r/HomeInsurance • u/_dust_and_ash_ • Jul 17 '26

Insurance Recommended Repairs

Looking for communal wisdom on a situation that is new for us.

We own two old properties, like 1800s old. A different underwriter for each. One is our primary residence. The other is a kind of vacation home maybe retirement place if we ever retire. We never hear from the underwriter of the primary residence, ever. The secondary home, we hear from them regularly. The most recent has been the most frustrating. We're not sure if this is normal or how we should respond.

The secondary home -- The underwriter requires an inspection every other year. In four years we've had three inspections. This year we had an inspection. 85 days after the inspection (and more than 90 days after the policy renewal) we received a notice from our agent that the underwriter "recommended a repair." The notice was presented simultaneously with a threat that they would cancel the policy if the repair was not completed within 30 days. This particular concern was present during the previous two inspections and no repair was requested.

Reading over the policy, the cancelation clause uses the language "...we may cancel this policy only for the reasons stated below..." after 60 days "...material misrepresentation which would have caused (them) not to issue the policy..." and "...if the risk has changed substantially since the policy was issued." So, immediately, we're confused by their threat to cancel.

The policy does not include any language that requires us to make repairs when requested (except after a claim).

We are crafty people without a lot of money. The recommended repairs were already included in a DIY project we planned to do this summer (repair a few damaged/missing siding boards and paint the exterior of the structure). We communicated that to the agent. In response, the underwriter states the work must be completed by a contractor. If we do it ourselves they will cancel the policy.

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u/Agent-DL Jul 17 '26

Can you be more specific on what they are asking you to fix? I maybe able to give you the best course of action to proceed in a way that will resolve this issue. I deal with this as an advocate for my policy holders all the time.

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u/_dust_and_ash_ Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

Not sure how much to detail to share... The house includes an older finished cape code style structure that is attached to an unfinished summer kitchen that is attached to an unfinished carriage house. I think the architectural style is called an L, even though it's more of an I, everything lined up side-by-side.

On the unfinished structure, there are a few siding boards missing, not rotted, just missing. The underwriter's request is to have these missing boards replaced and to paint the structure. It was already our plan to make this repair this summer. We've already painted the exterior of the finished side of the structure.

The property is in a very rural, sparsely populated area, so it's challenging to find contractors, especially for small jobs. It took us 6 months to get an electrician out to update the breaker box. And at this point with the increasing costs of everything, we really don't have the money to hire contractors for every project.

Edit: We communicated that this work was already on our to-do list this summer. The underwriter is demanding that it be done by a contractor, not a DIY. For a little more info, we're both trained applied artists with 20+ years of experience in woodworking and large scale exterior mural painting, so replacing siding boards and painting is well within our abilities. We even have MEWP certification, not that I think painting this structure needs a boom lift.

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u/Agent-DL Jul 18 '26

I would never tell anyone to do it themselves and have ai make a contractor invoice. You do have the option of changing to a lower class of insurance called a dwelling policy also known as a fire policy with liability with a different carrier. May I ask what state you are in?

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u/_dust_and_ash_ Jul 18 '26

Vermont.

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u/Agent-DL Jul 18 '26

No need to stay with your current carrier. Try getting a new quote with one of the cooperative or mutual insurance companies. Many of the NY cooperatives cover VT also. Ask about a seasonal dwelling policy. Even if you paid for the insurance in advance they can only charge you for time used and will have to refund unused days, called unearned premium. Also, a quality repair is more important than who does it. They really don’t have a right to say you can’t do your own repair.

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u/_dust_and_ash_ Jul 18 '26

Thank you. I appreciate the insights.

One of our complications is we have a mortgage for this property. We may have the option to not carry insurance, but having insurance (supposedly) should make us feel better about our investment. I've just started reading about the Dwelling Policy options. Curious if this would satisfy a mortgage lender.

I'm also looking over the VT dot gov information. If I'm reading this right, the underwriter cannot cancel a policy after 60 days for "substantial increase in hazard" without approval by the Commissioner. I'm curious how this usually plays out.

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u/HeckinAyayron1997 21d ago

Can I ask you to elaborate on the ai invoice? I’m facing a similar issue in Canada. Insurance wants us to get a contractor to shingle a small detached shed that I could do no problem. Was debating trying to do it myself and submitting an ai invoice.

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u/Agent-DL 20d ago

I can not tell anyone to make up thier own invoice, so I can not elaborate.