Originally Posted by Jetjok (Post 1664883)

I just logged on to Geico's web site to get a quote for our two "daily drivers." We live in Connecticut and without going into detail about the cars we own, here's what I did: First I logged on to USAA's site and printed out a copy of my automobile policy, which includes both cars. Then I built a "custom quote" on Geico's site, using the exact same coverages, benefits, and liabilities that I have with USAA. Needless to say, Geico was less expensive. My USAA auto bill is $1992.32 a year. For the exact same coverage through Geico, I'd pay $1493.64, for a difference of $498.68.

So on the surface it appears that going with Geico would save me about $42 a month. That's enough for one Friday night visit to our favorite pizza place. However, every year for the past 42 years, USAA has sent me a check, usually somewhere between $600 and $1000, in November or December and as well puts additional money into our "account", which eventually I'll withdraw, after leaving USAA. I think I'd be foolish to switch insurers. Truth be told, I wasn't going to switch anyway, regardless of the outcome of the comparison, but I did want to see if there was any real savings to be had, and for me, there just wasn't. YMMV, obviously.

Originally Posted by e6bpilot (Post 1665050)

It depends on how you use it. If you live in a city where you can pit dealerships against each other, it can be a god send. I got a great price on my last car using it, and I am a cheap bastard!

Originally Posted by e6bpilot (Post 1665057)

I agree with you on a lot of the above. If the price is somewhat competitive (within two standard deviations), USAA is worth it. Their service, in my opinion, is outstanding. I made my first auto insurance claim in about 9 years with them, and they handled it very well. We shall see how much they jack my rate up.
Sometimes, though, their products just aren't that good. When shopping around for life insurance for retirement, they wanted way too much for way too little. Navy Mutual blew them out of the water, and didn't charge extra for the privilege of flying for a living.

I think USAA is starting to cast their net too wide in an effort to appease their shareholders and make money in the short term. The ads on TV are telling. They used to have an extremely low risk pool of insured members, which kept rates fairly low. Now you can get USAA insurance if your mom or dad spent 6 months in the Army and got a general discharge.

Originally Posted by e6bpilot (Post 1665057)

I think USAA is starting to cast their net too wide in an effort to appease their shareholders and make money in the short term. The ads on TV are telling. They used to have an extremely low risk pool of insured members, which kept rates fairly low. Now you can get USAA insurance if your mom or dad spent 6 months in the Army and got a general discharge.

Originally Posted by CAFB 04-12 (Post 1664734)

Out of curiosity, when you cancelled with USAA did they offer you a better rate to stay or did they just say adios?

Originally Posted by Jetjok (Post 1665162)

Interesting, because I always thought that USAA started out as a mutual company and has never changed that status, which means that the company is in effect, owned by their policyholders. As far as I know, there are no "shareholders", other than those insured.

Originally Posted by Jetjok (Post 1665321)

Hrkdrivr,

The company is owned by its members. Period. I do understand what e6B was getting at, and personally I wish they'd have stayed with only officers, as that would have been a better deal for all us "members." However, in order to grow, they decided to open up their business to not only officers, but all military personnel, and then, to paint with an even broader brush, they now allow children of members to get auto insurance. However, I believe it's only auto insurance, and no other services. I could be wrong about that though.