What's the good stuff? Anyone recommend? We're buying a townhome and on this website I get either (A) really solid advice or (B) told how to go use Google. Help?
I used Suzanne Brown Insurance Agency. Going through an agency was cheaper than going straight to All-state or State Farm for some reason. I ended up with SageSure (aka Fed Nat) for home owner's insurance. No problems yet, but I also haven't had to make a claim yet so I can't say how good Sage Sure's service is. My agent is really quick to respond to emails and I have no complaints. Avery Sanford Licensed Insurance Agent avery@SuzanneBrownAgency.com
I second going through an agency. Also - I've been told the big companies aren't that great with paying out claims. I was told this buy a roofer after we had hail damage. He said that the big companies use their own adjusters, who are told to not pay out, while the smaller ones (I'm talking not Geico, All state, State Farm, Farmers) will use 3rd party adjusters who don't really answer to the insurance company.
If you're buying a townhome, find out what the HOA covers. They may cover all exterior claims to the building or just the roofing.
When I owned a house, I had progressive homesite and they were on point with paying out claims. Never had a claim get denied and in one instance, the adjuster let me take pictures of the damage and I just emailed it to him and got a check the next week. When an adjuster did come, they never really gave me an issue. Even when I had contractors work on damage that was claimed, they found additional damage and had no issue getting that covered as well.
Switched to Germania after using USSA for a decade, they have been fantastic with a hail storm claim and blew the pricing out of everyone else I spoke with.
Don't sleep on the coverage offered through Costco if you have a membership. Very competitive rates for great coverage.
Stay away from the big guys you see on TV. They don't pay up. I had a good experience with Allied Trust and Berkshire. They paid out both my claims in the past three years.
Use a broker. Stay away from UPC. They are a massive pita to claim damages with. I use these guys for all of my houses. https://www.brockinsurancegrp.com/
We'll see how this shakes out. A broker got me some info and perhaps a good deal but to bundle home and auto I'd have to change my auto insurance. And me no likee. Still a-lookin'. First-time homebuyer. Streeeeeeeeeeeeessful, not going to lie. Between this and the draft, how much actual work have I finished this week? (Less than those dudes who live on the D&D: "I fed the troll! I fed the troll!"; "I owned a lib!")
