What's the company culture at USAA?

Liberated in October 2006 in San Antonio, Texas said: I'm so sorry to hear this...

You should be sorry for using this man's death as a segue to present your bizarre thoughts.

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: You should be sorry for using this man's death as a segue to present your bizarre thoughts.

You should be sorry to being so quick to criticize. There is a possibility that there is some merit to what was said, whether you agree or not.

Soon to be ex USAA employee in Tampa, Florida said: You should be sorry to being so quick to criticize. There is a possibility that there is some merit to what was said, whether you agree or not.

I see. So you agree with 'Liberated" in that this man died as a result of contributory stress related to his job at USAA even though there is no evidence of nor has any statement been offered to support this diagnosis. Is that it, or are you and 'Liberated' simply assuming the death was due to job stress to advocate your criticism of USAA. If the latter is true, both of you are opportunists attempting to achieve your own end with this man's death as a convenient example to justify and exploit your assessment of the company.

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: I see. So you agree with 'Liberated" in that this man died as a result of contributory stress related to his job at USAA even though there is no evidence of nor has any statement been offered to support this diagnosis. Is that it, or are you and 'Liberated' simply assuming the death was due to job stress to advocate your criticism of USAA. If the latter is true, both of you are opportunists attempting to achieve your own end with this man's death as a convenient example to justify and exploit your assessment of the company.

If you comprehend what you read, I stated that it MAY have some validity.

Soon to be ex USAA employee in Tampa, Florida said: If you comprehend what you read, I stated that it MAY have some validity.

Thank you. So, other than your ambiguous and obviously biased hypothesis as to the possible related cause of death, you have no facts on which to base your comments.

Both you and 'Liberated' should understand you both made inappropriate and highly speculative statements by using the dead to promote your agenda. Even Rush Limbaugh avoids that.

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: Thank you. So, other than your ambiguous and obviously biased hypothesis as to the possible related cause of death, you have no facts on which to base your comments.

Both you and 'Liberated' should understand you both made inappropriate and highly speculative statements by using the dead to promote your agenda. Even Rush Limbaugh avoids that.

As you have no facts to base yours on either.

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: Thank you. So, other than your ambiguous and obviously biased hypothesis as to the possible related cause of death, you have no facts on which to base your comments.

Both you and 'Liberated' should understand you both made inappropriate and highly speculative statements by using the dead to promote your agenda. Even Rush Limbaugh avoids that.

It is apparent that have not worked in the office. Perhaps if you had, your views would be different. I fail to understand why you feel the need to attack and take what is stated on this forum so personally,

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: Thank you. So, other than your ambiguous and obviously biased hypothesis as to the possible related cause of death, you have no facts on which to base your comments.

Both you and 'Liberated' should understand you both made inappropriate and highly speculative statements by using the dead to promote your agenda. Even Rush Limbaugh avoids that.

One more thing. You assume that I agree with Lib's statement. All I said is that it may have some validity.

Soon to be ex USAA employee in Tampa, Florida said: One more thing. You assume that I agree with Lib's statement. All I said is that it may have some validity.

Keep dancing.

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: Keep dancing.

You as well.

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: Keep dancing.

Looks like Soon to be is dancing as fast as he/she can with 2 left feet.

Fred Kingston in Norfolk, Virginia said: Thank you. So, other than your ambiguous and obviously biased hypothesis as to the possible related cause of death, you have no facts on which to base your comments.

Both you and 'Liberated' should understand you both made inappropriate and highly speculative statements by using the dead to promote your agenda. Even Rush Limbaugh avoids that.

Well since you mentioned the I$iots name, You apparently did not hear his speech to the conservative convention last week did you? Rush is a opportuntist. I do believe the stress of the job did not help Mr. Brower. They are right. I walked away with panic attacks, high blood pressure and was ripe for a heart attack. So yes their points are valid.

And more thing Mr. Kingston you have not facts to base that the job did not affect him.

All, I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. I have a great deal of heartburn with the mere thought of being an employee at USAA again...not that there's any danger of that! But, it isn't because I didn't care for my job, or at least the part for which I was originally hired...to help the military members with their insurance needs, issue policies, adjust policies, and help them understand their coverage. I truly liked that. I still get choked up when I recall some of the conversations I had with our younger servicemen. I felt like I was making a difference, even if only for that one person.

The part I don't care for is the way management works, from MIO's on up to the CEO's. I know of a manager who couldn't play the game. She had to quit because her doctor told her that her blood pressure couldn't handle the stress. Another one is said to have had a breakdown. I truly don't understand why people change once they become managers, but they do if they want to remain a manager. I've known a couple of people who couldn't do it, so they gave up the managerial position and stepped back down to being a senior representative. Some would say they failed, but I think it takes a lot of guts to walk away. It takes even more to stay and not get caught up in the office politics, but to be your own person, retain your own thoughts and priorities, and to not sell out.

13 years down the drain in Suffolk, Virginia said: All, I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. I have a great deal of heartburn with the mere thought of being an employee at USAA again...not that there's any danger of that! But, it isn't because I didn't care for my job, or at least the part for which I was originally hired...to help the military members with their insurance needs, issue policies, adjust policies, and help them understand their coverage. I truly liked that. I still get choked up when I recall some of the conversations I had with our younger servicemen. I felt like I was making a difference, even if only for that one person.

The part I don't care for is the way management works, from MIO's on up to the CEO's. I know of a manager who couldn't play the game. She had to quit because her doctor told her that her blood pressure couldn't handle the stress. Another one is said to have had a breakdown. I truly don't understand why people change once they become managers, but they do if they want to remain a manager. I've known a couple of people who couldn't do it, so they gave up the managerial position and stepped back down to being a senior representative. Some would say they failed, but I think it takes a lot of guts to walk away. It takes even more to stay and not get caught up in the office politics, but to be your own person, retain your own thoughts and priorities, and to not sell out.

You hit the nail on the head. My feelings relate to everything you said. I also know of a person that started as a manager when I started as a rep. She then stepped down to a Sr and now to a rep and yet she is still here.
It will be interesting to see what CEO Joe has to say on his next webcast on March 6. It is starting to concern me that we seem to have more webcasts; especially since the last one announced the two office closings.

X-Examiner in Norfolk, Virginia said: Looks like Soon to be is dancing as fast as he/she can with 2 left feet.

I'm not dancing at all. My original comment, if you actually read it was this:There is a possibility that there is some merit to what was said, whether you agree or not.

No where did I say that I agreed with what Lib stated. I merely said that it may have some merit.

Soon to be ex USAA employee in Tampa, Florida said: I'm not dancing at all. My original comment, if you actually read it was this:There is a possibility that there is some merit to what was said, whether you agree or not.

No where did I say that I agreed with what Lib stated. I merely said that it may have some merit.

Oh come on. Even I've had enough of this. Can you stop being namby-pamby and take a position that's just a little decisive? Either it has merit or it doesn't. Get off the fence. Pick a lane.

Surviving in Frisco, California said: Oh come on. Even I've had enough of this. Can you stop being namby-pamby and take a position that's just a little decisive? Either it has merit or it doesn't. Get off the fence. Pick a lane.

Apparently you do not comprehend. I merely said that her comment may have had merit. I still believe that it does. Does that spell it out clearly enough for you? If it's so important to you, then why not state your position on her comment?

Chill pill, anyone?

OUT OF THERE in TIDEWATER, Virginia said: Chill pill, anyone?

Works for me. :)

IM APPLYING FOR A JOB IN PNC WITH USAA AND HAVE A DELINQUENT CREDIT CARD WITH THEM DUE TO ME GETTING LAID OFF. IS THIS A DEAL-BREAKER IF i WANT TO WORK AT USAA.

jsfasu in San Antonio, Texas said: IM APPLYING FOR A JOB IN PNC WITH USAA AND HAVE A DELINQUENT CREDIT CARD WITH THEM DUE TO ME GETTING LAID OFF. IS THIS A DEAL-BREAKER IF i WANT TO WORK AT USAA.

I have had no experience in that arena and don't know anyone who has. Perhaps someone else who posts here would be kind enough to shed some light on it for you.

Jsfasu:
It definitely may have an impact. Most companies, including USAA, check credit background on potential hires. They feel that if you can not maintain your own financial situation, they may not be able to trust you. If others are applying with the same qualifications, it could be a deal-breaker for sure.

P.S.
You may want to make sure you understand that it is P & C not PNC, and what P & C means.

jsfasu in San Antonio, Texas said: IM APPLYING FOR A JOB IN PNC WITH USAA AND HAVE A DELINQUENT CREDIT CARD WITH THEM DUE TO ME GETTING LAID OFF. IS THIS A DEAL-BREAKER IF i WANT TO WORK AT USAA.

Yes, it would. They do a background check including financial history. They are hard on people that have had financial difficulty.

OUT OF THERE in TIDEWATER, Virginia said: Chill pill, anyone?

Chill pill? Really? I had a HUGE chill pill last Friday at Ralph Brower's service. Iam so incredibly SICK of the overly negative minds that I run across in this forum. For God's sakes, people - wake up!!! We, that are still on this earth, lost a most incredible man. Over 300 people at his service? YES. Do YOU think that many people would show for YOUR service on a Friday afternoon? He was one of a kind. See www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/article9801.ece to see yourself. Or blountandcurry.com .(temple terrace) - then on line registry, and see for yourself how many people loved/respected and miss that man.

For those of you so completely full of bitterness, heaven help you. Ralph also authored a book entited "Historic Photos of Tampa". It is awesome. And yes, I own it.

I am sincerely sick of trying to be the "voice of reason" here. I guess that Ralph's death, after 18 years of friendship did me in, I think that I am done here. Too many people want to smash someone into the pavement, and why? REALLY???? As I said before, USAA in the end, after severancing me out of underwriting, did me a favor. I have a brand new life.

WAKE UP! If you are not happy there, then seek life somewhere else. OR stop complaining. YOUR CHOICE!!!!!

I'm out of here and no longer a coward. Let USAA try to sue me. I NO LONGER CARE!!

Best to all, goodbye Mr. Koinig, you pain in the butt, but for all of the rest, former and current employees - I wish you all the best,

Regards,
Karen Edwards Ragano

over and out.

His compassion warmed those around him
By Stephanie Hayes, Times Staff Writer

Published Saturday, February 28, 2009

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA — When Ralph Brower watched Jackie Gleason's Poor Soul on television, water rimmed his eyes.

Ralph felt bad for the hard-luck character, a fellow who gave his only food away but still felt uplifted by losing a pound.

Ralph felt compassion.

Ralph was 3.

"He always had a tender heart," said his mother, Betty Brower.

When his sister poked him with a decorative ceramic fork, it broke in half. Rather than relieve himself of poking, he fetched model glue and fixed it.

When he was 9, he battled a bone disorder that kept him off his feet and out of school for four years. When he finally returned, he ran for class president.

He didn't win. But it was worth a try.

When he drank beer with friends parked in the family car one night, Ralph was terrified his mom would be upset. Later, a buddy secretly told mom that when they shared a sixer, responsible Ralph had the least.

When he was 19, he managed his college swim team. His friend wasn't fast enough to make the team, but he arranged to give him an official suit and shirt and let him take laps in the pool anyway.

When he met his wife in the 1980s, there was electricity, followed by terror.

"My heart just went wow," said Susan Brower. "Something clicked right there, almost instantaneous. He was petrified because he was horrible at asking people out. It took him weeks. It took every ounce of his entire being."

When they finally went out, they saw Top Gun. It's still her favorite movie.

When they were together, he was open like no man had ever been. He loved to snuggle, and he cried when she cried. When he talked, his face gave cues — a little smirk, a raised brow.

His hugs were famous.

"It was strong, but not," his wife said. "It was all encompassing."

When he played wit

Ok so there is a new CEO @ USAA and after reading these posts my question is if there has been any changes in the P&C departments. I know that kind of change will not be over night. But has anyone noticed any changes for the better????

I've noticed that since May of 01, my morale has improved dramatically.

AL in SA in San Antonio, Texas said: Ok so there is a new CEO @ USAA and after reading these posts my question is if there has been any changes in the P&C departments. I know that kind of change will not be over night. But has anyone noticed any changes for the better????

Even though it has been a year; I think we need more time to tell. Joe is more of a positive influence so far. I have a wait and see attitude; but it is better than the verbal beatings that Bob Davis always had for us. Joe is more uplifting and hopefully this will be a change for the better.

The old guy did what the case studies showed he always did, no surprises. The new guy isn't new, only new in title. Better days would be wonderful.

They were also one of the first insurance companies to use credit to determine rates.

Liberated in October 2006 in San Antonio, Texas said: I'm so sorry to hear this... I'm sure USAA contributed to that stress level. After a few years on this blog, I'm already talked out - go read my story. This continues to haunt me emotionally (e.g. I've never been fired from a job in my life) and I'm just getting by. I read an article in the San Atontio News about the USAA FSB, and I got really upset. I have my mortgage through USAA - my statement is printed on their stationery. I've owned three other houses where when my mortgage was sold I was informed and then billed by the assuming company. I was a bit late on my payment this month and decided to call the "USAA" mortgage number and found out from the guy on the phone that it is GMAC????? WHAT??? I also know that the only folks who are actually insured by the "membership" are the officers - everyone else is sold off to subrogated companies that are paid to print their bills on USAA stationery. Just another reason why I hate this company. They are fake and just the worst Outsourcing company in the country. Let's photograph the parade across Fred road every morning - the Indian exodus - but "we don't outsource"... NO you just employ Indians and take away all of our jobs..... I'm so sick of this..

Its been my experience they would prefer to see some employees dead than to have to pay their retirement or bonuses so they purposefully create a stressful environment. my manager use to joke that he knew he was increasing my blood pressure when he did my reviews. These type of things were too uniform there to say it was isolated.

monicaq in San Antonio, Texas said: Its been my experience they would prefer to see some employees dead than to have to pay their retirement or bonuses so they purposefully create a stressful environment. my manager use to joke that he knew he was increasing my blood pressure when he did my reviews. These type of things were too uniform there to say it was isolated.

All processes are so streamlined to the point that anyone could walk in off the street and do any job in that company without much in house training. Even training is mainly just computer based. Therefore they could get rid of lots of employees on a whim whenever they need to hire lots of people to get the government "job creation" credit.

Hmmm, now that Sacramento is closing I wonder where our pal, the USAA cheerleader, Mark Hicks will wind up. He is now going to lose his current position. It is kind of ironic how much of a cheerleader he was for USAA and now he is about to find out what the rest of us have experienced. Not that I wish him bad luck; but now I think he will understand.

Man oh man. I heard from a very old friend that USAA has become the Incredible Shrinking Machine again. I can only sit here and laugh.

I worked at USAA as a contractor back in the 90s and was hired on at ITCO (is it still ITCO now? Stupid idea to make a seperate tax-entity for a department that produces no income). I worked on the mainframe consoles, answered phones and was a general errand boy. I switched over to programming and pretty much liked it; although if you're a programmer there at USAA the emphasis is to go as slow as you can so you can have 15+ people leech off your work by critique/design/sit in Outlook all day bouncing memos around, whichever.

I left about the same time that the smell of curry in B and C building started to get more apparent in the cafeterias. I loved it how you could go into PROfiles and see the number of indians that were in the Tata unit multiplying like bunnies. Then after I was gone, they filled up the apartment complexes within walking distance of USAA's offices.

I rag on the Indians, but a lot of them are very nice people. I left USAA for another job and one Indian who worked at USAA quit and followed me to the new job and even got his sponsorship changed after someone at USAA told him they would have his H1-B sponsorship yanked if he walked off in the middle of his project. His immigration lawyer said "they're just being idiots, USAA doesn't sponsor you" and he joined me. We've been friends since and he's now on a green card.

I since moved to Philadelphia and I must say. It's been a long time since I thought about USAA. In a funny way, I sort of missed the 1970s decor inside the building, the people, the work I did, the friends I made and I liked the management a lot.

(cont)...

(cont)

All this came to an end when Mr. You Know Who who was "CEO" of ITCO was brought on from Rockwell Automation. This guy was a real class act. He also had the distinction of breaking USAA's history of never having layoffs, even during the Great Depression, when he himself planned and executed the mass layoff in the Ops building (printing and mail).

I remember when I heard he got fired when a friend of mine emailed me about it. I was LAUGHING. So much for all that "synergy" huh? :D

And of course there's the big D himself who suddenly "wanted to spent life not on a schedule." Must be nice.

You know, it took DECADES for USAA to build up the national reputation it once had. It was the insurer of choice for the military for many, many generations. Now this company is no better than cheap insurance found on a bus stop ad.

And did any of the wizards in executive management have a crystal ball and see the collapse of the housing market coming? I'm sure they weren't. Yet another friend who was fired from USAA FSB had the job of pushing HELOCs on to USAA members who really shouldn't have taken them out.

Yeah, let's put all the equity we sweat into the roof over our heads and turn it into a revolving line of credit with a line amount that's almost what our family makes in a year. Brilliant.

As for me; I found a great niche. I discovered that in order to write programs for the Department of Energy you have to have a US Passport and a security clearance; and no H1-B's are allowed. Thank God! I dunno how I could live on less than $80K anymore!

So I'm saving up what money I can before the Government finds this rock I'm hiding under and allows Tata and Wipro to start controlling our electricity grid. Indians already know when US troops get deployed---they have access to USAA's corporate databases! :D

k in Riverview, Florida said: Can someone please tell me how the Associate Claims Adjuster position is? Also how many vacation days a year do you get? Any information would be great.

Depending on the time of the year, you will manage 80-120 auto claims at any given time. You will be expected to do a referral on each call. Your referrals determine inhouse promotions, your raise, and your evaluations. Some managers are great and others are not. Micromanagement is a daily part of life; you can always do better. You will work as a team in claims but retain file ownership. Some adjusters do all that they can on your files and others are not as thorough. Depending on the location, you may get up to 4 hours a week to work exclusively on your files. The first hour of your shift you are not allowed to make outbound calls. When there is a high inbound call volume you are not allowed to make outbound calls; makes sense. If your working a late shift (you have to work your share quarterly) you are not allowed to make outbound calls the last hour of your shift. You earn vacation time with each paycheck but your work piles up while your gone. Some rep's take turns working on simple tasks when the adjuster is "scheduled" off.

TiredClaimsAdjuster in Colorado Springs, Colorado said: Depending on the time of the year, you will manage 80-120 auto claims at any given time. You will be expected to do a referral on each call. Your referrals determine inhouse promotions, your raise, and your evaluations. Some managers are great and others are not. Micromanagement is a daily part of life; you can always do better. You will work as a team in claims but retain file ownership. Some adjusters do all that they can on your files and others are not as thorough. Depending on the location, you may get up to 4 hours a week to work exclusively on your files. The first hour of your shift you are not allowed to make outbound calls. When there is a high inbound call volume you are not allowed to make outbound calls; makes sense. If your working a late shift (you have to work your share quarterly) you are not allowed to make outbound calls the last hour of your shift. You earn vacation time with each paycheck but your work piles up while your gone. Some rep's take turns working on simple tasks when the adjuster is "scheduled" off.

This is not only true in claims. I have the same experience in my department. I have given up trying to keep up with the workload and just do the best I can. If it is not good enough; oh well. I am not going to stress myself out by trying to meet their unrealistic expectations. I am supposed to work files only; but frequently get pulled on the phones which prevents us from doing our work. It is a no win situation. We are always told we could do better. Nothing is never good enough; just how much more we could do-which is pure craziness. I am hoping I can bail out of this mess soon before I lose my sanity.

I just went in to work today to see our managers going through someones desk item by item after they just got fired. Even though this particular person deserved to get fired a long time ago it still seem strange to see them writing everything down; keeping a list. I will also never understand why they let this person stay as long as they did; yet they gave me grief more than them. Nothing seems to make sense there. You can never seem to feel good about your job.

I was hired ten years ago initially to issue auto, renters and vpps for prospective new members. Then, came the banking.,opened checkings, savings and first starts. Gradually came the helping of members register on line, showing them many-many things to do...setting up stuff they'd forget because I'm required to do everything in one call. Over and over it's ask open ended questions, isolate, isolate, isolate and over come to acquire-deepen and retain!!!! I now review insurance billing, renewals and will quote homeowners and sell life insurance....To say it'll help but what kind of help I just dont know? Woooowwww, getting this experience I dont mind, but the pressure of the numbers is way too much in this economy especially when being underpaid makes it even harder to stay motivated as well as keep your principals, if you have any left. Working there you loose them quick if you want to move up. Knowing what I've learned as a member I have lost the respect I had for the company and have started closing my accounts one by one. It's not about the members but the numbers. Nothing has changed since Joe came onbaord, as a matter of fact he wants us all to be more flexible and do more so we can be jacks of all trades and masters of nothing. I used to have a lot of pride in my work-now I feel like a licensed prostitute.

800GiHoe in San Antonio, Texas said: . . .. . . I used to have a lot of pride in my work-now I feel like a licensed prostitute.

You may feel that way for good reason. I would guess that shortly after the birth of the code of Hammurabi back in 1750 BC, insurance people were probably referred to as prostitutes; and we all know what prostitutes do to you after they take your money.

If anyone's going to work in the BSB building BEWARE of working for Jobie Ramirez or Rosemarie Jauargie They are ROYAL B#@%CHES. And will make sure your life working there is misrable.

monicaq in San Antonio, Texas said: They were also one of the first insurance companies to use credit to determine rates.

Of course they liked to tell all of us that they were one of the last to use them. Most of us never believed them anyway. Their rates are not as competitive as they like everyone to believe they are.

blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/clockingin/2009/04/usaa-is-the-most-recommended-b.html#comments

Looks like USAA is trying to shine up its image:

blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/clockingin/2009/04/usaas-report-to-members-video.html

oldguy1109 in Texas said: Looks like USAA is trying to shine up its image:

blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/clockingin/2009/04/usaas-report-to-members-video.html

They're always trying to show it to their customers; but not to the employees because we know what really goes on there.

I heard the Norfolk and Sacramento offices are closing so I had to revist this site. It doesn't surprise me they are doing this when the economy is in the worst recession, since the Great Depression. How are people supposed to sell their homes? How are spouses and significant others supposed to find jobs if they take the relocation? How are those taking severance going to fare out there when unemployment is at a record high? USAA is contributing to the recession by doing this in my opinion. More stories from the battlefield which is life as a frontline employee. I also heard from my source that managers are being offered the relocation package as well, good luck to those offices getting MARO managers is all I can say.

www.jobvent.com/companyBrowse.php?CompanyID=2550

Lee_ Marvin in Virginia Beach, Virginia said: I heard the Norfolk and Sacramento offices are closing so I had to revist this site. It doesn't surprise me they are doing this when the economy is in the worst recession, since the Great Depression. How are people supposed to sell their homes? How are spouses and significant others supposed to find jobs if they take the relocation? How are those taking severance going to fare out there when unemployment is at a record high? USAA is contributing to the recession by doing this in my opinion. More stories from the battlefield which is life as a frontline employee. I also heard from my source that managers are being offered the relocation package as well, good luck to those offices getting MARO managers is all I can say.

www.jobvent.com/companyBrowse.php?CompanyID=2550

You are right on. The moves are going to be done June through September. We were told today that 56% accepted relocation packages; which is about 600 people.
I want to hear from Mark Hicks (aka: Cry Me a River). Are you staying in California? Are they throwing you out without an option or are you relocating? If you are relocating I hope they put you in a phone intensive job. Some of my friends that work in P&C as an MSR are now being forced to work in the bank for a while because they are swamped. Welcome to the real USAA world Cry Me a River. We will see who will be crying now. You will soon see what everyone has been talking about that you kept bashing them for. Now the table is turned.

www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/10/sp-usaa-cuts-hiring-goal-for-tampa-move/

Here's what they are doing in Tampa.

So how did things get so bad? Nepotism, affairs, politics, cronyism. You know the type, help your friends while screwing everyone else over. The people are too stupid to revolt and they can keep cashing in. Well, that plan does require at least some brainpower which USAA is severely lacking. Things are finally crumbling and I love it. All the brown-nosers are too busy to post on here since they're looking for new jobs. The guys that are paid to monitors community forums like this? Well, their jobs were handed to contractors! No joke! I couldn't make that up if I tried!