United Insurance Company of America is a regional property and casualty insurer
United Insurance Company of America (often called United Insurance or UICA) is an insurance company that sells homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and wind and hail coverage in several U.S. states. They are not a health insurance company, and they do not operate nationwide — they focus on specific regions, particularly in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest. If you are looking at a policy from them, you are buying protection for your home and its contents, not medical coverage.
The company has been operating since 1981 and is regulated by state insurance departments in each state where they do business. This means your state's insurance commissioner oversees their rates, policy terms, and how they handle claims. Understanding what United Insurance actually covers — and what they do not — helps you know whether their policy fits your needs and what to expect if you file a claim.
Key Takeaways
- United Insurance sells homeowners, flood, and wind/hail coverage in select states, not health insurance or nationwide policies.
- A standard homeowners policy from United covers the building structure, personal belongings, liability if someone is injured on your property, and additional living expenses if you cannot stay in your home.
- Flood damage is almost never covered by a standard homeowners policy and requires a separate flood insurance policy, which United may offer depending on your state.
- Your state's insurance department regulates United Insurance's rates and practices, and you can file a complaint there if you have a dispute with the company.
- The cost of your policy depends on your home's age, location, claims history, and the coverage limits you choose.
What a standard homeowners policy from United Insurance covers
A homeowners policy has several parts, and each one protects a different thing. The dwelling coverage pays to repair or rebuild the structure of your home — the walls, roof, foundation, built-in appliances, and attached structures like a garage — if they are damaged by a covered peril. Covered perils typically include fire, theft, windstorm, hail, lightning, and vandalism. It does not cover wear and tear, maintenance problems, or damage from earthquakes or floods.
The personal property coverage part pays to replace your belongings — furniture, clothing, electronics, and other items inside the home — if they are damaged or stolen. This coverage usually pays up to a percentage of your dwelling coverage amount, often 50 to 70 percent. If you have valuable items like jewelry, art, or collections, you may need to add extra coverage called a rider or endorsement to protect them fully.
Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property and sues you for medical bills or damages. It also covers damage you accidentally cause to someone else's property. Most policies come with $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage, though you can usually increase this. Additional living expenses coverage pays for hotel, meals, and other costs if your home becomes unlivable after a covered loss and you have to stay elsewhere while repairs are made.
Flood insurance and wind/hail coverage are separate from homeowners policies
Flood damage — whether from heavy rain, a river overflow, storm surge, or a failed levee — is almost never covered by a standard homeowners policy. If you live in a flood-prone area or even a moderate-risk zone, you need a separate flood insurance policy. United Insurance may offer flood coverage in some states, but you have to request it as an add-on. In other states, you may need to buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is a federal program run through private insurance companies.
Similarly, some states have separate wind and hail coverage or require it to be added to your homeowners policy. In coastal areas or regions prone to severe storms, wind damage can be excluded from a standard policy or capped at a lower limit. United Insurance's offerings vary by state, so you need to check what is available where you live and what your mortgage lender requires. If your lender requires flood or wind coverage and you do not have it, they can buy it on your behalf and add the cost to your mortgage payment.
How United Insurance determines your premium
Your premium — the amount you pay for the policy — is based on several factors that United Insurance uses to estimate the risk of insuring your home. The age and construction of your home matter because older homes or those built with materials that burn easily cost more to insure. The location affects your rate because some areas have higher rates of theft, weather damage, or other losses. A home in a flood zone or an area with frequent hail will cost more to insure than one in a low-risk area.
Your claims history also influences your rate. If you have filed several claims in the past few years, United Insurance may charge you more or decline to renew your policy. The coverage limits and deductible you choose affect the price — higher limits and a lower deductible mean a higher premium. Some insurers also offer discounts for things like installing a security system, having multiple policies with them, or completing a home safety course.
Rates vary significantly by state because each state's insurance department sets rules about how much insurers can charge and how often they can raise rates. You cannot compare a quote from United Insurance in one state directly to a quote in another state. If you are shopping for homeowners insurance, get quotes from multiple companies in your state to see which offers the best rate for your situation.
How to file a claim with United Insurance
If your home is damaged and you need to file a claim, contact United Insurance as soon as possible — most policies require you to report damage promptly. You can usually file a claim by phone, online through their website, or through a mobile app if they offer one. Have your policy number ready and be prepared to describe what happened, when it happened, and what was damaged.
United Insurance will assign a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster's job is to inspect the damage, review your policy, and determine how much the company will pay. You have the right to get your own estimate from a contractor and to have that estimate considered. If you disagree with the adjuster's decision, you can request a review or hire an independent adjuster to inspect the damage on your behalf. Your state's insurance department can also help if you believe United Insurance is not handling your claim fairly.
What to do if you have a problem with United Insurance
If you have a dispute with United Insurance — whether about a claim denial, a rate increase, or how they handled your policy — your first step is to contact the company's customer service department and explain the problem in writing. Keep copies of all correspondence. If United Insurance does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance department, which regulates the company and can investigate.
Each state has an insurance commissioner or department of insurance. You can find contact information on your state government's website. Filing a complaint is free and does not require a lawyer. The state will contact United Insurance and ask them to respond to your complaint. This process can take several weeks, but it is a way to get a neutral third party involved if you believe the company has treated you unfairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does United Insurance cover water damage from a burst pipe?
Yes, if the pipe burst suddenly and the damage was not caused by lack of maintenance or freezing that could have been prevented. Water damage from a slow leak over time is usually not covered. Flood damage — water that enters from outside your home, like from heavy rain or a river — is not covered by a standard homeowners policy and requires separate flood insurance.
Can United Insurance drop my policy or refuse to renew it?
Yes, but only for certain reasons. An insurer can non-renew your policy if you have filed multiple claims, if your home has become riskier to insure, or if the company is leaving your state. They cannot drop you straightforward because you filed one claim. Your state's insurance department has rules about how much notice they must give and whether they must offer you a chance to make changes to your policy before dropping you.
What is a deductible and how does it affect my claim?
A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before United Insurance pays the rest. If you have a $1,000 deductible and file a $5,000 claim, you pay $1,000 and United Insurance pays $4,000. A higher deductible lowers your premium but means you pay more if you have a loss. Choose a deductible you can actually afford to pay if you need to file a claim.
Is my homeowners policy from United Insurance portable if I move to another state?
No. United Insurance only operates in certain states, so if you move to a state where they do not do business, your policy will end. You will need to purchase a new homeowners policy from an insurer that operates in your new state. Start shopping for a new policy before you move so there is no gap in coverage.
What should I do before I buy a policy from United Insurance?
Get quotes from at least two or three other insurers in your state to compare rates and coverage options. Read the policy documents carefully to understand what is covered and what is not. Ask about discounts you might may have access to for. Check your state's insurance department website to see if there are any complaints or enforcement actions against United Insurance. Make sure the coverage limits you choose match the value of your home and belongings.