How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Insurance Policy for Your Needs

Motorcycle insurance is a necessity before you take your bike out on the highway. Insurance is important for your financial protection because accidents can be very costly. If you are in Brandon, FL, the agents at Runnels Insurance can provide the coverage you need. 

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage may be required. This covers any expenses others incur as the result of an accident with you. In addition to standard liability, if you plan to have passengers you will need to make sure they are covered as well. You may need to choose an add-on to a liability or full coverage policy to cover anyone who is riding with you.

Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

You should consider your needs for collision and comprehension coverage. If you have a lot of money invested in your bike or have a lien on it, this coverage is essential. It will cover any damages due to an accident, in the case of collision, or in the case of things like fire and theft with comprehensive coverage. You should also discuss the value of your motorcycle with the insurance company, and make sure that you are in agreement before you accept a policy.

Custom Parts

If your bike has custom parts, you will want to make sure they are covered as well. Custom parts can be very expensive, and not all policies will cover them. Check with your insurance provider to see if you need to provide proof of custom parts ahead of time. 

If you need motorcycle insurance in Brandon, FL, contact Runnels Insurance. Our agents will be happy to speak with you about your coverage requirements and help you choose a policy that meets your needs. 

 

What Brandon FL Boat Owners Know About Enjoyable Trips

Serving the Brandon, FL area, Runnels Insurance is proud to work with boat owners and those looking to make a purchase of a new watercraft.  The planning for insurance can be simple with boat ownership and the staff is able to answer any questions about the process.  Purchasing a boat can be one of the most incredible experiences and owners can appreciate a simple way of getting organized with insurance.  Those enjoying their boats in the Florida area can understand the importance of comfortable weather and the numerous opportunities for recreation. 

Planning for trips can also be a nice part of boat ownership.  Some people get more comfortable with the prep work and clean up process after working through it a few times.  Simplifying the plans for having everything organized can actually be part of the enjoyment.  Keeping the boat equipment together and ready to be used again is a simple way to get more excited about taking more trips.  When packing, it might be easier to travel lite with a planned out way of organizing everything.  This can make it much simpler to unpack and clean everything.

Boat ownership can be enjoyable with each trip as something people can appreciate.  Appropriate planning can help make sure everyone is pleased to go out and enjoy the water.  Those looking to purchase a boat can also understand easily that Brandon, FL has much to offer with areas to visit after getting their new purchase.  Opportunities for recreation are impressive and Runnels Insurance is pleased to help boat owners take care of any insurance needs.  The friendly staff is experienced working with those purchasing a new boat.  You can contact the company to get more information or visit the website for Runnels Insurance.

Safety Tips for Seniors Traveling by RV

One of the most popular ways for seniors residing in Brandon, FL to travel is by way of an RV. A recreational vehicle is a great way to visit the places you’ve always wanted to visit and it’s a great way to travel on a budget. Even seniors’ traveling alone has become more common, but it’s important to keep yourself safe while on the road. To ensure you have a fun and safe trip, Runnels Insurance has put together a few helpful tips for your next adventure.

RV Maintenance

Before hitting the road, it’s essential that you make sure the RV is going to be safe while you’re out and about. Be sure to have the tires inspected and routinely check the air pressure while you’re traveling, have the oil and other fluids checked and topped off, check the windshield wipers and be sure to have the brakes checked. It’s also recommended that you have all of your insurance and roadside assistance information with you at all times while traveling.

Choosing Campgrounds

Before you put the RV in drive, map out your trip, including information about each campground you will be parking in. Before making reservations at a campground, do your research to ensure the campgrounds aren’t too far off the beaten path, have access to water and power and that they can accommodate your RV.

Before leaving, make sure you give all of your trip information to a family member or friend. You should include the route you are planning to take, the name and location of each campground and when you intend to return home. Remember to verify that your insurance is order, especially roadside services.

Residents of Brandon, FL interested in insuring their RV should contact Runnels Insurance.

Am I Covered In A Flood?

Flooding might not be as much of a concern in some states as it is in others. With a drier climate and higher elevation, flooding is rare but is far more common in coastal states like Florida. Certainly, it’s something that we need to think about in Brandon, FL. In Florida, you never know what storm season will bring, and we have environmental hazards in addition to typical plumbing concerns.

So here’s the question:

Flooding: Are You Covered?

The truth about flood insurance is that some homeowners policies will cover it, and by some, we mean "very, very few." As a general rule, your homeowner’s policy won’t protect you against a flood.

The only way to know for sure: Sit down and read your insurance policy. It’s a good idea to take the time to really read your policy front to back anyway. Insurance is a "just in case," so you need to know what your provider is prepared to handle.

Flooding might not be covered for a number of reasons. One of those reasons being that flooding is a complicated area. Flooding isn’t just the initial damages, but long term damages, as well. A flood might not do any major damage at first glance but may result in mold and deterioration over time.

If you’re not covered against a flood, you certainly do need to seek coverage. This type of protection may not be requisite in some states, but it is simply a necessity in Brandon, FL. If you’re looking to upgrade your plan to include flood damages, get in touch with Runnels Insurance and let’s see what we can do for you.

When Should You Add Coverage To Your Home Insurance?

Life is constantly evolving. The way we use our homes is always changing, too. At Runnels Insurance, we encourage our Brandon, FL customers to regularly reevaluate their home insurance needs. Big changes to your property mean big chances that your coverage may not be enough to protect your new investments, such as:

Additions To Your Property

Are you considering adding a room to your home? How about installing a new swimming pool or deck? Finally going to build that covered parking, garage, or workshop? All of these situations call for new coverage. You don’t want to have something major cause damage or even total loss of your addition, only to find out it was not covered by your current policy. Whenever you make a major change or improvement to your property make sure you have proper insurance coverage.

Renting Out Parts Of Your Home

Leasing out an unused section of your home can be an excellent way to generate extra income. However, your current homeowner’s insurance might not cover damages caused by renters. Furthermore, if you end up leasing to a tenant who decides to sue you later your current policy may not cover legal or court fees. While Florida law does not require landlords to purchase rental-specific coverage, it’s still important to consider the "what if’s" with your insurance agent and adjusts your coverage appropriately.

Hosting Major Events

From super sweet 16th birthdays to graduation blowouts to intimate backyard weddings, our homes can play host to many of life’s special events. Unfortunately, the more people that gather at your home, the more chance there is for something to go wrong. People can accidentally get hurt or damage your personal property. Before you host a large event at your home, examine your current policy to make sure you’ll be covered if a guest gets hurt or breaks something valuable. You may want to consider increasing your coverage or opt for an umbrella policy to fill in any gaps.

Changing home insurance coverage can be confusing to do alone. Runnels Insurance extends a friendly and encouraging hand to all homeowners in Brandon, FL. Let us work together to make sure your policy fits your personal needs.

3 Tips About Auto Insurance For Teenagers

When teens reach driving age, they get excited about everything that entails their new journey as a driver. Everything except for car insurance, that is. Between learning how to drive, choosing a cool car, planning where to drive with friends once they get their permit or driver’s license, to finding a job that will cover their gas costs, teens may even forget to think about auto insurance in the first place.

However, the opposite should be the case: Runnels Insurance agents believe that auto insurance should be at the forefront of the minds of teens and their parents. Finding the right policy is not just up to the teen; a parent’s help and input are priceless in this case. Auto insurance for teens in Brandon, FL can be a tricky purchase. Here are some tips for teens and their parents to consider while shopping for that coveted first auto insurance policy.

1. Add The Teen To An Existing Family Auto Insurance Policy

While a straightforward approach to car insurance for teens may be to buy a brand new policy, parents should consider adding their kids to an existing family policy. Not only can this save money, but it can also offer the brand-new driver with a better start to their driving track record.

To accommodate this addition, parents can choose to raise their overall deductible. This allows for adequate coverage for the new driver, since teenagers are typically considered a risky demographic for insurance companies.

In addition to increasing their deductible, parents can purchase a personal liability umbrella policy. This type of addition cushions an existing policy from its own limits. This way, if the teen gets involved in an accident where the cost of damages exceeds the existing policy, the umbrella policy can kick in.

2. The Teen Should Attend Driving School

As a parent, are you planning to teach your own child how to drive?

Of course, this is certainly an option, and it may seem like you would save money by taking this route. Driving school can be costly, after all.

However, consider letting your child attend driving school anyway. The cost of driving school may lower your insurance policy payment and increase your child’s coverage. When a teen enrolls in driving school, there is a clear record of driving performance which can be shown to your insurance provider. This typically makes the teen less of a liability for the purposes of insurance.

3. Purchase A Safe Vehicle

Did you know that the type of vehicle tied to an insurance policy can affect its cost and coverage parameters?

Teens often hope to score a flashy, sporty car that looks cool and drives fast. Sports cars and small cars in general can be interpreted as a liability by an insurance provider. In fact, most brand-new cars can cause an increased insurance rate.

If you hope to keep your insurance rate reasonable, go with a safe, used car. Any car that has a good track record in the industry, has four doors, and average mileage should work well as a starter vehicle.

Are You Ready To Purchase Your Teen’s Auto Insurance?

Before the teen goes out into the world with his or her fancy new license to freedom, it’s time to invest in some protection. Runnels Insurance can help you purchase a policy that works for the entire family. Contact us today for a quote that works with your budget and provides you with the best in terms of coverage.

5 Life Insurance Myths that Could Leave You Unprotected

Life insurance myths could rob you of valuable protection for you and your family. At Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, we can help you distinguish life insurance facts from the fiction so you can make smart life insurance choices. Here are some common myths about life insurance coverage.

Myth: Life insurance is too costly.

Life insurance isn’t “one size fits all.” Prices vary depending on the policy you choose. By discussing options with your Runnels Insurance agent, you’re sure to find a policy that gives you the protection you need at a cost you can afford.

Myth: Young, healthy adults don’t need life coverage.

Life insurance is cheaper to buy when you’re young and healthy. You never know when serious health problems will develop and lead to your early demise. If you have a family, life benefits can provide financial security for your spouse and children in the event of your untimely demise.

Myth: You can’t get life insurance if you have health issues.

You can still get life insurance with medical issues like high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis if you are managing your symptoms. However, you’ll probably pay more for your policy that if you were in good health.

Myth: Singles don’t need life insurance.

You may be single now, but what about the future? Buying a life insurance policy now can provide valuable protection for when you do get married and start a family. It can also provide financial support for aging parents or young siblings if you were to suddenly pass on.

Myth: Stay-at-home parents don’t need life insurance.

Who would care for your children in the event of your untimely demise? Life insurance benefits can help pay for childcare to make it easier for your spouse to support the family after you’re gone.

To learn more about life insurance options and costs, contact Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL today.

Can I get umbrella insurance for my personal needs or is it only for businesses?

You have probably heard of umbrella insurance, but most people think of it as something that businesses need to protect themselves against great losses. However, there are also umbrella policies for individuals, and those are personal umbrella policies. If you live in Brandon, FL, you might have considered getting an umbrella policy from Runnels Insurance.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

It’s easy to describe umbrella insurance because of its name. Like an umbrella, it spreads out over you and your family to protect you from outside harms. What an umbrella policy actually does is add extra coverage to your other insurance policies, like home and auto. When you have umbrella insurance, your limits go up drastically. The minimum coverage for an umbrella policy usually starts at $1 million.

What Is Covered?

Much of what is covered is the same as what is covered under your regular insurance.

  • Bodily injury — If you are in an automobile crash and you are at fault, you could be sued for all of the medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses of the victim. Most auto insurance policies won’t go very far when the injuries are serious. When your home is included, your umbrella policy will add extra protection for situations such as when someone is injured when visiting you.
  • Property damage — The minimum coverage is usually too small to cover all the damages, and you could be stuck paying the rest out of your own pocket.
  • An umbrella policy also offers protection against some unusual kinds of claims, including slander, libel, and shock or mental anguish.

If you think you could use an umbrella policy in Brandon, FL, don’t hesitate to give us any obligation call at Runnels Insurance today.

Does my condo insurance cover renovations?

In Brandon, FL, you will just as likely need to purchase condo insurance as you would homeowner’s insurance. Both housing types remain quite common and Runnels Insurance offers both.

Once you settle into your condo, you might decide to renovate. It makes sense to make the place truly yours. You need to know that the insurance your condo association provides does not cover your renovations. Whether it provides “all-in” or “bare walls” coverage, it does not cover your changes.

The all-in master policy covers the condo’s interiors from the studs inside the walls to the contents with which you filled it. That means your Alexa gets replaced, as well as the cabinets, flooring, lighting, etc. In this case, you get back the condo you purchased and everything in it. This is a rate policy that most condo associations do not carry.

The bare walls master policy covers the cabinets, flooring, lighting, etc. only. That leaves replacing your contents up to you.

The result of a close read of your master policy is that you need a supplementary condo insurance policy of your own. A condo insurance policy provides similar coverage to a standard HOA policy. It is a derivative type of HOA. It provides coverage for any type of renovations or remodeling you made to the interior, your contents and liability coverage. That means if a guest trips, falls and breaks their arm in your bathroom, the condo insurance covers your liability which would include their medical costs and perhaps a suffering payment.

Drop by Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL to discuss your condo insurance needs. We can help you with a home inventory or to determine your additional liability needs if you run a home business.

How Motorcycle Insurance Differs From Auto Insurance

If you have been driving a motorcycle for any amount of time, you know that driving a motorcycle is vastly different from driving a car. For this reason, insurance coverage of a motorcycle is also vastly different. In order to be safe and insured properly, it is important to understand these differences. 

Two Wheels Just Isn’t The Same

Driving on two wheels just is not the same as driving on four. The risk factors are increased drastically. For this reason, insurance must be different. If you have never insured a motorcycle before, be prepared to have a different rate and possibly a different policy for your motorcycle. 

Passengers

There are also significant distinctions when it comes to passengers. In an automobile, it is assumed that there will be more than one passenger since the vehicle is built for multiple passengers. This is not the case with a motorcycle. With a motorcycle, it is assumed there will only be one passenger. Therefore, if you plan to have passengers ride with you, you will need to add this to your insurance policy. If you overlook this step and allow passengers to ride with you without adding passengers to your policy you could get into a lot of trouble. 

Time of Use

Motorcycle insurance also gives you the option of only paying for coverage when you will be using the bike. This is very handy for people who only use their bike during certain seasons of the year. If you do not ride all year long, then you can save money by only getting part-time coverage. 

If you would like to learn more about motorcycle coverage, please contact our friendly staff today at Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL. We would be delighted to answer your questions.