Most homeowner policies include liability protection for boats below a certain size. These policies also provide some coverage for damages to the boat itself in addition to the motor and trailer, typically a specific dollar amount or percentage of the home’s value. Larger boats are more likely to require a separate insurance policy, especially if they have a motor. An agent at Runnels Insurance can provide you with more details on the insurance you’ll need for your boat in Brandon, FL.

Requirements

Insurance companies often classify larger boats as a yacht if its length is greater than 26 feet, which requires a different policy from a basic boat owner’s policy. Boats capable of faster speeds, typically 25 mph, may also require greater coverage. Additional factors that can increase the coverage you require include equipment such as covers, fenders, fishing gear, communication and navigation equipment.

Coverage

A boat owner’s policy will include many types of coverage that are common to other types of property insurance, including liability, theft, damage and loss. However, it often specifies coverage for particular parts of the boat such as the hull, furnishings, machinery and permanently attached equipment. Coverage for towing, assistance and uninsured boaters are also common components of boat insurance.

Deductible

Boat policies usually have more than one deductible, each of which may apply to a different type of property and loss. They may also use one of several methods to determine the reimbursement for a physical loss, including the replacement cost or a specific amount. The boat’s actual cash value (ACV) is also a common method of calculating reimbursement, which is the cost of a new boat less the depreciation of the insured boat. The same policy may also handle different types of boating property with different reimbursement methods.

Get a quote on boat insurance from Runnels Insurance, serving Brandon, FL.

Many people choose to live in an RV full time for a number of reasons. Full-time RV insurance differs slightly from auto insurance, so you want to make sure you have the proper coverage in Brandon, FL.

Liability: If you are living in your RV full time, things that are covered under homeowners insurance also need to be covered under RV insurance. This means that you need to have a higher liability value so that if someone slips and falls inside the RV, you are covered. Ask an agent at Runnels Insurance if you are covered in camp or while parked, as well as on the road, in order to have the most amount of coverage.

Personal Property: Since your personal belongings will be in your RV and it will likely be most of what you own, look for additional property coverage options. Many standard policies will give you a certain amount of coverage, but if you have expensive equipment, such as TVs or computers, you may want to increase the value. Also, check to see if the coverage includes items attached to the RV that has been added aftermarket.

Replacement Coverage: If something were to happen to your RV, you should know what the replacement coverage is since this is more catastrophic than just losing a vehicle. Full replacement coverage is best so that you can get the RV replaced.

Towing: You will need a separate towing package to make sure that you have coverage for towing a big vehicle.

Roadside Assistance: Roadside assistance can be useful if your RV breaks down from a flat tire, battery failure, or if you get locked out. Even if you are not going to be driving your RV at all, consider this option.

Pet Injury Coverage: If you don’t have a separate pet insurance policy, then this coverage can make sense, especially if you live in the RV full time.

Contact Runnels Insurance, serving Brandon, FL, to get a quote on RV insurance. 

If you live in Brandon, FL, you probably realize that your regular property insurance will not give you the help you need if you are the victim of a flood. When you purchased your policy at Runnels Insurance, you learned that there are some limitations and that you may need an extra policy to get the coverage you need. 

What Is Flood Insurance? 

Flood insurance is insurance that protects you when large amounts of water flood your home and it usually comes through the National Flood Insurance Program  (NFIP). Because of the geography of Florida, flood insurance is usually a requirement of a mortgage. There are many possible sources of flooding for any property in the area, such as lakes, rivers and, of course, the ocean.

The policies themselves generally cover up to  $250,000 for property and up to  $100,000 for personal possessions. The property covers the amount that it would take you to rebuild, including for your home’s foundation, HVAC system, other large appliances, carpeting, and debris removal. Personal items include clothing, furniture, curtains, small appliances, and even food.

How Can I Tell How Much Coverage To Get?

Your flood policy is meant to help you recover if there is a disaster, so you need to consider that when purchasing your policy. If you live in Florida, the chances are you will need flood coverage even if you don’t live by the water, as it covers flooding from storms. 

Investigating your options and comparing private insurance might get you a better deal and the specific coverage you need. You don’t want to be left high and dry in Brandon, FL if a flood damages your home. At Runnels Insurance, we can help you assess the value of your property and tailor your policy to you. Please call today if you have any questions.

It is a lot of fun to have a boat during the summer in Brandon, FL. Water is a way of life in the state of Florida so many people have a boat. However, after summer is over, many people stop their boat insurance policies because they are not using their boats outside of summer. However, that is not the smartest thing to do because there are a lot of things that can happen during the year even if you are not using your boat. Here at Runnels Insurance, we recommend that you have boat insurance year round and these are just a few reasons why:

• Damage can happen to your boat even if it is stored. If you find that damage has happened when it has been stored, if you did not have boat insurance, there is nothing you can do except to pay for the repairs out of your own pocket. 
• Someone can steal your boat, even in the off season. Even though you may not be using your boat, no one said anyone else would be looking away. If it is stolen in the time that you are not using it, then you want to have insurance to protect yourself. 
• You want protection against someone getting injured on the boat. When you are using the boat, you want that protection to ensure that you will not have to pay out of pocket for any medical bills because of an injury. 

Having a boat is a lot of fun but you also need to make sure that it is protected all year long. If you have a boat and need boat insurance, be sure to reach out to us here at Runnels Insurance, serving Brandon, FL, today so we can get a policy for you.

Your RV is basically your home away from home, so it is essential that you give it the same attention as you would your home in Brandon, FL. Make sure to carefully inspect the RV for any damages before heading out on the road. Unfortunately, accidents happen, but with a little preparation, you may be able to avoid common problems. Here are 3 of the most common RV insurance claims and how you can avoid them.

Hitting Bridges and/or Gas Station Overhangs

One of the most common claims insurance companies see when it comes to RV’s is damages caused by hitting bridges and gas station overhangs. RV owners in Brandon, FL, who don’t know the height of their RV, enter areas that do not have enough clearance overhead. The first step to avoiding this type of claim is to measure the height of your RV from the ground to its highest point, which is typically at the top of the air conditioner. For extra safety, add an extra 6-8 inches to the overall height. Make sure to write the information down and post in an area that you can easily see and remember to check the clearance of bridges and overhangs.

Rodent Infestations

Damages caused by rodent infestation are also a common claim, primarily damages that occur when an RV is being stored for the winter. The most common as well as extensive damages are often caused by squirrels and/or mice. Rodents are notorious for chewing through plastic lines, wiring, and upholstery. To prevent rodents from finding their way into your RV it is important to do a careful inspection of the RV before storing. Look for any holes or gaps, including inside, under and behind drawers and cabinets, and fill them with expanding foam. Remove all food items from the RV and thoroughly clean it to remove any food droppings that may attract rodents.

Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts on an RV are often caused by tires that underinflated, old, overloaded and/or damaged. A tire blowout can cause extensive damage to your RV as well as put you at risk of severe injuries if you lose control of the vehicle when the tire blows. RV tires generally have the maximum rating that can be found on the side of the tire. The best way to find out if your tires are overloaded is to find scales where you weigh them individually. Tire failure may also be caused by underinflated tires, so make sure to check the pressure frequently using a quality pressure gauge. Age also plays a role in the risk of tire blowouts, so make sure to replace the tires when needed.

Residents in and around Brandon, FL who are interested in RV insurance should contact Runnels Insurance.