Brownstones, Homeowner's Insurance and Flat Roofs
I often see posts concerning insurance for brownstones on this site but never hear anyone talk about the burden of having a flat roof in regards to obtaining homeowner’s insurance. What kind of payments are you folks making per year on your brownstones? I often read references to Chubb, USAA etc and am curious if…
I often see posts concerning insurance for brownstones on this site but never hear anyone talk about the burden of having a flat roof in regards to obtaining homeowner’s insurance. What kind of payments are you folks making per year on your brownstones? I often read references to Chubb, USAA etc and am curious if all you folks are telling the insurance companies that you have flat roofs. (it’s stupid not to as you won’t be covered if you need to make a claim). As far as I know, most companies won’t even insure these houses – I know USAA doesn’t do it anymore – I think the do out source it though. So, what’s the deal? What is the best deal for insurance on a three floor brownstone in Brooklyn?
I”m not in brooklyn but Jersey city and have been shopping for homeowners for my brownstone, of course it has a flat roof. WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!! It took almost 3 weeks to find a company to insure it and the premium is outrageous. 2200 anually. What is the deal?
What i wanna know (and it’s probably a whole nutha thread) we have allstate, and since they are no longer taking new policies here what’s gunna happen when something happens and you make a claim? Will they then just F me over, drop me and I have to find a new policy with someone else for more money and less coverage? Damn I hate insurance co’s of all stripes.
8:56 – USAA said the exact same thing. They only made some exceptions for first-time home buyers now.
Allstate, my company, has said they will no longer take new policies in Brooklyn because of the potenial losses due to flooding>Hurricanes. Is this the TRUE?
wow, it seems like i’m paying the most for a 3 story 3 family owner occupied townhouse in sunset park. the premium just went up to $2900 from last year $2600. the mortgage was $675k. i used a broker and the underwriter is tower insurance.
Never heard of such a thing. I own several brownstones. As noted above all brownstones have flat roofs. Insurance is not a problem. Go with a broker though.
people usually get extra coverage if their mortgage is higher, to satisfy the bank. I’m paying about 2200 with allstate for a 3 story brownstone w/ about 800k of coverage.
USAA didn’t have a problem with flat roofs when I last checked with them. I just asked them about another building a month ago though, and now they won’t issue new policies in “coastal counties” – I guess after Katrina hurricane are a a huge issue in brownstone Brooklyn.
All the companies I checked with did ask what type of roof it was.
2:06 do you have regular homeowner’s insurance, or just a “fire policy” on the structure? That might explain the price difference. Square footage and building price also play a big role.
I’ve been shopping for insurance for a policy that is set to expire in a couple weeks. I’ve filled out several applications, talked to brokers, etc. Not a single person or application ever asked about what kind of roof I have (which is flat on my 100 yr old brownstone). The insurance coimpanies I’ve talked to are AIG and Chubb. The poster’s experience sounds pretty bizarre to me. Something else must be going on.