homewowners insurance ??'s

[el_lagarto]

use an agent or contact insurance companies myself?

anybody got a company they like that took care of them when chit went down?

anybody got a company they recommend steering clear of?

an agent just gave me a bunch of quotes from companies ive never heard of. she says due to age of house ....late 70s... a 4 pt inspection with photos is required.

im having the inspection monday for the lender. is the insurance co. require a separate inspection or do they do their own.

im really starting to ??? the role of real estate agents and other pros in the home buying game. lots of ???s .....very little answers.

when i bought 10 years ago it seemed my hand was held thru the process and i didnt have to think all that much with insurance and inspections and zoning rules/regs ect ect.

anyway

any info is appreciated.

[ATLitigator]

I have Traveler's. They have been fantastic.

[gportgator]

USAA

[ufrulz2]

Mine is through AAA. My sense is that most of the major companies are the same. I have heard good things about Amica, although they tend to be more expensive than others.

[GolphinGator]

Here in Florida the large national companies no longer write home insurance. AAA of Florida will write as a package with your auto only. USAA no longer writes new homeowner coverage in Florida as far as I know. Last I knew they would quote it with one of the Florida companies.

[panamacitygator]

Florida Farm Bureau is mine company and they have always taken care of me!

[g8orbill]

Originally Posted by panamacitygator

Florida Farm Bureau is mine company and they have always taken care of me!

mine also

[myamiG8R]

if you're in florida, it is really best to go thru an independent agent who has access to many providers (including typically those mentioned above) as home insurers in florida come and go yearly (and more often than that at times)...

[el_lagarto]

thanks for tips...good info.

[wygator]

American National Insurance, or ANPAC, has treated me very well.

[fredsanford]

I was told due to our unique ownership scenario that Citizens is our only choice unless we want to go without liability or medical payments.

If any of you aren't aware and are with Citizens, get away from them just as fast as you can. I had a long conversation with an insurance pro about this a couple weeks back.

[GolphinGator]

Originally Posted by fredsanford

I was told due to our unique ownership scenario that Citizens is our only choice unless we want to go without liability or medical payments.

If any of you aren't aware and are with Citizens, get away from them just as fast as you can. I had a long conversation with an insurance pro about this a couple weeks back.

It is very likely you could find a separate policy for the liability and then insure the property with one of the companies other than Citizens.

[G8trGr8t]

AMICA has always given good service but I haven't ever had a claim in the 17 years I have been sending them money

[fubar1]

Originally Posted by myamiG8R

if you're in florida, it is really best to go thru an independent agent who has access to many providers (including typically those mentioned above) as home insurers in florida come and go yearly (and more often than that at times)...

It's always good to get a quote from an Independent Agent. But make sure he gives you a comprehensive listing of all the quotes he received back and the companies they came from. You don't want him sticking you with a cut-rate company just to get you written.

I'd take those quotes and then do a little of your own research with companies not included.

HO insurance is a tough ballgame these days. Property & Casualty insurance companies consistently lose money on it (even with investment income included) and only write it with the hopes they'll soon get your auto. In Florida, it's even worse.

[GolphinGator]

Originally Posted by fubar1

It's always good to get a quote from an Independent Agent. But make sure he gives you a comprehensive listing of all the quotes he received back and the companies they came from. You don't want him sticking you with a cut-rate company just to get you written.

I'd take those quotes and then do a little of your own research with companies not included.

HO insurance is a tough ballgame these days. Property & Casualty insurance companies consistently lose money on it (even with investment income included) and only write it with the hopes they'll soon get your auto. In Florida, it's even worse.

I will agree with the above for the most part. I have been an insurance agent in Gainesville for 30 years. The problem in Florida these days is most of the homeowner companies do not write auto and most of the auto companies don't write homeowner coverage. The ones that do want both.

When pricing home insurance these days you need to check the coverage close and it can be hard to compare apples to apples unless you have a person that will explain the difference in each quote. A few years back most policies were about the same. Not so today as many don't cover sinkhole or and you have to buy pool screen coverage or water damage.

It still comes down to you get what you pay for. I can take and remove some coverages that you may wish you had after a storm and have a better price.

You will need a roof that has been replaced in the last 15 years in most cases some will give 20. If the home is over 40 years old a 4 pt inspection will be required. If I was buying I would have that done before I bought. Take that and and then shop for homeowners.

As much as I hate to say it the homeowner market is not good for the consumer. The coverage can be bought , but for the most part the companies have the upper hand.

Sorry to go on so long and that's why I didn't earlier in the post. Because it depends on so many thing like the age of the home, credit and location of the property.

One last thing, as an agent I work for my insured and the company and will stand up and make sure they are both treated fair. If a company I write a policy for does not honer their contract I will stand up for the insured as if it was me. I know many don't have much good to say about insurance agents, but I know I only deal straight up and most I know are the same.

[gatorz]

We have Auto Owners. They've been around for a long time. You don't hear much about them because they don't advertise. I had GEICO for more than 25 years and kept having my rates raised year after year. My guess it costs so much to air those annoying gecko commercials. When I finally had enough and told them I was cancelling I didn't hear from any one asking me why I was cancelling. So much for 25 years of premiums!

Any way I had to file a claim with Auto Owners after 6 months due to a busted water heater. They paid every penny and the process was quite painless.

If you bundle your car and home together and pay up front, you get additional discounts. Good luck.

[GolphinGator]

Originally Posted by gatorz

We have Auto Owners. They've been around for a long time. You don't hear much about them because they don't advertise. I had GEICO for more than 25 years and kept having my rates raised year after year. My guess it costs so much to air those annoying gecko commercials. When I finally had enough and told them I was cancelling I didn't hear from any one asking me why I was cancelling. So much for 25 years of premiums!

Any way I had to file a claim with Auto Owners after 6 months due to a busted water heater. They paid every penny and the process was quite painless.

If you bundle your car and home together and pay up front, you get additional discounts. Good luck.

I aree Auto Owners is a great company. I know they write auto's in Florida but not so sure they still write new home insurance in Florida.

[ThePlayer]

Originally Posted by ATLitigator

I have Traveler's. They have been fantastic.

If you own a condo and need H06 coverage...they're the most reasonable.

[corpgator]

I can't even get coverage in my area. I had to go with Citizens at first and luckily another company took over my policy.