Community Chat

[gidgetgh]

We have all of our insurance, home/car/umbrella/separate jewelry policy, through State Farm.

On our homeowner's policy, we set the deductible really high and that substantially lowered our premium.

[goldensrbest]

Thank -you everyone for your imput.

[151949]

All you need to do to "shop around" is call various insurances and ask them for quotes. We had always had Erie ins. when we lived in Pa but they don't cover Fl. so we shopped around and found AAA to be our best bet. You don't have to be a AAA member to buy the insurance, so I reccommend starting with them. Then call Allstate if you have them in your area, and State Farm  etc etc.Just look them up in the phone book.Tell them you are looking at several companies and would like a quote - they are happy to do it.

[KathyPet]

Be careful using the term "insurance agent".  OFten these agents only represent a specific insurance company for example State Farm or Allstate.  YOu need to find a independent insurance agent that represents multiple companies and even then they do not represent all insurance companies but just the ones they have chosen to represent.  I would check with at least two independent insurance agents to get a broader range of options.  Also raise your deductible to at least $1000.00.  IF you have a basement make sure you have back up water and sewage coverage.

[Shelbelle]

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@sunshine45 wrote:

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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Great advice, this is what I have, a broker who shops around for you. Also, like others said, get your policy tweaked to lower the premium.

[febe1]

I had a letter a few days ago from my home owner's insurance company informing me the cost of rebuilding my home has gone up, and they will adjust my insurance on my next billing.

They didn't ask; they just told me.

[SeaMaiden]

We have been with Farmers  for our cars and home insurances for over 40 years. I have an independent agent who I just adore. He always helps to give me the best advice  to give me the best coverage for the best price.  Farmers has always been right there the very few times we needed them. No complaints with Farmers.

[RedTop]

I've been with State Farm for 45 years.  When my SIL lost her home to a fire, we had our agent come out and re-evaluate our coverage to make sure we have what we need, and chose a large deductible.  When our alarm system was installed, we have multiple heat sensors and a smoke alarm for early detection, which resulted in a homeowners discount on our insurance.   When the fire department installed a fire hydrant within 200 ft of our house, we received another discount.   

[Mindy D]

A word of caution. Some insurance companies offer much lower coverage, but there's a catch. They have you waive your right to sue them for more money on a claim and they make everything subject to arbitration with their own arbitrators.