How to Add a Car to Your USAA Auto Insurance Policy

If you’ve recently purchased a new or used vehicle, one of the first things you’ll need to do is add it to your existing USAA car insurance policy. This ensures seamless, uninterrupted coverage for your new set of wheels.

Adding a car to your USAA insurance can easily be done online, through the mobile app, or over the phone. The process only takes a few minutes, but provides peace of mind knowing your new car is properly covered.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the steps to add a vehicle to your USAA policy. We’ll also look at how your rates could be impacted and important tips to keep in mind

Overview of Adding a Car to USAA Insurance

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect when you add a car to your existing USAA policy

• Provide vehicle details – You’ll need to supply USAA with specifics like the VIN, year, make and model. This allows them to accurately rate the new vehicle.

• Get a premium quote – Based on the car details and your current policy limits, USAA will provide a quote showing any change in premium.

• Accept the policy change – Review and accept the quote to officially add the new wheels. You can add it immediately or at a future effective date.

• Make payment – Your premium payment will be adjusted to reflect the additional vehicle. USAA will bill you or revise monthly deductions.

• Receive proof of insurance – New evidence of insurance will be issued reflecting the newly added car. Keep this handy.

• Consider extra coverage – It’s a great time to revisit liability limits, deductibles and endorsements to fully protect the new ride.

Below we’ll go through the step-by-step process to add a vehicle through the USAA website, mobile app or by phone. We’ll also look at how your rates are impacted when expanding the cars on your policy.

Adding a Car to Your USAA Policy Online

The fastest way to add a vehicle is directly through the USAA website:

• Log into your USAA account and navigate to your Auto Insurance policy page.

• Look for the “Add Vehicle” button or link, usually near the top or side of the screen.

• Click the “Add Vehicle” button which will take you to the online quote form.

• Enter details about the new car:

  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

  • Year, make and model

  • Body type (car, truck, SUV, etc.)

  • Indicate if the car is leased or financed

• Select desired coverage limits for physical damage like collision and comprehensive. Make sure they satisfy any lease or lienholder requirements.

• Carefully review the premium quote, including any discounts that apply to the newly added vehicle. The quote will reflect your total policy premium across all vehicles.

• Pick an effective date in the future for when you want coverage to begin.

• Accept the terms and conditions to officially add the vehicle to your policy.

• Choose your payment option – pay in full upfront or roll the additional premium into your monthly installments.

Once submitted, you’ll receive immediate proof of insurance for the new addition to your policy. Print or save this to your phone to keep in the car.

The vehicle will also now display in your policy declarations and coverage details. Verify all information is accurate, and the car qualifies for any applicable discounts.

Using the USAA Mobile App to Add a Car

Adding a vehicle is also quick and easy directly through the USAA mobile insurance app:

• Open the USAA app and log into your account. Navigate to your Auto policy.

• Look for the “Add Vehicle” option, typically under the menu or policy details section.

• Enter the VIN number which will pull basic vehicle data. You can also manually input the year, make, model and body type.

• Indicate if the vehicle is leased or financed. Include lender information if required.

• Select the physical damage coverage limits you want for the newly added car.

• Review the premium quote and effective date for adding the vehicle.

• Accept the terms to officially add the car to your existing policy.

• Choose your payment method – pay in full upfront or roll the premium increase into your monthly installments.

Your proof of insurance will instantly generate in the app. You can view, print or email this from your phone.

The added vehicle will now display in your policy details. Be sure to save or screenshot the updated insurance ID card containing the car.

Contacting USAA to Add a Car

Alternatively, you can work directly with a USAA agent over the phone to add a vehicle:

• Call USAA customer service at 800-531-8722.

• Inform the agent you wish to add a vehicle to your existing auto policy. Provide your member ID number.

• Supply the agent with your VIN plus details like year, make, model and body type.

• Disclose if the car is leased or financed. Provide any necessary lender information.

• Choose the physical damage coverage limits you want for collision and comprehensive.

• The agent will provide a premium quote for adding the vehicle to your policy. Make sure you understand how it impacts your total premium.

• Select the date you want to add the vehicle and officially request for it to be added.

• Pick your payment method – pay in full upfront or roll into your monthly premium installments.

• Ask the agent to email your updated policy documents reflecting the newly added car.

Carefully review the new documents and proof of insurance to verify all information is accurate.

The agent can explain how the additional vehicle impacts your policy limits, discounts and premium. Ask any questions and make adjustments as needed.

How Adding a Car Affects Your USAA Insurance Rates

When you add a vehicle to your USAA policy, chances are your premium will change. Here are some of the key factors that determine your rate increase when expanding the cars on your policy:

• Vehicle attributes – Rates are partially based on the new car’s year, make, model, age and value. Newer, more valuable vehicles typically cost more to insure.

• Coverage limits – The liability, collision and comprehensive levels you choose for the added car impact your premium. Higher limits mean higher rates.

• Assigned driver – The main driver you assign for the added vehicle affects your rate based on their demographics and driving history.

• Applicable discounts – The new car may qualify for certain discounts like multi-vehicle and anti-theft, helping lower your overall premium.

• Increased risk exposure – Insuring another vehicle means USAA takes on higher aggregate value. This additional exposure often increases your premium.

• Policy minimums – Adding a car could push you into a higher policy minimum tier. USAA may require you to increase limits.

When providing your quote, USAA factors in these criteria to calculate the premium change for adding the vehicle. Closely evaluate your new policy declarations to understand exactly how your rates are impacted.

You can request your USAA agent explain any premium increase in detail. They can offer recommendations to keep your rates as low as possible when expanding the number of cars on your policy.

Important Tips for Adding a Car

Here are some important tips to remember when adding a vehicle to your USAA insurance policy:

• Add the car right away to prevent any gaps in coverage for the new vehicle. Damage or accidents are not covered until it is officially added.

• Verify all VIN, vehicle and driver information is correct in the updated policy documents. Inaccuracies can jeopardize your coverage.

• Confirm liability limits meet state minimum requirements. Some states mandate a certain level of liability insurance.

• Re-evaluate your collision and comprehensive deductibles when adding the vehicle. Higher deductibles can help lower your premium.

• Consider usage-based coverage through USAA’s SafePilot program as another way to potentially lower your rate.

• Take advantage of all discounts like multi-vehicle, good student, driver training, and more. Ask USAA to review your eligibility.

• Notify USAA immediately if you sell or remove a vehicle so your premium can be adjusted accordingly.

• Have USAA re-assess discounts and eligibility any time vehicles, drivers or coverages change on your policy.

Adding a car provides the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate your USAA policy. Make sure you have the appropriate liability limits, deductibles and discounts to meet your current needs. USAA agents can provide recommendations to optimize coverage at the best possible rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a car to my USAA policy at any time?

Yes, you can add a vehicle to your USAA policy at any time. Coverage will begin on the effective date you select. Avoid gaps between policies on the new car.

How long does it take to add a car to my USAA insurance?

Adding a car takes just a few minutes online, through the mobile app, or over the phone. You’ll receive proof of insurance immediately after the vehicle is added.

Will my rates always go up when I add a car?