Home Insurance Forum

Aug. 27, 2007

I live on the Chesapeake Bay, near Norfolk, Va. My insurance company, Farmers, has issued a letter canceling me because I filed two claims in a 12-month period and also because my house is located on the water. It is my understanding that no other company will write a home owners property on the water anymore. Is this correct? I am 18 feet above sea level and am not required to have flood insurance although I do have it. Thanks for any information you can send me.

Linda, Virginia

Dear Linda,

I called the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. They had good news and bad news. The bad news is that with the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Dennis, you probably won't be able to get anyone to insure you right now, although taking a few minutes to call a couple of insurers might be worth it.

The good news is that if you call the bureau toll-free at (800) 552-7945 and explain your situation, they can give you a list of 20 insurance companies that do write coverage for homes along the shore. However, this isn't a guarantee that one of those companies will cover you, since they'll examine your individual circumstances just as any other insurance company would.

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