Need feedback, USAA car insurance

[solo1]

My present company, State Farm, has raised my car insurance rates over 150 bucks in the last 6 months. It's because of my age, they say.

I'm looking at USAA.  The rates quoted are over 150 bucks cheaper for  6 months with the same coverage, for both cars.

I need input from you veterans out there who have USAA car insurance. What's your opinion on USAA service, settlements, billing, etc?

State Farm has been excellent for 30 years  but...................

I would like input asap.

Thanks, wayne

[Serk]

I'm not a veteran but I've ridden my dad's status into being a USAA member for 28 years (Which is kinda cool since I'm "only" 45 years old).

Their service rocks.
The best, bar none.

I've had multiple occasions over the years where an insurance salesdroid was trying to sell me car insurance, they'd ask who I was currently with, and when I told 'em USAA they'd stop, say never mind, we can't touch that, stay where you are.

(Their checking accounts are awesome as well btw)

[cookiedough]

am sure they are fine being USAA in terms of claims being taken care of and pricing.  I called them but since my dad being a veteran is deceased,  it does not carry onto family members if veteran is deceased. 

I would switch in a heartbeat to save 150 bucks  every 6 months.  IN fact,  going to call tomorrow and switch from Geico to Progressive to save over 200 bucks every 6 months on 3 cars plus another 70 dollar per year savings on 2 cycles. 

[solo1]

I got a quote from USAA.  Much cheaper than my present insurance.

However, multiple checks online seem to indicate that USAA has developed a bad rep in the last year  for processing claims, billing, and a bunch of other complaints.

Still considering one other company.  From what I see, car insurance companies have as bad a reputation as Comcast in raising rates and service.

[Jess from VA]

USAA is tops in service.  They may not be the cheapest, just the most honest and professional.  Loyal customer since my military service.  Homeowner's too, but not my bikes (they lay their bike coverage off to Progressive, and I will never do business with them, at any price) (at least they did when I last checked) (Geico on bikes).

I have not heard of any recent USAA bad press.  I do know they are more aggressive against fraudulent or questionable claims than most companies.  Also, do not forget to check any ins co for business reputation IN YOUR OWN STATE, since states vary so much by state ins commissions, and this very often results in differences in reputation between states.  Bad press in any given state is not bad press in all states.

Cookie, IF you had signed on with USAA as a family member while your dad was still alive (and he had USAA ins. ongoing), then you could have signed with them at that time, and continued for your lifetime.

USAA used to be only military officers (and family), and Geico used to be only (or mostly) enlisted men (and family).  

[ZekeValk]

I've been with USAA for about 17 years.  Off the top of my head...through two accidents of mine, one of my wife's, and six or seven of my kids' (six kids), and all of them have been handled great.  All of my kids except one have moved on to their own policies and are happy (two have done their own military time). 

Go for it.  My daugher was involved in an accident that was not her fault (video proof to that effect).  The at-fault driver's policy denied the claim and USAA stepped in and covered it (we had uninsured coverage). 

Never an issue...and I've tried to price competitors and haven't found one that came close. 

[Sorcerer]

2 weeks ago I was rear ended. She had USAA. I had a check in my hand with in a week of filling a claim. I will see how they do once the repairs start if there are unseen damages.

[Oldfishguy]

I've had State Farm as well for a long time.

Several times now I've had USAA give me priceing on individual policies and then bundleing all of it.  Every time State Farm has come out cheaper by enough not to make a switch. 

But if USAA has a good rate for you at this moment, go for it.

[Big Rig]

Wayne,

Been with USAA for 32 years, like Serk, I am member because my parents (dad was Army) had it.

Their customer service is second to none. I would give them a call, you will not be disappointed.

They do not insure bikes, they have a sister company, Foremost...I use them and they have been the cheapest, as I continueally check rates annually.

[cookiedough]

Yes,  gotta keep checking rates and companies yearly or for sure once every 2 years to get better rates, etc.

 I have had about 8 insurance companies for autos in past about 14 years and NONE kept their rate reasonable for more than 2-3 years, had to keep switching just to afford the premiums and NO, have never filed a claim in my life ever.   Always giving B.S. reasons is all which I do not believe one bit. 

State farm,  Allstate,  American Family,  Geico, Progressive, GMAC insurance, IMT/Wadena, and Liberty Mutual all have screwed me over in rates after 1-3 years or so.  Liberty Mutual was the worst giving me a great 1 year rate, upon renewal a 22% rate increase for 2nd year - so WRONG... 

I just called one last time State Farm today since they sent me a letter in the mail today and one cheaper car for my teenage driver was 900 bucks vs. 300 each for the other 2 vehicles, so wrong!!  Sentry insurance last week wanted NO joke $3200 per 6 month premium, NUTS!!!  I just laughed and hung up.... 

For Serk,  having 3 twins in another 10  years or so,  not sure what state of TX charges, but best get ready to have a heart attack...   

[Serk]

For Serk,  having 3 twins in another 10  years or so,  not sure what state of TX charges, but best get ready to have a heart attack...   

Yup... I wake up in a cold sweat some nights thinking about that...

As far as Texas rates, my first real car that I paid for myself, back in the early 1990's, I was a 19 year old male with a clean driving record, my car payment was $220 a month, and my insurance was $230 a month...

[cookiedough]

For Serk,  having 3 twins in another 10  years or so,  not sure what state of TX charges, but best get ready to have a heart attack...   

Yup... I wake up in a cold sweat some nights thinking about that...

As far as Texas rates, my first real car that I paid for myself, back in the early 1990's, I was a 19 year old male with a clean driving record, my car payment was $220 a month, and my insurance was $230 a month...

that 230 per month just for insurance seems mighty high indeed even back in the 90s under age 20 or so.

all I can say is be prepared to shop around so far have found Progressive to be the most reasonable and going to switch this Friday from Geico yet again.  I understand higher rates for teenage drivers, especially boys, but also have to make insurance affordable.  It is a shame I know 3 parents that are not allowing their 16 thru 18 year old kids, my kids ages,  to get their drivers license since they cannot afford or help pay for their car insurance on the family car.    So sad... 

Not all of us have 40K on up per year jobs, even 30K for some of us.   

[f6gal]

We've insured cars and houses with USAA for quite a few years.  We've always had great service and quick claims processing.

[Rams]

Been with USAA for 35 + years, no other company can match their pricing, their service is excellent, I have nothing but good things to say about them.   I have shopped around for insurance before and when I tell the other company who my current insurer is, they tell me there is no way they can match it.   Edited: All my vehicles (with the exception of the fat lady) and my home insurance is with USAA.

The only thing I don't like is, they won't cover my Valkyrie.   They pass large motorcycles off to other carriers.   It is, what it is.   I think the max engine size for USAA is less than 1000 ccs.   Not 100% sure about that, I just know they won't cover the fat lady.

[santa]

Have had USAA for over 25 years. They have always paid up when needed. Wife has totaled 2 cars they paid and paid well. Never raised my rates. Have gotten a rebate each year, this year $200.

  Santa

[solo1]

Thanks everyone. You all have been a big help.!

What i seem to be running into is my age.  I've done some checking.  People in my age bracket have a higher accident rate than 17 year olds.  I can believe that.  There are people on my street of retirees who are really afraid to drive.

I'm going to compare now that I have three quotes and decide today.  Thanks Again.

[Atl-Jerry]

I wanted to share a recent claim experience I had with USAA last month.  I switched my real estate and automobiles to them in 2011 and I don't recall ever having a claim on my collision policy, if I have it's been 30 or 40 years +.  In early October my wife had a sheet of plywood fly up off the roadway in heavy traffic at interstate speed and it scratched/gouged the hood and broke the windshield.  10 days later she's in the stop-n-go traffic and looks at a car entering from an entry ramp and she rear ends the car in fron of her.  Since I have. $1K deductable I didn't intend to file the second claim, just pay the difference inrepairs.  The guy she hit filed a claim even though he had no apparant damage to his car, so now I have two claims on my colision policy, 10 days apart.  To my surprise, USAA consolidated the claims, paid the repairs for the second accident and I only paid one deductable and not two.  I've never been cancelled by an insurance company but I expected to be then!  My brother said I have a horseshoe up my ass!

[3fan4life]

Switched from Geico to USAA a year ago and it has been the most positive experience that I have ever had with an insurance company.

My next door neighbor owns a body shop, he said that USAA is the best comopany that he deals with.

[solo1]

I switched to USAA just now.  The six months premium for BOTH cars is not much more than I was paying for ONE from state farm.

Again, thanks.

[vanavyman]

We've had  Geico Auto insurance for over 30 years. When you've been with them for quite a while and get to their best rates they are almost impossible to beat here in Virginia. I check every few years. I've been a member of USAA for over 20 years and use them for homeowner insurance. Great customer service. My 3 kids use USAA as there primary bank with everything electronic.
Dan & Trish

[Master Blaster]

Been with USAA many years, have cars and house bundled.  I initially got them when I went to Flight School, back then you had to be an officer to get them.   I have never had a problem, and have 4 vehicles insured full coverage with 200 buck deductible.   Now I think anyone can insure through them, but I have never found another company that could or would touch their rates.  Been my experience that if I had a claim, it was always a slam dunk.   Even if the other guy was at fault and had insurance, USAA would cover it and collect from the other insurance company.  Gotta say it one of the best things I ever got involved with.  Oh yes I almost forgot, age has no effect, 77 now, and vehicles are covered for any driver.

[Serk]

I switched to USAA just now.  The six months premium for BOTH cars is not much more than I was paying for ONE from state farm.

Again, thanks.

...and I sincerely hope you never have need of their excellent claim service!

[3fan4life]

We've had  Geico Auto insurance for over 30 years. When you've been with them for quite a while and get to their best rates they are almost impossible to beat here in Virginia. I check every few years. I've been a member of USAA for over 20 years and use them for homeowner insurance. Great customer service. My 3 kids use USAA as there primary bank with everything electronic.
Dan & Trish

My experience with Geico is that they increase their rates with every renewal.

And that's with no claims or tickets.

[Serk]

Even with USAA, be sure to continue to shop around periodically... No one has come CLOSE to touching them on car insurance, but for homeowner's insurance we found comparable policies for literally HALF what USAA was charging...

(I wish USAA would go back to directly insuring motorcycles but alas, at least they shepherd the Progressive policies for motorcycles if you buy it through them.)