Universal Direct

Stay away from this company. First, they have an online process which in which you can fill out a form and answer a bunch of questions, and then it determines your rate. Great. I’ve uploaded and emailed documents on wind mitigation and impact resistant windows multiple times, to agents and to their policydocs@ email address, and yet they keep requesting the documents. No explanation. Then, I comment or complain, and the emails stop.

Next, though, you start receiving letters which charge you more money because their underwriters reject things from your application which determined how much your policy cost you in the first place. Quick example – I have impact resistant windows, and impact resistant doors on the lanai. Steel door on the front entry. BUT, they want me to pay for an independent inspection to certify that I have impact resistant doors and windows. And they use insurance legalese to confuse the situation, such as “opening protection credit” which refers to whether ALL the openings in your dwelling have impact resistant windows. Now how hard would it be for them to put that in their online form, in parentheses, under the checkbox? And, a statement that even if you DO have them on every opening, you’ll be required to pay for an independent inspection and certification?

They don’t care here. They’re an insurance mill and they crank out paperwork and confuse the issue and hope people keep writing checks to them. Convoluted invoices lacking any description of charges, and unprofessional agent representatives.

Had them for a month bought a house they accepted me then told me a whole month later they have to cancel they couldn’t accept me because If of a piping issues they had the inspection report in front of them to see the pipes it wasn’t a big deal in the beginning.they refined me what I payed them for but when they cut the check they still took out for 1 month of payment thrives just looking to get the money they knew if they canceled me in the beginning they owed the full amount so they did that to still get some money shaking my head.

Initially I was excited about the possibility of finding a great rate for home owners insurance as well as having the convenience of a direct contact with a representative however, communication became scarce and when I needed some fairly straight forward questions answered in a timely manner in order to close on my house my representative quit responding to emails and texts. I ended up switching to another company last minute for our home owners coverage and still have yet to receive a reply in regard to the questions I emailed about. I am not even sure if he knows I cancelled the policy. I went with Progressive and received a better policy with a multi-policy discount. Sometimes it’s better to just stay with the big guys.

Two stars as they have effectively applied resources to self service/electronic process of obtaining insurance through them.

Perspective – I’ve owned a couple homes now dating back to 2007 and have had about a half dozen different (small and large) insurance companies so have a fair amount of experience in the processes/policies of such companies.

Received threatening letter from them that if I didn’t get them their money directly in 15 days they would void my new coverage. I called seeking clarity about letter as I wanted to give benefit of doubt so assumed they just didn’t have a decent letter like others i.e. one that mentions to ignore the letter if the payment will come from escrow etc or that mentions this is not my responsibility but just informational as a similar letter was sent to mortgage company.

Rep who I spoke with assured me that the do send letters to my mortgage and I could disregard the letter. I said great and I asked for an email or some confirmation that this is not my responsibility to deal with the mortgage company (have never had to do such in any past situation when switching). She said she couldn’t send such a confirmation. I said that was an issue because of how letter was worded.

She transferred me to an agent who then said what she said was false. He said they did send a letter to my mortgage company BUT that they do not contact them any other way and that they expect me to work with the mortgage company to make sure the switch occurs. Most people wouldn’t have made it to this agent though as they would have disconnected when the first rep said not to worry about the letter.

I voiced this concern and it was noted by the agent and we moved on. He then went on to say that it was going to be voided for other reasons that they just uncovered that day too being that they require several updated inspection documents in contrast to the 3 other companies we have had insure our home here.

Bottom line is they had a slightly lower premium but once I had to get all new inspections done at my cost, the total cost was going to be significantly higher.

I asked why these policies about needing so much more than any of my past insurers wasn’t in the documentation I had go through online to receive my insurance and they did not have an answer for such.

I’m sticking with Security First Insurance. I hope this helps in your determination.

Called Universal Direct for a quote and spoke with Insurance Agent Derwin McCarthy. Derwin was extremely polite, professional, knowledgeable, and did an excellent job helping me navigate my options. Kudos to Universal Direct for having someone like Derwin on your staff. He is truly an asset to your company!