I liked DI, and that particular area because you could walk across the street to the beach. Plus,the homes we looked at were waterfront (on the bay or sound,whichever it’s called). There are some pretty homes in Alabama Port,but I am just fond of DI. I had looked at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach too,but honestly, I don’t think I could stand it down there. It is just too crowded,too congested,and too commercial for my taste.

Check out the waterfront around AL port.  Tons of it for sale and the lots are much larger.  The houses are further away from the storm surge.  The insurance is still high and you don’t get the benefits of tracking sand all in your house but it’s similar to living on the east end of DI only waterfront.

Being that I am related to someone who lives on DI, I can assure you most of the folks who live there can afford to rebuild if something were to happen. So I agree with “roll” that most are not looking for anyones sympathy.
Most folks that live down there see that it is cheaper to have insurance then come out of pocket $800,000 plus, just to rebuild.

Wow, “roll” see we can agree on some things….lol

We actively looked 2,maybe 3 years ago. But every time I go down there,on the rare occasion that I have a patient there, I always pick up one of the real estate books and do a drive through of the area,to see what’s up for sale. The properties that we liked at the time,were on the west end,but off Cadillac around Quiveras and ?Port Royal. I think it is called Royal Lagoon and the Silver Cay area. I just wasn’t into paying $300,000 for something the size of a trailer though (1000 sq.ft or less).......For that amount of money,I would rather buy land up on the river and build my log cabin…..

I think that was the insurance group-sounds right anyway. But,from what the real estate agent told us,the rate would have been around $3000-$4000/year. Which is high,but not horrible. My insurance on my house is around $2500/year,and that is well inland.

I think you are talking about aiua.  It’s pretty high to me, also how many years ago are you talking about?  Property value has decreased and I believe if you give it one more good storm, you can really get a deal. Prices topped out about 6 years ago and now they can’t resell and get their money back. Also lots of foreclosures on investors parts.  Let me know if you find something, I have a lot of friends in real estate down there.

I believe the actual owner of the property can take out rental property insurance for less than what a regular homeowners policy costs also-therefore,their investment is insured. I know on our second home,which we do rent out,that is what we do….

As to DI-I found when looking at properties there a couple of years ago,that the actual insurance came through a “consortium,” I think it was called. Anyway,it wasn’t through State Farm or one of the commercial names,but someone who insured only coastal properties,and the cost,though high,really wasn’t as bad as what I would have thought it would have been.

RM - the tenants are most likely not on the deed/mortgage hence why they can’t take out a standard insurance policy.  Renters’ insurance for contents is a great idea and very affordable.

Ciss - not sure that the DI residents are looking for yours or anyone elses sympathy.  They know and assume the risks of owning coastal property.  As for the insurance… the DI property is coastal property and not relevant to the insurance reform legislation which is strictly aimed at lowering the rates of standard HO Insurance, not coastal or flood.  This is why they used the @150,000 example (obviously not coastal property).

I understand that rates are high here as compared to some other areas. What I am not sure about with this article,is that if these people are given the homes,why can’t they provide their own insurance? Or why not do a renters policy on the actual dwelling, and let the tenants worry about insuring their belongings?

I stand corrected but have no sympathy for the DI west enders.  Katrina cut the west end in half and it’s only a matter of time before the homeowners’ part of the west end takes off too.  The home owners one the west end want the ones on the east end to help foot their bill?  I don’t think so.  I am out of my league commenting on 150k house on the eastern shore.  That’s not much of a house for that area.

This article and the current motions to seek HO Insurance relief have nothing to do with flood insurance.  The HO insurance legislation is aimed specifically at standard HO Insurnace.  Flood Insurance is available solely through the Federal Govt.