.
Since most insurance firms offering special military personnel policies know the process of deployment, they will waiver all the cancellation fees.
Once you come back home and are ready to hit the road, the reinstatement process should be equally simple. Although, you will need a letter from your commanding base officer indicating that you’ve not driven any civilian car for the duration you were in camp.
Military Discounts for Auto Insurance
Many insurance companies offer attractive discounts to men and women in service. Some companies also provide emergency deployment discounts to members of other military related organizations.
Active members in the military, retired officers, members of the national reserves, or guards all qualify for discounts that can amount to 15 percent of the total premiums due.
Some insurance companies also offer emergency deployment discounts when the military personnel is deployed into danger zones. These areas are usually designated by the U.S. Department of Defense and approved by the Congress.
You can access the discounts under the following conditions:
- You have been deployed to the designated imminent danger areas as designated by the DOD.
- Your vehicle is safely kept under the insurer’s approved storage plans.
- You are deployed to an area with geographical limitations or exclusive military operations (though not available in all states).
Conclusion
Whether you a serving military officer, a retired veteran or members of their families, take your time to shop around and find the best rates possible. There are numerous online resources you can turn to for advice on the best insurance decisions to make depending on your situation.
Your base commanding officer can as well give the essential tips on how to handle your car insurance issues when deployed overseas. Make comparison shopping for various insurance providers.
There are auto insurance firms that specialize in providing auto insurance to the men and women in service, and they may offer more tailor-made provisions for your unique auto insurance needs. Be sure to share your status accurately and inquire about the various discounts that you are entitled to.
Make comparisons with several other competitors and settle on the most appropriate and cost effective cover for your car.
Start comparison shopping today for better auto insurance rates! Enter your ZIP code below!