Can a Widow of a Veteran Get USAA Insurance?

Losing a spouse is never easy, especially when that spouse was a beloved veteran who served our country. As a widow of a veteran, you may be wondering if you are still eligible for certain veteran benefits, like insurance from USAA.

The good news is that widows of veterans can absolutely still get insurance from USAA. Here’s what you need to know.

Who is Eligible for USAA Insurance?

USAA insurance is available to active, retired, and separated military members if they were honorably discharged. It also covers their immediate family members.

Here is a breakdown of who can get USAA insurance:

• Active duty military members
• Military reservists
• National Guard members
• Commissioned officers
• Retired military members
• Honorably discharged veterans
• Spouses of eligible military members
• Widows and widowers of eligible military members
• Children and stepchildren of eligible military members

So widows and widowers of veterans who were USAA members can absolutely continue that USAA insurance coverage.

As long as your veteran spouse was eligible for USAA while alive, you as their widow can maintain that eligibility. It gets passed down to immediate family members like spouses.

Why Choose USAA Insurance as a Veteran’s Widow?

There are many great reasons for a widow of a veteran to choose USAA for insurance:

Excellent Customer Service

USAA is known for providing outstanding customer service to its members. As someone who is going through the difficult experience of losing your spouse, this compassionate and understanding customer service can go a long way.

Competitive Rates

USAA offers competitive pricing on insurance for eligible military members and their families. As a widow, you may be living on a fixed income, so affordable insurance rates are likely important to you.

Convenient Payment Options

USAA offers easy payment options like auto-pay from your checking account or recurring credit card payments. This can make keeping up with bills simpler.

Extra Discounts

There are many possible discounts on USAA insurance, including:

• Multi-policy discounts
• Good driver discounts
• Defensive driver discounts
• Good student discounts
• New vehicle discounts
• Anti-theft device discounts

Exclusive Member Perks

USAA members get access to special discounts and perks, like:

• Travel discounts
• Shopping rewards
• Prescription drug discounts
• ADT protection discounts

As a veteran’s widow, these can provide nice savings and benefits during a difficult time.

Financial Health Services

Losing a spouse often means having to take care of finances on your own for the first time. USAA has many resources to help with budgeting, planning, investing, and more.

Easy Claims Process

The USAA claims process is highly rated for being quick and hassle-free. You don’t need added stress during the claims process.

Mobile Apps

USAA has very useful mobile apps to help you manage your insurance and finances on the go. The convenience can be helpful for busy widows.

With all of these benefits combined, USAA is a great option for veteran widows to continue their insurance coverage.

How Can a Veteran’s Widow Get USAA Insurance?

If you determine that USAA is the right insurance provider for you as a veteran’s widow, here are the steps to get coverage:

1. Have Proof of Eligibility Handy

USAA will need to verify your eligibility when you apply. Have the following ready:

• Copy of your late spouse’s DD214 military discharge papers
• Copy of your photo ID
• Copy of your marriage certificate

This shows proof of your relationship to an eligible USAA member.

2. Request a Quote

You can request a personalized insurance quote by:

• Visiting the USAA website
• Calling 800-531-8722
• Speaking to an agent online via chat

Get quotes for any insurance you need like auto, homeowners, renters, or life insurance.

3. Complete the Application Process

To sign up for insurance, you’ll fill out an application with information like:

• Your name, birthdate, Social Security Number
• Your late spouse’s information
• Your insurance needs and policy details
• Your payment preferences

And that’s it! As a verified widow of an eligible USAA member, you can complete enrollment and get coverage.

4. Consider Adding Family Members

If you have children or other dependents, see if they are also eligible to get USAA policies under your membership. This can keep everyone covered conveniently under one provider.

The process is designed to be simple and hassle-free for veteran widows looking for quality insurance. USAA will be understanding of your situation and needs as a military widow.

What Types of Insurance Can a Veteran’s Widow Get from USAA?

As a widow of a veteran USAA member, you have access to a wide range of insurance options:

• Auto Insurance: Get coverage for collision, comprehensive, liability, and more for your vehicle(s).

• Homeowners/Renters Insurance: Protect your home and belongings from covered damages and loss.

• Valuable Property Insurance: Insure expensive items like jewelry, art, musical instruments, and collectibles.

• Condo/Townhome Insurance: Get coverage tailored specifically for condos/townhomes.

• Flood Insurance: Add protection from flood damage on top of your homeowners or renters policy.

• Personal Umbrella Insurance: Get extra liability coverage beyond your auto and home policies.

• Life Insurance: Protect your family’s finances with term life, whole life, or universal life insurance.

• Retirement/Investments: Get assistance with IRAs, mutual funds, brokerage accounts, and more for retirement.

• Health Insurance: Apply for Medicare plans or find individual/family medical insurance.

• Disability Insurance: Receive income if you become unable to work due to illness/injury.

• Long Term Care Insurance: Cover nursing home care, home health aides, and more if needed later.

No matter what insurance needs you have as a military widow, USAA likely offers a solution. Their website and agents can advise you on the right products for your situation.

What Discounts are Available for Military Widows?

To help save money for its members, USAA offers various discounts on auto and home insurance. Here are some that may apply to you as a veteran’s widow:

• Multi-policy discount: Get up to 15% off when you bundle home and auto insurance.

• Good driver discount: If you have a safe driving history for 5+ years, get up to 30% off.

• New vehicle discount: Cars 3 years old or newer qualify for a discount.

• Anti-theft device discount: Using alarms, tracking systems, etc. can save you up to 25%.

• Loyalty discount: The longer you are insured with USAA, the larger this discount grows over time.

• Accident forgiveness: Available after 5 years, your rates won’t increase due to your first accident.

• Defensive driver discount: Take an approved course and save up to 15% on auto insurance.

Ask your USAA agent about all possible discounts for military widows when getting a quote. Even small percentage savings add up over time!

How Do Widows of Veterans Pay for USAA Insurance?

As a widow getting insurance with USAA for the first time, you will have flexible payment options:

Pay in Full

• Get a small discount by paying your entire 6-month or 12-month premium upfront.

Monthly Payments

• Pay a portion of your premium each month from a bank account or credit card.

Automatic Payments

• Set up recurring payments each month so you don’t have to manually make payments.

Payroll Deduction

• If eligible, you can have your insurance premium deducted directly from your paycheck.

Discuss the best payment solution for your budget with your USAA agent. They can set up a plan that is affordable and hassle-free.

Can a Veteran’s Widow Keep Existing USAA Insurance?

If your late spouse already had USAA insurance, then yes, you can absolutely keep that existing coverage.

The policy will transfer over to you as the widow. You will become the new named insured on the policy.

Here’s how to make sure coverage continues uninterrupted:

Contact USAA

Call USAA as soon as possible after your spouse passes away to inform them. Provide any documentation needed to verify your identity as the widow.

Update Policy Details

Work with your agent to change the name and contact information to yours on the policy. Also update any other details like drivers, vehicles, and beneficiaries.

Make Payments

Keep making premium payments on time so the policy does not lapse. USAA can advise you on any payment plan changes if needed.

As long as payments continue to be made, an existing USAA policy will remain active under the widow’s name. No new application is required.

If you miss payments and the policy cancels, you would have to reapply for new coverage later on. So be sure to communicate with USAA about any billing issues right away to prevent cancellation.

Finding the Right USAA Insurance for Your Needs

Navigating insurance and finances after becoming a widow can feel overwhelming. But USAA makes it simpler by offering customized coverage options combined with compassion for what you are going through.

As a widow of a military veteran previously insured by USAA, you can keep that same great coverage. Or apply for the specific protection you need, whether it’s auto, home, life, or disability insurance.

Be sure to discuss your unique situation with USAA agents to find the right policies and payment plans. And take advantage of the many discounts and perks available to save money.

With USAA in your corner, you can gain peace of mind knowing you and your family are covered. Their excellent customer service provides comfort and support when you need it most during this difficult time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About USAA Insurance for Veteran Widows

1. Do widows need to repay USAA insurance payouts?

No, if you receive payouts on claims for policies like life or disability insurance, you do not need to repay USAA as the beneficiary. The claim money is rightfully yours.

2. How long can I keep USAA insurance after my military spouse dies?

You can keep your USAA coverage for life as long as you maintain payments on your policies. Your membership does not expire just because your veteran spouse passed away.

3. What if I remarry? Can I still have USAA insurance?

Yes, even if you remarry after being widowed, you can continue to be insured through USAA. You do not lose eligibility.

4. Will my USAA insurance cover my new spouse as well?

You can add a new spouse to your USAA policies like auto or homeowners. But they cannot become a USAA member for their own policies unless they are separately eligible through military service.

5. Do I need a new USAA membership as a military widow?

If your spouse already had a membership, it transfers to you when they pass so you do not need to open a new membership account. Just update the existing one.

Getting answers to any questions you have will ensure the transition process goes smoothly. USAA is always ready to help military widows get the coverage they need.

The Bottom Line

Losing a military spouse comes with many changes and uncertainties. But insurance coverage does not need to be one of them.

As the widow of a USAA member veteran, you have options:

• Continue existing USAA policies transferred to you.

• Apply for your specific insurance needs as the widow of an eligible member.

• Take advantage of special discounts, perks, bill pay options, and customer service.

• Get support from experts who understand military families.

So the bottom line is that yes, widows can absolutely get USAA insurance. Make sure you have the coverage you need during this difficult time by exploring USAA policies available to you due to your veteran spouse’s membership.