When most people think about insurance, they usually think of car insurance and, if they own a house, homeowners. Some many think of life insurance as a possible option if their job offers it; however, not many people realize that there are additional insurance options beyond the state required minimums. When disaster strikes, it is a common occurrence that people who opted for the minimum insurance coverage possible can find themselves, their property, and their family in danger because of that lack of coverage. Furthermore, even people who opted for larger coverage can sometimes find themselves in that same dangerous situation because of insurance running out or a particular situation not being covered.

Umbrella insurance serves to provide that needed kind of overlapping coverage. Having an umbrella policy may provide coverage during situations that other policies may not cover and is specifically designed to kick in when those first policies have been exhausted. For example, an umbrella insurance policy may protect you against certain types of lawsuits or personal liability situations. Since insurance laws can vary from state to state, it is vital to speak with your local insurance agent to make sure that you are getting the coverage you need to feel safe and secure in case an emergency or life altering event occurs. 

Located in Brandon, FL, Runnels Insurance offers a variety of ways to explore your insurance options through face to face meetings with agents, phone calls, and email. Within minutes, you can have the information you need to make sure you have an umbrella for when those rainy days come. After all, no one wants to get caught in a bad situation without coverage. 

If you ride your motorcycle often, chances are that you’ll get caught in the rain at some point. Don’t give up precious ride time by staying indoors when the sky gets cloudy. Instead, follow a few easy tips to make sure you still ride like the wind on rainy days.

Tip #1 – Get the Right Rain Gear

It’s no fun to get caught in the rain if you don’t have the right gear. You end up cold and wet, which can ruin the good vibes. Invest in the right rain gear. It will keep you comfortable and dry so you can concentrate on having a great ride instead of how miserable you feel getting wet.

Tip #2 – Know When It’s Most Dangerous

Riding in the rain can be dangerous, but knowing when it’s the most dangerous can help you avoid an accident. It’s the first 15 minutes that are the slickest and most dangerous to bikers due to all the fuel, oil, and other fluids that are deposited on the road. When this mixes with water, it just gets slick out there. If you can, pull over for those 15 minutes. If not, take it slow in the beginning of a rainstorm.

Tip #3 – Go with a Full Face Helmet

When you’re traveling along at 55mph, those rain drops can hurt. Make sure you have a full face helmet. If you’re caught without one, make sure you protect your face with a detachable face shield or at least have a bandanna over your face to keep it protected.

Rain or shine, you always need to make sure that you and your bike are covered with good motorcycle insurance. Find out more about motorcycle coverage by contacting Runnels Insurance today.

 

Home and auto insurance coverage are valuable commodities as they protect you against unexpected accidents that can deplete your financial assets. Umbrella coverage extends your liability protection beyond the limits of your basic policy, making it even more valuable. If you’re wondering if umbrella coverage is worth the cost, consider the following:

Serious Injury on Home Property

If you’re like most people, you probably entertain often. Friends or relatives may come for a summer pool party or BBQ or your neighbor’s kids may come to play with yours in the back yard. If an accident happens that causes injury to one of your visitors, you could be liable for their medical bills or be sued for damages. Your homeowner’s liability policy is sure to cover some of these expenses, but what if the bills amount to more than your basic coverage? Having umbrella insurance could save you thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Multi-vehicle Accident

The more you drive, the greater your risk of having an accident on the road. A crowded highway, busy intersection or slippery road could result in a multi-vehicle accident that causes serious injuries to other drivers or passengers. If you’re at fault of such an accident, basic auto insurance may be insufficient to cover all medical bills or property damage costs. Umbrella insurance will help pick up the tab so you don’t go into debt.

Whether you’re a homeowner, car owner, renter or landlord, umbrella insurance can come in handy to protect you, your family, business and personal assets. Even pet owners can benefit from umbrella coverage to cover medical expenses from a bite or injury their pet has caused.

A personalized umbrella policy from Runnels Insurance will provide you with the extra liability protection you need to suit your personal situation. Umbrella insurance will keep your assets safe from any eventuality. 

With the summer months just beyond the horizon, it may be time to kick it into gear and get ready for those water sports. Moreover, given that Florida leads the nation in terms of boating accidents, making sure you have sufficient coverage should be the top priority. With that said, the following is an overview of three reasons you should insure your boat with Runnels Insurance. 

Mandatory 

To be frank, you need insurance no matter what. Although there is no law that states you must get your coverage from Runnels, given that Runnels is a family owned and operated company that has been in existence since 1991, who better to handle one of the most important elements of your life? 

Quality Customer Service

In addition to that, one of the best benefits of being insured through Runnels is that they provide outstanding customer service. With a sincere commitment to making sure, every client is fully satisfied, our agents go the extra mile to answer questions and quell concerns. 

Great Coverage

Lastly, given that paying out of pocket for accident expenses can be highly costly, every boater needs to have high-quality insurance. Offering great packages at a low cost, Runnels is an excellent place to purchase your policy for boating insurance. 

Proudly serving the area of Florida, Runnels Insurance offers a variety of quality insurance packages for people from all backgrounds. You can call, email or stop in today to start your policy immediately. At Runnels we take great pride in helping our customers save some money, addressing their concerns, and having them ready to hit the water in no time! 

Avoiding a collision with a bicycle can be more difficult than it seems. Because they are smaller and slower, it is less likely that you will see them. Some common bicycle and vehicle scenarios may be helpful when you want to avoid a collision.

Parked Cars on the Side of the Road

When you are parked on the side of the road, be careful when opening your car door. It is easy for a bicyclist to run into you suddenly. Check your mirrors and over your shoulder before exiting your vehicle.

Backing Out of a Driveway

You usually watch for other vehicles as you back out of your driveway. You should also make a point of taking an extra look for bicyclists. Because they are moving at slower speeds, you make have to check twice before pulling into the road.

Left Turning Lane Vigilance

A collision that may happen when you are making a left turn is when you are opposite the cyclist. Because your traffic signal is green, you may not notice a bicycle riding across the lane you are turning in to. Even though the rider should have hopped off of their bike and walked it across the intersection, it is still your responsibility to be observant.

Right Turn Only Lanes

In Florida, bike lanes are visible on the right side of the road. The opposite is true for a right turn only lanes at intersections. When making a right turn, be aware that bicyclists will be on your left if they are going straight. Avoid a collision by looking over your shoulder when moving into a turn only lane.

For more information on car and bicycle safety, contact Runnels Insurance in Brandon, Florida. They are an independent insurance agency that handles new and existing policies for auto, home, flood, and other types of insurance options.

Flood insurance is usually the last thing on homeowners minds, especially if they are not in an area that is known for flooding. However, this is something that you should consider as a homeowner for several key reasons. Flood insurance is a great way to add extra protection to your investment. Continue reading for some of the main reasons why you should consider flood insurance for your home no matter where you live.

• The majority of homeowners insurance policies do not include flood insurance. In fact, it is really difficult to find a homeowners insurance policy that does cover flooding and any flood damage. If you think you are covered by your homeowners insurance in this area, think again. It is most likely something that you need to purchase separately.
• Of the floods that do occur in homes, twenty percent of them are in areas that are at low to moderate risk for flooding. This is a large percentage of floods that happen in areas that you would not expect. Just because you do not live in an area with a lot of flooding does not mean it can happen to you. 
• Floods can occur from a variety of causes. Floods do not just happen because of rain. A pipe could burst in your home causing an internal flood. You may even have a neighbor with an above ground pool and if it gives way, then you may have some flood damage that you have to deal with. There are many different ways a flood could happen in or near your home. 

Contact us today at Runnels Insurance for more information about flood insurance. We can help you find the right policy for your home or even take a look at your current policy for any gaps in coverage. 

Insurance is one of those things that people take for granted until they need it. So many Americans find themselves frustrated after a disaster, because they have to do all the work themselves. Insurance is a very complicated field, and an independent insurance agent understands the subtle nuances of the business. These professionals are especially important after a natural disaster, because the victim of the disaster is already swamped by other responsibilities. 

After a Disaster: Why Independent Insurance Agents Matter 

Whether it’s a fire, a flood or a storm that causes the damage, it’s difficult to adjust after a disaster.  It usually requires a team of professionals to repair the damage, because each contractor has a field of specialty. Dealing with all the contractors and the insurance agency is full-time work, but an independent agent can bridge the gap between the insurer and the policy holder. Trying to understand insurance laws is something best left to a professional, because agents are well-educated to the laws of their state.  These individuals can make sure you have the funds to delegate to each contractor.

Insurance is an area of the law, and there are very specific requirements for filing claims, even when the damage is caused by nature. The agent can also help you understand which items are covered and which items are not. It can be frustrating to deal directly with the insurer, but an independent agent has the skills and training to expedite the process. The agent is already aware of any paperwork or forms that the insurer will want to see. Just having this paperwork ready in a timely manor can save days and this isn’t the only service that the agent provides. Brandon, Florida residents have to worry about hurricanes, flooding and thunderstorms, but Runnels Insurance makes sure they don’t have to worry about their policies. 

Owning a home-based business can be a great way to pursue a passion and make a little extra income on the side. But did you know that your homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover you while you do so? Here are three facts you need to know.

Fact #1: Homeowner’s Insurance Specifically Excludes Business

One fact to consider before you start that home-based business is that many homeowner’s insurance policies specifically exclude commercial endeavors. This means that if you ever have a claim—such as a fire, weather event, or theft—you could be responsible for replacing your inventory and other business items out-of-pocket.

Fact #2: You Could Be Putting Yourself at Risk for Claim Denial

Some property insurance carriers are even so picky about business exclusions that they will deny entire claims over the fact that a commercial endeavor was taking place inside the home. Imagine a situation where your house burns down, everything you own is damaged, and your insurance company denies the entire claim because you didn’t have a separate commercial insurance policy. Would you be able to replace everything you own without undertaking a huge financial hit? Unfortunately, this is the reality for some home-based business owners who do not seek out separate coverage.

Fact #3: Even Small Home-Based Businesses Need Commercial Insurance

Again, many carriers these days are really picky about home-based businesses. Often, they do no care if you only sell a few items a month or go to a trade show once a year. This means that even small endeavors need to have a special commercial insurance coverage. Most policies are surprisingly affordable and include basic liability and property damage protection.

Make sure your home-based business is completely covered. Contact us at Runnels Insurance today for a free quote or comprehensive policy review.