Alternatives to Citizens for FL homeowners insurance? - The Hull Truth

jdm · 11-26-2007, 11:59 AM

I just got a notice from State Farm telling me that they are dropping everyone in "high hurricane hazard" waterfront areas in Florida, including me. In over 10 years I never filed a claim. :-(

What other insurance providers are there that still offer competitive rates for homeowners, liability, and windstorm coverage in Florida?

signmansez · 11-26-2007, 12:31 PM

We have had to go with Citizens for both our waterfront properties. We have State Farm on our primary home but they, along with the other majors, won't write in the high risk areas. this means there is no such thing as competitive insurance rates for home owners in Florida. Add this to the property tax issue and sit back and watch your blood boil!

But all is not lost. At least our Tallahassee boobs have tackled an issue that is really hitting us all hard in the pocket book, THE SCALPING OF HANNA MONTANA TICKETS!! (see below link).

http://www.miamiherald.com/458/story/314179.html

beachbum43 · 11-26-2007, 09:05 PM

jdm. I sent you a PM.

Rough Rider · 11-27-2007, 05:24 AM

Went with Citizens for an insurance policy for my mom when the Allstate Floridian policy came up for "non-renewal".

Alligatorob · 11-27-2007, 05:36 AM

My only options were Citizens or nothing. Hope you can find something cheaper!

nas130 · 11-27-2007, 11:18 AM

I have Universal on my town house, they are the only one besides citizens that writes wind. I have no idea if they are any good.

nas

ScarabChris · 11-27-2007, 03:31 PM

Citizens Property Insurance = legalized extorsion.

They tell you what you have to pay and you have absolutly no recourse. If you refuse your bank slaps an even bigger insurance policy on you. Between Citizens and the tax problem down here people are losing their houses left and right.

And when you have a claim Citizens will try everything to screw you. After wilma the adjuster came over and told me I would be paid enough to replace all 400 square feet of flat roll roofing that covers my car port and back patio. I got a couple of estimates all in the 3,000 to 3,500 range. Citizens pays me 364.00 to replace the entire roof. If that isn't insurance fraud I don't know what is!

After over a year of phone calls almost every day and highering a public adjuster I finnaly got reimbursed, but not for everything but close enough that I didn't feel phuked in the @$$.

THE PEOPLE THAT RUN CITIZENS ARE FRIGGIN SCUM BAG THIEVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

billinstuart · 11-27-2007, 06:08 PM

If you don't have a mortgage, some counties allow insurance to be written excluding windstorm coverage. It'a a county by county decision.

ScarabChris · 11-27-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

billinstuart - 11/27/2007 8:08 PM

If you don't have a mortgage, some counties allow insurance to be written excluding windstorm coverage. It'a a county by county decision.

If you don't have a mortgage you don't need insurance at all. Not many people in South Florida can afford to buy a house cash, not the one they plan on living in anyway. And those few that can own a $500K + home free and clear probably have enough cash behind them to self insure.

rkatz · 11-28-2007, 08:42 PM

Isn't it amazing that we're so screwed on hurricane insurance? You wonder why someone doesn't form a co-op type of group to self insure. For example, there really is no reason that an entire neighborhood couldn't band together and "self insure itself". Seems kind of wild west, but wouldn't that be a kickin the a$$ to Citizens?

I just met a lady today begging me for help because Citizens has screwed with her for two full years, first claiming the loss wasn't covered under one portion of the policy, then claiming that she fixed it before Citizens had an opportunity to inspect (not true, they have reports and pictures taken by their adjuster and lady has proof), then claiming that she waited too long to make her claim because the leak in the roof was Wilma related (the roof had been fixed after Wilma by her condo ass'n but somehow developed a leak later). Citizens is a POS, but we are extorted by them daily. The sadder thing is that given the chance, the private insurers would gladly extort you even worse.

evernic · 11-29-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

rkatz - 11/28/2007 7:42 PM

Isn't it amazing that we're so screwed on hurricane insurance? You wonder why someone doesn't form a co-op type of group to self insure. For example, there really is no reason that an entire neighborhood couldn't band together and "self insure itself". Seems kind of wild west, but wouldn't that be a kickin the a$$ to Citizens?

I just met a lady today begging me for help because Citizens has screwed with her for two full years, first claiming the loss wasn't covered under one portion of the policy, then claiming that she fixed it before Citizens had an opportunity to inspect (not true, they have reports and pictures taken by their adjuster and lady has proof), then claiming that she waited too long to make her claim because the leak in the roof was Wilma related (the roof had been fixed after Wilma by her condo ass'n but somehow developed a leak later). Citizens is a POS, but we are extorted by them daily.

*** The sadder thing is that given the chance, the private insurers would gladly extort you even worse.

***

they do...THEY take our money for car ins. health ins life ins.....but WON'T write windstorm : or my boat ...mad:

billinstuart · 12-05-2007, 05:43 AM

My daughters Citizens insurance coverage was just assumed by a company called Southern Oak Insurance.

sharkie1211 · 12-05-2007, 04:46 PM

Hey ya'll, allstate just dropped us here in new smyrna and a company called royal palm was created (I think by allstate) anyway, we were abled to increase our coverage and retain low deductibles for about 5% more than our original prem. w/allstate. My only hope is that they'll be there if and when we need them. That remains to be seen. Thanks for a mello storm season this year and keep your fingers x'd for next...

MILO · 12-06-2007, 05:43 AM

When Nationwide dumped me 12-1, I had to go with Citizens because I'm within 1500' of the Gulf...They were trying a company called Olympus who just started writing policies in Fl..

BigBiteBoyee' · 12-06-2007, 03:22 PM

Hello all. I work for State Farm and am sorry to hear that a few of you were dropped. For those who still have State Farm, make sure you get what is called a "windstorm mitigation form" completed. This gives the insurance company information on your roof, shutters, and roof-wall connection. I've seen some policies decrease as much as 50%. This holds especially true for those of you who have newer roofs (hurricane Wilma anyone?). Any roof put on after 2002 must be FBC complient, thus elig for some discounts.
I also deal with Citizen's Insurance Corp. This survey will work with them as well, although not as drastic of a savings. Call your agent for details. There are other companies in FL such as Royal Palm, Southern Fidelity, Southern Oak, and United P&C, to name a few. You may try giving them a shot if you have time. You can call any independent agent to see what he/she is writing. It should be noted that I personally have Citizen's because State Farm wouldnt write my home due to its proximity to the water. Go figure.