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[geegerbee]

If you file a claim, but then decide not to follow through with getting money, will that still result in higher insurance premiums . I had an adjuster out today to look at my roof. If it doesn't cover a new replacement roof, I will just pay someone to fix the loose shingles. Is my investigative claim still grounds for higher monthly payments?

[gizmogal]

It’s been my first hand experience that if you drop the claim and, of course, that means no payout from your policy, it does not have any effect on your future premiums.  Only a payout makes an insurer reassess you as a “risk” and adjust premiums accordingly. 

There may may be other factors that can affect your premiums even without a claim or a withdrawn claim, but simply claiming and then deciding not to go forward is not a cause for premium change.

Certainly,  much of this may depend on which insurance company, how long you’ve been a customer, where you live, your credit report or rating, and prior claims you might have made.  Insurers communicate with each other. So having a claims history against other property like a boat or car can also adversely affect homeowners policy premiums. 

If the payout offer on the roof claim is not worth it, withdraw the claim and pay for repairs yourself with no consequence beyond out of pocket loss. 

[catchersmom]

There's also a very good chance that now that your insurance carrier is aware of some roof issues they may request proof of repairs/inspect your roof repairs as part of allowing renewal of your policy.

[gizmogal]

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@catchersmom wrote:

There's also a very good chance that now that your insurance carrier is aware of some roof issues they may request proof of repairs/inspect your roof repairs as part of allowing renewal of your policy.

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I completely agree with @catchersmom.  Excellent advice. While your premiums may not be impacted, you might have to accept the insurer’s request of proof of repairs or inspection. I hadn’t thought to add that, but it’s a valid point.  No big worry, it’s a simple matter in order to facilitate policy  when the time comes, and usually you get a generous deadline to comply; they don’t just drop you.

[Mominohio]

We had some wind damage (I should say possible) and were having some contractors out to let us know for sure. 

In the meantime, I called the insurance, and they weren't very helpful but asked if I wanted to open a claim. I said yes, as I thought I would be one step ahead if we needed to file.

The contractors found no damage, and we never actually filed a claim or got money.

A few months later, I decided to investigate other ins. companies and see if I could find a better deal and had at least one national well know company tell me we were uninsurable. 

I was totally shocked. We have a very nice home, kept in good repair, super high credit rating, never filed a claim, and any other 'good' thing think you can think of. 

The company that said we were not insurable said it was because we had opened a claim (even though, we never really filed anything or asked for or got a single dime). I'll think twice before ever doing that again. 

[ScrapHappy]

We made our first claim ever on homeowner's insurance in 36 years after our tub leaked right thru into the garage.  We never went thru with it, my insurance company really let us down.  After that, a few months later, our car insurance came up for renewal.  It doubled!  Yes, doubled!  Went from $2000 to over $4000.  Right after that, our homeowners came up for renewal.  It went up about $900.  I don't know if the increase in car insurance had anything to do with it.  We never had an accident or ticket.  Been with this company for 36 years.  Needless to say, I switched insurance companies.  P.S.  I did call insurance company and asked why car insurance doubled, they told me "natural disasters."