Compare short-term and long-term disability insurance. Learn coverage periods, benefit amounts, waiting periods, and how to protect your income.
Insurance for Veterans
Recently updated
Insurance Guide for Veterans
As a veteran, you have access to unique insurance benefits earned through military service. Understanding how VA benefits, TRICARE, and civilian insurance options work together helps you build comprehensive coverage without paying for unnecessary overlap.
At a Glance
- VA health care provides comprehensive coverage if you’re enrolled—eligibility based on service history and other factors
- TRICARE continues for some veterans and family members after separation
- SGLI to VGLI conversion preserves life insurance after leaving active duty
- Service-connected disabilities may qualify you for additional VA benefits
- Civilian insurance supplements or replaces military options depending on your situation
VA Health Care
The VA health care system provides medical services to eligible veterans at VA medical centers and clinics nationwide.
Eligibility
Most veterans who served in the active military, naval, or air service and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible. Priority is based on:
- Service-connected disabilities
- Income level
- Receipt of VA pension
- Purple Heart recipients
- Former POWs
- Medal of Honor recipients
What’s Covered
- Preventive care and screenings
- Primary care and specialist visits
- Mental health services (including PTSD treatment)
- Prescription medications
- Hospital care and surgery
- Women’s health services
Cost
Depending on your priority group, you may have:
- No copays (priority groups 1-6)
- Copays for some services (priority groups 7-8)
Most veterans don’t pay premiums—coverage is earned through service.
How to Enroll
- Apply online at VA.gov (opens in new tab)
- Call 1-877-222-VETS (877-222-8387)
- Visit your local VA medical center
When to Use VA vs. Civilian Coverage
Use VA care when:
- You’re near a VA facility with services you need
- You have service-connected conditions (specialized VA expertise)
- Cost savings matter—no premiums, low or no copays
Consider civilian options when:
- VA facilities are inconvenient or have long wait times
- You want more provider choice
- Employer coverage is affordable and comprehensive
TRICARE After Separation
TRICARE is the health care program for military members, retirees, and their families.
Who Keeps TRICARE?
Military Retirees (20+ years or medical retirement)
- Eligible for TRICARE for life
- At age 65, TRICARE becomes secondary to Medicare
Transitioning Service Members
- Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of coverage after separation
- Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) allows purchase of temporary coverage (18-36 months)
Guard/Reserve Members
- TRICARE Reserve Select available if you serve in the Selected Reserve
TRICARE and Medicare
At 65, military retirees must enroll in Medicare Part B to keep TRICARE coverage. TRICARE For Life then serves as secondary insurance, covering most costs Medicare doesn’t.
Life Insurance Options
Military life insurance programs offer favorable terms, but coverage changes when you separate.
SGLI (Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance)
- Available during active duty
- Up to $500,000 coverage
- Rates: $25/month for maximum coverage
- Automatic unless declined
VGLI (Veterans’ Group Life Insurance)
- Converts SGLI to civilian coverage after separation
- No medical exam required if you convert within 240 days
- Coverage up to your SGLI amount (max $500,000)
- Rates increase with age (higher than SGLI, but guaranteed issue)
When to Convert to VGLI
Convert if:
- You have health conditions that make other policies expensive or unavailable
- You want guaranteed coverage without medical underwriting
- You need coverage immediately after separation
Consider civilian term insurance if:
- You’re healthy and can qualify for better rates
- You want longer-term level premiums
- You’re comparing multiple options
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
Calculate based on:
- Income replacement: 10-12x annual income if family depends on you
- Debts: Mortgage, car loans, other obligations
- Future costs: Children’s education, surviving spouse needs
- Existing coverage: VA DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) for service-connected deaths
VA Disability Compensation
If you have a disability connected to your military service, you may qualify for tax-free monthly compensation.
What Qualifies
- Injuries or illnesses caused by or worsened during service
- Disabilities from training, hospitalization, or medical treatment
- Presumptive conditions (certain diseases associated with specific service, like Agent Orange exposure)
Disability Ratings
The VA assigns a rating from 0% to 100% based on severity. Monthly compensation (2024):
- 10%: ~$171/month
- 30%: ~$524/month
- 50%: ~$1,075/month
- 70%: ~$1,716/month
- 100%: ~$3,737/month
Higher rates for veterans with dependents.
How to Apply
- Gather evidence (service records, medical records, buddy statements)
- File a claim at VA.gov (opens in new tab)
- Attend a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam if scheduled
Auto Insurance
Veterans have access to specialized auto insurers that may offer better rates and coverage.
Military-Affiliated Insurers
- USAA: Consistently top-rated; membership open to veterans, active duty, and families
- Armed Forces Insurance: Serves military families since 1887
- Geico: Government Employees Insurance Company—offers military discounts
Potential Savings
- Military service discounts
- Deployed service member storage rates
- Good driver discounts
- Multi-policy bundling
What to Keep in Mind
- Compare military-affiliated insurers with civilian companies
- Verify coverage continues during deployments (if still serving in Guard/Reserve)
- Update your insurer when you move—rates vary by location
Home Insurance for Veterans
VA Home Loans and Insurance
If you financed your home with a VA loan, you’re required to maintain homeowners insurance. Coverage should include:
- Dwelling coverage (at least equal to loan amount)
- Liability protection
- Personal property coverage
Potential Savings
- Military-affiliated insurers (USAA, AFI) often have competitive rates
- Multi-policy discounts (bundle with auto)
- Claims-free discounts
- Security system discounts
Disability Insurance
Even with VA disability compensation, private disability insurance can provide additional income protection.
When You Need It
- Your VA rating is partial (less than 100%)
- You have non-service-connected health risks
- Your income exceeds what VA compensation would replace
- You’re self-employed or work in a high-income profession
What to Look For
- Own-occupation definition: Pays if you can’t do your specific job
- Non-cancelable, guaranteed renewable: Insurer can’t change terms
- Benefit that coordinates with VA compensation: Understand how benefits stack
Veteran Insurance Checklist
- VA health enrollment: Apply if you haven’t—coverage is earned
- TRICARE status: Understand what coverage continues after separation
- SGLI to VGLI: Convert within 240 days if needed
- Compare life insurance: Check if civilian term beats VGLI rates
- VA disability claim: File for any service-connected conditions
- Auto insurance quotes: Compare USAA/military insurers with civilian options
- Home insurance: Maintain required coverage for VA loans
- Beneficiary updates: Review all policies after separation
- Document DD-214: Keep discharge papers accessible for benefits
Not Sure What You Need?
Take our free 2-minute quiz to get personalized insurance recommendations based on your veteran status and life situation.
Next Steps
- Check VA eligibility—apply for VA health care if you haven’t
- Review life insurance—decide on VGLI conversion vs. civilian policy
- File disability claims—don’t wait on service-connected conditions
- Get insurance quotes—compare military-affiliated insurers
Veteran Resources
- VA.gov (opens in new tab) — Official VA benefits portal
- eBenefits (opens in new tab) — Access and manage VA benefits
- Veterans Crisis Line (opens in new tab) — 988, then press 1
Related Checklists
- Retiring Insurance Checklist - Medicare and coverage transitions for veterans leaving service
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can veterans use VA healthcare and private insurance together?
Yes, veterans can have both VA healthcare and private insurance. VA healthcare may be used for any covered services, while private insurance can cover care outside the VA system or services VA doesn’t provide.
Do veterans need to buy life insurance?
VA offers several life insurance programs including SGLI, VGLI, and S-DVI. You can also purchase private life insurance. Consider your family’s needs, existing VA coverage, and whether you want additional private coverage.
What is TRICARE and who qualifies?
TRICARE is health coverage for active-duty service members, retirees, and their families. Veterans who aren’t military retirees don’t qualify for TRICARE but may access VA healthcare based on service-connected conditions and other factors.
Does VA healthcare count as health insurance under the ACA?
Yes, VA healthcare meets the ACA’s minimum essential coverage requirement. You won’t face a penalty for not having other insurance. However, VA coverage only works at VA facilities—consider supplemental coverage for broader access.
What disability benefits do veterans get for service-connected conditions?
Veterans with service-connected disabilities may receive VA disability compensation (tax-free monthly payments), priority VA healthcare, vocational rehabilitation, and other benefits. Ratings range from 0% to 100% based on severity.
No FAQs match your search. Try different keywords or .
State Insurance Guides
Insurance requirements, costs, and available programs vary significantly by state. Find state-specific resources to complement your insurance for veterans coverage research.
Most Populous States
Browse by Region
Related Articles (2)
Compare homeowners insurance rates across all 50 states. See average premiums, disaster risk impacts, and what drives home insurance costs in your area.