Recommendation for Home Owners Insurance?

As the title says looking for anyone's recommendations on who to go with or how to even go about it, hopefully soon to be a home owner in the greater Central Florida area and I need to have a policy set up before I can finish closing.

Appreciate any advice even if it's just things to look for or be wary of.

 

We switched over to a Hantz Financial 2 years ago so we could step away from watching our finances so closely ourselves.

They go out and hunt down the best policy for your life style. They handle estate planning and tax issues as well as doing the taxes.

With remote meetings these days, it's absolutely a great way to do meetings easy.

You do have to give them access to your financial info, but it allows them to recommend what insurance route would be best for you.

We pay $100 / month for them to watch our money. I have no issues with that. I do not like paying % my money to be watched.

So far, they have been doing a great job.( We still watch our shit closely)

 

Is the $100/mo just for their service or does that cover your home insurance premium as well?

 

That's for their service. You still need to pay the insurance bill.

Everyone needs to be aware that a person needs to "fire" their insurance company every 6-10 years. No matter who you have, the cost will increase every year.

Hantz tracks this and makes you aware that you can save a huge amount if money by switching insurance company. We just about made up the cost of what we pay to Hantz monthly by switching.

We were overpaying $3600 for the same coverage with the new company. (Auto, house, umbrella are bundled)

 

Here is what I recommend: Make sure that your inspections are virginal, meaning no deficiencies in Roof, Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing. Find an independent agent that has appointments with multiple carriers. I have a 2-20 All lines Insurance License, 6-20 Adjuster License, 2-15 which life and variable annuities license, plus a licensed realtor since 2009. Make sure the home has a roof less than 10 years old, no mistached shingles or patched roof. Make the seller disclose everything about the house. I have worked for several independent agencies plus State Farm, Allstate, Brightway. I work for a large insurance carrier but I’m not selling policies anymore. PM me if you want more info.

 

F&*K State Farm your bad neighbor. When we had that bad hurricane season about 16-18 years ago they dumped all their policy holders on the barrier islands. Then raised our auto insurance. What! We were no longer multi line policy holders so the higher rates. Well we were no longer ANY policy holders as I went elsewhere. After two decades of giving them my money ( cars, trucks, boat, house and no claims ) that's how they treated us? Then guess what....a dozen or so years w/o any real hurricanes...yep "Your Good Neighbor" was back wanting to take your money again and insure your homes. Greedy Bastards Traitors of the worse kind.

 

I went with ASI/Progressive. Been great, but for some reason, my rate jumped up $1k this year. Sucks. I need something new.

 

Hi All,

I will share something with you guys. All Florida insurance carriers must carry an insurance policy to cover losses if we get several catastrophes in any given year. When the premiums for the reinsurance goes up, everyone pays regardless of claim history. I sold homeowner’s policies, I sold just about every carrier, and including mobile home insurance. Insurance fraud in this state causes a metric ton of issues that hurts all of us.

 

Don't forget the "termite bond", especially since your in FL.

 

I agree with an independent agent as being your best shot.

We use Pablo Beach (agency, not an underwriter) for a rental we have, and another agency that wrote ASI/Progressive for our condo.

The condo is different because it was new construction and the agency was already writing the master policy on the building. Meaning the units and high quality construction (storm wise especially) was already inspected and well known by the agency, making life simpler.

Get a quote from AAA too, especially if you are a member.

DO NOT sign up for Citizen's regardless of anything. At one point I was forced to them and could not wait to get away.

Also, the tips above regarding inspections/conditions are very important. Spend the bucks to let a pro do it. Problem is like everything else, finding the right pro who really does dive deep enough. Both a good insurance agent and a seasoned/honest realtor should be able to point you in the right direction.

 

Don't have better advice than already given above but can pass on my experience from home ownership in the past 30yrs and 3 houses in this area. I just recently went through a rate hike of homeowners to the tune of $2000 from an insurance company that had the policy since the house was built in 2014 obviously i switched carriers. In my opinion when your carrier raises the rate that high they want you to leave, its almost like they (insurance company's) are playing the risk merry-go-around and when a storm hits hoping they aren't holding the hot potato. Yes I remember when State Farm pulled out of Florida, but they weren't the only ones, which forced our Governor and State Reps to step in and say if you insure cars in this state you will insure homes or leave the state entirely, i believe they called it cherry picking at the time. I have had USAA for over 20yrs for both my autos but would not ever insure my home because of zip code, when i checked in with them recently for home owners they said NO again and I said goodbye to them, pretty good deal huh? gave them 20yrs of premiums with no accidents or claims and all I got was a paper promise. So I did the Home and Auto bundle deal with a large carrier and it was cheaper than my previous rates, I am sure in 8 or 9 years they will do the same thing raise rates and hope you switch and leave. Can I or will I recommend insurance company's....NO they will all do the same thing, remember all those commercials on TV are not cheap and we are paying for them. Sorry about getting wordy and negative about insurance, home ownership and new purchase are suppose to be happy times and I wish You the best in Your new purchase.
R/
Andy

 

Always shop at renewal time.

 

Any advice for the underinsured in the recent Urban Wildfires in Superior and Louisville?
I know a few people who lost everything. Our house is okay ….but could have gone.

 

Yep, me too. Never a claim. Always paid on time.

Looking as well.

 

Did a couple online quotes today and all around the same price as ASI. What the hell.

 

I have Amica. They are great in service and rates. I have my ‘21 Lexus and Tacoma with them, the house, and an umbrella policy. With all the discounts I save big on the homeowners and the umbrella worked out to be free. I also got a $47 dividend payment.

I though insurance in Florida was a bit different though? I lived in Ft Lauderdale up until 2007. I can’t remember and may be different in central FL, but insurance was a pain to get and choices were limited.

 

Try Kin insurance. You can get a quote on their website. They don't use agents, sell direct. I saved a good chunk of money switching to them. The other good thing about them is they also do flood insurance - not through the NFIP (FEMA program), but privately written. It's a rider on your homeowner's policy so the limits are exactly the same as your regular homeowner's limits. The customer service has been great so far.

One thing to remember....before you get quotes, make sure you have a current 4-point inspection and wind mitigation report. Anyone who quotes you will ask for them. The 4-point inspection will avoid most surprises on condition of the major systems. Also, insurance companies here are very fussy about roof condition and age. If the roof is more than 10 years old you will have a hard time finding someone to write you, and if they do it will be expensive.