Insurance Before You Deploy

If your vehicle will be stored during deployment, you do not need full coverage — but you cannot simply cancel your policy without risking a lapse that will cost you at renewal. The right move is to reduce to comprehensive-only (fire, theft, weather) and suspend liability and collision. This can cut your premium by 60-80% while keeping the policy active. If your vehicle is financed or leased, your lender may require you to maintain comprehensive coverage regardless.

• Reduce to comprehensive-only for stored vehicles — saves 60-80% on premium
• Do not cancel entirely — a lapse raises your rates when you return
• Financed vehicles: check lender requirements before reducing coverage
• SCRA allows cancellation if deploying outside the US and vehicle is stored

If your home will be vacant during deployment, notify your insurance company. Most homeowners policies have a vacancy clause — if the home is unoccupied for more than 30-60 days, certain coverages (vandalism, glass breakage) may be excluded. A vacancy endorsement or a separate vacant property policy keeps you fully covered. If a family member is staying in the home, your standard policy typically remains in force.

• Notify your insurer if the home will be vacant for more than 30 days
• Vacancy clause can exclude vandalism and glass breakage
• Vacancy endorsement closes the gap — typically $50-$150/year
• Family member staying in the home? Standard policy usually stays in force

If you are leaving a rental unit during deployment, you have two options: keep the policy active (your belongings are still covered in storage) or cancel it if you are vacating the unit entirely. If a family member is staying, keep the policy. If the unit will be empty, cancel effective the date you vacate and restart when you return.

• Keeping the unit? Keep the policy — covers belongings and liability
• Vacating entirely? Cancel effective the date you vacate
• Belongings in storage? Add a storage endorsement to your policy
• Restarting after deployment: no lapse penalty if cancelled intentionally

SGLI (Servicemembers Group Life Insurance) provides up to $500,000 in coverage during active duty. However, SGLI ends 120 days after separation. If you are approaching ETS or retirement, a private life insurance policy should be in place before your SGLI lapses — not after. Rates are significantly lower when you are young and healthy. We can help you find term life coverage that complements your SGLI.

• SGLI covers up to $500,000 during active duty — confirm your election
• SGLI ends 120 days after separation — do not wait to get private coverage
• Term life rates are lowest when you are young and healthy
• Beneficiary designations: review before every deployment