Question about Insurance Claims related to San Diego Fires

[Coronita]

So my insurance agent called me two days.

He wanted to ask me if my family and I was ok from the fires, and he asked me why i have not submitted any insurance claims for damages we incurred during the fires.

Being that I live in Carmel Valley, the fires didn't impact us really, mainly it just caused some inconvenience from evacuation.

However, my insurance agent said that I should  submit claims that include such as ash cleanup, any incidentals that I incurred as part of evacuation orders such as food/lodging/travel/gas  or mileage expenses, room and board (for loss of use of my primary home during those days, even if I stayed at a relative's house),etc

I told my incidentals were not that much, at most maybe $200-$300 one could put a price on room/board. I told him I didn't want to file a trivial claim that would later cause impact my policy, such as increased premiums.

Strangely though, my insurance agent said that my premiums would not go up for filling this claim, because it was considered a natural disaster. He also said that in general, premiums were going to go up anyway across the board, regardless if i file or not file a claim. So he recommended I file one anyway, because pretty much everyone else is doing it. 

It seems kinda strange that my own insurance agent would be suggesting for me to make a claim. Is there some ulterior motive that I just don't know about?

I'm thinking  perhaps once I file a claim,

1) it would give the insurance co's the ability to not renew my policy moving forward. I believe Allstate is no longer writing homeowner's policies in San Diego. Would this just be a convenient excuse for them not to extend any renewal next year?

2) it would make my insurance premium go up if I switch insurance companies, since now I would have a claim on file.

Thoughts?

[I would rather be lucky then smart]

good call on your part FLU

I certainly would not file a claim.

In fact, I just raised my deductable to $5000. I figured that if I made a claim for anything less then $5000, I worry that my premiums would go up or the policy would be cancelled altogether. The annual savings on my insurance policy by going with a $5000 deductable will cover a lot of little claims.

I had to evacuate both times due to these recent fires, and I cannot risk getting my insurance cancelled.

My neighbor had to talk to 4 different insurance companies before one of them would insure his house.

[I would rather be lucky then smart]

good call on your part FLU

I certainly would not file a claim.

In fact, I just raised my deductable to $5000. I figured that if I made a claim for anything less then $5000, I worry that my premiums would go up or the policy would be cancelled altogether. The annual savings on my insurance policy by going with a $5000 deductable will cover a lot of little claims.

I had to evacuate both times due to these recent fires, and I cannot risk getting my insurance cancelled.

My neighbor had to talk to 4 different insurance companies before one of them would insure his house.

[I would rather be lucky then smart]

good call on your part FLU

I certainly would not file a claim.

In fact, I just raised my deductable to $5000. I figured that if I made a claim for anything less then $5000, I worry that my premiums would go up or the policy would be cancelled altogether. The annual savings on my insurance policy by going with a $5000 deductable will cover a lot of little claims.

I had to evacuate both times due to these recent fires, and I cannot risk getting my insurance cancelled.

My neighbor had to talk to 4 different insurance companies before one of them would insure his house.

[I would rather be lucky then smart]

good call on your part FLU

I certainly would not file a claim.

In fact, I just raised my deductable to $5000. I figured that if I made a claim for anything less then $5000, I worry that my premiums would go up or the policy would be cancelled altogether. The annual savings on my insurance policy by going with a $5000 deductable will cover a lot of little claims.

I had to evacuate both times due to these recent fires, and I cannot risk getting my insurance cancelled.

My neighbor had to talk to 4 different insurance companies before one of them would insure his house.

[I would rather be lucky then smart]

good call on your part FLU

I certainly would not file a claim.

In fact, I just raised my deductable to $5000. I figured that if I made a claim for anything less then $5000, I worry that my premiums would go up or the policy would be cancelled altogether. The annual savings on my insurance policy by going with a $5000 deductable will cover a lot of little claims.

I had to evacuate both times due to these recent fires, and I cannot risk getting my insurance cancelled.

My neighbor had to talk to 4 different insurance companies before one of them would insure his house.

[drunkle]

you know… you’d think the insurance companies would be active in trying to deflate and keep stable home prices… i can’t imagine they raise rates enough to keep up with they cycles of RE…

on second thought, inflated re allows them to increase rates while deflating re gets ignored in rate calcs…

[drunkle]

you know… you’d think the insurance companies would be active in trying to deflate and keep stable home prices… i can’t imagine they raise rates enough to keep up with they cycles of RE…

on second thought, inflated re allows them to increase rates while deflating re gets ignored in rate calcs…

[drunkle]

you know… you’d think the insurance companies would be active in trying to deflate and keep stable home prices… i can’t imagine they raise rates enough to keep up with they cycles of RE…

on second thought, inflated re allows them to increase rates while deflating re gets ignored in rate calcs…

[drunkle]

you know… you’d think the insurance companies would be active in trying to deflate and keep stable home prices… i can’t imagine they raise rates enough to keep up with they cycles of RE…

on second thought, inflated re allows them to increase rates while deflating re gets ignored in rate calcs…

[drunkle]

you know… you’d think the insurance companies would be active in trying to deflate and keep stable home prices… i can’t imagine they raise rates enough to keep up with they cycles of RE…

on second thought, inflated re allows them to increase rates while deflating re gets ignored in rate calcs…

[Raybyrnes]

Insurance agents get a renewal commission each year on your policy so the last thing they want to do is lose your busines becaeu of unsound advice.

If this is an established agent he has probably been informed that the company has already set aside funds for these claims and he is looking to assist you in terms of making sure you are coverered for you expenses.

Additonally Loss of use MIGHT not count as a claim. It might be similiar to Glass deductible buy back on your auto insurance policy. I would think that the agent is trying to demonstrate the value of the company by keeping you informed.

If it is not worth the time and effort to file a claim for 2 or 3 hundred dollar that is a different story.

How many years has your agent been in the business? How many years has your agent been working for this company. How long have you been with the agent. IF it is a long time I might elect to take the opportunity to review your coverage and see what what your options are.

[Raybyrnes]

Insurance agents get a renewal commission each year on your policy so the last thing they want to do is lose your busines becaeu of unsound advice.

If this is an established agent he has probably been informed that the company has already set aside funds for these claims and he is looking to assist you in terms of making sure you are coverered for you expenses.

Additonally Loss of use MIGHT not count as a claim. It might be similiar to Glass deductible buy back on your auto insurance policy. I would think that the agent is trying to demonstrate the value of the company by keeping you informed.

If it is not worth the time and effort to file a claim for 2 or 3 hundred dollar that is a different story.

How many years has your agent been in the business? How many years has your agent been working for this company. How long have you been with the agent. IF it is a long time I might elect to take the opportunity to review your coverage and see what what your options are.

[Raybyrnes]

Insurance agents get a renewal commission each year on your policy so the last thing they want to do is lose your busines becaeu of unsound advice.

If this is an established agent he has probably been informed that the company has already set aside funds for these claims and he is looking to assist you in terms of making sure you are coverered for you expenses.

Additonally Loss of use MIGHT not count as a claim. It might be similiar to Glass deductible buy back on your auto insurance policy. I would think that the agent is trying to demonstrate the value of the company by keeping you informed.

If it is not worth the time and effort to file a claim for 2 or 3 hundred dollar that is a different story.

How many years has your agent been in the business? How many years has your agent been working for this company. How long have you been with the agent. IF it is a long time I might elect to take the opportunity to review your coverage and see what what your options are.

[Raybyrnes]

Insurance agents get a renewal commission each year on your policy so the last thing they want to do is lose your busines becaeu of unsound advice.

If this is an established agent he has probably been informed that the company has already set aside funds for these claims and he is looking to assist you in terms of making sure you are coverered for you expenses.

Additonally Loss of use MIGHT not count as a claim. It might be similiar to Glass deductible buy back on your auto insurance policy. I would think that the agent is trying to demonstrate the value of the company by keeping you informed.

If it is not worth the time and effort to file a claim for 2 or 3 hundred dollar that is a different story.

How many years has your agent been in the business? How many years has your agent been working for this company. How long have you been with the agent. IF it is a long time I might elect to take the opportunity to review your coverage and see what what your options are.

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