Sometimes the “cheaper” option costs more in headaches.
That’s been my experience too. I’m always a bit wary when it comes to insurance—sure, saving a few bucks upfront feels good, but one bad storm and suddenly you’re stuck on hold for weeks. Missouri weather is unpredictable, and honestly, I’d rather pay a little extra if it means less hassle after a claim.
I had a friend who went with a cut-rate policy and ended up regretting it big time after their basement flooded. Took months to get any payout, and by then the damage was way worse. Peace of mind isn’t easy to put a dollar value on, but for me, it’s worth the cost. I get wanting to save, but sometimes a smoother claims process is the safer bet.
I hear you on the peace of mind thing. I tried to save by switching to a budget insurer once—never again. When my roof got hail damage, the paperwork alone was a nightmare and they kept bouncing me between departments. Ended up costing more in repairs and lost time than if I’d just stuck with a reputable company. Sometimes it’s just not worth the gamble, especially around here where storms are a given.
I get where you’re coming from. I’ve been burned by “cheaper” insurance before, too, and it’s always the claims process that gets you. Here’s how it played out for me: a few years back, I went with a lesser-known company because the premium was like $200 less a year. Looked good on paper. Then a tree limb came down during one of those spring storms and took out part of my fence and shed.
First step, I called in the claim. They sent me to three different reps, each one asking for the same info—photos, receipts, even a copy of my mortgage statement for some reason. Next thing I know, weeks have gone by and nothing’s moving. Meanwhile, my backyard’s a mess and I’m getting side-eye from the neighbors.
Eventually, I just paid out of pocket to get things fixed because I couldn’t wait any longer. The check finally came months later, but it barely covered half of what I’d already spent. At that point, the “savings” from the lower premium were long gone.
Since then, I’ve stuck with bigger names—State Farm in my case—because at least when stuff hits the fan, you can usually get someone on the phone who knows what’s up. Not saying they’re perfect (I’ve had to push back on some adjuster estimates), but it’s less of a circus.
If you’re in Missouri and storms are just part of life, I’d say weigh the hassle factor as much as the price. Sometimes paying a bit more upfront is just buying yourself less stress down the line... at least that’s been my experience.
I hear you on the “cheaper isn’t always better” thing. I tried Shelter for a couple years because my neighbor swore by them, and honestly, it was fine until I actually needed them. Hail took out a chunk of my roof and a couple windows on my garage (classic car inside, so you can imagine the panic). The adjuster was polite but seemed in no hurry—took almost three weeks just to get someone out, and then another month before anything happened. Meanwhile, I’m tarping things and praying for no more rain.
State Farm’s not perfect either, but when my daily driver got sideswiped last year, they had an adjuster at my place in two days. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw with reps, but I’d rather pay a bit more if it means less time stressing about whether my stuff’s covered. Especially with Missouri weather doing its thing every spring... sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra bucks.
I’ve had a similar experience with Shelter, actually. Their rates looked great on paper, but when a windstorm took out part of my fence and a few shingles, the claims process dragged on way longer than I expected. I get that smaller companies sometimes have fewer adjusters, but when you’re dealing with unpredictable Missouri weather, waiting weeks just isn’t practical. Like you said, tarps only do so much.
State Farm’s customer service does seem more responsive, at least in my experience. I’ve had to file two claims with them—one for hail damage and another for a minor kitchen fire (don’t ask)—and both times, they sent someone out within a couple days. The premiums are a bit higher, but honestly, the faster turnaround made a big difference. Less time worrying about leaks or further damage, which is worth something.
One thing I’d add: it’s not just about the company, but also the local agent. I’ve heard from neighbors that some Shelter agents are really proactive, while others are hard to reach. Same goes for State Farm. It might be worth checking reviews for your specific area or even talking to folks nearby. Sometimes the difference comes down to who’s handling your case, not just the brand name.
I do wish there was a perfect solution—something affordable with top-notch service—but I haven’t found it yet. For now, I’m sticking with State Farm, even if it means paying a bit more. Missouri weather keeps us on our toes, and I’d rather not gamble with slow claims when the next storm rolls through.