Ok, guys I can use some advice. Had some roof and siding damage in last summers storm. Even though I only have one little bitty hole about 1.5" in diameter adjuster says can either repair the one spot or replace all the siding on the house. Huh? I'm gonna try for the repair first and if it doesn't match we can replace it all. Roof will be replaced too. So, my concern is has anyone ever been cancelled due to putting in a claim? I'm so paranoid about this, yet I don't want to pay for it ourselves I mean that is what we pay premiums for.

Then if that's not bad enough, hit the hail storm last Saturday on my way home from a graduation party. Didn't really look like deep pelts but all over the entire car. So, I stopped by a body shop on my way home from work on Monday thinkin if it's not that much I can just pay for it out of pocket. They've done work for us before and I trust them completely. Well, the guy walks out and says "Oh, no"! I said well, it's not that bad is it? He said well, the problem is only one panel is ok, 1 they could do the paintless dent removal on and the rest all would need to be replaced. What! I can't believe it, it's not that bad. So, here we go. I called my insurance company and they were really nice but the out of state catastrophe team gal ends the conversation with "Try and stay out of the bad weather until your car gets fixed". Duh, no I like to try and hit all the hail storms it's fun!!!!!

After hearing my very long story, do you think I have anything to worry about? We've had the same insurance company since I was 16. They tell me not to worry but you hear all these stories of people getting dropped then having to try and find insurance for their home and end up paying over $900 a month for just their homeowners insurance. I don't want that to happen, but I'm really not confident that the repair on the siding will match have to wait and see on that but I do think it's worth a shot.

Boy........This is a topic/discussion that can go on forever. You have every right to be worried and much of it has to do with who your insurance carrier is.

We currently pay insurance premiums in 4 states and run the gamut on "KIND". UGHHHHH! The difference wasn't that great until we had to purchase homeowners insurance in Texas. That was a shocker....the lowest deductibles available are very high. We've carried American Family for the last 16 years and they do not write policies in TX.

Being cancelled after one has claim is a very real probability..especially a homeowners claim. I've been told by staff at several state insurance commissions that they personally carry very high deductibles out of fear of losing their policy when filing and so they just eat the costs (usually up to five thousand dollars) is what I hear. Sad part is there is really no recourse for being cancelled.

Insurance companies these days are not only in the business of providing insurance but also making money for their investors. Much of their decisions are based on the work of Actuaries. I've read more cases about families being cancelled after 25..sometimes 40 years because they are considered HIGH RISK for never having filed a claim and are due for loss. Credit scores also play a very big part in your profile these days in more ways than most realize. Your geographic location and the losses around you (even though you haven't incurred a loss) can really raise your rates. We experienced that a couple of years ago with the Farm/Ranch policy. Lots of tornado loss immed. around us but NOT US.

When it comes to repairs, I would have the roof fixed regardless. Siding.. since I've never seen your siding, not sure what to tell you on that, trying the simple approach first is always safe.

Car repairs really depend on the book value of your car. Body work is very expensive and depending on your state laws, repairs can only equal a certain percentage of your cars value (if insurance is paying). Anything over that and your car would be considered a total loss... EVEN though your car is mechanically sound and the problem is cosmetic. If the car is used and you plan to have it for a while I probably wouldn't have it fixed.

Good Luck. I fret about insurance all the time. I'm a "want my @$$ covered" person while my husband is more risk oriented and feels like we should just be more "self insured" for small loss and carry only for catastrophic circumstances. He is certainly getting his wish with Texas.

I would be like you but my Mother-in-law has the worse luck and she has had to file several claims. Her roof, her car and some rental property too. They haven't dropped her so I don't think I would worry about it that much. I've never had to file any claims but if they haven't dropped her, I don't think anyone will be. I haven't heard anyone getting dropped at all around here. It may be different other places though. Hope this helps some.

Cheryl.. we were dropped by an insurance company over a roof claim in Missouri years ago. Trying to think who it was.. Sentry comes to mind.

So sorry to hear of your misfortunes Cheryl! No pun intended but when it rains it pours huh?

My husband and I have had the same insurance company for 10+ years and we've filed several claims, some for weather related claims and some for accident claims (not saying who caused the accidnet ) and we've never worried about being dropped and we've never had our premiums increased. I can understand your worry though, but I think you'll be okay. If anything does happen, contact your state's insurance commissioner and let them know. They may have suggestions on what can be done. Good luck hon!

Great advice, thanks! We have Farmers right now and have since I got my first car so I feel we have a good relationship and am hoping for the best. I'm hoping that by trying to replace the siding instead of redoing the whole thing shows that we are honest people but who knows. As for the car, not sure what the heck to do there. I only plan on keeping it for a couple more years and hoping to trade it for something more fuel efficient yet that will hold the hockey bag, priorities ya know. So, I'm afraid if we don't repair it I'll really take a hit at trade in time. Not sure what to do there. Thanks for the feedback and experiences you've had.

I have never had to file a claim. Knock on wood!!!! LOL I hope everything all works out for you!

Hey Cheryl, I work for a big insurance co and if your home owner claim was listed as a cat claim, then they will not drop you for this one claim. Now if you have had several they may try to surcharge you but doubtful.
Your car claim would be a comprehensive claim, where they don't usually cancel you for comp claims, they may look at the number of claims that you have. Companies usually surcharge before they cancel anyone. Again if you have been with this company a long time and have not had many claims, I seriously doubt if they will cancel you.
Take care, hope that it all works out for you.