Whether Hurricane season is in full effect or not, taking preventative measures is the best way to minimize any potential hurricane related damage and reduce any insurance claim you may have to file.

There are many things you can do as a safety precaution when a Hurricane or tropical storm is approaching your area.

Tie down all loose items. Before the storm approaches make sure to move all loose outdoor items inside somewhere safe. If you are unable to move them indoors, make sure to securely tie them down. One of the most dangerous elements of a Hurricane is the debris that flies through the air.

Secure your hurricane shutters and/or plywood. When the storm is approaching, make sure your shutters are ready to be put up or you have sufficient plywood to cover all of your windows. If you use plywood, try and make sure your holes are pre-drilled; so when the time comes you can put them up quickly and move on to another area of preparation.

Take photos. Make sure you have a lot of photos of your house before the hurricane hits. Be sure to include photos of the exterior of your home as well as the interior. Have pictures of fixed items like the structure and windows but also make sure to include photos of expensive household items and personal keepsakes. This will help expedite any potential insurance claim

These are just tips to protect your house’s exterior, interior and valuable items. The most important safety precautions you should take are for yourself and loved ones. Make sure you have a proper Hurricane plan that all family and household members know and are ready to implement.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

First off, don’t drink and drive. Driving is a privilege and should not be abused. If you are given a driver’s license, you are given a responsibility. That is to do your part to keep the roads as safe as possible for you, other drivers, pedestrians, fixed property and anyone or anything else on the road. Driving drunk is NOT responsible and comes with very serious repercussions. Aside from jail time, court/lawyers expenses, tickets and a suspended license, a DUI will seriously affect your auto insurance rates.

If you are served with a DUI, in all likelihood your insurance company will find out. There are 2 things that they will usually do. The first is to raise your rates, usually substantially. The second is that they may just drop you and cancel your policy. In addition you will be labeled a “high-risk” driver.

When the time has come when you are able to get your license reinstated, the DMV will require an SR-22 filing. This is a Proof of Insurance certificate provided by your insurance company showing the state that you are insured. However, many companies do not offer SR-22 policies due to the high risk. Even if the company does offer SR-22 policies, there is no guarantee that they will give you one. Remember, these SR-22 policies come with a much higher premium than a regular policy.

That being said, driving under the influence is a serious matter. The consequences are many and affect you in different ways. Do your part and be a safe, conscientious driver, and you shouldn’t have to worry!

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Not all vehicles fall under your standard auto insurance policy. If you own a recreational vehicle; you will most likely need to purchase an additional policy specific for that vehicle. There are many different types of recreation vehicles which require special coverage. Some of these include Motor homes/RV’s, travel trailers, toy haulers, motorcycles, ATV’s, and boats and personal watercraft.

Motor Home/RV: Although you can cover your motor home under your regular auto policy; it is not a good idea. Your regular auto policy has many gaps in coverage. Click here to see a list of benefits compared between a regular auto policy and a motor home/RV policy.

Travel Trailer Insurance: In order for your trailer to be properly covered; you’ll need to purchase a separate travel trailer policy. A travel trailer insurance policy will cover you for damages resulting from collision, fire, smoke, flood, landslide, hail, windstorm, animals, vandalism, low branches, theft or lightning.

Toy Hauler: Before you take your next road trip; make sure your toy hauler is properly covered. Purchase a special toy hauler policy to ensure all your valuables and toys are properly covered.

Motorcycles: Motorcycles are typically not covered under your standard auto policy. You will need to purchase a motorcycle insurance policy to make sure you are adequately covered. Make sure to have enough protection to cover you and anyone who may be riding with you.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s): Although many ATV’s remained uninsured, it is a very smart idea to purchase a special policy for your ATV. Unfortunately, ATV accidents are common and serious injuries can occur. It is critical to make sure you are properly covered when riding on an ATV.

Watercraft/Boat Owners: In most places insurance is required for any personal watercraft. The penalties for being caught on the water without boat insurance can be the same or even worse than an automobile. It is very important to purchase the right kind of coverage for your boat. This type of insurance will usually cover your watercraft whether it is in the water or on your trailer.

Adding these coverages can really save you some headaches in the event of an accident. Remember, it is always better to be over-insured than under-insured.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Comprehensive and Collision coverage are the two most common types of coverage for your vehicle. These types of coverage are not mandated by the state but may be by your loan or leasing company. The only type of coverage mandated by the state is liability coverage. Liability covers any of the damage to others that you are at fault for, up to your policy limits.

Collision Coverage:

Collision coverage takes care of damage to your vehicle, resulting from a motor vehicle accident. This can be an accident between you and another vehicle or between your vehicle and fixed property. Your collision coverage is applicable regardless of who is at fault for the accident. If the accident is your fault, you will have to open a collision claim if you want your vehicle repaired by your insurance company. If the accident is not your fault, you have the option to open a collision claim if you want. Assuming the person at fault for the accident has a valid auto insurance policy; your damage can be covered under their policy as a property damage claim. However, if you want your company to take care of the damages, they can and will then get reimbursed from the adverse party’s company.

Comprehensive Coverage:

Comprehensive covers your vehicle from any damage not caused by a collision. Examples of when this type of coverage would apply are if your vehicle is stolen, if your vehicle catches on fire, if your vehicle sustains damage from wind, a hurricane or any other act of nature and other situations where there was no collision. Just like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage is not mandated by any state agency. Like collision coverage, it is required if there is a bank interest in your vehicle.

Deductibles:

A deductible is the amount of money you will be responsible for when filing a collision or comprehensive claim. Deductibles range from $0 to a couple thousand dollars. The higher your deductible is, the lower your premium will be. The most common deductible amount is $500. Make sure you select a deductible you can afford. If you file a claim, you will be responsible for your deductible before insurance starts paying out. For example, if you have a $1,200 repair and your deductible is $500, then you will be responsible for paying the first $500 of the repair and then your insurance policy will cover the remaining amount.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein.  No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.