Universal Property Homeowners Insurance Review 2024

About Universal Property insurance

Universal Property homeowners insurance earned 3 out of 5 stars for overall performance.

Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company was founded in Florida and is one of the state’s biggest home insurers. However, it also sells homeowners policies in more than a dozen other states. Universal Property home insurance policies generally have a variety of coverage options to choose from, plus plenty of discounts that can help you pay less.

But there’s a drawback: Universal Property draws far more consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find other insurers with a better track record of customer service.

How Universal Property home insurance stacks up

Where Universal Property home insurance stands out

Discounts. Universal Property offers a variety of ways to save on your policy, including discounts for having a new roof, being over 65 years old or going a certain amount of time without filing a claim.

Online policy management. You can get a quote, file a claim and pay your bill from the Universal Property homepage.

Where Universal Property home insurance falls short

Consumer complaints. The number of complaints the company draws to state regulators suggests that policyholders aren’t always thrilled with its service.

Poorly rated Android app. Although the iOS version of Universal Property’s app has strong user ratings, many policyholders with Android phones seem to have a buggier experience.

» MORE: The best home insurance companies

State availability

Universal Property sells homeowners insurance in 18 states.

Availability may change at any time. Coverage may not be available to all homeowners in a given state.

Standard Universal Property home insurance coverage

Optional Universal Property home insurance coverage

Coverage options depend on where you live, but you may be able to add the following to your Universal Property home insurance policy:

Extended replacement cost coverage. This option gives you a cushion of extra coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your house after a covered disaster.

Personal property replacement cost coverage. Adding this coverage ensures that if your belongings are stolen, damaged or destroyed, your policy will pay enough for you to buy brand-new replacements. Without this upgrade, Universal Property will pay only the actual cash value of each item. Because many older items lose value over time, you might not receive enough money to replace them.

Water backup coverage. If a drain backs up or a sump pump fails, this coverage can pay to fix the water damage.

Service line coverage. Adding this endorsement to your policy gives you coverage for damage to underground utility lines connected to your home.

Extra coverage for valuables. Consider adding this coverage if you have pricey jewelry, watches, fine art or other high-value items.

Equipment breakdown coverage. If a major appliance like your HVAC system or your refrigerator has a mechanical failure, this coverage can pay for repairs.

Ordinance or law coverage. This option pays to bring your home in line with current building codes during repairs after a covered claim.

Personal injury liability coverage. Adding this endorsement gives you coverage for lawsuits due to slander, libel and other personal injury issues.

Loss assessment coverage. If you’re part of a homeowners association, you may occasionally have to pay extra to fix damage to shared property. This coverage can help pay for those assessments.

Debris removal coverage. Your policy may include some coverage to remove debris after a covered claim, but this endorsement lets you add more.

What's not included

Universal Property home insurance generally doesn’t cover:

• Flooding.

• Earthquakes. 

• Normal wear and tear.

• Neglect.

Discounts

Depending on where you live, you may be able to save money on your Universal Property insurance premiums by:

• Going a certain amount of time without filing a claim.

• Having a new roof.

• Having burglar or fire alarms.

• Having a sprinkler system.

• Taking steps to strengthen your home against wind damage.

• Having insurance from a prior insurance company.

• Remaining loyal to Universal Property.

• Being over 65 years old.

» MORE: Home insurance calculator: Estimate your costs

Consumer complaints

Universal Property had far more than the expected number of complaints to state regulators relative to its size for home insurance, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

What Reddit users say about Universal Property

Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like homeowners insurance, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about insurers. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

Comments on Reddit about Universal Property are mixed, with several homeowners complaining about problems with claims — including some that took months and even lawsuits to resolve. Some Redditors expressed shock or outrage when Universal jacked up their premiums. But many of these commenters said they lived in Florida, and other people pointed out that the state’s volatile homeowners insurance market has increased premiums for many companies.

The posts about Universal Property weren’t all complaints. Several Redditors said Universal Property offered them reasonable rates or handled claims to their satisfaction.

» MORE: How much is homeowners insurance?

Questions from Reddit: Our experts answer

Why did Universal Property raise my home insurance rate so much?

There are many reasons your premium might go up, even if you haven’t filed any claims. Homeowners insurance rates are going up across the country due to frequent natural disasters like wildfires and severe storms, which result in massive claim payouts for insurance companies. Recent inflation has also made it more expensive to repair or rebuild houses.

If your premium has gone up, consider contacting an independent insurance agent or broker to help you find other options. Learn more about what to do if you can’t afford your homeowners insurance.

Can Universal Property drop my policy because I need a new roof?

In short, yes. Many insurance companies are using satellite and other aerial photos to scrutinize properties for risks that could potentially lead to claims, such as worn-out roofs or overhanging trees. A company can choose not to renew your policy based on these issues, though it may change its decision if you address the problem.

How to file a claim with Universal Property

You can file a homeowners claim with Universal Property & Casualty online or by calling 800-470-0599. For more advice, see how to file a home insurance claim.

Digital experience

You can use the Universal Property website to get a quote, find an agent, pay bills, file and track claims, and view policy documents.

The UPCIC Mobile app is available for iOS and Android, and offers many of the same functions as the website. You can use the app for claim filing and tracking, bill payments, access to policy documents, and agent contact info. However, the Android app’s poor user ratings suggest it may have a few bugs on that platform.

How to contact Universal Property customer service

You can reach out to your agent, submit an email form through the Universal Property website or call the company directly at 800-425-9113. Universal Direct, the website where you can get a Universal Property quote online, also has a live chat feature.

» MORE: The cheapest homeowners insurance

Other home insurance companies to consider

Not ready to make a decision? You may be interested in these other homeowners insurance companies:

How we rate homeowners insurance

NerdWallet’s star ratings reward companies for consumer-first features and practices. We evaluate factors such as financial strength, consumer complaints, coverage, discounts and customer experience.

In our research, we analyzed:

• More than 270 million homeowners insurance rates.

• More than 50 insurance companies.

• Nearly 200 homeowner profiles.

View our complete homeowners insurance rating methodology.