Lighthouse Insurance Company Review

Company Overview

Lighthouse Insurance Overview

IMPORTANT: As of May 28, 2022, all Lighthouse policies ceased to be effective as the insurance Corporation has gone out of business and was signed off to be liquidated. Their website is no longer user friendly. 

Founded in 2008, Lighthouse was committed to aiding families in safeguarding their homes against unexpected events. Their product offerings included a comprehensive range of policies that covered everything from flood damage to personal liability, highlighting their dedication to comprehensive protection.

• Headquarters: Austin, Texas
• Founded: 2008
• Specialization: Property insurance including homeowners, condo, and renters
• Service Area: Primarily southern states, including Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina
• Claims Response: 24/7 availability via hotline
• Customer Recommendations: 57% positive feedback on service and claims handling‍
• Coverage: cars, work place insurance, shop and house insurance.

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Although Lighthouse Insurance Company ceased operations in 2022, it had established a significant presence in the insurance industry by focusing on areas susceptible to natural disasters. Their tailored policies and proactive customer service protocols were pivotal in providing reliable home insurance coverage to many homeowners.

Products and Packages

Lighthouse Insurance Products and Packages

Lighthouse Insurance offered a diverse range of insurance products designed to meet the specific needs of homeowners, condo owners, and renters in disaster-prone areas. Their policies were structured to provide comprehensive protection against a variety of risks, including natural disasters, theft, and personal liability.

Their offerings were tailored to enhance the financial security of their clients, with flexible coverage options that could be customized to fit individual circumstances. This flexibility helped policyholders maintain adequate protection while managing the costs associated with comprehensive insurance coverage.

• Homeowners Insurance: Broad coverage for various types of property damage and liability.
• Condo Insurance: Specialized policies for condo owners, covering interior structures and common areas.
• Renters Insurance: Protects renters’ personal property and liability.‍
• Flood Insurance: Essential for residents in flood-prone areas, providing protection against water damage.

Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance from Lighthouse provided extensive coverage for damages due to fire, windstorms, hail, and other covered perils. It also offered liability coverage and additional living expenses if the home became uninhabitable after a covered event.

Condo Insurance

Condo insurance through Lighthouse included personal property protection and liability coverage. It was specifically designed to meet the unique needs of condo living, covering items not typically covered by the condo association’s master policy.

Renters Insurance

Lighthouse’s renters insurance offered financial protection for tenants' belongings, such as electronics and furniture, against theft or damage. It also provided liability coverage, which is crucial for protecting renters against claims if someone is injured in their rental unit.

Flood Insurance

Given the high risk of flooding in the areas Lighthouse served, their flood insurance was a critical offering. This policy covered damage to structures and belongings caused by floodwaters, a common exclusion in standard homeowners policies.

Pricing & Premiums

Lighthouse Insurance Premiums

Lighthouse Insurance Company, prior to its cessation, offered competitively priced insurance policies across various states. Premiums were set based on a comprehensive assessment of risk factors such as location, property type, and coverage levels, aiming to compete with other insurance companies. The company aimed to provide affordable options, balancing cost-efficiency with adequate coverage.

The financial challenges that led to the company's liquidation, including a substantial volume of claims from natural disasters and the resulting financial strain, were a testament to the volatile nature of insurance pricing in disaster-prone areas. Despite these challenges, Lighthouse Insurance strived to maintain its commitment to affordability until its operations ceased.

• Competitive Pricing: Aimed to offer cost-effective insurance solutions tailored to high-risk areas.
• Risk Assessment: Premiums calculated based on an individual’s risk profile, including geographic location and property type.‍
• Financial Challenges: Faced financial difficulties due to high claim volumes, impacting premium stability.

Discounts and Credits

Lighthouse Insurance Discounts and Offers

Lighthouse Insurance provided several discounts to help policyholders reduce their insurance premiums. These discounts catered to various customer needs, emphasizing the company's dedication to affordability and customer appreciation.

• Book Transfer Discount: Offered to new clients transferring their policies from another provider, subject to Lighthouse's pre-approval.
• Affinity Discount: Available for members of specific organizations or school districts, again requiring pre-approval.
• Companion Policy Discount: Applied when customers bundled their homeowners and auto insurance policies.
• Protective Device Discounts: Granted to homeowners who installed security systems or other protective devices in their homes.
• Golden Age Discount: For policyholders aged 55 and above who are also retired.
• Wind Mitigation Discounts: Available for homes with features that reduce wind damage, such as storm shutters.‍
• Claims Free Discount: Offered to those without non-Act of God claims in the past three years.

Eligibility & Underwriting Requirements

Eligibility & Underwriting Requirements

Before securing a policy with Lighthouse Insurance Corporation, prospective policyholders were required to meet specific eligibility criteria to ensure coverage suitability and compliance. These prerequisites ensured that policies were appropriately matched to the policyholder's circumstances and property characteristics.

• Property Inspection: Required to assess the condition and risks associated with the property.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluation of the property’s location, construction type, and susceptibility to natural disasters.
• Previous Insurance History: Review of any previous claims and insurance history to determine eligibility and premiums.‍
• Compliance with Local Regulations: Ensuring that the property meets all local building codes and regulations.

Documents Required

Securing insurance with Lighthouse required submitting several documents to confirm details about the policyholder and the insured property. These documents helped streamline the underwriting process and ensured that all pertinent information was accurately recorded.

• Proof of Ownership: Legal documents that verify the ownership of the property.
• Government-Issued ID: For identity verification of the policyholder.
• Recent Appraisal Report: To determine the current value of the property.
• Detailed Home Inventory: For contents insurance, detailing personal property and valuables within the home.
• Claims History Report: A summary of past claims to assess the risk and premium rates.

• Recent Appraisal Report: To determine the current value of the property.
• Detailed Home Inventory: For contents insurance, detailing personal property and valuables within the home.
• Claims History

Application Process

Application Process for Lighthouse Insurance Corporation

The application process for Lighthouse Insurance was designed to be straightforward and customer-friendly, ensuring potential policyholders could easily secure coverage. Initially, applicants needed to provide detailed property information and personal details through an online form or directly to an agent, facilitating a smooth start to the insurance journey.

Following the initial submission, Lighthouse Insurance typically required a property inspection to assess risks and confirm details provided in the application. This step was crucial for accurate policy customization and pricing. After approval, policy documents were issued, and coverage began, providing peace of mind to homeowners.

For those currently seeking homeowner insurance in Florida, Worth Insurance provides a streamlined application process that matches the needs of local homeowners with the right coverage options. Get started with Worth Insurance when you request a quote today, and benefit from expert advice tailored to your specific needs.

Customer Reviews & Service

Lighthouse Insurance Corporation Customer Service

Lighthouse Insurance Corporation was committed to providing accessible and responsive customer service, offering a 24/7 claims hotline to address urgent policyholder needs. They facilitated online claims filing and provided various contact options including phone, email, and a customer portal for policy management.

• 24/7 Claims Reporting: Available for emergencies and urgent inquiries.
• Multiple Contact Options:some text
  • Phone: 888-544-4885 for general inquiries and claims.
  • Email: Service@lighthouse.insurance for customer service inquiries.
  • Online Portal: Accessible for policy management and claims filing via the Lighthouse website.
• Focused on Responsiveness: Aimed to provide timely support, especially post-claim.

However, customer feedback on the quality of service has been mixed. Some customers appreciated the prompt responses, while others experienced difficulties, particularly with claim processing and service accessibility during times of high demand. This highlights the importance of evaluating an insurer's customer service reputation when considering their policies​​​​​​.

Lighthouse Insurance Customer Reviews

Our agency has been writing Lighthouse for several years. We have a lot of home insurance carriers on our books, but Lighthouse are among our very favorites. Great policies, very competitive rates, simple binding and issuing process, availability in most areas including Tier 1, and straightforward commonsense documents that are easy for customers to understand.

D

Dominic Le C.

8/19/2019

As a customer of Lighthouse, I've experienced nothing but grade A service when I had a question or concern about my policy and coverage. Additionally, as an insurance Agent in my community, it's my job to offer our clients reputable companies with quality products which they stand behind.

J

Jared C.

8/23/2019

Be ready to take some High Blood Pressure pills when you deal with this company! I paid $2,400.00 for a 2018 policy for rental home in Humble Texas. I received notice in mail that my policy was terminated 2 weeks prior. You're lucky if you get someone to help but the reason for cancellation?

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Greg G.

8/22/2019

My family member in La is in the same boat . Dealing with Ida issues . Placed a claim 60+ days ago -not one phone call from them to let her know the status of her claim . By law an insurance company must respond within 30 days max. Sent out 3 adjusters - the first 2 never showed up , the third one was like a third rate guy off the street low balled everything and second guessed my family member’s house damages .

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Vivienne B.

8/6/2023

I have been impacted by hurricane Ida and we have yet to be able to get anyone to really respond to us weeks after the adjuster was sent out. There are also multiple families who have attested that they have had no response, cannot get a hold of their adjuster, can't get any information and/or have received insanely low estimates for the damage received.

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Christin C.

8/23/2022

I have serious concerns about communications, quality control, customer service, and processing speed at Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation. Buyer beware!

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Sharon B.

8/23/2019

How to Make a Payment

How to Make a Payment to Lighthouse Insurance Corporation

Making a payment with Lighthouse Insurance was streamlined to be efficient and user-friendly, allowing policyholders to manage their payments conveniently. Customers had the option to make payments online through the insurer's website, which supported Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or credit card transactions. This process was designed to be quick, taking about 90 seconds, and confirmation of the payment was sent via email immediately after processing.

Here are the steps to make a payment:

1. Access the Payment Feature: Navigate to the payment section on Lighthouse Insurance's website.
2. Enter Payment Details: Provide your policy number and the payment amount. For credit card payments, you would need to enter your card details including the type of card, card number, expiration date, and CVC.
3. Confirmation: After submitting your payment, you would receive an email confirmation indicating that the payment has been processed.‍
4. Customer Service: If you encountered any issues or had urgent requests, contacting customer service directly could expedite the resolution.

How to File a Claim

How to File a Claim with Lighthouse Insurance Corporation

Filing a claim with Lighthouse Insurance was designed to be a straightforward process to ensure that policyholders could efficiently address their losses. Initially, it was crucial to report the claim as soon as possible after discovering the damage. This prompt action was necessary to comply with policy terms and begin the recovery process quickly.

Here's how you could typically file a claim:

1. Contact Lighthouse Insurance: Immediately after damage occurs, contact their claims department either via the 24/7 phone line or through the online customer portal server and request an answer within the day.
2. Document the Damage: Take clear photos of the damaged area and document all relevant details about the damage. Keeping a home inventory list updated would also facilitate this step.
3. Protect Further Damage: Make any necessary temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Keep receipts of these repairs as they might be reimbursable under your policy.
4. Review with Adjuster: An adjuster would typically visit your property to assess the damage and finalize the claim details based on their evaluation.

Key Competitors

Key Competitors

Lighthouse Insurance Company specializes in providing homeowners insurance, particularly in coastal regions where the risk of natural disasters like hurricanes is high. Given its focus on these high-risk areas, Lighthouse competes with a variety of insurers that also offer specialized coverage in similar regions. 

One of the key competitors is Frontline Insurance, a company that also targets coastal and high-risk properties in the Southeastern United States, including Florida. Frontline is known for its robust hurricane and flood coverage, making it a direct competitor to Lighthouse in offering protection against similar risks.

Another significant competitor is St. Johns Insurance Company, which also focuses on homeowners insurance in Florida and other Southeastern states. St. Johns has a strong market presence and offers comprehensive coverage tailored to the unique needs of homeowners in these regions. 

Additionally, TypTap Insurance, a tech-driven insurer, competes by offering innovative insurance products and a streamlined customer experience, particularly for homeowners looking for quick and efficient coverage options in hurricane-prone areas.

Southern Fidelity Insurance Company is another competitor worth noting, as it provides homeowners insurance with a focus on personalized service and strong coverage for weather-related risks. 

While companies like State Farm and Allstate are major players in the broader insurance market, Lighthouse primarily contends with these regional and specialized insurers who have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by homeowners in coastal and disaster-prone areas. 

Lighthouse’s emphasis on customer service and tailored coverage options helps it stand out in this competitive landscape.

Conclusion

Wrapping Up

While Lighthouse Insurance Corporation once offered valuable insurance solutions, especially for those in disaster-prone areas, their services are no longer available due to business closure.

For those in Florida seeking robust and reliable home insurance coverage, Worth Insurance is ready to assist. Explore comprehensive and tailored insurance solutions that fit your specific needs. Connect with Worth Insurance today to secure the protection your home deserves.