I am the latest inhabitant of homeowners insurance hell. I was contacted by my insurance agent today. She informed me that my homeowner's insurance company would not renew my policy if I did not replace my wood shingle/composite shingle roof with another roof that was not wood shingle/composite shingle. She then informed me that she would not be able to get me a policy from any homeowner's insurance company as long as my roof remained the same. The roof is the same roof on the house when I bought it nearly three years ago. I made a claim with my current homeowner's company on the roof. We have had two major hailstorms plus other weird weather since I've owned it, so I went ahead and filed a claim. What the hell. I figured that maybe they would come out, inspect it, consider it trashed, and replace it under my current policy, costing me the deductable. If that doesn't work, then I have to go out and get a freaking loan so I can get my roof replaced. If this is what happens, then once the new roof is on, I will instruct my agent to get a new carrier for my home and auto insurance policies (this one company does both my homeowners and auto insurance in a package deal for a supposedly better rate). So...somebody remind me why I bought a house again???
i've already informed my wife that once our kids graduate from high school, we're moving to a high rise somewhere. are they refusing to replace your roof? are you stuck with the cost of replacing the roof?
We'll find out once the inspector comes out to inspect the roof, but I'm afraid that is what they will tell me. They sent out an inspector a couple of months ago to take pictures to ensure that I am carrying enough coverage, and this is the result.
You may want to verify that it is legal for them to deny coverage for this reason. I mean they covered you before, why not now? Did they give you an explination why a wood/composite roof could not be covered?
Rocketman, I'm having the exact same thing happen to me. I'm getting my roof done now - they started yesterday. If you end up haveing to pay for your roof, I know a real good roofer who is only charging me $60 a square in labor(I supply the materials). I also know where you can get the materials at a reasonable price with no sales tax - that will save you a couple hundred right there. The same crap you would buy in the store. Drop me an e-mail if you'd like his number.
On another note, does anyone here own rent houses? I just finished my first and am looking to get just a structural insurance policy for fire and such. I'm having a hell of a time find a company that provided this basic coverage. Anyone know of one?
Note to future homeowners: Be very cautious when purchasing a home. Pay attention to homeowner insurance policy limitations regarding things like wood shingle roofs, termite damage, fire damage, and foundation problems. -- droxford
The cost of Homeowners Ins. is killing me...I'm paying more, getting less coverage and I have to raise my deductible to afford it... While I'm b*tchin', is anyone else PO'd at the Harris County Appraisal District...Those a-hole's are just bending me over with the 10% max on value...I protested and didn't get any relief what so ever...I don't mind paying taxes, but be realistic...
The State of Texas may be able to help you out: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/pcfairfaq.html I don't know much about it except that I have a friend on it because no one else would insure him -- too many roof claims, he said.
I feel the same way! Its a learning experince. I've never even imagined all the details you have to look into before buying a house. I thought I was getting a good deal on my house, the I found all my flaws about a year later. I didn't think a simple thing of a 10 ft and 12ft ceiling would be a big difference.
After hail damage to our roof, followed by a roofer/repair debacle ending in our suing the roofer and winning, our homeowner's insurance carrier cancelled us. It was only after checking the the Texas Dept. of Insurance that we learned our rights, and the carrier did not have grounds to cancel us - and the DOI forced them to maintain our policy with no increased premium. Strongly suggest you check the the DOI to better understand your rights, and the rules. Don't rely solely on your agent, we did and they really didn't advocate for us as vigorously as they should have. And yes, we have a wood shingle roof. D R
