Honestly, I get why you'd want clearer standards, but careful what you wish for. A few years back, my insurer suddenly got super strict after a big storm hit our area. They sent this inspector who literally nitpicked every tiny thing—like cracks in the driveway or a loose shingle on the shed out back. Ended up having to fix a bunch of minor stuff just to keep coverage. Standardized checklists sound great until they start dinging you on every little detail...
Yeah, that's a fair point—strict standards can definitely swing too far the other way. But have you thought about shopping around a bit? Sometimes insurers tighten up after big claims or regional events, but others might still offer more reasonable terms. Also, did you ask if fixing those minor issues could lower your premiums at all? Might be worth checking into...
Good call on shopping around—have you checked with local agents instead of just big-name companies? Sometimes smaller insurers can be more flexible. Also, fixing minor stuff helped a client of mine drop their premiums quite a bit...might be worth a shot?
Definitely agree about smaller insurers—they often have more room to maneuver. Another thing I've noticed is bundling policies (like home and auto) can sometimes offset stricter underwriting guidelines. Worth checking if that's an option in your situation...
I've had mixed luck with bundling, honestly. A few years back, my insurer suddenly got super picky about a rental property I owned—nothing major, just some minor cosmetic stuff they suddenly decided was a "risk." I figured bundling it with my auto policy would smooth things over, right? Well... not exactly.
Turns out, bundling can be a double-edged sword. Sure, you might get better rates overall, but if one policy hits a snag, it can sometimes drag the other down with it. In my case, the auto policy was fine, but the rental property issue ended up complicating both policies. It felt like trying to untangle Christmas lights—fixing one knot just tightened another.
Eventually, I switched to a smaller insurer someone recommended here on the forum (thanks again for that tip, whoever you were!). They were way more flexible and actually took the time to understand the situation rather than just ticking boxes on a checklist. Plus, their underwriting seemed more human-driven and less algorithmic, if that makes sense.
So yeah, smaller insurers can definitely be a lifesaver when the big guys get overly strict. But bundling isn't always the magic bullet it's cracked up to be—at least not in every scenario. I'd say it's worth exploring, but keep an eye out for unintended consequences. Insurance is weirdly unpredictable sometimes...
