I love my wife and all, but Jesus Hercules Christ...

**MontuckyFried** · 10-01-2021, 06:23 AM

Been with USAA for about 2.5 decades. They have DEFINITELY gone downhill. Costs are way up and services aren't what they used to be. I'm currently shopping around for a replacement. FWIW, when I was in Montana, I used Safeco and they were way better.

Their banking is starting to blow now too. Sucks, because both their insurance and banking services used to be fantastic.

**TahoeJ** · 10-01-2021, 08:05 AM

AAA's road side service used to be really great... and in recent years they've gone way downhill, at least in my experience along with a few other friends who have been left waiting for hours. I suspect they decreased the number of providers in various areas to cut down on expenses.

**MyNameIsAugustWest** · 10-01-2021, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by MontuckyFried

Been with USAA for about 2.5 decades.

Their banking is starting to blow now too. Sucks, because both their insurance and banking services used to be fantastic.

No doubt. When we bought our current house, I needed to use a VA loan to avoid PMI and didn't have the cash for a 20% down payment until the house we were living in sold. I called USAA (had used them to finance 2 previous home purchases) and the dimwit on the other end said I couldn't use a VA loan for a vacation home. When I told her it wasn't a vacation home, rather our permanent residence, she said, "Well, it's on a lake so we don't believe you."

**MontuckyFried** · 10-01-2021, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by TahoeJ

AAA's road side service used to be really great... and in recent years they've gone way downhill, at least in my experience along with a few other friends who have been left waiting for hours. I suspect they decreased the number of providers in various areas to cut down on expenses.

Wow. So even AAA has gone downhill. That stinks. I pay for roadside assistance with USAA (SOP for having aging Euro cars), and when my car overheated and coolant system blew out recently, I had to wait about 5 hours for a tow. At night. In a sketch part of town. Had to call back a few times to get helped, and a nice customer service rep straight up told me that these days they've gone with the lowest bidders for tow providers. First tow truck they arranged said it'd be 2 hours, and after he was late, I got a notification saying the tow was cancelled. Dude bailed on the job. Then after waiting another hour, they still hadn't found me a ride, so I called again and they said due to the circumstances, they'd bump my request up to their higher tier of providers (who cost them more). So in a nutshell, USAA and AAA are just being cheap asses.

After my last couple tow experiences, this is why I think it is freaking idiotic to run your tank dry. "IT's OK! RoADSiDe ASSiSTanCe (or husband) WiLL jUSt CoME To mY ResCUe!!!"

**MontuckyFried** · 10-01-2021, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by MyNameIsAugustWest

I called USAA (had used them to finance 2 previous home purchases) and the dimwit on the other end said I couldn't use a VA loan for a vacation home. When I told her it wasn't a vacation home, rather our permanent residence, she said, "Well, it's on a lake so we don't believe you."

HA! They treated me the same way on my home in Big Sky! Because some dorky appraiser (who came from Great Falls) informed them about its proximity to the resort, some idiot processor at USAA then gave me the third degree about that, saying I'd be using it as a vacation home and I had to sign more bullcrap promising it was going to be my primary residence. They even questioned things that don't even factor into a home value at all, like the non-functioning hot tub or random appliance like a broken microwave that was in there. Ooh, they sucked to deal with. Not recommended for mortgage services either.

**liv2ski** · 10-01-2021, 08:44 AM

I love USAA for the cheaper car insurance they provide us but I could make a living off the loans they fuck up.

**::: :::** · 10-01-2021, 08:50 AM

I question paying for AAA every year when it comes up.
But they’ve come when called and been pretty helpful when needed. And they don’t care if you are a passenger or a driver or even a neighbor as long as you are there with your card to verify the callout.
So, my takeaway is: cheap roadside insurance at the cost

**MagnificentUnicorn** · 10-01-2021, 09:08 AM

I’m sure everyone has their own experience. I’ve had nothing but great service from SF road side assistance. I think it’s like $6 a month on three vehicles

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**Danno** · 10-01-2021, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Mustonen

USAA went south 15 years ago. It’s overpriced and the service isn’t great. Why pay extra to get fucked around with when you have an issue?

Every few years I circle back around to see if they’ve got it sorted, and every few years they reaffirm that they no longer deserve my business.

Firmly on the “do not recommend” list for me.

Yeah, been with USAA for 30 years, and they definitely went downhill a long time ago, and have been riding on an old reputation. The only reason I am still with them is inertia.

**AK47bp** · 10-01-2021, 09:23 AM

My wife has worked for USAA for about 6 months. Everyday she is shocked at their ineptitude. Apparently (my wife’s view not official) they promote based on tenure instead of merit. That should tell you all you need to know.

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**babybear** · 10-01-2021, 09:27 AM

I think Schwab bought USAA a few yrs ago. Sounds like it started declining prior to that though.

And thanks for all the good ideas on how much more I can ask my husband to do.

You guys gas up your wife’s cars? and clean them too? dang
i’m going to tell him I learned it on tgr

**Mustonen** · 10-01-2021, 10:22 AM

Schwab just bought some of the investment accounts.

**oftpiste** · 10-01-2021, 11:36 AM

I had to sue USAA as one of their customers on a bicycle ran a red light and hit Thing #3 in a crosswalk years ago. It resulted in a TBI. They offered me less than the total of his medical bills.

The lawyer who handled the case for us said they were always terrible -"the worst" - to deal with in terms of paying claims.

**Danno** · 10-01-2021, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Mustonen

Schwab just bought some of the investment accounts.

yeah, that was weird, I am not sure exactly what happened, but schwab serviced some of the accounts for a while, through the USAA portal, then someone named Victory Capital serviced the accounts. All I know is that USAA got out of the investment biz entirely, and all my mutual funds went to Victory. I did drop them at that point for investments and moved to vanguard, because the only reason I left my investments with USAA was the ease of having banking, insurance, and investments all in one place. But still do my banking and insurance through them.

**Pinned** · 10-01-2021, 08:28 PM

I think the agent matters quite a bit - I’ve gotten great agents in my last couple of locations with Liberty Mutual. They’ve been solid people who have helped me when needed + unbeatable rates. Hopefully that luck continues when I move next - it’s really helpful to have a local insurance agent because dealing with insurance sucks.

My only other experience was with Amica and that was really awful, glad to have switched.

**MakersTeleMark** · 10-01-2021, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

yeah, that was weird, I am not sure exactly what happened, but schwab serviced some of the accounts for a while, through the USAA portal, then someone named Victory Capital serviced the accounts. All I know is that USAA got out of the investment biz entirely, and all my mutual funds went to Victory. I did drop them at that point for investments and moved to vanguard, because the only reason I left my investments with USAA was the ease of having banking, insurance, and investments all in one place. But still do my banking and insurance through them.

I've known you for a long time, and I could never figure out the military connection. I should have just asked, so after a couple decades, I am.

**liv2ski** · 10-02-2021, 10:50 AM

Likely a depended of a military parent. Mt wife's dad was in the Navy and us and our kids have USAA access thanks to Frank.

**Danno** · 10-02-2021, 11:02 AM

Bingo

**XXX-er** · 10-02-2021, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn

How do you run out of gas?

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pre-occupied

I actulay ran out 3 times

in a row

So how the fuck does that happen ?

the getting divorced process, which is entirely appropo of this thread,

I think i started carrying spare gas

**Ted Striker** · 10-02-2021, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by AK47bp

...they promote based on tenure instead of merit. That should tell you all you need to know.

That's pretty much true of every company I've ever worked for. They may say otherwise, but...

**AK47bp** · 10-02-2021, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Striker

That's pretty much true of every company I've ever worked for. They may say otherwise, but...

Yea, they reward loyalty like people are dogs. The people that are actually really good at their jobs and can improve a company just leave and get a new job elsewhere promoting themselves.

It should be a mix of both ideally.

You get people straight out of college or HS and work somewhere 40 years. That may work in some industries that don’t require innovation but I’ve seen the negative more than the positive.

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**AmmergauerTele** · 10-02-2021, 02:00 PM

I went to State Farm for everything.

Originally Posted by MyNameIsAugustWest

Seriously interested in what insurance you found to be better/cheaper. Yes, their customer service went way downhill when they opened it up to all ranks. I got pissed off at them in 2009 and tried to find auto insurance with anybody else but couldn't find anything even remotely close in price/coverage (I had 4 kids on my policy back then).

**liv2ski** · 10-02-2021, 02:29 PM

We have 3 cars and pay $1,500 every 6 months. Really high coverage (like $1M liability) with a $500 deductible. I haven't found any company close to USAA for coverage and cost for insurance.