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Old Homes in North Texas

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:21 pm
by brian3323
I am having trouble being competitive on older homes in Texas. I have Travlers, MetLife, Encompass, Safeco, State Auto, Hartford, Kemper and they are all really high for these homes. I quoted a home for a friend a week or so ago, and the best premium I could find was about a thousand bucks more than what could be considered reasonable. I understand that older homes are more likely to have claims, but my markerts are not in the ballpark. Plus if has become popular in this area to buy these old bungalo homes and fix them up, so there is a pretty good market for these risks.

Thanks

Re: Old Homes in North Texas

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:55 am
by d's insurance store
You need to figure out which market IS competitive and then either approach them or concede that segment to whomever is competitive.

Is it a direct writer like State Farm or Allstate? Sometimes, for reasons that can never be explained, direct writers just choose to take risks at standard or preferred risks that every other carrier holds their nose over.

Most small and medium sized independent agencies targeting mostly personal lines and small commercial will never be competitive in EVERY area, and you'll just have to learn to pick your battles.

You'll drive yourself nuts if you focus on that which you can't competitvely write...so you'll have to figure out what you can do best and maximize that. If there's not enough of that category to keep you in business and growing, well, none of us have any heavenly rights to be successful and you'll have to go in a different direction.

Re: Old Homes in North Texas

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:29 pm
by centex
Try to get planted with Hochheim Prairie, RVOS/Priority One or Germania

Re: Old Homes in North Texas

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:29 pm
by pgamga
Brian3323,

Give me a call and I think I can help you with the market you need.

Virgil Perkins
Preferred General Agency
1-877-437-4350