I hate insurance companies rant....long.

[KFC911]

You don't have to read this...I just need to vent

Never filed a claim in 20+ years (houses & cars)...I just bent over and paid the premiums. 'Bout 5 years ago, my former carrier (Nationwide) TOTALLY kept me in the dark when I tapped a POS hoopty in the rear as she was talking in her phone, pulling away from a stop light and trying to shift gears in a borrowed car all at the same time, and suddenly stalled. Setup? ....maybe, I dunno? Yep, I was guilty...but no damage to her car or my F150, LEO didn't issue a ticket, and I (and he) KNEW a scammer was at work as she was rubbing her neck and playing that "card" to the max. Insurance company assured me they were used to dealing with scammers all the time and "not to worry". I "thought" they had settled for one day of lost work and a trip to see a doc (from a phone conversation)....I was good with that even though my rates certainly went up for three years. A couple of years ago, after my 911 became old enough to insure with Hagerty, I discovered that Nationwide had ACTUALLY paid her almost 5 grand . So I fired 'em ....took my other policies to Allstate (car, house(s), and umbrella) on a spur-of-the-moment decision after my homeowners ins. premium virtually doubled as all carriers were recouping payouts from a 2010 storm on the NC coast from what I gathered). Later...Allstate gave me notice that my house had some "issues"...one was legit (I had some missing ballisters on my deck and steps that I was obviously in the process of working on, yet still a safety issue that I promptly fixed), and a couple of minor rotting places under one eave. A broken toe kept me off a ladder, so I couldn't fix ONE minor spot, so I received a "notice of cancellation". Lady at the ins. office "tried" to convince me not to pay any attention to the notice...just fix the spot (in a few weeks), and that I'd still be covered once the agent came out and verified. Utter bs imo....I'm pretty sure how that'd have turned out if my house had burned to ground after the cancellation date and I'd have attempted to file a claim . So anyways...I obtained a homeowners policy with Amica (VERY happy, great co...so far, so good). So recently, I've been investigating talking my other polices (4 houses total) to them as they expire, as it'd save me nearly 50% per year in premiums. 3 of these houses are older than 40 years (but in great shape)...seems as if the underwriters are looking for ANY reason under the sun to NOT insure houses in NC these days. I just don't want to take a chance of letting my existing policies expire, and then get "dinged" with all types of petty bs. Sooo...I'll just bend over and pay 'em (I also saw on the news where NC rates are going up...again).

My best friend (he'd fit right in PARF) says it's Obama's fault . He owns three houses in Fl. USAA told him to "pick one" as they will only insure one in that state due to storm payouts...(his aren't REALLY in a danger area either). Even the BEST insurance companies absolutely suck imo....legalized extortion

Thanks!!! Rant over....I do feel better now

[Gogar]

I don't understand why you would wait for the policies to expire before you look for a new one.

Shop for a new one right away while you have the time left on the old ones.


Get the new policy, cancel the old.

Good luck!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Gogar

I don't understand why you would wait for the policies to expire before you look for a new one.

Shop for a new one right away while you have the time left on the old ones.


Get the new policy, cancel the old.

Good luck!

Thanks! I'm a procrastinator . One of the other policies is expiring in 5 days...I started the process a week or so ago, thinking I had plenty of time. It wasn't until this morning that I had ANY idea that the underwriters were so strict these days (particularly on houses over 40). I started answering questions (roof condition, etc.) and then he told me they'd require an inspection "inside" also. I'm just gun shy now after my experience with my primary house (it's in GREAT shape)...actually, all of 'em are, but I just don't want to chance it at this point. I might later on...

ps: Plus it got a bit complicated on the rentals w/ regard to liability issues....no liability on the rental house per se (but an extension on my primary house policy's liability). I'm not the sole owner of one property....just got too messy FAST.

[biosurfer1]

Couldn't agree more. Parents used to have Allstate for their boat back in the 90's when the LA quake hit. That same winter, the heads on the engine cracked. Claim denied due to abuse, so an expert came out and said "yep, weather did it so it should be covered" Claim still denied so Allstate sent out their own expert who agreed with the first, it was weather. Allstate finally told my dad "We are getting hammered with claims from the LA quake so you'll just have to sue us to get your money"

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by KC911

I started answering questions (roof condition, etc.) and then he told me they'd require an inspection "inside" also.

I've changed my homeowner's policy twice in the past few years.

Allied -> Farmers -> Allstate.

I changed mostly because a good friend who's an insurance agent moved to the area and I wanted to give him my biz. He left Farmers after about a year.

I stayed at Farmers for a minute but after he left, my "new" representative called and wanted receipts for my 9 year old roof, my 4 year old electrical work, my 2 year old furnace, and copies of the permits for all of it.

I gave her everything I could find and she came back again wanting more new stuff.

I told her that she was going to have to deal with what I could find for her and I was done chasing 10-year old receipts.

She agreed but raised my premium 30%.

So I left. F them.

I found my buddy (again) at Allstate and have been happy for 18 months or so. I hope he can stay there for a while.

[john70t]

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