Anyone have advice on how to deal with insurance companies or recommendations ? I feel I can't really ask them. So every 5 years the homeowners insurance comes out to take pics. They just did this'd at my place. I just built a garage with a lift. I had three non running Mercedes in the yard - a parts car and two projects. Plus my 3 drivers.

Three weeks later I get a letter saying they are not renewing my homeowners insurance due to condition of property. I asked around and met other people who have had this problem. I didn't even know this was possible for something so trivial.

So what do I need to do to be able to have some junk cars in the yard? I'm in the country a little. Neighbors don't care. Can I have a lift in my garage without my insurance rates going up?
My car hobby could turn into a cottage industry at some point but it isn't much of one now. What does insurance cost for someone having a mechanic shop at their house?

If I get separate business insurance is that cheaper and then my homeowners company is off the hook and are not worried?

Should I just try to sweep it all under the rug, get rid of some cars and go find some new company? What company?

Im pretty mystified by it all and know if I ask an insurance company I may get penalized for my desire to do things they feel are liabilities to them.

Thanks

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

Well, if your place is paid for, you can do as I did many years ago - just go without insurance. I have much better things to do with the insurance premium dollars than to give it away to a stranger for something I'll likely never need. If my old residence ever did become a total loss, I'd just sell the lot and go buy something else. I'm ready for a change anyway, as I've been here a lot of years.

If you decide that you have to or need to carry insurance on your place, get busy getting it while you are covered - don't wait until your coverage with the current company lapses. When shopping for rates and coverage, companies will ask you if you have insurance in effect. You don't want to answer no, or they'll think you may have a problem as to why no one else is insuring you. Try Amica, they are recommended by Clark Howard the consumer guy on the radio out of Atlanta, GA.

I'd take a two prong approach. I'd ask the current company what I needed to do to keep my insurance. I'd also look for other companies immediately.

It's never a good thing to be cancelled by an insurance company because the new company will ask you about that.

They're running a business so they want to make money.

They see something which looks like it could create a loss for them so there must be some safety issue.....like fire or some structural issue with your buildings or it could just look like a guest could fall and get hurt. Its in your interest to fix whatever problem they are seeing.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I carry insurance because of the potential liability claims that could occur. Our overall premiums are enough that they never bother us in any way. I would consider not carrying it otherwise.

Maybe I should ask the insurance agent if he can find us a liability package only. Besides profit the insurance industry is well aware they have people burning their way to prosperity and charge us for that factor.

I know one guy that has torched four places already and always collected. I do not suspect this I know it.

All our property is now insured for replacement value. Not one of them are worth that kind of money in the marketplace.

No I do not like the current premiums either but they are what they are. If you carry a morgage a policy is a mandatory requirement. In the posters case if they could prove money passed hands in anything that resulted in a claim. I would not hold my breath on collecting for it.

Change carriers. Move out the movable cars for the day of their visit. Clean up the yard a bit. Dont wear a t shirt that says "Question authority" until they leave. You ll be good for another five years.

I bought a fixer upper which was in really bad shape. The home inspector said it has the worst (least safe) electrical system he had ever seen in 20 years of doing home inspections. While in escrow, I was trying to get insurance, as it is required while I have a mortgage. Two companies turned me down because of the condition of the property. They simply didn't want my business. Finally, I found a reputable company who was happy to have my business.

Ironically, one of the companies that rejected me still contacts me to try to sell me insurance.

I guess the bottom line is that, as mentioned above, you should try to find another insurance company. Good luck and I hope it resolves itself quickly.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

I used to have similiar thoughts till the tornado came through last spring. Maybe its like comprehinsive on a car. If a car has little value then the risk of loss probably doesn't justify the coverage. If you live in a relativly cheap house, then maybe its not needed. If it would cost 200K or more to replace your house after a fire or tornado, then maybe homeowners is a prudent investment.

When the tornado hit, there was an e-mail circulated at work requesting donations for a co-worker who lost his home to the storm and wasn't carrying insurance so I guess you're not alone in your position. Can't say I felt very sorry for the guy though since I had been paying my premiums and he had a job that would have provided enough cash to pay his also.

Peter - if you've been with your provider for a long time, then you are probably discounted pretty well and new providers will most likely ask a higher premium...at least that's been my experience the couple of times I've shopped my insurance. First I would call my agent and ask for the specific problems. They're dropping you anyway so I don't see what there is to lose by asking. Its possible its something minor like the project cars. Move them out for a couple of months till the problem is resolve then bring them back.

Good luck!

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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

I am Cheap and even I would not go without insurance for My Home (paid for).

If something happend to the Buildings that they were unsafe I would be the one who would have to pay for the Demolition and removal of the Building Material.

I certainly would not have enough Money pay to have the House rebuilt.
If I tried to rebuilt the House Myself I don't think it would ever get finished.

I think a Guy around the corner also Torched His House. He had aquired a lot of Money and wanted to build a Large House for Himself and his Mother. Our City has a rule that you have to leave at least one original Wall standing.
Next thing you know there was a Fire and later an nice large 2 story House built.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Car covers are cheap and it makes it look like you have a "collection" instead of a "hoard". Park them in a straight line, cover them, and keep the grass cut and trimmed.

Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

Thanks. All. Yeah I have a mortgage. So I need it. Current premiums are 1450.00 a year not including the garage addition. Ill get shopping.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

You left this key information I re-quoted ^^^^ out, when quoting my post for some reason. As stated, I'd sell the lot and relocate my residence. I'm not in the position your guy at work is or was in.

Although everyone's case is different, my situation is that the premiums invested elsewhere will over time, outpace the odds of this particular home ever becoming a total loss. The lot it sits on is not an invaluable piece of real estate, so that enters into the equation as well. It all depends on your situation, RE: insure or not.

Joe - I find it annoying when folks copy the entire earlier threads so I typically only "quote" the part to which I'm responding to avoid cluttering someone's thread.

Not sure what you're taking exception to as I stated "If you live in a relativly cheap house, then maybe its not needed." which is what you appear to be saying.

Thought my point was clear. I was also questioning the "value" of homeowner's insurance until the highly unlikely "need" came my way and now I view it differently. Although my house is paid for, unlike what you describe I would suffer a substantial financial loss if it was destroyed so for me I'm going to continue paying the premiums. I fully support your right to choose to absorbe the financial risk yourself although I would advise anyone owning property without a homeowners policy to investigate a personal liability policy. They're a relatively cheap way to protect yourself from litigation if someone is injured on your property. Typical homeowners provide that coverage if one goes that route.

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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

I thought your house was nice! And your garage is worth more than my entire property.... Crazy situation.

Btw, I lost that guys info for the jerky and would really like to get some more of that really hot one he has...

I'd ask for the ins co to be very specific as to what items caused the rejection. I'd also ask to see the rules they apply to these items. A generic " condition of property" is subjective.

As a side note, I quote small sections of posts entire posts as this just eats up bandwidth at the server and speed on my 56K dial up line. It is even worse when someone blindly quotes a pile of pictures only to post " Me too."

I hate that!