While Florida state law does not require that you carry homeowner’s insurance, you will likely be required to if you still have a mortgage. Further, if you live in a condo or within the boundaries of an HOA, they might also require you to pick up homeowners insurance. Even if none of those reasons apply to you, it’s still a wise investment to make to protect your home in Brandon, FL. 

Weather

Despite being named the Sunshine State, Florida gets more than its fair share of rainy days. In fact, in US history, six of the ten most expensive storms have occurred right here in Florida. It’s a good idea to review your policy to ensure you are covered for weather-related damages and know what exclusions apply. Flooding, for example, is a separate policy. 

Dislocation Living Expenses

Storms being a fact of life for Floridians means that sooner or later, you may be out of your home while it is undergoing necessary and claimable repairs. Additional Living Expenses coverage kicks in to help you ride out the extra expense of living away from home, allotting you cash up to your limit for lodging, food, and incidentals like laundry facilities. 

Protection Against Lawsuit 

Accidents happen to the best of us. If an injury occurs on your property, your or a family member damage another’s property, or your household pets cause injury or damage, you risk expensive lawsuits without adequate liability coverage. There is no deductible to utilize this portion of your policy, and it can provide you payment to cover your defense and pay damages owed up to your policy limits. 

If you are ready to review your homeowner’s insurance, reach out to Runnels Insurance today. We can go over your needs and help you find the best policy for your needs.  

Over time, both you and your property will evolve. Because of this, you must take into consideration that you need to update your homeowner’s insurance. Runnels Insurance wants to ensure that Brandon, FL residents are aware of a couple of reasons why it is so important to update their home insurance, so keep reading!

Cover Any Improvements Recently Made

The great thing about owning a home is that you can make improvements to it anytime that you wish. However, it is important that you let your insurance company know about these improvements so they can be outlined in your policy to ensure you are properly covered should a catastrophe strike.

Otherwise, if disaster strikes, your claim may be denied, leaving you to pay for repairs out of your own pocket. Therefore, if you have recently added anything new to your home or performed any renovations, make sure to consult with your insurance agent.

Ensure You’re Adequately Protected

When it comes to replacing your home, the cost of such is impacted by the economy. As inflation increases, the cost of goods and services does as well. Therefore, if your home is completely destroyed, it will end up costing more to replace the home.

In addition, depending on the real estate market, your home may increase in value over the years, and you’ll want to ensure that your insurance policy reflects the appropriate property value. To ensure that your home insurance policy accounts for recent changes in the economy and real estate market, update your policy regularly with your insurance company.

If you believe you need to sit down and take a look at your home insurance coverage, reach out to us at Runnels Insurance. We are proud to serve the Brandon, FL area. Contact us today so we can discuss your policy options.

Brandon, FL residents need to choose home insurance to avoid the stress caused by the massive loss of private home properties. This insurance policy helps cover home properties in case of damage, theft, or natural calamities. In Florida, citizens who own mass properties at home opt for this policy. Would you mind speaking with our dedicated agents at Runnels Insurance to get a customized quote on your home insurance?

Is Home Insurance a Must in Florida?

Florida state law does not make it mandatory for homeowners to have home insurance coverage in Florida, but the mortgage company may require the insurance. However, who wants to risk it? Especially when the home is vast and valuable. It’s mostly opted for by financially stable and significant homeowners. This insurance option comes with several advantages. Because damage and accidents are unpredictable, home insurance is the genuine deal.

It Protects One’s Most Valuable Asset.

Runnels insurance company is one of the companies that provide home insurance. In Florida, most prestigious and wealthy individuals have a precious asset in their homes. The imported interior decorations and exterior designs do cost a fortune. These assets are damaged by fire, storms, or floods. When least expected, others are stolen, while others are struck by lightning or earthquakes. An individual’s insured home has happy and less stressed family members. This results in a happy family.

It Provides Liability Coverage.

Home insurance in Florida helps citizens have their liability protected. Accidents and damages may not happen in one’s home. If they occur, and an individual does not want to be held accountable lawfully or pay the entire cost associated, their home insurance comes through for them. 

It Pays to Replace Personal Belongings.

If a calamity or accident and an individual’s properties are entirely damaged, all is not lost as long as one has home insurance. In Florida, home insurance owners get the privilege of having their damaged valuable items replaced. These personal belongings can include; ornaments and jewelry, cameras, telephones and mobile phones, interior designer wall clocks, and valuable flower vases. The insurance owner eliminates most stress associated with the loss or damage of valuable private items. Everyone owns and values their things.

Home insurance may not be compulsory for homeowners in Florida, but it is the wisest decision to make if one has valuable items at home. In case of damage, taking an inventory of the damaged items helps the Runnels Insurance Company serving Brandon, FL and the surrounding community to estimate the value and come through for you. No one likes losses. Home insurance instills peace of mind for homeowners.

If you own a house, you need to keep that house protected. Make sure that you always have a home insurance policy protecting your home, or you could face serious financial problems down the road. To get your home policy, give us a call now at Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL.

Protection for Your Possessions

Inside your home, you have an array of belongings that represent different price points. The sum of all of those things is generally an enormous amount of money. Furniture pieces alone can cost a lot, and you have some of them in every room. To protect yourself against your belongings being ruined, keep your home insurance policy in place. It will pay for repairs and replacements for items that are damaged or destroyed by a covered incident. This is an enormous saving for you should the worst happen to your things. 

Protection for Your House

Another important part of your home insurance policy is the coverage for the house. This coverage includes a lot of information about covered incidents that are covered by the policy. It may be a natural disaster or something else that impacts your home and leaves it needing repairs. Home repairs, especially when they are extensive, can be very difficult to afford without the help of a home policy. 

Living Elsewhere

If the worst does happen and your home is impacted by a destructive incident, your home policy will pay for you to live somewhere else until your home is repaired. This is coverage that many people don’t think about until the situation occurs, but it is important coverage to have on your home. 

Insure Your Home

Above all, make sure that your home is always well-covered by a home policy. If you need one, call us at Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL.

Florida is a great place to call home. Warm weather attracts many people to the state. The same warm weather and great location also provide a place that is prone to weather emergencies. Making sure your home is prepared makes it less stressful when an emergency arises. Having the correct amount of home insurance is also a stress reliever. At Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, we are locally owned and operated and have been providing friendly and efficient service since 1991. 

Many emergencies that threaten Florida are weather-related.  Hurricanes are a regular yearly occurrence. If you live in an area that is likely to feel the effects of one of these storms, you need to be prepared to deal with it. Hurricane shutters can provide the level of protection that homes in Florida need or having hurricane-proof windows is never a bad idea. 

High winds often cause power outages. When the power is out, that can affect your water and sewer lines. It is imperative that you have access to clean water both for drinking and other necessities. Having at least a week’s supply of freshwater is good planning. If you need water for your toilet to flush, filling your bathtub with water when a storm is expected can be a lifesaver. 

Investing in a generator can mean the difference between sweltering in the summer heat and having a working ac unit. It can also help to preserve the food in your fridge and freezer. Making sure that you have enough fuel for a week is also important. 

If your area is prone to flooding, your family should have an evacuation plan so that the entire family knows where you will be evacuating to. You also should have your important papers in a weatherproof container, so they will be available to you if you need them. 

In Brandon, FL, Runnels Insurance is your local independent insurance agent. 

One sure way of avoiding frustrations when filing claims is by understanding your insurance policy when purchasing coverage. At Runnels Insurance, it pains us to see our Brandon, FL clients having a bad experience just because they didn’t understand the nitty-gritty of their home insurance policy. For this reason, we have prepared a brief guide on home insurance exclusions to help you shop for riders or add-ons to boost your home insurance policy.

Your typical home insurance doesn’t protect you against:

Flood damage

While your home insurance covers you against water damage emanating from the inside (like broken pipes), it won’t protect you from overland flooding. For this reason, if you live in a flood-risk region, consider purchasing flood insurance from NFIP or private carriers to protect your home from water damage.

Water damage from sewer backup

Weak sewer lines, tree roots, and clogging can cause water damage that isn’t only an inconvenience but can become expensive to repair. Unfortunately, a typical home insurance policy doesn’t cover such damages. However, the good news is that you can purchase an endorsement to protect your home against such mishaps.

Neglect

You can’t neglect maintenance for your home and then run to your insurer for repairs. For instance, the damage will likely occur to your home structure if you fail to prevent mold and pest infestations. If you try to file a claim for such damage, it’s likely to be declined.

Intentional acts

This exclusion is self-explanatory. If your insurer concludes that damage to your home was intentional, you won’t be compensated. Worse yet, you could be prosecuted for insurance fraud if found culpable. 

Government actions

If your government confiscates your belongings or reclaims your land, that’s not your insurer’s headache. 

The above list is not exhaustive. It’s a guide of what your typical home insurance doesn’t cover. For better understanding, refer to your insurance policy. Better yet, you can contact Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, for more information on home insurance.

Although it may feel as though you’ve just finished up all of your home’s spring maintenance chores, fall in Brandon, FL is just around the corner, so there’s no better time than now to get started on your fall home maintenance. Taking preventative steps now will save you both time and money down the road as well as the headache of dealing with issues that often occur as the weather gets colder. Here are a few tips from Runnels Insurance to help you get started on your fall maintenance.

Clean the Gutters

One of the most important fall home maintenance tasks you should include on your list is cleaning the gutters. Nobody likes cleaning the gutters, but if left alone the gutters and downspouts can lead to much more significant and expensive damages, including roof leaks. It’s typically recommended that the gutters should be cleaned at least twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. If your home is surrounded by trees this should be done more frequently. Cleaning the gutters prevents clogging. Over time the leaves and debris build up in the gutters, eventually preventing the water from flowing away from the roof and spilling over which causes damage to the foundation.

Inspect the Roof

Fall is the best time to inspect your roof. The winter rains can cause significant damage to the roof, the structure of your home and lead to issues with pests. When inspecting your roof, make sure to check for loose shingles, missing shingles, and any damaged flashing around chimneys and vents. If there is any buckling, curling or cracking shingles, be sure to replace them before winter arrives. If there is extensive damage, you may want to consider hiring a professional roofing contractor to replace the existing roof.

Pest Prevention

People commonly assume that spring and summer are when they will notice the most pest activity in and around their home. While this is often the case, the reason why spring is the time of the year when you’ll notice an influx in pests is because the eggs that have been laid over the winter are hatching. Pests, such as ants, spiders, centipedes, roaches, and a host of other creepy crawlies start looking for a warm place to spend the winter and your home is the perfect winter home for them. As these pests take up residence in your home over the winter, they lay eggs, which eventually hatch in the spring; ultimately possibly leading to an infestation. So, the best way to prevent the problem is to address the issue in the fall before there’s a risk.

Residents of Brandon, FL interested in learning more information about home insurance should contact Runnels 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.

Insurance is something that many people may have difficulty truly understanding. There are nuances, extras, and items that may not be so obvious. For those homeowners that have expensive lawnmowers or other expensive lawn equipment, having some form of insurance is a great way to feel a bit more secure. For those in the Brandon, FL area, the agents with Runnels Insurance can help you find the policy that covers all your needs.

For those that have a lawn mower or other expensive lawn equipment, it is helpful to know that these items are covered on your home policy. They are covered either on the contents of the home or the contents of the garage or other outbuildings that you have on the property. These coverages are perfect for making sure that if there is damage from a fire, from a storm, or from theft, that these high-cost items are covered so that you can repair or replace them.

If your garage catches on fire for example and your lawn mower is destroyed, you can call on your home policy to help replace or repair your lawnmower. If the fire was caused by your car you may be able to call on your auto policy. It is important to note that your lawn mower is likely going to be covered by some form of insurance that you hold but if you feel you need extra insurance, you can take out policies that are specifically for lawn mowers and other lawn equipment. For those that live in or around the Brandon, FL area, the agents with Runnels Insurance can help you get the perfect policy to make sure that all your high-cost items are covered in some way or other.

Summer’s a great time to make home renovations to accommodate the growing needs of your family. As renovations may alter your insurance coverage, it’s wise to discuss home improvement plans with a Runnels Insurance agent before upgrading your Brandon, FL home. Updating your home insurance ensures you are fully covered against damage or loss. Here are a few ways in which home renovations could alter your current insurance coverage.

Increase Home Value

Major improvements such as adding a new deck or patio can increase the value of your property. This means your current policy limits may be insufficient to cover the cost of home repairs in the event of fire, wind or storm damage. Updating your policy gives you a chance to raise property damage or liability coverage limits to coincide with your home’s new value. This way you will have the protection you need in the wake of a major disaster. By adding renovations to your policy, you also protect these investments against damage or loss.

Increase or Decrease Insurance Costs

Home improvements may result in an increase or decrease in your insurance premium, depending on the contribution they make to your property. A new roof or replacement windows, for example, will increase your home’s security, which could make you eligible for a discount on insurance costs. In contrast, adding a new deck, patio or bathroom will increase property value, which could result in an increase in your premium. By planning ahead, you can configure higher insurance premiums into your monthly budget. 

If you’re considering renovating your home this summer, contact us at Runnels Insurance, Brandon, FL, to update your policy. We can help customize a homeowner’s insurance policy conducive to your family’s individual needs.