Cottage Homeowner's Insurance

[Dee]

We have a small, seasonal cottage on the lake. A few years back homeowner's insurance doubled in price. Anyone have any recommendations for a local insurance company that will provide reasonable rates?

[Belmont Resident]

The problem is insurance companies are getting really selective now. Here is an example; we had a neighbor who had his rates go up because they said his yard had to much clutter and was a hazard, and, he needed to paint the house because it had peeling paint.
Can they increase rate for reasons like this, I don’t know but they are doing it.
On top of that if you have a claim your rates automatically go up after that and it follows you to other companies because your claim is on record.
More and more they are sending someone out to inspect your property and take pictures, if they don’t like what they see then you’ve either got to fix it or go elsewhere.
I know one big no, no is old style electrical panels with screw in fuses, many companies will not insure homes with those unless you switch to breakers.
Good luck, you might go through a broker and let them do the leg work for you.
I use Munsey & Brazil in Laconia. They have been great to me.
I had Melcher and Prescott and found them to be not so helpful, especially when there was a dispute with the provider and my business.

[Slickcraft]

After a discussion here last year we went with Concord Group:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12371&highlight=Concord+Insurance
We used Wainwright Insurance in Alton, an affiliate of Cross Insurance. Cross has several offices in the lakes region.
http://www.crossagency.com/index.cfm/event/locations.list

[songkrai]

Belmont Resident has a good handle on all of this.

I go through a local agency. Had to shop around though. Yes, they do ultimately come out and take multiple pictures.

Whatever company you get it is to your advantage to get replacement cost as opposed to fair market value on the coverage of structure and contents. Read up if you do not know the difference.

Just take some time and visist all of the local insurance agencies and obtain a price.

Nationwide, Amica is one of the better ones. Sometimes difficult to get insurance from them as they are somewhat picky.

Do you have a winter home? What company is that with? Have you tried to use same insurance company as winter home?

Don't believe all of the TV comercials for insurance. They all cannot be the lowest price.

Much goes back to the old adage: Insurance is only as good as the first claim.

[Dee]

Thanks for the info everyone. Looks like I'll have a little calling around to do...once school gets out. :) Songkrai, we have everything with Allstate, which includes the primary residence. The reason it frustrates me... our 2,300 square foot home is about the same to insure as our 700 square foot home. Sometimes you just have to re-visit the issue.

[fpartri497]

from life time expiereance buying Insurance of all types, i found early on that after the 3d year with any Insurance co. the rates get very high. so, I change Ins. co. every 3 years to save $$$$.

:D