Insurance Blog

Business insurance can provide crucial protection for your business, especially when it comes to protecting your property. However, it's important to make sure you choose the right policy so you have the coverage you need. Here are some helpful tips for choosing the perfect business insurance policy for your business. Specialization You don't have to choose your insurance provider solely based on what they specialize in, but choosing a provider who specializes in business insurance is always a safe bet. Keep in mind that this is only a light recommendation and many other factors take precedence over a company's specialty. Growth and Flexibility When you're looking at solutions for your business, two of the most important things to consider are how flexible the solution is and how much it can grow with you. Starting out, you probably need an insurance provider that works specifically with the needs of small businesses. As your business grows, however, your insurance needs to grow [...]

Do you remember the day you first got your license? For many, it is an unforgettable moment because it truly was a life-changing event. It meant you didn’t have to beg your parents to drop you off at your friend’s house or try to bum rides off of people to go somewhere. It meant freedom, and what’s better than that in the eyes of a teenager? Surely, your child will feel the exact same way you did when they get their license. But, you will be having much different feelings this time around. Of course, you will be exceedingly proud of your teenager, but you will likely also feel some anxiety for their safety and stress about what it could cost you. After all, a new driver means new insurance needs. But how exactly will a teen affect your rates and coverage? The Data Unfortunately, new drivers are the riskiest for insurance companies to protect, especially new teen drivers. This [...]

The world of insurance, like most other specialized fields, is not beginner friendly. Insurance is often denoted by acronyms, has its own vocabulary, and is not always intuitive. This guide will attempt to help first time home-buyers answer basic questions about insurance and give them a solid foundation for understanding their needs. What Home Insurance Covers While it is called home insurance, it really covers much more than that. Home Insurance covers your property- so that means your home, belongings, and any structures on the property. Insurance is extremely valuable because it keeps homeowners from having to pay the cost of losses in full when damage occurs. The Different Types of Policies         Not all coverage is equal, and you will be insured differently depending on which policy you choose. Two of the main things to look for are 1) whether your property is covered at replacement cost or at actual cash value, and 2) whether you have a named perils [...]

HO-1, HO-3, HOA, NFIP, ALE… at times trying to understand different homeowner’s insurance policies and coverage's can be like deciphering an ancient language or decoding a hidden message. But thankfully, Corkhill Insurance is here to help you make sense of homeowner’s insurance terminology and policies. Basic Policies Anything beginning with “HO” is a homeowner’s policy of some kind. Most are numbered as well, like HO-2, HO-5, etc. But there are some exceptions like HOA, which is Home Owners Association coverage which you may get from being apart of a neighborhood or condo complex. HO-1: the most basic policy, which only covers 11 potential damages or “named perils,” and many states require more coverage than this policy offers HO-2: A standard broad coverage which adds protection for 6 additional named perils like falling objects and freezing HO-3: A much more comprehensive policy than the previous two since it is an open perils policy, or one which covers all damages to the [...]

A lot of people have a poor understanding of their home insurance policies. This lack of knowledge can really come back to hurt you later, when you think you are covered for something that you actually aren’t. In Florida, preparing for hurricanes is a must. You never know when one will get kicked up in the Atlantic, and it’s impossible to project with certainty how strong they will be and where they will head. Making sure your insurance policy covers hurricane damage is crucial to ensure that you and your family will be covered after the storm passes. What to Look for Hurricanes aren’t listed specifically as a named peril in homeowner’s policies, so how do you know if you are covered? Hurricanes present a variety of dangers to your home, so make sure the following perils are protected against in your base policy: Wind damage Falling objects Water damage Wind, water, and falling objects are the top 3 dangers [...]

If you’re a first-time home buyer, chances are the world of home insurance is a new one to you. It is a complicated thing to understand, with several different policies and coverages. Often is it also hard to understand how rates are determined and what you can do to lower the cost, especially when you are looking at several different policies at once. How will you ever choose the right policy with all the available options? Here are some tips to help you find the right coverage at the best price. Understand Coverages – This might be the best first step, since it ultimately gets at the heart of the issue. Homeowner’s Insurance is there to protect your dwelling and property in the event of disasters, so you must decide how much and how extensively you want to be covered. Some policies will cover property at actual cash value, others at replacement cost. This can make a huge difference, in [...]

Auto insurance in most states is not an option – it is mandatory. But despite this, not many people understand what the insurance actually does or how it works. The fact that auto insurance is required may actually be a cause of the lack of understanding surrounding it; since people don’t have the option of going without, they just check all the boxes and don’t think twice about it. But, Corkhill Insurance Agency is here to shed some light on popular misconceptions about auto insurance to help you discover how it actually works. Myth 1: A friend borrowing your car is not covered by your car insurance policy. Auto insurance covers the vehicle, no matter who is driving it. So, if you are on a road trip and switching drivers, that doesn’t mean you have to be extra-nervous when someone else takes the wheel. A collision is covered by the policy in operation for the car. Myth 2: When you [...]

Whether you are new to renting or an experienced tenant, there is a certain amount of risk involved. For instance, just because the landlord has home insurance, doesn’t mean your possessions are covered. Renters insurance policies can, not only offer you a safety net for your belongings, but provide protection for you if you find yourself homeless after a disastrous fire or storm. The first thing to do when choosing a policy is to create an inventory of everything you own. This includes clothes, electronics, furniture, and any other possessions in the home. Be sure to include the value of each item as well as pictures and model numbers of the high-priced items for your records. Compiling a thorough list in the beginning may seem tedious, but it will help you calculate the amount of coverage you want to buy and speed up the process of claims if you ever need to make one. Types of Policies: There are two [...]

Need an idea for a new year’s resolution? This may be the year to set one that protects your home and family. During the holidays, you probably received all sorts of high-priced items. Whether it was a flat-screen TV, new KitchenAid mixer, or jewelry, you’re at risk. During and after the holidays, there is a significant spike in burglaries because intruders know you’ve just raked in a bunch of brand-new items that could sell for top dollar online- and they will not hesitate to take them all. So, what is exactly can you do? Follow these steps, and you’ll be sure to have a happy new year. Always Lock Up Around 30% of break-ins occur through an unlocked window or door. After reading this, check your door and window locks for function. If you notice a lock may be leaving you vulnerable, get it fixed immediately. Once you’ve done this, set a date every few months or so to periodically [...]

The coverage provided by your homeowner’s insurance policy is crucial as it ensures that your home and the assets within it are protected in the event of a disaster. Unfortunately, a common mistake made with homeowner’s insurance is forgetting to account for change. Your policy is meant to last many years, so it only makes sense that your coverage mirrors the changes that happen over the lifespan of the policy. You should shop your policy around at least once a year to reevaluate and ensure that your needs are still met. What Kind of Changes? There are many reasons why you might want to shop your policy around when looking to meet the needs of changes in your life. For many homeowners, improvements are constantly being made around the house. Whether it be something as small as fixing a bathroom sink, or as large as remodeling the kitchen, these factors will add up when it comes to assessing your home’s [...]

Many people attempt to forgo insurance for their vehicles in an attempt to save a little money. While it may seem enticing at first, many problems arise when you take to the road without adequate coverage. You should never take on such a risk as the financial consequences can be substantial. What is the Risk? The danger of driving without insurance is often underestimated, but when you make such a dangerous decision, you must account for the risks, such as: Citations – Nobody likes to get a ticket, but unfortunately if you are caught by a police officer driving without auto insurance, you will receive a one for the violation. Depending on your state, the fee could be up to thousands of dollars. Vehicle Impounding – Because of the dangers of driving without insurance, police can have your vehicle towed and impounded until you provide proof of insurance. Until such time you can continue to take on impound fees. Paying [...]

Any small business owner can attest to the fact that running a business comes with substantial risk. If you are just starting up a risk can be detrimental to your business and potentially ruin you. The best way to fight back against such a risk is by investing in insurance for your small business. Take a look at these policies to determine which one is right for you. Automobile Insurance – Company vehicles are a risk because they carry personnel along with equipment and products. Automobile insurance policies can also be useful even if you don’t have company vehicles because it can insure employees’ personal vehicles if they use them for work. Property Insurance – Best for business owners who also own their building, property insurance covers both your building as well as your business property which can include product inventory, computers, or any other office equipment. This policy also protects against fire, theft, and vandalism. General Liability Insurance – [...]

Picking an auto insurance policy can be daunting and understandably so. Understanding the proper approach to finding the perfect policy is crucial because there are various factors that play into how your policy is formed. You should be aware of the following elements to get the best Florida auto insurance for you: 1.    Use Insurance Comparison Tools Comparison tools allow you to shop around and compare the pricing between insurance carriers. Using this to your advantage, you can ensure the best pricing for your insurance needs. 2.    Know What You Are Insuring You can find the best insurance policy by knowing what you want to insure. Several types of insurance policies differ greatly in their coverage. For instance, collision coverage, covers damage on your vehicle up to the blue book value, whereas bodily injury liability protects against injuries, death cases, and your legal costs if you hit somebody. 3.    Understand Your Demographics Who you are plays a substantial role in what policy [...]

As a homeowner, you want to be as careful as possible in making sure that you are not putting yourself at significant financial risk. When you take out a homeowner’s insurance policy, you welcome a plethora of benefits to yourself and home. These benefits include: •    Liability Coverage – No matter how many precautions you take, people can still potentially get hurt on your property. Homeowner’s insurance offers liability policies to provide coverage for anyone who incurs an injury on your property. •    Coverage Against Your Possessions –Homeowner’s insurance protects against damage or destruction of your belongings in the event of a disaster. It is crucial to keep an inventory of what you own and estimate the value to ensure the correct amount of coverage if you need to file a claim. •    Necessary for Mortgage – Most mortgage contracts require you to have a homeowner’s insurance policy to secure their financial investment. More often than not if you want to mortgage your home, [...]