USAA Insurance Questions

[hutchman]

I just looked on their web site and unless you dad was a member before he passed away it doesn't look like you can join. The only non-USAA option I could pick was "other" and here is what that says:

Our investment products, life insurance, and shopping discounts are available to other individuals.

USAA auto and property insurance and USAA Bank services are not available due to membership eligibility requirements. New Hampshire and North Carolina residents who are not eligible for membership may be able to obtain USAA Auto Insurance by calling 1-800-531-USAA (that's 1-800-531-8722) to determine eligibility as defined by these state's mandatory coverage laws.

All other individuals not eligible for USAA Auto Insurance may be able to obtain an auto policy through Liberty Mutual Insurance by calling 1-855-349-2149.

 

[hutchman]

... If you have a family member that served and never joined, I highly recommend you get them joined so the membership benefits may be passed on to spouse, children etc.

 

[hutchman]

Are You Eligible for USAA Membership? | Hull Financial Planning

 

[rekees4300]

is USAA worth pursuing

Based on my limited experience I think they are worth pursuing but it is a hassle to join. Since I'm ex-military and have DD124, I managed to join a week ago to purchase auto insurance for $250/yr less than current AMFAM insurance. I am very impressed by their website as it is the most comprehensive/secure I have ever seen. Unfortunately have had to call them 4 times to have my account "unlocked". Apparently they think I'm a hacker because my VPN IP address doesn't match my USPS address. Anyway, following their advice, started using the "Computer Recognition" security feature so maybe that will prevent the "locked" problem?

Welcome to USAA!

 

[ultrarunner]

Mom is in her 80's and when she goes to the VFW and sees all her friends the ladies can't say enough good things about USAA and she asked me again why she doesn't have USAA since she is a widow and Dad is a WWII Vet.

The USAA people I have spoke with are very friendly but said she needs Dad's DD124 to become a member.

After spending a fair amount of time calling the VA and going through Dad's Navy Locker I learned that his service predated DD124... so I was never going to find a DD124.

Could very well be as the widow of a WWII enlisted Vet she simply doesn't meet eligibility.

It was more than worthwhile reading Dad's papers from that period of his life, where he was stationed and awards, etc... it was the first time I saw his US WWII Victory Medal in a box dated 1946.

I may put my request in writing so I will have a reply, either yes or no to show her.

USAA is sure doing a lot of advertising aimed at military and their families!

 

[hutchman]

Based on my limited experience I think they are worth pursuing but it is a hassle to join. Since I'm ex-military and have DD124, I managed to join a week ago to purchase auto insurance for $250/yr less than current AMFAM insurance. I am very impressed by their website as it is the most comprehensive/secure I have ever seen. Unfortunately have had to call them 4 times to have my account "unlocked". Apparently they think I'm a hacker because my VPN IP address doesn't match my USPS address. Anyway, following their advice, started using the "Computer Recognition" security feature so maybe that will prevent the "locked" problem?

Welcome to USAA!

They are very big on security. I'm part of the OPM hack (and several others) and have actually had foreign actors call them pretending to be me and actually knew enough about me (and my wife) to make it through several layers of their protections trying to get money. They were shut down and authorities are still investigating ... which reminds me I need to follow up on what they've found/done.

We've had our credit card numbers compromised quite a bit ... usually they detect it before we do and suspend the account and issue another card.

They have several methods of authenticating who you are. Before I had so many nice foreign people pretending to be me, I could call and simply answer a few questions. Now, they either text a pin to me that I have to read back or I use a secure app that is sync'ed with their system that generates a 6 digit code every minute or so and I give them that.

They don't mess around and in my situation, I do not know that I would trust my stuff with anyone else. I suspect for me and others like me (and my family), this kind of thing will only get worse!

 

[hutchman]

Mom is in her 80's and when she goes to the VFW and sees all her friends the ladies can't say enough good things about USAA and she asked me again why she doesn't have USAA since she is a widow and Dad is a WWII Vet.

The USAA people I have spoke with are very friendly but said she needs Dad's DD124 to become a member.

After spending a fair amount of time calling the VA and going through Dad's Navy Locker I learned that his service predated DD124... so I was never going to find a DD124.

Could very well be as the widow of a WWII enlisted Vet she simply doesn't meet eligibility.

It was more than worthwhile reading Dad's papers from that period of his life, where he was stationed and awards, etc... it was the first time I saw his US WWII Victory Medal in a box dated 1946.

I may put my request in writing so I will have a reply, either yes or no to show her.

USAA is sure doing a lot of advertising aimed at military and their families!

It's worth it to keep trying. They make changes all the time. I mentioned that their banking services were open to non members but now the web site says it isn't so I don't know when they changed that.

If you have the time I'd keep trying, all they can do is say no. Give them whatever documentation you have and I hope you make it!

All of my awards etc. are in boxes too, I don't think my children have ever seen them either ...

 

[ultrarunner]

Thank you for your service.

The banking was available at one time without membership.

The last person I spoke with said Mom could buy USAA life insurance but this is not the insurance she was thinking of.

 

[hutchman]

Thank you for your service.

The banking was available at one time without membership.

The last person I spoke with said Mom could buy USAA life insurance but this is not the insurance she was thinking of.

I see a Jedi wave pun in there

 

[Midniteoyl]

Based on my limited experience I think they are worth pursuing but it is a hassle to join. Since I'm ex-military and have DD124, I managed to join a week ago to purchase auto insurance for $250/yr less than current AMFAM insurance. I am very impressed by their website as it is the most comprehensive/secure I have ever seen. Unfortunately have had to call them 4 times to have my account "unlocked". Apparently they think I'm a hacker because my VPN IP address doesn't match my USPS address. Anyway, following their advice, started using the "Computer Recognition" security feature so maybe that will prevent the "locked" problem?

Welcome to USAA!

Try the mobile site too.. Back when I first got my 2nd DSL line and hooked it up through a Load Balancing router, the website balked at sending a request to one IP address and receiving the reply from another. Using the mobile site fixed this until their IT dept fixed the issue.

 

[ultrarunner]

Well I have hit a dead end...

Did learn the Dads WWII Navy 553 is proof enough since he separated in 1947

Thing is until 1997 it was limited to Officers... so there was a very small window before he died where he could have joined as an enlisted sailor.

Also learned FBI and Secret Service and some other non military are eligible but only at the Federal Level.

Currently, banking is most definitely closed as is membership insurance... was told again public is eligible to purchase life insurance which she is not interested in doing.

I mentioned all the advertising and was told they are having to turn away a lot of people...

 

[hutchman]

Well I have hit a dead end...

Did learn the Dads WWII Navy 553 is proof enough since he separated in 1947

Thing is until 1997 it was limited to Officers... so there was a very small window before he died where he could have joined as an enlisted sailor.

Also learned FBI and Secret Service and some other non military are eligible but only at the Federal Level.

Currently, banking is most definitely closed as is membership insurance... was told again public is eligible to purchase life insurance which she is not interested in doing.

I mentioned all the advertising and was told they are having to turn away a lot of people...

The way it was explained to us back when they started accepting enlisted etc. was they were going to slowly phase in the various services as to not jeopardize quality of service or financial stability etc. I remember it was quite a while before my retired enlisted dad could join but I didn't waste any time doing it once he could.

Keep your eyes open, you never know when they may add back the checking for non members etc.

Also check out Pentagon Federal. I'm less familiar with their eligibility requirements but I joined it too when I was able.

 

[ultrarunner]

I was able to open a very good credit union account about 10 years back through my Great Grandfather's employment... which was rather remarkable.

Best mortgage experience in my life and was able to gift mom a membership and she was able to gift her grand kids...

Insurance is where USAA seems to really shine... at least from those we know.

The only home/auto claim my parents ever had was when Mom's car was stolen when she went for a Doctor's appointment... she will soon be a 60 year member with the auto club.

One of my USAA friends has kids in college... the renters insurance was about half what they were quoted elsewhere and my friend has two rental properties and said USAA had better coverage for less premium... he has no claim experience.

 

[hutchman]

I was able to open a very good credit union account about 10 years back through my Great Grandfather's employment... which was rather remarkable.

Best mortgage experience in my life and was able to gift mom a membership and she was able to gift her grand kids...

Insurance is where USAA seems to really shine... at least from those we know.

The only home/auto claim my parents ever had was when Mom's car was stolen when she went for a Doctor's appointment... she will soon be a 60 year member with the auto club.

One of my USAA friends has kids in college... the renters insurance was about half what they were quoted elsewhere and my friend has two rental properties and said USAA had better coverage for less premium... he has no claim experience.

I have insurance on my old dump truck and tractor through an affiliate of USAA. Good rates there too.