USAA Banking and Insurance Review

USAA automobile insurance was initially for military officers only (but open to all military members and fam now). My dad went to the Naval Academy and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He completed his term right before troops were "frozen" for Vietnam.

Since my dad had USAA, all family members could also sign up. I was on my dad's policy when I was a kid, and I continued my service when I "grew up."

My first "accident" as an adult with own policy was an uninsured motorist hitting me head on an totaling my 1968 Mustang (and - no I did not buy it new - I'm not that old). My dad explained that my car that I adored belonged to USAA with a total and them paying it out. Oh no. I wanted to get it fixed. My dad called on that and got it sorted out. I fixed my car and drove it many more years.

The next problem, again with the 68 Mustang, was an "act of God." A tree fell on my car in Dallas, TX when I was in school. It only crunched the corner, and USAA fixed my car. I was far away from home and young. My dad wasn't there then, but the rep from USAA came out and told me every step I needed to take to get this taken care of. I did it (with the help of USAA).

My luck got better after that. I only had to call USAA a couple of times for towing. It's only a dollar or two a year for that. Once I was a half block from my house when the tire went flat. I called, and they said that was fine. They towed it in and got my tire fixed. Easy as that.

Someone told me that I could get better rates at State Farm, so I switched. No reason other than the cost. State Farm got me to bundle my house and so on. The service was awful with State Farm, and I worried even though I didn't have anything major come up. I switched back, and the actual total with all my stuff insured was lower overall anyway. The car part was lower with State Farm (not a lot). The house was higher. In the end, USAA was giving me very fair prices as I discovered when I bundled with them and compared.

Last year, my dad rear ended a tractor trailer truck on I77 on the way home from fishing. He was air lifted, but he did not make it.

I can't begin to say how rough things were last summer. And, there were so many details to take care of. I'm the oldest "kid" in the family and I live a mile from my mom, so I was involved in all the details from the night the State Troopers showed up to say "sorry."

The reps from USAA could not have been better. They talked us through all the details. They sent lots of helpful information. They did not haggle on any of the costs that come with a huge accident and a huge medical bill. On top of all that, the reps even seemed to care. We had one guy who helped with most things and then a few others for various details like estate planning after a death. I'd get on the extension phone, and my mom would tell them it was fine for me to be involved. I'd just take notes and add any extra questions. They were really nice to my mom and to me.

I'm not even tempted to consider other companies now. It was just a few months that I had State Farm. I really worried. With USAA, I don't worry. I don't have to. I've seen the company during times of need. I think last summer would be as rough an insurance time to ever deal with. They were fabulous at USAA.

My son started driving last year. He is on USAA too. He hasn't needed them, but I'm sure they'll be there for him too and for his brother here in a few months.

As I mentioned, there are some lower prices. But, when a company lures you in, they push on other services. USAA doesn't even do that. They never have - ever. I called them to get back on and gave them most of my financial business. I still have a local bank to cash checks. I'm old fashioned like that and don't use ATMs. When all was said and done, I even saved money. I really hated that I ditched USAA for those few months, and I won't do that again.