moving to st. aug--need homeowner's insurance (Sarasota, St. Augustine: townhouse, buying, construction)

[bobandsteve]

hello again, y'all!

We will be moving to St. Augustine, probably this fall--YAY!! But we just contacted our homeowner's insurer (Allied), who gently informed us that they ABSOLUTELY do not work in Florida. Sheesh! Can anyone give us some names of insurance agents in the area whom we could contact about insuring us?

Thanks for everything! We already feel like we've met some of our new neighbors through this blog!!

bob and steve

[Robyn55]

Homeowners' insurance is a tough nut in Florida. This series of articles will give you some background:

Sarasota Florida News, Sarasota Weather, Sports and Business | Florida Property Insurance Investigation | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Keep in mind that you'll probably wind up with a reasonably large windstorm deductible - and a less than terrific company. You'll also need federal flood insurance.

I can't recommend a specific agent (I don't live in St. Augustine) - but I would definitely talk with one before buying to find out what areas - and what types of properties (in terms of age - construction techniques - etc.) - are easier/less expensive to insure than others. Robyn

[Robyn55]

P.S. You will not find a good ---> excellent insurance company to insure your house here (unless you are buying a very expensive house - and are willing to pay a ton of money annually - e.g., I think Chubb will still write policies - but it wants to write policies with annual premiums > $25k). About the best you can expect is mediocre or worse (or Citizens - the state pool - which is certainly not the worst outfit around - but it has a lot of problems). We've been with State Farm Florida (one of the better companies in an overall bad bunch) since we first moved here in 1995. We get a substantial windstorm discount because of the following in our house: block construction - no gables - impact windows/doors/garage doors - and good hurricane strapping of roof. I don't think the company is writing new policies in this area these days - but you might check it out to see what the story is. I think if we got a big storm - we're all going to have problems with our insurance companies - so be prepared to keep a windstorm reserve fund in the bank to tide you over until your insurance company can help you out. Robyn

[vigo]

I hope some more residents will chime in on this thread. We're planning a move to Ponte Vedra in a year or two and I'm wondering which companies are still writing policies other than Citizens. Robyn, you have State Farm but are you grandfathered in? Are they writing any new policies? We currently have USAA in south Florida but I don't think they'll write a new policy up there for us.

[ssclulow]

Contact James Knox @ 904-825-1233. IMO, He is the best independent agent in the St. Augustine area, I have referreed many people to him and all have been highly satisfied. He will find you good insurance at the most reasonable price available. You can tell him that Sue Clulow referred you. His receptionist is Krista.

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by vigo

I hope some more residents will chime in on this thread. We're planning a move to Ponte Vedra in a year or two and I'm wondering which companies are still writing policies other than Citizens. Robyn, you have State Farm but are you grandfathered in? Are they writing any new policies? We currently have USAA in south Florida but I don't think they'll write a new policy up there for us.

We have State Farm Florida - not State Farm. Two totally different animals. And we are not grandfathered in. A while back - State Farm Florida planned to leave the state 100% after a rate dispute with the insurance commissioner. In exchange for a rate increase - State Farm Florida agreed to maintain a presence in the state - but was also allowed to drop X% of its policies. Which it did. A similar problem may arise down the road. I'll note that many of the policy holders who were dropped were those who had homeowners' with State Farm Florida - but shopped around their profitable coverage (like auto) every year - and didn't use State Farm because it wasn't the cheapest company. Also - many policy holders who didn't have well built fairly new houses were dropped.

The most recent list of companies I have that are doing business in Florida is in the 2010 Sarasota Herald-Tribune series of articles linked above. Note that a fair number of these companies may not be writing new policies - and some may have gone under in the last couple of years. Robyn

[tomkeeganinorl]

Can't believe I am saying this but I would recommend Tower Hill... but if you go with them make sure you pay a bit more for the "Emerald" coverage. I now know 3 people who have had to file a claim with them and they are all VERY HAPPY with their service. Their insurance is fairly priced, and half the price of the same State Farm coverage (if they still insured here). I moved into a townhouse in mid-July 2012 and had 3 agents give me quotes on 6 different companies. Make sure you get an inspection on the house that will enable you to get all the policy deductions you are allowed.. especially wind mitigation, monitored alarm system, and hurricane shutters.. and no.. you may or may not need flood insurance.. depends on where you move... good luck !!!

[tomkeeganinorl]

Oh, my auto is insured with USAA, but they will not write a policy in the 32084 zip code.. not sure about the others....

[fsquid]

I'm with ASI. Can't comment on them because I haven't had to make a claim yet.