American Integrity Offers Floridians Vacant Home Insurance
American Integrity Insurance Group, of Tampa, marked a first among Florida-based insurance companies by launching an insurance policy to cover vacant homes.
The policy will insure unoccupied homes, on a long or short term basis and addresses a growing and unmet need in the sunshine state, the company said in a news release. The American Integrity program provides an alternative to policies sold by unregulated insurance companies who currently sell a vacant home product at higher rates with high, additional policy fees.
The numbers of vacant properties in Florida are estimated to be at record levels, according to the company.
Many insurance companies have been cancelling coverage on vacant homes. Typical homeowner’s insurance policies exclude coverage for claims if the home is vacant for over 30 days.
In the American Integrity press statement, Maggie Bryant, of Bryant Coverall Insurance in Eustis commented, “Customers don’t always realize that standard home insurance policies exclude or limit coverage when a home becomes vacant. We always advise the customer to get coverage specifically suited for an unoccupied home.”
Consumers can determine if they need a vacant home insurance policy, the statement said, if they answer yes to any of the following questions:
• Do you own a rental property and “in-between” tenants to occupy the home?
• Are you trying to sell your house, and moved out?
• Does your current insurance exclude vandalism coverage or limit coverage for a vacant dwelling?
• Have you moved out of state, undecided about returning, and want to make sure your home is covered?
• Has your insurance company cancelled your homeowner’s policy because the home is vacant?