Homeonwer's Insurance: Which one do you have, and would you recommend?

[AmyAnne]

Our homeowner's insurance (with State Farm) just keeps going up even though we have not had any claims in the past 5 years (at least). I can't even remember why we picked them, but it is definitely time to do some comparison shopping. I would really appreciate knowing any good or bad experiences you have had with your homeowner's insurance company. thanks!

 

[daughtersrus]

Our homeowner's insurance (with State Farm) just keeps going up even though we have not had any claims in the past 5 years (at least). I can't even remember why we picked them, but it is definitely time to do some comparison shopping. I would really appreciate knowing any good or bad experiences you have had with your homeowner's insurance company. thanks!

We've had State Farm for over 30 years. I wouldn't consider switching. We only had one claim for hail damage but were able to replace our roof and siding for one deductible. I know others haven't been so lucky with them. We have all of our cars and recreation items with them as well. Our premium goes up every year too but I think that would happen no matter which company you're with.

 

[AmyAnne]

We've had State Farm for over 30 years. I wouldn't consider switching. We only had one claim for hail damage but were able to replace our roof and siding for one deductible. I know others haven't been so lucky with them. We have all of our cars and recreation items with them as well. Our premium goes up every year too but I think that would happen no matter which company you're with.

That's true that the rate increases might happen with other companies -- but I still think it makes sense to shop around at least once in a while, even if just to satisfy myself that we are paying a rate that is in line with what other companies are charging.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We just left Safeco and switched over to Geico (we also have our auto insurance with Geico). In the past we've been insured with Liberty Mutual and State Farm. We expect policy increases (within reason), but Liberty Mutual and Safeco increased our policy by huge amounts with no claims whatsoever, so that's what prompted us to look around for other companies. Our new policy through Geico was about $200 less than our renewal with Safeco.

 

[dfchelbay]

We have Homesite through GMAC. I've had State Farm before & left for the same reason. Renewals went up every year & they stopped offering all the extra protection we wanted too, like for water damage.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We have State Farm, but I called around and they had the best rates. I would just call around. I like the security of having a local agent over insurance from an out of town company. If you also have your car insurance with State Farm, remember those rates will go up when you pull your homeowners unless you are able to also move your cars to the new company too.

 

[smiths02]

USAA, if you qualify

 

[jenf22]

In addition to rate increases, we've spent the ENTIRE summer fighting Allstate over a hail claim for a hail storm that happened last summer. We just last week got notification that they will be sending us a check for a new roof. I would stay away from Allstate. Once their check clears, we're switching. We switched our auto to Geiko but I don't think they provide Home Owners where we are. We'll probably end up with State Farm.

 

[smiths02]

In addition to rate increases, we've spent the ENTIRE summer fighting Allstate over a hail claim for a hail storm that happened last summer. We just last week got notification that they will be sending us a check for a new roof. I would stay away from Allstate. Once their check clears, we're switching. We switched our auto to Geiko but I don't think they provide Home Owners where we are. We'll probably end up with State Farm.

We had Allstate previously. We will NEVER use them again. Several people on our street and everyone we ever knew got a new roof for hail damage. We got NOTHING towards the roof from them. $5000.
So to OP, even though this a budget board the cheapest insurance isn't always the best if you do actually need it.

 

[nene0182]

We have American Family for both auto and home. We've been happy with them though we haven't had any claims for either. I've thought about switching though as their costs is significantly higher for us compared to other quotes I have gotten.

 

[stsomewhere]

AAA

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I'm with Liberty Mutual. Have been with them since I started to learn how to drive at age 16 and I'm 49 now. Once I got married, my husband went onto Liberty Mutual. We have homeowners, auto, and two other "things" insured thru them (property and storage unit in another state). When our storage unit changed hands, new owners required proof of insurance on insured items. I called Liberty Mutual to set wheels in motion to get this done thinking I'd be the one making the phone calls, faxing, etc. Liberty Mutual said give me their number and info. and we'll take care of it. They did it all without me even asking. They give discounts for home security systems, multiple policies, etc. (but I would guess most insurance companies do). We do have increases every year but it was explained to me it has more to do with things like hurricanes, flood, wild fires, etc. It effects everyone. All in all, I've been very pleased and don't plan on changing any time soon.

 

[disneymomto5]

I too have had policy increases every year since going with Liberty Mutual with no claims. When I called them about this they told me it was due to Hurricane Sandy, despite we weren't in the hurricane path. Basically they told me that everyone will pay for those massive hurricanes....not fair in my opinion, but I have no say so I guess. I shop around every year, but the rates are pretty consistent where we are, so I usually stay with what we have.

 

[tvguy]

I've had Allstate for 32 years on my home, and 42 years on my car. One auto claim 40 years ago, one homeowners claim about 20 years ago. Rates never went up. Claims were quickly resolved to my satisfaction.

When I price shop other companies, if I can get cheaper homeowners, the auto goes up more than the savings, and if I get get cheap auto, the homeowners goes up more than the savings.

 

[LJSquishy]

When we had our had (sold last year), we had Safeco which was bundled with our auto insurance. We love being with Safeco and have never had any issues. We never had to claim anything under our home insurance policy, but have had auto claims before and they've been amazing to work with. Our home/auto insurance bundle went down in price every year. We plan to use them when we buy our next home in a few months.

 

[powellrj]

We have had Auto-Owners for almost 40 years and have been happy with them.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I have state farm and been with them for over 30 years. The way I see it you can pay less, but it all boils down to when making a claim and how they take care of you.

 

[kathy884]

I have Farmers. I have on older 1947 house with a 1982 addition and of the four companies that I initially called when I bought our home in 89 they were the only one who was able to give me replacement cost insurance due to home age. I don't know how competitive they are cost wise, but I just had my first claim (sewer backup in finished basement). OMG they were wonderful, so easy to deal with, and reimbursed me for full estimates for my replacement vinyl plank flooring and drywall for wall that had some of that removed / repainting / towels for damage control / Indian blanket cleaning and sanitizing, new rug for that / our night at a hotel - you name it. I was really impressed how nice they were and how easy they made everything. That means a lot to me.

 

[starry_solo]

USAA, if you qualify

+1.

 

[InStitchesinNE]

We have MetLife and I love them. We had a VERY tough winter here in the Northeast with heavy snow accumulations. We had our large second story deck partially collapse under the snow load. The contractors were very busy with roof work and water damage, and we were getting quotes of $5000 just to remove the deck. My husband refused to pay someone that amount if money on principal, even though MetLife would have paid it. So he tore it down himself. Our agent asked how long it took him, then paid him an hourly rate for doing the work! The deck was old but they gave us the full replacement cost for the deck with no issues at all. And I haven't seen any significant increase in our rate either. I couldn't be happier with them.