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State Farm Insurance - Took Forever to Review Requested Homeowers Policy, Then Denied
Homeowners Insurance - Complaint
Review by pinecove76 on 2012-09-05
Rating: 
BUDD LAKE, NEW JERSEY -- Been dealing with State Farm for 40 years, first with car insurance, then both homeowners and car, then just homeowners. My wife and I are moving to an older home within the next few weeks. Considering State Farm has my present homeowners insurance (15 years) as well as having insurance for several other family members, I thought it would be best to get a quote from them. I should not have wasted my time.
First, they wanted pictures of the outside of the house and any outbuildings, then also of the electric panel as it has recently been upgraded...no problem. After they were furnished with these, I waited over two weeks, and then had to call twice for them to quote me. When they did, they told me they turned it down because the house was below average condition, which it is not. Granted, the house is old, 1840, but has aluminum siding, and has been upgraded, electrical, heating, kitchen, etc. To add insult to injury, they were trying to sell me car insurance at the same time on top of it.
Just as a note, I have never had a claim for homeowners, or car insurance in all these forty years. Granted, my credit history has not been good the last couple of years like a lot of Americans, if this has anything to do with it; which it should not. They don't care about customers that have been long standing....they just go for the easy money. The original agent that myself and my family dealt with retired a long time ago. Too bad, he was great to deal with. The present one that I use, you cannot even talk to him directly.
I therefore am seeking out another insurance company and will advise all my family members and friends to do the same.
First, they wanted pictures of the outside of the house and any outbuildings, then also of the electric panel as it has recently been upgraded...no problem. After they were furnished with these, I waited over two weeks, and then had to call twice for them to quote me. When they did, they told me they turned it down because the house was below average condition, which it is not. Granted, the house is old, 1840, but has aluminum siding, and has been upgraded, electrical, heating, kitchen, etc. To add insult to injury, they were trying to sell me car insurance at the same time on top of it.
Just as a note, I have never had a claim for homeowners, or car insurance in all these forty years. Granted, my credit history has not been good the last couple of years like a lot of Americans, if this has anything to do with it; which it should not. They don't care about customers that have been long standing....they just go for the easy money. The original agent that myself and my family dealt with retired a long time ago. Too bad, he was great to deal with. The present one that I use, you cannot even talk to him directly.
I therefore am seeking out another insurance company and will advise all my family members and friends to do the same.
Comments:
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-09-05:
I have used State Farm for decades as well, and love them.
It is impossible to know if you were improperly denied based on your complaint. State Farm doesn't automatically insure everyone and everything they are asked to. My house is in insured by State Farm, and I can't recall any problem in making that happen.
I'm sorry that a decision not to insure leads you to attempt to get people to drop them - I doubt that will succeed. Your experience is personal to you, but if others believe they are being treated fairly they will likely also say "we're sorry this happened to you" and move on.
It is impossible to know if you were improperly denied based on your complaint. State Farm doesn't automatically insure everyone and everything they are asked to. My house is in insured by State Farm, and I can't recall any problem in making that happen.
I'm sorry that a decision not to insure leads you to attempt to get people to drop them - I doubt that will succeed. Your experience is personal to you, but if others believe they are being treated fairly they will likely also say "we're sorry this happened to you" and move on.
Posted by madconsumer on 2012-09-05:
i found this review very helpful, and voted as such!!
having lived in several states, in those states, state farm insurance has a reputation for refusing to pay valid claims. that is why they are known in some states as "snake farm".
having lived in several states, in those states, state farm insurance has a reputation for refusing to pay valid claims. that is why they are known in some states as "snake farm".
Posted by chigrl on 2012-09-05:
Be happy that you are not with State Farm. They cheat their customers by not telling you how they calculate your loss. Replacement value insurance is not what it seems. Glad I am rid of them. Losing them may be a blessing in disguise
Posted by onlooker on 2012-09-06:
I also feel you need a new broker.
Posted by CowboyFan on 2012-09-06:
I have State Farm and like them. The problem with homeowner's insurance is that the condition of the house makes a difference. If the house is older, even if upgraded, that means that in a lot of different ways it does not meet current building codes. Obviously, any insurance company is going to be more leery about insuring such a home.
Posted by Rich on 2012-12-01:
I just found out that having your house vacant makes insurance companies run away as fast as they can. I have moved and thought my insurance would be much cheaper since my house had no possessions in it. Not so. If your house is vacant, there are all kinds of exclusions to your policy, if you can get insurance at all. State Farm did not have my prior policy but they do have my car insurance and life insurance. They would not write a policy at all. Keep looking or you will have to use a state run insurance plan.
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