HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

goldensrbest · ‎03-10-2010

My husband always took care of almost everything,when he died in 2013, it left me trying to understand so many things, my homeowners policy has just got to be too much for me to pay,how do i get quotes from other companies,and is there a way to get rating on companies?

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

The #1 thing to do is check your deductible and see how much it is. Raising it will lower your premium. Also check your other coverage and see if there's something you can raise or eliminate. I think some people go to brokers who have information on all companies. As a veteran, I've always been with USAA a so haven't "shopped around". Where I've lived the price for the same coverage is the same with every company. Call an agent with your present company, make an appointment and get his suggestions for lowering your premium.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I would start out by reviewing the current policy. Have the agent go through it and tell you about it. As far as coverage goes, is the current policy high - average - low. What is the deductible? If you doubled it, how much would the price drop. Ask what can you do to lower the price. Install smoke detectors or something like that that isn't crazy expensive. Make sure you have what you're insuring. When I did a review of my policy, I was insuring a shed. I don't have a shed.

Once I understood stood where I was, I'd ask friends or neighbors if they are happy with their agent. If so, add it to the list of companies you interview and get an estimate from. You could get a list of the insurance companies in your area, Google search, and look how they stack up on the BBB website.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

find an insurance BROKER rather than an insurance agent affiliated with one particular company. they can usually find you the best deal.

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

Ask you friends/relatives if they know or use a good insurance agency. An Insurance Agency is a local company that sells insurance for many big named insurance companies. An agency is an independent 'broker' who earns their income from commissions from the big insurance companies. To give you an example: I own rental property and had coverage from a small insurance company for years & every year they have been increasing my yearly cost by thousands of dollars. So ....I went to a local Agency and ask them to price out my policy with other companies - and they did and they found a big company giving me the same coverage for $3,000 less a year!

Everybody should review their policies every few years. Good Luck!

Melania · ‎06-12-2013

I don't know if you still drive but you could look into combining auto and homeowner's insurance and get a decent savings on both.

Also look to see if you an credit if you live near a fire hydrant, security system etc.

flickerbulb · ‎03-09-2010

This is very easy to do. First, use your phone book or Google local insurance agencies.

You ask to speak to an agent and ask for a new quote on HO insurance.

They have access to a number of different companies. Most of them will be companies you have never heard of, but don't worry.

The agent can tell you their rating. Also, if you have AAA or AARP, you can call them for rates.

If you are/were a teacher or state employee, some companies give better rates for those groups.

Most agents will represent groups of companies and can find the best rate around for you.

I like to check once a year before I renew to see if I can get a better rate.

It also helps if you have newer roof. Some companies may send someone out to check out your property to see if it is in good shape.

It is a lot of time on the phone, so write down the names of the companies and the quotes and phone numbers.

It is easy! Good luck!

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

Speaking as someone who had to live in a hotel for 5 full months due to a house fire.....I can tell you it is very, very important that your insurance has the words (SAME AS) not LIKE.

We had SAME AS and were very grateful. Our insurance company was amazing. We got an entire house full of new furniture, they paid $1,000 a week to the hotel and we could eat anywhere every meal we wanted to eat at, anywhere.

It ended up costing our insurance company over $230,000. Every piece of material, clothing, etc was was cleaned and stored. All appliances were replaced, etc.

Make sure you have good insurance. Lightning hit a tree next to my house, bounce off and hit the roof. Most of the damage was some smoke and where they tore down the ceilings and walls making sure they'd killed the fire.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Annabellethecat66 Got a match I could borrow?

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@goldensrbest wrote:
My husband always took care of almost everything,when he died in 2013, it left me trying to understand so many things, my homeowners policy has just got to be too much for me to pay,how do i get quotes from other companies,and is there a way to get rating on companies?

@goldensrbest

Before you jump to another company, why not talk to your current agent and tell him/her that you want to reduce the premium, and how would they recommend doing so. It will give you a chance for the two of you to go over the policy and for you familiarize yourself with coverages.

If you end up wanting to get quotes from other companies (which is always a good idea) you will have different features and benefits clear for the next discussion.

As for ratings, the go-to independent insurance rating company is A. M. Best ..... they are well respected, been around for ages, and you'll see the A M Best ratings in stock reports etc.

http://www.ambest.com/about/