1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

USAA a scam of a insurance company?

Discussion in 'General Automotive' started by TrdSurgie, Nov 14, 2013.

  1. Nov 16, 2013 at 4:55 PM
    #41
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Member:
    #71846
    Messages:
    10,792
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Navarre, FL
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma 4X4 AKA "Blue Beast"
    best wheel bearings around! www.marionbumper2bumper.com
    We still do not know for sure the person he talked to gave him the wrong information. The information I had learned years back shows that the USAA rep gave him the CORRECT information, based on USAA's terms for collision versus comprehensive. First that information should be figured out BEFORE a complaint is filed against an employee. Even if found innocent, a complaint will stay on an employees files. I think before filing a complaint the OP should first make sure the information was incorrect.

    It's all based on the lawyers. Gets confusing.:confused::confused:
     
  2. Nov 16, 2013 at 6:34 PM
    #42
    SpacemanSpiff

    SpacemanSpiff Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2011
    Member:
    #59040
    Messages:
    2,586
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Vehicle:
    08 TRD Off-road
    ^This. We have had USAA for years and never had any problems, even for minor things.
     
  3. Nov 16, 2013 at 8:48 PM
    #43
    TrdSurgie

    TrdSurgie [OP] revised

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Member:
    #73132
    Messages:
    4,167
    Gender:
    Male
    Oahu
    I wouldn't complain about the inspector. I'm not interested in making peoples lives harder than they already are.
     
  4. Nov 16, 2013 at 10:16 PM
    #44
    BDBSoCal

    BDBSoCal The Safety Guy

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Member:
    #80978
    Messages:
    197
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brad
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    Silver 2008 SR5 V6 4x4 TRD Sport
    Just starting...
    X2 on the paint stick.

    When you have an insurance claim, your rates will go up to cover the cost of the claim in the future.

    As a result, I'd never submit a claim for $650, I would put it on a credit card first. I'd rather have a lower cost insurance for years in case I get hit by something big and uninsured.

    I know someone whose Lexus was just totaled when she was rear-ended by a Tacoma - who was actually rear-ended by a T100 going too fast. Insurance is to pay for the three vehicles that are damaged and get you a new one if you're involved in something big like that.
     
  5. Nov 16, 2013 at 10:20 PM
    #45
    andrew8404

    andrew8404 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2010
    Member:
    #47389
    Messages:
    1,495
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    ANDREW
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    17 DCSB TRD OR 4x4 (Sold) 19 Ford Ranger Sport XLT 4x4
    Sorry, yeah your being too picky and it's worth paying to fix by insurance or yourself.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2013
  6. Nov 17, 2013 at 7:46 AM
    #46
    Zoot

    Zoot Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2011
    Member:
    #51396
    Messages:
    543
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 DC/SB TRD O/R 4X4
    Toyota bed mat, Wet Okole's F&R, Window Tint, custom trail-stripes, Cooper A/T3 265/75R16, MedlinAround interior LEDs, Leer 100r, aFe air filter, K&n cabin filter
    I've had 2 great experiences with USAA. When I got in my motorcycle accident (not at fault) and wound up in a wheel chair, the adjuster came to my house with check in hand for 'value' of my bike. It was a left over 2007 that I bought brand new in 2010. When I explained this he tore up the check, took the 'value' of a 2010 and offered 500$ short of what I had paid. They also waived my 1000$ deductible since the other party claimed fault at the scene. After he added in all my gear being damaged, (EMTs cut my boots and jacket off) I came up a couple hundred short of everything I'd owned.

    Second experience: two years later, my BMW was parked in front of my house and a woman in a rental car side swiped it end to end. It messed up the BBS rims, dents, paint etc. 'totaling it'. Adjuster came the next day, gave me a check for the exact amount I paid for it and told me the wrecker would be there to pick it up the day after.

    Premiums have stayed the same and actually went down two months ago when I grouped renters insurance. Normally 10$ a month but with multi-car discount/multi-policy discount I save 15$ so it's actually free.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2013
  7. Nov 17, 2013 at 7:48 AM
    #47
    Zoot

    Zoot Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2011
    Member:
    #51396
    Messages:
    543
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2011 DC/SB TRD O/R 4X4
    Toyota bed mat, Wet Okole's F&R, Window Tint, custom trail-stripes, Cooper A/T3 265/75R16, MedlinAround interior LEDs, Leer 100r, aFe air filter, K&n cabin filter
    Got side tracked story telling, OP I wouldn't even claim that, do the touch up paint option and save some $.
     
  8. Nov 17, 2013 at 7:56 AM
    #48
    nocaltaco

    nocaltaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2010
    Member:
    #48239
    Messages:
    87
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    DTM
    san jose, ca
    Vehicle:
    Hella stuff
    Rule of thumb: damage other than collision with another car is comp.
    BUT if you have a named peril policy, whereby, in this case, USAA, explicitly names the exact types of comp, I.e. Fire, theft, animal, malicious mischief, etc.....well then the insurance company can deny the comp claim because the shopping cart isn't a named peril. Hope this helps. PM me if you have any questions.
    3 words: SMALL CLAIMS COURT
    In my experience, just the threat of SCC and they'll back off.
     
  9. Nov 17, 2013 at 5:16 PM
    #49
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Member:
    #71846
    Messages:
    10,792
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Navarre, FL
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma 4X4 AKA "Blue Beast"
    best wheel bearings around! www.marionbumper2bumper.com
    You are suggesting that the OP take USAA to small claims court? Good luck there. All their lawyers have to do is show that in their rules and policies that a shopping cart dent/ding is classified as comprehensive. Case over. USAA didn't deny paying the claim, they said that the damage was less than the deductible, therefore they are not liable.

    If anyone is suggesting SCC, then it should be against the store that the damage was made.
     
  10. Nov 17, 2013 at 8:17 PM
    #50
    TrdSurgie

    TrdSurgie [OP] revised

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Member:
    #73132
    Messages:
    4,167
    Gender:
    Male
    Oahu
    I wish that they would classify it as comprehensive. Shopping Cart are considered a collision with USAA. Which is what pisses me off about it.
     
  11. Nov 17, 2013 at 11:03 PM
    #51
    Bustotaco

    Bustotaco Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Member:
    #113864
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2014 tacoma dbl cab off road
    None
    It's clear that nobody here has an insurance producer license. And you do not need a license to be a claims adjuster. Your insurance is what it was at the time of the loss. It cannot be modified by inaccurate statements and if it was caused by a shopping cart buggy, it is subject to your collision deductible. Since your car was unoccupied it will be undoubtedly considered not at fault. Feel free to call your states department of insurance office. You can also make a futile complaint with them. You cannot take this to small claims court because your policy states that you must use arbitration. If the arbitrator sides with the insurance company (which they will), you will pay the cost of the arbitrator. As for the post that suggests blaming the adjuster, and "taking them to small claims court", really, are you serious! Even thinking about trying to blame the adjuster who was just trying to help and accidentally misspoke is a really crappy thing to do. The claims adjuster didn't choose your deductible, you did and you alone will have to own that. What you need is a licensed agent to explain all of this to you because they are licensed to do so.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2013
  12. Nov 18, 2013 at 6:30 AM
    #52
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Member:
    #71846
    Messages:
    10,792
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Navarre, FL
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma 4X4 AKA "Blue Beast"
    best wheel bearings around! www.marionbumper2bumper.com
    My bad, I tend to get those two words mixed up. lol.


    As mentioned, you are assuming that ALL insurance companies classify shopping cart damage the same way, but they don't, as has been shown by different people here.
     
  13. Nov 19, 2013 at 5:51 AM
    #53
    Bustotaco

    Bustotaco Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Member:
    #113864
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2014 tacoma dbl cab off road
    None
    Which person here has had a claim treated differently? If you are talking vandalism, then maybe. Would be hard to prove. The only way to be comp is if the wind picked up the buggy and turned it into a missile. Not one person can show that a buggy crash into a car is a comprehensive claim. Trust me all insurance companies treat it the same way. An insurance company would be out of there mind to be different.
     
  14. Nov 19, 2013 at 5:56 AM
    #54
    Monster Coma

    Monster Coma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2012
    Member:
    #80740
    Messages:
    26,280
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Corey
    Pittsburgh, PA/Houston, TX
    Sponsored by Mom and Dad
    Never had a problem with USAA.. in fact they gave me more than I paid for my car because that's what it was worth to them.. I can barely see any damage and if you have a $1000 deductible is it worth making that claim? It only raisea your rates
     
  15. Nov 19, 2013 at 1:59 PM
    #55
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Member:
    #71846
    Messages:
    10,792
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Navarre, FL
    Vehicle:
    1997 Tacoma 4X4 AKA "Blue Beast"
    best wheel bearings around! www.marionbumper2bumper.com
    Have you read the entire thread? The OP himself said that the USAA adjuster had originally told him that it was comprehensive, until he was contacted later and told it was different. Then we have these two comments that suggest it should have been Comprehensive:

    Again, I am saying that some people agree that it maybe should have been comprehensive considering the circumstances. I'm not going to poll every insurance company out there and ask them their classification of shopping cart damage. Maybe they all DO say it is considered collision, if done by accident, but comprehensive if done maliciously. As for the "trust me", I don't know you well enough to trust you. lol. :D Perhaps we shall just agree to disagree here.
     
  16. Nov 19, 2013 at 3:43 PM
    #56
    hellsbay

    hellsbay Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2013
    Member:
    #104653
    Messages:
    205
    Gender:
    Male
    SW Florida
    Vehicle:
    13 PreRunner TRD OR
    I have a suggestion. Go to any new car dealer and ask for the guy that comes around to take care of their scratches on site. They usually come once a week to every dealer. They have all the skills and correct paint to fix your scratches. If they can't handle it, they will tell you. Probably get this done for less than $200.

    I have had USAA for over 43 years and never had only one minor problem. I try to take care of minor stuff my self. They have insured most of my homes, car, boats, camera equipment. I recently took out a mortgage with them to help pay for my son's law school debt. From the time I first contacted them to the time we closed, took one month. They even sent someone to our home to do the closing and he was early. Easiest closing I have ever had. They are a superior company for the most part. Of course, no company is perfect.

    Stay the course with them and in the long run you will not be disappointed. Their reputation was earned the old fashion way, through good products and good service.
     
  17. Nov 19, 2013 at 3:47 PM
    #57
    AaronArf

    AaronArf Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2011
    Member:
    #66926
    Messages:
    4,201
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Aaron
    VA Beach
    Vehicle:
    2023 LR OR DCSB
    No reason to claim that. Insurance premium will go up over small damage like that?? Pay out of pocket.

    EDIT:

    Sounds like you also need to watch where your parking.
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2013
  18. Nov 22, 2013 at 7:48 AM
    #58
    Enders Taco

    Enders Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Member:
    #75216
    Messages:
    1,134
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ben
    Hampton Roads VA
    Vehicle:
    DCSB 4x4 6SP
    All Pro APEX Front Bumper, All Pro Sliders, Icon Coilovers with rear shocks and add a leaf pack, URD short shifter, Pioneer X930BT Nav with Polk speakers
    You could always go with Geico. My folks had Geico when an old guy from Maryland turned out in front of them while they were on they bike, killed them both. Mom, the passenger, under Virginia law is entitled to the limits of the policies involved, in my case $250,000. It took 2 years, $75,000 in legal fees just to get them to offer 225k.

    USAA are saints compared to other companies out there.
     
  19. Nov 22, 2013 at 11:59 AM
    #59
    TR90125

    TR90125 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    Member:
    #100841
    Messages:
    303
    Gender:
    Male
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    2013 DCSB TRD Sport
    Bone stock for now....
    Yes. I run max deductibles on everything I insure and try to avoid filing claims for anything other than catastrophic loss.

    I should add, I'm a USAA member for 24 years, never once had an issue. My wife got in a 3 car accident not long ago and the process was very smooth.

    I operate under the assumption that insurance companies are in business to make money and do my best to avoid giving them a reason to raise my premiums or even cancel me.
     
  20. Nov 24, 2013 at 5:41 PM
    #60
    NickM

    NickM Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Member:
    #67073
    Messages:
    78
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    DE
    Vehicle:
    SR5 V6 4X4
    Yakima Roof Racks
    I was thinking this too. A professional with the right stuff this should look amazing for a 100 bucks -
     

Products Discussed in

To Top