If you need to file a car accident claim with USAA in Florida, you are understandably anxious to get the process moving. The sooner you can get your claim submitted, the sooner you can get a resolution—and a settlement check.
If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by a USAA customer, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. If you are a USAA policyholder yourself, you might also find yourself pursuing a claim under your personal injury protection (PIP), underinsured, or uninsured motorist coverage.
It can be especially helpful to understand more about USAA’s claims process. Some common questions that injury accident victims have include how long it takes to get a USAA car accident settlement and whether the company will be fair in its dealings with your claim.
In settling an injury claim with USAA, it can be helpful to have some background on the company. However, it’s more important to get a basic idea about how to submit a claim, how their process works, and how to keep the process moving along.
If you have questions about the process, or if you feel that you might need some help getting a fair settlement for your injuries and other damages, consider talking to an experienced Florida car accident lawyer. The attorneys of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have more than three decades of experience. We have helped multiple clients get a USAA personal injury settlement, and we can help you get the justice you deserve.
What Is the Average USAA Car Accident Settlement Check Amount?
The value of any car accident claim can vary significantly depending on the details of the case. It’s not possible to identify any average USAA car accident settlement amount in Florida or any other state. Typically, accident victims are entitled to pursue compensation for their physical, emotional, and economic damages.
Clients often ask whether they can include compensation for emotional distress in their USAA settlement amount. Due to Florida’s “Impact Rule,” it can be challenging to recover these damages—but not impossible. Many victims recover compensation for mental and emotional trauma. However, they must prove that the trauma resulted in physical symptoms.
An experienced Florida car accident attorney can review the details of your case and give you a better idea of what your claim might be worth.
How Long Will My USAA Car Accident Claim Take to Settle?
One of the most common questions we hear is: How long does it take USAA to pay an insurance claim?
The time required to settle a USAA personal injury claim varies based on the details of the case. The more complex the claim, the longer it might take to get a resolution. For example, negotiating USAA whiplash settlements shouldn’t typically take as long as negotiating settlements for more severe or permanent injuries.
The process of getting a USAA insurance claim payout is similar to that of any other insurer. Once you report your claim to the company, a representative of the company—usually an insurance adjuster—will contact you. The adjuster will go over the details of the accident with you and ask you for a recorded statement. They will also ask you to provide copies of your medical bills and any other relevant documentation you may have.
The adjuster will then conduct their own investigation and, eventually, come back to you with a decision. The decision could be that they reject your claim outright. More likely, they might make a small settlement offer that won’t even cover your out-of-pocket costs. Insurance companies often make significantly undervalued settlement offers because injury accident victims will frequently accept the lowball offers. Accident victims might believe they won’t be able to get USAA to make a better offer or, as is often the case, their dire situation has them desperate for any economic relief.
Whatever the circumstances of your case, never provide any statement or discuss any potential settlement with USAA before you talk to an attorney to explore your options.
What Is USAA?
Formed in 1922 as the United States Army Automobile Association, USAA (now the United Services Automobile Association) was established for the sole purpose of insuring a group of U.S. Army officers. At the time, the officers set out to self-insure, as other insurers refused to provide coverage, citing their position as “high risk.”
Today, USAA provides property and casualty insurance for current and former U.S. service members, their spouses, and their children. With more than 13 million members today, the company reports a net worth of $40 billion and $200 billion in total assets. USAA also reports paying out $16 billion in claims in 2020.
USAA is member-owned. In other words, the company does not have investors and shareholders. Instead, its duty is to those who hold policies and use the company’s affiliated financial services, such as banking and investment advisement. The company disburses profits in the form of dividends to policyholders—$1.1 billion in auto policyholder dividends were paid in 2020—and through the support of military-related causes.
According to the Better Business Bureau, USAA has 1,494 recorded BBB complaints, all of which the company resolved. Almost 600 of those complaints were filed in the past 12 months. USAA’s BBB customer review average is 1.25 stars out of 5. Because the insurer is not a BBB accredited company, however, it does not have a Better Business Bureau rating.
USAA does have some negative history with Florida customers. In 2017, USAA settled a class action lawsuit filed in 2013 by Florida policyholders. The settlement amount was reported as $39 million. The suit challenged the insurer for how it compensated auto policyholders for sales tax when they replaced a total loss vehicle.
How to Contact USAA in Florida
USAA encourages its policyholders to initiate their claim through the USAA online claims center. When you scroll down, you will see the option to file an auto claim. The option for filing a non-policyholder claim with USAA is offered as well. You can also check the status of your claim online.
To file a non-policyholder claim, you must provide the following information.
- Policyholder’s last name,
- USAA policy number,
- Make of the vehicle involved, and
- Date of the accident.
You can also find additional information on the non-policyholder claim FAQs page.
If you prefer to handle your contact over the phone, you can call USAA at 210-531-USAA (8722) or 800-531-USAA (8722). USAA’s claims department also has a fax number, 800-531-8669.
Should I Expect USAA to Make a Fair Settlement Offer?
Like all insurance companies, USAA handles claims of all sizes and types. In Florida, some claimants report struggling to get a fair settlement for their damages. However, this is the type of struggle that injury accident victims encounter all the time. Insurance companies generally take whatever steps they can to minimize the settlement amounts they pay out.
Tips for Getting Fair Value in Your USAA Accident Settlement
When dealing with USAA or any other insurer, you can expect them to draw the settlement process out as long as possible. You can also expect them to argue the value of every aspect of your claim.
Getting an attorney can help you get fair treatment from the insurance company and maximize your USAA auto claim settlement.
Until you talk to a lawyer and review your options for taking legal action, avoid giving any statement to USAA. Likewise, do not discuss or agree to accept any settlement offers.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Get a USAA Settlement Check?
You aren’t legally required to have an attorney for USAA car accident claims. However, having a lawyer to assist with your case will give you significant advantages. Your attorney will help to protect your legal rights and hold USAA accountable. Your attorney will investigate and document your case and negotiate to get you the USAA injury settlement you deserve.
Consult a USAA Car Accident Attorney in Florida
At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our Florida personal injury lawyers can help you get the USAA settlement offer you deserve. If the insurer won’t negotiate a fair settlement, our experienced litigators can file a USAA lawsuit on your behalf and fight for you in court.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or to speak with a Florida car accident lawyer about your USAA car accident claim.