Heritage home insurance review

Heritage home insurance review - At a glance

It is always difficult for homeowners to find a home insurance policy if they live in high-risk areas. So, even they will prefer handling their policies in person rather than doing it online, from buying to filing claims. So, Heritage home insurance will be ideal if you live in a high-risk area and want to manage your home insurance policy in person.

Heritage introduction and history

Heritage insurance was launched in 2012 with operations in California, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina under the Heritage Property & Casualty Company umbrella. Despite its limited geographical availability, Heritage may have more experience handling claims due to natural disasters. It may involve those like wind damage from hurricanes because it writes in states that experience a high volume of weather-related damage.

Heritage employs in-house and field adjusters prepared to review a claim onsite within hours. Also, the insurer offers in-house resources for damage like mold or water and a three-year guarantee on all work performed.

Pros and cons

Are you looking planning to buy Heritage homeowners insurance? Then consider the pros and cons of the insurer before buying one!

Heritage home insurance review

• The Way.com Customer Satisfaction Survey - 3/5
• Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) - No rating
• Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) - No rating
• Financial strength - Financial stability rating of A from Demotech
• NAIC Rating - No rating

Where is Heritage home insurance available?

The insurer is available in seven states.

• California
• Florida
• Alabama
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Mississippi

Heritage home insurance coverage options

Heritage offers these standard coverages found in most HO-3 home insurance policies, but there aren't many add-ons. The insurer also provides some ways for policyholders to receive discounts, which means there aren't many opportunities for extra savings above standard rates. Heritage's entry-level homeowners insurance policy includes the typical dwelling, liability, and personal property coverages.

Dwelling coverage: It covers the cost of structural damage to your home during a covered loss. You will get replacement cost coverage with limits ranging from $125,000 -$750,000, though higher-value homes may get approval upon request.

Personal liability: Covers you and your family from the financial costs of lawsuits for bodily harm or property damage to others. Customers can set a limit of $100,000, $250,000, $300,000, or $500,000.

Other structures coverage: It offers coverage for structures other than your home, such as barns, sheds, or patios. The coverage limits range from 0-70% of dwelling coverage.

Personal property coverage: It covers damage to or theft of your home's contents. The coverage is based on actual cash value (ACV), with limits ranging from 25%-75% of dwelling coverage. Costly items like jewelry or business property require separate sub-limits.

Additional living expenses: Also known as loss of use, it covers costs beyond normal expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable, such as a hotel room. The limits are 10% of dwelling coverage.

Medical payments: It offers coverage for medical expenses if visitors get injured on your property, regardless of who is at fault. Customers can choose between $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000 limits.

Additional coverage (add-ons)

So, now you know the coverages that Heritage home insurance typically offers. These are the extra coverages the insurer offers at an additional cost.

Platinum Preferred Savings Program: Heritage policyholders will get a free membership in the Platinum Preferred Savings Program. Once you join, you will have 24-hour customer service, concierge assistance during the claims process, and access to a Contractors Alliance Network. You will also get an extended warranty on home repairs due to a covered claim.

Identity theft insurance: This coverage can help to recover if your identity gets stolen. Heritage identity theft insurance can work with financial institutions, credit card firms, and credit reporting bureaus to restore your identity.

Artisan contractor insurance: The insurer provides through its commercial general liability (CGL) insurance. For those who work to upgrade their homes, this policy can offer specialized financial protection for liability, equipment damage, and more.

Mini-farm: It will cover incidental farming operations on the policyholder's property. Farming activities are limited to 20 acres or less and yearly gross receipts of $5,000 or less.

Heritage homeowners insurance discounts

Heritage offers only a few discounts to its customers. The discounts encourage safety, so homeowners who live in a gated community and install security systems should take advantage. These are some typical discounts that the insurer offers.

• Secured building or community: You will get a discount if your building or community has 24-hour security, manned gates, or passkey gates.
• Security devices: Fire and burglar alarms (local and central systems) and home sprinkler systems are eligible for a discount.
• Retiree or senior: If the insured person is 55 or older, they will qualify for a discount.

How much does Heritage home insurance cost?

On average, Heritage homeowners insurance costs $1,960 yearly. The rate is higher than the national average since it operates in high-risk areas.

How do I buy Heritage homeowners insurance?

Contacting your insurance agent to decide your required coverage level is always best. If a disaster strikes, your agent can help determine your home's projected replacement value and belongings. After deciding on the coverage level, you can buy a policy via the insurance agent.

Filing a claim with Heritage

When you file a claim with Heritage, the company will request some basic information, like the date and situation of the loss. You may also submit photographs of any damage that occurred. When ready, contact the insurer at 855-415-7120 to file a claim. The phone line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Unfortunately, you cannot file a claim online.

Heritage vs. the competitors

Are you still confused about which insurer to choose? Comparing the insurer with others before deciding on a policy is always safe.

Heritage vs. State Farm

State Farm sells homeowners and auto insurance, which may be beneficial if you want to insure both policies in one place and qualify for a multiple-policy discount. Also, the company has an app and a full-service online policy portal.

Heritage vs. American Family

Generally, American Family offers lower-than-average rates, so you should get a quote if you want affordable home insurance. It is particularly true if your home is new or recently renovated. You could save even more by using the discounts for new and renovated homes.

Heritage vs. Tower Hill

Tower Hill Insurance is another insurer in Florida that offers coverage in high-risk areas. Also, shoppers looking for customized policies may find Tower Hill's extensive endorsement options particularly appealing.

How to cancel a Heritage policy

Suppose you wish to cancel your Heritage home insurance policy. Then, you must contact your agent or the company's customer service team to begin the process.

Can I cancel my Heritage policy online?

No. You must cancel via your agent or by contacting customer service.

Heritage online features and app

The insurer doesn't have an app.

You can request a quote on the insurer's website. You must submit the form with basic information about your home to Heritage and receive a response with a quote via email or phone.

Key customer satisfaction survey findings - Heritage

According to the NAIC Complaint Index, Heritage home insurance customer satisfaction may be lacking. Heritage's overall complaint index score is a surprising 34.42, indicating that the company received more than 34 times the number of customer complaints compared to comparable companies.

How good is Heritage home insurance, according to reviews and ratings?

That depends on your requirements. You can consider Heritage if you live in a high-risk area with few insurer options. Or you can buy it if you're interested in the claims service Heritage may offer through the Platinum Preferred Savings Program.

Suppose you want to bundle your auto and home insurance policies, a mobile app, or live in a state where Heritage is unavailable. In that case, you should look into other options.

Homeowners insurance buying guide

Do you plan to buy Heritage home insurance? Always prioritize these factors before purchasing one.

Determine how much coverage you need: To start, you must decide how much coverage you need to protect your home and possessions.

Take inventory: One of the ideal ways to get the best out of your homeowners insurance policy is to keep an inventory of your belongings. It also simplifies and accelerates the claim process. A home inventory is a list of your belongings and their monetary value.

Make a fair comparison: Always compare the rates from various insurers to find the best deal in your area. Then, compare the discounts and coverages provided by each insurer.

Check consumer complaints: Before buying a home insurance policy, you should check each insurer's complaints. Always choose an insurer with the least complaints and financial strength.

How to file a homeowners insurance claim

To file a claim, a homeowner must always follow these steps.

File as soon as it's safe: If someone damages your home or possessions, contact the police and file a report immediately. Save a copy of the report for your insurer describing the damage and other relevant details. If the damage did not result from criminal activity, you needn't obtain a police report before contacting your insurer.

Document the damage: To provide proof to your insurer, you must document all the damage. Note the date and time as you film and photograph the damage from various angles. If you documented when you first moved in, you could use this document to calculate the cost of each damaged item.

Prevent further damage: Once you've documented the damage, you must take the initiatives to keep it from spreading. Spreading the damage is vital because your insurer may refuse to cover added damage you could have avoided.