https://www.expressnews.com/business/business_columnists/greg_jefferson/amp/Jefferson-Am-I-in-the-Twilight-Zone-15670225.php

Since we're talking about it...

We just got an email yesterday that all DHS employees now have access to Coast Guard Exchange, tax free. The shopping I’m fine with, but I do think the tax free benefit should be reserved to vets. Theoretically, someone with a dishonorable discharge could now be shopping tax free if they work at DHS.

Usaa has its issues, when I lived in Colorado their auto insurance was one of the most expensive. When I canceled they sent me a refund check, I tried to cash it at the USAA branch and they said they couldn’t cash the check because I didn’t have an account and it’s they only cash account holders checks because checks bounce... (hello it’s your check) but other than than they have been good. Their claims process for both homes and autos is much more user friendly than other companies.

Yeah, agreed about the tax benefits. I understand why they did it. I'm an ex-Coastie myself and I remember the CGX exchanges being completely empty the majority of the time I went to one because Coast Guard exchanges tend to be in random cities/towns without much of a military presence besides the CG, like North Bend, Oregon and Portland, Maine. I always wondered how the CGX's stayed in business. Not sure there are a lot of DHS civilian employees in these places but anything helps I guess.

I figure any day now DOD/DHS civilians will be eligible for Tricare Prime (or some new version, like "Tricare Civilian Select") and VA benefits are not long after that for civilians injured in the workplace.

Meh, every big bank gets flagged for regulatory items. With $100B in assests, stuff like this doesn't surprise me. I hardly think it's intentional...

It's been a few years, but I was working a contract at a State Farm agency and the owner/agent tried to sell me on State Farm. I thought, "what the heck, let's see what he can do...". I brought in my USAA coverages (both home and multi-auto) and he couldn't beat USAA.

In your search, who was able to beat USAA using identical coverages and by how much?

USAA has 2FA on their web log in. Did the fool opt out of 2FA? There's no way someone would have been able to beat the USAA 2FA (it uses an authenticator app).

Next time you try to log into your USAA account misspell your challenge question. You'll find missing 1 or 2 characters will still allow you in. I've been reporting this "error" for years. I fat fingered an answer and hit the enter button too quick one day and it accepted my answer. Everyone I have spoken to has said its by design. As a former programmer myself I can't imagine ANY reason for this to be acceptable or intentional. Yet here we are.

when I log on, I get this

Enter Online ID and Password

logged in, then....

Enter PIN

successfully entered, then if from a strange IP or "on the road" hotel connection.....

Security Question

slight misspelling = still logs in. however, we have gotten past the gates of password, and PIN, to get to this question.

probably designed due to the smartphone keyboards and folks fat fingering the keys.

I think that Marine’s story is fishy. I’m not shocked USAA denied him.

I’m still active duty but have never had any problems with USAA. The one claim I had to make was smoothly and easily handled.

only gripe I have is I used their "recommended USAA approved realtors" on one of my numerous PCS's. she turned out to be a dud.

since then I always go with recommendations from the guys who PCS'ed before me, who know the local area and neighborhoods I am looking at.

Totally agree with you on that.

But log in would even be more secure if you were using 2FA with their authenticator app...

Yes, fishy IMO as well.

And for those of you who say USAA is more expensive than other options, are you factoring in the SSA refund that you get every year?