Insurance...

[cbressler1976]

Any home owners insurance experts here?
I am fed up....I'm getting quotes for insurance for the house we are closing on next month....I don't know what is too high....or what insurance is reliable....and how to even go about it....I'm confused...sigh....

[tygerkittn]

didja try a comparison website, like www.lowermybills.com?

[John730]

Any home owners insurance experts here?
I am fed up....I'm getting quotes for insurance for the house we are closing on next month....I don't know what is too high....or what insurance is reliable....and how to even go about it....I'm confused...sigh....

Insurance is a dicey business these days. If you make a claim or two they can drop you. And if you have a real disaster you might not be fully covered, etc. When I bought my last home I simply worked with my realtor and banker to get the information I needed to supply to the insurance company and called a few and got three quotes. I found they were all very similar. Make sure you have adequate coverage to replace everything in a major loss though. Because they are only obligated that which is on paper and it's a good idea to review your coverage every years or so. Also, decide what kind of deductable you can afford in a loss. Rates drop with a higher deductable, but you need to be comfortable to cover the deductable in the event of a loss. Also, if you insure your car and home with the same carrier, the rates can reduce as well (multiple line coverage). Hope this helps.

[sunshine2777]

I'm a homeowners adjuster so I'm on the other end of it and dont know how much help I can be. I would encourage you to use one of those online sites where you can get quotes from several companies at one time and see how wide ranging they are. If they are all in the same ballpark, then you just need to pick a good one and that depends alot upon what kind of coverage you are getting and where you live (hurricane zone, etc).... Once you narrow it down, I may can give you some insight from my perspective if any of the companies I have worked for is mentioned. As usual, most of the bigger companies are the best bets.... You could also ask your friends and co workers... even if you dont get a suggestion of who to go with.. I guarantee you will find out who not to use if they have had a bad experience...... let me know if I can help in any way...

[I'm all 67X]

What region do you live in? I found a company that only insures in the midwest here- 5 states I believe, that was about half of the big advertisers. They are strong and easy to deal with too.

[John730]

Yes, I forgot to mention to use a reputable company.

[cbressler1976]

Well, I found out from one insurance agent that I need flood insurance....I live in south florida, so of course we need hurricane insurance....I have to wait for the appraisal and elevation certificate....how do i know if someone is cheating us? I have a headache and I'm worried....The best thing to do is pray...

[John730]

Well, I found out from one insurance agent that I need flood insurance....I live in south florida, so of course we need hurricane insurance....I have to wait for the appraisal and elevation certificate....how do i know if someone is cheating us? I have a headache and I'm worried....The best thing to do is pray...

The best way to avoid being cheated is to get several quotes to compare.

[sunshine2777]

Well, I found out from one insurance agent that I need flood insurance....I live in south florida, so of course we need hurricane insurance....I have to wait for the appraisal and elevation certificate....how do i know if someone is cheating us? I have a headache and I'm worried....The best thing to do is pray...

I lived in south Florida until 2 years ago.... and handled hurricane claims there..... you DO need flood insurance if you are close to the intercoastal and beach for sure. How far are you from either of them? I think that generally comes through FEMA.... and they will require it if you live in "flood zones".... I can tell you a funny story may be to lighten things a bit for you.. we moved from there to the Ozark mountains.. I look out my window and see the tops of trees but we are close to a huge lake.. and FEMA put us in a Flood zone.... I called them and told that that we have a NOAH situation if we are in a flood zone and bigger problems than they imagine.. and of course, I had to go down to the FEMA office locally, get THEIR map and send it to THEM in the northeast to show THEM that we are not in a Flood zone... Sheeesh.. you have to laugh to keep from crying.... :-)

If you want to run a company by me, I'll be happy to let you know if I know anything about them. I handled hurricane claims down there through all the bad ones... So I might have a feel for them... most people I think are having to go through Citizens though since so many of the biggies pulled out.... ?? I understand the "stress" of it as I know what happened to the costs of many things down there after all those storms... and what the ins companies did.... to make changes.... anyways, I'm here if I can help.