Is it possible to get Homeowners Insurance at the Villages?

[MrLonzo]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

[Babubhat]

State Farm. Frontline. Heritage

[dewilson58]

Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

1) My premium X 3 will not pay for a new roof.

2) My policy covers more than a roof..............so I don't understand the statement/question.

:ohdear::ohdear:

[John Mayes]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

Are you sure about Progressive? How old is house?

[Stu from NYC]

Are you sure about Allstate?

[Michael 61]

Are you sure about Progressive? How old is house?

I also would double-check Progressive, they are still writing new policieslast I heard, unless they have “underwritten” your property for some reason.

[margaretmattson]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?. I think you are asking what will happen if you do not buy homeowners insurance. In three years time, you will save enough money to purchase a new roof. True, maybe not. It is a risk you are willing to take. Sometimes you will win and sometimes Damn! Didn't see that coming!

Right now, the ocean is hotter than it has ever been due to this heat wave. Meteorologists have said if a storm forms, Florida is prime for a giant hit. Are you willing to bet this information is incorrect? I have lived in Florida since the eighties. Hurricane Jeanne (I believe that was the name) was as large as the state of Florida. And, it was the fourth or fifth to hit Florida in consecutive weeks. Beware warm waters!

[Papa_lecki]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

How old is your roof?

[MrLonzo]

I also would double-check Progressive, they are still writing new policieslast I heard, unless they have “underwritten” your property for some reason.

I went to the Progressive website and put in my information. They said they are not quoting new policies based on my address (I'm in Monarch Grove). The agent at Villages Insurance confirmed that.

[gatorbill1]

State Farm. Frontline. Heritage

State Farm will not write a policy if in Sumter County and home was built before 2004 - per Connie Wise - tried to bundle with my car insurance and told no way Jose.

[MrLonzo]

1) My premium X 3 will not pay for a new roof.

2) My policy covers more than a roof..............so I don't understand the statement/question.

:ohdear::ohdear:

From what I understand, roof repairs from high winds, storms, hurricanes...seem to be the most common insurance claim, which is why I mentioned it. You didn't say what your premium is. My quote was nearly $3,000/yr. The deductible plus 3 years of those premiums will buy a lot of roof!

[John Mayes]

From what I understand, roof repairs from high winds, storms, hurricanes...seem to be the most common insurance claim, which is why I mentioned it. You didn't say what your premium is. My quote was nearly $3,000/yr. The deductible plus 3 years of those premiums will buy a lot of roof!

My premium, with Progressive, on 2 YO Veranda, (2,000 sq ft) is around 1,650 per year.

[MX rider]

Call HH Insurance in St Pete. They were good to us. House built in 09 with original roof.
Get Instant Quotes on Florida Insurance | HH Insurance (https://www.hhinsgroup.com)

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

There is a video going on YouTube that shows the afterwards of a hurricane. They say that homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, including the tear down/throw away of the house. Is this true? Seems to me you could buy insurance for this.

[sdeikenberry]

You need to contact an broker and let them find you insurance. Don't try this on your own. Florida has major insurance issues.

[meriboo]

There is a video going on YouTube that shows the afterwards of a hurricane. They say that homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, including the tear down/throw away of the house. Is this true? Seems to me you could buy insurance for this.


All insurance is not the same… Like everything you get what you pay for. You can pay for basic insurance or yes, you pay for additional, such as tearing down and removing the debris, loss of use, replacement of items at current value, etc., etc. as a survivor of hurricane Michael… I have learned a lot about insurance. All those little extras that help if you’re hit by a hurricane… Cost. But well worth it. Remember you get what you pay for.

[spinner1001]

I went to the Progressive website and put in my information. They said they are not quoting new policies based on my address (I'm in Monarch Grove). The agent at Villages Insurance confirmed that.

This seems odd.

Do you reside in your Monarch Grove home or is it an investment property that you rent out?

Did the agent at Villages Insurance also tell you they could not find any carrier to insure your home?

Did the agent say why the carrier(s) would not insure the home?

[gweisheipl]

Good question: Try Kin Insurance. They have a nice interactive online site that lets you choose your options and/or adjust them. Probably looking at $2000 - $3000 unfortunately, but it is available! Pray Florida doesn’t get hit this year because more companies will likely depart Florida!

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

[hollyrich2]

It is possible to obtain homeowner insurance depending upon the age of your home and roof and claims history. I’m an Allstate agent working from home in The Villages. We are not writing property at this time however; we have Allstate partners I may be able to provide a quote from. Please feel free to contact me for a quote 954-437-9220 ext. 308 or hrichardson4@allstate.com. I’ve helped many people in The Villages.

[kkingston57]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

Best answer to your inquiry is to check with an independent agent. They represent several insurance companies(and getting lesser). Must have high premium. It would take us ten years of premiums to = cost of a roof. Remember insurance covers your house and not just your roof. Most insurance claims are from water and water will not damage a roof.

[Captainpd]

Your math is wrong. And there are other things such as total loss of your house

[dewilson58]

From what I understand, roof repairs from high winds, storms, hurricanes...seem to be the most common insurance claim,

a/k/a fraud.

[bobmarc]

USAA if you are a vet. They have been very good to me.

[Nana2Teddy]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?
This is odd… we came from CA too, and paid more for insurance there than we do here. We’re south of 44 in a new home in DeLuna. We pay less than $1000 annually for the largest Veranda Model, 2300 sq ft. Our agent is Kelly Matz with State Farm on Warm Springs, and she also lives in DeLuna. We bundle home, car, and golf cart. We did choose a higher deductible to assume some of the risk. Give her a call.
1 (352) 661-3456

[Jameson]

State Farm will not write a policy if in Sumter County and home was built before 2004 - per Connie Wise - tried to bundle with my car insurance and told no way Jose.

I think you are on to something. We bought our 2005 home last fall. State Farm mentioned a change in building codes in 2004 that helps with storm resistance so that's who we have. I suppose that mostly means hurricane straps on the roof trusses. I wonder what it would take to retrofit older homes.

[Burnie]

1) My premium X 3 will not pay for a new roof.

2) My policy covers more than a roof..............so I don't understand the statement/question.

:ohdear::ohdear:

In my case it would have been true. The premium from Progressive this past February was $6600 for the year ... triple that is $19,800, so the statement is true. We switched to State Farm and bundled for $2100 for the year.

[dewilson58]

In my case it would have been true. The premium from Progressive this past February was $6600 for the year ... triple that is $19,800, so the statement is true. We switched to State Farm and bundled for $2100 for the year.

But not true today. :wave:

[JWGifford]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?
For reference, in Galveston I pay $6,500/yr for insurance, and another $11,000/yr for property taxes on an appraised value of $536K. So, $17.5K/yr before I walk in the door. Going up every year. TV looks pretty good.

[Kelevision]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

This is an interesting article that might help explain…… No direct hits occurred in Florida over the past three hurricane seasons (2019-2021). Florida, however, is the site of 79 percent of all homeowners insurance lawsuits over claims filed nationwide while Florida’s insurers receive only 9 percent of all U.S. homeowners insurance claims, according to the Florida governor’s Office. To illustrate how lawsuits have weighed on insurer operating costs, JD Supra, citing the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), reported $51 billion was paid out by Florida insurers over a 10-year period and 71 percent of the $51 billion went to attorneys’ fees and public adjusters. The 2020 and 2021 cumulative net underwriting losses for Florida’s homeowners insurers totaled more than $1 billion each year.

Entire link Florida's insurance crisis worsens as Farmers pulls out. What to know (https://www.pnj.com/story/money/2023/07/12/florida-insurance-crisis-farmers-insurance-home-insurance-what-to-know/70407302007/#)

[retiredguy123]

There is a video going on YouTube that shows the afterwards of a hurricane. They say that homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, including the tear down/throw away of the house. Is this true? Seems to me you could buy insurance for this.
Sometimes when damage is extensive, FEMA will hire contractors to remove debris in certain neighborhoods at Federal Government expense.

[gighilton]

my policy in Citrus Grove, on the golf course, is renewed by Progressive at a 100% increase, and also got quote from State Farm in the Villages.... no problem, just expensive.

[skippy05]

Caple Howden Insurance Agency is your best source (407)6578808. Or call others and get higher rates first. Up to you. My policy is 2 months old. 1100 per year. 2300 sq ft home. No pool. No birdcage. No trampoline. No solar panels. New roof. If you have any of those issues it will be more money.

[Flyers999]

This company has been advertising heavily on the radio (I listen to sports talk in the mornings on the Audicy app) where they are advertising affordable insurance specifically in Florida. Click the link and it takes 40 seconds to get a quote.

I just got a quote for 1,602.99/ yr but I recently renewed my old insurance for $2300 which has flooding and sink holes. I would have to chase my old ins. company down for the refund which I don't want to do.

Build-Your-Own Home Insurance | OpenHouse Home Insurance (https://openhouseinsurance.com/)

[Karmanng]

State Farm. Frontline. Heritage

STATE FARM is also GONE

[Karmanng]

are you sure about progressive? How old is house?

yup

[Karmanng]

I went to the Progressive website and put in my information. They said they are not quoting new policies based on my address (I'm in Monarch Grove). The agent at Villages Insurance confirmed that.
YUP correct

[Karmanng]

Good question: Try Kin Insurance. They have a nice interactive online site that lets you choose your options and/or adjust them. Probably looking at $2000 - $3000 unfortunately, but it is available! Pray Florida doesn’t get hit this year because more companies will likely depart Florida!

I have KIN now and never saw that link...........can you share it?

[Snowbug]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?
Nathan Thomas State Farm in Wildwood on 301.

[Suzay]

All state and State Farm are not writing new policies 😣

[poopiepants]

Allstate will not write new policies for homes built before 2011. Held a progressive policy for years with a 3 year old roof and no claims they tripled our premium.

[Rainger99]

To illustrate how lawsuits have weighed on insurer operating costs, JD Supra, citing the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), reported $51 billion was paid out by Florida insurers over a 10-year period and 71 percent of the $51 billion went to attorneys’ fees and public adjusters. The 2020 and 2021 cumulative net underwriting losses for Florida’s homeowners insurers totaled more than $1 billion each year. Entire link Florida's insurance crisis worsens as Farmers pulls out. What to know (https://www.pnj.com/story/money/2023/07/12/florida-insurance-crisis-farmers-insurance-home-insurance-what-to-know/70407302007/#)

Wow! If the insurance pays 71% to the attorneys and the underwriters, only 29% is going to homeowners - the people whose homes were damaged or destroyed. I don't know what it is in other states but that seems like they are paying the wrong people. I thought most lawyers get about 1/3 of damages. If Florida could get it where they are paying 60% to homeowners and 20% to lawyers (1/3 of the 60%), that would leave insurance companies with the remaining 20% - which I would assume would make writing insurance profitable.

[Pballer]

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who oversees insurance companies, says that Farmers is pulling out of Florida due to Farmers' woke agenda. Good to know that he is on top of solving the insurance problem in Florida.

[Atamasco]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

Check out Travelers

[kkingston57]

There is a video going on YouTube that shows the afterwards of a hurricane. They say that homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, including the tear down/throw away of the house. Is this true? Seems to me you could buy insurance for this.

To answer your question NO. Policy does pay for debris removal.

[Rainger99]

Check out Travelers

They are not writing new policies in Florida.

Insurance Quotes (https://comparequotes.travelers.com/?id=emlwPTMyMTYzJnNwb25zb3I9bmF0dXJhbHNlYXJjaCZwcm VxdW90ZXBob25lbnVtYmVyPTEtODQ0LTI1Ni0wNzUzJnBvc3Rx dW90ZXBob25lbnVtYmVyPTEtODAwLTQ1NS0zNDQ4JnNyY2lkPW NhMzcwODBiLWM2NTktNGUyNC04YmY1LTBiNTcyMWU1YzU1NiZh cHBsaWNhYmxlbG9iPUFVVE8mcHJvZmlsZXBob25lbnVtYmVyPT EtODY2LTUyMi0xODgxJnJlcXVlc3RlZGxvYj1IT01FJnByb2R1 Y2VyY29kZT0wTTYzNjgmc3RhdGU9Rkw=#start)

[kkingston57]

All insurance is not the same… Like everything you get what you pay for. You can pay for basic insurance or yes, you pay for additional, such as tearing down and removing the debris, loss of use, replacement of items at current value, etc., etc. as a survivor of hurricane Michael… I have learned a lot about insurance. All those little extras that help if you’re hit by a hurricane… Cost. But well worth it. Remember you get what you pay for.

Majority of the polices in Florida and other states are the same form HO 0003

[kkingston57]

a/k/a fraud.

Bet that 99.9999% of those roof claims, there was not any leakages after the "storm" caused the damages to the roof.

[kkingston57]

Wow! If the insurance pays 71% to the attorneys and the underwriters, only 29% is going to homeowners - the people whose homes were damaged or destroyed. I don't know what it is in other states but that seems like they are paying the wrong people. I thought most lawyers get about 1/3 of damages. If Florida could get it where they are paying 60% to homeowners and 20% to lawyers (1/3 of the 60%), that would leave insurance companies with the remaining 20% - which I would assume would make writing insurance profitable.

Attorneys in most cases do not get 1/3. Under the old Florida law, if an insurance company denies a claim and if the attorney proves that the insurance company should have paid the claim, attorney gets his legal fees paid, insurance company pays the claim including interest and insurance company pays their own attorney. Lose, lose situation for the insurance company

[Blueblaze]

It's got nothing to do with hurricane risk to The Villages. There is none. How do I know?

I'm from Houston. I went through THREE hurricanes that were level 5 when they hit, in a house (Cypress, TX) that was the same distance from the coast as The Villages. The eye of one of them came directly over my home. The house I lived in was a frame house with brick veneer with no hurricane or windstorm rating whatsoever -- unlike your home here in The Villages, which is rated for 110 mph. You probably even live in a concrete block house that could easily withstand 200 mph.

What was the worst damage I had from 3 level 5 hurricanes, from 80 miles away? One of them blew down about 20 feet of an old privacy fence that needed to be replaced anyway. That's it.

That fact is, by the time even a large hurricane makes it over 80 miles of land, it's barely a "1". If I know these facts, you can be sure that your insurance company does, too. And by the way, how many hurricanes did The Villages experience in that same time period? One little level 2? Give me a break! I had a little tropical storm dump 36 inches of rain on me the year before I moved to Florida! And my insurance was HALF what I pay in The Villages!

We have insane insurance rates and no national options because if you're like me, half the people you know have scammed a roof out of their insurance company. Insurers are forced to write these idiotic "full replacement value" policies. It is literally an invitation to fraud. And we live in a state where people like us who have ZERO hurricane risk are forced to subsidize the vast majority of the population that stupidly lives within 10 miles of the beach.

Nothing will change until:
1. "Full replacement value" is outlawed
2. Prior scammers are forced to pay higher premiums
3. Insurers are forced to charge according to the actual risk and not allowed to use low risk to subsidize high risk.

The insurance market in Florida is one big scam. Nothing will change until that is fixed.

[MrLonzo]

This is an interesting article that might help explain…… No direct hits occurred in Florida over the past three hurricane seasons (2019-2021). Florida, however, is the site of 79 percent of all homeowners insurance lawsuits over claims filed nationwide while Florida’s insurers receive only 9 percent of all U.S. homeowners insurance claims, according to the Florida governor’s Office. To illustrate how lawsuits have weighed on insurer operating costs, JD Supra, citing the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), reported $51 billion was paid out by Florida insurers over a 10-year period and 71 percent of the $51 billion went to attorneys’ fees and public adjusters. The 2020 and 2021 cumulative net underwriting losses for Florida’s homeowners insurers totaled more than $1 billion each year.

Entire link Florida's insurance crisis worsens as Farmers pulls out. What to know (https://www.pnj.com/story/money/2023/07/12/florida-insurance-crisis-farmers-insurance-home-insurance-what-to-know/70407302007/#)

I've searched endlessly online but can't seem to find what is the most relevant data for making informed decisions about purchasing homeowners insurance at the Villages, what deductible to get, etc. And that data would include home insurance claims broken down by Florida county. It's obvious that coastal cities are more vulnerable than inland cities. For example, what is the average number of claims/10,000 houses in Sumter, Lake and Marion Counties vs. some of the coastal counties? And what is the average payout per claim? Of the recent most destructive hurricanes, what is the average claim here at the Villages vs. Florida in general? I'm not sure they want us to know that information because we're likely subsidizing other areas.

[Shimpy]

USAA if you are a vet. They have been very good to me.

They told me they are not taking on new customers in this area.

[Pballer]

It's got nothing to do with hurricane risk to The Villages. There is none. How do I know?

I'm from Houston. I went through THREE hurricanes that were level 5 when they hit, in a house (Cypress, TX) that was the same distance from the coast as The Villages. The eye of one of them came directly over my home. The house I lived in was a frame house with brick veneer with no hurricane or windstorm rating whatsoever -- unlike your home here in The Villages, which is rated for 110 mph. You probably even live in a concrete block house that could easily withstand 200 mph.

What was the worst damage I had from 3 level 5 hurricanes, from 80 miles away? One of them blew down about 20 feet of an old privacy fence that needed to be replaced anyway. That's it.

That fact is, by the time even a large hurricane makes it over 80 miles of land, it's barely a "1". If I know these facts, you can be sure that your insurance company does, too. And by the way, how many hurricanes did The Villages experience in that same time period? One little level 2? Give me a break! I had a little tropical storm dump 36 inches of rain on me the year before I moved to Florida! And my insurance was HALF what I pay in The Villages!

We have insane insurance rates and no national options because if you're like me, half the people you know have scammed a roof out of their insurance company. Insurers are forced to write these idiotic "full replacement value" policies. It is literally an invitation to fraud. And we live in a state where people like us who have ZERO hurricane risk are forced to subsidize the vast majority of the population that stupidly lives within 10 miles of the beach.

Nothing will change until:
1. "Full replacement value" is outlawed
2. Prior scammers are forced to pay higher premiums
3. Insurers are forced to charge according to the actual risk and not allowed to use low risk to subsidize high risk.

The insurance market in Florida is one big scam. Nothing will change until that is fixed.

The Villages is much less than 80 miles from the west coast. If you are so sure that there is 0 risk, why don't you drop your hurricane coverage and save money?

[EdFNJ]

This company has been advertising heavily on the radio (I listen to sports talk in the mornings on the Audicy app) where they are advertising affordable insurance specifically in Florida. Click the link and it takes 40 seconds to get a quote.

I just got a quote for 1,602.99/ yr but I recently renewed my old insurance for $2300 which has flooding and sink holes. I would have to chase my old ins. company down for the refund which I don't want to do.

Build-Your-Own Home Insurance | OpenHouse Home Insurance (https://openhouseinsurance.com/)

Just for fun I went to that site and they came up with a rate about $200 higher than my recent 7/1 renewal from travelers (in about 10 seconds). Thing is, like many other of these quotes they give you absolutely no idea what coverages you are or are not getting. No way to compare "apples to apples". Of course they want to immediately call you to sell you and I am sure then you will get the exact coverages plus all the options they will provide. Point is, just tossing out what one pays for insurance without what coverages they have and were quoted is totally meaningless. Like saying "I just bought a Chevy for $15,000." Means nothing.

Yearly when I check rates I make sure I get at minimum exactly the same coverage I currently have. Otherwise these tossed out online prices are useless. KIN is another one. They don't tell you their "default" coverage quoted online (at least as of last year) includes a DEPRECIATED VALUE for your existing roof, not full replacement value. A 15yr old roof would probably be depreciated by 80%. I'll bet 90% of those who get a price from KIN or even got coverage from them are not aware of that. It's a low-ball unless of course it is OK with the insurance buyer and they are aware of it. That may have changed recently but when I last looked it hadn't AND they were $100 MORE than my existing FULL coverage..

[Blueblaze]

The Villages is much less than 80 miles from the west coast. If you are so sure that there is 0 risk, why don't you drop your hurricane coverage and save money?

50 miles as the crow flies to Crystal River. So maybe if you take a direct hit from the eye of the storm that was a level 5 when it hit Crystal River, you'll see level 2 winds (96-110) when it hits your 110mph rated house -- but only if the eyewall hits you. And what are the odds that a 10 mile eye wall actually hits your house? About the same as a tornado hitting a house in Kansas (only with a lot less damage). It could happen. Probably won't.

Drop my insurance? Very tempted. It's something I consider on every insurance hike (100% this year!). I'm far more worried about liability, though, than fires or hurricanes. Know any companies that will sell standalone liability insurance on a house? Me neither.

[Pballer]

50 miles as the crow flies to Crystal River. So maybe if you take a direct hit from the eye of the storm that was a level 5 when it hit Crystal River, you'll see level 2 winds (96-110) when it hits your 110mph rated house -- but only if the eyewall hits you. And what are the odds that a 10 mile eye wall actually hits your house? About the same as a tornado hitting a house in Kansas (only with a lot less damage). It could happen. Probably won't.

Drop my insurance? Very tempted. It's something I consider on every insurance hike (100% this year!). I'm far more worried about liability, though, than fires or hurricanes. Know any companies that will sell standalone liability insurance on a house? Me neither.

Hurricanes, even category 1s, spawn tornados far from the center. If one of the tornados hits your house during a hurricane and you don't have hurricane coverage, you are out of luck.

[MrLonzo]

Call HH Insurance in St Pete. They were good to us. House built in 09 with original roof.
Get Instant Quotes on Florida Insurance | HH Insurance (https://www.hhinsgroup.com)

I did go to the HH website and got a quote. You can get a more basic policy for lower premium. I'm wondering how responsive they would be in the event of a problem -- any experience with claims?

[rogerk]

There is a video going on YouTube that shows the afterwards of a hurricane. They say that homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, including the tear down/throw away of the house. Is this true? Seems to me you could buy insurance for this.
IMHO, it is almost always better to deal with an agent rather than get stuck with missing some detail or a wrinkle unique to the market here. Think about liability, lightning damage, not to mention mold due to the failure of your AC while you’re on vacation for two weeks … the list goes on. It is not just a new roof due to wind damage.

[MX rider]

I did go to the HH website and got a quote. You can get a more basic policy for lower premium. I'm wondering how responsive they would be in the event of a problem -- any experience with claims?

No claims. I've also never had a homeowners insurance claim here in Indiana. But every time I've called with a question I've talked to a person or got a return call the same day.

[Flyers999]

Bet that 99.9999% of those roof claims, there was not any leakages after the "storm" caused the damages to the roof.

Then why did my insurance co. make me get a new roof if my roof was still functioning perfectly?

[Blueblaze]

Hurricanes, even category 1s, spawn tornados far from the center. If one of the tornados hits your house during a hurricane and you don't have hurricane coverage, you are out of luck.

True of course. So you're saying that my house in Florida has maybe as much tornado risk as my house in Houston, but probably not near as much as my house in Oklahoma (which actually had the roof removed by a tornado while I owned it).

Now, explain to me why my insurance on my much larger, non-wind-rated homes in Texas and Oklahoma was a fraction of what it is on my current concrete block fortress in Florida.

[Michael 61]

IMHO, it is almost always better to deal with an agent rather than get stuck with missing some detail or a wrinkle unique to the market here. Think about liability, lightning damage, not to mention mold due to the failure of your AC while you’re on vacation for two weeks … the list goes on. It is not just a new roof due to wind damage.

And I would “vet out” the agent you use as well. Some are better than others. As a retired claims manager, I can’t begin to tell you how many insureds were surprised (or sometimes even misled) by what an insurance sales agent told them when they purchased their policy. So many agents unfortunately know very little about the exclusions/definitions/limitation/duties of the insured, that are detailed and found in the pages of the policy. We in claims had to be the “bad guys” and often explain to the insureds why something was not covered (though it was plainly stated in the policy, most insureds don’t take the time to read their policy cover-to-cover), and like I said, most sales agents don’t even understand the policy they are selling in full detail.

So far, I have not been impressed by the sales agents at Villages Insurance. Though nice people (mostly), the one’s I have worked with seem “under-trained” with their knowledge of the policy they are selling you. Beyond limits, coverages, deductibles, and premiums, they appear hard-pressed to respond to specific questions about potential exclusions within the policy. Just this past week, a Villages insurance agent answered my question regarding potential loss to my birdcage as “well, it appears that would be covered” - What do you mean appears? I don’t want an agent to “wing it” with me, and if they don’t know the answer to my questions, I would appreciate them telling me so, and that they would research and get back to me. I don’t want them guessing on something this important. When I asked about replacement cost in case of a “total loss” of my home, the agent said sorta snarkily, “You know everyone way over-pays for their homes in The Villages, and you can get the same home way cheaper in Summerfield.” That comment sorta came out of nowhere, and right there I determined to seek out a non-Villages agent. Luckily, as a retired claims manager, I can “vet out” my agent ahead of having a loss. I am now on the hunt for a good agent, who knows and understands the product he/she is selling.

[retiredguy123]

And I would “vet out” the agent you use as well. Some are better than others. As a retired claims manager, I can’t begin to tell you how many insureds were surprised (or sometimes even misled) by what an insurance sales agent told them when they purchased their policy. So many agents unfortunately know very little about the exclusions/definitions/limitation/duties of the insured, that are detailed and found in the pages of the policy. We in claims had to be the “bad guys” and often explain to the insureds why something was not covered (though it was plainly stated in the policy, most insureds don’t take the time to read their policy cover-to-cover), and like I said, most sales agents don’t even understand the policy they are selling in full detail.

So far, I have not been impressed by the sales agents at Villages Insurance. Though nice people (mostly), the one’s I have worked with seem “under-trained” with their knowledge of the policy they are selling you. Beyond limits, coverages, deductibles, and premiums, they appear hard-pressed to respond to specific questions about potential exclusions within the policy. Just this past week, a Villages insurance agent answered my question regarding potential loss to my birdcage as “well, it appears that would be covered” - What do you mean appears? I don’t want an agent to “wing it” with me, and if they don’t know the answer to my questions, I would appreciate them telling me so, and that they would research and get back to me. I don’t want them guessing on something this important. When I asked about replacement cost in case of a “total loss” of my home, the agent said sorta snarkily, “You know everyone way over-pays for their homes in The Villages, and you can get the same home way cheaper in Summerfield.” That comment sorta came out of nowhere, and right there I determined to seek out a non-Villages agent. Luckily, as a retired claims manager, I can “vet out” my agent ahead of having a loss. I am now on the hunt for a good agent, who knows and understands the product he/she is selling.
You are asking for too much. Insurance agents are not really "agents" in the legal sense. They do not have the power to commit the insurance company to any legal obligation. So, basically, they are just salespeople. If you really want to know what is covered in your policy, you need to either read the policy yourself or hire a lawyer to read it. The insurance company doesn't care what the agent tells you as long as they sell you a policy, which is all they are paid to do. Why should they bother to train their agents to know what the policy covers? They do not represent you or the company.

[Michael 61]

You are asking for too much. Insurance agents are not really "agents" in the legal sense. They do not have the power to commit the insurance company to any legal obligation. So, basically, they are just salespeople. If you really want to know what is covered in your policy, you need to either read the policy yourself or hire a lawyer to read it. The insurance company doesn't care what the agent tells you as long as they sell you a policy, which is all they are paid to do. Why should they bother to train their agents to know what the policy covers? They do not represent you or the company.

Have to disagree with some of your post - I worked for a carrier, who’s sales agents were employees of the same company. If a sales rep misrepresented the policy to a customer (and can be verified) - then that became a “Claims Coverage Question” and had to be investigated. And often times, we had to respond to complaints made directly to the Department of Insurance by the insured. At times, we would have to afford coverage where it didn’t exist because of an error made by a sales rep, and we would then subrogate against them, through their “errors and omissions” insurance coverage. (This is west coast by the way, unfamiliar with Florida Dept of Insurance).

All good carriers train their sales force, you state “ why should they bother to train agents to know what the policy covers?” That’s a pretty cavalier statement. I personally would not purchase an insurance policy from someone who doesn’t understand the product they are selling you. As I stated previously, there are many agents who don’t know the policy they are selling, but there are some “really good” agents out there that fully understand and can explain the policy (usually sales reps who are former claims adjusters) - why wouldn’t you choose the most knowledgeable insurance professional for something this important? If that is not something you value, then you can ignore my entire post.

[retiredguy123]

Have to disagree with some of your post - I worked for a carrier, who’s sales agents were employees of the same company. If a sales rep misrepresented the policy to a customer (and can be verified) - then that became a “Claims Coverage Question” and had to be investigated. And often times, we had to respond to complaints made directly to the Department of Insurance by the insured. At times, we would have to afford coverage where it didn’t exist because of an error made by a sales rep, and we would then subrogate against them, through their “errors and omissions” insurance coverage. (This is west coast by the way, unfamiliar with Florida Dept of Insurance).

All good carriers train their sales force, you state “ why should they bother to train agents to know what the policy covers?” That’s a pretty cavalier statement. I personally would not purchase an insurance policy from someone who doesn’t understand the product they are selling you. As I stated previously, there are many agents who don’t know the policy they are selling, but there are some “really good” agents out there that fully understand and can explain the policy (usually sales reps who are former claims adjusters) - why wouldn’t you choose the most knowledgeable insurance professional for something this important? If that is not something you value, then you can ignore my entire post.
I agree that you should definitely seek out a knowledgeable insurance salesperson. But, I think the term "agent" is a misnomer. I once bought an Allstate auto policy from an agent who took my check, cashed it, and gave me a written insurance binder that stated that I had purchased a policy. But, 3 days later, after I had cancelled my old policy, the agent called me to say that the company had cancelled the new policy because he, the agent, had made a mistake on the application. Obviously, he was not a legal agent for the company. Try to get an insurance agent to answer a question, in writing, about a specific item that is covered in the policy. They won't because they don't represent the company, like a real agent would.

[mrf0151]

Check out Travelers

No, Travelers is NOT writing new policies in Florida. Our agent told us to never let this policy go, as we will never ever find one as good for the money.

[Michael 61]

I agree that you should definitely seek out a knowledgeable insurance salesperson. But, I think the term "agent" is a misnomer. I once bought an Allstate auto policy from an agent who took my check, cashed it, and gave me a written insurance binder that stated that I had purchased a policy. But, 3 days later, after I had cancelled my old policy, the agent called me to say that the company had cancelled the new policy because he, the agent, had made a mistake on the application. Obviously, he was not a legal agent for the company. Try to get an insurance agent to answer a question, in writing, about a specific item that is covered in the policy. They won't because they don't represent the company, like a real agent would.
Yes, we need to define “sales agent” and “sales rep” (sorta like real estate agent and villages sales rep) - in insurance, there are those sales personnel who work directly for a single carrier, and only sell policies for that specific carrier. They are employees of that carrier, and are accountable to that carrier for all their actions, and are hired (and possibly fired) by that carrier. Then there are independent agents that sell policies for multiple carriers (think Villages Insurance), and are employed by a specific agency owner, or self-employed (they are not employed directly by an insurance carrier).

[margaretmattson]

No, Travelers is NOT writing new policies in Florida. Our agent told us to never let this policy go, as we will never ever find one as good for the money. It is the best for now. Insurance companies have no obligation to provide you with the exact same coverage once your policy expires. And, they do not have to renew you. Your policy is solid only until the expiration date. Once expired, you will have to sign a new policy with new variables. This is what the post is about, insurance companies doubling and tripling the cost with less coverage. Traveler's is no exception.

We now live in a place where home prices have increased significantly and the cost for a complete rebuild is high. The population has exploded that if a hurricane were to hit the Villages there would be billions of dollars in damage. (a sizeable amount of homes would be affected) Lightening strikes are common, some resulting in homes burning down. Claims for roofs are rampant. Homes are being built by dangerous, enormous electric towers. Plenty of sinkholes. All of this, and more, means higher insurance rates. Or, closing the doors and walking away.

It is only going to get worse. More homes being built means more expense for the insurance companies. Especially, with each home built only 5-8 feet apart. If you were an insurance company, would you be interested in offering protection?

[Rainger99]

Interesting article on the reason property insurance is so high in Florida.

The big reason Florida insurance companies are failing isn’t just hurricane risk – it’s fraud and lawsuits | FIU News - Florida International University (https://news.fiu.edu/2022/the-big-reason-florida-insurance-companies-are-failing-isnt-just-hurricane-risk-its-fraud-and-lawsuits)

[Eagle06]

We have USAA and are paying less in TV than in Oklahoma. This issue with Homeowners Insurance here in Florida is the beating Insurers have taken over the past few years covering Hurricane Damage. You mention replacing a roof but can you afford to replace your home and personal belongings? If so, Self-Insure...

[spinner1001]

You are asking for too much. Insurance agents are not really "agents" in the legal sense. They do not have the power to commit the insurance company to any legal obligation. So, basically, they are just salespeople. If you really want to know what is covered in your policy, you need to either read the policy yourself or hire a lawyer to read it. The insurance company doesn't care what the agent tells you as long as they sell you a policy, which is all they are paid to do. Why should they bother to train their agents to know what the policy covers? They do not represent you or the company.

Much ado about nothing. They are agents with limited authority or ‘limited agents’ and have a defined line of authority to transact on behalf of an insurer.

They are indeed agents under Florida law.

Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0626/0626.html)

[Kelevision]

Seems like it’s going to get worse for everyone. Insurers withdraw from riskiest areas as threats from climate change grow : NPR (https://www.npr.org/2023/07/22/1186540332/how-climate-change-could-cause-a-home-insurance-meltdown)

[rmd2]

Is homeowners insurance generally for only roofs? I have a fairly new roof with a very good warranty. Do I need homeowners insurance for any other reasons.

[LLJorgs]

The issue is with entire state not just The Villages. We have newer construction and our Progressive jumped 60%. Was able to get USAA quote but hurricane deductible was 10%. Decided to bundle coverages with State Farm (Kelly Matz on Warm Springs). Knowledgeable staff and nice to be able to sit down in person to fully understand what’s covered and not. There was a lot we didn’t know coming from IL just before the big hurricane hit last year. After that, we had lots of questions and her office spent as much time as we needed to go thru everything in great detail. We ended up with better coverage for close to same price. We’ll see what next year brings but very happy with them!

[spinner1001]

Is homeowners insurance generally for only roofs? I have a fairly new roof with a very good warranty. Do I need homeowners insurance for any other reasons.


To your first question, no. It covers many things that you can easily learn about with an internet search. Your good roof warranty certainly won’t cover this that occurred recently (photo credit to the news website than cannot be said on this forum).

[Catalina36]

I heard Farmers pulling out of homeowners insurance market. I checked Allstate and Progressive -- neither are writing new policies in the Villages. The one quote I got was double what I was paying in California for a much nicer house but in an area prone to earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, and lots of crime. I always viewed TV as a safe place to live. What's going on at the Villages with regard to homeowners insurance? Is it really a gamble to self-insure when 3 years of premiums would pay for a new roof?

The high cost of Homeowners Insurance has nothing to do with The Villages except that it is in the State of Florida. The Villages is a great place to live. We are beach and ocean people but I purchased in T.V. because I did not want to deal with hurricanes along the coastline. The insurance companies want your annual payments but they don't want to pay for claims?? The State of Florida needs to step in and come up with a solution to this problem. There are many people in this state who are living only on S.S. and cannot afford to pay the high increase in homeowners insurance. I purchased in Central Florida to avoid the problems of living along the coast but it seems that it is a problem even living in Central Florida.

[Flyers999]

Is homeowners insurance generally for only roofs? I have a fairly new roof with a very good warranty. Do I need homeowners insurance for any other reasons.

Just because you have a new roof, doesn't mean you are safe from windstorms (as spinner indicated ).

Besides windstorms (by hurricanes, tornados, etc.) homeowners' insurance also typically covers : fire, smoke, explosions, liability, lightning, hail , theft, floods, sink holes, vandalism, damage from vehicles, damage from aircraft, riots, civil commotion, and volcanic eruption.

You can get insurance for all those other things besides wind very reasonably. Just tell your agent that you want to self-insure wind damage.

[Babubhat]

The bulk of your policy premium is for wind damage. There wouldn’t be an issue if they stopped writing coastal Policies and required flood insurance near any body of water.

The 100 years flood designation is obsolete

[ChrisTee]

State Farm will not write a policy if in Sumter County and home was built before 2004 - per Connie Wise - tried to bundle with my car insurance and told no way Jose.

Right. Just read a Tampa article about State Farm - largest insurer in FL next to Citizens. State Farm says they're going to stay in FL... but I'm not counting on that. Their exposure is huge and they've been restricting new homeowner policy writing for over a year.
KNOW THIS - Homeowners in FL are now on the hook big time for Citizens (the state insurer of 'last resort' - Citizens is well over the exposure limit that they can cover. In the event of a large claim event (hurricane etc) EVERY FL homeowner will pay the claims. Yes - all of us. What's the deal with our politicians? total mess - all parties should be working to fix this.

[Blueblaze]

Well, after all my grousing about the crooked Florida insurance industry, it appears that at least one out-of-state agency has noticed, and is providing an alternative, while cowards like Farmers respond by running away without ever discovering that The Villages is not a suburb of Miami.

After forcing my agent to shop my policy (which they have resisted), they came back with a bunch of even more astronomical quotes from practically every Florida-based company there is. About half of them flat-out refused to quote it because the roof was 15 years old (in flagrant violation of the 2021 insurance law). Being a seasonal rental, none of the national brand names will touch it, of course, so they weren't listed.

There was only one brand missing, which seemed odd because I was under the impression they were Florida based -- Kin. So I looked them up on-line and discovered that, not only are they not based in Florida, I didn't even need an agent to get a quote. In about 10 minutes I had a quote for BETTER insurance than my American Integrity policy (it actually covered my roof!) for HALF the price! They let me raise my deductible to $5K (which only saved $100 at A.I.) and let me choose a depreciating value on the roof. I was also able to choose a reasonable reconstruction value for the house instead of them insisting on the Zillow market value, as if I'd be stuck re-buying the lot if a tornado wiped it clean. In other words, they let me choose exactly the same kind of policy I've had for the 40 years that I was a home owner before moving to Florida. And I didn't have to beg some salesman to give it to me.

I was so tickled that I quoted my other home and saved myself another 50%!

[Dusty_Star]

There is a video going on YouTube that shows the afterwards of a hurricane. They say that homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, including the tear down/throw away of the house. Is this true? Seems to me you could buy insurance for this.

Link??

[bcsnave]

The bulk of your policy premium is for wind damage. There wouldn’t be an issue if they stopped writing coastal Policies and required flood insurance near any body of water.

The 100 years flood designation is obsolete

Now that makes too much sense!!