When you have home insurance in St. Augustine, FL, it’s critical that you check the policy annually. It will ensure that you have sufficient protection to avoid problems when you file an insurance claim.

At Tim Huber Insurance, we’re here to make sure that you have the right protection in place.

Home additions and renovations need to be updated on your home insurance. If you have made some purchases throughout the year, these need to be included so that your policy coverage levels are updated.

Your desire to have more riders on the account may have changed. For example, you may now need a rider to increase liability, especially if you have done a lot of entertaining inside your home. You may also need a home office rider if you have started working from home.

Discounts may be available to your policy. What you may not have qualified for last year could be different this year. It’s important to review any discounts that you may be eligible for.

Prices change between the different insurance companies, too. It’s a good idea to get quotes from several home insurance companies so that you can make sure that you are getting the most affordable premiums possible.

Policy fine print can change, too. You may think that you are covered in an area but you’re actually not. Home insurance companies will often renew your policy without identifying any changes made to your policy. It is up to you to manually pull a copy of the policy to read it for yourself.

When your home insurance policy is getting ready to renew, be sure that you take the time to double check everything. Contact us at Tim Huber Insurance so that we can be sure that your policy looks good. We may be able to help you get a better policy in St. Augustine, FL.

 

Major home improvements can affect the coverage and cost of your homeowner’s insurance. Some improvements will raise your premium while others can help reduce home insurance costs. Before undertaking a remodeling project, talk to a Tim Huber Insurance agent to see how your renovations will affect your home insurance policy. Here are a few projects that could help reduce insurance costs.

New Roof

Putting a new roof on your St. Augustine, FL home will not only give you extra protection against the elements but could qualify you for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance. If you have an older home, upgrading your roof will reduce the risk of damage to your structure and the interior of your home. For optimum protection, make sure your contractor uses top grade materials that will withstand the area’s hot, humid climate and the threat of hurricane winds and rains.

Plumbing and Electrical System Upgrades

Upgrading your plumbing or electrical system could make you eligible for discounts on your insurance premium. Upgrading your plumbing system reduces the risk of water damage due to old, corroded pipes. In like manner, a new electrical system could protect your home from fire due to faulty wiring. If your home is experiencing plumbing or electrical problems, an upgrade may be in order. In addition to fixing plumbing or electrical issues, upgrading these systems could qualify you for reduced rates on your home insurance costs.

New Security System

As a homeowner, the security of your home and family should be one of your greatest priorities. A new security system will offer greater protection against break-ins, vandalism, and theft. Improved security will make your home a safer place to live and help you save money on your insurance coverage.  

For more information on how to obtain quality homeowner’s insurance at affordable costs, contact Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL.

It’s Summer all year round in St. Augustine, FL. It’s lush green trees, blue skies, and sandy white beaches, but, if you’re not careful, mold can rot your floorboards faster than you can flip a burger on the grill out back. There’s not a lot of downsides to living in St. Augustine, FL, but that’s one of them. In some instances, Tim Huber Insurance may cover certain aspects of repair in these cases, but it’s better if it just doesn’t happen in the first place.

So, how do you spot the mold so that it can be handled appropriately?

The good news is that if you can’t see it, you can usually smell it. The distinctive smell that mold produces is thanks to MVOC or microbial volatile organic compounds. This is a gas that mold produces, which creates that musty smell, like a coat left in storage for a little too long.

You can usually find the source of the smell by following your nose. Once you’ve got the area more or less narrowed down, you can pick up a mold detection kit from most hardware stores and even many big box chains.

If you catch the mold early, it’s usually possible to take care of it with a little bit of bleach. For extensive damage, it may be necessary to replace floorboards, drywall, and so on. In more cases than not, a little bit of bleach and elbow grease is all it takes to scrub the mold away.

If you’re looking at any mold damages, check with Tim Huber Insurance to see if you’re covered. Mold can be produced by many causes, and it varies from case to case. Our agents are here to answer and address any questions or concerns you may have. Also, if you are in the area, stop by our office to set up a meeting to talk about how home insurance can benefit your house.

Whether you’re purchasing your first home to start your family or you’re retiring to beautiful St. Augustine, FL, protecting the home that you love is and should be a priority. Our agents at Tim Huber Insurance understand how important your home is which is why it is our mission to deliver top quality home insurance. If you are moving into your home and haven’t considered how you will protect it from unforeseen incidents like burglary, weather disasters, or fires, allow our agents to provide you with the information you need to make the best choice for you and your family. Whether you’re worried about Florida hurricane season or break-ins, we will help pick the right insurance for you.

Tim Huber Insurance understands how difficult or complicated it can be to choose the ideal home insurance for your home. After all, this is the net that will ultimately catch you and your family in some of the most vulnerable times of your life. Our agents will walk you through the process and answer your questions while addressing your concerns. We make it our priority to ensure that the process of choosing home insurance is seamless and as simple as possible. Your home is more than just a place to provide shelter. Ensuring its safety means ensuring the safety of your peace of mind.

It’s never too soon to choose home insurance to protect your family, your precious possessions, and the home that you love. Jot down your questions, concerns, and what you want from your home insurance and bring it into our office in St. Augustine, FL. Our agents will carefully guide you through the selection process. Give us a call to set up an appointment or just walk in!

Living right on the coast in St. Augustine, FL is simply amazing. You wake up every morning to the sound of ocean waves crashing against the beach, you enjoy warm weather all year round, even if you’re a little more inland, you’re never more than a short walk away from the sea. All that salty sea air is great for people, but not always so great for homes.

The problem is that salt is corrosive. So corrosive in fact that when Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, they didn’t just drain the salt water from the flooded streets and subways, they had to flush the affected areas with fresh water in order to get rid of all that salt.

Salty air can create structural damage in wooden structures as the salt clings to the wood and creates a fuzzy, salty layer that attaches to, and destroys, the top layer of wood, slowly chewing its way down through the rest of the wood, digging in deep.

Salty air can also chew away at a paint job, which is why you see so many bare homes in beach towns. A lot of people in St. Augustine, FL simply don’t care to deal with salt damage.

Cleaning the surface of your home can help. Giving your home a thorough scrub once a year, not allowing mold or salt to set in. You can also use protective primers and paints. Some of the providers you find through Tim Huber Insurance may even offer discounts if you take protective measures against salty air. 

Perils that a typical homeowner can face include damage or loss to their home or property from fire, theft, lightning, hail and wind. While no one plans to lose their St. Augustine, FL home due to these risks, it happens every day. If your home was ever damaged or destroyed, how would you pay to repair or rebuild it? That’s where homeowners insurance has got you covered. Here are the top five questions property owners have about homeowners insurance:

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is an insurance policy that protects the investment you have made in your home and property. It provides you with coverage for specific hazards or covered lawsuits.

What Determines My Home Insurance Premium?

While every insurance company is different, and your premium will be calculated on the coverages and limits of your specific policy, there are several basic universal underwriting factors included in most policies, which include:

• The cost to rebuild (not the market value of) your home, including materials and labor
• Location
• Wind resistance upgrades to doors and windows that meet Florida Building Codes

What is Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Coverage?

Insurance coverage for your personal belongings will reimburse you in the event of a covered loss. Actual cash value reimbursement is typically the amount to replace the item with new property of similar quality – minus depreciation for age. With replacement cost coverage, you will be reimbursed for the value of a new item of similar quality in today’s market.

What Factors Should I Consider When Selecting Homeowners Insurance?

While price is obviously a factor, it’s not the most important things. It is a good idea to compare several home insurance companies by using a comparative checklist before making a decision. Some of the criteria to consider include:

• The company’s financial stability rating
• How much reinsurance they purchase for hurricanes and other disasters
• Service accommodations, availability and convenient hours
• Location of the company office

Why Does My Homeowners Policy Have Two Deductibles?

Your deductible is the portion of costs you must pay for a covered loss. Florida is one of many states that have a separate deductible for hurricanes and “all other perils (AOP).” AOP deductibles cover damage from calamities such as fire, lightning or interior plumbing disasters. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, due to the devastation, the Florida Legislature introduced separate hurricane deductibles during hurricane season, to make insurance more affordable.

How Can I Lower the Cost of My Homeowners Insurance?

Tim Huber Insurance offers a variety of discounts which can include discounts for the age of your home’s construction, opening protection, policyholder age, burglar/fire/sprinkler systems, roof age/shape, and gated community. Besides discounts, you may be able to make adjustments to your selected policy. Contact our office today to discuss how to arrive at the perfect amount of homeowners insurance coverage for your specific needs.