Preparing Your Business for Hurricaine Season

Hurricane season is six long months in Kissimmee, FL. Starting prior to the beginning of the season will let you approach it proactively for your business.

Make a Go Bag

The first item on your agenda is for the safety of yourself and your family members, as we do at Familia Insurance Agency. Make a go bag and load it with three days of non-perishable food items, a handheld can opener, a first aid kit, and a portable radio. You may want to include your laptop or tablet too. Pack flashlights with extra batteries and your smartphone or tablet charger. You will need one gallon of water per person for three days and pet food for your cat or dog. Pack your personal items such as toothbrush and hairbrush and some extra clothes and blankets. It’s also a good idea to have cash on hand in the case of no electricity and no debit card readers available.

Before the Storm

Take a tour around your business building in Kissimmee, FL Cut back any tree limbs that overhang your roof or are near the windows. Secure or take inside any outside items that could damage your building. Close storm shutters and board up the windows just prior to evacuating. If you have a generator for your business, test it to make sure it runs okay. Review how to shut off all of your utilities including the gas main, electrical panel, and the water valve. Finally, fill your car all the way up with gas.

After the Storm

After the storm has passed, remove your boards from the windows and turn the utilities back on if it is safe to do so. Inspect your property and building for damages and make a list of any damages. Take photos of the damages to aid in your commercial insurance claim when you file with your agency.

At Familia Insurance Agency, we can help you to navigate the waters of commercial insurance in the case of a storm. We are happy to help you over the phone or in person in our office to find the level of business insurance you need.

What does renters insurance cover?

Renters insurance is, no doubt, one of the most overlooked but valuable pieces of financial protection you can get as a renter. In the last few years, renting has been on a significant increase but a survey by Nationwide in 2014 revealed that 56 percent of renters who fall between the ages of twenty-five an thirty-five do not have renters insurance. However, this may be a result of the various renter’s insurance myths or just the fact that most renters do not understand what they stand to benefit and what exactly a renters insurance covers. So what does a renters insurance cover?

Personal property

With a comprehensive policy, a renters insurance will cover costs that go into replacing your personal belongings like electronics, furniture, jewelry, clothing, and appliances. With a basic renters insurance, you will be reimbursed for the loss of property in case of disasters like fire and lightning, explosions, windstorm and hail, riots, theft, vandalism, volcanic eruptions and much more.

Personal liability and medical bills

A good renters insurance from a reputable firm like Familia Insurance Agency covers costs that you may incur in situations where a visitor is injured while at your apartment. This also includes cases where your dog or cat bites them. In such instances, your policy ought to include medical coverage that covers injuries without a lawsuit getting involved. For more information, feel free to contact Familia Insurance Agency with its offices in Kissimmee FL

Temporary living expenses

In some cases, your residence may be damaged to a point it is not habitable anymore and you are forced to look for alternative means. In such a case, a good renter’s insurance policy ought to cover the costs of a temporary place of residence. This may include full compensation right from hotel bills to food costs.
Apart from these, a renters insurance may also cover other losses you may not have expected like credit card forgery and other items stored elsewhere as long as they were part of the cover. 

 

3 Reasons You Should Review Your RV Insurance Annually

It’s important that you do everything you can to protect your RV in Kissimmee, FL. Part of that means having a comprehensive insurance policy on it. At Familia Insurance Agency, independent insurance agents can help you to review your policy on an annual basis.

The first reason to review is to ensure you have the lowest price. Premiums may go up or down based on various factors. If your policy has gone up, you may want to compare rates from other insurance companies. This is where your agent can help you with comparisons so you’re not spending more than what is absolutely necessary.

The second reason to review is to decide if you still have sufficient protection on your policy. If you plan on being on the road in your RV over the next year, you want to know that if there is an accident, the insurance company will cover the majority of the damages. Otherwise, a claim could be denied.

The third reason is to fill any gaps in your coverage that you may have recently noticed. For example, if you have filed a claim and was told that you don’t have coverage against theft, a broken windshield or something else, you may want to add the coverage within your policy. This way, your RV is protected not only in Kissimmee, FL but anywhere else you may take it within the country.

By reviewing your RV insurance annually, you can always count on your policy to protect you in the event that something happens.

Our independent insurance agents at Familia Insurance Agency can work with you. Let us review your existing policy and offer you recommendations on where you can add or delete coverage to ensure you have an affordable policy that will keep you sufficiently protected throughout the year.

 

 

 

Is Motorcycle Insurance Mandatory In Kissimmee, FL?

As you drive around Kissimmee, FL and beyond, you need to make sure that you are insured in the event of a crash. The state of Florida has a few requirements for motorcyclists that you will need to be aware of. Familia Insurance Agency can walk you through them to ensure you have the necessary insurance coverage.

The Requirements

You do not need to have motorcycle insurance when you register your motorcycle. However, if you are charged in a crash where there are injuries or you have had certain violations operating a motorcycle, you can be held financially responsible for property damage as well as bodily injury to others.

If you do not have any liability coverage, the state can then require you to have property damage/bodily injury liability insurance for the next three years with an SR 22 filing. Failure to achieve this license after encountering problems can result in your license and tag is suspended.

Why Insurance is a Good Idea

You never know what can happen on the roads of Kissimmee, FL. You could easily damage your bike, cause injury to others, or even damage property when you’re on your motorcycle. Rather than being held financially responsible for all of it on your own, it is better to have a motorcycle insurance policy. It will allow you to file a claim so that the insurance company will be responsible for everything, minus the deductible that you would have to pay.

There are a variety of options available to you when it comes to motorcycle insurance. At Familia Insurance Agency, an agent will be able to guide you through the coverage levels to ensure that you have sufficient coverage in the event that you get into an accident or cause bodily injury to others. It will make it easier for you to ride knowing that you’re covered. 

Living on a Boat – How it Affects Boat Coverage

Boat insurance is intended to work similar to any other vessel coverage; it protects the owner from loss as well as liability claims if the owner’s vessel causes someone harm. The typical Kissimmee, FL situation involves the use of the boat traveling or moving from one location to another. However, when a boat owner decides to live on a boat, that changes the dynamic of coverage as it introduces a lot more activity with the boat than just using it for traveling. Now the boat becomes more like a residence than a tool, and that kind of insurance protection can be very different in application as well as benefits.

Boat insurance for the purposes of a home isn’t the same as homeowners insurance. Some folks think that’s an easy answer, but they often find that a homeowner’s insurance policy will exempt boats or won’t apply in full. And if it’s a generic policy, a boat coverage may only apply to liability, damage repair to the hull, and use of the boat as a business (i.e. a charter service). Instead, what a boat owner should be looking for as a residence on water is a policy that covers all risks, i.e. a comprehensive policy. This covers far more, including situations that are more common with residences than travel, such as break-ins, cooking damage, or plumbing mistakes (leaving the toilet drain open can sink a boat, for example).

To get a clear idea how to obtain a proper residential boat plan, talk with the folks at Familia Insurance Agency. They have worked with dozens of folks in Kissimmee, FL and the wider area on boat coverage of all types, including homes on the water. The Familia Insurance Agency staff can point out exactly what is needed for a given boat owner’s situation and save time being spent on incorrect options. Find more; call us today!

Why You Need Umbrella Insurance

Chances are, you already have homeowners insurance on top of auto insurance for your vehicle. Yet sometimes this is not enough to ensure you have adequate coverage. Umbrella insurance can provide you with this necessary safeguard. But why exactly do you need umbrella insurance? When living in or around the Kissimmee, FL area, the Familia Insurance Agency is here to educate you on exactly how it can help. 

When the Base Liability Runs Out

Hopefully, you’ll never run into a problem where your home base liability insurance runs out. However, if this does occur, umbrella insurance kicks in. Umbrella insurance covers more than just your property though. It also covers your car, boats, and recreational vehicles. This way, if you are in an extensive accident or there are sudden legal fees due to an injury on your property, the umbrella insurance will kick in. 

Additional Insurance For Wealthy Individuals

Often times, if you have a higher net worth, you become the target of additional lawsuits. If an accident occurs on your property, you may be sued for more money. If you drive an expensive vehicle, repairs to a damaged vehicle may cost more than your actual auto insurance policy. Repairs and potential lawsuits cost more with the increased net worth, so make sure you protect yourself and your property from unforeseen financial difficulties. You can do this by talking with your insurance provider about umbrella insurance. 

Umbrella insurance protects you from extra liability. This way, whether someone is injured on your property or you have a legal case brought against you due to someone slipping on the sidewalk, you’ll know you’re protected with the added umbrella insurance. If you live in the area around Kissimmee, FL, Familia Insurance Agency is available to answer all of your umbrella insurance question needs. 

How are Flood Insurance Costs Determined?

Making sure that your home has the right amount of insurance coverage is very important. For people that live in an area that is prone to flooding and is designated by FEMA as a flood zone, having flood insurance in place is often a requirement under their loan agreements. The amount of money that you will spend on flood insurance is very important. For those that are in the Kissimmee, FL area, there are a number of different factors that can influence flood insurance rates.

Location in Flood Zone

One factor that will influence the cost of your flood insurance is where exactly you live on the flood map. Certain areas of a flood zone are considered to be a much higher risk than other areas. If you live in an area that is considered to be a very high risk, it could result in much higher flood insurance rates than if you live in a zone that was considered a little bit less of a risk.

Cost to Replace

Another factor that will have a big impact on the cost of your flood insurance is the cost to replace your home. If your home is extremely expensive and large, your flood insurance rates will end up costing more than someone who has a more modest home. This is because the average risk of loss for the insurance company is much higher.

If you are looking for flood insurance in the Kissimmee, FL area, you should reach out to Familia Insurance Agency. When you speak with the Familia Insurance Agency, you will get a better understanding of what your flood insurance needs are and what the potential costs could be. Our agency will also be able to provide you with additional insight to make sure you get the best overall insurance policies in place for your particular situation.

Is Your Liability Coverage Enough on Your Condo Insurance Policy?

When you bought the luxury condo in Orlando or Kissimmee, FL, did you opt for enough liability coverage on your condo insurance policy from Familia Insurance Agency?

Elegant Homes House Your Rich Friends

While you knew it would cost more to repair damage from fire or wind when you moved into the unit with granite counters and the marble master spa, if your neighbors or friends get injured on your property, their medical bills and expenses will likely be higher, too.

While $100,000 liability coverage might seem like plenty for a stubbed toe, will it take care of the private hospital and in-home nurse visits that your neighbors might use? Talk to your agent to make sure that your coverage will handle all the extras often associated with an upscale neighborhood.

Are Your Guests Wearing Designer Clothing?

In many suburban neighborhoods, if your friend’s athletic shoes are ruined by an oil slick on the driveway, they likely won’t be coming after you for reimbursement. However, if your wife’s girlfriends enjoy Prada, Jimmy Choo, and the latest in designer fashion, that little trip and fall might cost you thousands. If you maintain a $10,000 maximum liability coverage, it might not take care of her bills.

Well-educated Neighbors Teach their Friends How Much Damage to File on a Claim

If you chose your new condo because your neighbors are lawyers and doctors, remember that if one of them gets injured accidentally in your unit, they have a better understanding of how the system works. They may be more likely to ask for every penny available to them, so it is wise to make sure that your policy is ready to stand up to the added demands. 

When shopping for condo insurance in the Orlando or Kissimmee, FL area, talk to your Familia Insurance Agency representative about liability insurance and if you need more than the minimums recommended for the average condo owner.

What is a home inventory and why do I need it?

When settling into your Kissimmee, FL home, creating a home inventory might be the last thing on your mind, but it can help you if you need to file an insurance claim. In fact, bringing your home inventory with you to Familia Insurance Agency provides your agent with helpful information to make sure you obtain a policy that provides the coverage you need.

Creating an Inventory

Your home inventory contains three parts: video, photos, and a text description. Store it outside your home in a safety deposit box or in the cloud. The Insurance Information Institute offers an app, "Know Your Stuff," for creating and storing an inventory.

  1. Make a video of the contents of each room of your home. Include close-ups of electronics, bicycles, camera equipment, artwork, and other expensive items.
  2. Photograph each room, capturing close-ups of expensive items like electronics and appliances. Photograph the model number and serial number appearing on each of these items.
  3. Write a textual description of each item, noting its model number and serial number. Update this at least annually.

Using Your Inventory

Your inventory first comes in handy when you obtain homeowners insurance. Take it with you to meet with your agent. They can use it to calculate how much coverage you’ll need to replace your home’s contents in case of a hazard occurring, such as fire or theft.

Its second use occurs when you need to make a claim. Its easier to file a claim when you already have an accurate description of every item damaged or missing.

A home inventory takes some time to make, but it’s worth your time to document your belongings. You’re more likely to end up with appropriate insurance coverage for your Kissimmee, FL home. You’ll also find it easier to file a claim in the event of a loss. Create your inventory and visit Familia Insurance Agency to find the right homeowners police.

Is Commercial Insurance Right for Every Business?

When it comes to owning a business, there are a lot of expenses that you likely have every month. The last thing that you probably want is another expense. However, one thing that you should consider for your business in Orlando or Kissimmee, FL is commercial insurance from Familia Insurance Agency. In fact, commercial insurance is something that you should have for your business no matter what sector or type of business you have. If you are still not sure that you need the coverage, consider the following reasons why you may need it. 

How to Know if You Need Commercial Insurance

At the end of the day, if you have a business, then you need to have commercial insurance in place. There are no questions about it. You have worked hard to develop your business and you should want to protect it as well. You need to protect it from any potential accidents such as a fire, injuries, theft, and more. You also need to protect it from your employees as well as protect your employees with worker’s compensation.

The great thing about commercial insurance is that it is created with the business in mind. No two commercial insurance policies are the same. In fact, if you buy a commercial insurance policy that is made "for any business" then you are probably set up with a policy that will not accurately protect you. The right commercial insurance policy will include only things that you need and none that you do not need. It will be unique to your business and it will provide you with all of the specific types of coverage that you need. 

As you can see, a commercial insurance policy is something that every business needs. If you do not have a commercial insurance policy in place, be sure to reach out to us here at Familia Insurance Agency, serving Orlando and Kissimmee, FL, for a quote or a review of your current policy.