Told my insurance company to shove it. (Naples, Punta Gorda: homeowners insurance, lawyer)

[HarborRat]

I've seen many posts here in the past about Citizens trying to push their policy holders onto other companies, and I've told my story about them trying to do that to me for a few years now.

Long story short, after "opting out" of the take-over letters two years in a row Citizens sent an inspector out to my house (AGAIN) to find any reason to cancel me or raise my rates. That was 2 years ago, and they did raise me a bit but didn't find any cause to cancel me. Last year I finally allowed one of the other companies to assume my Citizen policy, it was UPC. I was tired of fighting with Citizens and with their diminishing coverage and higher rates.

Although all these takeover companies promise lower rates and better coverage I knew the grass wouldn't be greener for long, which is why I opted out the first 2 times, but Citizens tried their hardest to make it impossible for me to stay with them. Keep in mind I have never in my life made a claim against any insurance in my life...houses, cars, boats...never a single claim. Because I don't make claims I chose the highest deductibles allowed by law including a 10% hurricane deductible and was fine with that as I consider it "catastrophic" insurance only. Insurance companies should love to have a "customer" like that.

Well, I got my renewal from UPC this month. My policy went up over 60%...

I told them to shove it, I'll take my chances. House is paid for and I fix everything myself anyway. They blame it on the fact that it is an older house on the water (1972). It was an older house last year too, and the year before, and the year before... I didn't have flood insurance so the new base elevation crap shouldn't even matter.

Scam artists...thanks for letting me rant.

[mr&mrssunshine]

breathe brother breathe


now



go grab a drink...............................

[imagardener]

Mod edit

The Insurance Commissioners Office has no clout to regulate homeowners insurance companies and several years ago when we saw the list of newborn home insurers, under-capitalized and with no experience in the business whatsoever it was clear to us "Caveat Emptor".

It's not just this area, we saw this in Naples too.

[HarborRat]

Originally Posted by mr&mrssunshine

....

go grab a drink...............................

I am at least 7 beers ahead of ya!

I actually feel relieved. For 20 some years I KNEW I was being screwed by the insurance companies, and it bothered me. Cutting those ties feels great. Now at least I can only get screwed by Mother Nature. She's friendlier than the insurance agents and better looking too....

[Macgregorsailor51]

I am with ya..

Originally Posted by imagardener

Mod edit
The Insurance Commissioners Office has no clout to regulate homeowners insurance companies and several years ago when we saw the list of newborn home insurers, under-capitalized and with no experience in the business whatsoever it was clear to us "Caveat Emptor".

It's not just this area, we saw this in Naples too.

[Harbor Hopper]

Wish we could all sever ties with the thieves!!! Happy for you though!! :-)

[Travelassie]

Tired of paying for all that "peace of mind", are ya?

I understand the feeling all too well. We still have homeowners' insurance ( with one of the Citizen's takeout companies, National Federated-or something like that), but I'm not at all convinced that they'd do a decent job of paying claims if it came to that. Not much peace of mind, in my way of thinking. It's mostly for the liability portion of the insurance that we have it.

We did elect to forego flood insurance, though, even though we're on the water and part of property is in a flood plain (8AE). I feel about FEMA about the way y'all ( and I do as well) Citizens' so called "insurance".

[Grey7beard]

I opted out of all the insurance I could six or so years ago. I was in Pinellas County (thinking about a move to Punta Gorda from Alachua County now) when all the hurricanes moved through the gulf and Florida. My homeowners and business policies were all canceled with no reason given. I'd never, in 30 years, had a claim. I decided, from that point on, to self insure as much as possible. I have no homeowners, no liability, and the absolute minimum of auto and health. I am a very happy camper. I wish you well. Mod edit

[Nypafl4u]

Having no insurance is very risky these days, more so for the liability coverage. Someone slips and falls in front of your house and you could easily be sued. Someone trespasses onto your property, falls into your pool and gets hurt, they have a right to sue, as crazy as it sounds (and potentially difficult for them to win). With liability coverage, at least the isurance company can fight (on their dime) for you should there be problem like that. Unless you are a good lawyer or have very deep pockets and can handle such risk, I would never dream of not having at least a liability policy. Not sure if you can get one without at least some damage coverage. This is especially true if you are a landlord or have multiple properties without being incorporated. Unfortunately, we live in a society and time that loves to sue for almost anything.

[JERSEY MAN]

This is the part that would concern me also. I have no problem with rolling the dice on the property but am concerned about the slip and fall guys, someone drowning in the back yard and so forth. But than again if a Cat 5 rolls through or if the home burns to the ground we would all wish we are covered.