Foremost Insurance Company

Review: My basement flooded on 7/21/2013 by vandalism, some kids put our irrigation hose in our window well, and filled it with water. That same night we called Foremost and they told us we would receive a call Monday morning from a claims agent. We didn't receive a call, and we had to call them. They said they were going to get a woman out that week before she went on vacation, and they would give us a call. They never called us, and she didn't come out that week. We had to wait two weeks for her to come back from vacation. She was then supposed to email us the day she did the inspection which was 8/5/2013. She never emailed us until I emailed her the next morning 8/6/2013. Not only did she have poor attention to detail, I asked her for an itemization at what she calculated all the damaged items at, and repair cost of each item. She said she was sending it over right now. I didn't receive an email, so I emailed her again and she told me again, she was sending it over right now. She never emailed me. [redacted] called her the next day and told her I never received an email. She said "That's weird, I sent it" and I still didn't receive anything. Now we're on 8/12/2013 and I still haven't received anything. And she's not replacing my carpet, which is contaminated with irrigation water, filled with germs and bacteria and filth. I have pregnant family members and lots of babies among family and friends, and now I don't feel comfortable having them in my home where my carpet is filled with bacteria. There's only so much cleaning can do. I work at a carpet cleaners company and carpet cleaning only cleans the fibers, not the backing of the carpet. So the bacteria is just gathering in the backing and I want it replaced. It is their job to put my carpet back to pre-existing conditions, my carpet was in EXCELLENT condition. I had very clean carpets, cleaned every 3 months. And she said they don't even cover the cost of the cleaning! So not only is Formost not replacing my carpet, they aren't paying to clean it either!Desired Settlement: We are entitled to have our carpets replaced. Our carpets were in excellent condition. Especially downstairs where the carpet was damaged. None of the rooms were not even being lived in, they were just spare bedrooms, until just recently after the flood when a family emergency arose. And the other room was also vacant, with only a pool table in it, until just a couple weeks before the flood when we decided to move our bedroom down there because it was cooler/larger.

Review: In January of 2013 I was informed that I am required to purchase Flood Insurance by my mortgage company [redacted]. I then contacted my homeowners insurance agent [redacted] ([redacted]). Via [redacted] at [redacted], I got a policy through New Hampshire Insurance Company Flood Insurance Processing Center for $786.00!!! Everything was fine until January of 2014 when I am in the middle of a refinance with [redacted] - they told me I didn't have flood insurance. Long story short they discovered I do have it, it has been paid as of 1/2/14. [redacted] wanted a declaration page and some photos for my refinance, so [redacted] at [redacted] called to get this information for me and was told NO, we won't give a declaration page or a new policy because I am to get an elevation certificate and photos at my expense before they do this. [redacted] then asked why he nor I was notified of this? They said they sent out letters. Well, we did not get any letter. They certainly had no problem taking my premium of $989.00 for this year, but they won't give a policy or anything else needed for my refinance, unless I pay extra for the elevation certificate and photos (which I DO NOT HAVE - approx. $400.00) In my opinion, this is unfair to take my money, not disclose changes/requirements and then force me to pay even more. Also, they can't be reached by phone - you keep getting redirected by an automated voice. So now, I cant get my refinance done because [redacted] needs these documents before proceeding.Desired Settlement: I want my policy, I want the items needed for my refinance or I want a refund from this company. I paid for it (too much)and they can't even answer the phone?

Review: I purchased a flood policy from Farmers Insurance and the agent that has since been let go [redacted],when I purchased the policy, he informed standard items covered were furnace hot water tank, washer/dryer, but never discussed a deductible signed the policy electronically, but never received copy of policy to show what I signed for.On July 10, 2013 I was in a flood called [redacted], this name and number was listed on the declaration page which is what I received, [redacted]'s boss, who informed [redacted] was no longer with the company, and told me that my flood policy was a first for them both.[redacted] told me my then that my deductible was 5,000,and I told him no couldn't be, because [redacted] and I never discussed this, but said because I signed it, at this time I asked for a copy of what I signed [redacted] said he didn't have it and would contact headquarters and call back and he did they also said yes deductible was 5,000.An adjuster came and assess my damage to be 5,836.48, and it only covered furnace, hot water tank, sump pump and clean up.I called Farmers Flood Department, and was told that they never heard of a deductible for that amount, did apologize for both [redacted]s, again I asked for copy of what I signed and still no one is able to get me a copy.I feel this is very unfair, I have gotten quotes on a furnace 2,560, hot water tank 625, and sump pump 1,500 and I didn't include clean, which consist of mold.I just feel this unfair that have to carry the burden when both agents were not knowledgeable of what or how a flood policy works.Still no one can produce a copy of the policy, it just doesn't make sense.Farmers Insurance is big company and how can they let these agents represent them.I have told everyone that I come in contact with that these are the kind of people that farmers has representing their company, and everyone has ask me can they do this and I can say yes.Desired Settlement: I feel due to that both agents were knowledgeable on a flood insurance policy that my deductible, should have been only 1,000, which is what most people would chose, but seeing I wasn't even given the opportunity to make the decision it was made for me.Now no one wants to own up to their mistake, and again I have to foot the bill for everything to be replaced, due to their negligence.I just feel this is not right for me when they were at fault, and no one can still supply me with a copy.

Business

Response:

This acknowledges receipt of the inquiry filed with the Revdex.com

concerning the above referenced flood insurance policy.

The Standard Flood Insurance Policy is a federal policy under the jurisdiction of the

federal government issued pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968

and applicable Federal regulations in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations,

Subchapter B.

Fire Insurance Exchange has an active arrangement with the National Flood Insurance

Program to issue flood insurance policies under the “Write Your Own” segment of the

National Flood Insurance Program. All “Write Your Own” Companies must adhere to the

rules & regulations established for the National Flood Insurance Program by the Federal

Insurance and Mitigation Administration.

National Flood Services StoneRiver is a vendor processing policies for several

companies writing flood insurance under the Write Your Own sector of the National

Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for “Write Your Own” Companies. Fire Insurance

Exchange is a client company of National Flood Services StoneRiver. I am responding

to your inquiry directly on behalf of Fire Insurance Exchange.

Thank you for your phone call regarding the inquiry. Unfortunately, the emails submitted

regarding this inquiry were not delivered to my “In Box” as they were identified as junk

mail by our server. I apologize for the delay of my response.

The inquiry filed by [redacted] requests that her deductible be reduced to $1,000

rather than the $5,000 as she did not discuss a deductible with her agent and she did

not sign an application requesting a $5,000 deductible.

The application received and the premiums paid represent a $5,000 deductible for

building coverage. The National Flood Insurance Program does not require an insured’s

signature on the application.

The declaration page mailed to the insured identifies a $5,000 deductible; a Summary

of Coverage booklet and a copy of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy are also mailed

with the declarations page and provide additional information concerning deductibles as

follows:

Standard Flood Insurance Policy Dwelling Form:

VI. DEDUCTIBLES

A. When a loss is covered under this policy, we will pay only that part of the loss

that exceeds your deductible amount, subject to the limit of liability that applies. The

deductible amount is shown on the Declarations Page.

Summary of Coverage:

Choosing Deductibles

Choosing the amount of your deductible is an important decision. As with car or

homeowners insurance, choosing a higher deductible will lower the premium you pay,

but will also reduce your claim payment.

You can choose different deductibles for Building Property and Personal Property

coverage. The deductibles will apply separately to Building Property and Personal

Property claims. Your mortgage company may require that your deductible is no more

than a certain amount.

Review the Declarations Page in your flood insurance policy for amounts of coverage

and deductibles. Talk with your insurance agent, company representative, or lender

about raising and lowering deductibles.

The NFIP outlines the requirements for changing deductibles by endorsement as

follows:

E. Changing Deductibles

Increasing deductibles is permitted during the current policy year. (See Example 7

at the end of this section.) Deductibles cannot be reduced mid-term, unless required

by the mortgagee and written authorization is provided by the mortgagee. A 30-day

waiting period will apply unless the request to reduce the deductible is in connection with

making, increasing, extending, or renewing a loan.

If Ms. [redacted] would like to reduce her deductible mid-term, the NFIP requires the

documentation as noted above and the appropriate waiting period for the endorsement

along with an endorsement request and additional premium. The deductible will not be

decreased for the loss as the application and premium received represent the $5,000

deductible option.

A decrease in the deductible is not permitted retroactively. Please understand, as a

WYO Company for the National Flood Insurance Program, we must abide by the rules

and regulations of the NFIP.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to

contact me at [redacted] or call me at ([redacted]