Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with insurance and home

Looking for an Independent Insurance Agent

Pocahontas — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:44:32 -0800

How do I find an independent insurance agent? How do I find out who is a good independent insurance agent? No, I didn't get any recs from friends, and I want to do this today.

Searching through the mefi archives, I see that it is very important to get an independent insurance agent before purchasing any type of insurance (looking for a lower premium on my home policy).

In the East Bay of SF Bay.

Tanks at my House! What does that do to our insurance coverage?

bdoop21 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:53:02 -0800

How can I protect my home from my (somewhat) risky home business? We have homeowners insurance but what else do I need to be completely protected from any accidents that may occur at my house due to my home business? I have 3 tanks of gas for use in the attached shop space (propane is outside and 2 small acetylene B tanks inside). I think they would void our home insurance if, please forbid, anything happened. I am working from home under an LLC but I'm not sure and I don’t think we are zoned for business, so I'm not even sure if business insurance would be a possibility…..
What do I do to protect our house and still be able to work from home knowing that I am covered? Thanks

Does homeowner's insurance cover porch settling due to drought?

schleppo — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:05:19 -0800

InsuranceFilter: Would homeowners insurance generally cover a large concrete porch that has pulled away from the house due to a summer drought? The porch is settling and pulling away from the foundation due to a summer drought in our area (and because it wasn't tied in well enough with the rest of the foundation) I know I don't have drought insurance, because that usually covers agricultural assets (crops, etc.) and I don't plant anything but my butt on the couch for football.

Help me find insurance for my home-based ebay business

nmogno — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:07:38 -0800

Help me find a insurance company that will cover my home-based ebay business. I run a small business out of my home, selling used cellphones online, primarily on ebay. The business has really been taking off in the past few months, and I have been trying to get a small business insurance policy.

From what I understand, (please tell me if I'm wrong or missing something) the coverages I'll want are general liability, product liability (occasionally I do some light repair and refurbishing in-house, so as I understand, I am exposed to product liability risk) and business property to cover loss from theft, fire etc.

I've contacted all the big insurance companies I can think of (Farmers, All-State, American Family, State Farm), but they've all told me that they can't write the policy because:
A) They don't do home-based businesses, and/or
B) They don't do online businesses

I also tried to see if I could cover the business through riders on my renters policy (with State Farm), but they wouldn't do it.

The only speck of hope I found was through an insurance broker (Keller-Lowry) who told me they might be able to find coverage through a "surplus line," but they also told me that this would a good deal more expensive.

So, does anyone know of any insurance companies that specialize in home-based or online businesses? I've tried looking online without much hope. Or is the surplus line my only hope?

A few random facts in case they're relevant - I'm based in Colorado, the business is an S-corporation, right now I'm the only employee (I'll probably be hiring somebody before too long.)

Thanks in advance!
-Nick

insurance for older homes

Lucinda — Fri, 04 May 2007 10:22:54 -0800

Owners of older homes - from whom do you get your homeowners' insurance? Our house (built in 1926, 1400 square feet, plaster walls and hardwood floors) has a replacement value that is about three times its market value. This, of course, means the quotes we're getting for yearly premiums are crazy-high. (That is, if we're not getting rejected outright for coverage because we have a little bit of galvanized pipe in our plumbing system.)

I looked at HO-8 policies but they only provide coverage for fire and wind damage.

Are there any companies that will insure for less than full replacment value, or even market value? Bonus points if they have offices located in Western New York.

Umbrella Insurance

TheRaven — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:39:47 -0800

Insurance filter Umbrella insurance - good for them or good for you? My insurance company and, now, other insurance companies keep telling me how wonderful umbrella insurance is and how absolutely essential it is that I buy it. Googling umbrella insurance will get loads of example of insurance companies trying to sell it. But does the average homeowner (no business, no special situation) really need it or is it just another money-making scheme for the boys and girls in Hartford? If you bought it, why and have you benefited?

Flood Insurance Question

space2k — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 12:35:48 -0800

My house recently flooded. Fortunately, we have flood insurance. Our adjuster claimed that we needed to remove our floors (hardwood and tile) throughout the house and replace. Our contractor (who I trust) said that's not necessary, that only re-finishing is required. Because of the discrepancy, I stand to pocket a chunk of change on the deal. The contractors are finishing up, and sure enough, I've received an insurance check that covers the work the adjuster described. The check has to be co-signed by my mortgage lender, who I've spoken to and says that they will simply endorse and send back to me. Then, it's mine to deposit.

I know of only one catch: If my home floods again and we haven't done the work the adjuster paid for, they won't pay for it again. Frankly, that's a risk I'm willing to take. The area hasn't flooded like this in the 50+ years since it was developed, and the cash I stand to make is 5 figures.

This must have happened to someone else out there - do I have any legal, tax or other worries that I haven't thought of?