When contacting USAA for customer service support, callers are prompted to enter a member or social security number that matches their account. If you aren’t currently a member, the automated system directs you to press 1 for other options. I’m not a member, so I followed this prompt.
USAA provides services for veterans and current military members and their families but at one time offered some products, including auto and home insurance, for those who never served and/or are not currently enlisted. Since I'm not a vet and have no plans to enlist, I waited on the phone to find out if there were other products I could still access.
The next two choices were to either seek assistance with an insurance claim and help as a business owner by pressing 1 or pressing 2 to join USAA and for new products or services. I chose 2 and was given a menu of options for the pay-as-you-drive program, regular auto or homeowners' insurance, auto loans or membership questions. I was interested in the pay-as-you-drive auto insurance, which allows you to pay for car insurance based on your mileage and driving safety.
I was placed on hold and was told my estimated wait time would be two minutes. However, I was waiting for much longer. While on hold, the automated recording updated me on how long my wait would be but also gave me the option to save my place in line and receive a call back when a representative was available. I decided to keep waiting.
After a 10-minute hold time, a representative answered the phone and began asking what insurance help I needed. I told her I was interested in the pay-as-you-drive auto insurance, and she explained how it works: I would pay a fixed monthly fee for specific coverage for my vehicles and drivers while also being charged a variable rate based on how many miles are driven. A USAA app is required to track every mile, with charges calculated at the end of each month. In addition, the representative shared that this program is only available in certain states, and mine was included.
However, when I asked about program eligibility based on not having any military experience, she said this insurance requires a USAA membership, which is only available to military personnel, veterans and their family members. My closest military relation is my grandfather, and he would need to be a USAA member first for me to join. It would've been helpful for the rep to have first asked about my eligibility/membership status before proceeding with the insurance basics, especially since I chose the automated option for non-members.
In any case, she was kind enough to direct me to a few other insurance companies offering similar mileage-based driving programs. To determine USAA membership eligibility, the company’s website offers a quick online survey that I found helpful after the fact.