Insurance Blog

Most people don’t think twice about their car insurance. Driving is a part of our everyday lives and we do it so often that we forget about the risks that come with operating a motor vehicle. But what happens if you cause a collision or someone hits your car in a parking lot? There are a number of problems that can arise while on the road. To ensure that you and the people around you are safe, it is important to understand the different insurance policies and what they do. Understanding What Liability Insurance Does for You Liability insurance is usually the minimum coverage you can have and still legally drive, but this can vary by state. Liability insurance is to protect other drivers and their vehicles from the damage that you could potentially cause them while on the road. Although liability policies can differ, listed below is a baseline of what you can expect:  Covered: Medical Care for Others: [...]

Insurance can be tricky to understand, and as hurricane season approaches, you may be even more worried about what is and isn’t covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. Everything from the age of your roof to the type of damage sustained can determine whether or not a roof replacement is covered by your homeowner’s insurance. So you can properly address the issue and better understand what will be covered, it is important to know the signs of roof damage.  Signs That Your Roof May Need Replacement  A roof isn’t usually the first thing on a homeowner’s mind, and unless there is obvious damage, the need for a roof replacement may be overlooked. Even though minor issues may seem easy to ignore until they become a major issue, getting a roof inspection and fixing the damages can save you a great deal of money in the long run. Some things to look out for that could point to possible roof damage [...]

Unexpected events can not only damage your home, but the personal belongings inside your home. Insuring items such as furniture and appliances can save you money and a headache when sudden damage occurs. Although natural disasters and explosions are not able to be predicted, the security of your belongings can be.  Defining Personal Property Insurance Personal property insurance is a policy that covers personal belongings, such as furniture and appliances. This form of insurance covers items inside your home. In fact, if damage were to happen anywhere on your property, your belongings would still be covered. This insurance will help to fix any damaged personal items after unpredicted events such as a fire. It may also help pay to repair certain items, but it depends on the policy you have. In other words, your belongings are covered if they have been destroyed or stolen both inside and outside your property.  Two Types of Personal Property Policies There are two policies [...]

From destructive storm damage to your home to a dent in your car, accidents can and will happen. Indeed, life is unpredictable; therefore, it’s natural to want to be protected against any possible worst case scenarios. Thankfully, insurance policies are plentiful — ranging from home and auto to health and life insurance. However, with all these options, it may be difficult to pinpoint one that you need the most. Furthermore, without the right insurance policy, you may be faced with the unfortunate circumstance of not having enough money to pay for such damages. Fortunately, umbrella insurance policies can cover you in a wide range of areas, rain or shine. What Is Umbrella Insurance? An umbrella insurance policy can help protect your assets against large liability claims. In other words, it protects against legal damages that may be your fault, and those that exceed your limit of home and auto insurance policies. With such a broad range of coverage, umbrella policies [...]

Antique cars are gorgeous pieces of historical machinery from a bygone era of stylish automotive design. They are not only beautiful to look at, but exciting to drive and ride. Antique cars are also an incredibly valuable investment for classic car collectors. As with any investment, a collectible car must be cared for, maintained, and safeguarded to guarantee its value appreciates over time. If you are a classic car collector, the best way to protect such an investment is to insure your antique car with collectible car insurance. What Is Collectible Car Insurance? Collectible car insurance is different from traditional auto insurance in several ways. First, the value of your collectible car is mutually agreed upon, meaning that you and your insurance company determine what the value will be. This is based on a few factors:  Collectible car valuation guidesProfessional appraisalResearchDocumentation Secondly, collectible car insurance covers the full amount of damage versus the replacement cost minus depreciation from traditional auto [...]

It is essential to read through your homeowners insurance policy carefully before signing the dotted line. Insurance policies can have obscure clauses that leave the average homeowner a little confused. If you find the insurance terms of a contract challenging to understand, you should seek professional insight and clarification. One of the essential aspects to review is what the agreement covers or what they can compensate for. Knowing precisely what the insurance provider is offering is crucial as it helps you identify what you can legally and successfully file a claim for. What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover? Standard homeowners insurance is a cover provided to protect various assets in your home from damages that you and your family members cause. While packages vary from one company to another, some of the typical coverages in homeowners insurance policies include: Loss of use where the coverage pays for the homeowner to stay elsewhere while their home is under repairFinancial loss caused by [...]

A standard home insurance policy will protect your home's infrastructure and belongings in the event of a destructive event. In addition, homeowners insurance policies tend to be all-encompassing — meaning that the coverage includes not only damage to your property, but also liability coverage. This coverage will cover you for any injuries and property damage to others caused by you or a home resident. While most homeowners are familiar with the unique advantages and benefits of homeowners insurance, the uninitiated may be wondering if it will cover their firearms. Common Homeowners Insurance Firearm Coverage The average homeowners insurance will typically cover firearms since they are part of what constitutes your “personal belongings.” However, because of the stringent policy limits that firearm coverage is subjected to, the standard homeowners insurance policy takes a conservative measure when it comes to covering firearms.  Frequently Asked Questions on Firearm Coverage Is the firearm covered for damage or loss? Traditional homeowners insurance will only have [...]

If you're like most people, you won't think about your car insurance very often. In all 50 states (Florida included), you have to have the minimum coverage to legally operate a vehicle, so most people pay what they need to and don't consider it much, if at all, beyond that. But what if the unthinkable happens? Imagine you walk out to your vehicle in order to drive to work, only to find that your car is gone. No, you didn't forget where you parked it—it was stolen. Whether this is covered by your auto insurance policy depends on what kind of policy you have. If you have "comprehensive" insurance, your policy will more-than-likely reimburse you for the stolen vehicle. If you have minimal, "liability" insurance, it will not. Comprehensive Insurance vs. Liability Insurance You may or may not have heard these terms before, and like many people, you might be wondering: "what's the difference between comprehensive car insurance and liability [...]

Between the construction, high speeds, and tourists on Central Florida’s roadways, having insurance in Orlando is critical. While shopping around for the best insurance coverage is important, it can also be extremely overwhelming. The process involves researching, evaluating, and comparing multiple protection plans and policies. Fortunately, there is a solution for those Central Floridians who feel a little out of their depth when it comes to selecting insurance options: an Orlando insurance broker. Types of Insurance Brokers Also known as an insurance agent, an insurance broker uses industry expertise to negotiate the best insurance plans and rates for his or her clients. There are two kinds of insurance brokers: Captive brokers sell insurance for a single carrier and generally put the insurance company’s interests ahead of the client.Non-captive brokers are independent insurance brokers who put the customer first by offering multiple insurance policies and products from a wide selection of insurance companies.  What an Insurance Broker Can Offer You Insurance [...]

Just like an unexpected car crash, flooding can cause damage that follows residents for years. Fortunately, just like with auto insurance, homeowners can prepare for the most unpredictable circumstances with a personal flood insurance policy. Facts About Flood Insurance Flood insurance is one of the most essential types of coverage that homeowners can secure, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Here’s everything you need to know about flood insurance to make the most informed decision for your home. Flood insurance isn’t typically covered in homeowner’s insurance. Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, which means you need a separate policy for full coverage.  Flood insurance is still important in low-risk areas. In fact, over 20% of flood-related claims come from areas that aren’t at high risk. Flood insurance is essential year-round. Unlike hurricanes and similar natural disasters, flooding can happen at any time, which makes constant coverage essential in every area. Flood insurance doesn’t only [...]

When it comes to auto insurance, states can choose between tort and no-fault insurance mandates for their residents. While tort car insurance assigns an at-fault driver who is responsible for all damages, medical bills, and pain and suffering, no-fault insurance—often referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance—helps motorists cover any medical expenses or loss of income due to an accident, regardless of fault. However, if you’re a Central Florida driver in need of Orlando auto insurance, then you may need a little bit of both. Is Florida a No-Fault State? Officially a no-fault state, Florida auto insurance relies on a combination of both the no-fault and tort systems. The Sunshine State requires residents to carry $10,000 worth of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to pay for their own medical bills and also requires $10,000 of Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance to help pay for damage to someone else’s vehicle or property if at fault in an accident. In addition to [...]

When living in a coastal state like Florida, hurricanes are a regular concern for homeowners. The sudden appearance of these storms and the immense damage they bring can leave houses destroyed and cost serious amounts of destruction. Unfortunately, many insurance plans do not cover the breadth of hurricane issues that can arise due to the problems it can cause for the insurance companies. Here, we will aim to explain what is already covered by your homeowner’s insurance and what else you might want to have covered in the event of a hurricane. What Am I Covered For? With a general homeowner’s insurance plan, you are protected from general theft, lightning, and fire damages. Some plans will cover wind-related damages, but this needs to be confirmed before any events take place. The issues arise when the storms officially become a hurricane. Once that designation is made, then any damages need to be covered by other add-ons. Flood Damage With the potential [...]

General liability insurance is integral for covering any damage expenses that come from standard business operations. It can protect you from lawsuits against your business and assist in paying legal fees for those pressing charges. Here are some of the situations in which you will be protected by general liability insurance. Third Party Injury General liability insurance can help cover costs if a customer is hurt on your property. For example, if a customer slips and gets a concussion while in your coffee shop, then they might sue you aiming to receive funds for medical bills. Incidents like these will be handled by your insurance if you have a general liability policy. Third Party Property Damage A customer could also file a lawsuit if their property is damaged by your business. Say that you are a technology repair company fixing a television at a client’s house, when one of your workers spills a drink and shorts the entire system. With [...]

The leased car market has grown significantly in the past few years. Whether it is because monthly payments are lower than ever or people just want to switch cars more frequently, it is now more common than ever to lease a car. For many people making the switch from car ownership to leasing, figuring out how exactly leased car insurance works can be tricky. Here’s what you need to know aboutleased car insurance so you can make sure your vehicle has the appropriate coverage. Basic State Requirements Before any additional insurance the lessor may require, each state has minimum coverage requirements drivers must meet. The main insurance that is needed is liability insurance for both other people you might injure and property that you might damage. While some states require more coverage for further incidents, this is limited liability insurance is consistent across the board. Coverage Required by the Lessor Most likely, the company that leases the car out to [...]

When your business needs an extra layer of liability protection against potentially catastrophic and unforeseen claims, commercial umbrella insurance is the perfect choice. In the event that a claim exceed the limits of your primary insurance policy, commercial umbrella coverage gives you and your assets additional protection. What Does Commercial Umbrella Insurance Cover? Commercial umbrella insurance help shields you and your assets from liability in the event of a costly emergency where you or your business are at fault. The following are just a couple examples of how commercial umbrella coverage can help safeguard your business against costly legal or medical expenses and can also provide a bit of extra padding should a lawsuit exhaust your business’ primary liability coverage. Medical costs associated with injuries sustained by a customer who slips, falls, and injures themselves on a wet floor on your property.A lawsuit brought against your company due to misleading advertising. Additional Asset Protection Your assets can be at significant [...]

While taking Orlando homeowners insurance is an optional choice, your home is a huge investment that requires protection. Homeowners insurance is meant to protect and cover your home from any damage or unforeseen risks. Fortunately, it does not have to cost you a lot of money. Here are some tips on how to trim costs and save on homeowners insurance. Improve Your Credit Score Your credit score affects your home insurance rates; bad credit equals expensive rates of home insurance, whereas a good credit score lowers your insurance rates. To boost your credit score, pay your bills on time, pay off your credit cards, and correct errors that may be present in your credit score. Improving your credit score results in numerous benefits, including saving on homeowners insurance. Raise Your Deductible Deductible refers to the amount of money you pay towards a claim before your insurance company starts to cover the remainder. If you raise your deductible, you are likely [...]