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.

 

Liability Coverage Protects You from Accidents You Cause

Posted on by AgentInsure

Liability coverage is an important component of renters insurance, although some policies don’t include it as standard coverage. Designed to protect you from accidents that you cause, it can protect you when you’re found responsible for a covered incident. If you don’t know whether your renters insurance policy includes liability coverage, contact us at Runnels Insurance. We’ll help you make sure you find the protection you need.

Liability Coverage Protects You from Yourself

Unlike insurance coverage that protects you against vandals and thieves, liability coverage doesn’t protect you from someone else. Instead, it protects you from yourself. When you’re held responsible, or liable, for a covered incident, your liability insurance will protect you. The specific scenarios liability coverage may provide protection or will depend on your renters insurance policy’s terms and conditions. Here are three examples that might qualify as a covered incident, depending on your policy:

  • a fire that you start and spreads throughout your apartment building
  • legal fees associated with an incident that took place in your apartment
  • damage you cause to someone’s property when you’re outside of your apartment

Our Insurance Agents Compare Liability Coverage Rates

At Runnels Insurance, we have independent insurance agents who can compare any renters insurance policy offered in Florida against others ones that are available. They’ll be happy to review your current policy’s liability coverage and rates. If there’s a renters insurance policy that provides more liability coverage for less money, they can help you switch.

To get in touch with one of our Florida-licensed independent insurance agents, call our office or, if you’d prefer, send us an email through our website. One of our agents will respond quickly and begin helping you find the best rates on renters insurance policies with liability coverage.

 

Car Life Extension Tips: 3 You Need To Know

Posted on by AgentInsure

It’s important that you get the life out of your car that you anticipate when you buy it. New or used, there are tips that can be used to ensure you can extend the life. Many of them are common sense, yet so many people forget about them.

Don’t Run the AC so Much

It can get very hot in Brandon, FL, especially during the summer time. However, running the AC too long is going to put extra strain on the engine because that is where the power is generated from. You can cut down on the heat by parking in the shade, using a windshield shade, and driving with the windows down.

Don’t Forget to Inflate

The temperature can change dramatically from season to season, and sometimes even day by day. This can cause tires to deflate quickly, and this means you have to make sure that you are inflating your tires on a regular basis. Check the PSI to what is recommended. More than a third of all drivers are driving with lower PSI than what they should – and it can make an impact on car life.

Stay Tuned

Your engine should be tuned on a regular basis, and this includes getting regular oil changes and having the oil filter replaced. If your engine is not tuned, it can increase fuel consumption, and cause an array of car problems down the road. Simple car maintenance can go a long way to make sure that your car lasts for many years to come.

Call us at Runnels Insurance today so we can search for quotes for you in Florida. Throughout the Brandon area, having auto insurance is imperative and we will work to find you an affordable policy to provide you with peace of mind.

 

 

How To Avoid Fraudulent Claims On Auto Insurance

Posted on by AgentInsure

Whenever you are driving in Florida, there is the possibility of getting into a car accident. It may or may not be your fault, but a claim needs to be filed with your auto insurance. There are various ways to ensure that you do not file a fraudulent claim.

First, it is important to know what kind of auto insurance policy you have. When you are in Brandon, FL, you need to have liability insurance, but there may be various other types of coverage that you can have as well, such as comprehensive.

Next, you don’t want to hesitate when calling to file a claim. Most insurance companies will allow you to file the claim online or over the phone. Have as many details as possible, including the names and phone numbers of witnesses, if there were any.

Be available when an insurance claims representative calls to ask additional questions. An insurance company is not going to simply pay out on a claim without doing some kind of investigation. They want to make sure that you are not committing insurance fraud.

Only specify what happened within the car accident that you are calling about. You cannot include additional damage from your car that occurred in previous accidents. Although you may not have filed a claim about those other damages, they cannot be filed within a new claim because that is fraudulent.

Take the time to ask questions about auto insurance, particularly when you are making a claim. Never include details about a past incident, and provide as many details as possible so that you don’t submit a fraudulent claim or have a claim denied.

Let us help with auto insurance in Brandon, FL. Call us at Runnels Insurance today for quotes and more information about a policy.