ROOF AGE: THE INSURANCE NEMESIS
- Gotta push back a little here—sometimes, sticking with the same company actually pays off. I know, I know, everyone says to shop around, but after 20 years in the same house, I’ve found loyalty discounts can be real (if you pester them enough).
- Roof age is a pain, but I once had an agent go to bat for me and get an underwriter to accept a “visual inspection” instead of just going by the year. Saved me a bundle and a headache.
- Agents definitely take the easy route sometimes, but I’ve also had a few who were total bulldogs. It’s hit or miss.
- My neighbor replaced his roof just to keep his insurance, and then the premium still went up. Go figure.
- Persistence helps, but sometimes it’s just dumb luck who you get on the phone. I keep a running list of “agents who actually call back”—it’s shorter than my grocery list.
Bottom line: yeah, shopping around is smart, but don’t write off your current company without giving them a little grief first. Sometimes they surprise you... or at least give you a free calendar.
Sticking with the same insurer has worked for me too, at least so far. I’ve had them actually knock a bit off my premium after I called out some weird charges. Still, I keep an eye on rates elsewhere every couple years—just in case they get too comfortable. Roof age is such a hassle, though... had one adjuster try to tell me my 12-year-old roof was “ancient.” Sometimes you just have to push back and hope you get someone reasonable.
had one adjuster try to tell me my 12-year-old roof was “ancient.”
That’s wild—12 years isn’t even close to ancient for a roof. Good on you for pushing back. I’ve found just asking questions or calling out weird fees can save a surprising amount. You’re right to keep an eye on rates, though... loyalty only goes so far with these companies.
That’s wild—12 years isn’t even close to ancient for a roof.
Yeah, that’s a stretch. I’ve seen plenty of policies where roofs under 20 years are still considered “standard.” Here’s what I usually do: every couple years, I get quotes from at least three companies. I ask for a breakdown of coverage and fees, then compare apples to apples. Sometimes, just mentioning you’re shopping around gets your current provider to drop their rate or toss in a discount. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it pays off. Loyalty’s nice, but not if it costs you hundreds more a year.
I hear you on the hassle part. I’ve got a few rentals and it’s wild how much rates can swing just based on zip code or even the age of the HVAC, not just the roof. Ever had an insurer push back on something weird, like siding or gutters? Sometimes feels like they’re just looking for any excuse to bump up the premium...