Posted: 8/27/2015 12:26:49 PM EDT
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A lot of military guy's here, so I figured this might be the best place to ask this question. I've been a loyal USAA member for 10 years now (banking and auto insurance) but, due to my current job situation, I've been looking at areas to cut some costs. I obtained an online quote from several different auto insurance companies and found out that I could save about $67/month on my premiums if I switch to Geico. This is an apples to apples comparison as far as coverage limits, etc. are concerned. Have any of you guys ever made the change to Geico and been satisfied? I have yet to utilize my insurance since I've had it (other than rock chips etc.) but I do know it's one of those things that I might not want to cheap out on. Thoughts? Thanks for the help! |
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Don't go to Geico they are trash. If any incidents occur, they will send your car to their crappy "auto repair express" shops to get the work done at the cheapest possible rates for them to pay, with the cheapest possible quality. Geico will guilt the shit out of you if you try to use your own shop or any real shops that charge a fair rate because they receive bonus incentives for sending you to their cut-rate ghetto shops.
God forbid their $15/hr newbie customer service reps somehow flag you for possible fraud if your wheels get stolen or if you hit a pole 10 days after your renewal - you'll be stranded for a while without even a rental even if your policy covers it because they want to get a shitty gold star for "preventing fraud" and protecting "glorious socialist company of mother geico." They'll do what it takes to screw you and maintain their bottom line. Not to mention they are the third world sweatshop equivalent of of insurance companies. Fuck Geico. I used to work for them and quit because I don't believe in making a living out of screwing people. USAA is a far superior company , you're in good hands. |
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Quoted: USAA was garbage when I was with them. If your quote is good, reports all run, your a nut job for not moving to save $804/year. Just take into account what it will do to home and other policies moving the auto off. Only have auto through them so I won't affect anything else. Some of your comments are definitely making me thing twice about switching... I'm pretty picky about my vehicles and I wouldn't be able to tolerate shoddy work on a repair. Keep the comments coming, and thanks for the feedback!  |
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The LTI Marksman 20-20 Laser Gun
Seeing a drop in radar-issued tickets, and hence a drop in the number of insurance premiums which were surcharged due to citations, the government founded GEICO Insurance Company funded a project by Laser Technology, Inc. to develop a speed measurement device based on their distance measurement laser device. This was a perfect way for LTI to break out of bankruptcy, and back into the market. They quickly developed the LTI Marksman 20-20 Laser Gun. The deal with GEICO was that in exchange for the grant, LTI would give GEICO a certain number of free Laser guns annualy, which Geico in turn handed over to police departments around the United States with fledgling radar-issued citations. The radar detector industry was quick to react, but their efforts proved short in the begining. The devices they produced did in theory work perfectly, but not on the road. The problem which they soon discovered was that the laser beam was very narrow, measuring a mear 3-4 feet in diameter at 500 feet, which is usually when an officer pulls the triger and obtains a speed reading. The laser detectors simply proved unsuccessful due to the fact that the laser beam spread very little, and also that unlike radar, which spreads all over the area, the laser beam barely scatters when it hits a vehicle. This allows an officer to look through the viewfinder and single out a vehicle with the crosshairs, just like a rifle, and shoot. |
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That being excellent customer service  Quoted:
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USAA is just another for-profit insurance company with a unique marketing angle. I'm fighting them now on several issues. As a lifetime policy holder, I'm not impressed ETA: it's no different than Geico or progressive - just a massive call center |
| I've had USAA auto insurance for over 20 years now and their homeowner's insurance for about 15. I would NEVER switch companies. Their customer service has been excellent and they have paid every claim without any hassle at all. They've always paid for OEM parts and first rate shops. As for homeowners' insurance, they replaced my roof without the slightest qualms after some of the shingles were damaged in a storm---didn't repair it, REPLACED it. I think you'd be foolish to leave them. |
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Had house and 4 vehicles with USAA- now have all vehicles with Geico-no complaints in 2 years This. USAA has great service, but you pay a premium for it. I switched to Geico on auto a couple years back, saved me 40%, and I'm very pleased. That said, auto insurance is something you don't really critique until you need to use it, and a windshield aside, I haven't needed to. |
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I've had USAA auto insurance for over 20 years now and their homeowner's insurance for about 15. I would NEVER switch companies. Their customer service has been excellent and they have paid every claim without any hassle at all. They've always paid for OEM parts and first rate shops. As for homeowners' insurance, they replaced my roof without the slightest qualms after some of the shingles were damaged in a storm---didn't repair it, REPLACED it. I think you'd be foolish to leave them. For the non insurance types in this thread, Florida is severely limited in their insurance options compared the rest of the states. Smaller companies can't be profitable in regions with routine cat claims so you're limited with your insurance buying options. |
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I've had continuous USAA auto insurance for 29 years and renter's/home owners insurance with them for 25.
They do not usually have the lowest premiums. I won't ever change because life has proven to me that there's more to insurance than paying the absolute lowest premium up front. |
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Been with USAA for almost 20 years. They have always treated me very well, to include when the state of MD tried to fine me for not having auto insurance for 8 years.
I hadn't lived in MD for over 9 years at that point in time and USAA was able to provide proof of continuous coverage through them. |
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This is almost exactly what I was going to say but I have 3 cars. Geico hasnt done me wrong yet. Quoted:
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Had house and 4 vehicles with USAA- now have all vehicles with Geico-no complaints in 2 years This is almost exactly what I was going to say but I have 3 cars. Geico hasnt done me wrong yet. Have you guys filed claims with them? Not saying they are bad. I used to have Geico, but I never filed a claim with them. Just saying you can't judge an insurance company until you do. |
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A lot of military guy's here, so I figured this might be the best place to ask this question. I've been a loyal USAA member for 10 years now (banking and auto insurance) but, due to my current job situation, I've been looking at areas to cut some costs. I obtained an online quote from several different auto insurance companies and found out that I could save about $67/month on my premiums if I switch to Geico. This is an apples to apples comparison as far as coverage limits, etc. are concerned. Have any of you guys ever made the change to Geico and been satisfied? I have yet to utilize my insurance since I've had it (other than rock chips etc.) but I do know it's one of those things that I might not want to cheap out on. Thoughts? Thanks for the help! I've worked a LOT of accidents and dealt with a lot of companies (we get called into civil court at times regarding claims, plus we deal with their in-house investigators a fair amount), GEICO is notorious for low-balling claims and treating claimants like shit. If you go with GEICO, have a good lawyer on tap. My experience is they are the worst to deal with. |
| Had usaa for years. Another military friend of mine switched to geico after doing a rate quote. Just for fun I did a rate quote too and geico was way cheaper at the same coverage levels. In the end I actually went down to lower deductibles (250 from 1000) and more coverage and still came out ahead. |
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Have had USAA for about five years. Switched from GEICO and saved about $300/year.
In May someone hit my son's Focus in a parking lot and tore the front bumper loose. USAA said to take the car to a Ford dealer and get an estimate. The car was fixed with OEM parts. USAA paid the dealer the entire estimate minus dedectible. |
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I use Geico, have for years. My girlfriend uses USAA and has tried to get me to switch. I have all other insurance with USAA but they couldn't come close to touching the awesome rate I get from Geico.
Plus Geico has been a pleasure to deal with for any issue that's come up over the years. Not a single complaint comes to mind. |
| I’ve been with USAA since June 1977 for auto and house insurance. 5 years ago I’d have given them a 10 out of 10. Now, maybe a 5. Since they have gone public with the “If you ever saw a soldier, you can join USAA” ads, their service has declined significantly. Perhaps they got too big too quick and let lower quality people join. (My dad got a Under Other Than Honorable Discharge. I’ve been in and out of jail and addicted to drugs. BUT, I’m a member of USAA!” |
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USAA member for 34 years, AND a 2nd Generation member. My son is a 3rd Gen.
We have trusted USAA for all of our banking, retirement accounts, mortgages, investment and financial advice, car insurance, and home insurance. We have NEVER been dissatisfied with any of their services. They are especailly good at servicing their members who are either stationed, work, or reside overseas. I suppose there might be companies that would be slightly cheaper, but with USAA you get EXACTLY what you pay for, and Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction is rated in the top ten of ALL companies....for a very good reason. Go cheap....expect cheap! Cheers, Frank |
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Have you guys filed claims with them? Not saying they are bad. I used to have Geico, but I never filed a claim with them. Just saying you can't judge an insurance company until you do. Quoted:
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Had house and 4 vehicles with USAA- now have all vehicles with Geico-no complaints in 2 years This is almost exactly what I was going to say but I have 3 cars. Geico hasnt done me wrong yet. Have you guys filed claims with them? Not saying they are bad. I used to have Geico, but I never filed a claim with them. Just saying you can't judge an insurance company until you do. The only claim that I have filed was a broken windshield, and that was through the Geico app on my phone. Had zero issues but then again it was just a broken windshield. |
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Had Geico for several years on bikes and cars, no claims on cars, one motorcycle accident out of state where the other company was goofing around and not accepting responsibility, Geico stepped in and took over, treated me very well when I was stranded out of state without a bike. Other company finally stepped in about 10 days later and finally took care of it. Service from Geico on the motorcycle policy was EXCELLENT. Went to USAA on the cars a couple of years ago, nice cost benefit, but the bikes are still with Geico. |
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Quoted: Check out Liberty Mutual as well, I switched from USAA to them and have zero complaints. Thanks for the input guys! I guess these aren't exactly the answers I wanted to hear but, as has been stated, this may be a case of you get what you pay for. Not an easy decision, being that the cost for Geico would be almost half what I pay for USAA insurance! |
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So far Geico military is better
10+ years into USAA after 3 claims in 1 year, USAA ditched me and when I switched to Geico I paid less. None of my claims involved another car. A tree fell onto my truck after a storm in one. A wheel was damaged in the fog scrapping a bridge in another and my dog damaged the car in the 3rd. USAA considered my dog damaging the car the same as a 2 vehicle collision accident. |
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I got too many tickets and got booted off USAA for several years. I went to GEICO and they wouldn't take me. Finally went to Progressive and they charged me an arm and a leg but were there when I needed them. Finally jumped back to USAA and GEICO called to ask who I had. When I said USAA they said "Have a nice day" and hung up.
USAA beats the competition because they boot drunk drivers and ticket magnets (me back in the day). |
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Quoted:
A lot of military guy's here, so I figured this might be the best place to ask this question. I've been a loyal USAA member for 10 years now (banking and auto insurance) but, due to my current job situation, I've been looking at areas to cut some costs. I obtained an online quote from several different auto insurance companies and found out that I could save about $67/month on my premiums if I switch to Geico. This is an apples to apples comparison as far as coverage limits, etc. are concerned. Have any of you guys ever made the change to Geico and been satisfied? I have yet to utilize my insurance since I've had it (other than rock chips etc.) but I do know it's one of those things that I might not want to cheap out on. Thoughts? Thanks for the help! Don't put a lot of stock in online quotes. Several companies don't do the actual underwriting when they quote it. You can get a surprise at your first bill or first renewal. |