Need Insurance Recommendations???

[pk305]

Please if those of you who are PLEASED with your Property Insurance Company would post that info I would be very grateful! I am in the process of getting the quotes for our soon to be completed Seagrove house and recall seeing some favorable comments awhile back from some of you with recommendations, but can't seem to find it now. YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS will be very appreciated!! THANK YOU!

[TooFarTampa]

I personally have liked dealing with Coastal Insurance in Seagrove. Our contact person is Marcia. That doesn't mean she didn't get us Citizens for wind coverage. It was all that was available to us. Good luck finding an alternative. Donna's insurance agent (he's in Destin and I can't remember his name) pretty much told us the same thing.

[Smiling JOe]

Kite Insurance out of Pensacola was recommended by someone on this board. After hearing numerous stories from many people, I cannot give you any recommendations. Google Kite Insurance Pensacola, and you will probably find the number.

[Wastin Away]

Kite Insurance's numbers are 1-888-636-9772 or 850-434-8123. Ask for Chantelle Dupuis or Kelly Ballard. They got us our insurance and have been wonderful.

[Smiling JOe]

One question that comes to mind with smaller unknown insurance companies is their ability to pay if they get hit hard with claims. Does anyone have any idea of the right questions to ask to find out the answers? I would hate to hear a response when I filed a claim after a storm, "they went bankrupt." If the big companies are pulling out from fear of great losses, enough to put them out of business, what makes smaller companies think that they can handle it?

Just a few questions, nothing negative against Kite Insurance or other small insurance companies.

Any ideas?

[Wastin Away]

We were with a big insurance company the first time and they went bankrupt then we had to pay for another policy and wait for the state to release what was owed to us. So it can happen to any insurance company.

[Smiling JOe]

We were with a big insurance company the first time and they went bankrupt then we had to pay for another policy and wait for the state to release what was owed to us. So it can happen to any insurance company.

I hear you. By no means am I saying that a large company is not vulnerable. My question, Is there a way to know if an insurance company is able to pay its future claims?

[Beach Runner]

If your home (excluding property) appraises to $500K or above, try Lexington through Southern Coastal in Destin. They cover wind damage so you don't have to deal with Citizens. I've been told that if the unthinkable happened, it could take many months for a Citizens adjustor to inspect your property because they insure so many properties.

I can relate to this. We had a hail storm in GA in December. The first available appointment for repairing my daughter's car is next week. We are still in line for getting the roof on our house repaired. And this is a really small town, so I can't imagine how long it'd take to get an adjustor with as many homes as there are in the Panhandle.

The bad news is that the insurance premiums have increased so much that I could be driving a new S-Class with that amount of money.

Oh, yeah, and our insurance gets cancelled every November, so we have to deal with this every year. Double .

[TooFarTampa]

I've been told that if the unthinkable happened, it could take many months for a Citizens adjustor to inspect your property because they insure so many properties.

I can relate to this. We had a hail storm in GA in December. The first available appointment for repairing my daughter's car is next week. We are still in line for getting the roof on our house repaired. And this is a really small town, so I can't imagine how long it'd take to get an adjustor with as many homes as there are in the Panhandle.

Four months; dozens of phone calls. btdt.

[Beach Runner]

Four months; dozens of phone calls. btdt.

I can relate. I literally spent the month of January dealing with one insurance company for hail damage, finding an insurance company to replace our cancelled insurance at the beach, and trying to get health insurance for our daughter. She went on an antidepressant trying to deal with my husband's surgery and her unhappiness being so far from home, and because of being on antidepressants, we still haven't been able to get her a health insurance policy even though she went off the meds last April.

The co-owner of the dam of our puppy lives in south Florida. It took a year for her to get her roof repaired. She was totally flipped out about it and told me all of the horror stories.

[Donna]

We use William West at Waterfield Insurance out of Destin, and have been extremely happy with him. He is highly motivated, very responsive, and impressively well informed. I wish we had his clone here in CA. William was out on disability for a few months not long ago, some surgery and an extended recovery. We really missed him and thought about leaving Waterfield if he was out for keeps. When he returned and resumed as our agent, we stayed. But here's what we found out when we were thinking of changing horses.

Citizens is the only company offering wind damage in FL at this time, with very rare (and expensive) exceptions. We contacted Chantrelle at Kite in Pensacola and were impressed with her. They offer the same hazard coverage that we currently have, for almost half what we are paying at Waterfield. However, their wind coverage was 25% higher than Citizens. We were assured that the new policy with Citizens will be at least that much, if not more, but that is nearly a year away. There is always hope that Citizens will reassign to private companies, as their mandate from the State government requires. Meanwhile, there is no motivation for them to quote reasonable premiums. Despite the significant savings represented by the Kite hazard quote, we opted to stay with Waterfield. They performed well for us on the one occasion we had a claim and we reward dependability and responsiveness. Decided against taking a chance with an unknown company at this time.

Several months ago, I posted that our insurance company failed to mail us the Citizens wind premium and I only found out about it a day before the premium was due and our previous policy terminated. Well, turned out that they did send it to us via our management company (we were at South Walton for the holidays) and the management company failed to forward it or give it to us. It arrived with an unsigned, lame apology months after the fact. Never, ever have important information sent to your management company, regardless of how satisfied you are with their performance in the rental and management realms. I should have known better. :oops:

[OnMackBayou]

I second the opinion of William West at Waterfield being a good agent. He went way above and beyond the call of duty when we were looking for coverage. He knows the ropes and explains things in a professional easygoing manner.

[Beach Runner]

I am fond of William as well. But when he was on leave, his substitute said that Citizens was our only alternative. That is just a false statement!

Glad WW is back.

[SHELLY]

I hear you. By no means am I saying that a large company is not vulnerable. My question, Is there a way to know if an insurance company is able to pay its future claims?

Standard & Poor's rates some insurance companies and gives a little info about the companies. You can plug in information at Insure.com: S&P Rating

With some of the "majors" not writing new policies (or pulling out of Florida all together), there are a bunch of small, new, untested companies taking their place (HINT: Put the claims officer on speed dial so you have a shot at settling before the cash runs out. )

Who woulda thought that I would breath a heavy sigh of relief when I was "blessed" with a renewal notice that is only 50% higher than last year and includes an additional "Citizen's" kicker added for good measure!

Man, $12.50 per hour doesn't go as far as it used to!

[yippie]

I am fond of William as well. But when he was on leave, his substitute said that Citizens was our only alternative. That is just a false statement!

Glad WW is back.

You are correct. Citizens is NOT the only insurance company offering wind in Florida.

You should be very careful dealing with insurance agents, as they will tell you "not so truth's" to scare you into purchasing a policy from them.

Yes, insurance rates have more than doubled in some areas. Mine did. And I'm not with Citizens.

I just spoke with my insurance agent a few days ago and he showed me the notice that went our regarding the suppliments made to Citizens to bail them out. There was a $500 million dollar shortage. So in addition to the rate increase, many companies are acceessing and additional 6% to offset the state mandated contribution to Citizens.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO CALL JEB!!!

[pk305]

You all always come through!! Thanks so much for all the great info. I had already contacted one of these & now I have several more to call for comparisons.
I am all about getting/giving personal referrals.....nothing like first-hand experience to tell the tale!! THANKS AGAIN everyone :)

[Beach Runner]

SOMEONE NEEDS TO CALL JEB!!!

Yeah, the supplements for Citizens is an add-on expense that I wasn't expecting. Like I said, bye-bye, S-Class.

I've emailed Jeb many times. His office used to answer me. But now I'm ignored.

[SHELLY]

SOMEONE NEEDS TO CALL JEB!!!

Jeb "The Lame" (Brother of George "The Lesser") already knows about the rate hikes:

"Gov. Jeb Bush warned rate increases are inevitable in any solution to Florida's insurance market. "You can't have a business model where you have $20 billion in losses every year and you collect $2 billion in premiums," Bush said this week." (Sidebar: Don't you just LOVE the way he said $20B losses EVERY year??)


SOOOOOOOOOOOO..........

The BAD NEWS IS.....The current surcharge is just the first Citizen's "kicker" to cover $515 million for 2004's losses ...another is on the way to make up for the $1.5 BILLION loss for 2005.

And The GOOD NEWS IS...You may not have to pay because your carrier will cancel your policy and you won't be able to find a company to write a new policy.

[Smiling JOe]

The BAD NEWS IS.....The current surcharge is just the first Citizen's "kicker" to cover $515 million for 2004's losses ...another is on the way to make up for the $1.5 BILLION loss for 2005.

Shelly is correct. To date, the Citizen's deficit has been charged to you for only the year 2004, and if you thought it was big, wait until the ticket comes for 2005, which is 3 x the size of 2004. Those charges will be coming out later this year. Lord help us all if FL gets hit hard by storms in 2006.

[SHELLY]

Shelly is correct. To date, the Citizen's deficit has been charged to you for only the year 2004, and if you thought it was big, wait until the ticket comes for 2005, which is 3 x the size of 2004. Those charges will be coming out later this year. Lord help us all if FL gets hit hard by storms in 2006.

Floridians shouldn't feel they are being "picked on"...the insurance industry is taking advantage of the forecast for more and stronger hurricanes in the upcoming years to hose the rest of the nation as well.

Interesting article in yesterday's WSJ about the increases in homeowner's insurance:

"The hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast last summer are beginning to wreak havoc with homeowners' insurance coverage in states far removed from where the storms hit.

Still reeling from an estimated $56 billion of hurricane-related losses, major insurers are dropping policies or not writing new ones in coastal areas from Texas to Florida and up the Eastern Seaboard as far north as Massachusetts. Insurers including Allstate Corp. and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. say they need to reduce the financial risk that could come with fresh storms as soon as this year. But the moves have left homeowners in a number of states scrambling to find new coverage, often at higher cost."

WSJ Article

[30A Skunkape]

All I am going to say is insurance is a neccessary evil. Many, if not all have been dragging their feet in making policyholders whole after the big K here. And to make matters worse, it is abundantly clear they are going to lobby the state legislature HARD this year to make it even more difficult for policyholders to collect. Makes me sick to see them getting the OK to raise rates through the roof, deny claims, lobby for restrictions that screw consumers ALL after they supposedly made adjustments after Andrew in 1992 that would 'prevent' liabilty following a big storm...all the while they are making big profits and leave folks in limbo. My 2 cents

[Beachlover2]

I would like to know how many of you have flood insurance when it isn't required by your mortgage company. If you do, do you think you will be able to collect if we get a huge storm surge from a Cat4 or 5?

The way insurance premiums keep going I am tempted to drop ours (since it is a condo and we are responsible only for the walls in). But then I think if we do get a huge storm sruge I will be kicking myself for not paying the extra $500.00 for flood insurance.


Toss a coin - do you feel lucky?

[jakenned]

I would like to know how many of you have flood insurance when it isn't required by your mortgage company. If you do, do you think you will be able to collect if we get a huge storm surge from a Cat4 or 5?

The way insurance premiums keep going I am tempted to drop ours (since it is a condo and we are responsible only for the walls in). But then I think if we do get a huge storm sruge I will be kicking myself for not paying the extra $500.00 for flood insurance.


Toss a coin - do you feel lucky?

What you describe would not be flood, but wind damage. The wind caused the surge...at least that is my understanding.

BTW- After IVAN I got great service out of Citizens...granted they had bigger issues to deal with...we sent the receipts, they sent the checks...no inspector.

[Beach Runner]

I would like to know how many of you have flood insurance when it isn't required by your mortgage company. If you do, do you think you will be able to collect if we get a huge storm surge from a Cat4 or 5?

The way insurance premiums keep going I am tempted to drop ours (since it is a condo and we are responsible only for the walls in). But then I think if we do get a huge storm sruge I will be kicking myself for not paying the extra $500.00 for flood insurance.


Toss a coin - do you feel lucky?

We just got flood insurance. Even though our neighborhood is not in a flood zone, after Katrina we've heard so many horror stories about disputes with insurance companies regarding flood damage versus wind damage that we decided we'd cover both ends. It's pretty cheap. I'd strongly recommend it.

[Smiling JOe]

What you describe would not be flood, but wind damage. The wind caused the surge...at least that is my understanding.

BTW- After IVAN I got great service out of Citizens...granted they had bigger issues to deal with...we sent the receipts, they sent the checks...no inspector.

If water causes the damage, there is a good argument, and ongoing battle between the insurance companies, that the flood insurance has to pay, even if the water is caused by penetrating rain that blew in due to the wind. They could fight for years on either argument.

Don't take an agent's word for your coverage. Make them put it in writing and sign and date. Also, make sure that the agent has the authority to make statements as such on behalf of the company.

[Beachlover2]

I was told by our agent that if we get flooded due to wind breaking out a sliding door or roof damage we are covered by the wind insurance. If we get flooded by storm surge - we aren't. The building has never been hit by storm surge - but I guess there is always a first time - especially with all the Cat 4 and 5 last year. We are across the street on Old 98 - but we are in the first row of condos facing the gulf. So we are up about 20'

[Beach Runner]

I was told by our agent that if we get flooded due to wind breaking out a sliding door or roof damage we are covered by the wind insurance. If we get flooded by storm surge - we aren't. The building has never been hit by storm surge - but I guess there is always a first time - especially with all the Cat 4 and 5 last year. We are across the street on Old 98 - but we are in the first row of condos facing the gulf. So we are up about 20'

The way I figure it is that while the insurance companies are deciding who is liable, one's property is subject to further damage until it is repaired. That is, unless you have a boatload of money and can afford to do the repairs out-of-pocket and just wait on the insurance companies to decide who pays. I'd rather not do that. For a few hundred dollars I can cover all possibilities and not have to deal with the above scenario.

[Beachlover2]

I think I basically agree with you BR - but I hate to part with money.

Thanks for the imput. Guess I will just write the check again.

[yippie]

What you describe would not be flood, but wind damage. The wind caused the surge...at least that is my understanding.

BTW- After IVAN I got great service out of Citizens...granted they had bigger issues to deal with...we sent the receipts, they sent the checks...no inspector.

The wind may have caused the surge, but if damaged occurs because of the surge, it is considered rising water, so flood would be the one to pay.

A note regarding Flood insurance. If you are located in a Coastal Barrier Zone, an area the government created in 1987 (??) to harbor coastal development, and you have flood insurance with anyone other than the state pool, it will never pay. Insurance agents are not suppose to be able to sell flood in the barrier zone.

Yet, many will sell you policies and many companies take the policies because they rely on the agent's knowledge of the boundary lines.

If you are in a Coastal Barrier Zone and you have been paying premiums, then you are entitiled to a full refund of any premium paid. My neighbor got her refund, but only after repeated phone calls and a lot of persistence!!! But a full refund regardless!!!

[yippie]

We just got flood insurance. Even though our neighborhood is not in a flood zone, after Katrina we've heard so many horror stories about disputes with insurance companies regarding flood damage versus wind damage that we decided we'd cover both ends. It's pretty cheap. I'd strongly recommend it.

I, too, am not located in a flood zone, however I AM located in the Coastal Barrier Zone, therefore, flood would not pay regardless.

[Donna]

Don't assume that it doesn't matter which policy pays. Wind insurance has a very high deductible, ours is $10K. Flood insurance, by contrast, carries a $500 deductible. I understand that the wind carrier will argue as long as possible if there was any water involvement whatsoever, including wind blowing a window in and damage attributable to rain entering the structure after.

[Smiling JOe]

Don't assume that it doesn't matter which policy pays. Wind insurance has a very high deductible, ours is $10K. Flood insurance, by contrast, carries a $500 deductible. I understand that the wind carrier will argue as long as possible if there was any water involvement whatsoever, including wind blowing a window in and damage attributable to rain entering the structure after.

If I remember correctly, after Ivan '04, it didn't matter who was supposed to pay (in some respect) because the wind and flood insurance companies argued for so long, that the homeowners had to find a way on their own to cover the damages until the companies decided who owes what more than a year after the loss. Life sure sounds more simple with an Airstream that you just hook to the back of the Cadillac and take with you to escape the coming storms. No need to get that hotel room either.

[pk305]

This time I have 2 questions....does anyone have any knowledge of this insurance company....AMERICAN STRATEGIC? Today we received our first quote from one of the recommended local agencies on this board and the Hazard insurance is through this American Strategic. They do not have S&P rating at all. Also, is it correct that the only flood insurance that one can get is through National Flood Service for a max of $250k for the dwelling?
(the quotes were not as bad as we had anticipated...I was honestly afraid to open the email!)
THANKS AGAIN!!

[whosyodaddy]

I still am contemplating litigation against William personally and his firm that he works for. He let our policy lapse and blames it all on American Superior who went bankrupt. I blame it on him personally for not notifying us that the company had gone belly up and that we needed to seek other insurance. Instead, I discovered it only too late and we had to ride out two hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast wondering if we were going to be detroyed or not with absolutely no coverage. Once the hurricanes were out of the box we could not get insurance because we were not currently covered. I had to go thru the State of Fl and tons of red tape just to get insurance. William nor his company returned phone calls and seemed generally disinterested in our problem- which they seemed to think they had no involvement in. I'd let Enron do my taxes before I let him do anything for me. Like an elephant, I've got a long memory.

[SHELLY]

Here's the LATEST on the 2nd part of the Citizen's Bailout:

Homeowners Will Have to Pay for Citizen's Deficit

"The 2005 deficit for Citizens Property Insurance will likely be at least 50 percent higher than originally estimated, surpassing $1.7 billion.
That's bad news for all insured homeowners in Florida: By law, they have to pay the tab.
For sure, there will be a 10 percent surcharge on all homeowner policies this year, covering about half of Citizens' escalating deficit. That means an extra $100 charge for every $1,000 of premium.
To cover the rest of the shortfall, the state-run insurer will need to pass an emergency assessment -- and it could go as high as another 10 percent.
The bottom line: A homeowner with a $3,000 premium -- from any home insurer -- could be hit with about $600 in assessments, and that is on top of the string of double-digit rate increases that have been arriving in the mail.
Yet, there's a sliver of good news: The second surcharge won't hit all in one year. Citizens' board can portion out an emergency assessment over several years."

(Again folks: $12.50 per hour ain't gonna cut it! Pardon me while I go and have a good stiff shot )

[SHELLY]

This time I have 2 questions....does anyone have any knowledge of this insurance company....AMERICAN STRATEGIC? Today we received our first quote from one of the recommended local agencies on this board and the Hazard insurance is through this American Strategic. They do not have S&P rating at all.

Here's a little blurb about American Strategic (when they filed to increase rates in Florida) that says Best's (another insurance rater) rates their financial strength as B++ (Very Good): Blurb

[Beach Runner]

This time I have 2 questions....does anyone have any knowledge of this insurance company....AMERICAN STRATEGIC? Today we received our first quote from one of the recommended local agencies on this board and the Hazard insurance is through this American Strategic. They do not have S&P rating at all. Also, is it correct that the only flood insurance that one can get is through National Flood Service for a max of $250k for the dwelling?
(the quotes were not as bad as we had anticipated...I was honestly afraid to open the email!)
THANKS AGAIN!!

We had American Strategic for two years when they cancelled on us for no apparent reason. We had Northpointe until we received a letter in November saying they were canceling our insurance because the house wasn't on a well-traveled road.

It is true that the max amount of FEMA flood coverage you can get is $250K. But you can get additional flood insurance to cover the amount over that from whoever writes your main insurance policy.

To whosyodaddy: We had a problem with WW and a lack of response from the agency and were quite annoyed. But that was just before he went on leave - I assume he was unreponsive because he was ill. But his replacement was the one who told us that Citizen's is the only company that covers wind. When we checked around and found out that this wasn't true, we went with another agency. I really don't like being given misinformation.

[yippie]

To clarify a few of the above statements.

First, the homeowners are not required by law to contribute to Citizens deficit. The other Insurance companies are required by law, however, they will pass the problem on to you. The majority of companies are charging a 6% premium, not 10%.

Other wise advice. READ the policy. Mine included a page on things that would allow you to receive a discount, including a metal roof.

I notified my agent, of an A class no doubt, of my installation of a metal roof, and am still waiting to see what the discount will be. It is apparent that you now must fight not only for a claim, but for discounts they offer in writing.

Regarding WW, whether on leave, on vacation or what, I have spotted him a number of times at O'Quigley's in Destin in no shape to handle any insurance need for anyone. I understand it is a regular occurrence.

[yippie]

Oh, I forgot to mention. I see a lot of posts using the word, Cancelled.

If shopping for other insurance, please do not use this word. You need to say you were nonrenewed.

It makes a HUGE difference when speaking to prospective insurers.

I am not an insurance agent, but feel as if I have gone to school for a license in the last couple of years. It was a very rude realization when I calculated that I am paying out 20% of earnings on various insurance!!!!!

[SHELLY]

First, the homeowners are not required by law to contribute to Citizens deficit. The other Insurance companies are required by law, however, they will pass the problem on to you. The majority of companies are charging a 6% premium, not 10%.

The 6% was for the year 2004 deficit...there is ANOTHER charge coming down the pipe for the 2005 deficit. My guess is that the insurance companies will pass that on to the customers too.

Renters of vacation homes and condos aren't required by law to contribute to the owner's increase in insurance...however, they may be more generous than the insurance companies and chose NOT pass the increase on to the vacationers (?)

[SHELLY]

We had American Strategic for two years when they cancelled on us for no apparent reason.

That's probably why they have a good finanical backing...they take the premiums for a while, then cancel...get another client and take the premiums for a while then cancel...shampoo, rinse, repeat.

[Beach Runner]

Oh, I forgot to mention. I see a lot of posts using the word, Cancelled.

If shopping for other insurance, please do not use this word. You need to say you were nonrenewed.

Good point. I'll remember that. You know, it's hard to live on a well-traveled street when the street dead ends into the Gulf. If that's the requirement, we'll get "non-renewed" every year. GRRRR!

[pk305]

THANKS again for answering my last 2 questions....this thread has a wealth of info and I appreciate you all sharing your experiences....I'm so excited to be heading to Seagrove tomorrow!! Looks like we are in store for some BEAUTIFUL weather over the next week or so!!

[Jdarg]

I had the "pleasure" of calling around for some insurance quotes on a few houses that we are looking at this weekend. Talk about how to ruin your day.

Apparently, to one agency in Seagrove that will remain anonymous for now(unless I am goaded into naming them), running a quote is something to yell at people about. I have NEVER been treated like that before- unbelievably rude. This girl would not let me tell her what I wanted or ask a question- she just basically yelled at me about how she couldn't really quote me anything. I finally was able to yell back "Stop a minute" and told her that I didn't think we would be able to work with her, and she snapped "FINE". End of conversation. I am not kidding. This agency was recommended by several on the board, so I called them. I think this gal needs a new line of work.

On a happier note, Kite and Waterfield were more than happy to give me some general quotes and put a smile in their voice while doing so. Thanks to them! I was practically in tears when I called Waterfield and they were so nice. One of them will get our house and cars. I understand that without an appraisal and some other documentation, the quotes won't be exact, but geez, I just want an idea of what insurance is going to cost, without some crazy nutball being ugly to me.

[Rita]

.........
On a happier note, Kite and Waterfield were more than happy to give me some general quotes and put a smile in their voice while doing so. Thanks to them! I was practically in tears when I called Waterfield and they were so nice. One of them will get our house and cars. I understand that without an appraisal and some other documentation, the quotes won't be exact, but geez, I just want an idea of what insurance is going to cost, without some crazy nutball being ugly to me.

I'm sure there is much stress in the coastal insurance business these days but they need to get a grip!

.

[TooFarTampa]

jdarg -- let's just say yours is sadly not a unique experience. I hope you at least get some good service. Keep us posted on how it goes.

By the way, I read somewhere that agents' commissions are based on a percentage of the premium, and now that policies are doubling and tripling in price ... well, you do the math. Even if Citizens pays lower commissions to agents than private insurers (and it does), homeowners are paying a LOT more into the insurance pool than ever. Poor service is inexcusable. Count yourself fortunate that you found out early about this particular agency.

[Mango]

Sorry you had to endure that JDarg, and it has happened to me too.
Who needs the stress of moving and then having to deal with that?: idontno:
Bat turds!