USAA life insurance, reviewed.
A senior chief once asked us if his term policy would still pay if he died on deployment. With USAA, the answer is yes. USAA Life serves military families with term, whole, and universal coverage — and unlike most carriers, it writes no war exclusion. The bottom line: a strong, member-owned insurer (AM Best A++) built for the people who serve.
By Braxton Mondell, licensed in all 50 states · Updated June 2026
✓ Independent & consumer-first✓ 26 years in business✓ Every major carrier reviewed✓ Licensed in all 50 states
What it does well
Military-first coverage, top-tier strength.
USAA’s edge is who it’s built for. It writes coverage the way military life actually works — deployment, moves, and all — and backs it with one of the strongest balance sheets in the business.
Built for military families
USAA was founded in 1922 by a group of Army officers and still serves the military community — members, veterans with an honorable discharge, and their eligible spouses and children.
No war or aviation exclusion
Most life policies carry a war clause that can void the payout for a combat death. USAA writes coverage that stays in force during deployment and war at no extra charge — a real difference for those who serve.
Top financial-strength rating
USAA Life Insurance Company holds an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, the highest of its 16 grades — the kind of strength that matters when a claim is filed decades out.
Term you can convert
USAA level term runs 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. You can usually convert it to permanent coverage later without a new medical exam — useful if your health changes.
A full product shelf
Beyond term, USAA offers whole life and universal life, plus annuities — so one membership can cover several jobs as your family grows.
Member-first, not Wall Street
USAA is a member-owned association. It answers to the families it serves, not to outside shareholders, which shapes how it prices and pays.
Want USAA’s number for your age? A licensed professional will run it and compare it to the market. No obligation.
Call (888) 959-0710The plans
Term, whole, and universal life.
USAA covers the three main jobs life insurance does. Term protects a defined window cheaply; whole and universal stay in force for life and build cash value — a savings bucket inside the policy you can borrow against (per USAA):
Level Term
10 to 30 years
Coverage from $100,000 up to $5 million for a fixed term, with a level premium. Usually convertible to permanent coverage later without a new medical exam.
Whole Life
Coverage for life
A locked premium, a death benefit that doesn’t expire, and steady cash-value growth — the set-it-and-forget-it option.
Universal Life
Flexible permanent
Permanent coverage with adjustable premiums and death benefit, plus cash value tied to current interest rates — more flexible, more moving parts.
Not sure which job you’re solving for? That’s the right question to start with. Our free policy review walks through your real need before anyone talks product, and our guide to cash-value coverage explains how whole and universal life build value over time.
For those who serve
Why military families lean on USAA.
Bottom line up front: USAA writes coverage that keeps paying when the job gets dangerous. The war exclusion most carriers use can void a payout for a combat death — USAA doesn’t apply it, and active-duty term stays in force during deployment at no extra charge. Here’s how that fits the bigger picture.
SGLI is a strong floor — but it ends
On active duty, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) covers you up to $500,000 at 5 cents per $1,000 a month. It’s a great deal, but it stops when you leave service.
Private term fills the gap
Locking in USAA term while you’re young and healthy means coverage that follows you to civilian life — no war clause, no scramble to re-qualify after separation.
One relationship, many life stages
Deployment, a PCS move, a new baby, the transition out. USAA writes term, whole, and universal under one membership, so coverage can grow with the family.
The SGLI maximum, the rate, and how the benefit works are set by the VA — confirm the current figures at VA.gov. If you’re weighing the move from group to private coverage, our veteran benefits guides and the rundown on SGLI vs. VGLI lay out the timeline so nothing lapses in the gap.
Leaving service, or about to? A licensed professional will map your SGLI-to-civilian transition so nothing lapses in the gap. No obligation.
Call (888) 959-0710Compare the market
Where USAA lands on price.
Here’s an illustrative monthly term-life premium for one common profile — a healthy 35-year-old, $500,000 of 20-year level term — with USAA beside the kind of range you see across A-rated carriers. USAA prices fairly; whether it wins for your profile is what a quick comparison settles:
| Profile (illustrative) | Plan | Monthly · $500k / 20yr |
|---|---|---|
| USAA LifeThis carrier | Level Term · 20yr | ~$26 |
| Male, non-smoker, age 35 | Typical A-rated range | $23–$32 |
| Female, non-smoker, age 35 | Typical A-rated range | $19–$27 |
| SGLI (active duty) | Group · $500k cap | $26 |
Illustrative, not a quote. Figures are rounded examples for a healthy non-smoker and vary by age, sex, health, tobacco use, and state. The SGLI figure is the published group rate for $500,000 (5 cents per $1,000 plus the $1 TSGLI premium), per VA.gov; the A++ financial-strength rating is per AM Best. Your figure depends on your own profile.
Is it a good fit?
A simple way to decide on USAA.
USAA is a strong default for a military family — but the right call still depends on your situation. Here’s the rule of thumb we use when a member asks whether to put USAA at the top of the list.
- You’re active duty or a veteran and value coverage with no war clause — USAA earns a hard look.
- You want one carrier for term now and permanent later — its convertible term and full shelf fit.
- You’re purely price-shopping pure term and aren’t deployed — compare it, because another A-rated carrier may edge it.
- You’re not USAA-eligible — a licensed professional can point you to carriers open to everyone.
For a family that serves, the no-war-clause coverage alone can be worth it. We still set USAA beside two or three others — because the right amount at the right price is what actually protects the people at home.
When to keep what you have
Sometimes the answer is don’t call us.
If you already hold a USAA policy that fits, keep it. A review that ends in “you’re in good shape” is a successful review. Here’s when we’d tell you to leave it exactly as it is.
- You’re active duty with USAA term locked in — that no-war-clause coverage is hard to beat, so hold it.
- Your coverage amount still matches the mortgage, income, and kids it’s meant to replace.
- You bought permanent coverage years ago at a younger age — surrendering it can cost more than it saves.
Thinking about dropping older coverage? Read our take on surrendering a life insurance policy before you do — sometimes the smarter move is to keep it.
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- Whether your USAA term still has years left to convert
- If your coverage amount still matches your family’s real need
- Whether SGLI plus private term leaves a gap at separation
- That your beneficiary is current and correct
Straight answers
USAA questions, answered.
By Braxton Mondell, licensed in all 50 states · Updated June 2026
01Is USAA life insurance only for military?
USAA Life Insurance is offered to USAA members — active-duty service members, veterans with an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge, and their eligible spouses and children. The qualifying veteran has to have established USAA membership for family to join through them. If you are not eligible, a licensed professional can compare carriers open to everyone.
02Does USAA life insurance have a war clause?
No. Most civilian life policies include a war clause that can deny the death benefit for a combat-related death. USAA does not apply that exclusion — active-duty term coverage stays in force during deployment and war at no extra charge. That is one of the main reasons military families choose it.
03How financially strong is USAA Life?
USAA Life Insurance Company holds an A++ (Superior) financial-strength rating from AM Best, the highest of AM Best’s 16 grades. That rating measures the insurer’s ability to pay claims, and USAA has held the top tier for years.
04What does USAA life insurance offer?
Level Term life for 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years with coverage from $100,000 up to $5 million, plus whole life and universal life for permanent coverage. Term policies are generally convertible to permanent coverage without a new exam. USAA also writes annuities.
05Should I keep SGLI or buy USAA term?
Often you keep both. SGLI gives active-duty members up to $500,000 at a low group rate, but it ends after you leave service. USAA term is yours to keep on the outside and can be locked in while you are young and healthy. Many families carry SGLI now and layer term underneath for the transition. A licensed professional can size the gap with you.
06Are USAA’s rates competitive?
Sometimes, sometimes not — it depends on your age, health, and coverage amount. USAA prices fairly and its military coverage is hard to match, but another A-rated carrier may beat it on pure term price for a given profile. The honest move is to set USAA beside two or three others, which a free review does in minutes.
07How do I reach USAA customer service?
Existing members can reach USAA through usaa.com or the number on their policy or member card. If you’d like someone to read your policy with you first — and check whether your coverage still fits — a licensed professional on our team can do that and help you contact the carrier.
This is an independent review. Policy Review Center is not affiliated with or endorsed by USAA; product names and the USAA name are used for identification only. Plan details, ratings, and SGLI figures come from USAA, AM Best, and the VA and can change — confirm current terms with the carrier and at VA.gov. Educational only, not tax, legal, or financial advice; any coverage changes are completed through licensed insurance professionals.
See every option. Then choose.
Call and a licensed professional will set USAA beside the broader market for your age and health — and tell you straight which gives your family the most. Browse more carrier reviews or start at the Policy Review Center home page.