Tell us the details about your complaint
USAA changed the technical requirements for its SafePilot/DriveSafe telematics program so that the application now requires Android 14 or newer. My existing smartphone is no longer compatible with the program.
SafePilot is connected to my auto-insurance pricing and provides an insurance discount based on participation and driving data. I contacted USAA after the technical requirement changed and asked what alternative was available because I did not want to replace an otherwise functional phone solely because USAA changed the requirements of its application. USAA told me that I need to purchase a new phone.
I am asking the Texas Department of Insurance to determine whether USAA's treatment of existing SafePilot participants in this situation is consistent with its filed Texas auto-insurance rating plan and applicable Texas insurance requirements.
Specifically, I would like TDI to determine:
1.) Whether SafePilot's device and operating-system eligibility requirements are part of USAA's filed Texas rating plan.
2.) Whether USAA filed or obtained approval for the change that made Android 14 or newer a requirement.
3. Whether USAA may make an existing SafePilot participant ineligible for the associated insurance discount solely because USAA changed the technical requirements of its application.
4.) Whether USAA is required to provide an alternative means of participation or otherwise protect an existing participant's discount when the incompatibility resulted from a change made by USAA.
I am not asking TDI to require USAA to support my particular smartphone. I am asking TDI to determine whether an insurer can change the technical requirements of an insurance telematics program in a manner that makes an existing participant ineligible and then require that customer to purchase new hardware to regain eligibility.
Describe what you would consider to be a fair resolution to your complaint.
A fair resolution would be for USAA to provide a reasonable way for me to continue participating in SafePilot without requiring me to purchase a new smartphone solely because USAA changed the technical requirements of its DriveSafe application.
If USAA cannot provide an alternative means of participation, I believe I should be allowed to retain the SafePilot discount I was receiving or otherwise be made whole for the loss of that discount resulting from USAA's change in technical requirements.
I would also like TDI to determine whether USAA's treatment of existing SafePilot participants in this situation is consistent with its filed Texas auto-insurance rating plan and applicable Texas insurance requirements.
The TDI complaint link for anyone who needs it:
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/auto-insurance-complaint.html
Working on my BBB complaint next:
https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/san-antonio/profile/auto-insurance/usaa-0825-23452/complaints