Letters

Letter: Rising insurance rates are unsustainable

FILE PHOTO | A damaged home at Marratooka Point near New Suffolk following Hurricane Sandy.

To the editor:

I recently received my homeowners and car insurance renewals and after reviewing what I was paying I decided to shop around for better pricing. I haven’t called my current insurance provider for over 20 years yet my insurance premiums have continually increased.

The first company I called gave me a great car insurance rate, with a saving of more than $600, but they did not write homeowners policies in this Zip Code. So I called another popular company and the price I received from the little gecko for my homeowners insurance was $7,102 a year. What! If I wasn’t already sitting down, I would have fallen down.

I understand since Sandy hit New York there is lots of devastation and my prayers go out to all of those who are still suffering. Needless to say, insurance companies are trying to figure out how to share the bad news with their shareholders. But even after Sandy I never had to call my insurance company. I don’t even know their phone number.

We know that every time anyone submits a claim you and I have to make up the difference. But how in good conscience can an insurance company quote a policy for over $7,000?

My insurance broker fears the impact of Sandy and how this will affect Long Islanders in the long term. My current insurance company is not writing any homeowners’ policies on Long Island, so if they drop me and I get quotes like $7,000 or greater, I’ll have to sell my home.

Is this what we have to look forward to? Will Middle America have to give up their homes because we cannot get affordable homeowners insurance or will the value of our homes be affected because although home buyers can afford to buy a home they cannot afford the insurance? I hope not!

A relative who lives in Patchogue near a lake and is 2.5 miles from the water was recently given a quote that was affordable. So just because we live on the North Fork we’re being discriminated against by virtue of our Zip Code?

As residents we should be concerned and infuriated. What’s next?

Marie Domenici, Mattituck

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