Home Insurance

[chefwong]

Just checking in fellas.
What's home insurance companies are top rated ?

In the last 3-4 years, I swear my home insurance premiums have gone up 2.5X via State Farm........and I have not done any claims yet to date....

[Wagner]

I use Travelers and my premium went up once, and not by all that much.

[discoball]

Statefarm - NEVER again will I use this company. They are STILL researching my homeowner's claim for water damage (date of loss was in mid-December). Luckily, I don't live in the house and am in the process of selling it in "as is" condition. But seriously, from the getgo they were more accusatory that inquiring. They even argued with my plumber because they didn't like his professional opinion of what happened. My annual premium is pretty cheap and ironically, it wasn't raised last month considering the pending claim. But at the same time, I haven't seen any $ come my way either. I hear GEICO's pretty good but expensive - I have my auto insurance w/ them and have no complaints whatsoever.

[chefwong]

Interesting......
I have back up endorsement on mine as well, since NYC sewers can use a improvement

However, my 1st year I had them, high summer winds ripped the roof portion of the rear summerhouse. A State Farm approved inspector came and checked it out . They approved it with a prompt check and we used the $$ and redid it with our own contractor.

I have heard they have jacked up the auto rates due to their loss of 911.
Dunno if it's the same across the board....but for Auto, a friend of mine swears by them.

Hell, as cheap as Geico is, they are prompt too ! Friend in Queens has had easy 6 cars stolen to date, and Geico has always paid PROMPTLY each time. Last year, on a week old Lexus, the healights was stolen and hood and front bumper damaged. Geico paid to have it fixed promptly. I ALWAYS hear bad things about Geico as well, but they seem pretty stand-up with my friends policy !

[motordavid]

Chef,
Difficult to go by anyone's "rating list", as many local situations
prevail. Ours is Auto-Owners, which sounds like a car deal;
in fact, we do have 3 cars, 3 Scoots, and our Homeowner's
and an Umbrella with them, (on the Mtn. house; the FLA house
is an insurance nightmare.)

I suspect that running cars, vehicles and homeowner's through
one company should offer an advantage in pricing, coverage and
maybe better attention when the poop hits the fan...maybe.

Our local agent writes for a few dozen companies and they were
good enough to spend time with us, discussing needs, coverages,
etc. Then she did some homework and got back to us with 3 companies
that she thought offered a good package, and showed us all three,
with rates. Pretty good service. We've been with that agent and that
underwriting company since we initially built and moved to hillbilly heaven
5 1/2 years ago.

That's my story, but I'd bug your agent and ask them to do some legwork
for you and think about combining cars and house for a better deal.
GL,mD

[Thunder22]

I just spoke to my cousin today about homeowners insurance for a friend. Basically almost EVERY major carrier in the US are not writing NEW homeowners policies in the North East, especially in NY/LI and within 5 miles of any water. ( I referred a friend to him and he couldn't write it which is how I found out).

In answer to the question though, Met Life, Encompass (owned by AllState now, used to be CNA), Home, State Farm, and USAA (only open to military and their families) are all good. The premium increases are because of Katrina and the anticipated 100 year storm.

[cmyX6go]

I don't know where you are but NJ Manufacturers is great. Had them on the cars and the house. They reduce both premiums every year. I have filed homeowners claims and they were there immediately.

MY parents have a good company - never an issue but I can't think if who it is...I'll ask them

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by cmyX5go

I don't know where you are but NJ Manufacturers is great. Had them on the cars and the house. They reduce both premiums every year. I have filed homeowners claims and they were there immediately.

MY parents have a good company - never an issue but I can't think if who it is...I'll ask them

Is Manufacturers the company that you have to be referred to by a current insured?

[cmyX6go]

I originally got in because my company uses them. They are picky but they are worth it. Service is supreme. I'm not sure if it's a closed deal that you still need a referral for.

[chefwong]

We'll I've got to let my fingers do the walking tomorrow....

All I want is a insurance company that will pay out like a insurance company should when needed....

It's been awhile since I shopped around but I would be curious what the *gold standard* chubb or amica is going to quote these days. The last time I called them, it was quite a eye opener.