On a recent Monday morning, lifelong Mattituck resident Peter Swahn got in his car and began driving toward Riverhead. His intended destination was his eponymous insurance agency, which had called 310 East Main St. home since 1962.
Tag: Insurance
I was disturbed to read two health-related articles in the News-Review last week: one involving the charges against and the other concerning the state’s shutdown of Health Republic, an insurance company. READ
Sid Smith, who captains The Merit fishing boat out of Greenport, believes he’s being punished by village officials for being outspoken over issues concerning the village. He was told to vacate the railroad dock earlier this year for not having enough insurance. (Credit: Paul Squire)
At a recent Greenport code committee meeting, village officials floated the idea of increasing marine insurance requirements for commercial boat owners who keep vessels at the railroad dock.
But committee members — including Mayor David Nyce and village attorney Joseph Prokop — balked at the proposal, which would raise the minimum required coverage from $1 million to $2 million. (more…)
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
To read more letters to the editor, pick up a copy of this week’s Suffolk Times or click on the E-Paper.