USAA Insurance: Comprehensive Coverage and Trusted Service

Overview of USAA Insurance

USAA (United Services Automobile Association) is a Fortune 500 diversified financial services group of companies including banking, investing, and insurance exclusively for current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Founded in 1922 in San Antonio, Texas, USAA has grown into one of the largest providers of highly rated insurance, banking and investment products to military members.

USAA offers a full range of insurance including auto, home, renters, life, health, business and more. Eligibility is limited to military members, veterans who have honorably served and their immediate families. Known for excellent customer service and highly competitive rates, USAA has consistently received the highest ratings from A.M. Best, Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

In addition to insurance, USAA provides banking, investing, retirement and wealth management services. With over 13 million members, USAA is dedicated to serving the military community with best-in-class products and unmatched service.

History and Founding of USAA

USAA was founded in 1922 by a group of 25 Army officers. They came together to provide auto insurance for each other, recognizing that they faced challenges securing policies due to their mobile military lifestyle. This small gathering of officers planted the seed that would grow into today's USAA.

In the early years, USAA focused specifically on auto insurance for military officers. Policy numbers were few at first, but grew steadily. The target market of military officers remained consistent even as the company expanded its capabilities.

Over the decades, USAA broadened its insurance offerings and membership eligibility. They began providing a range of other insurance and financial services tailored to military members and their families. From the original 25 officers, USAA's membership base expanded to include millions of members.

Today, USAA proudly serves current and former military members and their qualifying family members. Staying true to its roots, USAA delivers highly specialized products and unmatched service. The company remains dedicated to the financial wellbeing of the military community.

USAA's Mission and Values

USAA holds a strong commitment to serving the military community, upholding integrity, loyalty and honesty, and achieving excellence in customer service. These priorities stem directly from USAA's mission and values.

Service to the Military Community

• Founded by military officers, USAA's core purpose is to facilitate the financial security of those who serve or have served.
• All products and services cater to military members, veterans and their families.
• USAA gives back to military charities and organizations.

Integrity, Loyalty, Honesty

• USAA employees follow a strict code of ethics and conduct.
• The company prides itself on transparency and keeping member interests first.
• Honesty and fairness are mandatory in all member interactions.

Excellence in Customer Service

• USAA strives to achieve best-in-class service levels across all offerings.
• Employees are highly trained problem solvers dedicated to the member experience.
• Cutting-edge technology provides convenient access and efficient service.

USAA Membership Eligibility

One of the unique aspects of USAA is its membership eligibility requirements. USAA insurance, banking, and other financial services are exclusively available to active, reserve, retired, and honorably discharged members of the U.S. military and their families.

Specifically, below are the main categories of who can become a USAA member:

• Active, reserve, retired, and honorably discharged military officers and enlisted personnel across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Qualifying family members of USAA members including spouses, widows, widowers, unremarried former spouses, children up to age 18 (or 23 if enrolled as a full-time student), and dependent children incapable of self-support due to a mental or physical incapacity
• Cadets and midshipmen at U.S. service academies, plus officer candidates in commissioning programs (OCS, ROTC, etc.)
• Surviving spouses who remarry retain USAA membership eligibility

In summary, USAA membership is a lifelong benefit for eligible military personnel and their families. The association aims to serve those who serve their country throughout their lives.

Auto Insurance

USAA offers comprehensive auto insurance to help members protect their vehicles. They provide a range of coverages including collision, comprehensive, liability, medical payments, uninsured motorist, towing and rental reimbursement.

Some key coverages and features of USAA's auto insurance include:

• Collision coverage to pay for repairs or replacement if you're in an accident, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage for damage from theft, vandalism, fire, flood, animals, falling objects, riots, explosions and other disasters.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance.
• Rental reimbursement to pay for a rental car while yours is in the shop.
• Roadside assistance for towing, fuel delivery, jump starts, flat tire changes and locksmith services.
• Accident forgiveness to prevent premium increases after your first at-fault accident.
• New car replacement to replace your new car if it's totaled within the first couple years.

Discounts offered by USAA include safe driver, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, good student, multiple vehicle, annual mileage and more. They also offer a car buying service to help you find discounts on new and used vehicles.

The claims process is facilitated by USAA's mobile app and website. Members can file a claim 24/7 and track its status. USAA has a network of auto repair shops to help get members' vehicles back on the road quickly.

USAA incorporates useful technology like:

• Mobile app to manage your policy, make payments and file claims.
• Drive Safe & Save program that uses a device to measure driving habits and offer policy discounts for safe driving.
• Crash detection that automatically contacts emergency services if you're in an accident.

Homeowners Insurance

USAA offers comprehensive homeowners insurance to help protect members' homes and belongings. USAA Homeowners Insurance provides several key coverages:

• Property coverage pays to repair or replace your home and possessions if they are damaged or stolen.
• Liability protection covers injuries or property damage you or family members cause to others for which you are legally responsible.
• Discount opportunities like multi-policy, multi-property, loyalty, and security discounts to help lower premiums.
• Claims handling with 24/7 support and a focus on quickly resolving claims and getting members back on their feet.

With customizable coverage options and premier member service, USAA Homeowners Insurance aims to deliver quality protection and peace of mind for military members.

Renters Insurance

USAA offers comprehensive renters insurance to protect your possessions and provide liability coverage in the event of accidents in your rental property. USAA renters insurance provides the following key coverages:

• Possessions coverage - Covers loss or damage to your personal belongings due to covered perils like fire, lightning, windstorms, hail, explosions, smoke, vandalism, theft and more. You can choose replacement cost or actual cash value coverage.
• Liability coverage - Protects you if you are legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others. It covers both legal defense costs and any damages awarded, up to the policy limits.
• Discounts - USAA offers discounts on renters insurance for multi-policy customers, paying annually, completing a home inventory, installing protective devices and more. Bundling renters with auto insurance provides some of the biggest savings.

Whether you rent an apartment, condo, townhome or house, USAA renters insurance provides flexible, affordable coverage options customized for renters. USAA can help ensure you have the rental property insurance you need.

Life Insurance

USAA offers several types of life insurance to provide financial protection for your loved ones. Determining how much coverage you need can depend on your family situation.

Term life is one of the most affordable types of life insurance. It provides coverage for a set period of time, such as 10 or 20 years. If you pass away during the term, your beneficiaries receive the death benefit payout. Term life works well if you need coverage for temporary needs like providing for young children.

Whole life provides lifelong protection as long as you pay the premiums. It has a cash value that builds over time that you can borrow against. Whole life is more expensive than term but guarantees coverage you can keep throughout your life.

Universal life offers permanent coverage like whole life but with flexible premiums. You can adjust your premium payments and death benefit amounts throughout the policy. This option allows you to customize your coverage.

To determine the right amount and type of life insurance, USAA agents can help you evaluate factors like your income, debts, financial goals, and family obligations. This ensures your policy provides adequate protection for your loved ones.

Health Insurance

USAA offers comprehensive health insurance plans to help members take care of their medical needs. Some of the major health insurance options from USAA include:

PPO plans - With a Preferred Provider Organization plan, members can visit doctors within the PPO network to receive the highest level of coverage. PPO plans offer flexibility to see providers outside the network, although out-of-network care comes with higher costs. USAA PPOs have a nationwide network of providers to choose from.

HMO plans - A Health Maintenance Organization plan requires members to select a primary care physician who will provide most care and referrals to specialists. HMO plans generally have lower premiums but less flexibility than PPOs. The USAA HMO network is largely concentrated in Texas, where the company originated.

Supplemental coverage - In addition to major medical insurance, USAA offers supplemental plans like dental, vision, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage. These plans help fill in the gaps left by traditional health insurance.

With all USAA health plans, members can access tools and resources to estimate costs, find providers, manage claims and get health advice. USAA works to make health insurance personalized, accessible and affordable for military members.

Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance provides extra liability coverage above and beyond what's included in your auto, homeowners, or other insurance policies. It kicks in when you reach the limit on your underlying policies.

Coverage amounts:

• Umbrella policies generally start at $1 million in coverage but can go up to $5 million or more.
• The higher coverage limits allow you to be protected against large personal liability claims.

When it's useful:

• If you have significant assets to protect.
• If you regularly engage in activities with high liability risks (like boating).
• If you own rental or investment properties.
• If you have teenage drivers in your household.

The extra coverage umbrella insurance provides can give you peace of mind that your assets are protected from large claims or lawsuits.

Small Business Insurance

USAA offers comprehensive insurance plans to protect small and mid-sized businesses. Their business insurance provides customized coverage options including:

• Property coverage - Protects your business location, equipment, furniture, inventory and other assets from damage or loss due to events like fires, storms, theft, vandalism and more.
• Liability protection - Covers legal costs if your business is sued for property damage, bodily injuries or personal and advertising injury claims.
• Business vehicles - Provides collision, comprehensive and liability coverage for your company vehicles.
• Work compensation - Helps pay for medical care and lost wages of employees injured on the job.

USAA business insurance gives small companies access to the same customer service and claims handling the insurer provides to over 12 million members. Their experienced agents will help you create a customized policy to fit your unique risks and budget.

Banking and Investing

USAA offers a wide range of banking and investing services to help members manage their money.

Checking and Savings Accounts

• USAA offers checking and savings accounts with no monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirements.
• Members get fee-free access to over 60,000 ATMs through the USAA network.
• Accounts can be easily managed online or through USAA's mobile app.

Credit Cards

• USAA offers a variety of Visa credit cards, including cashback, travel, and rewards cards.
• Credit cards offer benefits like no annual fees, intro APR offers, and bonus points.
• Cards allow members to earn rewards on everyday purchases.

Investing Services

• USAA provides brokerage accounts, IRAs, mutual funds, ETFs, and other investments.
• Members get access to research tools, investment guidance, and financial advisors.
• USAA can help members plan for retirement through IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts.

Retirement Planning

USAA offers a range of retirement planning services to help members prepare for their golden years. This includes retirement accounts like IRA accounts and assistance with 401k rollovers when changing jobs.

USAA has financial advisors available to provide personalized retirement advice based on your specific needs and goals. They can help you:

• Set up and fund the right retirement accounts
• Determine how much you'll need to retire comfortably
• Make decisions about withdrawing retirement funds
• Roll over 401k funds from an old employer
• Choose investments to maximize growth potential

In addition to retirement accounts, USAA advisors look at your full financial picture including insurance needs, estate planning, tax strategies and more. Their expertise helps ensure you can retire securely and on your own terms.

Customer Service

USAA is known for providing exceptional customer service across phone, online, and mobile platforms. Members have 24/7 access to USAA agents and online resources to manage their policies, file claims, and get support.

Phone Support
- USAA has won multiple awards for their phone-based customer service, including J.D. Power's award for "Highest Customer Satisfaction Among Auto Insurers" for 14 years running.
- Calls are answered promptly with short hold times. Agents are based in the US and knowledge about USAA's offerings.
- USAA offers claims intake and customer support in both English and Spanish.

Online and Mobile Access
- Members can manage their USAA accounts fully through their industry-leading website and mobile app. Features include paying bills, updating policy information, filing claims and checking status.
- Mobile deposit for checks is available along with text/email alerts and notifications to keep members informed.
- Digital support like live chat and self-service options are available 24/7.

Claims Handling
- USAA has a reputation for world-class claims service. They have a 96% auto claims satisfaction rating.
- Agents are helpful, empathetic and efficient. USAA focuses on getting members back on their feet quickly after accidents or disasters.
- Claims can be started and tracked online or via mobile app by uploading photos and details.