I've been with USAA a while too, and yeah, they're usually pretty solid. But honestly, the whole "cheaper rates" thing can be hit or miss...my cousin's civilian insurer beat my USAA quote last year. Pays to shop around every now and then.
Yeah, I've seen that happen quite a bit. USAA's good, no doubt, but they're not always the cheapest for everyone. Insurance rates depend on a ton of factors—location, driving record, even credit score sometimes. I've had clients who saved hundreds just by switching to civilian insurers after years of loyalty. Definitely worth shopping around every couple years...you never know when someone else might offer a better deal.
Totally agree with shopping around every now and then. When I was first looking into insurance, I assumed USAA would automatically be cheapest because of their military discounts, but after checking a few other places, I found better rates elsewhere. If you're new to insurance like me, here's what helped: make a quick list of your needs, get quotes from at least three companies, and don't be shy about asking for discounts—sometimes they're not advertised openly. It takes a bit of time but can really pay off in the end.
Same here—I assumed military discounts would automatically mean the best deal, but nope. When I first got insurance, I checked USAA first (family recommendation), but ended up finding a better rate with Geico after comparing quotes. One thing I'd add is to double-check coverage details carefully...sometimes cheaper isn't always better if it means skimping on important coverage. Learned that the hard way when a friend had an accident and realized their policy didn't cover rental cars.
Had a similar experience myself. Initially thought USAA would be unbeatable, but after shopping around, I found better coverage elsewhere. One thing I'd suggest is to carefully compare the fine print step-by-step—especially if you're driving something pricier. Cheaper rates can sometimes mean cutting corners on things like OEM parts or specialized repairs, which can really matter if you own a luxury or performance vehicle. Curious if anyone else noticed differences in repair coverage or parts quality between insurers?
