Homesite Insurance Company of the Midwest Homesite Insurance Just want your Money Boston, Massachusetts

One month after obtaining the insurance I received a cancelation notice for "Underwriting Action: There is a tree touching the house, the front porch lacks a railing. The Garage has a damaged gutter. Oct 31, 2012 12:00 AM (yes, it clearly says 2012). The gutter and tree I can easily take care of. The tree just needs trim and the detached garage just needs replacement. Total of $20 to replacement.

My porch is all of two feet from the ground, however would require real work, this is something I would have to get a permit to do. However after talking to the agent at Homesite and Progressive I only have until Dec 29 to get it fixed or the insurance is gone. My biggest problem with that is the insurance clearly says "An insurance company can only cancel a insurance policy for reasons stated in the policy" I double checked my policy and nowhere does is say anything about a railing is required. A large dog yes, railing no. When I spoke to both agents and ask this I was told that it would be imposable to give a list of all the reasons the insurance company would look for that could produce a cancelation.

I was told that if I could get the railing added that they would look to reinstate the insurance, but they couldn't guarantee the same rate. Though I was assured that my $800+ that I paid would be returned to me by check with in 10 to 15 days. However after reading the other complaints I am worried it will be a smooth transition.

I've owned this house for over a decade and it has been without a railing on the front porch for as long as I've had it. It was also build in the 40's, there is no sign of ever there being one. I can't understand how they can cancel because of that. Plenty of houses on my street have much higher porches than I do with no railing, I'm sure they are insured.