Menu
CB Insurance Services Review of universal property and casualty
universal property and casualty

universal property and casualty review: company will not pay for our roof to be replaced 50

R
Author of the review
12:47 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

here in jensen beach at my home, 1980 ne hoya calle, the recent tropical storm caused wind damage to our roof. Universal will not give us the necessary monies to replace our roof. it has been several months now, we still are not being given the necessary monies to have our roof replaced. we are concernedif another storm should come through, we are very concerned there will be more damage in our house as well to our roof, we already have water stained ceilings in several of our rooms and arug we just had laid, tha t's . now damp from the water getting in. It seems that we were told to do the necessary repairs so no more water could get in and cause any other water damage. in doing so, they finally sent a investigator out who of course took photos showing the patch work we were told to do. this insurance company is claiming the damage was there before, they are failing to recall even before we got them they sent out a rep, he never said there was any damages, also we had several people out and they never told us we had any damages to the roof, infact we had to have a wind mitigation done as well, and still no one told us we had any problems with the roof. So you see the most recent tropical storm which hit us mide sept caused all this extentsive roof damage which resulted water seeping in from our roof causing water damages to our rooms.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

50 comments
C
C
CCRod
, US
Jun 19, 2018 2:39 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Our law firm won a case against Universal Property & Casualty Insurance in 4/2018 for a sinkhole loss that was filed in 2009! This company accused our clients of fraud and dragged this case out for 9 years, but our clients finally will get some justice though there was a decade of torture.

I
I
Inger Douglas
, US
Nov 07, 2017 11:37 pm EST

This insurance company is killing me! I have mold/mildew coverage.. they denied claim. Hurricane sustained roof damage.. they denied. All my contents.. they denied. I begged them for help.. they lied. I have all documents that prove my claim. Universal claims the holes left in my roof from the storm, caused flooding in my home. Flood coverage not applicable. Therefore I'm denied. I thoroughly mitigated damages. I've been living in biological hazard since storm. Hospitalized with respiratory complications because of air quality. I'm looking for the best attorney in Northeast Florida. Any recommendations?

T
T
Timothy L Wright
, US
May 19, 2017 3:23 am EDT

I have renters insurance with Universal Properties. While I do live in Hawaii, my landlord required me to have renters insurance in which I have has for almost a year.
My rental home was broken into on April 4th, 2017 with a few items broken, few laptops stolen including the printer,
The garage where I have all of my mechanical tools to work on vehicles were all stolen.
Items like a air compressor, air impact wrenches, car ramp, engine hoist, test equipment, 30 plus years of hand tools and specialized tools in the removal for certain parts of a vehicle.
I even had a safe with all of my military documents, awards, pictures, birth certificates, marriage license and other important documents in the safe that got stolen.
I made a police report, contacted the insurance company that same day via email since it was a weekend. I was contacted a week later and emailed me documents that I needed to fill out and sign and fax back to them.
Having no computer to use it took a week to find someone who had Microsoft 360 and a printer to print out the documents.
Beginning of May, they asked for the police report and a sworn statement of loss and a copy of all lost and damaged items that had to be notorized.
I faced the information into them and sent them an email asking if they need anything else.
A week later they sent me a email asking for pictures, receipts, cancelled checks or credit card bills and ect...
I sent them all that I could locate and sent to them via email.
30 years of tools I am not going to have receipts for but was able to send pictures of all of my tool boxes with the tools inside and receipts from Ebay and Amazon where I could get receipts.
I just do not understand why it took 2 weeks for them to email me to show proof of ownership since I talked to them 2 weeks earlier asking them what else do they need and what I can do to help with this claim.
With all of my tools stolen, I am now in a hard spot since I can no longer do work on vehicles to make income.
All I really want from this company is to keep me up to date in a timely manor and stop treating me like I was the one who did something wrong.
Just like to have this claim processed faster then what it is now taking so that I can get back to work and actually start making income again.
For some reason, it seems like they are taking there time with my claim while at the same time I can not do any work at the time being.
I just wonder how long did it take for other people here to get their claim settled or denied.

C
C
ciara7ca
Philadelphia, US
Aug 26, 2016 2:59 pm EDT

We are new home owners and have already had to file 3 claims for issues in our home. The first was a plumbing issue where we were experiencing sewage back ups. Universal denied the claim because when they came out there was no visible damage to our property. We spent $3800 out of pocket to get that issue fixed. In getting that issue fixed, we had to have our cement pulled up and dug down. Now we have visible damage. Filed a claim for that and for some reason it has been attached to the first closed and denied claim. So when we call to check status, we get a big run around. This has been going on since May and we've sent in the repair invoice for $600.00. Now we're being told that its under review and to call back in a week. The 3rd claim is for a leak that sprung in our hallway. The adjuster came out a month ago..along with a roofer. We're being told that is under review as well. My complaint is how long it takes to accomplish these reviews. The representatives that you speak with are not well-versed in what to say to the customer, which makes it extremely difficult to get any clear-cut answers. As soon as we rap it up, we're going with someone else!

H
H
1helpme
, US
Jun 07, 2016 3:52 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They are terrible! 7 months months later I am still waiting for a fair payout from them. I am without kitchen cabinets. kitchen wall etc... I'm a prisoner. Anyone going through non payment or unfair settlement

J
J
JRdyer
, US
Jan 03, 2016 12:51 am EST

I'm currently dealing with this insurance company. I filed a claim on my roof for wind damage, and also damage done on the inside of my home. They said they was doing a partial denile of my claim. They said they would cover the roof, but not the interior of the home because they could see no visible holes in my roof. They agreed that damage was done, shingles were missing, and many were lifted from wind damage. Then they told me that with a $2500 deductabile, and a 2% on $234, 000 deductabile, with depreciation valued at $2, 800, that they wouldn't pay anything, that the payout was less than the above figures. How do they think the water started entering my home? It was fine until shingles were missing, and lifted..My policy reads that if the peril is damaged by wind or hail and causes an opening which allows rain, snow, or dust to enter, then I'm covered..I had them tell me several times that it has to be a visible hole, where they could stand on roof and see into my attic. This was also told to me, , "This is our interpretation of how your policy reads" My policy is in black and white! not to be interperatted... now they are dening renewal of my policy for the up coming 2016 year because they say I have a faulty roofing system, and damages to the inside of my home was from a compromised roof!duhhh...The wind damage was what compromised everything..the soul reason for the filing of my claim..I am currently unemployed now, and my wife barley makes enough to cover the bills..We cant afford to pay anyone for services right now, and need help! The rain keeps coming and the inside of our home is being completly ruined, I spent our last $2200 on a tin roof that covers a very small portion of our home, and now with more wind and rain damage, it still leaks in the two rooms that the tin roof covers..leaking from above it and running down..This company has to pay, what can I do?Is there any we get paid if you get paid lawyers out there?Or brobono kinds of help, Can we all team together to fight this company?Where is the help when you need it the most..is there an insurance company that covers that!

N
N
nervousnell
Spring Hill, US
Jan 02, 2014 6:25 pm EST

Our agent recommended we switch to Universal to get a better rate. After 81 days, we received a letter stating they were cancelling our policy, that our roof was in poor condition. We re shingled in 1998 at the same time when we had an inground pool installed. We did not pull a permit because we performed the work ourselves. Thisaction has come back to haunt us. Funny thing is, we just refinanced and the house passed inspection with 10-12 years left on the roof. We were not notified that we were having an inspection. My husband happened on someone trespassing on our property. We have a fenced in yard and this person left our gate open. I glad our old dog did not get out and wander off. We are supposed to get a refund check. We cannot find out how much we will be reimbursed. We cannot even find out how long it will take to receive it. We pay up front for the entire year. We had to bind coverage with another company and are going through the same B***S***. And we passed on the wind mitigation. Now we have paid for two policies. I think this another way for insurance companies to rip off the consumer. We have never filed a claim for homeowners and quite frankly, unless it was catastrophic, never would, for fear of losing our coverage. Why do these insurance companies hold so much power?

J
J
Jim the Victim
Panama City, US
Feb 23, 2013 5:10 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

UPCIC has a rep for non payment of claims. They find is cheaper to keep a 100 or so lawyers on their letterhead and to deny claims so as to keep their stock prices up. They win only by attrition as most folks give up. We had an example of a known arson housefire where UPCIC refused to pay and event went to litigation and they still won't settle. Cheaper for them to continue to set up barriers. Do not understand since they are the second worst company in Florida. Our complaints have fallen upon deaf ears. Too much political clout for common person to fight. Just know that they DO NO PAY CLAIMS. Seek insurance elsewhere.

R
R
Real talk, real life experiences
, US
Jan 23, 2013 1:22 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Just a few other things I wanted to say about my experiences with this company…hopefully my words will help someone else know what this company was really like when I was working there so someone else doesn’t have to experience what I experienced while working there.. this is one of the worst companies I have ever worked for: ONE OF THE WORST COMPANIES EVER TO WORK FOR. I believe the managers there are very inhumane, very unintelligent, and very unprofessional, and I wonder how in the world they ever became managers because they don’t manage conflicts well in terms of handling situations, but the managers there make the situations much worse than what they were originally, by not only denying what you are complaining about with the conflict, situation, or problem at work that is happening to you, they deny all this so the upper management doesn't have to look into it or fix what is happening to you, but the upper management allows its new employees to be treated in a disrespectful and disgraceful way, and condones the mistreatment of its new employees by ignoring the complaints brought to their attention by you no matter how much you try to get them to look into it and to do better by you.

This company is not a company to put any faith, belief, or value in, in regards to doing what is in the best interest of their employees. This company practices in bad faith in terms of the well-being of their new employees. THE MANAGEMENT AT THIS COMPANY IS HORRIBLE, AND MANY OF THE MANAGERS THERE THINK ON A CHILDISH LOW SKILLED LEVEL WITH DEALING WITH PROBLEMS, SO THEY SWEEP THE PROBLEMS, SITUATIONS, OR CONFLICTS UNDER THE RUG INSTEAD OF HANDLING THE ROOT OF WHY THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN THE FIRST PLACE SO THE PROBLEM, SITUATIONS, AND CONFLICTS CONTINUE TO EFFECT AND BOTHER OTHER EMPLOYEES WHO CONTINUE TO WORK THERE OR WHO ARE GOING TO START WORKING THERE IN THE FUTURE.

Very immoral and very shady principles at Universal Property and Causality, and no real ethics or values come from this company. This isn't a company to be proud to work for as the managers you are working under are very lazy and foolish. The values this company has are backwards because the values this company has is to allow new employees to get treated less than favorable, this company allows its management to treat their new employees like ###. The values of this company are as follows: to allow their new employees to be treated like trash, to not train their new employees well enough so they don’t perform or succeed in the company due to the sheer laziness and lack of skill and competency and lack of hard work of the management there, to allow the management to get away with treating the new employees like trash, and to deny things the management knows is happening between a new and an old employee so that Universal Property and Causality doesn't get in trouble or doesn't have to look into it or do anything to make things better.

A lot of the managers there have no soul, have a coward personality, have a terrible character, and have no conscience; the management there almost treats you like a puppet to pull the strings or like an ant to step on. The managers at this company should switch job positions with the cleaning people there, because the cleaning people there (the janitorial staff) are wiser, smarter, and more hardworking, helpful, and humane than most of the managers there will ever be.

This company doesn't take any ownership in the job loss of its new employee or the mistreatment of its new employee, and several times new employees have lost their jobs because of the incompetency, mistreatment, and ignorance of a manager who has been there longer than them. I feel like this company will just hire anybody, and make anybody a manager without seeing if the person is even capable mentally or skill level of being a good or quality manager or supervisor. A lot of the managers there lack mental capabilities and lack skill levels to ever be proper and adequate managers, and if the managers here went to manage at a legitimate company they wouldn't last very long. A lot of the managers need to take a conflict resolution and conflict management class to work on the mistreatment and gossip about new employees who just started working there. So much gossip happens at this company, and it reminds me of high school, where gossip and bullying from the popular kids gets people ahead of the group and bullies are idolized.

Denying problems with old employees and new employees is the way this company works: if this company denies it is happening, there is nothing for them to look into, this company can just cover it up and hide the mistreatment of the new employee by terminating them and hiring someone else, and get away with it (they have done this a couple of times to new employees), just like this company denies its insured’s claims when they know they should be covering their insured’s claims, and then this company covers up their shady and dishonest deeds by saying they can’t cover their insured’s’ because it is something not covered in their insurance policy. This company looks for any way to not pay an insurance claim, and this company is driven by greed, this company is not driven to help its insured’s, rather they are concerned with making a profit at any and all cost. See this company is shady not just in how they treat their insured’s, but how they treat their employees too especially if you are new there. Lots of cover ups. Lots of deceit. Lots of dishonest practices. This company is the total opposite of a what a genuine and real, legitimate company ought to be.

This company solves problems with old and new employees by terminating the new employee even though the old employee is the one in the wrongdoing. Lots of abuse of power with the old employees and managers. A new employee almost has to compromise his or her values or beliefs to keep a job with this company. This company is not looking to benefit or better its new employee’s life in any way. You have to keep your mouth shut about things as a new employee if you want to keep your job, even if you are treated in a despicable way. A lot of the old employees and managers there are followers, and will do whatever they are being told even if it is wrong and they know it is wrong just to stay employed.

I think there is something wrong with some of the managers thinking there, it seems like some of them are off balance or uneasy or unsettled in their moods, you could even prove a manager is in the wrong and not doing their job like they ought to and the upper management there will allow it to happen with no conscious thought to mind, like it is normal to allow managers to be unethical, unprofessional, lazy, dishonest, rude, and disrespectful.

Also, another thing about this company is the managers live in a state of denial in regards to their old employees being no good. An old employee can bully, mistreat, not train, or belittle a new employee and the old employee is never penalized...It is almost like the old employee or manager who treats the new employee like crap is seen as the victim or praised for being trashy or class-less…
With all that said, this company is underhanded, sneaky, and dishonorable…I wish I had Googled the name of this company before I worked for them and read all of the reviews on here, because if I DID I WOULD HAVE NEVER WORKED FOR THEM…I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WRITING THE REVIEWS ON HERE ABOUT THIS COMPANY ON COMPLAINTSBOARD ARE TELLING THE TRUTH, BECAUSE OF WHAT I SAW AND HEARD WHILE I WORKED THERE, A LOT OF WHAT IS SAID HERE, CONFIRMS MY FEELINGS AND BELIEFS OF THE COMPANY WHILE I WORKED THERE…THIS COMPANY IS VERY SKETCHY, KIND OF LIKE MYSTERIOUS AND STRANGE, AND JUST NOT QUALITY…

ACCORDING TO THE OTHER REVIEWS HERE, IF THIS COMPANY TREATS ITS CURRENT INSUREDS LIKE THIS, IMAGINE HOW THIS COMPANY TREATS ITS CURRENT EMPLOYEES? JUST AS WORSE IF NOT EVEN MORE WORSE…HOW PEOPLE TREAT THEIR EMPLOYEES AND ITS INSUREDS IS AN INDICATOR OF HOW THEY WILL TREAT FUTURE PEOPLE TO COME…WHETHER FUTURE INSUREDS OR FUTURE EMPLOYEES…

WHEN YOU SEE THE WORD UNIVERSAL FOR THIS COMPANY, AND THEN THE ELEPHANT YOU THINK A WORLDLY DIVERSE ETHICAL INSURANCE COMPANY, THAT REACHES OVER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PEOPLE AND EMBRACES THEM BY WORKING UNIVERSAL (WIDE AND FAR TO DIFFERENT REGIONS OF PEOPLE), BUT THE COMPANY IS SO MUCH FURTHER THAN WHAT THEY CLAIM TO BE…I FEEL THE COMPANY IS VERY MISLEADING NOT JUST TO ITS INSUREDS BUT TO NEW EMPLOYEES, LIKE MYSELF WHEN I WAS THERE…WHAT A WASTE OF TIME.

R
R
Real talk, real life experiences
, US
Jan 05, 2013 12:58 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I was reading everyone's experiences on this insurance company, and to be honest, I am not that surprised at all. None of us are nuts, this is how this company truly is, you are not nuts if you are speaking about your experiences with this insurance company, you are stating facts and your opinions as well. This company is very immoral, unjust, unfair, and unethical, and just because we say this company is such a way doesn't mean we are nuts, crazy, or stalkers. If you are writing complaints on complaintsboard you are not a stalker, because you are not following or threatening or frightening anyone, you are just complaining on your experience with this company. Also a person can rant on complaintsboard and Facebook, you can complain on both sites or one or the other, but the complaints of all the people on this insurance company on here seem legitimate to me especially given I worked for this company and I saw and heard a lot of not that great things. As far as my experiences with Universal Property and Causality, I worked there and it's not a good company to work for or get insurance with. I honestly believe this company doesn't care about it's insureds, and I honesty believe this company doesn't care about filling the claims of their insureds with the money they need for the damages to their homes. I think this company is not to be trusted, and it is very shady, very immoral, very dishonest, very deceitful, and very unethical, and I think this company doesn't care if it is such a way or doesn't care what people believe or think of them as long as they are getting money or as long as they can get away with what they are doing. When I worked for this company, I had to learn things on my own, nothing was really explained to me, and you see people come and go hired, and some fired (those fired for any reason or no really creditable reason). I think the employees are treated not that good, and neither are the insureds. I think you are a number not a person they respect or care for, you are just someone to make them money. When you speak up about things going on at work, you are given vague, not good answers, you are ignored, they don't really believe or care what you have to say because this company and some of the managers there feel they are so right all the time, and you are wrong whether you are a new employee or old employee. New employees get treated the worse, as you are not believed over an employee who has been there longer than you. You can be bullied, disrespected, discriminated at work, and nothing is ever done even if you speak up about it, they just deny it, and you lose your job. I would say this isn't a company even worth wasting time on, this isn't a company worth wasting money on, and this isn't a company worth working for. There are so many great opportunities out there where you can be appreciated and valued, and you will be listened to, heard, and respected, and here it's just not the case.

J
J
Jenn23
Helena, US
Nov 29, 2012 1:49 am EST

You people are ###ing nuts. I agree with CaryGrant. Go rant on Facebook, not a legitimate forum. FYI, you totally sound lika a crazy stalker. Look out CaryGrant! Behind you!

S
S
SEPisc
, US
Oct 07, 2012 6:51 am EDT

Great. I have a claim just submitted with them. Cabinets in the kitchen buckled from water damage. Need a new roof. So glad my ex husband chose this company when I am left to pay for this!

J
J
JRLM
, US
Sep 27, 2012 11:02 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Extremely shady and deceitful. Paid my insurance for the past three years. Now that I filed a claim for some ceiling damages due to what they claim as wind driven rain, They're suddenly dropping me. Claims the roof needs to be replaced. Well what was the purpose of having/paying insurance. I haven't as yet received any compensation. Spoke to everyone from top to bottom and all I get is the runaround. The amount of money I paid for the past few years could have been well spent on a new roof. Odd thing is they say the roof is original. They've sent out their own mitigation group to evaluate the home when i first joined them. My home was build in 83. the mitigation group claims the roof was replaced in 01 in their inspection report.. This only makes the roof 11 years old. I went up with a roofer yesterday to evaluate and estimate. The roofer discovered that there's actually two layers of roof. One on-top of the other. Someone just sits in the office, looks at the report from the adjuster on the claim, and just decides to drop me. There should be some kind of law to protect consumers like this. They need to be slapped with a big law suit.

Paula Taylor pensacola
Paula Taylor pensacola
Pensacola, US
Jul 09, 2012 5:09 pm EDT

June 9th 2012 we had bad rain and flooding in Pensacola with wind driven rain I have been waiting tell today to hear from Universal Property and Causality Insurance Company to finish my claim. Well it was denied, I guess you have to do maintenance on your roof, I have never heard of that. I have only had this roof on this house since 2005 and it is still in very good conduction and the roofers I have had out here and their adjuster say the same thing. They say the roof is leaking because of the wind driven rain. I'm now going to have to fight for my roof to be replaced because now when it rains it is just leaking like crazy in the back of my house. I pay good money for insurance and dam it when I need it they are not there for me. I have talked to my agent today and she is going to contact them, because I just had my house appraised 3 months ago and they said my roof was in great conduction What am I to do?.

C
C
CCPEEDOFF
OCALA, US
Nov 11, 2011 12:34 pm EST

I filed a claim 3 months ago for a tree that fell from an adjoing property not owned by me. I was paid 569.72 cents with no problem, then a neighbors tree was struck by lightning and fell and damaged my fence and landed on my riding mower. I was unable to contact the adjuster that they sent out and then I received a notice that they are canceling my policy due to change of risk, failure to mitigate damages and for not repairing damages. I am not sure whatt to do about this. Is it legal. Meanwhile my last claim is somewhere at their office being denied due to my failure to mitigate! I have not received one piece of mail or phone call concerning this calim and when I call I am transferred from on person to another. The agent is not much help either. I am now shopping for new insurance which is almost like searching for gold in an ocean. I had this insurance for 7 years, can't believe how they can get away with this.

T
T
TWW Law
Pensacola, US
Jun 30, 2011 3:50 pm EDT

I have litigated insurance claims against every company that does business in Florida. Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company is by far the worst insurance company out there when it comes to denying claims or low balling their insureds. Beware of the red elephant.

A
A
AventuraGuy
Hallandale Beach, US
Apr 12, 2011 1:31 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

After filing my claim, their customer service was bordering on rude. The agent told me first ti fix the damage and then call them. After I told him that that sounded strange, he became paranoid and asked if I was taping him. I was not, he was simply on speaker. He then transferred me to the supervisor who accused me of trying to get them to redo my bathroom simply because I wanted to refurbish. This deduction was due to his opinion after viewing my house decor and the damaged bathroom. In the end, they sent THEIR plumber who agreed with them that the damage was due to age and was not covered in my policy which was the most expensive and covered all. Stay away!

Claim Concepts
Claim Concepts
Jupiter, US
Apr 12, 2011 11:06 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We have assisted several homeowners in recovering what they are entitled to with this and many other insurance companies. After reading many of these comments I have to say that there is a Policy and many policies are different. Handling your insurance claim without the representation of a professional is similar to hiring the IRS to prepare your taxes, whose best interest are they going to worry about. As much as you may have had problems getting what you deserve, I can tell you that you most likely have a good policy that offers you much protection if you know how to properly present your loss to your insurance company. I am a State Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster and I would like to offer anyone on here a free claim evaluation where I can explain different options available to you under your policy.
For more information on how we can help you please visit http://www.claimconcepts.com or call [protected].
http://bit.ly/i9sNkn

S
S
ss723
Indiantown, US
Mar 18, 2011 2:55 pm EDT

I have Universal now and policy is up for renewal next month. They sent me a renewal notice with a 25% increase over last year so I am shopping for new company. I was with Univerdal 2 years ago for 1 year and then they non-renewed me to "limit their hurricane exposure." Last year, my new agent wrote my policy with them again. I told her I had been non-renewed by them 2 yrs ago. She said "no problem." Recently I was told by another agent that according to "agent guidelines, " if you have been non-renewed you cannot go back with the same comapny and further that if I had a loss, it wouldn't have been covered, unless my agent had sent them a special letter requesting acceptance in light of the fact that I had previously been on-renewed and I'm sure she didn't. So, which agent is right? And the same agent that wrote me the 2nd time with Universal flat out refused to contact them when they rejected my Wind Mitigation Report and added $1, 900 back into my premium because they said the inspection wasn't done by a qualified inspector...and Universal waited to do this until after I paid them 50% of the premium. I did the inspection through "MySafeFlorida" and found the inspectors name on their website. I even faxed all of this proof over to the agent but she still refused to contact them - I think she was afraid of them for some reason. So I called them and luckily got a real nice cust svc rep who listened to me and went online to MySafeFlorida and found the inspectors name and gave me back the $1, 900 credit. After reading all of the reviews above, I definitely would not go with Universal again anyway. Unfortunately, I probably paid a whole year premium for nothing - just lucky nothing happened. How can the average guy know what company and/or agent to trust when entrusting their most valuable possession to them? I just saw a special on TV about Universal buying two custom choppers from Orange County Choppers - guess our premiums paid for them since they never pay out on any claims. These people should be run out of town!

A
A
AventuraGuy
Hallandale Beach, US
Feb 22, 2011 2:22 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am also dealing with these people. They were rude to me on the phone, and actually accused me of trying to get them to redo my bathroom. I am still waiting on someone to call me. They sent their adjuster who said there is serious water damage. My plumber came and said there is serious water damage in the bathroom and further sent them a fax. They then sent their plumber who told me not to use the shower area. Since then, I have not heard back from them. Stay away, this company is not user friendly at all.

P
P
Professional Adjusters South INC
Miami, US
Jan 25, 2011 7:14 pm EST

As an employee of a public adjusting firm, we deal with this company on a regular basis. I can tell you from experience that they will NOT pay you, or fail to pay the fair replacement value in any of their claims, period. He have successfully helped many of our clients to claim and get paid the adequate fair replacement costs when damages have been covered by their policy. I would not recommend making a claim by yourself, or with your agent. As agents lose commission base when they have claims on policies they have written for insurance companies. Hire a public adjuster, even if it is not our firm, get the help of a state licensed professional that knows what, when, where, why, and how to proceed with the claims in Florida.
A message from Professional Adjusters South, INC.
You may contact my with any questions at [protected]

Accredited Public Adjusters, LLC
Accredited Public Adjusters, LLC
Fort Pierce, US
Nov 18, 2010 8:47 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

In my opinion this is the norm. for UPCIC, we stay in business on the claims they deny and to date we have been very successful in turning all of them around. The insured is at a large disadvantage due to the fact policy language is written by insurance company lawyers and in most cases makes little sense to the average Joe. I have seen this no coverage denial letter often and in most cases it states incorrect language regarding the cover peril. Accredited Public Adjusters has been very successful in getting claims paid after denials have been given, so call us you have five years to reopen a claim. If we can’t get you paid, our time and efforts are free. We have a no fee guarantee, no recovery no fees. www.apublicadjuster.net

View 0 more photos
F
F
furgason01
port saint lucie, US
Nov 17, 2010 1:30 am EST

Oh NO. I have toxic mold in my house do to a water leak. I talk to the insurance company and they told me to get the cabinets out of the house and to stay some where and they would pay us . JOKE. I cant even get any money out of them to to replace anything . this mold was proven TOXIN., they are dragging there feet. ANyone no of a good lawyer.

I
I
Immensely Concerned
Cocoa, US
Oct 23, 2010 9:07 am EDT

To all those who are dealing with Universal Prop.& Caus., I am a State Cert. Contractor, presently working on a claim, the ins. co adjustment paid " x" amount on the claim until I got involved, so far I have got them to pay 3x, and my bill to them is nearly 6x, and my attorney is getting the rest for my company. He does not chg. me or the homeowner..The losing party(Ins. Co.) pays the attorney ...THERE IS HELP FOR ALL OF YOU DEALING WITH THIS INS. CO. YOU CAN HIRE A PRIVATE ADJUSTER, AN ATTORNEY, AND A CONSTRUCTION CO...MY ADVISE IS CONTACT A STATE CERT. CONSTRUCTION CO. THAT DEALS WITH INS. CLAIMS--THEY SHOULD HELP YOU IN REBUILDING AND KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THE INS. CO...Make sure they use Xactiamate Ins. est. software.

I
I
Immensely Concerned
Cocoa, US
Oct 23, 2010 8:19 am EDT

To all people who are dealing with Universal Property and Causalty Ins. Co.---Get in touch with a construction co. that specializes in ins. work for all your structural damages. Make sure they use Xactimate software-( an ins.adjustment program that is updated monthly). You may pay for a public adjuster, and then have to pay again for a construction co. to repair the damages. The construction co. should have a form called "Assignment of Insurance Rights", this form has the construction co. deal directly with the ins. co. for proper repair. MAKE SURE THE CONSTRUCTION CO. IS STATE CERTIFIED.

I
I
Immensely Concerned
Cocoa, US
Oct 23, 2010 6:49 am EDT

I am a building contractor and agree with all the above complaints. The job I am doing now has in the adjustment take down 212 sq. ft. of drywall and put back 112 sq.ft. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?
AND A WHOLE LOT OTHER MISTAKES AND OMMISSIONS...What amazes me is HOW the STATE of FLA. lets them stay in business...I have an attorney, working on the case so I can get paid for repairing a home...IT IS HARD TO RUN A COMPANY WHEN you are given 60% and you have to wait 3 mos. for the other 40%...YOU GOT TO WONDER HOW THESE PEOPLE SLEEP AT NIGHT...DO THEY EVEN HAVE A CONSCIENCE

W
W
Wind-Inspector
hutchinsong island, US
Sep 11, 2010 8:23 am EDT

UNIVERSAL INSURANCE AND WIND MITIGATION FORMS
The State of Forida laws and the Officie of Insurnace Regulation rules state that; if a homeowner gets a wind mitigation inspection form, completed by a qualified individual, the insurance company is to provide a discount for each satisfactory mitigation feature that is listed on the form for the wind portion of an insurance policy. (there are nine features listed on the inspection form...) Pictures are required to verify the infomation that is listed on the form...

The level of discount is based on each individual catagory of mitigation feature and their percentage varies with each feature.
Example: A perfect form with all features listed would provide 100% of the discount that is available to the policy holder... However, the most important feature, opening protection (shutters) is only valued at 15%, where the difference between a "hip" roof and a "gable" roof only makes up 7% of the discount...

Now, Universal is currently denying the entire Wind Mitigation discount if their underwriter determines the photographs are not clear enough if they "can't tell" what feature the photograph represents. (IE: the tie down strap is not clearly visible.)

To make it more clear, State Law requires an insurance company to provide a discount on the wind portion of a homeowner's policy for the features that are listed on the form, and, if there is one mitigation feature that is not in evidence, THAT feature does not receive its portion of the discount. But, the rest of the features on the form are still to be considered.

Universal Insurance is commiting a violation of State Law (and thus Insurance Fraud) by denying the entire Mitigation discount to it's policy holders who have submitted a properly completed Wind Mitigation form that has been signed by a qualified inspector!

D
D
daisy7630
bonifay, US
Jul 20, 2010 5:34 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Exactly i have seen where hundreds of people are having to sue,
I still have not gotten a thing from them they wont even give a written reason as to why they wont pay, i had to borrow money to gut and rebuild, just the shell of the house so we would have a place to live i couldnt afford the camper rental and a huge house payment, we have nothing, no kitchen 1 bathroom no interior doors, nothing this is honestly a nightmare, STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!

L
L
LJSMILES
Clearwater Beach, US
Jul 15, 2010 11:31 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Universal Ins. Company left me with nothing for over 10 months after my home burnt to the ground. 18 months later and thousnads of dollars with a laywer...I am still trying to get the rest of my policy paid to finish my rebuild.My agent would not do anything for me.

D
D
daisy7630
bonifay, US
Jul 12, 2010 3:16 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

well the adjsuter i hired is very good, he is supposed to be the best here in northwest florida, and i felt 15% is high, but for 10 months i have lived in a 18ft camper with 3 kids 4 if you include the ol man, i dont care what they charge i just want some help and i looked it up at the court house this insurance company has around 200 open lawsuits, and that is just here!

G
G
George George George
West Palm Beach, US
Jul 12, 2010 11:15 am EDT

...and 15% is too much to pay for an adjuster if they are reputable.

G
G
George George George
West Palm Beach, US
Jul 12, 2010 11:12 am EDT

By using the services of our own adjuster to deal with the insurance company, we got everything that was owed to us. Yes, this insurance company tried to drag this on for a couple of months, but they did eventually pay. I guess we had a very good adjuster to represent us. Had we not hired our own, I am sure that we would have been completely ripped-off by the insurance company.

D
D
daisy7630
bonifay, US
Jul 12, 2010 9:44 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have hired a public adjuster (15%) and still had to hire a lawyer our lawyer just added our kids as plaintiffs and we got a letter from the insurance company that the kids are not policy holders and they would not have covered anything of theirs anyway?
here we are going on 19 months and they will not give a written reason why they aren't paying, we have went to 4 depos for them all over florida one was 130 miles away and still nothing. a month after they fire they even told us to hire a fire restoration company their adjuster even talked to the company set up the packing and inventory but once they company came out packed out and took anything that was savable that is when they said hey we aren't paying so anything we had left is in a storage building we cant get because the company has not been paid so we lost everything! they WILL rip you off !I pay 2, 000 a year for insurance its only for 120 structure and 60 contents its not for this massive amount .they DON'T PAY !

View 0 more photos
G
G
George George George
West Palm Beach, US
Jul 12, 2010 8:39 am EDT

THE KEY WHENEVER DEALING WITH THIS COMPANY IS TO HIRE AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ADJUSTER who will represent you, deal with the company for you, and make sure that you get everything that you are entitled to. Trying to deal with the insurance company through your agent is also a waste of time.

The adjuster that you hire to represent you will charge you about 10%, but it is worth every penny.

Insurance companies, like this one for instance, hate public adjusters representing policy holders. The insurance companies cannot take advantage of a professional adjuster the way that they routinely take advantage of policy holders.

(No, I am not an adjuster, just a policy holder who, at the suggestion from a caring friend, hired one when there was a problem... and am I ever glad I did!)

M
M
mshowen
Miami, US
Jul 01, 2010 10:21 am EDT

Without going into lengthy boring details, I will say this: Stay away from Universal Property and Casualty.
Their service is horrific. This company will blindly steal from you, and they are very difficult to deal with. Quite frankly, I am very surprised they're still in business. I had to file a complaint with the Insurance Commissioners Office and order to deal with them. Stay away from them and save yourselves a lot of frustration and headaches.

J
J
JB7
Miami Beach, US
Jun 22, 2010 10:41 am EDT

MWSclaims,

What points am I wrong on? I only made one point. That point is Wear and tear is not covered under any policy. Read the policy and you will know this. That I am for sure about and I can post it here if you would like. Secondly Ordinance or Law is NOT included at 25% on every policy some include it at 10% some at 0% and exclude the coverage. I know because I represent companies that offer 0% 10% 25% and some even at 50%. However, if you have a roof thats too old. The insurance company has the right to not pay it and they will deny the claim for wear and tear. I have seen it SEVERAL times. You may THINK I am wrong, but I have been doing this for quite some time now and have SEEN claims denied for the wear and tear exclusion. Its not common, as in Florida your roof won't last long enough for it to come up, but if you have a home built in 1980 with the original roof, your claim will get denied most likely. Don't take my word for it though feel free to wait until it happens.

Your second point is that a roof too old wouldn't qualify for discounts. Your right and I didn't say anything about that, so how was Iwrong about that?

Your third point is reitterating what I said, how is that wrong?

Sounds to me that you agree with me except for the wear and tear point. Which I just pulled out a policy and read that exclusion so I know I am right on that.

Oh and by the way Universal writes policies on an ACV basis (for their HO8 policies) unless you add the RC endorsement. If thats the case the roof isn't covered at the full value, only the depreciated value.

jd1234,
Back up what you say and provide proof of your comments. Fraudulent agents don't stay in the business as long as I have. ;)

J
J
JMiracle
, US
May 31, 2018 6:00 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of JB7

JB7,
If you will, please reveal the company that insures your home, with a copy of all policy pages. Obviously your policy is worded to your home's advantage. The rest of us that have Universal Property & Casualty, have been loyal clients to a company who does not have our best interests at heart. We are in a claims situation with Universal also. This will be the first time we have made a claim since becoming insured with Universal in 18 years. This year at $1700.00 will continue to insure our 700 sq. ft. home. Remember what I said "18"YEARS!

Miracle

D
D
daisy7630
bonifay, US
Jun 13, 2010 1:45 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

im having a problem with universal property and casualty also, my house caught fire jan 2 2009, nad we had to wait a week for the adjuster who then sealed the house for the fire forensic team had to wait another week for them, they found what caused the fire a short in the air cleaner, then we get a letter saying they arnt going to pay because of a error on the application for insurance (which we didnt sign ) someone else did someone from their company forged our name on this paper, (it wasnt our agent either)our attorney proved this, and here we are 18 months later waiting to go to court, they have come up with every excuse in the book we lost everything, we have 3 small children and we have had to borrow money just to get the house liveable we have no heat no ac, no kitchen cabinets, no flooring, and still they wont pay, they are a joke avoid them at all costs, its better to pay a little more then end up like us its a pure nightmare

J
J
jd1234
Ft. Myers, US
May 10, 2010 7:10 pm EDT

JB7 is a fraudulant insurance agent pretending to show some level of expertise. Please stop posting unhelpful posts for people that get screwed by the insurance industry.

I
I
Ivabigun
, US
May 08, 2010 10:31 pm EDT

almost every policy in the country is write by ISO, the insurance service organization. coverage A is the dwelling and you are to received replacment cost of the roof if damaged. not patched or repaired but replaced. when it come to claims you should work with the claims dept and also hire tourself a Public adjuster. They work for you and will get everything you are entiled to. Remeber Replacement cost for the roof not the cost to repair a few tiles. I know a man who was offered $3500 for a water damge claim the public adjusted got him $60, 000. They had to replace all the floors and the wood and sheet rock etc. Quite a difference hey?

Trust me.

M
M
mwsclaims
, US
May 02, 2010 11:01 am EDT

JB7
You are quite wrong on a few points,

first if the roof is damaged by wind over 25% of the roof then entire roof has to be brought up to code in the state of Florida and every homeowners policy in florida has code up grade or ordinace and law coverage. does not matter if the entire roof is suffering from wear and tear if the roof has wind damage which can not be repaired due to condtion of the roof the insurance company buys the entire roof.

2nd yes the wind mitigation form is to verify if the roof is up to code or not but a roof which is worn out is not up to code and therefore would have not qualified for the mitigation discount.

Finaly while the agent is not an adjuster there is a relationship with the company and the agent and the agent can bring pressure on the company to work with the insured. (maybe not a lot but it does help)