Homeowners insurance~>please Help!?

Question

My homeowners insurance nearly doubled this year from what it was last year. We've had zero claims. I was expecting an increase, but maybe of $10 or so. What gives? Why did we get such a high increase?

Answer 1

You have to look at your new declarations page.  It shows the coverage along with premium.

They might have raised the coverage on your home.  For Example, last year you insured it for $100,000 but now they raised it to $150,000.  Most insurance companies do this so they can cover the replacement cost.  You'll get a new home if a total loss were to occur.

Another way might be that they sold you a basic package.  No replacement on your personal property, no accidental water damage etc.

Call your agent.  If you dont have one and your in texas. email me [e-mail].

Answer 2

You don't say where you liveand what kind of coverages you have. Do you live in a coastal area prone to hurricanes?

Answer 3

Not enough info..........where do you live?

Answer 4

I was hit with the same issue.  Fundamentally, it comes out of a horribly poor economy.

Housing prices have dropped substantially, and foreclosures have dramatically increased.  In times like this, claims seem to increase rapidly and false claims even more so.  The insurance companies are doing a preemptive raising.  Unfortunately, there's not much that can be done.  You can call your insurance company and ask for their specific reasons for raising you (they'll still have the same underlying reasons) and see if you can negotiate.  If they won't lower your payment don't cancel immediately, but definitely start shopping around.  There are some large companies that have been able to keep their rates relatively constant.  From what I can tell, AAA is one of them.

This is a tough time to be a homeowner!  Just hang in there.

Answer 5

Call your agent.  They should be able to explain the increase, as should your renewal declarations page.

I used to work for Allstate and one of the more common reasons for home policies going up was the loss of discounts.  Allstate (in GA at least) gives a discount if you're a new homebuyer and if your house is brand new.  Those discounts get smaller each year until they disappear.  The amount your house is insured also goes up every so often to make sure you're paying enough premium on enough house for them to replace it if you sustain a total loss.

If you don't get a good explanation, shop it.  There are lots of companies in the market.

Answer 6

Call your agent ASAP. Also check in the Declarations Pages of your policy is the Dwelling limit is changed. Maybe you have a revised limit on your policy.