[Will Gard]

My wife and I are planning a move to southern Baldwin county. We would like to locate in Foley or some of the towns north of Foley, Summerdale, Silverhill, or Robertsdale. What can I expect insurance costs to be on a home 3bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage. I don't want to live on the water. I would guess the closer one gets to the Gulf the higher the rates. I've heard that if you locate north of US 98 rates are lower than south of 98. Can anyone give me an estimate as to what rates I can expect? I've tried calling some insurance agencies in Foley. They won't even give me a ballpark idea of a rate without knowing the exact address of the home. We are heading to the Foley, Alabama area this coming Tuesday to look for a home.

[sheilacr]

I live in North Baldwin County in Bay Minette. I have a one year old brick, 1500 sq. ft., gas fireplace, and I pay $1079.00 a year with a 1% Hurricane Deductible. Taxes run $505.00 a year.
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[Bravo35223]

I think there is indeed a difference in rates between the southern and northern parts of the county. I heard someone say that I-10 was the 'dividing line' in regard to the insurance premium cost.

Frankly, the numerous hurricanes have cost insurers billions and they're gonna make it up through increased premiums.

I have a friend who has an oceanside, ground level condo in Destin. He said two years ago it was valued at $1.5M and now its worth about 900K.

All because his homeowners insurance rates have gone up 400%.

[bama mom]

If the home is north of I-10 you may be in luck. Brick with Vinyl trim in Spanish Fort, Built in 1996 1500+ sq feet. 3 Bed/2Bath Split floor plan. Fireplace, garage,tile/carpet. Nice but not fancy. Clean- well maintained. Excellent school district. No Granite or Marble (sorry)- Insurance with 2% Hurricane Deductibe about $1400 per year. Property taxes about $350.00. And it is For Sale! $167K

[morif]

I got a bid from State Farm, whom I have been with more than 30 years with no claims, and I was shocked at how much the premium ran. $2,500 per year with $2,500 deductible and 5% hurricane insurance. North of I-10 and new construction as of 2/12/2009.

[Keeper]

State Farm has announced they are pulling out of FL and are canceling all of the homeowner policies. Maybe they are trying to make up the difference elsewhere

[morif]

Are there any prices for homeowners policies in the Foley area that could be a guideline? What companies are most competitive in that area?

[JanH]

Got a quote on a 3000 sq ft, 3 year old, 4b/3b brick home in Foley. With $1K deductible, it was $593 a year. No flood insurance required. Wind/hurricane insurance, which is provided by the state only, was $1500 a year with a 5% deductible. Foley is rated as "Seacoast", which provided lower premium than "gulf front" rate, which is Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, etc.

Got a quote on smaller, older house in Orange Beach. Homeowner's was $100 difference than Foley house. However, the hurricane insurance was $4000 with 5% deductible.

[7spider]

The reason it's so expensive is because even though Foley is not considered gulf front is because the insurance companies won't write wind or hurricane forcing people into the state run beach pool, which is expensive. They shouldn't allow these insurance companies to write auto policys in the state if they don't offer wind coverage in the Seacoast areas.

[humacaena]

We have a one year old house in Fairhope, downtown west of 98, and we pay $2029. The house is insured for $485,000 an is 2600 sf. It depends how old your house is, where it is located,ect. Foley should be lower if you are in the north end and east of 98. Try Farmers...that's who insured us. And good luck!