History
The organization was originally called the United States Army Automobile Association. In 1924, the name was changed to United Services Automobile Association, when members of other military services became eligible for membership. The company opened offices in Frankfurt, Germany, and London, England early in its history.
USAA is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, occupying 286 acres (116 ha) (a former horse farm) in a large single-occupancy office building on the city's northwest side.
USAA was one of the pioneers of direct marketing and most of its business is conducted over the Internet or telephone using employees instead of agents. Until the 1960s the bulk of its business was conducted via mail. In the late 1960s USAA began a transition from mail to phone based sales and service. A toll-free number was launched in 1978, and Internet sales and service were launched in 1999 via its website.
The organization started offering homeowner's and life insurance in the 1960s, and brokerage and banking services in the 1980s.
In 1996, eligibility was extended to enlisted personnel.
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