Snakes and Home owners Insurance?????

I just got off the phone with Giecko about switching my home owners over to them since i switched my auto over to them. Well they asked what animal i had and told them i had dogs,fish, and reptiles. Then the guy asked what type of reptile and told him i had pythons and boas. So basically they wanted $1475 for a one year premium but will allstate i am only paying $798. Is this common with insurance companies? I think it is nuts that they want to charge me $600 more just for have a couple of snakes.

Unfortunately yes Rob it is common... even with renters insurance at times it can be higher because of reptiles. At least this has been my experience. I believe it stems back to not knowing/ being knowledgeable of reptiles and the thought that all are aggressive and that they are high risk much like some breeds of dogs are dubbed.

After something that happened to a friend of a friend two weeks ago, I can understand why keeping reptiles would increase home owners insurance.

I had met a guy through a buddy of mine that breeds burmese pythons. A few weeks ago, I get a call from my friend saying that the guys house burnt to the ground (along with all the snakes and a pet dog). The fire marshal ruled that the fire had started in the guys garage where his herp room was located. They said his electrical equipment most likely shorted(or something like that) and started the fire (sparks and aspen shavings dont mix). That kinda made me paronoid......I almost bought a fire detector for my closet where my snakes are. ....After hearing that, I can see why they might want to charge you more.

Great how they can exclude coverage for animals under an HO-3 policy yet jack up your premium anyway if you do decide to keep them.

Isn't insurance underwriting just super!?!

Although insurance companies would love us to believe they are there to help us, the truth is, they exist for one reason: to make money. I deal with insurance adjustors on a daily basis, and I can tell you from experience that although some companies are more helpful than others, they all protect their own interests first, then they'll consider the insured.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smynx

Although insurance companies would love us to believe they are there to help us, the truth is, they exist for one reason: to make money. I deal with insurance adjustors on a daily basis, and I can tell you from experience that although some companies are more helpful than others, they all protect their own interests first, then they'll consider the insured.

---

Well most companies exist for that reason as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smynx

Although insurance companies would love us to believe they are there to help us, the truth is, they exist for one reason: to make money. I deal with insurance adjustors on a daily basis, and I can tell you from experience that although some companies are more helpful than others, they all protect their own interests first, then they'll consider the insured.

---

Ain't that the truth. Insurance companies want, want, want and if there's even the slightest chance they may have to pay out someday they'll get you for everything they can and then some. Not to go off on a tangent but they're a lot like end-of-life services. They no your gonna die so they charge you out the wazoo for you burial plot, casket, and other final expenses. Evil #$%@#%. Bottom line is, it's all about the $$$$$. Sad isn't it?

Ooohhhhh! Don't get me started on insurance companies. I've been dealing with our home owners for two months on a stupid pool filter, which has been decreed useless by two separate companies. It's taken a month of that time to get the work done. And actually we opted for the payout because, well they're idiots. You never got the same story twice and no one knew where a huge massive pool filter was. Really!!! How do you lose on of those things, especially when you can track a letter for $2?!?! We've yet to get the check, so I may be ranting again later. :frustrate :evileye:

*deep breath* Sorry for the rant :rolleyes: