Flood Insurance: Why You Need It

Posted on by AgentInsure

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. 

After the Disaster: The True Worth of Insurance Agents

Posted on by AgentInsure

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. 

Home-Based Business and Insurance – 3 Facts

Posted on by AgentInsure

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.

 

When the Lights Go Out: Preparing for Power Loss

Posted on by AgentInsure

Power outages can happen anytime in Brandon, FL. You may suddenly lose power due to tropical storms, or even from someone running into a utility pole in your neighborhood. Dealing with a power outage is easy–and can even be fun–if you have taken time to prepare. Runnels Insurance offers tips on making the most out of a power outage.

Lights and Entertainment

Lighting is simple with today’s selection of LED flashlights and emergency lighting kits. Stock up on inexpensive LED flashlights and batteries, or for a few dollars more you could even install a few emergency lights. This type of lighting is powered by a heavy-duty battery and is made specifically for emergency events.

Keep board games and books on hand. Treat the outage like a camping trip—or an impromptu vacation from electronic devices. What better to do during down time than some family bonding over a word game or a trivia competition?

Create a Stockpile

No need to buy food to last your family for years; but, consider stocking enough staples to feed your family for at least several days’ time in the case of a significant outage. Keep a manual can-opener on hand to use in a pinch. Also, make sure to have enough drinking water to keep each family member well-hydrated during a mid-summer outage.

Power Up

If you experience more power outages than you care to deal with, consider investing in a generator. Even small generators can provide enough power to help you accomplish cooking on an electric griddle and taking care of basic household needs.

Runnels Insurance wants to make sure all of your home’s needs are met. For more tips on power outage preparation, or to see how Runnels Insurance can help you find the best homeowners’ insurance policy for your budget, contact us today.

Best Ways To Avoid Accidents During Deer Season in Brandon, FL

Posted on by AgentInsure

 Deer mating season and migration season generally fall in the autumn and winter months for most of the United States. During this time collisions are increased for drivers, especially those in rural areas. You can decrease your chances of colliding with a deer, however, by following this tips.

Slow Down

You should not just slow down when in a wooded area, but you should slow down period during this time of year. Deer have been known to collide with vehicles in a variety of locations. Just because you are on the express way or in a heavily populated place, does not mean you will not meet a deer. The slower you are going the more reaction time you will have should you meet a deer.

Pay Attention at Dusk and Dawn

Deer move around the most at dusk and dawn. During these times of day you should really decrease your speed and pay attention. Deer also like to hang around the same areas. So if you have already seen deer in an area it is likely you will see them again in this same area.

Where There is One There Are More

Deer travel in herds, so if you spot one his friends are not far behind. Once you have spotted a deer, you should decrease your speed and blow your horn a few times to scare off any other deer who are getting ready to dart across the road.

Don’t Swerve

If you think you are going to hit a deer then brake hard and brace for the collision. Swerving to avoid hitting the deer almost always causes a more serious accident. Swerving can cause collisions with oncoming traffic or it can cause your vehicle to wind up off the road, colliding with a tree or worse. The impact the deer will have on your vehicle is far less than the impact of another car, a tree or a pole.

To learn more about vehicle safety during deer season and insurance concerns contact Runnels Insurance now serving Brandon, FL.

Fun Things To Do Inside With Kids This Winter

Posted on by AgentInsure

During the winter months, it may be too cold to send the kids outside to play, even in Brandon. This means you want to know about some of the fun things for kids to do indoors.

Salt Dough

There are various recipes for salt dough that you can create. It is similar to play dough, but you can create it on your own. This allows you to choose the colors. There is a version where you can bake the final creations, allowing the kids to paint afterwards. It also ensures that you can keep the creations without them drying out and cracking.

Reading

Reading is an activity that can be a lot of fun – and you can have the kids do some quiet time reading or you can let them choose a book and read it out loud. If you run out of books throughout the winter, have them write their own.

Board Games

Board games are a necessity during the winter months. As the colder weather starts to approach, you may want to consider whether you have enough games. You can always go shopping at the toy store or even at yard sales for some new games so that the kids don’t get tired of what they already have. It may also be a good idea to encourage their creativity and have them create their own board game. Lay out pieces of poster board with markers and let them create a game with dice, trivia cards, or something else.

At Runnels Insurance, we’re here to help you with homeowner’s insurance and more. Contact one of our independent insurance agents today to learn about what we have to offer. We’re ready to answer your questions and get quotes from top insurance companies in Florida.

 

Prep Your Car In FL For The Fall Months

Posted on by AgentInsure

Even though it may not snow in Brandon, it is still important to prep your car for the fall months. This is because there is going to be colder weather and it can take a toll on your car. You don’t want performance to be lowered and you don’t want to be uncomfortable in the car at any time, either.

Performance can be affected in a number of ways because of the cold weather. This means you will want to schedule some maintenance with your car. Think about:

  • Brake inspection
  • Tire inspection
  • HVAC service

Each of these are important for their own reasons. You want to make sure that the brakes are capable of stopping. Tire tread needs to be strong enough that it can grip the roads. The HVAC service will ensure that the heat works and that your defroster system is effective.

There are a few things you should think about replacing in the fall as well. This includes the cabin air filter as well as wiper blades. Even though it may not snow or sleet in Florida, it can rain heavily and you want to be able to clear the windshield effectively.

It is also a good idea to use the fall as a reminder to have your battery checked. You will often get absolutely no warning signs that your battery is going to fail, so sometimes it can be helpful to simply replace it, especially if it has been several years.

At Runnels Insurance, we are here to help you every way we can. Let us give you tips on how to protect your car as well as yourself when you are on and off the roads. We can get you a quality policy in Brandon, Florida so you have nothing to worry about.

Budget Friendly Road Trip Advice

Posted on by AgentInsure

It is important for you to be budget conscious when you take a road trip. At first, it may seem cheaper than airfare, and it can be. It can also be much more adventurous, allowing you to take to the open road across Florida or anywhere else.

There is some very important advice that you will want to follow in order to keep your road trip as budget friendly as possible.

Plan

Planning will go a long way to help you maintain your budget. Take the time to figure out where you are going, how many miles it is, and how much you are going to spend in gas, approximately. Remember, the more people you take on your road trip, the more affordable it may be because you can split the price between all of your friends.

Use apps

There are some great apps to help you with planning and saving money. Some of them are listed below:

  • Google Maps – Map out where you are going
  • GasBuddy – Find the cheapest gas prices
  • Orbitz – Find low rates on hotels and motels.

Watch where you eat

You want to make sure that you where you are eating. If you go through the drive-through each time you are hungry, you are going to be spending a lot of your money on food instead of adventures. Pack a cooler so you have access to food all the time.

Find free things to do

Tourism sites and visitors centers are great place to look for different free things to do within every town and state you pass through.

Call one of our agents at Runnels Insurance today. We can help you to find quotes that are affordable so that you can have peace of mind with auto insurance in Brandon, Florida.

 

 

Renters Insurance & Bad Roommates – 3 Tips

Posted on by AgentInsure

We’ve all heard horror stories about bad roommates who make the lives of those under the same roof an absolute nightmare. While it can definitely be unnerving to live with someone like this, it is important to understand where having a renters insurance policy fits into the situation. Here are three tips to consider.

Tip #1: Make Sure You Have Separate Policies

If you don’t exactly trust your roommate, having separate renters insurance policies is a must. This not only saves you the hassle of having to have both of your names on any claims reimbursement checks, it keeps you from having to remove them when your time together eventually comes to an end. Furthermore, having a separate policy means you are not subject to their liability risk. If they do something crazy that results in a claim, they are required to file against their policy and not yours.

Tip #2: Know That Intentional Acts Are Excluded

It is also important to remember that intentional acts of vandalism or theft are specifically excluded from most renters insurance policies. This means that if your nightmare of a roomie suddenly decides to destroy your belongings or take what isn’t theirs, the claim may not be covered. Ultimately, it is up to the insurance company whether to honor the claim or not—and many will not if these acts are done by somebody living under the same roof.

Tip #3: Take Extra Precautions with Valuables

While most companies do not pay for intentional acts, some do if you can show you did everything in your power to keep your roommate from accessing your belongings. This can be done by keeping valuables stowed away in an area where the other party has virtually no access or would have to go through tons of work to even gain access, such as a private safe or locked closet.

To learn more about renters insurance coverage, please contact us at Runnels Insurance today.

 

Don’t buy home insurance from a “stripper”

Posted on by Warren Runnels

Since hurricane Andrew in 1991 and the multiple storms of 2004 and 2005, buying home insurance has been very costly for Floridians.  I can remember selling policies for less than $200 per year and it included unlimited replacement cost AND sinkhole coverage.  Those days of premium and coverage are long gone.

Several companies have come to Florida to satisfy the need for home insurance coverage, only to be taken over by the insurance department just a few years later.  It is frustrating for consumers who want quality coverage at a competitive price.  Many people have taken to the Internet to find such a policy; however, in today’s misperception of a lower price means a better policy, consumers have fallen prey to what I call the “insurance stripper”.

My definition of an insurance stripper is someone who removes valuable internal coverage just to sell a policy.  In my 25 years of being in the insurance business, never did I think I would use the words – “insurance and stripper” in the same sentence!

We used to see very minor rate differences between agencies, but now we are seeing hundreds of dollars even with the same company.  Many consumers don’t realize that coverage for coverage and company for company, the premiums should be identical from all agents.  Insurance rates are regulated and must be approved by Florida Financial Services (the insurance department).  When you see rates from the same company vary by $500 or more, it is likely you are getting a “stripped” policy.  Stripper agents will underinsure your home, remove replacement coverage from the contents, lower contents limits, remove detached structures coverage, and reduce liability coverage to $100,000.  To me, this is like someone buying a nice shiny car; it looks great inside and out, but when they go to start the car, it does not go anywhere because it does not have an engine!

Here is an example of what happens at claim time should you purchase a “stripped” policy that does not have replacement coverage on your contents.  Insured has a lighting strike and has damages to a TV, a computer, refrigerator, and the A/C compressor unit.  The cost to replace these items could easily be over $8000.  But if replacement cost coverage has been removed, you would receive the depreciated value, which could easily be less than $1750.  In a nutshell, it means that the insurance company is going to give you “garage sale” prices for your personal possessions.  Things get even worse when a home is underinsured!

When it comes to purchasing home insurance, do your research.  Call an agent that is recommended to you.  When you get a quote, ask lots of questions.  Compare the coverage.  And remember, it is just as important to know what is not covered, as it is to know what is covered.