dropped by state farm. should we look at brokers or a different company?

We had everything covered through state farm. Over the past 3 years we had 4 different roofing companies convince us we needed a new roof. 3 times we were denied by state farm, one of those time they did approve a claim lower than our deductible for some trim pieces. This year they approved a roof and we got it installed and they paid and so did we.

My agent called me in December to let us know the algorithm was going to drop us because we had too many claims(of which insurance paid out once) i just got off the phone with my agent and we are dropped.

We have been doing preliminary research just in case but are now wondering if we should go with a broker instead of one of the other major companies.  For relevance this is in Missouri.  Thoughts?

Said this before - retired Allstate career agent who inherited (bought) customer base from his career agent Allstate dad told me;

He uses a broker - he would never go Allstate or State Farm.

I've been shifting my accounts from USAA to Shelter Insurance over the last few years. I have not needed to file a claim yet, but prices and reviews are good. Based in Springfield, Mo.  https://www.shelterinsurance.com/

Use a broker, they're the expert, and will not cost you more. More importantly, when is the last date you're covered?

In reply to Steve_Jones :

The 27 the of this month.

We have heard good things about shelter too.

Good thing to hear about brokers. I'll pass this onto my wife. She is making calls today

Roofing companies saying the house needs a new roof sounds more like the joys of homeownership (maintenance) than an insurance covered event. 

My concern with insurance hopping through a brokerage has always been what guarantee can the broker give me that any claims I make through whatever random company thru find me will be handled at least as fairly as the company I'm with now? If they don't, it seems that it could just as easily end up being a false savings.

Find a local multi company independent agent, not an agent that is captive for one carrier.  They will run you through a few companies to find the one you best fit with their underwriting models and who also gives decent service.   

My wife when we where dating never had an accident (still never has). She had car insurance through that company from Hartford Connecticut with the big deer buck as a logo. One day out of the blue, they sent her a letter saying that since she had never been in an accident, she was bound to have one soon and canceled her policy.

Since then, they have sent her many letters trying to get her back but she rips them up and swears a little each time.

In reply to Driven5 :

Having been with state farm since I was 16 (1988) and with this agent since I moved to the area in 1992 and losing coverage due to an algorithm,  I don't think it matters anymore. I'm so done with so much of this. That reminds me,  state farm has been the only company I've been insured under until now.

In reply to Sonic :

That's longhand for broker right?

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

What the actual heck? Unbelievable they dropped her like that.

In reply to gunner (Forum Supporter) :

After making 5 roof claims in 3 years, you're right that it probably doesn't matter anymore. Depending on what your policy covered vs what the actual work being claimed was for, it seems that fundamentally either they were trying to screw you or you were trying to screw them... Regardless, it doesn't take an algorithm to figure out it was likely time for the two of you to part ways.

I'm not an expert, I'm reasonably happy with my agency experiences, adjusted for the phrase "happy with insurance," and don't have a strong opinion here, but I am curious about a facet that's been hinted at but not fully explained...

Was it covered storm damage needing repair that brought in the "this roof needs replacement" or was it age? I'm in the Pacific Northwest, so not really familiar with places where there's much random roof damage, or why even if there was damage that more than the core damage would be covered. I guess the question I'm driving at was why these were even denied claims and not just clarifications of whether this was covered.

Have we hit the point where if you mistakenly file a claim for a non-covered event that's counted as a claim?

I guess that's one nice thing about an agent; they can help clarify this stuff, and maybe stop you making claims that won't get covered and/or might turn the algorithm against you?

In reply to Jesse Ransom :

I always remember being told that any claim filed is at least a minor ding against you. Get even enough small dings (including not at fault) in a short enough time and they'll still either raise you rates at the least, or drop you at worst.

I made a hail damage claim to get rejected.  A year later some aggressive sales guys in my driveway pushing me to make another run.  I didn't and I learned here today about getting dinged.  

My rule of thumb, having worked for 7 different insurers:  the more they advertise, the poorer their service.

Snake Farm, Allsnake, Nationwide and some others are 'exclusive' agent insurers, meaning their agents only sell their insurance. I'd most definitely shop with a broker who can pick the best from multiple choices. 

In reply to Jesse Ransom :

It was covered storm damage.  The issue was the claims adjuster that came to assess the damage denied it twice and the third time did claim some damage but less than the deductible so total out of pocket for us then the 4th time they agreed and covered their portion of a new roof. The roof had been covered for a previous storm and replaced in 2009 by them as well. 

I had no less than 8 visits by roofing companies knocking on my door this summer pitching that they will get me a free roof, guaranteed insurance pays for it, they will "discover" damage to make the claim go through... (A few actually winked at me)

And we all wonder why rates are going up all the time. Blurring lines between storm damage and wear and tear. Feels like fraud.

Yeah the roofing insurance fraud scheme is getting out of control. I've had at least 20 companies knock on my door on 2 years and swear my roof has damage and they can get me a new roof through insurance. I'm sure that has nothing to do with the higher premiums we all are paying...

On the bright side, the increased competition in the roofing industry has brought down prices for new construction. Its not even worth me roofing my new garage myself.

I'm in metro Atlanta

I've been using a broker for years for all my policies (homeowner's, auto, motorcycle, inland marine, commercial, bonds, etc.). I would not go back to trying to buy direct. The broker is better AND cheaper. 

What are some good brokerages?

I use Blue Lion. They have offices in Phoenix and Seattle but I've only ever been to the office once, and that was to talk to them before pulling the trigger 5 years ago. Ever since then I've just communicated by phone or email and it's been fine; you might give them a ring and see if they can help, or if they have a recommendation. 

800-665-5154

VolvoHeretic said:

My wife when we where dating never had an accident (still never has). She had car insurance through that company from Hartford Connecticut with the big deer buck as a logo. One day out of the blue, they sent her a letter saying that since she had never been in an accident, she was bound to have one soon and canceled her policy.

Since then, they have sent her many letters trying to get her back but she rips them up and swears a little each time.

You would think insurance company actuarials would understand statistics.