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.

Florida is an interesting state when it comes to auto and motorcycle insurance. A lot of states will actually mirror their auto and motorcycle minimum requirements in many ways but Florida is different. If you own and operate a motorcycle, then you need to make sure that you have the state minimum coverage on the motorcycle in order to be compliant with the insurance laws in the state. The coverage is not the same as auto insurance so you should make sure you are purchasing motorcycle insurance. If you drive a motorcycle in Florida, these are the minimum coverages you should have according to Runnels Insurance, serving Brandon, FL. 

The minimum motorcycle insurance coverage as set forth by the insurance laws in Florida outlines three different coverage amounts and types. The first is coverage of at least $10,000 for one person for bodily injury liability. The second is at least $20,000 in coverage for two or more people for bodily injury liability. The third is at least $10,000 in coverage per crash for property damage liability. Since these are just the most basic of coverages, you may also want to take a look at some of the other types of coverages you can add to your policy in order to provide more protection to yourself and others that are on the road. 

As a motorcycle owner and operator, you need to register your vehicle with the state and then get the subsequent insurance. If you do not already have the insurance or you want to make sure that your coverage meets the state minimum requirements, be sure to contact us today at Runnels Insurance, serving Brandon, FL. We will take a look at your current policy or we will find you one that will meet the requirements and will not break the bank. 

Summertime is prime motorcycle-riding weather, no doubt about it. Many motorcycle owners keep their riding limited to the warmer, drier months and that’s completely fine. For some people, though, winter riding is a reality. And even if you aren’t riding all winter, it’s important that you maintain your bike and keep it in good condition during the colder months so you’re ready to go come spring.

Tips For Riding In The Winter

1. Wear Proper Winter Riding Gear

Layers are incredibly important, and so are gloves that keep your hands warm. Choose clothing that allows for movement and keeps you dry and warm. Don’t skimp, it’s about comfort and safety. Frostbite is no fun!

2.  Helmet With Fog-free Shield

Don’t take chances on visibility! 

3. Is It Time For New Tires?

Check to make sure your tires are winter-ready before it’s icy, wet and windy. Cold weather limits good traction, so always be sure your tires are in optimum shape. Avoid ice whenever possible and leave plenty of room.

4. Be Sure You Are Covered With Roadside Assistance

Motorcycle-specific towing and roadside assistance is a must, as well as adequate motorcycle insurance coverage. Accidents happen, and so do breakdowns, so don’t take any chances.

Tips For Keeping Your Bike In Good Shape During The Winter

Parking Your motorcycle for the winter? It’s important to keep it maintained so it’s ready to go when the weather clears up. Here are a few tips:

1. Change your oil. This is important because acid build-up can cause damage. Change it before you park your bike for the winter, even if you’ve done it recently.

2. Drain the carburetor.

3. Block your mufflers to keep the mice out.

4. Spray chain lube and oil other parts. Avoid rust and corrosion!

Whether you ride year-round or keep your motorcycle in the garage, it’s always important to be sure your investment is protected. If you are in the Brandon, FL or surrounding area, contact Runnels Insurance to learn more about motorcycle insurance.

You may have heard of umbrella insurance in the past. It is a beneficial form of insurance, but you may not exactly know what it is or how it can protect you and your home. At Runnels Insurance, we’re here to help you and all your Brandon, FL insurance needs. 

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover

Umbrella insurance is also known as an excess liability coverage. This means it goes above and beyond the regular coverage of your standard policy. For example, if someone is injured on your property and takes out a lawsuit against you, the umbrella insurance coverage will kick in here.  It can also help you if someone attempts to slander your name or if you are falsely arrested. 

Why Is it Important?

Umbrella insurance kicks in at different times when you need it the most. For starters, if you are found liable and need to pay additional damages than the umbrella insurance policy will cover it. It will also help cover a legal defense, regardless of the result. 

This form of insurance also just doesn’t cover your home. It is called umbrella because many different elements fall under it. Beyond your home, your car, retirement accounts, checking account and investments are all protected. This way, in the event of a lawsuit you won’t have your other investment and retirement accounts gone after. This keeps you, your retirement and your children financially secure. 

At Runnels Insurance, we want to make sure you are properly educated on all the different insurance options out there. This includes umbrella insurance. So, whether you live in Brandon, FL or the surrounding communities, give us a call and we’ll make sure you have all the insights and information to make an accurate investment into the right insurance policies. 

Home insurance is something that all homeowners need to have in some capacity or other. For those that own a home, insurance is something that helps to protect your property, helps to protect your actual home, and helps to protect your guests and yourself should they become injured. For those that live in the Brandon, FL area, the agents with Runnels Insurance can help you to find the perfect policy to protect your home.

Your home policy covers a great deal, fire, damage from storms, theft, and more. It does not, however, cover flood. Since not all homes are located near bodies of water or in areas where floods are common or even possible, it is not covered in policies on average. For those that do live near water or in areas where the flood is common, you want to take out an extra flood policy that will be added to your policy and that will help to cover any damage that may occur due to flooding.

For those that do not live near water and have never had a flood, flood insurance is not something that you are going to necessarily need and therefore you can often get away with not adding it to your current home policy. Flood insurance is something that many can benefit from and if you feel that you might need flood insurance, you should speak with an agent about how much coverage you may need and what type of coverage you may need as well.

For those that live in the Brandon, FL area, the agents with Runnels Insurance can help you to find the right flood coverage and can help you find any other supplemental coverage policies that you may need to keep your home safe from any possible event.