The bottom line
Velocity Risk insurance is best for homeowners in high-risk areas of Florida and Texas — it specializes in insuring high-value homes over $750,000 along the coast that have struggled to find protection with a traditional home insurance company.
It also offers wind and hail coverage, so you won’t need to take out a separate windstorm policy with another insurer to ensure your home is protected from hurricane and tropical storm damage. And for a specialty carrier, Velocity Risk home insurance is refreshingly affordable — its average rate of $1,850 per year is on par with the national average.
Now the downsides: You can’t get a quote online — you have to call to find a local agent near you. It also doesn’t have much information about coverages and discounts available on its website.
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Basic coverages offered
If you purchase a home insurance policy with Velocity Risk, it will include these six standard coverages to protect your home, belongings, and personal liability:
Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair or rebuild the structure of your home after a covered loss.
Other structures coverage: Pays to repair or rebuild other structures on your property not connected to your home, including detached garages, storage sheds, and fencing.
Personal property coverage: Pays to repair or replace your personal belongings after a covered loss, including furniture, clothing, tech gadgets, and other stuff you own.
Loss of use coverage: Pays for hotel stays, restaurant bills, pet boarding fees, and other temporary living expenses after a covered loss if you need to live elsewhere while your home is being rebuilt.
Personal liability coverage: Pays for legal and medical expenses if someone is injured or their belongings are damaged while at your home and you’re found legally responsible.
Medical payments coverage: Pays for small-dollar medical bills if someone is injured while at your home — regardless of who is at fault.
Additional coverages offered
Velocity Risk only advertises two additional coverages on its website as of January 2023:
Wind/hail coverage: Homes in Florida and Texas at high risk of wind damage caused by tropical storms and hurricanes often need to purchase separate wind/hail coverage, which Velocity Risk offers.
Water damage coverage: Protects your home and belongings from water backup damage caused by a sump pump overflowing or clogged sewer.
This doesn’t mean these are the only coverage add-ons Velocity Risk offers. We recommend talking to your local Velocity Risk agent to see what additional protections you can add to your home insurance policy.
Pros
Insures high-value homes of $750,000+ in high-risk coastal areas
Affordable rates on par with the national average
Can file claims online or through its mobile app
Cons
Only available in Florida and Texas
Can’t get an online quote — must call to find a local agent near you
Minimal information about coverages and discounts available on its website
How much does Velocity Risk home insurance cost?
The average cost of home insurance with Velocity is $1,850 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Policygenius rate data. That’s on par with the national average of $1,899 per year. Keep in mind that your actual rates will vary based on where you live, your coverages and policy limits, your claims history, and other factors.
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What discounts does Velocity Risk offer?
Velocity Risk doesn’t advertise any discounts on its website as of January 2023. But in general, many insurers offer discounts for everything from installing a home security system and smoke alarms in your home to living in a gated community. Speak to your Velocity Risk agent to find out what discounts you might qualify for.
Velocity Risk home insurance state availability
Velocity Risk only offers home insurance policies in Texas and Florida, though it has plans to expand to Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina soon.
What to expect with Velocity Risk insurance
How to get a quote: You can get a Velocity Risk home insurance quote by calling 844-878-7529 to get connected with a local agent.
Customer service options: You can get in touch with a Velocity Risk customer service rep by calling 844-878-7529 or using the live-chat feature on its website.
How to file a claim: You can file a Velocity Risk home insurance claim online, through the Velocity Risk mobile app, or by calling 844-878-2567.
How to cancel your policy: You can cancel your Velocity Risk insurance policy by calling your local Insurance agent directly — their contact info should be on your policy declarations page.
Velocity Risk in the news
In February 2022, Velocity Risk was acquired by Oaktree Capital Management for an undisclosed amount. (GlobeNewswire)
Frequently asked questions
Does Velocity Risk have high financial strength ratings?
Velocity Risk receives an above-average A rating with AM Best, the leading insurance rating agency in the industry. This proves Velocity Risk should have the funds to pay out claims in the wake of a disaster. It doesn’t have ratings from credit agencies Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s.
Does Velocity Risk have good customer reviews?
Velocity Risk receives a mixed bag of customer service reviews as of January 2023. Its rating of 1.67 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is based on six customer reviews — five of which are negative. Customers complained about their insurance getting canceled for no reason, as well as poor claims experiences. Meanwhile, on Velocity Risk’s Facebook page, it receives an even mix of positive and negative reviews. Most positive reviews seem to come from agents selling Velocity Risk — not the customers themselves. And negative reviews echo what BBB customers complained about — cancellations and bad claims experiences.
Velocity Risk wasn’t included in J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, or digital experience studies, or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index Report.
Who owns Velocity Risk Underwriters?
Velocity Risk is owned by Oaktree Capital Management, a global investment manager specializing in alternative investments.
