[Niffy]

Has anyone had problems getting a new homeowners policy? We are in the process of looking for a policy, as we are buying a house. Today, when I called Company X, I was told that our house couldn't be insured because...it is too close to the water.

The house is in NORTHFORD. Close to the DURHAM LINE. I laughed and told the guy, "oh that's funny, because my parents live in Branford, about 2 miles from LI Sound and they have insurance with you and have for over 30 years." The guy told me that they must be grandfathered in, and that the reason Company X couldn't insure me was because of a possible tidal surge. He ran the zip code and county info a few times just to see if it was a mistake, and it wasn't. I called my Realtor who had never heard anything like this before.

So, before I waste my time calling around to more companies...those of you who live about 10 miles from the water...have you had problems? Who do you have insurance with?

[ss20ts]

Since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike (and others), insurance companies have been dropping customers in water areas. They had to pay out a fortune after those hurricanes. they are in the business of making money and when they lose it they "must" recoup it in other ways such as preventing more payouts.

Are you in the flood plain? if so, you may have to get your insurance through the feds. Be prepared to pay through the nose for the policy once you can find one.

[Niffy]

Thanks for the input, and I get what you're saying but since it's obvious you're not from CT, you don't understand the situation as to where the house is. This house is over 10 miles from shore, AND is not at sea level.

Can anyone who lives in CT weigh in?

[Niffy]

Also, I did get one quote already and found out which company the previous owners had their insurance with, so there are companies out there who will insure Northford, lol.

[JayCT]

The agent you talked to had to make a mistake. Northford is no where near the shore. Check other brokers for quotes. Jay

[Niffy]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The agent you talked to had to make a mistake. Northford is no where near the shore. Check other brokers for quotes. Jay

It was SO bizarre--I actually laughed and said "this house is FAR from the water" and he said that they don't insure houses in certain counties/areas because if there was a tsunami, the waves would reach that far inland.

That was calling the "on your side" company's 800 number. I then called another company, which gave me a fine quote, and I'm calling the agent that the sellers have tomorrow.

So weird.

[renovating]

Because of the risk of hurricanes, insurance companies are getting pickier about who they insure in CT. It doesn't matter that you are not on the coast, you are close enough that a hurricane coming ashore could cause significant wind damage to your property.

You may also be required to have your property inspected by your new insurance company before they will agree to coverage. This is becoming more common in the state.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Niffy

That was calling the "on your side" company's 800 number.

Never call an 800# if there are local agents in your area. Call a local Nationwide agent for a quote.

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by Niffy

Thanks for the input, and I get what you're saying but since it's obvious you're not from CT, you don't understand the situation as to where the house is. This house is over 10 miles from shore, AND is not at sea level.

Can anyone who lives in CT weigh in?

It has NOTHING to do with being from CT. It has to do with being a homeowner who has had to deal with insurance changes because of hurricanes. My insurance increased the year after Katrina because Allstate paid out millions. I live NOWHERE near water of any kind. Ii don't even live in a flood plain. Because of Katrina, I HAD to pay more even though I don't live in Louisiana nor do I live near water. Hurricanes have affected every single homeowner in the US.

[JViello]

Okay folks...time to slow down for a minute. I'm hoping Wavehunter will chime in on this as well because he has a wealth of weather info too.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that "I'm X miles inland, why do I have to worry about a flood from a hurricane".

The coast of CT IS HUGELY vulnerable to a storm surge AND flooding due to heavy rain.

I cringe at all the new development on the shore since we have not had a major storm hit in over 70 years. We are due, and it's not going to be pretty.

There is a documentary put out by CPTV and hosted by Art Horn (theartofweather.com) that puts things into perspective for us.

It's called Hurricane: Direct Hit if you can watch it.

FEMA says the state of CT is at high risk as well:

FEMA: Lack of Flood Insurance Puts Connecticut Residents at Risk

"There is water everywhere," said Certified Floodplain Manager Ron Lansverk of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. "At any time a storm could strike and thousands of residents would find themselves burdened with the costs of major repairs from flooding."

If you ever saw a map of how FAR inland a 10 foot or 20 foot storm surge would affect you'd be shocked. That's just storm surge, nevermind the rain that would flood us out too.

CT is a high risk for hurricanes, we've just forgotten that.