TexasCHLforum.com

ScottDLS wrote:I started with them in 1987 as a Midshipman (Navy Officer Candidate). They've been great with me moving states and 7 or 8 cars later. They have good auto coverage. Homeowners is fairly good too though North Texas is expensive 'cause of the tornadoes. I'm looking at using them for coverage on some rental properties too.

My policy says I'm on vehicles 42 & 43

Like I said, they are GREAT at marketing. That doesn't mean they are not a good insurance company.

I started with them in 1987 as a Midshipman (Navy Officer Candidate)

Good thing though, within a few days they signed me up for USAA, and I've been a member since.

After taking me up to meet the CO, the second thing he did was to suggest I sign up for USAA.

A private company that has government employees marketing and signing up people for their products when they are fresh to the military is GREAT marketing? On top of that, they make people believe they are part of an exclusive club even though it is no longer that exclusive.

Glad it's all worked out for you. I won't continue on this since we are far off topic at this point with the USAA reviews.

mojo84 wrote:Like I said, they are GREAT at marketing. That doesn't mean they are not a good insurance company.

I started with them in 1987 as a Midshipman (Navy Officer Candidate)

Good thing though, within a few days they signed me up for USAA, and I've been a member since.

After taking me up to meet the CO, the second thing he did was to suggest I sign up for USAA.

A private company that has government employees marketing and signing up people for their products when they are fresh to the military is GREAT marketing? On top of that, they make people believe they are part of an exclusive club even though it is no longer that exclusive.

Glad it's all worked out for you. I won't continue on this since we are far off topic at this point with the USAA reviews.

When I signed up it was an exclusive club - officers (or candidates only). Also, I was not new to the military. That said, as far as marketing, I recommend USAA to everyone that qualifies. Does that make me part of their marketing program? Dunno, perhaps. But, as you say, we're off topic, so I'll say no more.

A thought to consider on rental car coverage. USAA stil will require you to pay the deductible. They also will not pay for "loss of use". I always take in the cost of my 250 deductible plus loss of use of the rental car to the rental company. Sometime I take their insurance, some times I use my USAA.

mojo84 wrote:Like I said, they are GREAT at marketing. That doesn't mean they are not a good insurance company.

I started with them in 1987 as a Midshipman (Navy Officer Candidate)

Good thing though, within a few days they signed me up for USAA, and I've been a member since.

After taking me up to meet the CO, the second thing he did was to suggest I sign up for USAA.

A private company that has government employees marketing and signing up people for their products when they are fresh to the military is GREAT marketing? On top of that, they make people believe they are part of an exclusive club even though it is no longer that exclusive.

Glad it's all worked out for you. I won't continue on this since we are far off topic at this point with the USAA reviews.

My point was that we ARE in an exclusive club, no marketing required. A great deal doesn't require marketing, the club members spread the word, like Price Club. Ads for USAA are a very recent phenomena.

I get the impression we are dancing on sore toes, though.

JALLEN wrote:

mojo84 wrote:Like I said, they are GREAT at marketing. That doesn't mean they are not a good insurance company.

I started with them in 1987 as a Midshipman (Navy Officer Candidate)

Good thing though, within a few days they signed me up for USAA, and I've been a member since.

After taking me up to meet the CO, the second thing he did was to suggest I sign up for USAA.

A private company that has government employees marketing and signing up people for their products when they are fresh to the military is GREAT marketing? On top of that, they make people believe they are part of an exclusive club even though it is no longer that exclusive.

Glad it's all worked out for you. I won't continue on this since we are far off topic at this point with the USAA reviews.

My point was that we ARE in an exclusive club, no marketing required. A great deal doesn't require marketing, the club members spread the word, like Price Club. Ads for USAA are a very recent phenomena.

I get the impression we are dancing on sore toes, though.

What's your problem? I said they are a good insurance company and great at marketing. I also said the coverage that pertains to the subject of this topic is not unique to USAA. Nothing I said is not truthful and factual. Just because I said they are a great marketing company doesn't mean they are a bad insurance company. Nor, does it impune your past military service.

Sore toes notwithstanding, I detect a chip on a shoulder. Seems some look for an opportunity to be offended. When I met Joe Robles a few years ago we discussed what a great marketing company they are and he took it as a compliment. Why do you take it as such an insult?

Most of the benefit probably comes from the fact that they USAA a mutual insurance company. Policyholder owned instead of investor owned. This generally is good for rates, but hard to reach the economies of scale that very large investor owned companies have, which can be an advantage in certain markets. Also, USAA is essentially an "affinity group" of military and former military that gives it risk profile advantages in many lines of business. If a mutual company suits my insurance needs like USAA, I'll generally go with it since the profits get returned to the policy holder (i.e. me). However, due to my recent cruddy driving record, they dropped my umbrella policy...so I'll be in the market. Maybe Lloyds will take me...

mojo84 wrote:

JALLEN wrote:

mojo84 wrote:Like I said, they are GREAT at marketing. That doesn't mean they are not a good insurance company.

I started with them in 1987 as a Midshipman (Navy Officer Candidate)

Good thing though, within a few days they signed me up for USAA, and I've been a member since.

After taking me up to meet the CO, the second thing he did was to suggest I sign up for USAA.

A private company that has government employees marketing and signing up people for their products when they are fresh to the military is GREAT marketing? On top of that, they make people believe they are part of an exclusive club even though it is no longer that exclusive.

Glad it's all worked out for you. I won't continue on this since we are far off topic at this point with the USAA reviews.

My point was that we ARE in an exclusive club, no marketing required. A great deal doesn't require marketing, the club members spread the word, like Price Club. Ads for USAA are a very recent phenomena.

I get the impression we are dancing on sore toes, though.

What's your problem? I said they are a good insurance company and great at marketing. I also said the coverage that pertains to the subject of this topic is not unique to USAA. Nothing I said is not truthful and factual. Just because I said they are a great marketing company doesn't mean they are a bad insurance company. Nor, does it impune your past military service.

Sore toes notwithstanding, I detect a chip on a shoulder. Seems some look for an opportunity to be offended. When I met Joe Robles a few years ago we discussed what a great marketing company they are and he took it as a compliment. Why do you take it as such an insult?

Who is Joe Robles?

I don't think I've enountered a discussion like this even online in years. I have no problems with USAA, don't take any of your comments as insults, or as aspersions on USAA or my past service, and can't imagine why you seem to work so hard to fret about such things.

Well, I couldn't imagine until I looked up your info. You're an insurance salesman! That explains it! I never thought about "exclusive clubs" or marketing in connection with USAA. I get it now.

Who is Joe Robles?

Google is your friend. https://www.google.com/search?q=joe+rob ... e&ie=UTF-8

I too am amazed at this conversation. Yes, I am an insurance agent in the San Antonio area. Therefore, I am very familiar with USAA and there marketing. So what do you think that explains?

Based on your comments, it appears you are not aware of the amount of marketing USAA does. They have a tremendous marketing budget and they have government employees working on their behalf signing up members. I also hope you aren't to caught up on the exclusivity of the club, it's not near as exclusive as you seem to think it is.

Since you seem to think USAA doesn't need to advertise and they only market through word of mouth, you can see just how off base you are here. http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2014 ... pends-6-10

Word of mouth only advertising doesn't cost $60 mil.

mojo84 wrote:
Since you seem to think USAA doesn't need to advertise and they only market through word of mouth, you can see just how off base you are here. http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2014 ... pends-6-10

Word of mouth only advertising doesn't cost $60 mil.

I've been with USAA for 50 years, and until recently, I never saw a print ad, or radio or TV commercial for them. When they were an exclusive club, so to speak, they were mainly word of mouth as far as advertising goes. I'm sure they did some print media somewhere, but I never saw it. However, as their market has greatly expanded and now covers many more than just military officers and family, I would imagine they need to spend a great deal more to get that word out.

BTW, the link you posted led to a story about the Geico advertising budget. I didn't see the USAA part on that page.

G26ster wrote:

mojo84 wrote:
Since you seem to think USAA doesn't need to advertise and they only market through word of mouth, you can see just how off base you are here. http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2014 ... pends-6-10

Word of mouth only advertising doesn't cost $60 mil.

I've been with USAA for 50 years, and until recently, I never saw a print ad, or radio or TV commercial for them. When they were an exclusive club, so to speak, they were mainly word of mouth as far as advertising goes. I'm sure they did some print media somewhere, but I never saw it. However, as their market has greatly expanded and now covers many more than just military officers and family, I would imagine they need to spend a great deal more to get that word out.

BTW, the link you posted led to a story about the Geico advertising budget. I didn't see the USAA part on that page.

They were on the list even though the article is about Geico. The full name is United Services Automobile Association.

You are correct, the've opened up the qualification criteria and use mass media advertising to reach them. Nothing wrong with that. It's just not factual or correct for someone to say they only rely on word of mouth. Here are a couple of links to their members discussing their advertising spend.

https://communities.usaa.com/t5/Other/A ... td-p/25910

https://communities.usaa.com/t5/Other/E ... td-p/78679

Much of this discussion stems from one comment by me noting the perception they provide insurance to what ever vehicle one is driving, if there isn't coverage already in place for the vehicle, isn't unique to USAA,

mojo84 wrote:


Based on your comments, it appears you are not aware of the amount of marketing USAA does. They have a tremendous marketing budget and they have government employees working on their behalf signing up members. I also hope you aren't to caught up on the exclusivity of the club, it's not near as exclusive as you seem to think it is.

Since you seem to think USAA doesn't need to advertise and they only market through word of mouth, you can see just how off base you are here. http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2014 ... pends-6-10

Word of mouth only advertising doesn't cost $60 mil.

My comments about marketing had to do with when I joined ~50 years ago. It's only been the last few years that I saw ads, actually since we returned to Texas. I don't recall any in San Diego. Whether advertising is needed or appropriate isn't my worry, although my capital account has gotten to the point maybe I should pay more attention.

I shouldn't have to spell this out, but the exclusive group is veterans, and families of veterans. https://www.usaa.com/inet/ent_logon/Log ... irect=true

"Exclusive" doesn't necessarily mean only the few, but implies some rigid, fixed, inflexible criteria. It's true the criteria is wider than ~50 years ago when it was commissioned officers only. So what? This isn't some marketing gimmick. I guess it means fewer customers for you.