Anybody ever dealt w/ USAA Auto Insurance?

[jestridg]

Had a wreck with one of their policy holders last week and was their fault now I'm currently dealing with this headache.

[quack_a_tack]

My understanding is it one of those insurers that basically make the policy holder legal. I have not had any dealings with them, and I could be wrong.

[cajun squealer]

Had a wreck with one of their policy holders last week and was their fault now I'm currently dealing with this headache.

Not with auto/liability, but property on a regular basis. Best advice I can give is lawyer up, forget about it, and move forward. By the way, USAA doesn't have policy holders, they have "members". I guarantee you they have legal representation defending their position. You ought to do the same, sad as that may seem.

[jestridg]

the claims rep I have talked to over the phone 2-3 times is telling me my truck is a "total loss" based upon info gather from the wrecker service & no adjuster has even looked at the damage. WTF is up with that?

[JDgator]

I have had USAA insurance for 12 years. The best benefit of military service, I'll say. They have been nothing but stellar with me. I may be biased though. I did some consulting work for their data center in Colorado last year. (They throw down serious chips for IT.)

The trick with insurance claims is to work with a single claim representative and try to build rapport by being polite and professional. Try to get an email address and correspond via email. That way you have a record of everything. Plus, the reps seem to handle the claims quicker. Make it easy on yourself, don't pick up the phone when they call. Make them use email.

When you get an email, stop and think about whats best for you before you reply. Insurance companies are banking on the fact that you want to rush through to finish the claim. Politely suggest that you will wait until you get your independent claims adjuster to look. Don't be afraid to hire your own guy or have a garage give an estimate.

Regarding total losses, you have a little leeway there. The company is entitled to give you the lesser value of the vehicle before the accident or the cost to repair it. They can also offer to replace it with a similar vehicle of equal value. However, you don't have to accept it. Above all, the company wants to stay out of court. You need to take control and put together a counter offer which represents your interests. Remember, this is a negotiation.

They may be obligated to provide you a rental car until such time as your vehicle can efficiently be repaired. They won't tell you this; you need to ask.

Also, I am not sure, but Mississippi might be a diminished value state. That is the difference between the cost of the vehicle before the accident and the depreciated value of having a vehicle which shows prior damage on the title. They have to pay the difference if MS is a diminished value state. You need to check on the insurance commissioner's website because they won't tell you that.

If anything hurts, get it documented right now! Backs and necks can be terribly tricky.

Be aware that they may try to send you a check in the mail. It will surely be less than what you think you need. You are under no obligation to accept the check and cash it.

I get most of this advice from my father. He is an attorney who specializes in litigating cases against insurance and financial services companies. Some attorneys who handle insurance claims will not charge an hourly fee, instead they will take 1/3 of the settlement. This may be too high if you have a simple case. Sometimes, a strongly-worded letter is all it takes.

[Jelly]

Jeff, call me, was an adjuster and claims manager for a long time. Got some good advice for you...

[Sprangletop1]

been a member for 15 years, they have been awesome for me. Sorry for trouble.

[QUACKADDIC]

I have been in the auto body repair industry for 20 yrs. USAA insurance can only be gotten thru military. I work for an independent appraisal company now and we handle claims for them. If you need any help call me.

David

601 906 5318

[davidees]

been a member for 15 years, they have been awesome for me. Sorry for trouble.

+1 All my banking and auto insurance is with them. Best customer service I've ever experienced. Never made a claim, though.

[duckduckgoose]

I have USAA also very good company. I have never had a problem with them.