4 Tips to Use When Getting Home Insurance

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When you are about to purchase a house, one of the things you need to think about is homeowner’s insurance. There are some considerations to keep in mind. A company such as All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School can help with this if you’re in the Palm Coast, FL area.

How Much Coverage?

Talk to your agent about how much coverage is best for your interest. Your lender may want you to get a policy that is at least the amount of your mortgage on your home. This does affect how much you pay.

Replacement or Actual Cash Value

You can decide if you want to insure your house and belongings for replacement cost or the actual cash value. With replacement cost, it’s the amount that you would need to pay in order to rebuild or replace your house. It also covers damage repair with materials that are of a similar type and quality.  Actual cash value is the amount that you’d need for replacement and repairs after depreciation is factored in.

Know What an Agent Does

An independent agent assists you with getting insurance coverage from one of the companies it works with. You don’t have to go with the insurance company that your lender suggests so you can "shop around" for the best policies to meet your needs by talking to your agent.

Read Everything Carefully

All home insurance policies are legal contracts. It describes your rights and responsibilities in detail as well as those of the insurance company. As soon as you buy your insurance and get your policy document, read it completely, and have a solid understanding of the language of it. Ask questions if you’re not sure about any terms or if something doesn’t reflect what you thought you were getting.

When you visit All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School of Palm Beach, FL, and beyond, you can be confident that the agents are knowledgeable and do their work well. Reach out with your questions today.

What Type of Car Insurance Is Best For My Needs?

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Residents who live in Palm Coast, FL can rely on the agents of All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to provide them with sound advice when it comes to choosing the right type of car insurance policy for your needs. There are multiple policies that provide varying degrees of coverage depending on what your exact needs are.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage protects you from all types of loss including collision, theft, personal injury, and property damage. Individuals who have leases or loans attached to their vehicles are often required by their lenders to carry this type of insurance to ensure they are paid off if the car is involved in an accident. Some people may choose to carry comprehensive insurance on their vehicle after it’s paid off to ensure they are compensated for its loss if it is totaled.

Collision and PL/PD

Collision and PL/PD insurance offer minimal coverage that is limited to damage that is incurred during a collision. While PL/PD also covers personal injury expenses for other individuals who were involved in the accident. Collision will cover the cost of your vehicles’ damage as well as that of the other driver. PL/PD, on the other hand, will only pay for the damages and injuries to the other driver and their property.

The agents of All Counties Insurance Agency &Traffic School can explain the benefits and limitations of all types of car insurance. Residents who live in the Palm Coast, FL area should call and talk to a licensed agent at their earliest convenience. This way they can enjoy the latest information possible when it comes to available coverage and eligibility requirements. Call today and get the information you need!

Why should someone get flood insurance?

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Buying a home in the Palm Coast, FL area is a great idea for many people. If you are going to purchase a home in this area of Florida, it is very important that you carefully consider all of your insurance needs. One form of insurance that many people here need is flood insurance. There are several reasons why someone should get flood insurance here. 

Required by Mortgage Lender

One reason that someone should get a flood insurance policy is that it can be required by a mortgage lender. If you have a home that is located in a flood zone, there is a good chance that your mortgage lender will require that you maintain flood insurance. In many situations, they will need you to escrow payments on a monthly basis to ensure you stay current. 

Provides Valuable Coverage

Those that are concerned about flood damage in their area should get coverage simply for the protection it provides. If there is ever a bad flood in your area, it could be devastating for your home. To ensure that you are properly covered for this risk and potential damage, you should make sure that you get a full flood insurance policy. 

If you are looking for flood insurance in the Palm Coast, FL area, you should call All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to discuss your needs. Picking a flood insurance policy is never easy but the team at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School can make it easier for you. When you speak with the team here, you are going to learn a lot more about how flood insurance can protect you and your home. They can then help you choose a policy that gives you the right coverage and peace of mind. 

Do I need home insurance in Palm Coast?

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As you are looking for a new place to live, the Palm Coast, FL area can be a great option. If you move here, you can enjoy the great weather and local amenities. For those that are going to purchase a home here, getting the right home insurance is vital as it could be a necessity for many buyers. 

Required by Association

One reason that you may need to have home insurance in the Palm Coast area is that a home association could require it. If you live in a home association, the other members will want to ensure you are able to repair your home or pay for any damages that you or your property create. One of the best ways to do this is by making sure that all owners in the community carry a full home insurance policy.

Required by Lender

You are also likely going to need to get a home insurance policy if your mortgage lender requires it. Most of the time, a mortgage lender will require that you have one year of insurance paid upfront when you close on a home. Going forward, they will require that you escrow for future payments monthly. Doing this helps to ensure you do not have a lapse in insurance, which protects their collateral.

Anyone that is looking for home insurance in the Palm Coast, FL area should contact All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to discuss their insurance needs. The team at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School can help you better understand all of your options when it comes to protecting your home. We can then help you find a policy that ensures you are fully protected. 

How to stay up-to date with your auto insurance while on vacation

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There is so much to think about when going on a holiday, especially with regards to your insured assets. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and wonder whether it is a good idea to notify your insurance company of your trips or not. Fortunately, you don’t need to. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School, we understand that people travel a lot in Palm Coast, FL, and across the world. However, it is always prudent to let your auto insurance know that you will be away for more than 30 days.

Can I suspend my auto insurance?

Of course. If you are going to be away for a more extended period let’s say more than three months or are not sure how long you will be away, you can always agree with your insurance provider to suspend or lower your rates depending on whether you will use the car or not. It is essential to inform your provider early before your bills are late. If you are leaving with your vehicle, you will also need to inform your provider.

When should you cancel your policy?

Since all the 50 states require you to carry minimum liability coverage, you may face a few challenges when trying to cancel your policy. Instead of withdrawing it, your insurance provider may request that you suspend or slash your costs. You also have the option of removing yourself from the policy and letting another member take over while you are away. This is the best option if you have other people being left behind.

Auto insurance concept is complex. Making assumptions can mislead you into making the wrong decisions. If you live in or around Palm Coast, FL, feel free to visit us at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School, and we will be happy to share more information with you.

How Do You Ensure You Have The Right Amount Of Flood Insurance?

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Several different types of insurance are meant to protect a home or personal property. One particular type is part of a national government program to protect homeowners from damages related to flooding in a variety of scenarios. Flood insurance can be the layer of coverage to allow you to pick up the pieces and get back to normal when nature takes a turn for the worse.

Flood Insurance Protection

Flood insurance will cover structural damages to the covered items listed on the policy, which can include personal items as well. Before buying flood insurance, it’s essential to know precisely what level of coverage you need. To properly make a selection, work with a licensed insurance agent who knows the ins and outs of flood insurance policies. They can explain critical details that you need to be aware of before signing the policy. 

Agents are There to Help

Flood insurance is a unique type of insurance coverage that has many terms and conditions to be aware of before you make a purchase. Your insurance agent can explain all of the fine print and important points of interest so you can be a more educated buyer. Anyone who is currently searching for flood insurance in the Palm Coast, FL area can rely on All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to provide them with the coverage and guidance they need to get the right protection for their situation.

Get the assistance you need to get essential flood insurance to protect your home and property. Call or stop by the office of All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School today for more details and to schedule a consultation. Residents of Palm Coast, FL can get the peace of mind they need with flood insurance coverage. 

What happens if your home insurance policy lapses?

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Your home insurance plan is essential when you want to protect your personal finances in Palm Coast, FL. Such is the reason why you should make sure that your premiums are paid on time to ensure that there are no lapses in coverage. You should call the agents at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School immediately if your home insurance plan has been canceled or is at risk of lapsing. 

What does a lapse in insurance mean?

Lapses in home insurance are instances where there is no coverage. The most common reason for gaps in indemnity protection is because of missed payments. 

Many insurance providers offer grace periods that homeowners can lean on if they happen to run late on making monthly premium payments. Those who go beyond the grace period generally forfeit their policy’s coverage and are fully responsible for any losses during the time that they are uninsured. 

What happens when a home insurance policy lapses?

You are at risk of paying higher rates when you let your home insurance plan lapse. Data shows that those who maintain their indemnity policies are less likely to file claims for losses. Meanwhile, those who have several gaps in insurance are generally regarded as high-risk customers. 

Those with lenders are also at risk of having the mortgage company purchase coverage on their behalf. This type of insurance is not meant to protect your assets but rather to guard the lender from significant financial loss in the instance of your home being damaged beyond repair. You will pay the highest premiums for home insurance chosen by the lender. 

Do not let your home insurance fall behind!

The financial responsibility of incidents that occur while you are uninsured completely rests on your shoulders. Do not let your home indemnity plan in Palm Coast, FL lapse! Instead, call the agents at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to learn about your available options. 

What does a comprehensive auto policy cover

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Auto insurance is not one size fits all. Every customer has different needs and finding the perfect fit is what good auto insurance agents will do. Auto insurance is basically three types of different coverage, liability, collision and comprehensive. While liability and collision are pretty much exactly what they sound like, comprehensive is a type of insurance that is confusing and often misunderstood. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL, we understand all facets of auto insurance and we are ready to help you to understand comprehensive coverage and whether it is something that you need. 

Comprehensive auto insurance is not all-encompassing even though that is what the name implies. It is also known as non-collision insurance. It covers damage that happens to your vehicle that is beyond your control. When storms rage across your area, they may drop hail that can cause major damage to your vehicle. Strong winds cause branches to fall from trees and land on your vehicle. You have no control over the weather. If your vehicle is vandalized or stolen, it is comprehensive auto insurance that will help you to repair or replace it. 

Another danger in many places is large animals running into the road and causing massive damage to vehicles. A deer can result in the total loss of a vehicle depending on the size of the vehicle. Glass coverage is also usually part of comprehensive auto insurance. 

When you are ready to discuss your auto insurance needs, we are here for you. You can use our online rating tool or give us a call at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL to make an appointment to sit down with a knowledgeable member of our team. We will listen to your concerns and give you the answers that you need and want. 

Is the Flood Water Really Rising Across America?

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the governmental agency responsible for maintaining and updating the floodplain maps that are used across America to determine the areas that are in flood zones.

In the areas that are officially flood zones, which have a high risk of flooding, mortgage lenders and government-backed FHA loan programs require that a homeowner carry flood insurance. Your agent at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School serving the Palm Coast, FL area can help you get flood insurance, which meets these requirements. The problem is that these flood zones are no longer accurate.

In recent years, flooding occurred in many parts of the U.S. that had never seen any flooding like that before. Homes that were many miles outside flood zones were awash with water when river banks overflowed in record amounts during the past few years.

Many 500-Year Floods in a Few Years

All of this record flooding is due to the severe weather pattern changes that are happening. How bad is it?

FEMA has the designations on the flood zone maps of 100-year flood zones and 500-year flood zones. In a 100-year flood zone, there is one chance in a hundred (1%) each year of having a flood. In a 500-year zone, which has no requirement to carry flood insurance, there is only a 0.2% chance of having a flood each year. Sounds safe from floods, right?

Houston had three 500-year floods within three years. That is one 500-year flood each year. Homes that never had seen flood waters got hit by them for the first time, and then it happened again and again. Is that bad luck? Probably not. It likely means the maps are no longer useful in predicting flooding.

Summary

The message to everyone in Florida is that you need flood insurance for your home. Even if your mortgage lender does not require it, you probably should have it anyway.

Contact your agent at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL to get a quote for flood insurance.

Do You Really Need a Home Inventory?

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Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you probably have valuable goods that need insurance protection. A home inventory will provide you with an accurate account of all your assets and their value to help you select the home insurance coverage you need. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL, we recommend that all Flagler County homeowners and renters create a home inventory of their possessions for insurance purposes. Here’s how a home inventory can benefit you. 

Proof of Ownership & Property Value

A home inventory that lists all the items you own and documents their value can be used as proof of ownership when making a claim. If you were to lose all your possessions in a major disaster, your home inventory would make it easier to recuperate your losses per your insurance coverage.

Accuracy in Insurance Protection

A home inventory will help you obtain proper insurance protection for your goods. Standard home insurance offers protection for personal property along with dwelling and liability coverage. The amount of property coverage you choose depends on the value of your goods. Having a complete list of your goods enables you to choose accurate coverage to meet your needs.

Facilitate Claims Process

Documenting your personal goods will make it much easier to make a claim when you need it. Your home inventory should include a description, photos, or videos of your goods, particularly high-end items. If these items are stolen, damaged, or lost in a covered peril, you’ll have the information you need on hand to expedite your claim. By maintaining an up-to-date home inventory, you can be prepared for any eventuality.

For help in making a home inventory or to learn more about home insurance coverage and costs, call or visit All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL.