I've been a member of USAA since 1972, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. For years, it was just my automobile insurance. Then, I gave them my credit cards, and finally all my banking business.

When I received a call from a company that promised me I could save up to 25% by going with them, the only response I got when I told him I was with USAA was, "Uh-oh!"

The last thing he heard me say was, "I could have told you that."

USAA gives you the best rates, the best service, and they just don't try to hurt you.

@Verucalise(countingcalories): They ultimately are a business, so honoring service isn't part of their mission.

I have been a USAA member for about a decade. My father-in-law was a USAA employee for awhile, so we (his son and I) could be members. I like USAA's customer service, but my husband has been in two auto accidents where the other person was 100% at fault, and USAA was not very good to us. We couldn't get them to give us a fair price for the totalled car. Also, don't assume that you will always pay less with them. Their homeowners insurance was about $600 a year more than a comparable policy with Traveler's.

I do like that I get a rebate back from them every year. They also have some great perks like used to be able to get a $50 reimbursement for a car seat and their Mover's Advantage program will give you $500 in most states if you use one of their recommended realtors. And I love their 24 hour customer service and rich online resources.

I was just on the phone with them, too. We're already members, but have used only auto insurance until last week. They gave us a quote on homeowners insurance and it easily undercut our current provider with better coverage at a lower cost. One of their reps called today to do the final once-over on our new policy and to help cancel the old one (they write letters to the previous insurer).

One thing I really like about them is their willingness to put quotes, policies, all sorts of things in email or on the web. You can print out your proof of insurance forms that way, review policy changes, send in appraisals, etc.

My experience has been that excel at customer service. They always call back when they say they will, and are almost unnaturally cheerful and nice on the phone.

It's nice to come in from the cold...

Finally my Dad can join. He's a 3 Vietnam tour Navy vet. I got with USAA when I was in the Navy but he wasn't eligible which was always strange to me. I even tried to sponsor him but no joy.
Some banks are like that. In the late 90s, I could not join Navy Federal Credit Union even though I was active duty Navy. It was only for overseas and shipboard sailors. Now they take any service member but under the old rules my Dad had to sponsor me in.
I'll be sure to have him contact USAA ASAP.

I know this is based on business decisions rather than any attempt to honor his service. But it means a lot to my family, regardless. Vietnam vets got treated so badly for so long that even the smallest acknowledgement actually means a lot more than many of you would expect.

@bohemian: Exactly; I'm a DS USMC vet and had no clue I would be "losing" this opportunity (for life....and for all my family members) by not getting a $25 checking account within that two year timeframe. I just wasn't aware. And seemingly arbitrarily, if I got out a year later, I would have still qualified under the old qualifications that stipulated 1995 or later (I got out 12/94).

I sucked it up for the last 14 years, but that's changed as of today. (And I can confirm that it works too having created my accounts today and speaking to a cheerful customer service rep.)

This is my favorite company that I have service. They have our cars and house insurance. I am in the process of getting a financial account with them.

I have had USAA for about 20 years now, despite divorcing my son-of-an-officer husband more than a decade ago. When we divorced, I fully expected to find out that I was no longer eligible. But when I called, they cheerfully informed me that despite severing the tie that created my eligibility to begin with, I could still take advantage of all their services, same as ever. Great company. Great rates. Great services. Thanks USAA!

USAA is a pretty cool bank. I have my credit cards and car insurance (great rates!) through them. I do my main banking online, but I have my IRA and a checking account through them because you can make deposits by scanning the checks at home. Very convenient.

Did the USAA rep have her facts wrong or am I not reading this correctly? I really want my husband to have a USAA account, hah.

[consumerist.com]

The fact that I couldn't join USAA simply because I didn't sign up within a specified timeframe, even as a 5-point Desert Shield/Storm USMC vet, always irritated me.

Well, thanks USAA-you've got a new customer coming.

@Radi0logy: I know it was a joke, but I wonder if as USAA grows, they'll become more "bank-like" and start instituiting typical bank policies.

@fate47 - Meh.: Same with my uncle, who just passed away over the summer. Three tours in Vietnam, was a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force, but not eligible because of his enlisted status. He always wanted to get USAA, but never could.

Now it's too late for him, but good for those who are still with us.

USAA membership eligibility has changed a lot over the past 20 years. Your father was probably not eligible to join USAA at the time because he was an enlisted soldier. It was not until the 90s and the drawdown of the forces that USAA started to change the eligibility requirements. First, they opened it to Senior NCOS, then junior enlisted and now anyone who has served honorably.

There are still some differences between the memberships. Ben's father and I are still in the military side of USAA. Ben is in the civilian side. The difference being (to my understanding) is that it takes a lot more for USAA to drop a military member than a civilian member.

No need to slam USAA. You had a two year window and did not take it. How is that USAA's fault?

Hmm. The post mentions un-remarried former spouses of USAA members, but not current spouses. I would assume that current spouses would qualify, no?

AWESOME. We only had 2 years from the date of his discharge to sign up for their services but we didn't and thus, were black listed.

Thanks for FINALLY acknowledging the 13 years he served, veteran of 2 wars, USAA.