Are you really in good hands with Allstate?

T

TrashMaster G

250+ Posts
Does anybody have anything to say about Allstate for homeowner's insurance? We're looking at going with them for our new home, but I wanted to see if what the general feeling out there is for them from other's who have had them.

Thanks!
 
my parents used them forever... I now use them for both home and auto... get a great rate on both...

only had 1 claim... sophomore year at UT my apartment was robbed.. we got cleaned out of everything but furntiture... I filed my paperwork with Allstate within a week and had a check in my mailbox within another week....
 
They aren't the worst out there. That would probably be Snake Farm. Or USAA. USAA is great if they decide to work with you, but the worst if they decide not to and it's really hard to figure out the code with them. Allstate is kinda middle of the road.
 
Nick,

What happened with USAA. I have had them for over 21years with NO problems. I have had probably 5 claims over that time---one being a new roof after hail in Arlington, TX. I also get a check back every year due to reduced costs.
 
Don't get me wrong. USAA frequently gets it right and when they do they are the shiznit. Immediate checks and righteous service. BUT, when they make up their mind, it is made up even if they are wrong.

In life, there is Black, White and then there is Gray. USAA sees no gray. It's not necesarily evil, but it is a definite character trait.

Just trying to be fair and balanced...
 
USAA is without a doubt the best insurance co out there if you are eligible to have it
 
Allstate's home insurance complaint index isn't the greatest according to this site:The Link Click on insurance rates, select your county (or any big one), and view the Complaint Index. Lower is better.

State Farm still isn't writing new policies.
 
Way to go Hellbunny. You go girl. Keep using those resources.

Allstate generally tries to get it right, and is usually willing to correct their mistakes, but often that means pursuing complaints against them with the Department of Insurance (TDI). They are far and away better than USAA, Farmers, and State Farm, who are all SCUM. As Nick says, USAA often gets things right and provides good coverage and service, but when they make a bad decision, they usually refuse to admit their mistakes, meaning you will have to file complaints and sue.

The most important thing to remember about homeowners insurance is to use an admitted (licensed) company. Your unearned premium and unpaid claims are protected by the Texas Property and Casualty Guaranty Fund up to $25,000 and $300,000 respectively. Otherwise, the only thing you should focus on is price and coverage, because it really doesn't matter if you're dealing with a AAA+ rated company or a B+ company. Just follow Hellbunny's lead and check the complaint ratios on the TDI web site. The Link
 
From talking to defense attorneys, USAA got a new CEO or some officer a few years ago (3 or 5 or something --- time flies and I don't remember) and really changed the way they handled claims. I know they ran off a bunch of the firms that did work for them. Anyway, I haven't had a case against them recently, so can't give first hand information.

I have had several clients recently have good luch with Chubb paying very large claims (mid six figure rebuilds) without question. Of course, most of those have been with the same adjuster, so he might be the key instead of the company. I also had clients have pretty fair luck with Germania.
 
I've had similar experience with Chubb, but it's not often. Chubb will pay if it's their idea, but they will dig in a fight you tooth and nail if they get their dander up. Chubb doesn't insure small risks to my knowledge. It was my understanding that they don't mess with $100,000 houses. Chubb is one of the few that are still writing HOB's, but with mold riders.

Homeowner's policies don't cover as much as they used to so it will be interesting to see how the scenery evolves. They are probably looking at dismantling whole departments. Profits are going to be obscene.
 
Seeing as how $750K is a nickel or two over my head, I don't think I'll be giving them a call.

Somebody talk to me about HO-A vs HO-B.
 
TrashMaster
Try the homeowners insurance policy coverage comparison function on the web site for the Office of Public Insurance Counsel. The Link

You may also want to do a rate comparison using the Homeowners Rate Guides on the Department of Insurance web site. The Link

For a list of insurers actively accepting new homeowners customers, try the list at Helpinsure.com. The Link

If you want to avoid insurers who use credit reports to decide who they will insure, try this link: The Link

Other questions about homeowners insurance? Check out this site: The Link
 
All I can say about Allstate is that they screwed my parents so bad on a claim several years back, that I genuinely hope that someone responsible ends up with a terminal disease. My parents had a robbery of their home, and in the process of filing a claim, it ended up taking about four years to resolve, thousands of dollars in legal fees while Allstate disputed the value of some collectibles stolen, which had been appraised and photographed by the top appraiser in the U.S. for those items (imported china). When all was said and done, my parents ended up getting about 30 cents on the dollar after trying to do everything right.

To say I hate Allstate and everything associated with those scumbags, would be an understatement of biblical proportions.
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I was told that the large risks are also the lowest risks and that was the reason Chubb would not mess with "small" risks. I had no idea they were THAT particular. USAA is also very careful in their underwriting. I'm not sure how they are doing things today, but it wasn't just a matter of being eligible. There were people who had to do plumbing tests to get their houses insured in the not too distant past. On brand new $500k homes. shrug
 
We had renters insurance with Allstate in Virginia and had a claim relating to a burst sprinkler pipe directly above our apartment that ruined basically everything we owned except our cars. After 9 months of run-arounds, not having my calls returned by the claims agent, not having our documentation acknowledged, I finally wrote a letter documenting our claim, including copies of all estimates for replacement, repair costs, timelines for contact with the claims agent, and a demand for immediate payment. I copied the Virginia Insurance Commissioner, the CEO of Allstate, and the CFO of Allstate on the letter and documentation. We had our check in a week.

Needless to say, it wasn't a good experience. F Allstate.
 
Nick
A bunch of companies are requiring inspections before insuring homes, even fairly new ones. Anyone needing such an inspection, should check out the Volunteer Inspection Program at the Department of Insurance. The Link

Very cheap ($50), and insurance companies must accept results or pay for their own inspection. For a state wide list of inspectors: The Link
 
Good question. The reason the rule was adopted was to keep insurers from refusing to insure "low" value dwellings. Under $50,000 for instance. Few insurers set minimum limits as high as Chubb, so it hasn't been a real problem, but there has been an element within the Department that believes any/all violations should be pursued.

Senate Bill 14, which required all insurers to file their underwriting guidelines with the Department, made Chubbs minimum limits official, common knowledge. Pretty hard to ignore now.

Personally, I hope they go after them. A good strong enforcement action by the Department can help identify other issues, particularly claims issues which Chubb needs to have to face up to.
 
We have had Amica for many years (home and auto), with great service. We have only had one major claim - a leak in a pipe in the foundation that really ended up being a bear to get resolved. The agent on our case worked hard to get the maximum allowances, so that we ended up with very liitle out of pocket expenses. There have been a couple smaller claims that I can't remember, but we have had good luck with them for home and auto - and we've had way more auto claims!

One thing, though, if you are trying to cover an existing home, depending on age, they may not cover. Our neighbors were trying to switch over, house is 15+ years old, Amica would only cover if they re-roofed. Not something they wanted to do right then, so they stuck with old company. Amica still had lower rates, though.
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Lostman
Your neighbor should probably file a complaint against Amica Lloyds with the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Insurance. It is against the law for an admitted insurance company to refuse to insure a home due to the age of the roof. They can refuse due to condition, but not age. The Link

They can file a complaint on line at: The Link
 
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