Insurance for an 1940 house

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   rtlemybrainsposted 8 years ago

   I have been paying on a house for 15 yrs, got her paid off. Had insurance the whole time, but now that it is in our name the insurance companies won't insure it. Even the company that the landlord had it threw said to much wrong with it, and it looks better than it did when we moved in. I don't understand why insurance companies won't cover such old places. I happen to like my old house, it has character. I have to fix things like the siding, repaint it, and change heating sources. I really feel that is wrong.

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   1. 93

      Jean Bakulaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Just because you paid off your home, doesn't mean your insurance company stops insuring it, as long as you are paying premiums to the insurance company. Something is wrong there. I also live in home that was built in the 1940's (I didn't move here until 1983) and made a lot of improvements and changes along the way.
      
      Some of the cosmetic changes won't matter much to an insurance company. But you should be covered for fire, flood, acts of God, etc. Why don't you try calling them again, and if they don't cooperate, you need to get a different homeowner's insurance policy from somewhere else. I don't know what companies there are where you live, but don't leave yourself vulnerable should anything happen. A tree could fall on your roof, stuff like that matters, a new roof is expensive. If you painted the rooms or put in hardwood floors, the insurance company doesn't care, although that upgrades the value of your home. So then you would insure your home for more money, depending on the recommendation of your insurance agent. I hope you find someone to help you .

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      1. 61

         rtlemybrainsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I have called three, gonna try someone that a friend had for her old house. Yea i asked them how she had insurance but they couldnt cover me, they didnt know how she got coverage. Never give up cause I do have trees in the front yard that do break in the winter. Think they just didn't want to cover an old house. Whats bad everything is updated, wiring, water, braker box. I have gas and electric heaters, they didn't like that. Oh well I will find someone.

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         1. 93

            Jean Bakulaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Hello rtlmybrains,
            
            I have Prudential, but don't really like them, their headquarters is in NJ, where I live, so they are popular here. Many insurance companies pay all kinds of insurance, life, home, etc. State Farm, Allstate, any of the larger ones can be a starting point. Or just go online and look up Homeowners Insurance and see if you can come up with some names.
            
            I also have many large trees on a wooded lot, and never had trouble with insurance. I have a friend who owns a business and she uses mostly space heaters in the winter, and my Mom used to live in an apartment with space heaters. Siding and painting shouldn't matter. It's a matter of safety. I have heard of cases where home insurance agents suggest improvements, but not where they deny insurance because of them. A fallen tree in winter would really be a problem for you. All they normally care about is that you pay your premiums.
            
            You may be able to describe your home over the phone, or use the original landscaping survey if you have it. Best of luck.

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