USAA review: home onwers insurance 15

USAA is threatening to drop us after 30 years. We owned our primary home for 5 years. It sent its agent to examine the premises at time of purchase. We also submitted an updated appraisal last year when considering refinance options. USAA tells us that we MUST allow its "construction" inspector to measure each room, document the cabinets, the countertops, the commodes installed, etc., for replacement costs. This info was included on all appraisals it already has. The Dept of Insurance has never heard of this type of request, neither has any lawyer I called. Nothing in the policy permits USAA to scope out my home like it is trying to do. No claim has ever been filed with them. USAA agent tells us that it knows for certain we are underinsured. Not so, according to other insurance agents, a premium building contractor, and our attorney. USAA is a lousy company. It deserves its decling reputation.

Your home needs to be insured for the full value of it's replacement. Its a little silly that you are so upset about insuring your home for it's full value. You are the same type of person who would be on here complaining that USAA wouldnt pay the full replacement cost for your home. Such a whiner.

my home is currently insured for its full replacement value. already had that valuation done & proved it. USAA backed down once i got an attorney involved. perhaps you should not presume to know all the facts before you post. is that why you are a former insurance agent? I can see why. ###.

You didn't say you have it inspected. But of course thats probably one of your issues, not fully explaining your situation. Good to hear you got it worked out.

Reading comprehension is not your forte either. FYI - appraisers routinely include the actual replacement cost valuation in their reports as do construction inspectors. of course, being a former insurance guy, you already knew that, but posted dribble anyway.

Wow you are a very angry person. Have a good life!

Better to be angry and accurate than a loser.

What is even more interesting is that USAA applied for a substantial rate increase (approx. 67%) with the Dept of Insurance, but was denied & only permitted approx. (16.9%). This looks like a "back door" method to increase valuations which means premiums rise accordingly. You are correct - check your policy & get an INDEPENDENT cost replacement valuation. It is worth your time and money to be prepared. USAA is not the same type of company it was 18 years ago or even 30 years ago. Too bad.

Quite a heated discussion, but I have to say that I have been a USAA member for almost 20 years and had homeowner insurance through them for the last five and I find it quite coincidental that a "survey" was performed and my home's value increased from $243, 000 to $333, 000. Betcha if I got it appraised in this market that it wouldn't be $333, 000... nor would my vehicles which were also increased. Funny how this assessment occurred after our roof was destroyed by wind .. I'm just saying.

I agree with the complaint, my insurance premium increased
$200 on a condo policy and when I called they could not tell me why. The representative told me she would talk with her supervisor and call me back on Thursday. I called USAA about this on Friday and can't believe I have to wait a almst a whole week to get an explanation. And by the way my coverage did not change, the USAA representative was acting very deceptive during the entire call. I don't know what is going on but I don't like it.

after an inspection from usaa they doubled my rates to $5000 a year in the middle of florida, not the coast. some idiot thinks it would take $500, 000 to build a 2300 sf home. i'll have to move or go without insurance. my home is valued at about $150.000 to $200, 000. it's very sad ...

I received a letter from about 1.5 months ago from USAA stating a home inspection was needed. I PCS'd 2.5 yrs ago after being reactivated to the military and have leased out my home. Last year I received same letter from USAA and when I said it would be too intrusive to a new set tenants that were just in the process of moving in, they said a drive by would be sufficient. Then we get this letter again, a inspector contracted by USAA called a month and a half later and tells us the inspection would take 2-3 hours! I was taken aback by the length and unknown reason for this inspection. He said the time was due to the level of detailed information USAA was requesting, i.e. interior picture documentation, interior measurements and determination of structure construction, etc. Sounded to me like all the things that were available on the original home appraisal and tax records. This sounds very intrusive to ask of my tenant, especially since we do not know what the purpose of the inspection is. I have had USAA for over 30 years, during this time the company, had earned my trust, so trying to be cooperative. I also come from a long Military family background where our combined experience with the company is over 150yrs. So trying to be cooperative, yet suspicious, I ask the inspector to put this in a email to me with some proposed dates and I would send his email with a scanned copy of USAA’s letter and a cover requesting support from my tenant so this inspection could be coordinated and accomplished. Our discussion took place around 5pm and he sent me an email shortly afterward, but stated now his calendar had booked up that he only had one day and one time available. We put him in touch with our tenant who asked for the inspection to be rescheduled to 1st week of August instead of 3rd weekend of July as they are traveling out of town during that time. Inspector said sorry no can do, we must get in contact USAA.
I called USAA, I am not doing anything differently this comes out of the blue, commented on the amount of time and inflexibility of the inspector and requested this be rescheduled. Still I ask them why? I understand when you purchase a home, that this could be the case to appropriately document etc and possibly drive by occasionally to check the condition, but really 4 years after purchase? They would know if anything was wrong a claim would exist. I told them that I do a thorough walk through inspection with me tenants, including pictures and written checklists that we both sign during beginning and end of leases. These tenants have only been in the home ~3 months and I would be happy to share that information. I have owned ~5 homes; last one for 10 years and have never had this issue. Something has changed at USAA. I am highly suspicious of a hidden agenda, rate increase, dropping insurance, finding something they could exclude in the future, let your imagination take you there. The USAA agent hesitates, thinking of what to say, then tells me that our home values have increased, and this inspection is to adequately check the value of our home. This is counter intuitive in today’s economic environment! I have had 2 appraisals on my home and track current values; in fact my current resident is a builder and leasing our home while building his own custom home 2 doors down in my neighborhood. I live in an exclusive manned gated community. I can answer the question directly; I satisfied that I am adequately insured for replacement value of my home. - I have an inside track to what is being built in the neighborhood. I feel USAAs is using bully tactics that show a mistrust of current long term customers and I hate to say it but making me think of going elsewhere for my auto and home insurance. This will definitely cost USAA far more in Company Brand equity and customer loyalty than can realize. The competitors aKa Geiko and others have marketing campaigns targeting USAA customers at practically ever major base and MAJCOM event and nipping at their hills. Once customer loyalty is loss kiss it goodbye. The piss off factor is large, especially if as I suspect is true the hidden agenda is only one sided, raise my rates to increase company revenues with no value add proposition. Question, what do I get out of this for the a**pain ?

I currently pay
$2000.00 per year and have been in the same house with USSA for 22 years with
no claims.

I too had a
request for an inspection. I already had one 5 years ago. The inspection was
performed on my completely renovated 1925 home complete with a new subfloor, new hardwood floors, new kitchen cabinets
and counter tops, new fireplace and firebox, within the last year, (2) new air
conditioners, a new permitted roof 6 years ago (before the last inspection), and
new windows 10 years ago.

I received a
response yesterday that states the following:

I need proof of
the secondary water barrier (felt paper).

The deck is nailed
down with 8d nails instead of 6d nails.

The geometry of my
roof is inadequate.

The windows need
coverings.

And if left as is,
my rates will increase an additional $4100.00 per year.

Total of $6100 or
508.00 per month.

I was told by
several individuals that they want to minimize their exposure and are trying to
get people to find other insurance as they are not writing anymore in Florida
unless you are active duty.

Looks like it’s
true.

As a disabled
veteran that works for the VA, I am appalled at their tactics. I will be
contacting them today and may be speaking with an attorney to look into a class
action suit against them. Well see how it shakes out.

Oh Wow. I am in the process of getting USAA insurance. They gave me an incredibly low quote. $938 for 2300 sf house. After reading the above posts I think I am getting the bait and switch special. No window coverings! What does that have to do with house insurance. I called USAA and asked for a list of what would be inspected- nobody can seem to get that info. Your posts are very helpful, much more helpful than USAA. Proof of felt paper! Your walls are covered up- should you tear into them or your siding to prove this. Who will pay for the damage done? Good grief. Thank you for your informative posts. Caveat emptor.

I do home inspections for USAA and I can tell you that all you have to do is refuse the inspection and the inspector will close it out. I would recommend this because your replacement cost along with your premium and deductible will always go up no matter where you live