Our Verdict
4.7
You’ve invested a lot in your home, and without home insurance, that investment is vulnerable.
An incident or accident that’s beyond your control can take everything you’ve worked so hard for away from you in the blink of an eye.
With millions of homeowners uninsured and 59% not carrying enough insurance, choosing the right company to safeguard your investment can be overwhelming.
Insurers offer varying coverage based on the state you live in, and many companies don’t write policies for all 50 states.
Further, depending on a company’s risk analysts, geographical expertise, and other black box factors, there can be a wide range in policy prices from one insurer to the next.
That’s why we’re taking a look at Encompass Insurance.
As you search for the right home insurance fit, we’ll help you narrow down your choices and determine if Encompass Insurance is right for you.
Pros
Cons
Who Is Encompass Insurance?
With a history dating back more than 100 years, Encompass Insurance isn’t likely to go anywhere for the foreseeable future.
However, it wasn’t until 1999, when the company was purchased by Allstate that the name Encompass came into existence.
After being in business since 1897, the folks at Encompass have learned a thing or two about how to serve their customers.
For example, they have a remarkably low level of customer complaints.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Encompass Home Insurance has a complaint ratio of .64, which is well below the industry average of 1.0.
To top it off, Encompass Insurance has an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ Superior, which is the second highest rating.
This speaks to the fact that Encompass Insurance is financially secure.
Knowing that your insurance company is solvent and stable can give you peace of mind.
A smaller company could be devastated by a natural disaster in an area if they don’t have a high rating.
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What Makes Encompass Insurance Different?
Encompass Insurance has added a feature to some of the plans called “property location limit.” This feature gives policyholders coverage of up to 200% of your home’s value.
Think of it like a blanket policy that helps you cover the cost of whatever needs to be replaced, whether it’s your home, your personal belongings, or a structure on your property.
Everything you own is covered under one umbrella policy with a generous limit, which helps you avoid being surprised with uncovered claims.
For example, a standard policy with another company might cover you for $500,000, but that coverage would be divided among your different property categories.
If that $500k policy included $50k of personal property insurance, but you sustain damages of $75k, you would be on the hook for the other $25, unless you choose Encompass.
In that case, the category of damage wouldn’t matter. Your coverage would extend to all property categories, up to your limit.
Features & Benefits
If you’re looking for the Cadillac of homeowner’s insurance, look no further than Encompass.
Take a look at some of these awe-inspiring features:
Special, Deluxe, and Elite Packages
Depending on your budget and needs, you’re bound to have unique coverage requirements.
Encompass Insurance allows you to determine how much coverage you need while making it easy to stay within your budget.
The three packages that they offer – Special, Deluxe, and Elite, allow you to choose only the features you want, without having to pay for what you don’t need.
Additional Living Expenses
When you bundle your home and auto insurance policies, you’re eligible for EncompassOne plans, which grant additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable.
The timeframes range from one year to unlimited, and they include both restaurant and hotel bills.
Opportunities for Discounts
Encompass Insurance isn’t necessarily the cheapest insurance, but it can be an incredible value if you take advantage of all the opportunities to save money.
Newer homes, renovated homes, and properties with safety devices like fire extinguishers and burglar alarms are eligible for generous discounts.
You can also get a claim-free discount of 15% off your premium if you don’t file a claim after five years.
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Product Availability
Though not available in all 50 states, you can get an Encompass policy in 40.
The states not included in coverage include Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, and the Dakotas.
Policies are sold through a network of more than 2,400 independent agents.
It’s likely that these agents will try to sell you a bundle of home and auto insurance, which offers additional coverage at a discount.
Keeping in mind that Encompass naturally tends toward the higher end of the price spectrum, we would advise comparing the cost of single versus bundled insurance before proceeding.
There are going to be some instances where bundling in a no-brainer decision, and circumstances when it makes sense to keep them separate with independent companies.
Claims Process & Guarantee
Perhaps it’s the overall age of the company, but there’s no denying that the claims process is old-fashioned.
You must call the company to file a claim; there’s no option to get started online or check the status of your claim digitally.
To get started, dial 1-800-588-7400. Fortunately, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
On a positive note, Encompass does allow you to choose your contractor.
You can still opt to have Encompass select one for you, but if you already have a contact you trust in the industry, you are welcome to use them for your repairs.
Taking Action
If you’re digitally inclined and not being able to file a claim online is a deal-breaker, you might want to go with another company.
However, if having top-of-the-line coverage is a priority, then Encompass is an ideal solution.
When (and if) Encompass Insurance offers an online portal for filing a claim, we will update this review.
Ready to learn more about how Encompass Insurance can protect your home and how much it’ll cost? Click here to get started.
