Ready to close on turnkey rental... SURPRISE can't get insurance!

Ready to close on turnkey rental... SURPRISE can't get insurance!

Licensed Realtor & Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2015 · 164 posts · 124 votes

I am currently purchasing a turnkey rental from JWB in Jacksonville and just found out that when the agent went to bind the policy, the carrier declined coverage. In speaking with the insurance agent (Ricci Insurance), they explained that the reason for the policy denial was that I have an open claim on another rental property that I own in Miami-Dade County. I own several properties and as if 2020 wasn't bad enough with everything going on, I had to file an insurance claim for a roof leak/ water damage caused by a tropical storm. From what I am being told so far, if you have any open claims insurance companies will not write a new policy. The open claim has not been resolved yet and I do not know when it will be resolved as the claim is still being processed and I have a public adjuster working it for me. 

This is extremely frustrating because now I do not know if I am going to be able to close since it doesn't look like I will be able to insure the property. I am also very concerned with the $5,000 deposit that is non-refundable per the purchase and sales agreement that JWB uses. I must say that I have never experienced anything like this and it has definitely caught me off guard. I am kind of in limbo now until I can somehow obtain a policy. Has anyone else experienced this type of problem? If so, how were you able to solve it? Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Jon KellyPro Member
Investor · Bethlehem, PA · Member since 2016 · 929 posts · 951 votes
5y

@Bradley Sriro "if you have any open claims insurance companies will not write a new policy." This is simply not true. MAYBE, it relates directly to the insurance company you have an open claim with, but other companies will be able to write a new policy. I would drop your current insurance agent and call other agents until you find the right one. 

You mentioned you have several other investment properties. When you find a new agent, give them the names of the insurance companies that write your other policies (as long as it's not the company you have the open claim against). It's often easier to get subsequent policies written if you already have experience with a company. 

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  • Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
    Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    Are you able to get an insurance policy with another company?

  • Stephen J DavisBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 529 posts · 467 votes
    5y

    I think all you need to do is call around to other companies to get a policy. Hope this works out for you.

  • Jon KellyPro Member
    Investor · Bethlehem, PA · Member since 2016 · 929 posts · 951 votes
    5y

    @Bradley Sriro "if you have any open claims insurance companies will not write a new policy." This is simply not true. MAYBE, it relates directly to the insurance company you have an open claim with, but other companies will be able to write a new policy. I would drop your current insurance agent and call other agents until you find the right one. 

    You mentioned you have several other investment properties. When you find a new agent, give them the names of the insurance companies that write your other policies (as long as it's not the company you have the open claim against). It's often easier to get subsequent policies written if you already have experience with a company. 

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    5y

    Yeh, this doesn't ring true. Shop around for another insurance company. It may be time to switch companies (after this claim closes, of course).

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  • Licensed Realtor & Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2015 · 164 posts · 124 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Jon Kelly:

    @Bradley Sriro "if you have any open claims insurance companies will not write a new policy." This is simply not true. MAYBE, it relates directly to the insurance company you have an open claim with, but other companies will be able to write a new policy. I would drop your current insurance agent and call other agents until you find the right one. 

    You mentioned you have several other investment properties. When you find a new agent, give them the names of the insurance companies that write your other policies (as long as it's not the company you have the open claim against). It's often easier to get subsequent policies written if you already have experience with a company. 

    Thanks Jon, I appreciate your feedback. I am going to have to check with a couple of different agents because it doesn't make any sense to me. Just for clarification, the agent that I am working with in Jacksonville is new to me and the carrier that denied coverage is not the same carrier that I have the open claim with. But, the agent is saying that this will be the same with other carriers. In any case, I will definitely take your advice and seek out another agent. Thanks again! 

  • Licensed Realtor & Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2015 · 164 posts · 124 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Nathan Gesner:

    Yeh, this doesn't ring true. Shop around for another insurance company. It may be time to switch companies (after this claim closes, of course).

    Thanks for your response Nathan. The carrier that I have the open claim with is not the same as the one that denied writing a new policy. I will definitely be making some more calls though to other insurance agents to see what options are available.  

  • Insurance Agent · Lakewood, NJ · Member since 2020 · 29 posts · 13 votes
    5y

    Are you purchasing it under your personal name or an LLC?

  • Rental Property Investor · MA · Member since 2014 · 420 posts · 213 votes
    5y

    @Bradley Sriro Hey, I have nothing to offer here as I have never heard of this BUT when you do get an answer please follow up here!

  • Rental Property Investor · TN · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    Can you let the mortgage holder get the insurance?  I do not know if they will upfront, but if you do not keep the policy current they do get a policy for the property, so they have an ability to get insurance.

  • Specialist · O'Fallon, MO · Member since 2010 · 148 posts · 46 votes
    5y

    I'm wondering if maybe they will do a Fee Policy...When one closes on property the title insurance only protects the lienholders interest in the property you take a loan out on. A fee policy you pay for extra at closing to protect you as a investor/homeowner. Otherwise you could be had! They usually don't tell you this when you close. https://www.hurwitzfine.com/bl...

  • Scott WolfPro Member
    Lender · Boca Raton, FL · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 958 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Kathy Utiss:

    I'm wondering if maybe they will do a Fee Policy...When one closes on property the title insurance only protects the lienholders interest in the property you take a loan out on. A fee policy you pay for extra at closing to protect you as a investor/homeowner. Otherwise you could be had! They usually don't tell you this when you close. https://www.hurwitzfine.com/bl...

    Kathy, these are two separate issues.  OP is talking about P&C insurance.  

    I've also yet to meet any attorney that doesn't get their client an Owner's Policy (Fee Policy) when closing,unless the client themselves request to not get one. The article you sent seems a bit like a scare tactic from the attorney who wrote it, especially since he's writing it from NY.  If there are any lawyers here that regularly tell their clients not to get an Owner's Policy, I'd love to hear from them.

  • Rental Property Investor · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2008 · 784 posts · 528 votes
    5y

    @Bradley Sriro I tried to use Ricci myself for my own personal residence. All they did was waste my time. Nice people, but I hate agents that waste time. I would recommend Daniel Miller at Brightway Insurance. He is located in Riverside here in Jacksonville. I have used many agents around town and Daniel, not perfect, is the best I have found and I would recommend him for personal as well as business or commercial properties. 

  • Licensed Realtor & Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2015 · 164 posts · 124 votes
    5y

    @Jack Bobeck thanks for the recommendation. Fortunately I was able to get it figured out with my local agent here in Miami... but I will keep Daniel and Brightway in mind for future quotes as I plan on buying additional units in Jacksonville. 

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