Autumn

Autumn

Monday, December 29, 2014

A Regulated Ripoff

I hate insurance. Yeah, yeah, I know - when you need insurance it can sure save your bacon but trust me I've paid far more than I've ever used. Still, I hate it. Insurance, in all its forms is still a darn ripoff, a frigging regulated ripoff.

So it was with wonder and surprise when I came home to find my lovely wife on the computer and cell with our new home owners insurance company - USAA. Bless their pea picking hearts they just saved us a bundle. Seems State Farm wanted to increase our policy, again, by several hundred dollars. Enough is enough.

State Farm can kiss my lily white butt.

Stephen

24 comments:

  1. We completely switched to USAA over a year ago now. I had car insurance with USAA when I was in the army but after getting out in the early 90's it wasn't competitive for prior service as it was when in. However they have changed their rates and stuff for everything within the last few years and the entire family went back to them for home and auto insurance. The only policy I keep outside of USAA now is my Farm liability policy cause it was still cheap enough to not be worthwhile shopping around fir a better deal.

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  2. Like you we completely switched all our policies to USAA. I still keep State Farm for my business but only because I'm grandfathered in for fire coverage. I just can't stand by and eat seven hundred dollar a year increases. Good riddance to 'em. Thanks, Bro.

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  3. Everything we have is through USAA been with them almost 18 years. during the midst of the 08 recession, they called us to see simply how we were doing and if there was anything financially they could do for us. A bank calling to see how a customer is doing--unheard of! Once while taking the advice of SW we did the VA streamline refied twice through USAA and lowered our mortgage almost 700.00 a month. We have never been turned down for a loan through them. Also to add, when the District of Corruption decided to shut the government down and not send out military retirement funds, USAA stepped up and payed us like nothing ever happened, when the government opened, they took their money back. Senior and I have nothing bad to say about USAA, they are awesome!

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    1. Wish I'd taken the same advice when younger....and you're correct, USAA is a wonderful organization.

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  4. This is our fourth house (and final)! Never, ever had an insurance claim.
    If we drop it to save money, .........

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Exactly, my new friend. Asterisk, welcome, and thank you. Nice to have you aboard. Did I get your name right?

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    2. Actually I hadn't settled on a handle yet, like to make things difficult, I guess.

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  6. Stephen,

    We have State Farm and having the same issues, we are looking to change insurance again.
    Hugs to you and Sweet Wife.
    Sandy

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    1. They're unbelievable...go ahead, switch. Thanks, my lovely friend.

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  7. You will love USAA. They are super to work with and very helpful when you need them to work for you. My dad is 'retired' USMC and I have had them as my bank and for car insurance for over 30 years. No complaints at all.

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    1. We've had them insure our vehicles. Took a whack to the side of my head to jump on our home owners insurance. Thanks, my friend.

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  8. I've not heard anything bad about USAA, so go for it.

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    1. Done. Today, if's official. Thanks, my good friend.

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  9. We use USAA for everything, way back to my first bank account as a teen. Love them. They are the only company at which I am guaranteed to speak to polite, helpful people every single time.

    By the way, so glad to see you back on the 'ole blog. Missed your .. hmm ... Calmness. Yes, I think that is how I would describe your posts.

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    1. Thank you, my sweet friend, for the kind compliment. It's nice to be back in the saddle....rusty, but I'll get back into the swing soon.

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  10. And don't get me started about health insurance! That's another issue. I'm having to go back into the workforce to get insurance because Medicare doesn't begin to cover our needs.

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    1. Amen. We too are now in the process of switching health insurance. It's a bitter pill, isn't it. Thanks, my friend.

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  11. I have been with State Farm 35+ years. 3 years ago I had an accident where I bumped a POS car where an illegal was driving (not their car). I was sighted with a ticket for following too close and the driver was taken off by ICE - the cop apologized about the ticket but also told me to go to court as he would be fishing that day. I went to court and the ticket was thrown out and I never heard anything else about the accident. Fast forward to about 3 months ago I got a letter from State Farm that they had run my driving record and because of being cited and their payout of $800 for repairing the car I was now on their "watch list" and I needed to be more careful with my driving or they would terminate their services. I took the letter to my State Farm Agent and explained that if I did not get a vice-president of State Farm to hand write a letter of appreciation for 35+ years of continuous business and apologize for being sent one of their form letters I would be moving everything to somebody else. I live 8 miles from the Georgia HQ for State Farm. In about an hour I had the VP of Customer Relations calling me apologizing and wanting to meet me in person to talk about how they could work better for me.

    When we met I was presently surprised how receptive they were. I also let them know if they had a claim where illegal activity was involved they need to deny coverage. Especially when that illegal activity was being in the country and driving with out a license.

    State Farm is feeling the crunch of the economy. They are putting the screws to its customers regardless of their loyalty. I am planning on moving in 2015. When I move I will also be changing my insurance to USAA as I have heard nothing but good things from them. I have been impressed with their banking and so have my (adult) children.

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    1. Well done, Tony. You kicked butt. Welcome, and thank you.

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  12. Interesting to know... I'll keep an eye on my policies. Thanks, and good luck with USAA.

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    1. Thanks, my good friend. Nice to 'see' you again.

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