Insurance (HO, Wind, Flood) (Charleston: houses, deductible, shop)

[martincpa]

Just wondering if anyone has had recent experience with their insurer (good or bad) that they'd be willing to share. I'm shopping for HO/Wind/Flood insurance now for a primary residence on HHI. Thanks!

[LocalHero]

I'm shopping too and am wondering about St Johns Insurance Co. They don't seem to be rated by AM Best but are rated "A" by Demotech.
I'm on James Island (Charleston area) and St Johns is apparently writing with wind coverage even for houses that fall in the wind pool. I could save over $1,000 per year but I can't find much info on the company.
Thanks,
John

[martincpa]

Noah -- thanks for the advice, very helpful.

John - I haven't heard about St. Johns, maybe I should have looked into them. I ended up going with Coastal Plains in HHI (I looked at 4 insurers total). FYI they quoted me $4000 for the Wind Pool, $1200 for flood, and $900 for HO (primary residence HHI). Actually, the other 3 insurers weren't that far off from this. I'm coming from a place where I'm just paying HO (Washington) and adjusting to the sticker shock, but Coastal Plains put up with my very long list of questions and several tweaks to get where I felt I was comfortable with it. They are A++ rated from AM Best. Of course the ultimate test will be if I ever file a claim!

[LocalHero]

I learned a little more yesterday but I'm maybe more confused. I DID learn that there's a difference between wind and hail coverage and hurricane coverage. W&H applies to any wind/hail damage, whereas hurricane applies to a "named storm". This could be important especially due to the 5% deductible on wind/hail - Hurricane coverage. Travelers has a 5% deductible on Hurricane damage whereas I can get 2% thru St Johns but it's on ANY wind storm damage.
One agent I spoke with suggested that even though I pay $1000 more with Travelers I'd be better to stick with them and she handled St Johns but not Travelers. I think she felt my Travelers coverage would be better in the event of a need for coverage. She also suggested that I bump my deductible up to $2500 and consider it "catastrophe" insurance.

I'm still thinking about it all....