Homeowner's Insur Rates (Baton Rouge, Zachary, Denham Springs: homeowners insurance, homes, deductible)

[WeagleWeagle]

Moving to south of BR, what kind of Homeowners insur rates should we expect for a 250K house? Thinking of an area not in a flood zone, and around Prairieville. Thanks for any input.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by WeagleWeagle

Moving to south of BR, what kind of Homeowners insur rates should we expect for a 250K house? Thinking of an area not in a flood zone, and around Prairieville. Thanks for any input.

To be honest, once you get south of Baton Rouge, the rates go up because insurers believe that exposure to hurricanes/flooding makes it risky to insure. I'd expect 1500-3K per year for that price of house.

Another word of advice - don't feel that you HAVE to go with the "Big Two" of Allstate and State Farm. For one thing, they have recently instituted hurricane ("named storm") deductibles of 2 or 5% before they will pay a dime. I would recommend giving Liberty Mutual a call, as they have reasonable deductibles and don't do this "named storm" silliness like the Big Two do.

[mrmikeman]

I have "Travelers" (GEICO) homeowners and I'm very pleased with how I got treated after our last big hurricane.
FYI; Even if I didn't live in a flood zone I would get flood insurance.

[WeagleWeagle]

Either of you live on the southside? If so, is there an agent you'd recommend, especially maybe one that reps several so I can get multiple quotes without calling 5 guys?

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by WeagleWeagle

Either of you live on the southside? If so, is there an agent you'd recommend, especially maybe one that reps several so I can get multiple quotes without calling 5 guys?

I live in southern East Baton Rouge Parish. Karen Thornton at Liberty Mutual was pretty helpful. And actually I found out about Liberty Mututal by Googling homeowners insurance in Louisiana (or something like that) and got several people who returned my call.

[mrmikeman]

I'm in Denham Springs just 5 miles south of I-12 , a rocks throw away from B.R. I don't speak to any of my insurance co.s unless something happens. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[Rosinante]

Originally Posted by WeagleWeagle

Moving to south of BR, what kind of Homeowners insur rates should we expect for a 250K house? Thinking of an area not in a flood zone, and around Prairieville. Thanks for any input.

Seeing as you're coming from Florida, it's a good guess that you'll find just about any quote to be lower than what you are paying there. I'm paying State Farm a little under $1600 for a policy with only fair coverage. My deductible for the claim I made in 2008 was $2800, which was about half what my neighbors had to pay out to have their roofs repaired.

[WeagleWeagle]

Originally Posted by Rosinante

Seeing as you're coming from Florida, it's a good guess that you'll find just about any quote to be lower than what you are paying there. I'm paying State Farm a little under $1600 for a policy with only fair coverage. My deductible for the claim I made in 2008 was $2800, which was about half what my neighbors had to pay out to have their roofs repaired.

You'd think so, but we're in north florida so I cant lie that when he said up to 3000 I messed my pants.... We've lived in the cheapest part of the state for homeowners, paying under 500/yr. Any idea who your neighbor had for insurance?

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by WeagleWeagle

You'd think so, but we're in north florida so I cant lie that when he said up to 3000 I messed my pants.... We've lived in the cheapest part of the state for homeowners, paying under 500/yr. Any idea who your neighbor had for insurance?

There's always North Louisiana if you want cheap insurance.

Seriously, though, I think that I-10/12 is a kind of divding line when it comes to pricing a policy. As in, the further south of that line you go, the more insurance costs. And I can only imagine what it costs in NO. Personally, I pay LESS than 1K a year with Liberty Mutual. But I live in East Baton Rouge Parish.

[WeagleWeagle]

I hear ya. (This is husband by the way) Just don't want too long of a drive. My wife looked at some homes in Denham Springs and had two very bad experiences that turned her off to the area. Others have mentioned Central and Zachary...toooooo far a drive.