| Date Submitted: | October 5, 2009 |
| Insurance Provider: | USAA in Texas |
| Coverage: | 5 out of 10 |
| Claims: | 2 out of 10 |
| Customer Service: | 2 out of 10 |
| Cost: | 2 out of 10 |
| Recommend: | No |
| Review: | gouging paying customers I just recently received a letter from USAA stating that they will be basing their premiums on a person's CREDIT report/rating as opposed to driving record. Have any of you heard of this one? It sounds like another way to cull their customer base of "liability". This smacks of health insurance companies that research whether or not you are "likely" to get diabetes, and then set your premium based on "research"/ or dropping you altogether for pre-existing conditions. I don't see what a credit rating has to do with a person's risk behind the wheel. In fact, I'd be curious to know where their "scientific" data comes from? I know a guy who drives a hot mercedes to work every morning, lives in a nice home, has a good income, but he SUCKS when it comes to being a decent driver on the road...yakkin' on his phone, texting, etc. His credit may be good, but his driving skills suck. Now who do you think is going to get the better premium? Him, or me? I have never had an accident, never had a speeding ticket, never had a parking ticket in 30 years. I did, however, go through a nasty divorce, and lost my home to foreclosure because of a court system that would not act prudently and swiftly in order to save the home. Do I deserve to now be punished further, financially, by an insurance company because I had a home foreclosure? It wasn't that I didn't try to save the home, I just couldn't get the judge to hear my case. He refused, and allowed the foreclosure attorney carte blanche...I had to represent myself. This to me is really evil... to take advantage, twist the laws to benefit you, and punish the working poor even more. shame on USAA. I will be looking elsewhere...but I surmise, that the State of TExas, and Govenor Perry have opened this door for all insurance companies to follow suit... what to do? |
| Submitted by: | sickandtired 56 year-old :: Female Reviewer :: austin, texas |
4 comments for this review
| Comment by: Big Bird From: New York, NY July 2nd, 2010 |
Thank God USAA uses credit ratings in addition to driving records to determine premiums. They also use your level of education. All of the above are excellent statistical indicators of responsibility. Call it elitist, but these policies are the reason why members have unbeatable premiums and excellent coverage. |
| Comment by: Dennis From: San Antonio September 22nd, 2010 |
It isn't a policy of only USAA to use your credit rating, it was up in Washington and the lawmakers that gave insurance companies that right. I agree that it is stupid to do that but until that law is taken out not much you can do. there are a few companies that don't use your rating but its a chance you take |
| Comment by: RAFMMF From: NE Ohio January 5th, 2011 |
If you think about it, the higher the credit rating, the more responsible you probably are. The more responsible, the less likely you are to do unsafe things while driving. Granted, accidents happen...thus they are called accidents. I think this is why using credit "ratings" is a good thing. Try asking them to adjust your coverage in a few places...it may help with your premium. |
| Comment by: Jeff A. Marrero From: Bay Shore March 19th, 2011 |
I am sorry, I am a retired highway police officer, and I do not think there is any correlation between your credit and how you drive. I think that is absolutely crazy to even think that way. I am an excellent driver, and my credit has been up and down during different periods of my life. Behind the wheel is only one thing, do you or do you not know how to drive. Are you a defensive driver or one of those that can only look straight forward... I think this is just another way for insurance companies to make more money from customers, after unfortunately was approved in Washington. |
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