I am a Maine resident and USAA customer for almost 10 years. In the last 2 years our home policy went up 50%. We live in Maine, not Louisiana or Florida or even Kansas. This state has the lowest crime rate in the whole country, no earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados. I got an honest rep on the phone when I called last year after pushing the issue when I was getting the standard answer "We reviewed our policies and now are offering more services for our customers.", when they raised the rate about 30% before the final 20% this year that got me shopping. First off, the extra "services" don't apply to most of the insured because insurers are not in the business of giving money away. The rep said that basically states like mine are subsidizing states like Massachusetts and Florida where they have rate increase caps. I asked why don't they leave those states, and he told me that if they left them for home they would have to leave them for auto as well, and then they would lose lots of customers (money). I was in the camp that thought that USAA had the best rates as well. I think at one time many years ago they did, but that has since changed. It is too bad too, because this company was founded to help soldiers and their families. What a disgrace for a company. I find it sickening.
For those interested, AAA, Liberty Mutual and The Hartford seem to be fairly cheap insurers. All would save me about $500 a year with similar coverage on auto and home. AAA has pretty good customer service as well.
