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MaxSmart32
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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Just a note...they're extending it to spouses and children of people who have or had in the past USAA coverage, but NOT to spouses/children of veterans that have NOT had coverage...just to clarify it.

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6 replies
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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@MaxSmart32: No, but there's an end around to that. The veteran gets in, then their spouse/children get in, due to their relation to said member. According to their rules that should work.

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sburnap42
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@MaxSmart32: How has this changed? My wife and I have had USAA for more than a decade because her father was in the Navy many years ago and uses USAA.

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Tim
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@MaxSmart32: No, of CURRENT USAA members, not past ones.

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

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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@TCama: According to the site they do, the only difference is they get their auto insurance under the spouse's name. [www.usaa.com]

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MaxSmart32
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@TCama: Actually if you go to the USAA website, it clearly states \"Individuals whose parents are or were USAA members may also be eligible for USAA membership.\"

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EllisDees
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@TCama:
I used to be married to a woman whose mother had USAA. We have been divorced for 6 years now and I remarried back in June and I (and my new wife) have USAA insurance and banking. There has been no issue at all with getting remarried.

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fate47 - Meh.
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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It's about time. My father served two tours in Vietnam (in both the Marines and the Army) and he wasn't eligible to become a member, whereas I served one term in the Navy and have been a member for a few years.

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4 replies
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bohemian
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@fate47 - Meh.: Yea, about time they did this. The sign up within 2 years of discharge ruled us out also.

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rbb
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@fate47 - Meh.:

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.

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fate47 - Meh.
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@rbb: I contacted USAA last July. He wasn't eligible to join until this new change.

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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@fate47 - Meh.: According to their site, it's been incremental to make sure they have the capital and resources blah blah blah, and up until this change it was something like post 95/96 service. But you probably knew that.

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missdona
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@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.

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Verucalise (Est.February2008)
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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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.

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3 replies
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RandomHookup
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@Verucalise(countingcalories): They ultimately are a business, so honoring service isn't part of their mission.

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rbb
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@Verucalise(countingcalories):

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

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bohemian
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@rbb: It sort of isn't but so many people didn't know they needed to sign up within two years. Being young, in transition situations of life means that many recently discharged people might not think of it or even know about it until much later.

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Cruc
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@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.)

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Radi0logy
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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Mandatory Binding Arbitration for everyone!!

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3 replies
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brandymb
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@Radi0logy: Yep saw it in their new terms, that pops up when you enter their website. Too bad.

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ARP
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@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.

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theblackdog
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@ARP: Actually, he's not joking, they did add Manditory Binding Arbitration to their accounts

[consumerist.com]

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SanDiegoDude
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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Hey! Looks like I'm switching to USAA bank then. (AF Vet, 96 - 2000)

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fs2k2isfun
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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The eligibility for Midshipmen/Cadets is not new. Friends of mine in ROTC all had USAA, regardless of whether their parents are/were in the military. Also, USAA has a great loan for pre-commissionees, $25,000 at 2-3%.

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Platypi {Redacted}
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@fs2k2isfun: This is very true. I was ROTC for 2 years in college, ended up not going into the Army after all (injuries). I had already joined up as a cadet, and they said \"once a member, always a member\". They have been pretty spectacular to work with over the years.
Almost worth taking a few ROTC courses in college!

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Cruc
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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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.

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RPHP
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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USAA is well known as one of the most consumer friendly (for those who are eligible) companies in America.

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hagirl
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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This is very good. I'd just checked on membership for my father and thought it was crazy that a DAV from the Korean war didn't qualify.

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korybing
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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When I changed my marital status from single to married the USAA rep told me that my new husband was eligible for a USAA account as well. But I'm not in the military and neither is he. I got my account because my father was in the Navy, and from what I'm reading USAA eligibility only extends to the children of vets, not the children's spouses.

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.

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5 replies
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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@korybing: It's sort of daisy chaining. Your dad got an account by meeting their requirements. You got one because he had one. Your having one then makes any children you have as well as any spouses you have eligible because you're now a member in your own right. Then anyone your kids marry, anyone your spouse might marry if you two are no longer married, any of his kids from that new union, any kids he might have had before your marriage, etc. are all eligible too. Very inclusive, it's nice.

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joshua70448
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@korybing: I have direct experience with this. My mother's father was in the military and got USAA coverage, and my mother was covered under his policy until she got her own with her own member number. I was covered under her policy until I got my own with my own member number. Once I got married, my wife got her own member number as well. Granted, all of the accounts are under my member number, but she has an account nonetheless.

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joshua70448
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@joshua70448: I should also add that, with the exception of my mother's father, none of the people I mentioned were ever in the military. As long as the original member was in the military, everyone else down the line is eligible.

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sburnap42
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@korybing: My wife and I have had USAA for years with nearly the same situation. Her father was in the Navy in the early sixties. I sometimes feel guilty as it is awesome insurance and I have no military experience myself.

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Myotheralt
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@korybing: You are a member. Your spouse is eligible. Your children will be too. if you should happen to separate, and re-marry, after he becomes a member, both your new family and his would be eligible.

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Watcher95
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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USAA > All Others

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diasdiem
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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USAA membership seems to work in a 6-degrees of Kevin Bacon sort of way. I was eligible because my mom was a member, and she was eligible because her dad was in the military and was a member.

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.

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NickelMD
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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Ah nice. So if you're not honorably discharged under DADT, you also don't get to bank at USAA, because you know faggots shouldn't be in the military in the first place.[/sarcasm]

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1 replies
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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@NickelMD: Considering they just expanded to all honorable discharges ever, I have to wonder if that's their next move, or if they're going to stop increasing eligibility.

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Cogito Ergo Bibo
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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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!

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1 replies
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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@Cogito Ergo Bibo: Yeah they don't seem to kick anyone out ever. Once you're in, you're in for life.

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jenjen
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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Huh, based on the advertising they do here (in San Diego, which is of course a huge military town) I thought USAA was just another bank and open to anyone.

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1 replies
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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@jenjen: They are, sort of. You just get a lot better features for having some sort of tie (however distant) to the armed forces.

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TheMonkeyKing
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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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.

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Karita
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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I am so glad my father finally has some kind of recognition for his service in Vietnam. He was drafted and went through hell as a light infantryman in 1965-1967.

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.

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3skr1mad0r
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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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.

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gjones77
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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I'm joining as we speak as a US Veteran.

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

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1 replies
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marsneedsrabbits
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@gjones77:

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.

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momma_andrea
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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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.

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rten
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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I've found USAA to be the most honest of all the major financial companies I've ever dealt with (my local bank which has exactly 1 branch in the whole US is the exception). The level of service USAA provided is great and give them 1/3 of my business. I tried the insurance rates which didn't beat my current carrier, but I've heard many favorable reviews of the insurance as well from people who have it. They should be considered an \"online only\" bank unless you plan to always live near an active military base.

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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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@rten: Do they have branches on all bases? Their site seems to indicate only one branch exists and it is in Texas.

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Winteridge2
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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Now if we could only get the American Legion to recognize Cold War Veterans. They keep sending me invites to join-then turn me down. I served 3 years in France with the US Army, but am not considered a veteran. My replacement became a Vietnam War Vet 2 months after I came home. Make sense?

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coren
November 13, 2009 4:35 PM
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Hm. My mother was military back in her youth...I may have to get her in on this, so we can daisy chain the whole family in.

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USAAMember
November 13, 2009 4:36 PM
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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.

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antonio
July 29, 2011 1:47 PM
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Yeah right, USAA comes in the back door using the military. Exclusive to officers only, well I remember that was the way Geico did it, offered it to Officers only, it was exclusive, then expanded it to E-5 and above, that really made it sound good, referred E-5 and below to an affiliate company, CRITERION, (same company) for less benefits for more money; does that make sense? E-5 and below made less money and they had to pay more to get it; and then guess what? ONE ACCIDENT, and I was cancelled in 1963. So this is USAA's back door, squeeze the military, make it sound like their getting a big favor, get their money, who cares if they get cancelled or they go to a better insurance later, they've already got your money.

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