SACU or USAA??? (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio: house, deductible, living in)

[Me007gold]

Originally Posted by CRenaud

We've had the same great experience with our current insurance company and the part I like most is I deal with the same people who've been ther for years instead of "which ever rep is available at the time of your call". We are on first name basis with them and they KNOW us. It's like the old fashioned customer service like it used to be. I asked USAA if they provided this service and they said no. With that and the horrible experience trying to give them my business, it just left a bad taste in my mouth

So your asking if an insurance company that has 9+ million members, about 14000+ employees, if you could have a personal rep that could be available for you 24/7?

[BoerneMan]

Originally Posted by CRenaud

We've had the same great experience with our current insurance company and the part I like most is I deal with the same people who've been ther for years instead of "which ever rep is available at the time of your call". We are on first name basis with them and they KNOW us. It's like the old fashioned customer service like it used to be. I asked USAA if they provided this service and they said no. With that and the horrible experience trying to give them my business, it just left a bad taste in my mouth

This is exactly why USAA is usually significantly less expensive than other insurance companies. Most people today don't need an agent to act as a middleman. USAA has no agents working for them that make commissions off your business. It is a direct relationship that is primarily phone and Internet based. USAA's customer service has been ranked among the top 5 businesses in the country along with Lexus, Nordstrom and other service oriented brands - no other insurance company can come close to that. It's unfortunate to hear of someone having a bad experience, but our family has only had very positive interactions with the company.

[CLR210]

Originally Posted by Me007gold

So your asking if an insurance company that has 9+ million members, about 14000+ employees, if you could have a personal rep that could be available for you 24/7?

Well yes.......and???? LOL. I like the personal service, does that make me evil???

[CLR210]

Originally Posted by BoerneMan

This is exactly why USAA is usually significantly less expensive than other insurance companies. Most people today don't need an agent to act as a middleman. USAA has no agents working for them that make commissions off your business. It is a direct relationship that is primarily phone and Internet based. USAA's customer service has been ranked among the top 5 businesses in the country along with Lexus, Nordstrom and other service oriented brands - no other insurance company can come close to that. It's unfortunate to hear of someone having a bad experience, but our family has only had very positive interactions with the company.

My rates are a bit higher, but it's worth it to get the personal service

[BoerneMan]

It's not just the rate difference - USAA members own the company and get a portion of the company's profits returned to them as well. I have never known an insurance agent that can reliably beat USAA rates. One good friend who is an agent for a competitive company tells me that if a prospective client is eligible for USAA insurance, he already knows that he won't get the business 99% of the time. The 1% are probably people that want the face to face relationship. Nothing wrong with that; just two different business models.

[CLR210]

Originally Posted by BoerneMan

It's not just the rate difference - USAA members own the company and get a portion of the company's profits returned to them as well. I have never known an insurance agent that can reliably beat USAA rates. One good friend who is an agent for a competitive company tells me that if a prospective client is eligible for USAA insurance, he already knows that he won't get the business 99% of the time. The 1% are probably people that want the face to face relationship. Nothing wrong with that; just two different business models.

While some of their insurance products are less expensive, others are not. My umbrella policy would be double the cost at USAA and to insure my jewelry was 40% more also. Overall though USAA was cheaper but not by much at all. I think it's great many of you have had a great experience with them. It just wasn't my experience

[saltwater heaven]

Originally Posted by Bo

I'm assuming you're not already a USAA member. If you're not already a member, the answer to the question of what you're eligible for is complicated. When you're a member, the reps can see it on the screen in front of them.

My advice is to join first, then explore the products.

wait... when did pelosi get a c-d account??

Originally Posted by dccvms

All I will add is, dont use your SACU card outside of SA or Austin, as it will be declined "for our protection". We explained work has us traveling outside of the area 40% of the time, can they waive this policy? We were told NO! Needless to say we now put 1% of our earnings in that account weekly. We would drop them but we have an auto loan and agreed to use their auto payment each month.

oh god tons of THIS. despite the woes of paypal, i have to use them to bypass SACU's ridiculous rules. they have banned transactions in california, PA, and a host of other states 'due to fraud'.

i had to fax in a statement saying i wanted this block permanently removed (bank mgr said this would get it removed). did it work? nope.

since xfer'ing money is super easy with SACU, i opted to take a less painful route and link a paypal account (complete with paypal debit card) to my SACU account. GUESS WHAT? NO MORE STUPID FILTERS! i can order off newegg, 1saleday, amazon, bensoutlet and a host of others i couldnt with my SACU card.

Originally Posted by Paka

NOW I have a check that has been ENDORSED, with MY signature to try and work on behalf of our son who is not in country currently!

unless you used a security pen, acetone will remove that signature off that check.

Originally Posted by CRenaud

I've never had a problem using my SACU card anywhere and I travel all over the country and abroad

you must be one of the lucky ones. read my thoughts on them up a little bit. i had issues ordering from a ton of popular websites because of their location (california or pennsylvania).

[Lee W.]

I wouldn't use ANY debit card on the internet anyway! That is just not a safe practice. I only use my regular credit cards or DH's paypal account on the net. I prefer the personal SACU service on occasion...I know if I need any help, they're there for me. I like the convenience of SACU's many offices and ATM's. I've never had any problem using my SACU debit card in other Texas towns and cities, but can't say anything for out of state or country as I don't travel that far.

[prim8]

Originally Posted by Paka

If you use the AR USAA, I HIGHLY recommend "Anthony" at the desk...what a WONDERFUL young man and so very willing to help with every aspect of banking needs!

Can you use the AR office to do cash deposits? I wasn't aware there was even a bank there, just the ATM, and I'm extremely hesitant to ever deposit cash into an ATM.

[Me007gold]

Originally Posted by prim8

Can you use the AR office to do cash deposits? I wasn't aware there was even a bank there, just the ATM, and I'm extremely hesitant to ever deposit cash into an ATM.

And you have good reason to be. I have had multipal issues with the USAA ATM, It always got worked out, but 1st time it took them 1 month to get my money back.