Unites Services Automobile Association (USAA) Current & Former members

[GMIJFI]

We will be buying a home in the villages and moving from a state where we have had policies from USAA for over 40 years. It is our understanding that USAA will no longer write homeowners policies in Florida (but will continue to carry policies for auto, umbrella etc.) They are suggesting we use an insurance company for homeowners called Tower Hill Insurance. We are not familiar with them.

What experience have others have with this company?
Do you know how they are rated?

Thanks

[pooh]

Who is they? Did reps at USAA tell you this?

[USCGretired]

I was in the same situation last year when we bought our home in TV. The USAA recommendation was vey high priced, we ended up with the villages insurance company for home owners and our golf cart. Cars and street legal stayed with USAA plus some other things.

[LittleDog]

I am a 50 plus member of USAA and moved here in 2005 and have their homeowners insurance. I don't know anything about them not writing those policies now.

John

[DavidB]

I was informed by USAA this summer that they had started covering non coastal areas of Florida including The Villages. I changed my home owners insurance to them at that time. Good Luck.

[SemiMike]

I am a 50 plus member of USAA and moved here in 2005 and have their homeowners insurance. I don't know anything about them not writing those policies now.

John

Me too - they just wrote us a very competitive policy when we moved here in May.

[billethkid]

I just signed up with Tower Hill. They are one of the biggest single underwriters in FL.
Their agent are very helpful and the Tower Hill Group reminds of how I used to be treated by Stae Farm before they blew me off after almost 60 years!!!!!!!!!
(and they had the nerve to offer to continue my auto and other coverages...I dumped them all the same week they declined to renew my FL policy).

Tower Hill Customer Service...800-342-3407

The local agent is Heart of FL insurance386-738-9118 ask for Jennifer extension 107 she is very knowledgeable and ready to serve.

By the way same coverages I had with State farm for almost $300 less per year.

Good luck.

btk

PS my son lives here in FL and has had the for several years.

[Wing-nut2]

We use ASI, The Villages Insurance Co. We were hit by a tornado several years. They did a great job. No problems. Did great work and paid fast.

[Ecuadog]

I am a member of USAA. When I bought my house in TV in mid-2012, USAA was not writing policies in Florida. For me, they acquired and administered a policy from the government mandated Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. In September, USAA notified me that Tower Hill was willing to take over my policy from Citizens. USAA said that they did the research and that I should consider taking Tower Hill's offer. USAA would continue to administer the policy. I am going with Tower Hill because I trust USAA.

My Citizens policy doesn't expire til mid-2014 so I have no real experience with Tower Hill yet.

The Tower Hill premiums should be about half of what I paid Citizens.

[Indydealmaker]

We will be buying a home in the villages and moving from a state where we have had policies from USAA for over 40 years. It is our understanding that USAA will no longer write homeowners policies in Florida (but will continue to carry policies for auto, umbrella etc.) They are suggesting we use an insurance company for homeowners called Tower Hill Insurance. We are not familiar with them.

What experience have others have with this company?
Do you know how they are rated?

Thanks

We have had homeowners insurance with TowerHill since 2002 here in Florida. Never had a problem that required a claim, but have always had good communication. Our agent is Ed Lee out of Panasoffkee. His office number is (352) 793-1515.

[llaran]

We have Tower Hill for a rental house we have, we went to Kathy at Frank Slaughter Ins on 301 in Wildwood. For our home and car we have AAA through Frank Slaughter. Many companies do not cover homes or sinkhole in Florida.

[mixsonci]

I am a State Department worker and have used USAA for years, I think they are wonderful. I just bought my house in TV in September and USAA wrote my homeowners policy with no problem and quite reasonable. Mine had a minor problem in that I would be renting for the first year, so it had to be a slightly different policy for this first year. But they had no problem with it. They do not do "renter" policy but they are affiliated with other agencies who do although I still contact USAA for any questions or issues and next year, they will re-write the policy as a homeowner's policy. Highly recommend them.

[Paporter]

We will be buying a home in the villages and moving from a state where we have had policies from USAA for over 40 years. It is our understanding that USAA will no longer write homeowners policies in Florida (but will continue to carry policies for auto, umbrella etc.) They are suggesting we use an insurance company for homeowners called Tower Hill Insurance. We are not familiar with them.

What experience have others have with this company?
Do you know how they are rated?

Thanks
USSA does write here in FL. We closed in September. The mortgage company prefer we use their company Tower. We have been with USSA 35+ years. The mortgage company was not pleased and gave a bit of problem with respect to securing proof of coverage from USSA. Welcome and good luck!

[McP1605]

When I was considering a house south of 466A, USAA said they would write the policy, but then when I actually bought a house in the middle between 466 and 466A, they said they don't write policies for that area. Weird, I know! This was just in October folks! I have been a member of USAA for 30 years, but that didn't seem to matter. Kept my auto policy with them, but went a different direction with HO insurance. Do your research on AMBest rated insurance companies before you decide. Good luck and Welcome home!

[mherzberg]

We closed on our home in Sanibel in August of this year and I was able to stay with USAA for our home, auto and golf cart.

[army one]

USAA does not write Home Owners policies in the Villages and in general not in Florida. I contact them every year when my house insurance is due to see if anything has changed but every year the answer is no. I have USAA for my vehicles. I have ASI for Home Owners and they are not writing any new policies in Florida. Tried to see what Allstate would do and their recommendation was to stay with who I have now because of the sinkhole coverage I have. Few companies are writing in Florida and the ones that do can charge accordingly. Good Luck, to you and let us know if you can find good insurance company at a reasonable price.

[caseycasebeer]

I realize this is not a USAA thread, per se, but must ask....

I'm been a member of USAA for 42years (they remind me every time I have occasion to call ... gee, thanks for reminding me I'm getting Old!).

I have the impression that a once great company is morphing into something else. I can remember when USAA was a fairly tightly-held membership co-op that used to insure virtually anything/anywhere that member's owned. Now ... it seems like they've become a turnstile that too often refers insurance business (boats/motor cycles/airplanes) to other companies (ie. Progressive and some others).

Has anyone else gotten that impression?

Best,
Casey

[784caroline]

I realize this is not a USAA thread, per se, but must ask....

I'm been a member of USAA for 42years (they remind me every time I have occasion to call ... gee, thanks for reminding me I'm getting Old!).

I have the impression that a once great company is morphing into something else. I can remember when USAA was a fairly tightly-held membership co-op that used to insure virtually anything/anywhere that member's owned. Now ... it seems like they've become a turnstile that too often refers insurance business (boats/motor cycles/airplanes) to other companies (ie. Progressive and some others).

Has anyone else gotten that impression?

Best,
Casey

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ABSOLUTELY!!!! I just wrote them to that effect saying they were casting aside the Veterans and members who have supported USAA for more than 40 - 50 years. They have already stopped insuring homes directly through USAA...you can buy homeowner insurance through their affliated companies and USAA will process all claims, but they are not taking the majority of the florida Homeowner risks.

Even with lessor exposure in the state, homeowner insurance rate increases have been outrageous and coverage has decreased. I have done everything requested of them ..getting wind mitigation inspections, updated the "insured" value of my home, and paid my bills well in advance.

They dont care.

I suggest all USAA members write to USAA and state their views as it pertains to Homeowners insurance. This is not the USAA we all grew up with and came to value...and they should know that!!

[FLSun]

We have used USAA for 42 years. They wrote our HO insurance July 2013 for zip 32163. We asked for sinkhole insurance (+$2.00/month). They issued "catastrophic collapse" insurance. At about page 30 of the policy, it was stated that this was not sinkhole coverage. We phoned to correct to "sinkhole." They used a LOT of double speak about catastrophic collapse including sinkholes. After three tries, we got "sinkhole" coverage. They told us to print out our own policy from the Internet. Yes, we love USAA. Yes, they are not what they used to be. (Not in a good way!)

[Big O]

We bought in March 2013 and were told that they only write HO in Florida for "Active Duty" military personnel. They did not mention Tower to us.

[Finallyfree]

USAA told us they would service our policy but it would actually be issued by AGI as USAA does write homeowners in Florida. The reason is the cost of the hurricane damage 2005-2007. They are still member owned and this is how they keep our premiums down. We have used them for 42 years and would not change ever if we didn't have to.

[Bizdoc]

We closed 12/26/12. At that time, USAA wasn't writing homeowners in FL, but arranged for ASI policy thru their "other insurers agency". Have not talked to them about the renewal as yet, but having been a member since 1973, I trust their recommendations. I would prefer to have a USAA policy, but will with their recommendation if I can't.

[784caroline]

We closed 12/26/12. At that time, USAA wasn't writing homeowners in FL, but arranged for ASI policy thru their "other insurers agency". Have not talked to them about the renewal as yet, but having been a member since 1973, I trust their recommendations. I would prefer to have a USAA policy, but will with their recommendation if I can't.

************************************************** ***********

Look we are all long time USAA members....and at "only" 40 years you may be a youngster. All kidding aside, your post is directly on point and we all feel that way...we are loyal BASED on the 40-50 year history we have with this company....its been a great ride. BUt that is not what is happening today,\. If your homeowner rates go up or skyrocket, ...USAA can say hey its not our problem its insurance company ABC rate increase..we will just process the claim. The fact that you have been with USAA 40 years means very little to them...or to say or another way...it appears to have little if any impact on how they will treat you as a loylal member for the past 40 Plus years.

In the past I listened to USAA for many lines of insurance, but today you must be more open minded...and not be blindsided. Believe me if USAA showed its older vets and long time members some respect we would be the first to praise the company. It has been great..but I know too many people are in living in the past and not looking at what is hapening today. I mean we are located 100 miles from any shore line, and in the lowest of all rated hurricane prone area in the state of florida. Either USAA does not know where we are located or has blinders on. This is what we should be writing to USAA about and letting them know our concerns...as LONG TIME LOYAL USAA MEMBERS !!

[HogPilot]

We closed 8/27/2013 on our new house in the village of Collier and got insured through USAA. I'd received a little cheaper quote from The Villages insurance company, but elected to go with my USAA insurance company I'd had for 42 years. During our home search USAA wouldn't commit to insuring us until we gave them an address. Got the catastrophic sink hole and flood insurance as well. Will get another quote from the Villages each year it comes up for renewal.

[jackz]

I am a State Department worker and have used USAA for years, I think they are wonderful. I just bought my house in TV in September and USAA wrote my homeowners policy with no problem and quite reasonable. Mine had a minor problem in that I would be renting for the first year, so it had to be a slightly different policy for this first year. But they had no problem with it. They do not do "renter" policy but they are affiliated with other agencies who do although I still contact USAA for any questions or issues and next year, they will re-write the policy as a homeowner's policy. Highly recommend them.

Sent you a PM. Wife retired from State Dept this past April and we live in The Village of Sanibel.

[McP1605]

This really intrigues me since I couldn't get USAA HO insurance when I decided on a home north of 466A. Those of you that are posting that have USAA Homeowners Insurance.... do you live north of 466A .... and have you bought in the last year? If you do, I would so appreciate it if you would PM me and give me a street address so I could call USAA and ask them why they are giving insurance to some and not others!

[FLSun]

Hog pilot - you might want to review that policy. catastrophic is not the same as sinkhole. sinkhole will cost you about $2.00 more per month. they give a lot of double speak over the phone. Might try looking around page 30 of your policy. it might state, "This is not sinkhole insurance." It took three conversations with USAA for them to believe we really wanted sinkhole insurance. and now we have it!

[rirlam]

I live North of 466A and South of 466 in zip code 32162. After reading the previous comments I called USAA. After taking my information I was informed that they were not writing homeowners insurance in my area at this time. I wonder what the difference is between South of 466A and North of 466A, if that is in fact their boundary line for writing or not writing a homeowner's policy. I also agree that USAA seems to be morphing away from the member orientated service provider it once was into a regular insurance company.

[kathilou]

In August, while still in VA, I talked to USAA HQ re a policy for the house we would be closing on in October. I was told a Florida policy has to be written by a Florida agent and was transferred to a USAA agent in Florida. They wrote the insurance for our house in Pinellas, south of 466A.

[marlinguy]

Great rate.

[TomW]

I got a USAA homeowners policy last month for our house in TV. You may not need all the coverage in their first quote so you may need to work through it with them to get the right coverage for your situation.

[Sagitarius 6]

I have USAA Ins. I just put my house with them, they put me with ASI. They never mentioned Tower Hill. I wonder how they decide witch one to put you with.

[jhrc4]

I was insured and worked for USAA and I can assure you USAA is one of the finest, and Top Insurance Companies in the USA. Getting Insurance in Florida is very complicated we happen to be with an Insurance company other than USAA simply because my wife was an officer with that company, so we chose to stay with it for a variety of reasons.

I can tell you and reassure you that whatever USAA advised you on, USAA is to be Trusted. Certainly USAA has changed over the years for the better in my view, for starters only Officers qualified to get USAA Insurance, that has changed big time.

I felt privileged to work for USAA, their Headquarters in San Antonio is incredible and they (Members) own it. Plus it goes down 3 levels.