Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Review January 2024 (2024)

Pros

  • Coverage available in typically hard to insure areas
  • Strong track record of paying claims
  • Financial stability as evidence by an A rating
  • Specialized knowledge of coastal communities
  • 24/7 online claims process

Cons

  • Coverage not available in all 50 states
  • Difficult to secure multi-policy bundling discounts

Who Is University and Property Casualty?

Founded in 1997, Universal Property & Casualty got its start in Florida. This state is one of the most difficult and expensive to insure.

New legislation about property insurance, the prevalence of hurricanes, and growing instances of insurance fraud have all combined to make Florida one of the most expensive states to insure.

Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Review January 2024 (1)

Policies are often double that of the national average.

It was in this challenging environment that UPCIC entered the marketplace.

Fast forward 20 plus years later, and University Property and Casualty now covers 18 states and serves 800,000 customers.

The company is owned by Universal Insurance Holdings, which is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

The existence of a parent company can be thought of as providing stability, credibility, and accountability, which is a necessary trust factor when it comes to insuring your home.

You can be confident that a publicly-traded company won’t try to scam you or rip you off!

The one potential downside is that consumers could end up paying higher premiums or having less generous claim compensation if the company’s stockholders value profit over service.

To minimize this concern, we found that UPCIC is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. Further, they have an A Financial Stability Rating from Demotech.

THE SIMPLY INSURANCE WAY

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Get unbiased insurance education from licensed experts and also avoid dodgy sales calls.

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Coverage in minutes.

You can get home insurance coverage within minutes of getting your quotes and applying.

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What Makes University and Property Casualty Insurance Different?

Because University Property and Casualty is owned by such a large parent entity, the company has been able to provide services that a smaller company wouldn’t have the resources to create or manage.

For example, UPCIC has a platform called Universal Direct that allows consumers to get a quote online without having to be bombarded by independent agents.

We know how annoying it can be to shop for insurance and get dozens of phone calls for weeks on end just because you made a simple inquiry.

Once you find the coverage that best suits your needs, you can purchase it on the spot without having to speak with an agent! Of course, that option is still available for you if you’d like it.

INSURANCE WHERE YOU LIVE

Home insurance by state.

Features & Benefits

Universal Property and Casualty offers a full suite of coverage options at competitive pricing.

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, landlord, or HOA association, you can secure coverage for what matters most.

Customized Coverage

Universal Property and Casualty gives you options to pay only for what you need without having to pay for coverage that isn’t relevant to your situation.

They also have generous discounts available for senior citizen occupants, loyalty, burglar and fire alarms, reinforced shutters, and more.

Fast Track

One of the biggest complaints against home insurance companies is how long they take to process claims.

With the Fast Track feature, customers have their claims processed and paid on the spot.

Online Quotes

Getting home insurance quotes can be a nightmare.

In general, there’s not a lot of transparency. In most cases, you won’t know what a quote costs or what it includes until you talk to an insurance broker or agent.

With University Property and Casualty, you can get an instant online quote and even chat with an online agent for immediate assistance.

As you go through the process, you can customize your coverage and use the prepopulated coverage fields to get a baseline reference for potential coverage.

One of our favorite features of the online quote tool is seeing how the premium is affected for each adjustment you make to your potential coverage.

Mobile App

Every policy comes with a free smartphone app for iOS and Android devices. You can track your claim, manage your policies, and pay your bills with ease.

GET A HOME INSURANCE QUOTE FROM UNIVERSAL PROPERTY

Product Availability

Currently, University Property and Casualty offers coverage in 18 states:

  • Alabama
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia

THE SIMPLY INSURANCE WAY

Home Insurance made easy.

Agents not required.

Get quotes and sign up online without talking to an agent. But, we are here if you need us.

Unbiased, expert advice.

Get unbiased insurance education from licensed experts and also avoid dodgy sales calls.

GET INSTANT QUOTES

Coverage in minutes.

You can get home insurance coverage within minutes of getting your quotes and applying.

GET INSTANT QUOTES

Claims Process & Guarantee

Current policyholders can choose from two methods to file a claim:

  • Online via a policyholder portal
  • Over the telephone by dialing 800-425-9113 (business hours only)

To ensure your claim gets processed speedily, UPCIC gives you a framework and instructions so that you know what information you need to provide.

This includes taking photos of your property and not discarding anything until an adjuster can evaluate the damage.

Here’s a pro tip: make sure you are honest and upfront in the beginning or risk having your claim denied.

For example, in some locations, University Property and Casualty does not insure homes that use portable heating as it’s deemed a major safety hazard and source of home fires.

If you do use portable heat, you may be ineligible for coverage.

If you say you don’t use portable heat and then try to file a claim after a house fire caused by a portable heater, your claim will likely be denied.

GET A HOME INSURANCE QUOTE FROM UNIVERSAL PROPERTY

Taking Action

Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company has been criticized in the past for having high rates and not having ample choices for bundling discounts.

While it’s true that they don’t have life insurance policies, for example, they have added auto insurance to their portfolio.

Even if you don’t ultimately choose UPCIC, we strongly recommend going through their automated quote process.

You’ll be able to see how different preferences affect your overall rate. From there, you can compare policies from a variety of companies.

Don’t be surprised if UPCIC has the best price! Click here to get started.

Greetings, I'm an insurance industry enthusiast with a proven track record of in-depth knowledge and expertise. Over the years, I've delved into various aspects of the insurance landscape, from coverage options to claims processes, and I've closely followed the evolution of companies like University Property & Casualty (UPCIC).

Now, let's dive into the concepts and information presented in the article about University Property & Casualty:

1. Background of University Property & Casualty (UPCIC):

  • Establishment: Founded in 1997 in Florida.
  • Coverage Expansion: Originally starting in Florida, UPCIC now operates in 18 states, covering 800,000 customers.
  • Parent Company: Owned by Universal Insurance Holdings, a publicly-traded company on the New York Stock Exchange, providing stability and credibility.

2. Pros and Cons of University Property & Casualty:

  • Pros:

    • Coverage in Hard-to-Insure Areas: Specialized in typically challenging areas.
    • Claim Payment Track Record: Strong history of paying claims.
    • Financial Stability: A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, A Financial Stability Rating from Demotech.
    • Specialization: Focus on coastal communities.
    • 24/7 Online Claims Process: Convenient for customers.
  • Cons:

    • Limited Coverage: Not available in all 50 states.
    • Bundling Challenges: Difficulty in securing multi-policy bundling discounts.

3. Unique Aspects of University Property & Casualty:

  • Parent Company Benefits: Owning a large parent entity (Universal Insurance Holdings) enables UPCIC to provide services and resources that smaller companies might lack.
  • Universal Direct Platform: Offers an online quoting platform (Universal Direct) to simplify the purchasing process, allowing consumers to get quotes online without being overwhelmed by agents.

4. Insurance Offerings and Features:

  • Coverage Options: Homeowner, renter, landlord, and HOA association coverage.
  • Customized Coverage: Options to pay only for necessary coverage, with discounts for various factors like senior citizen occupants, loyalty, alarms, and more.
  • Fast Track: Claims processed and paid on the spot to address a common complaint against home insurance companies.
  • Online Quotes: Instant online quotes with transparency and the ability to customize coverage.
  • Mobile App: Every policy includes a free smartphone app for easy policy management.

5. Product Availability:

  • UPCIC currently offers coverage in 18 states, including Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

6. Claims Process & Guarantee:

  • Claim Filing Options: Policyholders can file claims online through a portal or over the telephone during business hours.
  • Claim Instructions: Clear framework and instructions provided to expedite claim processing.
  • Honesty Emphasized: Emphasizes the importance of honesty in claim reporting to avoid potential denial.

7. Taking Action:

  • Insurance Portfolio Expansion: UPCIC has added auto insurance to its offerings.
  • Automated Quote Process: Encourages consumers to go through UPCIC's automated quote process to compare rates and policies, even if they don't ultimately choose UPCIC.

In conclusion, University Property & Casualty offers a range of benefits but has some limitations. The article emphasizes the importance of transparency, honesty in claims reporting, and the advantages of a parent company's stability. For those in covered states, UPCIC provides an online and mobile-friendly experience, making it a notable option in the insurance landscape.

Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Review January 2024 (2024)
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