Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Reviews 96

My broker has not been very attentive of late and I had reason to call Universal Property. I spoke with an agent named Soyica. He was exceptional! Intelligent, kind experienced and thorough.I have a new respect for this company if only for their well organized documentation, prompt response and superb customer service. Soyica deserves kudos, he is truly an asset to his company.

I had a question about my claim today and had Stephen Higgins as my representative. Stephen was a compassionate professional that walked me through the steps that I needed to ensure my needs were met. It was a pleasure to work with an insurance customer support that was committed to making sure my questions were answered quickly. High marks for Stephen.

This company is most likely fraud intention for which they hold the fund as long as it takes so they can earn extra in interest.
They insured my property and got prepaid the amount upfront without any questions. In a month they canceled it reciting I had a previous claim and will refund the entire amount in 15 days. A 28 days passed no refund. Each time I call, they have the same prepared answer. Some of the reps are even annoying don't even know how to apology. Terrible company, Do not insure with this company ever. They insure your just to get the fund payment and hold it so they can earn in interest before they issue (not sure) the refund.

I found out that this company was charging $1000 more then other companies would charge and I asked them to cancel the policy and to refund the balance of my money. This company never lets you talk with someone about returning your money and just give you the runaround

Hail damage roof claim payed out actual
Cash value timely but cannot get replacement cost payment. Document sent 20’days ago and when I call for status get same message waiting for review. Roofer wants final payment. Poor over phone service.

Claim # FL22-0124745
Our condo got flooded by a busted sprinkler system located directly above us. It happened in September 29, 2022. We have been thru mediation and arbitration and now trying to get a court date, Universal keeps moving the date. Total to redo our unit was $380,000. The floor alone which was done 4 years prior was $120,000. We had to pay out of our pockets as this is not settled. 60 minutes showed the fraud that is going on in Florida with 6 different insurance companies. They are hoping that they drag this out long enough, that people will drop it. I am fortunate enough to pay for the repairs before I get fully reimbursed. In the 2 plus years, we have had 4 different adjusters, at least 4 different lawyers. In arbitration the one hired lawyer is hinting that we were fraudulent. I cannot wait for the court date to testify against this company.
After 5 years and multiple cancelations of last minute court dates we settled and lost 200k. We could not afford to continue buy flights for court dates to only have them cancel the last minute. They intentionally do these tactics to force you to settle for a lower amount.
After settlement was reached and agreed upon it still took 4 months before we got paid.

I really appreciate the customer service representative/ Eizelle assisting me with my insurance concerns, today promptly, professionally and being very courteous in doing so.

Appalling service. They dragged my claim out for months, changed adjusters, who then went on vacation, ignored my new documentation for another month, said they’d call me then just sent me a letter saying go to arbitration. Their technique is to make a low offer and then drag it out for as long as possible to try to make you take it.

As a realtor I will make sure none of my clients ever goes near this scam of a company.

Had to pick one star because there was not an option of no stars …..since my damage from hurricane Helene universal property insurance company has stagnated, interfered, and ultimately left my house half repaired..considering the outside A-frame siding to my house as well as soffit to be “cosmetic”and not covered….. please please please steer clear from this insurance company. They will not come through for you. They were they will undervalue any claim you try to submit.

Wrote a new policy, paid in full and got cancellation notice 45 days later with less than 2 weeks! Sited age of roof as they could not find permit past original in 1991! I submitted seller disclosure with date of roof but they said unlikely they will accept it. policy #4201-2501-4189.

If it was a concern this should have happened upfront as it just did with another property. Now mid December and having to deal with this! What if I was away?! Permit is not required for roof... Just terrible experience!!

Very unprofessional. They dropped my insurance and I provided them with EVERYTHING THEY REQUESTED!!!

I usually find it challenging to address my concerns when calling customer service, but yesterday’s experience was different. I spoke with Steve, and his service was outstanding from start to finish! He was friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond to offer additional support for my issue. I’m really grateful for the excellent experience he provided.

Hiked premium 3x within months of starting policy due to what they deemed to be an aggressive breed of dog without inquiring about bite history or anything promptly cancelled it’s a total ripoff! Even little ankle bitters make this list just an FYI

Bought homeowners and umbrella insurance from Universal thru a local Tampa insurance broker. When sold the house, Universal refunded remaining insurance premium fairly quickly, no problems.

I have serious concern with the handling of my claim #FL25-0122085. No in-person inspection was ever conducted of either my unit or the unit of origin, despite the clear relevance of the latter to causation. On a recorded call, the adjuster even stated it was “in my best interest” for him not to visit my property — a remark wholly inappropriate and inconsistent with any fair or impartial investigation.

As a former human rights fact-finder, I know firsthand that direct observation is essential to credibility. By failing to inspect, he deprived himself of critical evidence and rendered his investigation incomplete and potentially biased. This deficiency appears to have contributed directly to the denial of my claim.

Such conduct violates Florida Statutes §626.9541(1)(i)3.d and §626.877, which mandate thorough investigations based on all available information.

Further, the conclusion that this was merely a “sudden, accidental occurrence” rather than negligence is unsupported by the record:
• Neither the property owner nor the management company conducted any inspection, and tenants are not professionally qualified to assess causation.
• Tenant correspondence, sent four days after the incident, shows they were still waiting for management to even respond.
• The adjuster conducted no inspection himself, depriving the investigation of firsthand evidence.
• Former tenants have provided statements confirming that the issues were ongoing, worsened over time, and ultimately drove them to move out.
• The unit above has a documented history of multiple prior leaks, pointing to a longstanding pattern of inadequate maintenance by the owner.

These facts suggest that negligent property oversight contributed to the incident and should have been considered before denying coverage. It raises serious concerns that my denial may have been predetermined rather than the product of a genuine, thorough investigation.

Subject: Policy Cancellation Due to Poor Claim Handling Experience.
Dear Universal Property & Causality Insurance,
I am writing because of your response.
The lack of clear and consistent communication during my recent claim process. Throughout the handling of a single claim, I was assigned three different claims adjusters, which resulted in confusion, delays, and a lack of continuity in service.
To make matters worse, during this time my family and I were forced to pay out of pocket for temporary housing while repairs were underway. All relevant receipts for the hotel stay, as well as thorough documentation of the work completed on the property — including before and after photos — were submitted promptly for reimbursement. Despite this, the process remained slow and disorganized, with no timely response or resolution provided.
Given the importance of reliable and responsive service in times of need, I can no longer place my trust in your company to provide the level of support expected from a property insurance provider.
This is why I cancel my policy with your company. So please don't get on here and tell lies.

almost identical to other reviews, i have left over 20 phone calls to vanessa Vega with no response, emails no response, voicemails to her supervisor Adam and his supervisor Skyler and not one return call. Last Friday i spoke with some department and they promised a call back within 48 hours from vanessa or her supervisor and guess what no call, they said vanessa was off and i would receive a call today and guess what nothing also. I have a claim and they did send a check for the ceiling repair but nothing else and wont respond. i have everything documented and also north Carolina department of insurance is now involved. shame on you guys for not taking care of your clients in a claim.

updated 08/20....after contacting ncdoi and this review i got a call from vanessa and an email stating a second inspection was needed, Jessica came out and was real nice and did another inspection, said i would hear from someone shortly about the claim, been over a week and no phone call or email.....

I have filed a claim with them over a month ago I have called at least a dozen times to the agent I've called at least six times to the so-called supervisor and now I even called the supervisor supervisor no one returns my call I am absolutely fed up with this company and I would advise anybody who has feelings with this company to think about what you're doing cancel your policy and go somewhere else this company is the total rip off just go to their Better Business Bureau and they have tons of complaints do yourself a favor and don't get aggravated change your policies now you will thank me later

This company appears to be a scam. I have never submitted any home insurance claims in my entire life. I took the policy after a recommendation by my mortgage company.

The following week lightening took out our electric water pump. The company who replaced the wiring and pump stated it should be covered under our home insurance (others have been), so I submitted a claim.

48 hours after the claim is submitted, the company just shows up unannounced, while I am on conference calls. As I do each day at 5.00, I checked my private VM and emails. Two calls stating they are at the gate and need to come 'inspect' the property. I kindly ask they come the following week as this is a holiday weekend response 'we do not schedule based on customer availability'.
Now, sending emails that they can't reach me, and threatening to cancel the policy. Seriously, gangsters without guns!

I’ve been a policyholder with this company for my first home but my experience with my Hurricane Helene wind damage claim has been frustrating and deeply disappointing.

Over the course of 9+ months, my claim has been reassigned to at least four different claims adjusters, each with different expectations. Despite a field adjuster visiting my property early on and my consistent, timely responses to every correspondence, the process has dragged on unnecessarily.

At one point, I was even verbally offered a $20,000 payout settlement (below what's needed) with no written explanation or breakdown followed by threats of denial if I didn’t accept. I asked for this offer in writing, but it was refused. That’s not how transparency or policyholder trust should work.

I’ve provided contractor estimates, responded in writing, and remained cooperative. I understand the company may be backlogged, but it shouldn’t take nearly a year for a wind damage claim especially with no repairs yet made.

I’m now preparing a formal complaint to the South Carolina Department of Insurance. I hope this company takes accountability and improves their claims resolution process, because what I’ve experienced has been more of a stall tactic than a good-faith effort.

I would like a prompt, fair, and documented resolution in line with my policy and state guidelines.

I would not recommend this company really to anyone due to this unorganized process, delay tactics, and lack of responses ESPECIALLY if you are a first time home buyer.