- Available in all 50 states.
- Very comprehensive coverage options.
- Good customer service reputation.
- Negative reviews regarding claims.
- Higher-than-average premiums.
Foremost is an insurance carrier that has been in business for 65 years. They are based out of Michigan and insure people in all 50 states. With their extensive range of products, they are able to take care of many different insurance needs. They offer home, auto, marine, motorcycle, off-road vehicle, and RV insurance to their customers and highlight a lot of important information regarding these policies on their website.
The company is very large and employs more than 38,000 agents across the country to help customers. They are a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Over the years, Foremost has made an impact on the insurance industry by being innovative. They were actually the first to create a mobile home insurance policy in the industry. Foremost was also the first to create a policy specifically designed to protect a travel trailer.
In 1970, Foremost was quick to react after Hurricane Celia hit the Gulf Coast. They set up a temporary office located in Texas to help those in need more effectively. It appears that they have been consistently involved with helping those in need, giving them a great reputation in the insurance industry for being a trustworthy company to work with.
Foremost homeowners insurance coverages
No matter what type of home you live in, it is almost guaranteed that you can get a policy through Foremost. They offer an extensive list of different residences that they are willing to insure.
- Owner-occupied homes
- Mobile homes
- Vacant homes
- Seasonal homes
- Landlord-owned homes
- Apartments
- Owner-occupied condos
- Rented condos
This is a broad range of different types of insurance they offer, which is helpful when you are looking for a policy that is best suited for your home. Through Foremost, it is likely you are going to find exactly what you need.
In terms of their standard homeowners policy, you have a lot of freedom through Foremost. They offer many different coverages and settlement options that come with their policies. You can choose from this selection:
- Comprehensive coverage
- Liability coverage
- Replacement cost
- Coverage A Plus (only pay your deductible after a total loss, even if the rebuild cost is more)
- Named peril
- Actual cash value
- Extended replacement cost
- Guaranteed rebuild
This variety of coverage options will give you peace of mind when you choose Foremost for your homeowners insurance.
Additional coverages
While the Foremost homeowners insurance policy is already quite comprehensive, you also have the option to add more coverage if you see fit. They have a range of different endorsements that you can add if you want extra protection.
- Home share endorsement
- Service line coverage
- Replacement cost or comprehensive coverage on personal property
- Equipment breakdown/home systems coverage
- Scheduled personal property
- Business property and liability
- Higher liability limits
- Blanket property limit
- Ordinance or law coverage
- Water backup coverage
- Flood insurance
When combined with the coverage that is already included through Foremost, you are going to get a great level of protection for your home. These coverages are all very beneficial and can prove to be helpful if you want the most out of your homeowners insurance policy.
Foremost home insurance discounts
Foremost does offer discounts if you are looking to save money on your insurance. They have three options listed online with the notion that they do offer other discounts on their products. These are the ones they mention directly.
- Multi-dwellings: When you insure more than one dwelling with Foremost, you qualify for a discount.
- Multi-policy: Holding more than one insurance policy with Foremost will earn you a discount.
- Age of home: Having a newer home will get you a higher discount.
There is an online quoting tool on their website, so you can go through the process to see which other discounts you may qualify for. You can also work with a local agent, which is easy to do with the Foremost agent locator.
Foremost homeowners insurance premiums
It can be tricky to tell exactly how much a policy will cost through Foremost. There are many different coverage options and discounts to choose from, but according to PolicyGenius, a policy with a $300,000 dwelling limit will cost just under $2,500 annually. That is over 25% higher than the national average, making it a more expensive choice when compared to some similar carriers. However, it is likely that your actual quote can vary greatly from this number depending on the specifics of your house and the coverage you choose.
Checking online reviews, we found quite a few policyholders state that Foremost home insurance has reasonable and competitive rates. Despite this, there are also quite a few reports that the premium increased after renewal by a lot for some of the homeowners.
Claim experiences
There are several negative reviews left by customers regarding the Foremost claims process. Unfortunately, many people affected by storms have reported that the company takes a long time to send out an adjuster. One person even stated they were denied after the adjuster finally arrived. A lot of people are left feeling frustrated by this service being provided and are unhappy with the way Foremost handles claims.
Some people who have also been through storms have different experiences to report. These individuals were taken care of and did not mention anything about the length of time it took for the company to respond. It is still important to take a look at the bigger picture when choosing an insurer.
Customer service
The customer reviews left for Foremost that are based on customer service are a lot better. Many people praise the carrier for being great to work with. They state that Foremost takes care of its customers and is efficient. Foremost has a reputation for being professional and helpful to most people who have been in need of customer service.
Taking a look at customer complaints, Foremost has a great score through the NAIC. They hold a 0.47 and have received 92 complaints regarding homeowners insurance products in 2022. For a company of this size and the national average is 1.0, this is a good rating.
Financial strength
In April 2018, AM Best released an article regarding the financial stability of Foremost as a company. They received an A rating from the company. This is seen as an excellent rating and showcases the company’s stability from a financial standpoint. It is a good sign to see a rating this high from a company this large and reflects that they likely have the ability to pay out on their claims.
The verdict
Foremost is an experienced insurance carrier with a lot of dimensions. They offer countless products that are suitable for almost any type of home, and they provide coverage to match. Their standard homeowners insurance policy comes with many different options that you can customize to truly get what you are looking for. This vast protection paired with the discounts offered makes it seem like a worthwhile choice.
When it comes to claims, Foremost does not have the best reputation. There have been reports of several people going through storms without any help from the company or experiencing significant delays in the process. Some people have had no issues while filing claims, but it is important to keep this in mind if you are thinking about going with Foremost.
The company seems to excel at customer service. They have a lot of positive reviews from happy and loyal customers stating that they always get the help they need and the company is very professional. There are a lot of great reasons to choose Foremost if you are willing to look past the negative reviews.
