Best Insurance Co. in world now accepts more vets...

[vart]

Big news at work is how USAA has expanded eligibility requirements for members to include veterans who were honorably discharged after 1996 and any retired vet from the Civil War on up... McCain should be excited.

They cater exclusively to veterans and their families and often are much cheaper and offer better customer service as well...

[stanggt9050]

I remember when I was on active duty navy as an enlisted man I could not sign up with them. They were only for Officers. A while back they opened up to all active military and I immediately signed up. I now have all my insurance through them. I guess opeing up elegibility even more will increase their pot 'o' money for payouts...

[Swanny]

I have USAA and they are a great company. If you can get coverage through them, then by all means do so.

[PeterJasonMN]

I can't get coverage through them. My dad was HD from the Navy, but no joy.

[Swanny]

I can't get coverage through them. My dad was HD from the Navy, but no joy.

I lucked out. My wife was covered under her parents' policy, got her own policy through them in college and had that policy when we got married.

[PeterJasonMN]

Had I known about USAA while my pops was alive I probably could have gotten in. Now, nope.

[rvrctyrngr]

<-----Honorably Discharged in 1996. Damn! (they didn't take enlisted men when I was in).

What about disabled vets?

[Shoeless]

I LOVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY!!!


(how often do you hear someone say THAT??)

Hint: When they have USAA. :)

Shoeless, a 20 year customer and never leaving

[blackjack]

I LOVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY!!!


(how often do you hear someone say THAT??)

Hint: When they have USAA. :)

Shoeless, a 20 year customer and never leaving

I was a longtime USAA customer, starting while in ROTC in college and keeping it for about 22 years. Then, there I was with two teenage drivers and I decided to see if I could do better on rates and found out I could. My last child is now off of my insurance so I need to try them again -- they were pretty good on auto stuff, not so good on home insurance, IMO.

[hvnit2gd]

Hmmm, I have been a member with them since 2000. I am not an officer and got out of the military in 2002. I have always thought they accepted veterans, how else would I be with them? I did join with them while I was active, so that must have grandfathered me in.

[StudParker]

USAA has been top notch for me for years.

[hvnit2gd]

I was a longtime USAA customer, starting while in ROTC in college and keeping it for about 22 years. Then, there I was with two teenage drivers and I decided to see if I could do better on rates and found out I could. My last child is now off of my insurance so I need to try them again -- they were pretty good on auto stuff, not so good on home insurance, IMO.

I have my HO insurance with them, and while shopping around they were the cheapest by a huge margin. Their auto policies are very cheap as well, except when you get a citation. If you have a clean record and keep it that way, very few companies can beat their rates. If you have any or get any blemishes on your record they will increase the rates 10 fold.

[NIB]

I've had USAA for 10 years now. Left them for about a year which proved to be a mistake and promptly went back. I will never have any other auto insurance company again.

[djinco]

I have my HO insurance with them, and while shopping around they were the cheapest by a huge margin. Their auto policies are very cheap as well, except when you get a citation. If you have a clean record and keep it that way, very few companies can beat their rates. If you have any or get any blemishes on your record they will increase the rates 10 fold.

It's all about the risk. Business is business.

Member since 1987.

[hvnit2gd]

It's all about the risk. Business is business.

Member since 1987.

Other companies are much cheaper if you have any blemishes. If you are clean for the last 3 years then USAA is tough to beat. Its been over 3 years since my last citation so no worries here.

[Hawkman]

Been with USAA since 1969. Best decision I ever made (next to marrying my wife, of course!:D).

[Ray26]

Been with USAA since 1995 back when I was on active duty.. Retired in 2000.. Had auto and home insurance with them.. Also have USAA credit cards and a USAA banking/checking account.. No worries UNTIL I moved to Florida.. They would not insure my home in Florida - but they would lend me money to buy a Florida home.. Seems two-faced to me.. Hurricanes, the reason USAA will no longer do home owners insurance in Florida.. I think they will provide insurance on homes in Florida for only active duty that are on military orders to a base or command in Florida.

Last month, called USAA about motorcycle insurance! USAA don't do motorcycle insurance.. USAA uses Progressive Insurance Company as a surrogate for motorcycle insurance. Go figure!!!

[BigChuck73]

USAA is indeed a fine insurance carrier. However - they're not the greatest....I know.

[blueiron]

A veteran, but not eligible.

They cater to active duty folks, not vets.

[kawalerzysta]

A veteran, but not eligible.

They cater to active duty folks, not vets.

If you got honorable discharge after 1996, you are eligible, I just switched.

[SheepleNoMore]

More elitist nonsense. I retired before 96, so I'm not good enough? I really wish all you special people that are better than the rest of us would shut up about it. Sorry company (starts with the bank) that discriminates by ignoring the laws that require service to all that apply. Get away with it because it's for the elite officers of the armed services and they got congressional wink wink.

You got a good deal going. Quite rubbing it my face. I did 22 years enlisted, and I'm not eligible because I didn't apply within one year of retirement (didn't get the notice of that window of opportunity until too late) or retire after 1996.

SNM

[Marine8541]

If they keep opening up the membership rolls retroactively pretty soon it’ll just be another insurance company and the great deal we have will go straight down the tubes.

[blueiron]

If you got honorable discharge after 1996, you are eligible, I just switched.


I still am not eligible.

[hvnit2gd]

I still am not eligible.


Why not?

[rvrctyrngr]

Just read their expanded eligibility...I AM Eligible (HD after Jan 1, 1996, not after 1996)!

Might be switching from my carrier of 16 years.

[Makila]

More elitist nonsense. I retired before 96, so I'm not good enough? I really wish all you special people that are better than the rest of us would shut up about it. Sorry company (starts with the bank) that discriminates by ignoring the laws that require service to all that apply. Get away with it because it's for the elite officers of the armed services and they got congressional wink wink.

You got a good deal going. Quite rubbing it my face. I did 22 years enlisted, and I'm not eligible because I didn't apply within one year of retirement (didn't get the notice of that window of opportunity until too late) or retire after 1996.

SNM

From USAA website:
CEO Message: USAA Eligibility Expanded
Posted: 08/09/2008

USAA has long been working toward serving the entire military community. Since our founding in 1922, we've expanded eligibility as we've grown our financial strength and built the operational capacity to accommodate additional groups of members. Today, USAA is stronger than at any time in our 86-year history, which enables us to offer the benefits of USAA membership to more military families than ever before.

I am very pleased to announce that USAA is opening membership to include the following:


Find out who is eligible

Join Now

Military retirees who served honorably, regardless of when they retired

Military personnel honorably discharged on or after Jan. 1, 1996

Widows and widowers of military members killed in action while eligible

[MacG22]

USAA is the greatest insurance I've found. When Geico or others call, I tell them "I'm with USAA, can you bet their coverage?" More than a few times I've had then sigh and say, "You know, I can't. I may be able to get it a little cheaper, but it won't be the same."

They also have a killer checking/savings account system.

[blueiron]

Why not?


I was an E-5 upon separation [NO enlisted people allowed when I was in] and hundreds of thousands of veterans EDS'ed before 1996. I was one of them.

[cyphertext]

I was an E-5 upon separation [NO enlisted people allowed when I was in] and hundreds of thousands of veterans EDS'ed before 1996. I was one of them.

I wonder what the rational is behind the eligibilty if discharged in 1996 or later is. I separated in September '95, so I am still not eligible either.

[blueiron]

I wonder what the rational is behind the eligibilty if discharged in 1996 or later is. I separated in September '95, so I am still not eligible either.

Who knows? Several years ago, they opened up banking products to all civilians and anyone who could put a small deposit down. They stopped that a couple of years ago, due to increasing losses on credit cards and loans.

They'll extend all products to an ex-spouse of a military member for life, but won't recognize enlisted people from WW2, Korea, Vietnam, GW1, or the rest of the Cold War vets who served.

[Deanster]

Yep, one little known fact is that as State Dept. Foreign Service Officers hold a presidential commission (technically the same as armed services, though I'd never claim 'service' in that sense), they're eligible for USAA.

One of the best things I took away from my stint as a 'Diplomat'...

[yam]

I used to use them and just send in my check, until I had an independent agent check prices. I still use some of their financial stuff.

Not to be too negative, they have top notch customer service. If you are eligible at least check them out.

YMMV

[cowboywannabe]

so if you served your tour and got out before 1996 youre a nobody to USAA, but if you did your four years and got out after 1996 youre eligible for perks.

[AirCav]

Big fan since 1985. :thumbsup: Makes my local agents cry.

(Pretty happy with the online banking, too)

[MacG22]

so if you served your tour and got out before 1996 youre a nobody to USAA, but if you did your four years and got out after 1996 youre eligible for perks.

The rules are now such that any person who honorably retired is qualified to apply.

[Makila]

It used to be USAA for officers and GEICO was for the enlisted troops. Now GEICO is just another insurance company, USAA will probably be like GEICO in a few more years.

[Shoeless]

... USAA will probably be like GEICO in a few more years.

BITE YOUR TONGUE!!


Shoeless

[blueiron]

so if you served your tour and got out before 1996 youre a nobody to USAA, but if you did your four years and got out after 1996 youre eligible for perks.


Yeah.

[F4GIB]

Second generation customer. My Dad or I have been with USAA since 1942.

[nosuchagency]

I have USAA and they are a great company. If you can get coverage through them, then by all means do so.

pretty much sums it up. i've been with them since 89/90 and haven't looked back. :thumbsup:

[SinCityGlocker]

I lucked out. My wife was covered under her parents' policy, got her own policy through them in college and had that policy when we got married.

I'm in the same boat except I am actually 4 times removed from the original qualifier. Home auto life. LOVE USAA. I'm 23 and my wife is 24. We easily save over 1k a year with them. CS is awesome too.

[Locojmc]

<-----Honorably Discharged in 1996. Damn! (they didn't take enlisted men when I was in).

What about disabled vets?

Honorably discharged in 1996, you are eligible. I am a USAA employee here in
San Antonio. Give us a call at 800-531-8722

Thanks
John C. :wavey:

[vart]

USAA is not beholden to stockholders to crank out vastly overated profits at the expense of quality.

Locojmc, I work in the Phoenix office in claims and am very proud of our customer service awards.

I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with a member that just got hit by an illegal in a van with no insurance. Our member had very limited UIMPD on his older car, so we're trying to coordinate with the body shop to see if we can save his beloved ride.

I love trying to surprise members with outstanding customer service!

What business area are you in? Banking? Claims?

[SheepleNoMore]

Summary of a prior conversation with USAA.

Me: Hello, I'd like to find out if I am now eligible for USAA services.
Attendant: What is your status
Me: retired 1991
Attendant: Let me refer you to another department
Me: OK
New Attendant: How may I help you
Me: repeat the above responses
Click.


On call back: first attendant; Well, then you don't qualifiy, CLICK.

Went to web site tonite. Saw the notice of change to eligibility. Filled in the information on the "Join now" page. Got the following:
"Thank you for your interest in USAA’s products and services.

Unfortunately, we are unable to complete your request online.

Please call xxx-xxx-xxxx to have a member service advisor help you."

Gee, if I really do qualify as the notice claims, why can't the request be completed online? I smell horse pucky.
After my previous call experience, what am I to expect tomorrow?

They were, are, and always will be a blanking elitist organization. They have made money and profited by only doing business with a select class of individuals that amount to the cream of all possible clients. That is a violation of federal laws and regulations in banking, auto insurance, and home insurance.

SNM

[blueiron]

USAA is not beholden to stockholders to crank out vastly overated profits at the expense of quality.

Locojmc, I work in the Phoenix office in claims and am very proud of our customer service awards.

I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with a member that just got hit by an illegal in a van with no insurance. Our member had very limited UIMPD on his older car, so we're trying to coordinate with the body shop to see if we can save his beloved ride.

I love trying to surprise members with outstanding customer service!

What business area are you in? Banking? Claims?


So this is nothing more than an unpaid commercial for USAA?

Why don't you have USAA corporate contact Eric for some compensated spots? I'm certain that the board could use a financial boost and there won't be a TOS violation.

[vart]

So this is nothing more than an unpaid commercial for USAA?

Why don't you have USAA corporate contact Eric for some compensated spots? I'm certain that the board could use a financial boost and there won't be a TOS violation.
Bitterness brings out the worst in people...

[RetDet]

I've been with USAA since I started driving, which was about the time of the invention of the internal combustion engine.

Somewhere, all businesses have standards and appropriate cutoffs. So, sheep, if you haven't made the cut (yet), the company is elitist? Sounds like sour grapes to me. Do you consider everything that doesn't do what you want to be elitist? If the business or whatever has a cutoff, is that automatically elitist? If you didn't make your HS football team, Pop Warner baseball team, or whatever, were they elitist?

Life isn't always what you want it to be. It's unfair. That's the way it goes. In fact, "fair" is a word used by little kids and democrats.

[Locojmc]

USAA is not beholden to stockholders to crank out vastly overated profits at the expense of quality.

Locojmc, I work in the Phoenix office in claims and am very proud of our customer service awards.

I just spent 30 minutes on the phone with a member that just got hit by an illegal in a van with no insurance. Our member had very limited UIMPD on his older car, so we're trying to coordinate with the body shop to see if we can save his beloved ride.

I love trying to surprise members with outstanding customer service!

What business area are you in? Banking? Claims?

Vart, keep up the great work my friend! I work in New Member Solutions
we are the folks taking the majority of the eligibility calls. PM sent your
way.:wavey:

[CMG]

If you live in Texas... Germania. Best Insurance Company I've ever had... including GEICO, USAA, Nationwide, Allstate.

[Branndt Owensen]

I just signed up about two weeks ago. Honestly, calling and canceling my Geico policy was the most fun phone call I've ever made. USAA managed to save me about 500 dollars a year, and I have -much- better coverage for my wife and I, including 0 dollar deductibles and a renters policy.

Geico: Well, can we work the numbers to see if we can offer you a better rate?

Me: Certainly.

Geico: Ok... It looks like we would only be able to offer you the same coverage for almost double what USAA is asking... It was very nice to serve you for three years, sir. We've canceled your policy. Have a great day.

[SheepleNoMore]

I called. I was accepted. I still think that they violate banking and insurance laws and regulations regarding restrictions on membership. Banks are not allowed to restrict membership based on exterior conditions. Credit Unions are. Insurance Companies are required to accept all requests for insurance unless there is a reason related to their insurability or insurance history. USAA violates both.

RetDet: I don't believe I used either "fair" or "un-fair". There is a difference between "fair" and "legal". What does your labeling my opinion as "sour grapes" contribute to the discussion? Maybe you think it is an appropriate response to my labeling the company as elitist. I talked about the company, not the members. Maybe, you don't like that I have the opinion I do so you can discredit by implying that it is childish (referring to childhood activities) or that I have an unrealistic expectation that life is fair. Maybe you should accept that there are some common people that carry a resentment towards institutions and groups that discriminate. I have known many officers that were just a common man when the uniform came off. Unfortunately, I have also known many officers that wore the little piece of metal on their shoulders 24/7 and thought they were "entitled" because of it.

SNM

[SheepleNoMore]

Oh, and by the way. "Not fair" was used by some military commission reporting to congress to justify increasing veterans cost share for health care.

SNM

[liliysdad]

I do not qualify for coverage by USAA.

I think its a great company doing a great service to those who deserve it. The very plainly explained why they accept who they do, whats wrong with that?

[DHSGMAN]

I've been a member since 1993, my dad just signed up today.

USAA FTW!