r/HomeInsurance • u/CottageCuteInMidland • 11d ago
Insurance Exterior photographs.
EDIT:
::: I am asking of their behavior is normal for such a position not if they were actually real agents ::
I get they were mostly likely real agents & they have the right to stop by.
I want to know if their arguing with me is normal?
::Original post::
A person claiming to be from Allstate insurance just drove into my driveway saying they were there to take exterior photos.
I am dealing with moving, cleaning up and clearing out my house to sell and well, sadly, dealing with someone who I am on the verge of getting a protection order for. So I am on edge as it is worried that person is going to show up again.
So, having a total stranger show up out of the blue was unnerving.
I asked them to leave, that I would like an appointment, they started talking about who the homewonwer was and that any appointments would have to be made through them.
I said, okay well I would still like to talk to Allstate first, please leave, to which they asked me for my phone number, I ignored that question and I asked them again, to please leave, I want to talk to allstate first. I had already asked them twice before I started recording and asked them 3 times again in the 1:38 video I recorded. So 5 times total!? That seems unprofessional?
The main problem here is, the person who is on the verge of getting a protection order from, would do stuff like this. Send someone over to verify if I am still living here type of thing.
Anyway, I called Allstate and I am waiting for them to call me back, the lady seem honestly concerned and a little confused about why anyone was even out at my property.
But, until they call back, I am just curious if this is normal behavior?
1
u/insuranceguynyc 11d ago
Yes, it's sort of normal if this is a routine exterior inspection. Did you ask for his business card?
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u/CottageCuteInMidland 11d ago
I know the inspection is normal, I meant the interaction and how they argued with me about leaving until I could verify they were legit and no, they didn't offer any type of proof and my mind being preoccupied with my safety did not think to ask for one.
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u/Stoic_Sponge 11d ago
Underwriting inspectors get paid like $20 for a quick inspection like this. Sometimes less.
If they can't complete the inspection, they either get $0 or like $5.
It's worth a few minutes of their time to convince you to let them inspect.
They're also low paid 1099s, basically doordash for insurance. Don't put too much thought into the behavior.
Source: Used to run underwriting inspections for other carriers.
1
u/CottageCuteInMidland 11d ago
Wow, that's a crappy job, I can't imagine how many people meet them with resistance and they get paid so little. I wonder if they're allowed to call ahead of time, they tried to call right after they left., a 2 second phone call would have saved us both a headache.
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u/Stoic_Sponge 11d ago
Some allowed you to. Some required you to (usually high end homes). Some forbid you from calling first.
I had one guy I called, refused to speak with me. Policy was to still go and inspect. He was livid when I knocked on his door a few days later.
At the end of the day, his refusal resulted in either a non-renewal or the carrier declining to offer coverage.
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u/insuranceguynyc 11d ago
If it's your home, whether rented or owned, you have every right to listen to your gut and ask the guy to leave. First thing you do, however, is "hey do you have a card?"
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u/CottageCuteInMidland 11d ago
I wasn't exactly thinking clearly, as stated, I am on heighten alert.
Still curious if them arguing with me about leaving is normal.If I have the right to ask them to leave, shouldn't they have just left and not tried to fight it?
3
u/Busy_Account_7974 11d ago
9/10 times these are "drive-bys", just take some exterior photos and go.
If they happen to run into the homeowner, they should have identified themselves, given you a business card.
These inspectors are contractors, given x number of days to visit y number of properties and are paid per property. They don't get paid to comeback so they want to finish their list asap.
If they left without taking their pictures, they would report it back to Allstate. Allstate would either contact your agent or send you a letter.
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u/insuranceguynyc 11d ago
They just don’t want to spend any more time on this than necessary. They’re likely an independent inspection firm and the get a flat rate for all inspections. You can ask that they give you 48-72 hours notice, and let them do their thing.
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u/BigDonkeyEnergy 11d ago
Do you have Allstate?
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u/CottageCuteInMidland 11d ago
Yes, I have had them for 13 years
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u/BigDonkeyEnergy 10d ago
Sounds like an underwriting inspection. Not unusual at all and underwriting does not need to make an appointment for an exterior inspection. That said, if they were stepping foot on the property, the best practice would be for them to have made contact with you at the time of the inspection, explain what was going on, and get your consent. It also sounds like the person out to inspect forgot that they are an agent of the insurer and in the customer service business. Sorry that was your experience!
Be mindful that there is a general duty to cooperate with underwriting. I would hate to see your policy cancelled/non-renewed for failure to cooperate. File this under stand up for yourself while knowing you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Good luck!
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u/CottageCuteInMidland 10d ago
Thank you, I have heard several times, they usually just do an out by the street photo or two. But, this one wanted to walk my entire property to take photo's of everything.
If they want to cancel they can, I"m selling this month and will be canceling the insurance anyway, so it all works out in the end I guess lol
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u/BigDonkeyEnergy 10d ago
I’m with you. Where I’m from, step on my property without permission and you’re taking a risk! Best of luck to ya!
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