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Post by playingcinderella on Jul 9, 2024 15:22:08 GMT
Short version: We have damage from Beryl, but I dont know if the damage with exceed our 2% deductible for windstorm insurance. Should I get quotes to determine the total cost before filing the claim or file the claim first not knowing if they will end up laying anything? I have had homeowner's claims before but it was always massive damage so it there wasnt a question of do we or don't we.
Here's the longer version: We lost a large tree limb that landed (really settled rather gently) on our house during Beyrl. It did not appear to do any major structural damage - no leaks, no apparent damage to rafters, etc. It did damage some shingles, the gutters and I'm not sure how much else. The only other damage we lost a pretty significant portion of our fence. The cost fence alone will not exceed our deductible.
I tried to call our insurance agent but the office isn't open (not a huge suprise with the number of people without power here). Should I get a quote on the roof to determine if the damage + the fence will be greater than our deductible or go ahead and start a claim? I don't know how much a claim affects the cost of Windstorm insurance because it goes up every year and more in the years with an active season - even without filing a claim.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,347 
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jul 9, 2024 15:36:17 GMT
I have never seen a deductible listed as a percent. What is the percent of? Like if the damage was $10,000, you would pay $2,000?
But to answer your question, definitely get estimates so you have a ball park figure. If you then feel you should file a claim, they will send out an adjuster to do their own estimates. Most insurance allow you to chosse your contractor for repairs, so if the insurance amount is way different than the estimate, let the contractor you choose know and they will negotiate with your insurase to agree on a price.
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Post by playingcinderella on Jul 9, 2024 15:48:34 GMT
2% of the insured value, so our deductible is roughly $6300. Our windstorm insurance cost is already insane, I can't imagine what it would be with a flat rate deductible.
Thank you for your thoughts.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 9, 2024 16:12:41 GMT
I have never filed a claim and I don't intend to unless there is major damage to my home. Insurance companies are looking for ANY reason to drop customers so I wouldn't give them anything to work with. I would get the estimates first and see if it is even worth filing a claim. Based on what you described, it might be better to just pay out of pocket.
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Post by worrywart on Jul 9, 2024 16:33:16 GMT
If it was not going to be much over the deductible, I would just get estimates and fix it. It truly stinks that we have come to this but don't give them a reason to drop you or raise your rates unless you are making a large claim. Just my opinion!
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Post by playingcinderella on Jul 9, 2024 19:02:11 GMT
Thanks for reaffirming my thought process. Fence and roof quotes in the works. And until then clean up for all the downed trees.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,347
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Jul 9, 2024 19:04:41 GMT
Thanks for reaffirming my thought process. Fence and roof quotes in the works. And until then clean up for all the downed trees. If possible, don't clean up until you get an estimate as they will include clean up in the estimate. |
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Post by playingcinderella on Jul 9, 2024 19:35:55 GMT
We took lots of pictures but the risk of more damage and rodents with the trees down close to the house is a way bigger concern. We will do most of the clean up ourselves regardless.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 9, 2024 19:42:38 GMT
I’m sorry that you are dealing with all of that. It’s a big headache. We had a tree drop on our house during a hurricane and it was a PITA to deal with, and we were just renters! There were piles of debris outside people’s houses for months.
We have USAA. We can call to get advice or an adjuster to look at the damage and it’s up to us if we want to actually file the claim. We’ve done that twice and not filed. Our rates never went up, but USAA is in its own class of insurance, so I’m not sure that it transfers to other companies.
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sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 9, 2024 20:33:26 GMT
First, glad you guys are ok and there wasn't significant damage.
As for the damage and your insurance, I would recommend getting the estimates first. Then determine if it's worth a claim. If you're saying your deductible is $6300 and say the repairs will be $8000, you're talking about a $1700 claim.
Just an FYI, the removal of the tree may not be covered either by insurance.
If you have an agent (some companies have gone away from agents), they may be able to guide you as to what is and isn't covered. But make sure they don't file a claim just for asking a question (some companies do this).
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,785
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jul 9, 2024 20:35:41 GMT
I have never filed a claim and I don't intend to unless there is major damage to my home. Insurance companies are looking for ANY reason to drop customers so I wouldn't give them anything to work with. I would get the estimates first and see if it is even worth filing a claim. Based on what you described, it might be better to just pay out of pocket.  This is where I land as well. |
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Post by kamper on Jul 9, 2024 23:41:31 GMT
Are you in Texas and talking about TWIA? When we had it (9 years ago now) the cost was based on the insured value and they can't drop you or raise your premium for a claim. I'd get quotes and then figure out if you need to file. If you have roof damage it will have to be brought up to the current standard.
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Post by playingcinderella on Jul 10, 2024 1:37:28 GMT
Are you in Texas and talking about TWIA? When we had it (9 years ago now) the cost was based on the insured value and they can't drop you or raise your premium for a claim. I'd get quotes and then figure out if you need to file. If you have roof damage it will have to be brought up to the current standard. Yep, we have TWIA as of about 6 weeks ago - our last insurance company stopped writing policies in the state. In doing my research today I found out exactly what you said - the claim won't have any impact on the rates. I'm working on getting quotes and if it's over our deductible we will file. We were able to remove the tree ourselves and the city and county are picking up debris so just the fence and the roof is all we need to take care of. |
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Post by Merge on Jul 10, 2024 2:48:58 GMT
Thanks for reaffirming my thought process. Fence and roof quotes in the works. And until then clean up for all the downed trees. If possible, don't clean up until you get an estimate as they will include clean up in the estimate. It will be a long time before a contractor can come out and do work after a big storm like this. We all do our own cleanup if possible so as not to miss the city’s storm debris pick ups. playingcinderella, best wishes to you. Be careful with contractors who gouge after a storm like this. |
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,097
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Post by used2scrap on Jul 10, 2024 9:56:05 GMT
I want to say our insurance considered trees down/fence/outbuilding separately from the roof/house damages, they didn’t just add it all up, but it’s been several years. Trees were not directly on the house though, if that makes a difference.
Hopefully you can at least secure things so there isn’t any further damage. It can be such a long and painful recovery process.
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twinsmomfla99
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Posts: 4,119
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Jul 10, 2024 11:48:21 GMT
I have never filed a claim and I don't intend to unless there is major damage to my home. Insurance companies are looking for ANY reason to drop customers so I wouldn't give them anything to work with. I would get the estimates first and see if it is even worth filing a claim. Based on what you described, it might be better to just pay out of pocket. I agree. It’s important to get your estimates before you even call the insurance company. That “inquiry” can count against you even if you never file a claim! |
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Post by kamper on Jul 22, 2024 23:19:16 GMT
I have never filed a claim and I don't intend to unless there is major damage to my home. Insurance companies are looking for ANY reason to drop customers so I wouldn't give them anything to work with. I would get the estimates first and see if it is even worth filing a claim. Based on what you described, it might be better to just pay out of pocket. I agree. It’s important to get your estimates before you even call the insurance company. That “inquiry” can count against you even if you never file a claim! In Texas coastal counties windstorm is only covered by TWIA because no companies will cover it and the legislature allows this. This is an insurance program of last resort. Your premium is only ever based on where you live and the value you insure. It's kind of like flood insurance but, for wind. |
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