I was also told this by my mortgage carrier.

The cellphone carrier will turn off the cell phone service if payment is not made. 

If my memory serves, I believe I planned for $4000 for taxes and my insurance quote was about $1000/yr and had nice coverage (Kin is a great carrier for rates here in FL).

Jeff,I would suggest another questions/request for info to add to your due-diligence:    "have there been any claims reported to you, submitted to the Insurance carrier, or that you are aware of, during the past 5 years"I would also suggest that you request that they get the "Loss Runs" (report of claims) for the past 5 years from the current owner. 

I'd strongly recommend working with a broker that has access to multiple solutions rather than any captive carrier.

What if the mail carrier misdelivers the check but your tenant is on vacation and can’t send a new one?

Plus a bunch of carriers have left these states.

My first stop would be the existing homeowners insurance carrier.  Ive

Not to mention, have fun explaining to your insurance carrier in the event of a claim that you knowingly hired vendors who were breaking the law and were uninsured.....but its ok because they signed a waiver.

That said, any advice on which insurance carrier/broker i should reach out to get my rentals insured before May 1st?