How To Ship Your Vehicle When You’re a USAA Member

Q: How do I ship my vehicle when I’m a USAA member?

To ship your vehicle as a USAA member, choose your route and transport type, compare quotes, and verify the assigned interstate carrier before pickup. For a domestic move, an interstate car shipping service can arrange open or enclosed transport based on your vehicle and budget. Confirm the carrier’s USDOT and operating-authority information, then photograph the vehicle before loading. At pickup, review the condition report or bill of lading carefully and keep a copy until delivery.

Q: Does USAA offer car shipping services or a member discount?

USAA does not operate its own vehicle-transport fleet, but as of September 23, 2026, USAA Perks lists savings of up to $125 with Montway Auto Transport. The transport itself is provided by Montway and its carrier network rather than by USAA. Members can still compare that offer with other licensed transport options before booking. Check the current terms in your USAA Perks account because partner offers and discount amounts can change over time.

Q: How much does it cost to ship a car when you’re a USAA member?

Standard open-carrier vehicle shipping commonly runs about $700-$1,450 for many interstate moves, based on the overlap in current national market data. Shorter trips under roughly 500 miles can fall near $300-$600, while moves beyond about 2,000 miles often reach $1,100-$1,600. USAA membership does not set the carrier’s base price, although an eligible member perk may reduce the final amount. A1’s car shipping rates guide covers the main pricing inputs.

Q: How long does state-to-state car shipping take for USAA members?

State-to-state car shipping usually takes about 1-3 loaded transit days for shorter trips, 3-6 days around 1,000-2,000 miles, and roughly 6-10 days coast to coast. Those ranges start when the carrier picks up the vehicle, not when you place the order. Carrier assignment and pickup scheduling can add several days before transit begins. Route length, weather, traffic, required driver rest periods, and the number of scheduled stops can change the delivery estimate.

by Joe Webster

Last updated Sep, 23 2026

How To Ship Your Vehicle When You’re a USAA Member

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is currently the leading provider of insurance and other financial services to members of the US military, veterans, and their families. They offer a wide array of different types of insurance, including auto insurance designed to protect you and your vehicle.

But what happens when you need to transport your vehicle from point A to point B? Does the USAA offer car shipping insurance as well? A-1 Auto Transport is here to help you find the answer!

The Difference Between Auto Insurance and Car Shipping Insurance

The two are actually different policies designed for different purposes. Not only that but from a legal standpoint, there are different parties required to carry such insurance.

First, auto insurance is necessary for vehicle owners in order to be allowed to drive the car on the US road. It protects the driver in various ways:

Covers medical expenses in case of an accident
Covers car repairs
Protects against liability during an accident
Even protects drivers in case of hit and runs, or collisions with uninsured motorists, etc.

You do not need auto insurance in order to move your vehicle. This is the responsibility of the transporting company, which by federal law is required to carry a certain level of insurance to legally ship any vehicles.

As a result, if you have just purchased a vehicle and need to have it relocated, you do not need to first get it insured with the USAA. Shipping insurance is the responsibility of the carrier and not the vehicle owner.

Interstate auto transport for USAA members typically costs $500–$1,200, with enclosed shipping running 30–60% more than standard open carrier pricing.
Most USAA member PCS and interstate shipments complete in 2–7 days; door-to-door service reduces terminal handling and suits tight military relocation schedules.
Federal law requires all FMCSA-licensed carriers to carry active cargo insurance; USAA personal auto policies do not substitute for carrier-held transit coverage during shipment.

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How Does Shipping Insurance Work?

When relocating a vehicle to a CONUS destination, you are responsible to take care of the logistics. This is different from an OCONUS delivery, where the military can approve and pay for the shipment of a vehicle.

But in case of, for instance, a PCS move, you will need to look for an auto transport company that can accommodate you. The USAA currently doesn’t directly collaborate with any auto hauling companies, but members will often receive certain discounts from many carriers.

Once you find a company, be sure to ask about their insurance options. Federal laws do mandate certain levels of coverage, but it’s best to make sure such minimums can cover the full value of your vehicle, to prevent an unnecessary risk.

Here are some more questions to ask your carrier when it comes to auto shipping insurance:

What type of damage is covered?
Is there a deductible?
What are the limitations of the coverage?
Can you purchase additional coverage if necessary?

Shipping insurance can be confusing, but most companies will be happy to explain your options and help you make the right choice.

How A-1 Auto Transport Can Help?

If you’re looking to transport your vehicle for a PCS move or any other reason, A1-AT has successfully worked with many members of the military and helped them get this task done swiftly.

As an experienced auto carrier, we are here to make sure you access the very best solutions for all your needs and always provide our clients with:

Top-notch services
Competitive rates
Personalized support and guidance
Industry-leading expertise
Great insurance options

So if you’re a USAA member or in need of help with your PCS move, A-1 Auto Transport is the team to call!

Get your free, no strings attached estimate online, then call our team at 1-800-452-2880 to find out more about our services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I ship my vehicle when I’m a USAA member?

To ship your vehicle as a USAA member, choose your route and transport type, compare quotes, and verify the assigned interstate carrier before pickup. For a domestic move, an interstate car shipping service can arrange open or enclosed transport based on your vehicle and budget. Confirm the carrier’s USDOT and operating-authority information, then photograph the vehicle before loading. At pickup, review the condition report or bill of lading carefully and keep a copy until delivery.

Does USAA offer car shipping services or a member discount?

USAA does not operate its own vehicle-transport fleet, but as of September 23, 2026, USAA Perks lists savings of up to $125 with Montway Auto Transport. The transport itself is provided by Montway and its carrier network rather than by USAA. Members can still compare that offer with other licensed transport options before booking. Check the current terms in your USAA Perks account because partner offers and discount amounts can change over time.

How much does it cost to ship a car when you’re a USAA member?

Standard open-carrier vehicle shipping commonly runs about $700-$1,450 for many interstate moves, based on the overlap in current national market data. Shorter trips under roughly 500 miles can fall near $300-$600, while moves beyond about 2,000 miles often reach $1,100-$1,600. USAA membership does not set the carrier’s base price, although an eligible member perk may reduce the final amount. A1’s car shipping rates guide covers the main pricing inputs.

How long does state-to-state car shipping take for USAA members?

State-to-state car shipping usually takes about 1-3 loaded transit days for shorter trips, 3-6 days around 1,000-2,000 miles, and roughly 6-10 days coast to coast. Those ranges start when the carrier picks up the vehicle, not when you place the order. Carrier assignment and pickup scheduling can add several days before transit begins. Route length, weather, traffic, required driver rest periods, and the number of scheduled stops can change the delivery estimate.

Does USAA insurance cover my vehicle during auto transport?

USAA auto-policy coverage during transport depends on your specific policy and the cause of any loss, so confirm those terms with USAA before pickup. The carrier’s protection is separate, and you should not assume federal law guarantees cargo coverage for every auto carrier. FMCSA generally requires interstate property carriers to maintain public-liability coverage, while federal cargo-insurance filing requirements primarily apply to household-goods carriers. Ask the assigned carrier for its cargo-coverage information, limits, deductible, and exclusions before releasing the vehicle.

Does the military pay to ship a car during a PCS move?

Government-paid PCS vehicle shipping depends on your orders and destination, not on USAA membership. For most CONUS-to-CONUS moves, transporting a privately owned vehicle is largely the service member’s responsibility, subject to limited exceptions. For qualifying OCONUS-related PCS moves, the government may pay to ship or store one privately owned vehicle, with eligibility and size rules set through the military transportation system. A1’s military auto transport resource covers private shipping options when government transportation does not apply.