It finally happened!
By susieq223
@susieq223 (3742)
United States
May 15, 2007 8:58pm CST
I've been half expecting it for some time and sure enough--I finally got a letter from my insurance company telling me they are not renewing our home insurance. My husband built our house around an old mobile home and didn't pull the frame of the trailer out. Because of that and no permanent foundation, our home is considered a mobile home and no one wants to insure mobile homes in Florida.
Today I canceled our car insurance with that company. I told them if they can't insure our home, they don't need to insure our cars. We had been with this insurance companyfor 25 years! Never missed a payment and filed only one claim on a brick house (never on our "mobile home" after a storm tore the tin roof of the patio.
Well, such is life! What a world.
3 people like this
11 responses
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
16 May 07
Sorry to hear that but I must add, be thankful you got a letter. Our insurance company cancelled our home insurance when they came to look at our leaking windows and the damage it caused. The saw mould, cancelled the insurance and NEVER told us. We went without house insurance for SIX MONTHS and we didn't even know it. We were lucky our house didn't burn down during that time. They said they sent us a letter but could not come up with it. Fortunately my brother has been in the insurance company (had his own brokerage firm at one point) and he was able to help us out of the mess. I can't even remember how we found out about it.
Insurance companies are only good when they suit themselves. I paid into disability insurance at my work for 7 years. Then when it came time that I was disabled and couldn't work, they wouldn't cover me. I really hate insurance companies.
I hope you get things worked out, especially before something serious happens.
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
16 May 07
Thanks. It will be hard to find new insurance that is affordable. I know insurance companies exist to make money, but I always expected them to be more ethical and moral. Too much to expect, huh?
@dcroome2005 (1210)
• United States
16 May 07
I'm sorry to hear this Susie. What part of Florida? I grew up in Melbourne and trailer parks where all over the place. I can understand to a point why they wont cover them because they fall to pieces during major storms. But on the same side, so do houses. It's a catch 22 in my opinion. I am still sorry that you are dealing with this. It sucks. Good luck with finding a new insurance company.
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
16 May 07
That's part of the craziness. We are in North Central Florida. We do get a lot of rain from the hurricanes, but nothing like the coastal areas get. We are just as likely to get by a tornado as a hurricane! Thanks for your reply.
@moomincat (321)
•
21 May 07
I would love to build a house like yours. We would never be allowed to construct something like that here. So many rules and regulations. My friend recently bought a mobile home sited and it cost over $200,000.00. To get planning permission even if you own a piece of land in neigh on impossible and costs a futune.
@moomincat (321)
•
22 May 07
Middle England. Its beautiful. But building land is at an absolute premium and very difficult to obtain. Still land wise we are just a bit more cramp than USA I expect. Everyone seems
to wont to be in striking distance of the capital London which doesnt help.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
23 May 07
Yes, I had heard it's near impossible to own your own home over there. And if you did mangage it the taxes are pretty bad, too. You are a wee bit more cramped!
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
22 May 07
Well, now I feel bad about complaining. I am blessed to have my home and a husband who could make it so nice. Thank you for reminding me of my blessings. Where do you live that is so expensive?
@raydene (9871)
• United States
22 May 07
Oh SusieQ, I'm so sorry . What are you going to do? How much attached to the house is the frame of the trailor? Is there a way to redo a small part of it to make it acceptable to them? Maybe you will find another company.I hope they don't charge you too much....Maybe if you check on line you can find a decent company that will cover you.Good luck Honey..Hugs
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
23 May 07
After the last several hurricanes, most insurance companies shy away from Florida homes. We have found one that we will change over to at almost double the cost! Thanks for the hugs.
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
17 May 07
It was Allstate. Their record wasn't that great with Katrina claims either.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 May 07
That's insane--why shouldn't insurance companies insure mobile-type homes..a home is a home...isn't it--can you get any of your money back???
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
16 May 07
After Katrina and the hurricanes that hit Florida a couple of years ago, companies won't insure mobile homes here. I could understand a little when they stopped writing new policies, but I'm angry about the non-renewal when we've been with them so long. I won't get money back, because the coverage will continue until the current time period runs out. Then it won't be renewed.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
16 May 07
That's a shame to hear. Yet it helps me in a way also. As I am now the owner of my dads farm. I was planning on putting a mobile home on the lot across from the house. Add the elctrical and plumbing and gas. Then for a few years I'd add a room each year. Guess I had better check with my insurance company first before I spend all this time and money doing this. Thanks for this discussion also.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
16 May 07
Yes, do check about it. If we had built the house away from the mobile home, then hauled it off when the house was finished, we would be in better shape. Now the best we can do is get insurance on a 1973 mobile home that doesn't exist any more!
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
16 May 07
Your house is so cute...not I am not in construction..but is there anyway to put it on a foundation and make it a permanent structure? It just doesn't seem right that they can cancel you like that.
Does the government have some kind of plan?
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
16 May 07
There is a state funded company that provided coverage. We will have to go that route at twice the premiums.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
16 May 07
That seems like a loop hole to me. Insurance is one of thoes things I know I need but I hate to pay the bill for. Cars, Atvs and houses, it all adds up every month and we have never made a claim on any of them. We just keep paying and paying. I guess that is how they make money. We are trying to keep our stuff protected, but it sure would be nice to have all that money in our pockets.
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
16 May 07
Sometimes I think I will just do without, but then I change my mind. Thanks for the reply.
@takkea (393)
• United States
16 May 07
These insurance companies are so selfish and do not realize how important it is to have insurance. In fact because they do realize the importance they act in these ways. They make it seem like they want to help people but it is just a money making thing. They take so easy and it is so hard to get them to give back. I hope you get a better company. Good luck.
