Before securing homeowners insurance, you need to have a good understanding of how the deductible you choose will affect your premium and your out-of-pocket expenses. Insurance companies typically use one of two different deductible calculations.

Insurance Deductibles as Percentages:

This type of deductible is the least common. Not all insurance companies calculate deductibles in this way, but the trend has become increasingly popular in Florida due to the extensive damage caused by hurricanes or windstorms. These increased deductibles are meant to limit the insurance companies' exposure in these high-risk areas.

With deductible percentages, the deductible is usually set as 1 to 5% of the insured value of the home. If, for example, your home is insured for $400,000 and you have a 2 percent deductible, you’d have to pay out $8000 before the insurance company begins paying out. As this example illustrates, this amount is more costly than the traditional deductible. Typically, insurance companies use this calculation when providing coverage for windstorms or hurricanes, and this deductible is separate from the deductible for basic coverage.

Traditional Homeowner’s Insurance Deductibles:

Traditionally, homeowner’s deductibles are a flat amount and will vary from company to company. If, for example, you choose a $500 deductible and you incur $2500 worth of damage to your home in a covered event, you would only pay the first $500. The insurance company would pay the remaining $2000. Having a deductible as low as $500 dollars, however, will likely result in a costly premium. By raising your deductible to as much as you can afford, you can greatly reduce your homeowner’s premium and you’ll have more money to spend on your day-to-day expenses.

Generally, the higher deductible you have on your policy, the lower your homeowner’s insurance premium will be. The more risk you are willing to absorb, the less your insurance will cost you. Some deductibles, such as a hurricane coverage deductible in Florida, may be set at a percentage of your home value. You should talk to an agent about your deductible and premium options.

Milla Tawnie writes for Orlando auto insurance and Orlando home insurance agency, the Florida Insurance Group. To learn more or to get auto and home insurance quotes, visit FloridaInsurance.com

When purchasing a new or used car, first time buyers should consider how their purchase will affect their insurance rates. Buyers will need to find car insurance that provides an adequate amount of coverage and fits into their budget.

All too often many first time buyers barely scrape enough money together to purchase a car, and they overlook the costs involved in finding the right auto insurance coverage for the newly purchased vehicle. Car insurance costs vary depending on a host of different factors including age, gender, marital status, location and vehicle type. New drivers should take the time to evaluate what is required by law and compare it with what fits in their budget. In doing so, they’ll be able to find the right auto insurance for their new car.

When first time buyers are looking at securing auto insurance, they need to be sure that the coverage they choose complies with the state's minimum liability requirements. It is important, though, for new drivers to remember that the minimum is just a minimum, and they should consider purchasing higher liability limits. A licensed Florida insurance agent can provide premium quotes for the cost to buy liability limits above the minimum state requirement.

First time buyers who plan to purchase their vehicle through a loan are subject to contractual insurance obligations and should carefully consider these obligations before deciding on a loan. Many vehicle finance companies require physical damage deductibles of no higher than $500, or they require an Additional Insured/Loss Payee endorsement which adds the lending institution as an additional insured/loss payee. When purchasing a car, first time buyers should review the lease and/or finance agreement to ensure that they can purchase coverage that complies with the terms of the lease.


First time buyers will also wish to consider whether or not they wish to add comprehensive physical damage to their auto insurance policy. This pays for damage to the automobile from theft, vandalism, flood, fire, and other covered perils. Policyholders need to remember that they will have to reach into their pocket to cover the deductible for every physical damage claim they make.

When choosing a deductible, first time buyers must consider their budget and whether or not they can handle paying various deductible amounts out-of-pocket. It will do little good for buyers to use all of their money on an expensive car and then not be able to insure it properly.

To learn more call 1.888.525.2210 visit http://www.floridainsurance.com

When purchasing a new or used car, first time buyers should consider how their purchase will affect their insurance rates. Buyers will need to find car insurance that provides an adequate amount of coverage and fits into their budget.

All too often many first time buyers barely scrape enough money together to purchase a car, and they overlook the costs involved in finding the right auto insurance coverage for the newly purchased vehicle. Car insurance costs vary depending on a host of different factors including age, gender, marital status, location and vehicle type. New drivers should take the time to evaluate what is required by law and compare it with what fits in their budget. In doing so, they’ll be able to find the right auto insurance for their new car.

When first time buyers are looking at securing auto insurance, they need to be sure that the coverage they choose complies with the state's minimum liability requirements. It is important, though, for new drivers to remember that the minimum is just a minimum, and they should consider purchasing higher liability limits. A licensed Florida insurance agent can provide premium quotes for the cost to buy liability limits above the minimum state requirement.

First time buyers who plan to purchase their vehicle through a loan are subject to contractual insurance obligations and should carefully consider these obligations before deciding on a loan. Many vehicle finance companies require physical damage deductibles of no higher than $500, or they require an Additional Insured/Loss Payee endorsement which adds the lending institution as an additional insured/loss payee. When purchasing a car, first time buyers should review the lease and/or finance agreement to ensure that they can purchase coverage that complies with the terms of the lease.


First time buyers will also wish to consider whether or not they wish to add comprehensive physical damage to their auto insurance policy. This pays for damage to the automobile from theft, vandalism, flood, fire, and other covered perils. Policyholders need to remember that they will have to reach into their pocket to cover the deductible for every physical damage claim they make.

When choosing a deductible, first time buyers must consider their budget and whether or not they can handle paying various deductible amounts out-of-pocket. It will do little good for buyers to use all of their money on an expensive car and then not be able to insure it properly.

To learn more call 1.888.525.2210 visit http://www.floridainsurance.com

Before securing homeowners insurance, you need to have a good understanding of how the deductible you choose will affect your premium and your out-of-pocket expenses. Insurance companies typically use one of two different deductible calculations.

Insurance Deductibles as Percentages:

This type of deductible is the least common. Not all insurance companies calculate deductibles in this way, but the trend has become increasingly popular in Florida due to the extensive damage caused by hurricanes or windstorms. These increased deductibles are meant to limit the insurance companies' exposure in these high-risk areas.

With deductible percentages, the deductible is usually set as 1 to 5% of the insured value of the home. If, for example, your home is insured for $400,000 and you have a 2 percent deductible, you’d have to pay out $8000 before the insurance company begins paying out. As this example illustrates, this amount is more costly than the traditional deductible. Typically, insurance companies use this calculation when providing coverage for windstorms or hurricanes, and this deductible is separate from the deductible for basic coverage.

Traditional Homeowner’s Insurance Deductibles:

Traditionally, homeowner’s deductibles are a flat amount and will vary from company to company. If, for example, you choose a $500 deductible and you incur $2500 worth of damage to your home in a covered event, you would only pay the first $500. The insurance company would pay the remaining $2000. Having a deductible as low as $500 dollars, however, will likely result in a costly premium. By raising your deductible to as much as you can afford, you can greatly reduce your homeowner’s premium and you’ll have more money to spend on your day-to-day expenses.

Generally, the higher deductible you have on your policy, the lower your homeowner’s insurance premium will be. The more risk you are willing to absorb, the less your insurance will cost you. Some deductibles, such as a hurricane coverage deductible in Florida, may be set at a percentage of your home value. You should talk to an agent about your deductible and premium options.

Milla Tawnie writes for Orlando auto insurance and Orlando home insurance agency, the Florida Insurance Group. To learn more or to get auto and home insurance quotes, visit FloridaInsurance.com

Basic homeowners insurance provides enough coverage for many families. For families who require extra coverage, there are options for extras that can provide more comprehensive coverage.

When buying a homeowner’s insurance policy, you will be faced with a number of important choices including how much of a deductible you wish to pay. In addition, you will also have to choose just how much coverage you wish to secure. You can get the minimum amount of insurance coverage you’d need to replace your home and your things in the event of a disaster. However, you can increase your coverage to include a host of scenarios that aren’t covered with a basic homeowner’s insurance policy.
Below are some extras you can add to your homeowner’s insurance policy:

Emergency Response Time: This coverage will provide quicker response in the event of an emergency that’s covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Emergency response time coverage can include a stipulation that a contractor will be on-site within a certain number of days or hours to get started on repairs to your home. This extra can be expensive and is ideal for those who know that they will have no other place to stay in the event of an emergency.

Legal Service Coverage: This coverage will pay for the cost of defending yourself in court if there are any legal issues related to your home including property disputes, personal residence disputes, and personal injury cases. Before you purchase additional coverage, make sure you have checked your existing homeowners insurance to see what fees it will cover.

Personal Property Coverage: A basic home insurance policy covers a standard amount to replace the contents of your home. Sometimes, depending on the kinds of property you own, this coverage may not be enough and you may need to secure additional coverage. If, for example, you have a large investment in electronics equipment or many valuable antique heirlooms, you will want to ensure that you have enough coverage to replace those items.

Adding these extras may not be the right choice for every family. You should consult a licensed Florida homeowner’s insurance agent who can help you and your family decide which extras are right for you.

Milla Tawnie writes for Orlando auto insurance and Orlando home insurance agency, the Florida Insurance Group. To learn more or to get auto and home insurance quotes, visit FloridaInsurance.com

With summer just around the corner, many Floridians are planning for family vacations. Before hitting the road for some summer fun with the family, all automobile owners should make sure that their policies will cover their summer travel.

Not carrying sufficient auto insurance while on the road during the summer months can be bad news for families who have any accidents or mishaps. Before getting behind the wheel this summer, it’s a good idea for families to check their existing auto insurance policies to make sure that their coverage meets the requirements of all the states through which they will be traveling. Other states may have different insurance requirements, and not meeting them while traveling though a state can have negative consequences.

Some families may choose not to use their family vehicle for summer travel because they need a vehicle with more space, or they simply don’t want to put the extra miles on their own cars.  If families choose to use rental cars for summer travel, then they will need to make sure that their existing insurance policy covers rental cars. If not, it may be a good idea to pay for rental insurance offered by the rental car agency.  Some credit card companies even offer rental car insurance, but this type of coverage is usually scant and is considered secondary to other primary coverage.

It is also important to determine whether or not other family members will be driving the rental car because additional coverage might be necessary if there are other drivers. Finally, families should make sure that if their existing auto insurance does cover rental cars, that it covers all classes from compact to luxury. Doing some research before hitting the road can save families a lot of money. Double coverage is not necessary for a rental car and a little research will help to determine exactly what coverage is available.

No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road while trying to enjoy a family vacation, so it’s important for families to check their policies for roadside assistance coverage. Roadside assistance is vital because it can help families get back on the road with assistance that includes: tire changing, towing, lockout assistance and much more.

A licensed Florida auto insurance agent can help families review what their existing coverage is and add anything that will help make their summer travel plans easier. 

To learn more call 1.888.525.2210 visit http://www.floridainsurance.com

Many people who rent an apartment or a home have roommates to reduce the cost of living. Having a roommate may be one way to split the bills, but many people often forget one important bill that can’t be split: renter’s insurance.

In the eyes of an insurance company, your possessions and your roommate’s possessions are two totally different things. If you have a roommate, you should have your own homeowners or renter’s insurance policy to cover your belongings, and he or she should have a policy to cover his or her items.

A roommate is considered to be someone that you live with who is not related to you. This includes individuals you are involved with romantically. If you are married, your spouse does not need separate renter’s insurance, unless the two of you do not co-own most of what is in your home.

By having your own homeowners or renter’s insurance policy, you can ensure that you only have to pay for your own items. If the value of your items changes, then it will be solely your responsibility to pay the increased insurance rate. If, however, your roommate’s possessions were listed under your policy, you may have to pay a higher premium if he or she wants to insure pricey items, such as antiques or heirlooms.

Some insurance companies may allow roommates to be on the same renter’s insurance policy, but you may want to be careful about choosing such a policy. If, for example, there are any changes to you or your roommate’s possessions, you will need to inform your insurance company of these purchases so that they are covered. This can be a time-consuming process. In addition, changes in your possessions, especially if they are expensive purchases, may cause your rates to go up. If you and your roommate have separate policies, then you will not have to monitor your roommate’s purchases.

When you speak to a licensed Florida insurance agent about renter’s insurance, be sure to mention whether or not you have a roommate. Don’t wait for your insurance agent to ask for this information; just volunteer the information up front, so that your agent can advise you of the best policy for you.

Milla Tawnie writes for Orlando auto insurance and Orlando home insurance agency, the Florida Insurance Group. To learn more or to get auto and home insurance quotes, visit FloridaInsurance.com

While RVs are a great means for summer travel, Floridians need to carefully consider their insurance options for purchasing one. RVs are specialized vehicles and not having the right coverage could ruin your summer vacation.

With the summer months fast approaching, many Floridians are planning to hit the open road and travel the country.  If you and your family own an RV or are considering purchasing an RV for travel during summer vacations, you need to consider your insurance options. You can add an endorsement to your existing auto insurance policy, or you can choose to purchase a specialized RV policy.

While adding an endorsement to your existing auto policy might be a good idea for some, there are certain things that an automobile policy will not cover. RVs are, in fact, much more than a vehicle and are closer to actual homes. Therefore, these distinct vehicles may need a specialized insurance policy that is better fitted to a vehicle that provides more than just transportation.

If an RV is damaged during a trip, a car insurance policy with an RV endorsement could leave you and your family out in the cold and cut your vacation short. However, if you choose to buy a specialized RV policy, you could receive compensation for lodging and transportation and continue the vacation.

As RVs are like houses, they are likely to contain personal items, such as outdoor gear, laptops or other electronics, and these items might not be covered under a regular auto policy. A specialized RV policy can provide coverage for these types of items, and you and your family can rest easy knowing that your items are secure.

Adding an RV endorsement to your auto insurance policy might be an inexpensive way to get coverage for your RV, but a specialized RV policy does not need to break the bank. The difference in price between these two options might be minimal, but the difference in coverage that they provide can be significant. For example, many RVs need special towing equipment if they break down, and this kind of equipment can be costly. Under a regular auto insurance policy, the full cost of this kind of towing equipment might not be covered as it would under a specialized policy.

Floridians who own an RV or are considering purchasing one should consider their options carefully and contact a license Florida insurance agent before deciding which type of policy is best for them.

Milla Tawnie writes for Orlando auto insurance and Orlando home insurance agency, the Florida Insurance Group. To learn more or to get auto and home insurance quotes, visit FloridaInsurance.com

While many insurance claims cannot be avoided, there are some things you can do to make your home less susceptible to the damage caused by fire, theft or other perils. Some of these options, like installing burglar alarms, can be expensive; however, there are a number of less expensive measures you can take in order to protect your home. You can protect your home and avoid insurance claims by taking the following measures:

Checking the Roof: Damage to your home’s roof can be quite expensive and can make your home unsafe. In order to prevent damage to your roof, you should have it inspected every few years to make sure that there are no soft spots. Intense storms can cause significant damage to the roof, as threatening tree limbs or branches could fall on the roof.

Install Outdoor Lighting: You can make your home less susceptible to robbery by installing more outdoor lighting. Installing outdoor lighting around the front door, driveways, and other entryways are less likely to be burglarized. Houses that are well lit may deter potential burglars who prefer the dark.

Checking Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that all homeowners check their smoke alarms at least once a month. When checking the smoke alarms, the batteries should be replaced. Fire extinguishers should also be inspected visually at least once a month. A visual inspection consists of locating the fire extinguisher, making sure that the pin and seal are in the proper place, and verifying that there is no damage to the extinguisher. Conducting these inspections will ensure that you have the proper tools necessary to combat risks to your home.

Updating Electrical and Plumbing Systems: If your electrical or plumbing systems are outdated, you may be at a greater risk for fire or flooding in your home. Checking your home every few months for faulty electrical outlets or bad wiring is a good idea for all Florida homeowners. One small wiring or plumbing fix could save you a lot of money and grief in the future.
Install Surge Protectors: Surge protection devices can prevent or minimize the damage from power surges to individual appliances or your entire home. These devices are relatively inexpensive and can save you the trouble of having to file claims for your expensive electronic items.

Making an Emergency Preparedness Plan: All homeowners should have an emergency preparedness plan for fires or natural disasters. This important document will help you and your family properly prepare in the event of an emergency.
Taking these simple actions will help protect your home and your family from the financial and emotional burden a homeowner’s claim can cause.

Milla Tawnie writes for Orlando auto insurance and Orlando home insurance agency, the Florida Insurance Group. To learn more or to get auto and home insurance quotes, visit FloridaInsurance.com

College students and recent college graduates should consider their need for homeowners’ insurance. College students should make sure they are covered by their family’s home insurance policy and recent college grads should seek their own coverage. 

Major life changes often require a change in your insurance policies. When a child goes off to college is no exception, and parents will need to consider how this change will affect their child’s insurance needs. Home insurance protects not only your home, but your personal possessions including computers, clothing, furniture, etc.

College students need to be protected by homeowners’ insurance too, as many of them take valuable belongings with them to college. Many homeowners don’t realize that most standard homeowners’ insurance policies offer some coverage for their college student if the student lives in an on-campus dormitory. If you have a child who is currently enrolled in college, then you may want to check the details of your coverage as well as take inventory of your child’s possessions. You’ll need to know whether he or she is bringing expensive items like laptops or iPods to the dorm, so that you can discuss this information with your homeowner’s insurance agent. Keep in mind that because a dorm room counts as a residence, it is limited to only 10% of contents coverage. In addition, if a dorm room is left vacant for 45 days the coverage may not apply. Be sure to talk with your home insurance agent to find out exactly what kinds of items are covered and up to what limits. In some cases, it may be a good idea for college students to get a renter’s policy.

While college students are generally covered under their parents’ policy, they will need to reconsider their coverage when it comes time for graduation. If a recent college graduate in your family is moving off-campus and into his or her own home or apartment, he or she will be required to purchase coverage. If your college grad plans on renting, he or she should consider renter’s insurance which will provide coverage for possessions in the event they are ruined or destroyed in some form of covered peril (theft, fire, wind, hail, etc).

If the college graduate in your family is planning on actually buying a home in the near future, he or she should purchase a full homeowner’s insurance policy which will protect not only possessions but also the structure of the home, other structures on the property, provide liability coverage, and loss of use coverage. A licensed Florida homeowners insurance agent can help the college student or college graduate in your family find the best coverage to protect his or her belongings.

Milla Tawnie writes for Orlando auto insurance and Orlando home insurance agency, the Florida Insurance Group. To learn more or to get auto and home insurance quotes, visit FloridaInsurance.com.