Why does my policy have more than one deductible?

A policy commonly carries a flat deductible for most claims and a separate percentage-based wind and hail deductible in storm-exposed states like Georgia.

Does my own insurance cover me when I stay in an Airbnb or VRBO?

The host's short-term rental policy protects the host, not you. As an Airbnb or VRBO guest, your own homeowners or renters insurance usually covers your belongings and personal liability away from home, within policy limits, while travel insurance covers trip-specific risks neither the host nor your home policy will.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage regardless of cause.

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

When do we use Selective for flood coverage versus NFIP?

Selective private flood wins for Zone X and moderate AE properties where it beats NFIP on price and offers higher limits with ALE coverage.

Do coastal Alabama homeowners always need to bundle home and auto with the same carrier?

All FAQs

Quick answer: No, and often you cannot. Coastal Baldwin and Mobile county homes frequently need a specialty (surplus lines) carrier for wind exposure that standard bundle carriers will not write, so splitting home and auto across two carriers is normal there. The auto can still be placed competitively on its own. Available through Olive Cover.

Why the coast breaks the bundle

Bundling home and auto with one carrier for a discount is common inland. On the coast it often is not possible, because the standard carriers that offer bundle discounts will not write the wind exposure on Baldwin and Mobile county homes. The home then goes to a specialty (surplus lines) carrier that will cover coastal wind, and that carrier may not write auto at all.

What that means for your rates

Splitting the policies is normal and not a red flag. The coastal home is priced for its wind risk with a carrier that will cover it, and the auto policy can still be placed with a standard carrier and priced competitively on its own. The lost bundle discount is usually small next to actually having wind coverage that pays.

Example

A Gulf Shores buyer expects one carrier for home and auto. The home needs a surplus lines wind-capable carrier, so the auto stays with a standard national carrier. Two policies, both properly priced, full coverage.

The step to take

Whether a bundle is available or splitting makes more sense depends on the property and the carriers that will write the coast. A coverage review can compare both. See Alabama homeowners insurance, Alabama auto insurance, and the Alabama home-auto bundle page for more.