Geico vs. State Farm, Allstate & Progressive – Which is the best Maine car insurance for you?

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Geico ad quote

State Farm, Geico, Allstate and Progressive are the largest US auto insurance companies (in order) by market share. They’re household names – thanks to the $3.5 billion they spend on advertising every year. Geico alone spends more than $1 billion, 1/6 of  all auto insurance advertising dollars.

So how do you choose the best car insurance in Maine? Could the best insurance company for you be one you’ve never heard of? It may depend on where you live, how insurance savvy you are, and what else you may have to insure.

How Insurance Savvy Are You?

Do You Speak InsuranceState Farm, Geico, Allstate and Progressive all sell directly from company to consumer via the internet and inbound call centers. If you contact them, remember that you’re talking to an insurance company employee. You’re accessing information prepared, controlled and presented by the insurance company. Expect that they will look out for their own business interests first.

You’re also giving the insurance company your phone number and email address. Be prepared for some serious email and telemarketing follow up if you don’t buy right away.

If you “speak insurance” enough to ask the right questions and advocate for your needs, call center employees will try to customize your coverage for you. Many people don’t know what questions to ask or what information to give. Too often, they end up with “off the shelf” insurance that may not fit their needs. Sadly, many don’t know what they’re missing until they’ve had a claim. We see this often when people bring us the policies they bought over the internet or the phone.

Where Do You Live?

State Farm, Allstate and Progressive sell through agents as well as directly over the phone or internet (Geico has recently started selling through employee-agents, too). State Farm and Allstate use “exclusive agents”; they only sell that one company’s products. If you live near one of these agents, it can be helpful to have a local expert to guide you through the process.

We love Portland MaineIf you buy insurance from one of these companies, their pricing and terms remain reasonable; and they don’t non-renew your policy after payment or claims trouble, you may have a long relationship with their agent. They can advise you of appropriate changes in your insurance as things change. But if anything goes wrong, or you want to shop your insurance, you’ll have to find a new agent.

Progressive is different. They also sell through Independent Agents (IAs). These are local business owners who represent more than one insurer. Most independents represent at least 4 or 5 companies (Noyes Hall & Allen represents more than a dozen insurers). If you use an Independent Agent, and your insurance company is no longer the best fit for you, an IA can help you move to another insurance company – without losing your relationship with the agent who knows you and your needs.

Related Post: When Should You Change Insurance Companies?

What Else Do You Need to Insure?

Insuring two things (home and auto, auto and boat, etc.) with the same company earns you a discount and “preferred customer” status.

State Farm and Allstate are top-10 home insurers of homes as well as autos. Geico and Progressive are not. If you get a home insurance quote from Geico, it’s underwritten by a non-affiliated company like American Modern, Foremost or Travelers. That dilutes the benefits of insuring two things with one company. Progressive recently purchased ASI, a Florida-based home insurance company (ASI doesn’t currently do business in Maine).

Even jumbo insurers like State Farm and Allstate can’t handle every type of property. If you find yourself with a square peg insurance situation that doesn’t fit the round hole, you’ll need to find a new agent – probably an Independent Agent. That agent can almost always find the best deal if they have all your insurance – the round peg, to go with the square – to tempt an insurance company.

Maybe An Insurance Company You’ve Never Heard Of is Better?

Let’s face it: the Maine market is a drop in the bucket for these insurance giants. But there are lots of New England based insurance companies that only write policies in our corner of the country. Sometimes, a smaller regional insurer is better at understanding Maine’s quirks. They’re more willing to be flexible on insuring coastal property or a home heated with wood; or a “beater” truck that you drive only in the winter, when you mothball your “summer ride”. Many people prefer the service of a regional insurer over the jumbo national outfits.

Some of the best insurance companies in America are ones you’ve never heard of.

Why have you never heard of them? Because instead of spending billions on TV advertising and sports sponsorships, they rely on local Independent Agents to recommend them to their clients. Companies like MMG, Hanover, Concord Group, Vermont Mutual and Cambridge Mutual are not household names. But, they’re cult favorites in northern New England.

Let Us Help You Decide

As an Independent Agent, Noyes Hall & Allen offers a choice or many top insurers and personalized service from a trusted advisor. We live and work where you do, and we know the Greater Portland Maine insurance market. We’re locally owned and part of the community. It costs no more to work with an Independent Agent than a call center or the internet. And, we have access to flexible options you may need throughout your life.

For more information, call a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207.799.5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

Moving or Relocating to Portland Maine – a 2022 Insider’s Guide

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Small enough to navigate and make friends easily. Large enough to have plenty of live music, arts and sports. Hundreds of restaurants and almost 20 breweries, Portland Maine is one of America’s hottest little cities. It’s a regular on “best of” lists from publications as diverse as Men’s Journal, Elle Home Decor , Conde Nast Traveler and Time Money. But what’s it REALLY like to live in Maine’s largest city?

What’s it Like to Live in Portland Maine?

It’s easy to fall in love with Portland by walking its charming brick streets, eating fresh seafood, and drinking even fresher beer. You can find plenty of flattering and glowing reviews of Portland from locals and travelers alike. But what’s it like to really LIVE here?

Do I Need a Car in Portland Maine?

Unless you live and work on the downtown peninsula, and are able to Uber, bus or walk 1-2 miles with your groceries, you may not. Otherwise, you’ll probably need a car. Like most vibrant cities, parking spots can be scarce. Fortunately, the peninsula is compact and walkable.

The Metro bus  is Portland Maine’s public transportation.  If you’re from a bigger city, you’ll find that buses arrive less frequently than you’re used to. You can find Turo carshares in town. Uber and Lyft operate in Portland, and there are several taxi companies. Our airport (PWM) and Portland Transportation Center are less than 5 miles from the Old Port. The Amtrak Downeaster and Concord Trailways bus both loop to Boston several times daily. Concord also has a bus to New York City.

Cycling is a popular way to get around (the Portland Bike Party has more than 1000 followers). Maine has some of the most bike-friendly laws thanks to the efforts of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. You can bike year-round here, although cyclists’ numbers dwindle during our long winters.

Related Post: Portland Maine: Green Living in a Small City

How Much Do Apartments Cost in Portland Maine?

Portland is cheaper than Boston or New York, but it’s definitely a landlord’s market. Like many popular cities, Portland has had  a very low vacancy rate and a shortage of good apartments. Even though 1000 new rental and condo units have been built or planned, it’s tough to find a good deal.

The Portland Press Herald produced a very cool series of interactive maps of Portland Maine in 2015, showing rents, demographics and lifestyle features of Portland neighborhoods. The rents are outdated, but the neighborhood descriptions and heat maps are still relevant.

Whether you rent an apartment, condo or a cottage, we recommend that you buy Maine renters insurance to protect your property from damage and theft, and you from liability.

Related: How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost in Portland, Maine?

Can I Afford a Home in Portland Maine?

Portland’s home and condo market is strong. This reflects the desirability of the area and availability of jobs in Portland. The area has a wide range of housing stock, from old to new, townhouses to ranches, contemporaries to lofts. The median sale price in the Portland market is more than $300 per square foot according to realtor.com.

Where Do I Park My Car in Portland?

As in most vibrant cities, parking is a premium commodity in Portland Maine. If your apartment doesn’t offer off-street parking,  get a free residential parking sticker for the area in which you live. This exempts you from 1-or-2-hour time zones on streets near your home. The stickers DON’T exempt you from parking meters, no parking zones, overnight parking, loading zones, etc.

The most hassle-free way to get to local businesses & restaurants is on foot or bike. If you must drive, the city of Portland Maine operates parking meters and pay and display parking stations . Hot tip: Portland Maine metered street parking is free after 6pm and on Sundays.

Portland has several public and private parking garages ($2.00 – $4.00 per hour). There are also private pay-and-display lots, which are NOT operated by the city. These have been controversial, as they will boot your vehicle if you leave your vehicle too long.

Parking Bans in Portland Maine

Portland Maine Parking Ticket
source: maine.gov

During winter storms, the city of Portland Maine parking bans to allow public works crews to clear the streets and remove snow. During a Red Parking Ban, no one can park on city streets. This means you! Don’t ignore the ban; your vehicle WILL be towed, and it’s an expensive hassle to retrieve it.  Here’s a list of where to park during a snow ban.

How Soon Do I Need to Register My Car After Moving to Maine?

You should re-register your car in Maine and get a Maine driver’s license within 30 days after moving here.  Here’s are the 3 steps to register your vehicle in Maine after you move here:

Related: How & When to Register a Car in Maine

Settling In

It’s easy to find arts, sports and cultural events in Portland Maine. Another great way to meet new people is to get out and enjoy the outdoors, learn more about our area, or to volunteer. Here are links to some of our favorites:

We hope you find this information useful as you think about moving to Portland Maine. Greater Portland has been our home for more than 80 years. We love it here. If we can help with insurance in your new city, please contact a friendly local Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541.

Cheap Maine Auto Insurance – and Why You Shouldn’t Buy It

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A lot of car insurance ads talk about how much money you can save in 15 minutes – or less. It’s true: you can almost always find auto insurance that costs less than what you pay now.

How to Find Cheap Maine Auto Insurance

 

Uninformed Advisors Guide to Cheap Car Insurance (2)

Insurance Isn’t Peanut Butter or a Pair of Jeans

We’ve all had buyer’s regret. You buy something you didn’t like, or that didn’t fit the way you hoped. Maybe you returned it to the store; maybe you used it until it was gone, or threw it away and never bought that kind again.

Insurance is different.

You can regret your insurance choice, too. The web site doesn’t have the answer you need; you’ve misplaced your policy number, and can’t get through the insurance company’s phone menu; the coverage you bought on the phone or their web site wasn’t what you thought it was; there’s no one local to help you.

You don’t use insurance until long after you buy it – sometimes years later. If you make a bad choice, the mistake can cost a lot more than a jar of peanut butter. And you can’t return it for a refund.

Don’t Do it Yourself – Consult an Agent

Use the internet to research and educate yourself about insurance and the expected costs. But do yourself a favor: consult an agent before you buy. Buying through an agent costs no more. And, their advice and advocacy can save you hundreds.

If you live in Southern Maine and are looking for insurance advice, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541. We represent many of best car insurance companies in Maine, so we can help you find the best value and fit for your situation. We’re independent and committed to you.

Does Driving for Uber Affect Maine Auto Insurance?

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Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) have quickly become part of the landscape in American urban and vacation areas. Portland, Maine got its first Uber service in 2014. Almost immediately, people questioned whether Maine insurance companies exclude coverage for Uber.

The Maine State Legislature regulated TNC insurance by passing LD 1379, “An Act To Establish Transportation Network Company Insurance”, effective June 03, 2015. Key features of the law specify:

  • How much liability insurance TNC drivers must have while logged into the network and not carrying passengers (matching Maine state minimum auto liability insurance limits of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident for bodily injury/$25,000 property damage).
  • How much liability insurance they must have while carrying passengers ($1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage).
  • That personal auto insurance companies are NOT required to cover TNC drivers while they are logged into the network.

BEFORE You Sign up to Drive for Uber, ASK:

  • Does the TNC provide insurance for you while you’re logged in to the network? If so, at what limits? Do those limits change when you pick up passengers?
  • Does your personal auto insurance cover you when you’re logged in to the network? Ask your agent.
  • Does your auto loan or lease allow you to transport passengers or goods for hire? Many vehicle finance agreements prohibit it. If you do, the bank could consider you in default even if your payments are up-to-date. Read your loan or lease agreement, or ask your lender.

Uber insurance in Maine - quote from Eric Cioppa

Our Advice

Most insurers EXCLUDE coverage any time you’re logged into a TNC network, whether or not you have a passenger. For answers to your insurance questions, call your insurance agent.

 

Is Rain Storm Damage Covered by Insurance?

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Maine weathered a huge storm today. About 6″ of rain overwhelmed storm drains, flooding streets, basements and parked cars. Fortunately, it was only a rain event. Winds were not damaging. Here are the most common questions we expect from our clients after they survey the damage.

Does Auto Insurance Cover My Flooded Car or Commercial Vehicle?

Flooded Parking LotIf you have “other than collision” coverage on your vehicle, water damage from flooding is covered. Other Than Collision coverage was formerly known as “comprehensive” coverage. If your car was inundated and needed to be towed to a mechanic for evaluation and repair, the towing would be covered, even if you didn’t purchase separate “towing” coverage. Of course, your deductible (usually $250 to $1,000) would apply.

 

Does Homeowners or Condo Insurance Cover My Flooded Basement?

This one’s trickier. If the water came over the sills of your foundation, only flood insurance would cover that. Homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is only offered by the National Flood Insurance Program. Every Maine independent insurance agency sells flood insurance.

If water backed up into your home through a drain or sewer, your homeowners policy MAY pay for cleanup and repairs. You would have to purchase  optional coverage. An “off the shelf” homeowners or condo policy does not cover water backup.

Even if you do have water backup coverage, be careful. Most insurers limit coverage to $5,000, including the cost of water extraction and damage removal. Cleanup alone in a finished basement can cost $5,000 following serious water damage.

Is My Business Insured for Water Damage?

Business policies vary considerably. Many DO cover water backup, but very few cover flood damage from surface water. It’s best to ask your Maine business insurance agent if your own policy would respond.

Do you have questions about Maine business insurance, homeowners insurance, condo insurance or auto insurance? Do you want to get a Maine insurance quote? Call a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541.

5 Portland Maine Restaurant Owners’ Nightmares – Solved by Insurance

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Portland Maine is a foodie town. In a city of 65,000, our city hall issues about 600 food prep licenses. Between Beard Award finalists, dining savvy locals and travel magazine-inspired foodie tourists, Portland  is a popular – and challenging – town to run a successful restaurant. The stiff competition raises the bar for everyone. There’s little room for error or bad luck. menu of restaurant disasters

The Unfriendly Fire

You’re careful with your life’s work. But no matter how often you clean your filters, or get your Ansul and fire extinguishers checked, fire is a threat every day. Oils, high temp grills and gas ranges are a delicate combination. The danger doesn’t go away when you close up for the night. Appliances can be left on. Lighted candles can be forgotten. Appliances and extension cords can short out. After a fire, officials will force you to throw out any food for fear of contamination.

The Problem Neighbor

Food bloggers and tourists call Portland “quaint and cozy“. What that really means is we’re wedged into a tight peninsula. It’s not unusual to have 3 or 4 restaurants in one city block – even more in the Old Port. Plus, apartments and offices above. No matter how careful you are, you can be done in by one of your less careful neighbors. A frozen pipe upstairs that leaks into your dining room, or a fire  up the block can shut down YOUR restaurant.

CLOSED, for…?

Diners are fickle. If you’re off line for just a few weeks, even your regulars can find a new spot in a restaurant town like Portland. It can take months – or longer – to get business back to pre-shutdown levels. Meanwhile, you have bills to pay. An estimated 25% of businesses never re-0pen after a disaster. In the restaurant business, that’s probably a lot higher.

The Difficult Diner

No matter how good your restaurant is, not every customer experience is flawless. It isn’t always food-related. People can trip on a carpet or fall on stairs or on the sidewalk. They don’t even have to be your customers. Someone can be injured in your parking lot. Of course, the food business has its own unique hazards. A customer’s stomach flu can sometimes become “food poisoning”; a broken tooth attributed to a piece of shell in their meal.  It’s expensive to defend against these accusations – and expensive to make the situation right if you were in the wrong.

Drinking and…?

Most Portland restaurants have a full bar or good beer and wine list. Alcohol sales can be the difference between a profit and a loss. Of course there are plenty of regular bars in town. That means your diners may have drinks before they arrive at your place, and more after leaving. If they get into an accident on the way home and are found to be over .08, people they harm might sue any business that served the negligent driver. Even if you’re blameless, that lawsuit can be expensive to defend.

Restaurant Insurance to the Rescue

A thoughtful Maine restaurant insurance program can protect your business from all of these nightmares and more. Insurance may not make your worries disappear, but it can help you sleep better after a long night’s work. And, it can keep a terrible day at work from destroying your business. If you own or run a Portland Maine area restaurant, food truck, bakery or other food prep business, call a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207-799-5541. We’ll work with you and your budget to keep your nightmares at bay, so you can focus on what you love most: creating great food.

5 Essentials for Portland Maine Apartment Owners & Landlords

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Portland Maine has more rental units than any other city in the state – more than 19,000 units according to the 2000 US Census. Portland’s very low vacancy rate – as low as 1% by some estimates – makes it an attractive place to own residential income property.

But landlords know that owning an apartment building is more than just sitting back and collecting rent. From property damage to liability concerns, apartments can threaten your net worth as well as increase it. Here are 5 essentials for you to consider to protect your investment in habitational income property.

Doors, Windows and Locks

It’s basic, but surprising how many landlords ignore the first line of security defense: doors and windows. Make sure the entry doors to your building and each unit are solid wood or steel, with a deadbolt lock. Windows on lower levels should also have solid locks. To protect your tenants and your property, re-key the entry lock every time a tenant moves out. A door peephole is also an appreciated safety feature to allow your tenants to see who’s at their door without opening it.

Intercoms, Alarms and Security Cameras

Maine law requires every rental property to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. That’s just a start. If you own a building with a locked main entry, an intercom is another valuable security feature. Some intercom systems have built-in cameras. Whether you have an intercom or not, a security camera system is also a good idea.Security Camera

Security cameras with a recording device:

  • Provide added security for your tenants;
  • Deter vandalism;
  • Protect you in liability cases, by recording a fall or incident;
  • Document any criminal or nuisance activity.

Proper Tenant Screening

Rental property management companies do a good job of screening potential tenants. If you choose not to use a property manager, you’ll want to use a professional rental application. A proper application asks about job history; income level; pets and number of occupants; and personal references, including prior landlords. The application should also give you permission to do a background check on prospective tenants, including criminal history and a credit check.

If the initial background information report indicates that someone is a desirable tenant, you may want to conduct a quick interview. Of course, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based upon color, disability, race, national origin, gender or sexual preference, religion or family status. But, you can ask potential tenants about pets and their behavior; what hours they work and sleep; smoking; and roommates and frequent guests.

apartment building in Portland Maine

A Good Rental Contract – including a Pet Policy

A good lease agreement spells out the responsibilities of both landlord and tenant. It also outlines grounds for eviction, which will be critical if your tenant turns out to be a payment or behavior problem. Keep signed rental agreements in a secure place.

Your rental agreement should include a pet clause, which limits animals by type, number, size or breed – or prohibits them altogether. Even if your prospective tenant has no pets, their lease should include this clause. They may want to get a pet after they move in.

We recommend that all landlords require renters’ insurance policies. Many renters think that their landlord’s insurance protects their belongings. It doesn’t. Moreover, if someone is injured in your tenant’s apartment and the tenant has no insurance, you can easily be sued for damages. For a more detailed description, read “Should a Portland Maine Landlord Require Renters Insurance?”

Solid Insurance

Even the best managed Maine income properties can still create costly losses for their owners. Good landlord insurance can make the difference between a financial disaster and a manageable expense. At a minimum, your insurance should protect you against:

  • Damage to your property – with an insurance limit sufficient to replace or rebuild.
  • Liability Suits – including injury, damage to others’ property, wrongful eviction, invasion of privacy and slander.
  • Loss of Rental Income – caused by damage to your property

Many landlords set up LLCs or other ownership entities for their real estate. Make sure that the legal owner of the building is an insured on the policy. Depending on your property’s location and characteristics, you might also consider flood or earthquake insurance.

If you have questions about Portland Maine landlord insurance and Maine income property insurance, contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541. Noyes Hall & Allen is a partner organization of the Maine Apartment Association, which offers helpful information and member benefits for apartment owners. One of our insurance agents, Dave McKenna, is currently a Committee Member of the MAA. Noyes Hall & Allen is independent and committed to you.

What is Hazard Insurance? Maine Home Insurance Explained

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Whether you’re buying a home in Falmouth, a condo in Portland or income property in Scarborough, if you’re borrowing money, your lender will ask for proof of “hazard insurance”.

What is Hazard Insurance?

Hazard insurance is just the bank’s term for property insurance. The bank wants to make sure that if a disaster strikes, they will be protected at least up to the amount of your loan. Typical types of hazard insurance in Maine include:

  • Homeowners insurance (sometimes called an HO-3 or HO-5);
  • Condominium Unit Owners Insurance (aka HO-6);
  • Renters insurance (HO-4);
  • Dwelling Fire policy (often used for rental property or camps).

How Much Hazard Insurance Do I Need on My Home?

The bank would prefer to have 100% of your loan protected by property insurance. Sometimes, that’s too much insurance. After all, your insurance will only pay to rebuild your home. Insurance doesn’t cover items such as land, site work, landscaping or other items that are included in the purchase price. Your Maine homeowners insurance agent should help you

  • estimate the cost to rebuild your home;
  • provide cost estimates based upon the coverage you need;
  • provide proof of insurance that will satisfy the bank.

A good insurance agent can help you avoid buying too much – or too little – insurance.

If you have questions about Maine investment property insurance, or protecting your home, camp or condo, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207.799.5541 today. We offer a choice of many of  Maine’s preferred property insurance companies, so we can do your shopping for you. As we like to say: “we’re independent and committed to you.”

 

Can My Insurance Company Force Me to Make Changes to My Property?

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

 

Insurance policies give insurance companies the option to inspect your property from time to time. The result of your insurance property inspection is a report to the company underwriter.

If the underwriter has concerns, they make “recommendations” to address them. This is a euphemism. These are not recommendations at all, but requirements. A “recommendation” may be as minor as fine-tuning the amount of insurance on your property (up or down); or as major as replacing the roof.

The underwriter sets a deadline for the “recommendation” to be completed. The deadline varies depending on the severity of the situation, how long they’ve insured your property, when your policy expires, and the season of year.

The Importance of Communication

The worst thing you can do is ignore an insurance company “recommendation”. Nobody likes to be Woman on Cellphoneignored; insurance underwriters dislike it more than most. It’s better to let the insurance company know your intentions, or to ask questions if you don’t understand.

Your Maine insurance agent is the link between you and the insurance company. Talk to them! They can explain the situation and advocate for you. If you are uncertain what the underwriter requires and why, ask your agent for a clarification. If you are unable to comply or need help, tell your agent. Depending on the circumstances, your agent may be able to negotiate with the underwriter for more time or for a different solution to the issue.

If the insurer’s recommendation involves physical changes to your property, they will require confirmation that you’ve made them. This usually means sending a photo of the completed change. The company may ask for a signed statement confirming that the change is permanent (such as removing a trampoline from the yard).

What Happens If You Can’t – or Won’t – Comply With Insurance Company Inspection Recommendations?

If the underwriter’s deadline passes without confirmation that the recommended changes were made, they may cancel your policy. Depending on the severity of the recommendation, they may cancel your policy within 30-45 days, or send a notice of non-renewal for when the policy expires.

When your policy is canceled or non-renewed by an underwriter, it’s very difficult to obtain replacement insurance with a preferred company. Your agent may be able to find replacement coverage, but it will probably at a higher cost and with less broad coverage.

Also, remember that you’re then a new customer with another insurance company. Now THEY may want to inspect. The cycle begins again, and it’s not always a good cycle.

If you have a question about Greater Portland Maine home or investment property insurance,  contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer you a choice of Maine’s preferred property insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

Insurance Inspections in Maine : What to Expect

Posted on by Bob O'Brien

Insurance inspection is common in Maine. Home and investment property insurers routinely inspect properties that they protect. Because of more severe property insurance losses in recent years, insurers have stepped up the rate of inspections. Inspections allow them to make sure that they insure properties that fit their guidelines and that those properties are adequately protected.

Is an Insurance Inspection Mandatory?

Inspections are expensive for insurance companies, so they don’t perform them unless they feel it’s necessary. Often, one of these conditions can cause an underwriter to order an inspection on your property:

  • You bought a new property.
  • You switched insurance to a new company. The new company wants to make sure that your home or business meets their underwriting requirements.
  • You had a recent property claim. The insurance company may want to make sure that you have repaired the damage following your claim. This is especially common after a water damage loss, to avoid mold developing.
  • You own property that the insurance company hasn’t inspected in several years. Over time, DIY renovations; property improvements and additions; or lack of maintenance can create situations that can increase the probability or size of an insurance claim. The insurance company wants to make sure that your policy stays up to date in case they have to pay a claim.

inspectorCan I Opt Out of an Insurance Inspection?

In short, no. Each insurance policy has an “inspection clause”, which gives the insurance company the right to inspect your property with reasonable advance notice. If you refuse, it’s a violation of the contract. The insurance company may cancel your policy as a result.

Does the Insurance Inspector Need to Get Inside my Home?

There are two types of insurance home and business inspections: exterior only; and interior/exterior. The company underwriter decides which report to order based upon the age and value of your property, your claim history, and other factors. Some inspectors are employees of the insurance company, but many are independent contractors.

What Does an Inspector Look For?

Insurance Inspector Should

During a routine inspection, the inspector looks for features of your home or investment property that can affect the probability or the severity of an insurance claim. Items they typically inspect include:

  • Condition of
    • roof, including age of shingles, overhanging trees and accumulation of debris or vegetation
    • plumbing fixtures, drains and supply lines
    • electrical, including wiring, outlets and breaker boxes
    • heating and similar systems.
  • General property condition, paying particular notice to peeling paint; signs of rot; debris in the yard; and overhanging trees or vegetation close to the property. Because of an increase in deck collapse claims, insurers pay special attention to how your deck or porch is attached to the home, and its overall condition.
  • Special hazards such as dogs; trampolines;  swimming pools; or business operations.
  • Condition of any outbuildings or other structures.
  • Dimensions of structures, so they can estimate the cost to rebuild them.

What Happens During an Insurance Inspection?

The inspector sends their report to the insurance company underwriter. If no deficiencies are noted, you will probably not hear from anyone. If the underwriter has concerns, they make “recommendations” to address them. For more information about insurance recommendations and how to deal with them, read “Can My Insurance Company Force Me to Make Changes to My Property?”

If you have a question about Greater Portland Maine home or investment property insurance,  contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer you a choice of Maine’s property insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.