Required Insurance Inspections to Change to New Company?
 

If we decide not to change/stay with Slide Insurance, our insurance agent has told us that any other company will require i) a 4pt inspection done within the last 12 months, and ii) a wind mitigation inspection before they will cover us.

Has anyone had experience with these inspections? I assume the homeowner would have to pay for them. Does anyone have any idea of the cost?

Or is this just a threat to get us to accept Slide’s coverage, which isn’t as good as Farmers’ was?

Sounds about right(or absolutely wrong as far as business practice is concerned). We have Farmers and we are being dropped as of the end of our coverage in Oct. We were also told that the agent is now selling Slide insurance. Tired of going through new companies just about every year or two, when we have NEVER made a claim. Tired of jumping through costly hoops of new roof, new water heater, WM report, etc. Florida has been nice, but we are now looking at moving back to the mountains. I can deal with cold weather, but I don't like the idea that everyone in The Villages is too old to realize they are being taken advantage of. Although, it seems everyone in Florida is being beat up by home owners insurance. Never heard of Slide insurance before, but the agent (formally Farmers) was pretty decent in the past, so maybe-maybe the company he is representing now will be OK too. Hopefully, I will be able to sell this house before my insurance expires. Enjoyed Florida, but I worked hard for my money and I am not in favor of other folks finding new ways for me to throw it away. If I am going to waste money, I would rather use it on entertainment and/or food. It doesn't seem like a useful way to spend money when I have to pay for a new inspection of my home or replace something that is working perfectly fine, in order for someone to insure my home.
Short answer: Shop around, but don't expect much of a different result.

As I recall we got a discount on our homeowners insurance as we paid for a wind mitigation study before moving in.

Having very similar thoughts about the total situation. Florida natives here, but it's really getting to weight on us. The villages usually paints a happy face on everything, but they can control the insurance industry. All they can do is notice the market is declining so their must be others that fear the falling prices will catch them and the will be unable to sell (in our village a house once had a sold sign LESS than 3 weeks after it went on the market); very different presently. But you are correct, we've been through all the insurance shopping every year, the expense of a new roof when a legitimate (non sales, non insurance) related experienced roofer told (and showed !) us why there was no reason to replace our roof...perfectly sound. We had wind mitigation inspection also (could not find the bill but seems it was under $200), and on and on. We've been doing a lot of research on possible moves. As we age, it gets more difficult every year to face such a major event, and as I mentioned, homes of the same model and amenities to ours are selling for less every month. It's a dilemma. Went to undergrad and grad school out of state and after living in several states due to career moves, could not wait to return to Florida....now, even though we prepared very carefully for retirement financially (we thought), who anticipates prices rising by 200, 300, percent and more (and certainly many more expenses than just insurance) ? From our research (and actual visits) to several alternatives now, I can tell you be very careful. Relatives moved to golf community in Arkansas and after two years encountered the very same circumstances: door knocking roof "inspectors" promising "free" roofs and low insurance premiums, people in their neighborhood being dropped by the companies at alarming rates, changing insurance yearly and paying 200% increases to companies they have never heard of and have no idea IF they would even be financially able to pay off should their be a claim. Never been a fan of federal government controlling out of control situations, but, neither do I have any solid solutions.

We switched from Frontline to State Farm this past April. They required an inspection before approval. The agent works with an independent inspector and arranged for the inspection. The inspection was scheduled at our convenience. It was an easy process and cost $100.

Cost is $100-$200 and generally the homeowner pays but I got State Farm to absorb the cost. I switched to them maybe 6 months ago and the 1st year premium was $815.

Before you sign w Slide, read the many bad reviews w the BBB. I also had Farmers who gave my info to Slide. I was to expect their quote prior to expiration of my current Farmers policy. After reading the reviews I wasn't interested. I got 2 quotes, Kin and Edison Insurance Co, neither required a 4-point inspection.

Depending on when home was built wind mitigation is usually not required

I pay $250 for an inspection. Worth it for the discount

:what::what:

I wonder down the road if developers would start their own insurance company. For the few total losses per year they could rebuild cheaper, faster, and still make money.
Staff and more than enough money in place, write policies that would benefit the name. They could raise rates as they choose, force those who really need a roof to replace, or find a different insurance. They just need some underwriters and adjusters.

In our home 7 years. Had same insurance through progressive homeowners arm. Just were dropped by them. Got new insurance through villages insurance. No inspections. We got quotes on our own too. Their recommendation was the cheapest. State Farm wouldn’t even talk to us if our roof was older than 2021 new codes.

You only need inspections if your home is over 20 years old. If not, you do not need the 4 point inspection. Most likely you would not need the wind mitigation inspection as well. If your home was built in 2002 or later, there are automatic wind mitigation credits. If you installed impact windows or have shutters and all your openings are impact rated, you’d need the wind mitigation to obtain an opening protection credit. I’m an agent and would be happy to provide a quote. Please feel free to contact me 954-437-9220 ext. 308 or hrichardson4@allstate.com.

Insurance on our home
 

When we purchased in 2018, we went with Travelers on everything. Even though it was a new home, it had to be inspected, mainly for sinkhole coverage. We have been with them ever since, but we do pay the increased premiums each year even through we have never had a claim (like many of you). Are the insurance issues just in Florida, or do other states have some of the same issues. I'm not a fan of the insurance or of the monthly fee from the SSU.

I don't see why there is a need for a wind mitigation inspection IF I have had two of them in the last five years. I have also had two 4pt (or whatever they call them) inspections in five years. I've put on a new roof a couple years ago (paid for myself, not my insurance) that is rated for life (likely 35 yr shingles) and replaced my ac. Yet, every time you change insurance, they seem to want a new, up to date inspection. They told me that they would give me a big discount if I replaced my roofing and I did and they did. The next year after the roof replacement, the price went back up about 50%. Probably the best thing to do is NOT have a mortgage so that they can't force you to purchase insurance. Then, build up a savings account for emergencies. Be your own insurer. Not everyone can do that. I guess it's another of those "if you don't like it, then move." And that's what I am considering, not that it matters to big companies that can control the market and always have plenty of fish in the sea, waiting to move in.