[jrref]

Originally Posted by blueleaderone

KIN Ins was about half of our previous policy.

Right but some have said they give you a good first year price then double it in subsequent years. Just Fyi.

[RedChariot]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

Find a broker that can give you the cheapest quote drawing from several insurance companies. Contact the Villages Insurance as just one example.

I recommend Lori Welling at The Villages Insurance. Finds the least expensive company while providing the coverage you desire. She is knowledgeable and smart as a whip. Tell her Susan S recommended her.

[Annie66]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

OP, I don't know how much liability insurance you have on your auto policy, but I found that State Farm and Allstate were the only two companies that would offer more than $250K, which, to me, was not enough. Also, I know some people will disagree, but I do not purchase any uninsured motorist insurance, which is optional in Florida. I would never file a claim for this coverage, so I save a few hundred dollars by not buying it.

For homeowner's, you may find it difficult to buy sinkhole coverage. I have Progressive for homeowner's and State Farm for auto.

Add USAA to the list if you are eligible.

[Birdrm]

Originally Posted by j_vermilya

We are changing from our current provider, state farm.
I would appreciate your recommendations, we have our auto, home, including hurricane and sinkhole. I am especially seeking personalized, responsive agents. Thanks

I have had a different insurance company each of the 4 years I have been in the Villages, except for Geico for auto as they actually reduced my insurance about 3% with my renewal. Shop around and find the best price from an insurance company that has a solid rating.

[Skip]

Many, many bad stories about Allstate during the last few hurricanes. Tree fell on a house, Allstate sent out an independent adjuster since Allstate adjusters were a little overwhelmed. The adjuster did an accurate assessment and submitted his report. Allstate told him to reduce his estimate to a $45,000 claim or he wouldn't get paid for his work. So the insurance company told the homeowner (a 20 year customer!) "here's our check for $45,000, take it or leave it". The homeowner was there during the damage assessment (no $ figures were discussed but a laundry list was secretly kept) and saw that items were deleted, and they had to sue Allstate for more relief. Turns out the adjuster's original estimate was closer to $400,000 damage, not $45,000.

A friend of mine worked as a claims rep. for Allstate at the "pay the customer" end of the process. She was often told by her boss, this is a bad month for us, delay this payout by 3 more months. Allstate made the owner wait for their money. After working there 6 months, she quit, saying Allstate is bad news.

Stay away from Allstate.

Skip

[Singerlady]

Originally Posted by j_vermilya

We are changing from our current provider, state farm.
I would appreciate your recommendations, we have our auto, home, including hurricane and sinkhole. I am especially seeking personalized, responsive agents. Thanks

Be careful about using out of area insurance. Two neighbors did that and when a lightning strike for one and a sinkhole damage for the other happened, they became the general contractor. Those insurance companies said they didn’t know anyone in our area to get the job done, so here’s the money and…you know the rest. It was a real hassle.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by j_vermilya

We are changing from our current provider, state farm.
I would appreciate your recommendations, we have our auto, home, including hurricane and sinkhole. I am especially seeking personalized, responsive agents. Thanks

Allstate for the cars, & motorcycle. House with Tower Hill. Golf cart covered by a rider on homeowners’ policy. Lisa Faina Agency, Cooper City Florida was very helpful, and continues to be that way.

[Craig Vernon]

We used DEES Insurance and they were very good for us (941) 306-4524. We ended up with Frontline Insurance for homeowners, Progressive for Golf Car and Travelers for Auto with reasonable rates and full coverages you will need to review for your needs. Good Luck.

[Spartan86]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

OP, I don't know how much liability insurance you have on your auto policy, but I found that State Farm and Allstate were the only two companies that would offer more than $250K, which, to me, was not enough. Also, I know some people will disagree, but I do not purchase any uninsured motorist insurance, which is optional in Florida. I would never file a claim for this coverage, so I save a few hundred dollars by not buying it.

For homeowner's, you may find it difficult to buy sinkhole coverage. I have Progressive for homeowner's and State Farm for auto.

Just a FWIW, but Travelers would also quote $500K single limit and up the property damage to $300K on an auto policy. When bundled with an umbrella policy, the higher auto liability policy actually quoted a bit cheaper than the lesser.

To the OP, good luck I know it’s a hassle to shop around. And as for the opinion that you need a local agent, I disagree and have been through a few claims processes over the years. Once I filed a claim I’ve always been largely on my own for the process - except when they sued and I heard somewhat regularly from the insurance company attorney. A local agent cannot change the process or the language of the policy. Again, just an opinion.

[sblb]

Progressive has been really good and fair for us.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Spartan86

Just a FWIW, but Travelers would also quote $500K single limit and up the property damage to $300K on an auto policy. When bundled with an umbrella policy, the higher auto liability policy actually quoted a bit cheaper than the lesser.

To the OP, good luck I know it’s a hassle to shop around. And as for the opinion that you need a local agent, I disagree and have been through a few claims processes over the years. Once I filed a claim I’ve always been largely on my own for the process - except when they sued and I heard somewhat regularly from the insurance company attorney. A local agent cannot change the process or the language of the policy. Again, just an opinion.

I actually have $1 million liability on my State Farm auto policy. An umbrella policy is always an option, but I have usually found them to be too expensive.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Skip

Many, many bad stories about Allstate during the last few hurricanes. Tree fell on a house, Allstate sent out an independent adjuster since Allstate adjusters were a little overwhelmed. The adjuster did an accurate assessment and submitted his report. Allstate told him to reduce his estimate to a $45,000 claim or he wouldn't get paid for his work. So the insurance company told the homeowner (a 20 year customer!) "here's our check for $45,000, take it or leave it". The homeowner was there during the damage assessment (no $ figures were discussed but a laundry list was secretly kept) and saw that items were deleted, and they had to sue Allstate for more relief. Turns out the adjuster's original estimate was closer to $400,000 damage, not $45,000.

A friend of mine worked as a claims rep. for Allstate at the "pay the customer" end of the process. She was often told by her boss, this is a bad month for us, delay this payout by 3 more months. Allstate made the owner wait for their money. After working there 6 months, she quit, saying Allstate is bad news.

Stay away from Allstate.

Skip

Yeah, I personally think once an insurance company goes public and hits the stock market service the coverage sucks. I prefer a mutual insurance company at this point in my life.

[kschwi]

What do you pay for auto? I have a 6 month renewal bill with Travelers just under $800. Clean record, 500/500 liability, 100k property, 25/50 uninsured 10k PIP and comprehensive and collision. This is more than my 12 months of coverage before I moved to the Villages.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by kschwi

What do you pay for auto? I have a 6 month renewal bill with Progressive just under $800. Clean record, 500/500 liability, 100k property, 25/50 uninsured 10k PIP and comprehensive and collision. This is more than my 12 months of coverage before I moved to the Villages.

I pay $452 for 6 months with State Farm. I have $1 million in liability, the mandatory PIP, plus collision and comprehensive. No uninsured motorist coverage.

[fflmaster]

I’ve own an insurance agency up North for 30 years now. Been exclusive with Allstate for 20 years (while there I was on the regional advisory board for the entire Northeast), and independent the last 10.

Allstate is not the same company it was years prior. They are going to look at denying any claim they can. I had a huge hail storm go thru our area and the only house that had an issue was the one with Allstate (mine ������). All others were covered and received new roofs.

Being from both worlds of exclusive agent and independent, I can say you should look for a local, well respected, independent agent. My retention up North is over 95% because we actually talk to our customers personally. All insurance companies go thru pricing changes. Years they want market share and years their underwriting says to hold back with higher pricing. However, an independent agent can move you around to the company that fits your needs the best. Down south, I would expect you can find the same in or near The Villages.

Go with an independent agency.