MOBILE, Ala.—When Kelly and Mike Francis saw the home-insurance quotes for the house they wanted to buy here last spring, they had sticker shock. The couple decided to take out a different policy from a little-known insurer that included reduced coverage of an aging roof, which made the house vulnerable to hurricanes and other fierce weather that batter the Gulf Coast. At about $4,500 a year, it was cheaper than a comprehensive policy, but they could still barely swing it.

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Persons: Kelly, Mike Francis