Universal Property
- Online quotes and claim filing.
- Customer support available via phone, email and live chat.
- Many discounts available.
- Draws far more consumer complaints than expected.
- Poorly rated Android app.
- Not available in all states.
About Universal Property home insurance
Universal Property homeowners insurance earned 3.7 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 save.
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.
Get home insurance quotes in minutes
Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.Where Universal Property home insurance stands out
Online policy management. You can get a quote, file a claim and pay your bill from the Universal Property homepage.
Customer support. Universal Property has a variety of ways to get in touch with representatives, including phone and email. There’s a live chat available when you’re getting a quote online.
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.
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.
Availability. Universal Property doesn’t sell policies in all states.
What Universal Property home insurance covers
These types of home insurance coverage generally come standard:
- Dwelling
Dwelling coverage pays to repair or rebuild the structure of your home after a covered event. It also covers attached structures, such as porches.
Typical amount: Enough to rebuild your home.
- Other structures
Other structures coverage pays to repair or rebuild stand-alone structures on your property, such as a fence or shed.
Typical amount: 10% of dwelling coverage.
- Personal property
Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace stolen or damaged belongings. Personal property coverage comes in one of two options: actual cash value or replacement cost.
Typical amount: 50-70% of dwelling coverage.
- Loss of use
Loss of use coverage, sometimes known as additional living expenses coverage, helps pay temporary living expenses while your home is being repaired. This can cover hotel stays, home rentals and meals.
Typical amount: 20% of dwelling coverage.
- Personal liability
Personal liability coverage pays if you injure someone or cause property damage unintentionally or through neglect.
Typical amount: $100,000 to $500,000.
- Medical payments
Medical payments coverage pays to treat someone injured on your property, regardless of who’s at fault. It also pays if you, a family member or a pet injures someone away from your home.
Typical amount: $1,000 to $5,000.
For more details, see What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
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 with those expenses.
Debris removal coverage. Your policy may include some coverage to remove debris after a covered claim, but this endorsement lets you add more.
More Nerdy Perspective
I like to add extended or even guaranteed replacement cost coverage to my policy for peace of mind. That way, if I’ve underestimated how much it’ll cost to rebuild my house, or if construction costs go up by more than expected, I’ll have a cushion.
What's not included
Universal Property home insurance generally doesn’t cover:
Flooding.
Earthquakes.
Normal wear and tear.
Neglect.
Where Universal Property home insurance is available
Universal Property sells homeowners insurance in 19 states.
Availability may change at any time. Coverage may not be available to all homeowners in a given state.
- Find the best homeowners insurance in your state
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.
Get home insurance quotes in minutes
Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.Consumer satisfaction
Complaints: One strong sign of consumer satisfaction is how many people complain about their insurance company to state agencies. Universal Property scores poorly on this measure, drawing a very high proportion of home insurance complaints compared to other U.S. insurers.
How we determined our complaint scores We analyzed three years' worth of complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. When comparing insurers, we accounted for company size and total premiums.
- What Reddit users say about Universal Property home insurance
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.
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.
Here are some key things to remember when filing a home insurance claim:
Document the damage. Take photos and create an inventory of damaged items. Provide details like labels and model numbers if possible, especially for more expensive items. Once you've documented the damage, you can make temporary repairs if it's safe to do so.
File your claim as soon as possible. This is especially important if the damage was caused by a storm, as it likely means other homes in the area were also affected.
Save your receipts. You may end up spending money on temporary repairs or living expenses before getting a payment from your insurance company. Keep all receipts so you can submit them for reimbursement later.
For more information, see how to file a home insurance claim.
How to contact Universal Property customer service
Phone: You can reach out to your agent or call the company directly at 800-425-9113.
Email: You can submit an email form through the Universal Property website.
Chat: Universal Direct, the website where you can get a Universal Property quote online, has a live chat feature.
Online tools
Website: You can use the Universal Property website to get a quote, find an agent, pay bills, file and track claims, and view policy documents.
Mobile app: 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 there may be a few bugs on that platform.
Other home insurance companies to consider
Not ready to make a decision? You may be interested in these other homeowners insurance companies:
- See all NerdWallet home insurance reviews
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Universal Property & Casualty a good insurance company?
Is Universal Property & Casualty a good insurance company?
Universal Property earned 3 stars out of 5 in NerdWallet’s analysis. Although the company has plenty of coverage options and discounts available, it draws a high rate of consumer complaints.
Who owns Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company?
Who owns Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company?
Universal Property & Casualty is owned by Universal Insurance Holdings.
What other types of insurance does Universal Property offer?
What other types of insurance does Universal Property offer?
Universal Property and Casualty also sells condo, renters and landlord insurance.
Why did Universal Property raise my home insurance rate so much?
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. Home insurance rates are going up across the country due to increasingly frequent natural disasters. Wildfires and severe storms have led to 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?
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 look 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.
Star rating methodology
NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverage, discounts, claims process and website functionality. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews or star ratings.
Here’s how we weighted each category to come up with our list of the best home insurance companies:
Consumer experience (40%).
Financial strength (30%).
Coverage (25%).
Discounts (5%).
Read our full home insurance ratings methodology for more details.
Complaint methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period.
NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
