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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.