Looking for Budget-friendly Home Owners Insurance recommendations!

[kfeuer]

We are set to renew our home owners insurance policy (and auto policy for that matter) next month. Despite having no claims and us putting on a new roof our current provider (AllState) has raised our rates by about $40 for next year.

I work for an insurance agency and just wanted to point out that things like putting on a new roof have no impact on insurance rates with any company. Upkeep and maintenance is expected.

With that said, I agree with everyone who said to check with an independent insurance agency. They'll quote you with several companies and give you the best rate they have.

Personally, I'm with Amica right now. They're consistently on the top of customer satisfaction polls. Thankfully we haven't had to file a claim with them but have been satisfied with their other services.

 

[JandJ]

We pay $630 a year for homeowners coverage

To pay that little for homeowners would be a dream! Try quadrupling that for Florida!

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to live in Florida, but we're not in a flood zone, even though we live close to the Gulf, and (knock on wood) haven't had a hurricane anywhere near here since 2005, but the insurance companies are leaving the state left and right and there seems to be no end to how much the remaining companies can raise their rates.

 

[Heidijs]

To pay that little for homeowners would be a dream! Try quadrupling that for Florida!

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to live in Florida, but we're not in a flood zone, even though we live close to the Gulf, and (knock on wood) haven't had a hurricane anywhere near here since 2005, but the insurance companies are leaving the state left and right and there seems to be no end to how much the remaining companies can raise their rates.

EEK! Yeah I have extra sewer backup coverage too so it would be even cheaper if I didn't have that...we're close to the flood zone too on the Mississippi.

 

[swissfamilyrobinson]

We are going nuts over what our insurance company (Allstate) has done. They dropped our wind and hail coverage last year (even though we've never filed a claim) and we had to go through one of the only companies that would insure us because of where we live (on the Gulf Coast, but not near the water - not a flood area and high elevation).

Our insurance went from $1200 per year to $3200 per year last year. They then raised us for renewal to $3500 per year for this year, but then we received an "amended renewal" a couple of weeks ago and it jumped to $4100!!!

 

[tinkercat]

OP here with an update - We got several quotes today and then DH called Allstate to see if they could improve our quote through them. After a few small changes to the policies, the auto insurance stays the same as it was cost wise and homeowners is only $9 more than last year.

Our agent also informed us that rates nationwide are increasing by at least 9% so that the insurance companies can recoup some of the money lost to claims in foreclosure issues, etc. It seems wrong to me that those of us who can still pay our bills, etc. have to pay the price but there isn't much that can be done about it I guess.

 

[paper1225]

We just went through this.....but ours was going up almost 3x's higher! It was going from about 750/year to 2000/year! No claims and we live in MO?! We shopped everyone possible! We have chosen Farmers Mutual, and they are less than what we paid last year! We do have to pay a $30 yearly membership fee, but we also tried them with our lake house........it went down $200! WOOHOO, my recommendation is to ask around. We had never heard of Farmers and called out last real estate agent.......he led us to Farmers!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We have Geico for homeowners and auto. Haven't had any problems and they gave us a great rate.