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Home Owner Insurance

Juanita Said:

Where can I find cheap home owner insurance?

We Answered:

If found that by having my auto insurer also insure my new home, I got a significant discount on both policies. My homeowner's insurance is $47 a month, and my auto insurance is $80 a month.

Cody Said:

Are there any companies that will give you a home owner's insurance if you have any medical problems?

We Answered:

First of all, they are not looking for Homeowners Insurance. That is insurance on the house to protect them against fire or other damage to the house. What they are looking for is mortgage life insurance which will pay off if one of them dies. Since they have health problems, the best bet would be to go through the company where they have the mortgage. It will probably be impossible to find a company that will insure them outside of the mortgage company itself. Try that and good luck.

Ruben Said:

Who is the best provider of home owner's insurance?

We Answered:

To get an accurate, fair quote, talk insurance broker. A broker works with many different companies and can find the best coverage and company for you. To find a broker, log onto a website like http://www.homeownerswiz.com and request a free quote. Be sure to ask about earthquake insurance, which you must purchase separately. One of the nation’s largest earthquakes occurred in Missouri in 1812. Chances of another may seem remote, but consider the downside: You will have a home you cannot sell and cannot afford to repair, because your home equity will be wiped out.

Bradley Said:

How to get lower home owner insurance quotes?

We Answered:

Guns and dogs don't affect your rates.

What affects your rates the most, are:

1. your credit score
2. how much it will cost to rebuild your home
3. how high your deductible is
4. which "extras" get added to your policy
5. what your house is made of (brick or wood)
6. how old your house is
7. where your house is located
8. your prior claims history, AND your house's prior claims history


If you don't own the house yet, the answer is, buy a brick single family home less than 20 years old, in a suburban neighborhood. Increase the deductible to $1,000 or $2500. Getting a quote with the same company that writes your car insurance can give you a discount on BOTH policies, up to 25%.

If you already own the house, look at increasing the deductible, to $1000 or $2500. If the house is over 20 years old, and/or you've done any big projects on it, make sure the insurance company knows. Usually there are substantial surcharges on the policy, unless the wiring, roof, electric and plumbing have ALL been updated within the past 20 years.

And for both, be sure to stop using credit cards, pay off your accounts, close all but the oldest, get your credit score cleaned up. There's a HUGE difference in rates, just between the guy with a 750 score and a 550 score.

**I've never seen a company surcharge or discount for felling trees, for gun ownership, or dog ownership. All they do is decline to WRITE you in the first place.**

Evelyn Said:

What to do when home owner insurance premium is raised after billed and paid, with no reason given by agent?

We Answered:

KJA is correct.
1. You need to speak with the agent regarding your policy and what "changed". It may be that the change was necessary to comply with your mortgage company. However, he has to notify you of things like that. If it is not necessary and you don't want it, they will need to take the charge off your bill.
2. Contact your mortgage company to see if there is any money left in escrow to cover the additional cost if it is necessary. They will also need to take that into account to properly collect your escrow.

Kenneth Said:

Can a home owner insurance company refuse to cover a client because of bad credit in Florida?

We Answered:

Honey, likely your problem isn't your credit, it's your location.

NO ONE is writing new policies in Florida right now. You'll have to go to an independent agent, and end up with Citizens - they are the ONLY game in town. Florida windstorm for the wind, NFIP for the flood, Citizens for the rest.

There isn't ANY competition in Florida - you could have an 800 credit score, and it wouldn't change anything.

Your original company isn't the ONLY one leaving Florida - the very few companies that aren't flat out leaving FL, flat out aren't writing ANY new policies.

Yes, it's going to cost you an arm and a leg. Yes, you'll have to pay your annual premium up front. Yes, it's going to be like this for the next few YEARS, at least. And yes, the prices for Citizens, Flood, and Wind are going to skyrocket over the next few years, because Citizens is VASTLY underfunded ($80B in funding, including lines of credit, $400B in insured properties - if they were a REAL company, any state would put them in receivership for not being financially solvent).

Meanwhile take the next few years and knock yourself out to get the credit situation fixed - because if/when the insurance situation gets repaired in FL, THEN you're credit score will be an issue.

But to answer your direct question, yes, in ANY state except California, an insurance company can refuse to write your homeowners policy due to low credit score.

Melanie Said:

Is my home owner insurance will go up? Is there an rental insurance for tenant not paying rent?

We Answered:

When you rent, have the prospective tenant fill out a rental application. These applications are usually at a store that sells legal forms. You can get lease forms there also. Make sure they fill out all the information, and sign the application. Charge $15 to $20 for the application. If they refuse to pay, do not consider them. Call their employer and ask for human resources or payroll, not their supervisor. Tell him what they stated as monthly income and length of employment "Is that correct?" His monthly income should be three times the amount of the rent. Do not check his present landlord. Check his previous landlord. (the present guy may lie if he wants to get rid of him). Ask if he was a good tenant, was he a good payer, why did he move, would he rent to him again. Check court records. In my state this can be done on line. I look for evictions in the last three years. I look for judgments in the last three years, I ignore traffic tickets. I look for misdemeanors in the last three years. I look for felonies over the last six years. If you discover any of these, avoid him. If you can find a local place to get a credit check on him, do that. I judge credit by the score only. In a very poor neighborhood the score should be 530 or better. 580 to 630 in a better area. Best wishes.

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