USAA seems to have changed recently ?

[GH85Carrera]

I am a 34 USAA member, my dad has been with them for 60 years.

For so many years USAA was a bargain, not anymore. I felt the house insurance was just expensive so I started looking around. I am now with American National. The insurance coverage limits are higher, and the prices are way less. American National has the rebate check like USAA if you have no claims. My 911 is covered for an agreed value for about 60 cents a day.

I loved the customer service wit USAA and I still use some banking services of USAA, but not the insurance.

[widgeon13]

I've been with them for 40+ years and no plan to switch, no complaints. No one has mentioned the rebate that comes just about every year. I got $780 back from them this past year. Every time I get a quote from anyone else, it's always quite a bit higher for everything. I've only had two car claims and one homeowner claim in that number of years, so they're making money on me for sure.

[dondarnell]

I think USAA definitely changed when they let in the enlisted. Premiums jumped almost overnight. But I've shopped car insurance recently, still can't beat USAA, and the insure my bikes too (but they told me Michigan was one of few states that they still in insured bikes ("no fault"). Only frustrating issue is that they won't insure my office building because is was built 1865. They had the same position about my last residence built in 1925.

[eastbay]

I know a self admitted VN era draft dodger insured through USAA, crazy world

[Rufblackbird]

Originally Posted by dondarnell

I think USAA definitely changed when they let in the enlisted. Premiums jumped almost overnight.

So...are you saying enlisted folks aren't as responsible as officers?

[Scott R]

After reading this thread I decided to get a quote from USAA for my cars and house. I'm a bit shocked at the price so I'm glad this was posted. I come from a long line of military family and when I called my name was "logged" to a number in their system placed their by a relative of mine.

I'm a bit unhappy with my current insurance company so now might have been the time to switch, but not to USAA I think. Here is what I was quoted, roughly:

Cayenne CTT $630
LR3 $420
911 $250

Grand total for six months is $1400, this is $500 more than I pay now for "Country" that I've had for about 15 years. Is this because I'm "new" to USAA or is this a result of the issues mentioned in this thread about rising costs?

BTW: I have a clean driving record for 15 years, so does the wife, we are the only two adult drivers in my house.

[foxpaws]

I have been with USAA since the days of 'officers of the line' only...

I wondered too about the recent rate increases - it went from pretty darn cheap to now merely reasonable. Could it be that adding enlisted personnel made a difference?

They do seem to be hit extremely hard when hurricanes happen - they have a lot of people insured in those areas - so I would imagine that was part of the reason. They are sloughing off those people though -

But since I have almost everything with them (including banking, tons of insurance, investments) it seems just easier to stay with them.

[mossguy]

I'm with foxpaws on this. I've been a member for almost 50 years, also from "officer of the line" days. I have just about everything with them including banking (which is exceptional). Sometimes it is good to compare cost with value over the long term.

Best,
Tom

[Scott R]

I called back and spoke to someone more senior. After giving them my current costs they asked that I call back in 12 months for a new quote. They stated that the economy is directly affecting their costs currently. They were however very nice about it.

[cbush]

I am a long time member of USAA and recently went to their annual meeting here in Washington. One of the things that they discussed was the impact of allowing enlisted. What they said was that their enlisted claims experience were as good or better than the officers, and that the program was so successful, they wanted to expand it. This is good for the general membership as when USAA grows, it is better able to provide more services and better cover losses.

All insurance has gone up in cost- not just USAA. Texas home insurance policies are more expensive because of the extensive (mostly fraudulent) black mold claims as well as hail damage losses. I have my home insurance with the Armed Forces Cooperative Insurance Agency- something familiar to military personnel, but I am not happy with their (ridiculous) Texas rates, and will get a quote from USAA when I renew next year.

USAA wanted me to transfer some of my "collector cars" over to a secondary insurer, but when I got a quote from them it was the same as my USAA rate, and with more restrictions on use. So I still have all my cars and motorcycles with USAA.

[74-911]

Homeowner insurance premiums are theoretically dependent on three things:

The insured value of the dwelling and contents
Weather related losses of the state and specific area of the state the house is located in and
The states insurance regulatory system.

If the replacement value of your house increases, your premium will increase. The cost to replace your house has little to do with the sales price of houses in your area. Many believe the insurance companies overstate the replacement costs and houses are over-insured.. but there is only one way to really find out.

If you live in a state with really bad weather (i.e. TX) you will have higher rates. Losses due to hurricanes, high winds, hail storms, brush fires, etc. have been really bad the past five years or so. The companies don't just eat these losses. One of USAA's problems with HO rates is so many of mililtary retirees live in coastal areas (and in TX).. homeowner losses have nothing to do with rank.

In many/most states insurance companies have to get rate increases approved by the state boards of insurance and they have to justify the proposed increases by showing loss ratio to premium ratio essentially. In TX insurnace companies can more or less just notify the state board they are raising rates and raise them. If enough complaints come in, they may require the co. to lower the rate increase but that is after the fact.

There are a lot of other factors that come into play but these are the big three..

As to insurance fraud, there was a lot re: black mold and cracked foundations but that was quite a few years ago. In TX now, mold and broken foundatains are excluded from coverage in most HO policies... USAA's excludes them from coverage.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by cbush

I am a long time member of USAA and recently went to their annual meeting here in Washington. One of the things that they discussed was the impact of allowing enlisted. What they said was that their enlisted claims experience were as good or better than the officers, and that the program was so successful, they wanted to expand it. This is good for the general membership as when USAA grows, it is better able to provide more services and better cover losses.

Good. My Dad has been with them since he graduated from West Point in 1952, 60 years of good vibrations.

My relationship with USAA, started when I was 16, has seen a few sour notes, all my fault. They're good, not stupid.

[mossguy]

Apologies. Thread Hijack.

Paul, How did your father feel about your Navy career?

Best,
Tom

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Apologies. Thread Hijack.

Paul, How did your father feel about your Navy career?

Best,
Tom

I'd get carpal-tunnel syndrome typing a reply, Tom

Now, my son wants to be a Marine: I don't know if we're evolving or de-evolving. We are a stubborn, peckish lot who love each other despite each others (their) career stupidity.

If USAA insured train wrecks, our premiums...

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by eastbay

I know a self admitted VN era draft dodger insured through USAA, crazy world

I got tagged by an exwife who's father was a light colonel. I was not a draft dodger, but I never served. That's one way USAA grows.

[johnkszabo]

I have had USAA for many years and when I had an auto claim last year (not my fault) I was treated like crap!!!!!! I should mention I also have two homes with them.I would rate them with Allstate,State Farm etc at this point.Not real impressed with USAA at present!

[Ferrariguyma]

USAA was and is my only car insurance company since I started driving. I have had 2 major claims with them over the years and they have been fantastic. I find the customer service to be very helpful and have never even considered looking anywhere else.

[Joeaksa]

Any updates on this thread?

Was thinking of changing my insurance and USAA keeps bothering me...

[mossguy]

Joe,

After 45 years with USAA I have never found a reason to change. Have all my insurance and banking with them. Been banking with them about 5 years.