house insurance company wants to inspect my house!

Knucklez · 10-22-2009, 06:06 PM

well, i have calmed down since then. but it really stressed me out at the time, was really concerned.

i called them back and left a message.. and since then i just ignored them. i decided that nobody comes in my house unless i invite them - except for my cat who doesn't seem to care what i think. if policy holders don't like it, well there are lots of other vendors out there.

so nothing ever came of it. i suspect that they called everyone on their list of old home owners and the suckers who responded to their cold calling are now regretting it. insurance rep made their quota and didn't bother following up with the rest of their clientele (perhaps until next year).

Knucklez

concretemasonry · 10-22-2009, 07:02 PM

No insurance company has to sell you insurance. They can look at the property (modifications, maintenance, etc.) to give you a quotation based on their rate guidelines for the value, area and conditions. My mother had insurance with a company for years, but she installed a complying wood stove, but they refused to cover her because they had too much risk for homes in the area based on the recent claims.

She went and got other quotes from different companies for a little more and was satisfied with the cost (a little higher).

In some hurricane areas (especially the severe zones in Florida) rates have gone up because of the results of the damage from coastal storms where the land was changed, decreased or lost), rates have gone up for a policy based on historical code-complying homes), but offer much lower rates (sometimes 40% lower) that can off set the difference in additional construction new or addition costs if certain standards are met. these usually exceed code or may be more area-specific.

The local building code is just the worst way you can build legally and is not necessarily the best way to build. If you do not do it right the future value could be lower or your children will have to face the future problems.

homegreeny · 10-28-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knucklez

is this strange?

our house is ALREADY insured for more than enough, including the material inside material (tv, couch etc.). i think they're just out to get more money. they called in the past about life insurance and all these questions about our car insurance to "see if we have enough coverage". we declined everything. sheesh..

but now they want to know about our house insurance.

we've lived in our house for 5 years. its an older house. home insurance company has requested an inspection to check "the roof, wiring and plumbing".

but i can supply receipts showing new roof. we had an electrician certify safe wiring when we moved in (a requirement of the same insurance companY!) and the plumbing can be proven modern through our own home inspection report which we had done when we moved in.

but they still want to inspect...

this can only go one of two ways:
1) rates go up because house has "nice" stuff that needs more coverage. for example, large wooden moldings, plaster crown molding.

2) they find something they don't like and give "30 days to comply". like i need a longer to-do list!

it is written in the policy that they can inspect the house any time. i'm thinking of getting a new insurance company instead. one that doesn't harass me.

what do you think?

Knucklez

I have to say it just totally depends on who you are insuring with. I've been with companies that were very trusting in that they allowed me to give them rough estimates without wanting more details. of course they recommended doing the usual such as taking videos and pictures. Found them here when I was searching for home insurance quotes about a year ago. I've definitely been with companies before that wanted to inspect the home themselves and got very detailed with the contents list. Very annoying but then I put myself in their shoes and understand. However, that being said I'm more private about my belongings and like a more trusting a relaxed approach from my insurance company.

linuxrunner · 04-27-2011, 03:52 PM

We had to beg for the insurance to send somebody out to inspect the interior of our house when we bought it.

We were denied by 6 different companies when it came time to close on our house, 2 other companies said they could insure but both had yearly rates over $6,000. As our hose is built with exterior stone walls (all the way through if you take off the drywall you see stone) and has lots of large decorative lead glass windows most insurance companies would not touch it with a 10 foot pole, one said that the replacement cost they estimated was $650,000 to replace and rebuild all the stone (apparently good stone masons don’t come cheap) and this was on a house that was <$190,000 and only 2100 sq feet. Needless to say it was tense trying to find somebody to insure in time to close. (we got our agent to figure out which company was insuring it for the previous owners and after many calls and talking to many managers they agreed to give us only a slightly higher price than the previous owner.)

The previous owner had said that the stone was a veneer and no matter how many times we told them it was not every time I looked at the details of the policy it was switched back to stone veneer. They simply would not believe us that the stone was the actual wall. Finally convinced a insurance inspector to come in and take a look… since they did not have a category for stone wall our policy now says brick which is crossed out and stone is written over top (with signatures from us and the insurance company).

CRAZY!!

Jim F · 04-27-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Thomas

Here are the major defects that cause my home inspection clients here in Chicago to have problems when they attempt to obtain or renew property insurance: A Visual Guide to Identifying Potential Homeowner's Insurance Problems - - Paragon Home Inspections Evanston / Chicago / Skokie / Wilmette / Morton Grove / Glenview / Northbrook / Illinois

I’m paid to be suspicious…

The door to nowhere was good for a laugh.

rusty baker · 04-27-2011, 10:59 PM

We changed house insurance a few months back. They walked around and took pictures of the outside. When he asked about going in, I told him no. I don't allow strangers inside my house. They left without argument.

Wildie · 04-27-2011, 11:32 PM

When I bought my present home and applied for insurance, they sent an inspector around. Photos were taken of all the rooms, the plumbing, furnace and the electrical panel.

Now, if I make any changes and a permit hasn't been issued, they could refuse my coverage in case of a claim.

rusty baker · 04-28-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildie

When I bought my present home and applied for insurance, they sent an inspector around. Photos were taken of all the rooms, the plumbing, furnace and the electrical panel.

Now, if I make any changes and a permit hasn't been issued, they could refuse my coverage in case of a claim.

Permits aren't required here, so I don't know what they would do.

tpolk · 04-28-2011, 12:01 PM

dog species and houses built on piers, non continuous foundation, are big problems here to get insurance

Wildie · 04-28-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty baker

Permits aren't required here, so I don't know what they would do.

Maybe if they don't like what they see, they will refuse to cover you!

rossfingal · 04-28-2011, 04:14 PM

Damed if you do -damed if you don't - dam those damed dams!
(Hope the dams hold!)
RF

Knucklez · 04-28-2011, 07:44 PM

eventually.. they did call again. i told them to get lost and i just canceled my policy and started a new one with someone else that doesn't harass me. the new policy covers more and costs less! ha.. should have shopped around years ago.

Ron6519 · 05-04-2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flip10

Hi , I have not experienced it but i know these words commonly and heard that the insurance company has to visit the home , Is it trying to make you confuse or some objections and then benefits for them.

What are you trying to say here?
Ron

businessman · 04-30-2013, 12:19 PM

I just got the same phone call. I have a contract with an insurance company -- they insure, I pay them for insurance---period. I have never filed a claim, and never intend to unless there would be a complete disaster. I informed them that if they would like to hire an independent inspector to inspect my house after we have a contract, I would allow it if they allow me to be an independent business man and inspect there financials. They said they would get back with me. Think the whole thing is BS. We'll see what happens.

CoconutPete · 04-30-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by businessman

I just got the same phone call. I have a contract with an insurance company -- they insure, I pay them for insurance---period. I have never filed a claim, and never intend to unless there would be a complete disaster. I informed them that if they would like to hire an independent inspector to inspect my house after we have a contract, I would allow it if they allow me to be an independent business man and inspect there financials. They said they would get back with me. Think the whole thing is BS. We'll see what happens.

Since this thread is 4 years old, you could always ask OP what he did - I'm sure he has figured it out by now.

10-22-2009, 06:06 PM	#46
Knucklez Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ontario canada Posts: 796	house insurance company wants to inspect my house! well, i have calmed down since then. but it really stressed me out at the time, was really concerned. i called them back and left a message.. and since then i just ignored them. i decided that nobody comes in my house unless i invite them - except for my cat who doesn't seem to care what i think. if policy holders don't like it, well there are lots of other vendors out there. so nothing ever came of it. i suspect that they called everyone on their list of old home owners and the suckers who responded to their cold calling are now regretting it. insurance rep made their quota and didn't bother following up with the rest of their clientele (perhaps until next year). Knucklez __________________ "if you can't be handsome, at least you can be handy" -Redgreen

10-22-2009, 07:02 PM	#47
concretemasonry Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota - Latitude 45.057 Longitude -93.074 Posts: 3,357	house insurance company wants to inspect my house! No insurance company has to sell you insurance. They can look at the property (modifications, maintenance, etc.) to give you a quotation based on their rate guidelines for the value, area and conditions. My mother had insurance with a company for years, but she installed a complying wood stove, but they refused to cover her because they had too much risk for homes in the area based on the recent claims. She went and got other quotes from different companies for a little more and was satisfied with the cost (a little higher). In some hurricane areas (especially the severe zones in Florida) rates have gone up because of the results of the damage from coastal storms where the land was changed, decreased or lost), rates have gone up for a policy based on historical code-complying homes), but offer much lower rates (sometimes 40% lower) that can off set the difference in additional construction new or addition costs if certain standards are met. these usually exceed code or may be more area-specific. The local building code is just the worst way you can build legally and is not necessarily the best way to build. If you do not do it right the future value could be lower or your children will have to face the future problems.

04-27-2011, 03:52 PM	#49
linuxrunner Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 82	house insurance company wants to inspect my house! We had to beg for the insurance to send somebody out to inspect the interior of our house when we bought it. We were denied by 6 different companies when it came time to close on our house, 2 other companies said they could insure but both had yearly rates over $6,000. As our hose is built with exterior stone walls (all the way through if you take off the drywall you see stone) and has lots of large decorative lead glass windows most insurance companies would not touch it with a 10 foot pole, one said that the replacement cost they estimated was $650,000 to replace and rebuild all the stone (apparently good stone masons don’t come cheap) and this was on a house that was <$190,000 and only 2100 sq feet. Needless to say it was tense trying to find somebody to insure in time to close. (we got our agent to figure out which company was insuring it for the previous owners and after many calls and talking to many managers they agreed to give us only a slightly higher price than the previous owner.) The previous owner had said that the stone was a veneer and no matter how many times we told them it was not every time I looked at the details of the policy it was switched back to stone veneer. They simply would not believe us that the stone was the actual wall. Finally convinced a insurance inspector to come in and take a look… since they did not have a category for stone wall our policy now says brick which is crossed out and stone is written over top (with signatures from us and the insurance company). CRAZY!!

04-27-2011, 10:59 PM	#51
rusty baker Pro Flooring Installer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 3,154	house insurance company wants to inspect my house! We changed house insurance a few months back. They walked around and took pictures of the outside. When he asked about going in, I told him no. I don't allow strangers inside my house. They left without argument. __________________ "I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better" Semi-Retired Installer Installing since 1973

04-27-2011, 11:32 PM	#52
Wildie Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada (s/w ON.) Posts: 2,294	house insurance company wants to inspect my house! When I bought my present home and applied for insurance, they sent an inspector around. Photos were taken of all the rooms, the plumbing, furnace and the electrical panel. Now, if I make any changes and a permit hasn't been issued, they could refuse my coverage in case of a claim.

house insurance company wants to inspect my house!