USAA auto/home insurance

[rnorwo1]

We're thinking about switching to USAA (we will qualify thru my FIL) for our auto and home insurance... I looked up the ratings and AM Best had it as "Superior", and I've looked at alot of reviews from consumers... it seems like the negative ones are for people who were not insured by USAA but trying to have a claim paid or about their banking services, which we will not use.

So, has anyone used them for auto or home? Any complaints, concerns, or praises? I would LOVE to hear from someone who had a claim, wondering how quickly/fairly they handle them. And do your rates go up instantly if you do? Thanks!

 

[QVCshopper]

We have USAA also through my FIL. Anyway, we have them for auto, home, and life insurance as well as their credit card. They are a good, honorable company; easy to deal with and contact. We get some money back every year, albeit small, for being a member. That said, I don't really have any experience with claims (knock on wood) but we've had them for 12+ years, since getting married.

 

[mward73]

Have them for both. Great experiences in both. House fire at my parent's - they were awesome. Got people out there within an hour (which is saying something since the fire started at 5am on a Sat morning). They got the house boarded up and had an adjuster out there that day to start working with us. Offered a rental apartment for the 3 months it was going to take to fix the house - we said we'd stay with my aunt, so it was unnecessary. As a thank you for that, they gave us the higher end of the estimate for our belongings that were damanged or ruined.

Car accident - my fault - I hydroplaned in the rain and hit a jersey barrier and tapped another car who was also against the barrier (we only had to pay for the slight bumper damaged I caused him - not his entire car). My car was totalled. I had figured what it was worth and was ready for an argument on what they'd pay me - they ended up coming in around $2000 higher than I expected. They also didn't raise my premiums since I'd been with them for 10 years with no issues.

Also, each year they send out a dividend based on what you have insured through them. It's not usually very much money, but a nice little "gift".

 

[uk_wildcat]

We have home and auto insurance as well as checking and savings accounts with USAA. We have filed a couple of home claims for storm damage and had no problems. We have also filed a couple of auto claims for minor accidents and always got the cars repaired after deductible.
We are very happy with them and have no plans to change.

 

[edk35]

We're thinking about switching to USAA (we will qualify thru my FIL) for our auto and home insurance... I looked up the ratings and AM Best had it as "Superior", and I've looked at alot of reviews from consumers... it seems like the negative ones are for people who were not insured by USAA but trying to have a claim paid or about their banking services, which we will not use.

So, has anyone used them for auto or home? Any complaints, concerns, or praises? I would LOVE to hear from someone who had a claim, wondering how quickly/fairly they handle them. And do your rates go up instantly if you do? Thanks!

We have been with USAA for over 21 years and my husband longer than that. We have NEVER had any issues with them. We have our vehicle insurance with them and at one time had a Mortgage Line of Credit with them (paid off). We also have a saving's acct. and a credit card with them. We have always had excellent/superior service.

 

[leslie826]

I've never heard anything but praises about USAA. Recently we thought we'd switch everything over to them, starting with our bank accounts, and that has been great. However, when we called for car insurance, their quote was almost double what we pay for Allstate for the same coverage. I was disappointed.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We had our old homeowner's with them. They were wonderful. Had to give them up when we converted to a rental as they don't insure secondary homes in Florida anymore. We put them on our new home, but have had no claims--but I don't expect any issues.

In Florida--our hurricane claim in 1999 was handled quickly. And our 2004 food spoilage claims for 2 hurricanes were handled easily. (no damage in those to the house).

On car--we have had a few collision repairs handled. Easy peasy.

Then we had a windshield repair done. The damage was in Florida--so qualified as covered completely. However, we had the repair done in Virginia b/c that was our first opportunity to get it taken care of. The auto shop was wonderful. USAA kept being all word about it. But it was b/c we were covered, but had the repair done out of state. The body shop though had confirmed coverage and they were very diligent to making sure they got their money.

In all body shop cases, we go to where USAA tells us. But the good thing is, we won't get ripped off, b/c USAA (thus far) wont' send you to some random fly by night shop. The shops are vetted and if we were to ever have an issue, USAA listens to their members.

For our collisions (1 car, 1 van, 1 windshield)--we were not at fault. For the car, the driver NEVER contacted their insurance company and for my van--it was a hit and run by an uninsured driver (we had the license plate and the vehicle was eventually impounded but the driver never found). So USAA didn't have to pay out to anybody. But they paid our claim timely.

We also bank through them. Have done so for well over a decade. We have our mortgages with them. We noticed a quality issue in the past couple of years that has bugged us. Not enough to leave them, but enough to make us scratch our heads.

For example--we were set to close on this house and then USAA realized they left something out that my husband had fully disclosed. There was a work around--but we were very SHOCKED, that they let the ball drop. Thankfully there was a work around.

As a whole we are pleased with USAA.

 

[kyra's mommy]

Love them. I've had USAA for 18 years. They have incredible customer service, with the nicest people. I had a claim on my car when I backed out of my OWN garage with my back door still open the door hit the end of the garage and pulled the it almost off (idiot moment- my only excuse is I was a sleep deprived mom of a collicky newborn) and they sent a check asap.

If you can get USAA then you are lucky and will never look back!

 

[SassyLassy]

We also have USAA for home and auto and couldn't be more pleased. They always have great customer service and great follow through. I actually had a claim today and it was seamless. Oh and they beat all prices when I shopped around two years ago.

 

[LadySincere]

USAA provides fantastic customer service-at least everytime we have dealt with them.

We use them for Home owners ins, auto ins and my husband has a credit card through them.

I've been in two accidents-neither my fault, and USAA took care of everything.
I also had a flat tire on the highway with 3 kids in the rain (i have roadside assistance) I called them, and they arranged for a tow truck to come get us (they had sent out another truck with a guy to just change the tire, but they said i was on the wrong side of the road to change it) I also have to give props to the guy that was with the tow truck as he offered us a ride since obviously a tow truck can hold the driver and a passenger-not ME and my 3 kids.

So yup, i highly recommend USAA

 

[si-am]

We have USAA home and auto. They don't offer the cheapest rates, but their customer service is excellent, which is really what you want when you're in an accident.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Another loyal USAA-er here!!

The company also ranks as one of the top 100 best places to work and they consistently win awards. I have always been satisfied with their service and their rates!

Heather

 

[cuterlt]

I love USAA. I have had them for almost 30 years, and they have always been wonderful. Very nice people to deal with. I called when I bought my car recently and they walked me through the process of changing cars on the insurance and gave me an estimate. They also helped me with a car loan - AND gave me great advice in writing about how to deal with a car salesman. I'm sure it just comes with their car loan paperwork, but it was very helpful and gave me great confidence in dealing with a car salesman.
I have never had problems with them in claims (only had 1 that was my fault over 30 years). And I always love that dividend check/deposit right before Christmas.

 

[DCbride]

Love USAA! I have homeowners and auto since 1988.

We have a credit card, 2 auto loans, and the 2 ins. We have filed a home claim due to lightening- lots of outside damage, and thankfully we have only had 1 auto claim (DS21) and my rates did not increase.

They have great customer service and even some little perks- like free windshield repair if cracked.

 

[JamesMom]

Pretty much our whole financial lives are with USAA, lol. As for banking, our emergency fund, auto ins, home ins, and mortgage are with them. Additionaly I have retirement and college fund accounts. Been with them for six years, 2 auto accidents, a law suit (the driver from an auto accident took us to small claims. The judge threw out the case, but USAA still hired with a lawyer ready to help) and a hail storm (replaced roof & car repair) with no problems. Love them!

 

[rnorwo1]

Love them. I've had USAA for 18 years. They have incredible customer service, with the nicest people. I had a claim on my car when I backed out of my OWN garage with my back door still open the door hit the end of the garage and pulled the it almost off (idiot moment- my only excuse is I was a sleep deprived mom of a collicky newborn) and they sent a check asap.

If you can get USAA then you are lucky and will never look back!

Oh my goodness, I can so relate to the sleep deprivation and the idiot moments behind the wheel! My DH always says I'm the most dangerous when I'm driving under 5mph.

Wow, thanks so much for all the info, makes me feel much better about making a change. My DH is getting quotes today and I'm hoping it will be cheaper... I'll post an update this afternoon, thanks again!

 

[marie1203]

We had our car insurance with them for years. Never had to do a claim. Our house insurance was more with USAA so we switch.

 

[JB2K]

I am a long-time USAA member and as we speak, am putting them "to the test"...

Watch the details unfold right here.

 

[rnorwo1]

I am a long-time USAA member and as we speak, am putting them "to the test"...

Watch the details unfold right here.

Uh oh, good luck!!

 

[JeffPort]

I've been using USAA for Insurance and Banking products for over 20 years.

They may not always be the absolute cheapest option, but they are always competitive. Where they stand WAY ABOVE the competition is in their customer service -- they have no hard-sale insurance agents and they truly want to provide you with the insurance policy that fits your needs. Also, when it comes to claims, they are sooooo easy to deal with.

By the way, their free checking product is absolutely the best out there! If you switch to their on-line banking, you will not be disappointed.