Minnesota homeowners insurance recommendations

I currently have Farmers and think I’m overpaying. I did the online quotes from Progressive and Allstate and they were both significantly less expensive for similar coverage as far as I can tell. I checked Progressive because that’s where my car and boat insurance is through but they don’t directly do home insurance, they are an agent for other companies. In my case the Progressive quote was through QBE who I’ve never even heard of. Any experience with Progressive’s partners? I don’t necessarily want the least expensive but, before I spend more time on the details, I’m wondering what the “best” ones to look at are.

We currently have Secura. It was the cheapest my agent found and we decided to give them a try. After reading some reviews online about their claim process, we are somewhat regretting it. I have no bad experiences with them yet, but we haven’t made a claim yet, either. Everything is bundled together (home, 2 cars, 1 truck, 2 ATV’s and 1 snowmobile)and the price is very fair.

Are you a vet or anyone in the family? USAA is the best out there from what I have seen.

What ever you choose, read the fine print when it comes to storm damage, ie matching, ACV vs Replacement, deductibles, etc.

Find a local independent agent or two in your area and have them give you some quotes from the various companies they represent. My guess is you’ll likely find better rates and much more friendly service going that route vs the large national companies. It also gives you a nice discount if you bundle all of you coverages together with one company – as much as 20% some places – and would really try to do that as well.

I’ve been with Auto Owners for 12 years and have been very happy with them, especially when I’ve had to make claims. Hope this helps, good luck.

I would talk to an independent agent so they can run your quotes through multiple companies. When I first switched to an independent agent he ran my quote through 50+ companies and 24 came back with a quote.

I would choose an agent that’s been in the business for a while as they know all the companies and their track records. This way he can break down these 24 companies and give you the best price and service after a claim as they been through it many times. When my agent ran my quote, a few came in under my present insurer’s quote but was advised not to go with them as they have had issues in the past on claims. Only a seasoned agent would know this and can steer you in the right direction.

I’ll gladly pay more for an agent that’s going to be there for me when I need him.

Belle,
When it comes to a claim an agent has zero to do with the process, and if you can drag your agent into the claim he is definitely not going to be on your side. He is going to be on the side of the people that butter his bread.
As a contractor I have seen this firsthand many times

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Belle,
When it comes to a claim an agent has zero to do with the process, and if you can drag your agent into the claim he is definitely not going to be on your side. He is going to be on the side of the people that butter his bread.

I completely disagree with this. Its the insured is who butters our bread not the insurance company as without the insureds we have no business. Being an independent agency owner, I represent my insureds first and the insurance carrier second. I can choose to contract with any carrier that I see fit. Should a insurance carrier not provide quality claims service to my insureds and not handle claims fairly I have the right to move by book of business from their company to another company as I see fit and I make darn sure that I express my expectation of quality claims service to the powers that be.

If your agent is not on your side and willing to assist in the process when a claim arises, its time to find a new agent.

Reef W wrote:

I’m wondering what the “best” ones to look at are.

State Farm is the #1 Home insurer. A lot of good info here, and some “alternative facts” . There are a lot of changes in the insurance industry due to the increased amount of claims in the last 5-10 years, so make sure wherever you go you get a good explanation of the things below. The most common I see would be Actual Cash Value vs Replacement Cost and separate wind and hail deductibles.

1. ACV (or roof ACV provision) vs Replacement Coverage
2. All Peril Coverage vs Stated Peril
3. Similar Construction vs Common Construction
4. One Deductible vs Separate Wind/Hail Deductibles
5. What claims will make your rate increase?
6. If applicable, any Dog breed exclusions?

Justin,
I apologize, I shouldn’t have put Agents all in the same boat. I’m sure you and others are stand up people.

In my 10 years as a GC I have not yet come upon an Agent that went to bat with an adjuster or their claims dept for their client. If I had a dime for each time I heard an agent tell their client they would help them and then do a 180 when they went up against an adjuster or their claims dept. I would be a rich man.
Just saying.

For what it’s worth…I recently switched from Allstate to Travelers through IDO’S very own Justin Schneider. Justin was great to work with,and saved us a bunch of money on home, boat, auto, and umbrella. Same coverages too.

Justin Schneider (Woods & Water Insurance) wrote:

If your agent is not on your side and willing to assist in the process when a claim arises, its time to find a new agent.

100% agree!! Your agent is the most important part in buying insurance.

Justin Schneider (Woods & Water Insurance) wrote:

If your agent is not on your side and willing to assist in the process when a claim arises, its time to find a new agent.

Totally agree. Our agent has always been on our side 100% and he’s been there to advise us when we could have made some big mistakes.

Also, our agent has been great in helping us to understand what we need and why.

Grouse

I totally agree.
I just don’t see it happen too often.

Before you buy insurance ask the Agent what he/she will do for you if a claim arises and it is disputed by the insurer. Make sure you get their answer recorded.

Get A independent agent they’ll scan best deal often call Justin or let me know if in St. Cloud area wife’s families insurance people quite the rousing Christmas lot of dress socks for no reason

Justin your boat wrap looks awesome