Is Boat Insurance Required in Florida?

Florida boat owners are not required to carry insurance or have a special license to operate their boats in the state; however, you will need to have a safety identification card, active registration, and have titled your boat with Florida. Additionally, while state law does not stipulate that you need insurance if you financed your boat then the lender may require that you have coverage to protect their investment. With that said, boat insurance is highly recommended – particularly in Florida – given the number of boats on the water, the high risk of hurricanes and other storms, and the high cost of repairs.

Given the expense associated with owning and operating a boat, having insurance is an excellent source for peace of mind. Generally speaking, a boat insurance policy will offer coverage for damage to the boat or personal property that is on board (minus your deductible), liability coverage for damage to another person or their property, medical payments, uninsured boat owners coverage, and towing coverage if you become stranded and need to be towed to a marina. When shopping for boat insurance coverage, it is important to know that most policies are limited to specific territories which means that if you take your boat outside of Florida waterways you may not be covered unless you have prior approval.

If you are in need of boat insurance coverage in Florida, look no further than the talented and professional team at Tim Huber Insurance. Conveniently located in St. Augustine, FL, our knowledgeable insurance professionals are ready to assist in finding your boat insurance that exceeds all your needs. Give us a call today to schedule a no-obligation consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your investment while keeping your family and friends safe while using the boat. 

When is it required to get condo insurance?

People that live in the St. Augustine, FL area should consider purchasing their home. One great housing option to consider would be to purchase a condo. When you get a condo, you are going to have a property that offers you a lot of comfort and security while minimizing your maintenance obligations. If you do purchase a condo, you should carefully consider your insurance needs. There are several situations when having condo insurance will be a requirement. 

When Taking Out a Loan

One situation when you will need to get condo insurance is when you are going to take out a loan. Similar to if you purchase any other property or major asset and finance it, the bank will want to ensure that the underlying collateral is protected. If you get a condo insurance policy, it will ensure you will have the ability to repair or replace your condo or use the insurance proceeds to pay off the loan. 

When in an Association

You will also need condo insurance if you are in a community that has a condo association. Most condos in this area of Florida are going to require you to carry insurance at all times. The bylaws will have rules that govern the level of coverage that you need to have. 

It is almost always required for someone in the St. Augustine, FL area to get condo insurance. If you are going to get a condo insurance policy here, you should speak with the insurance team at Tim Huber Insurance. When you call Tim Huber Insurance, you can get the support that you need to pick a policy. This will help to ensure that you pick a policy that keeps you in compliance with all obligations and properly protects your asset. 

What is the Best Life Insurance for my Needs

With so many options for life insurance, it can be a bit like a puzzle to find the perfect policy for you. When making such an important decision, here are some tips on how to choose the right life insurance policy and make sense of your options. 

Term Life Insurance

Unlike permanent life insurance, term life insurance is only valid for a specific period of time. Consequently, term life insurance is a great option if you know that you need life insurance for a certain period of time. For instance, let’s say that you just had a baby and want to ensure that there is enough money for your child to go to college if you pass away before that occurs. In this scenario, you might consider purchasing a 20-year term life policy because this will take the coverage period to right about the age that your child enters college. 

Permanent Life Insurance

Offering coverage for as long as you live, permanent life insurance is more expensive than term but you only need to qualify once meaning that only one medical exam – at the time of policy initiation is needed – so you don’t run the risk of being disqualified at a later point in life because of a medical condition. Another benefit of permanent life insurance is that it allows you to accumulate a savings fund that increases on a tax-deferred basis and can be borrowed against for a myriad of reasons if needed. 

When it comes to knowing life insurance, you need trusted professionals to help you make an informed and educated decision. At Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL our friendly and knowledgeable team is ready to discuss your options and help you find the right policy for your needs. 

When do I need flood insurance in Florida?

Living in the St. Augustine, FL area is a dream for many people. With access to the ocean and beaches, it can be a great place to live. While there are plenty of great advantages that come with living in this area of Florida, there are risks as well. For property owners, finding a way to mitigate the risk of flood damage is very important. One way to do this is by getting flood insurance. There are several situations when you will need to have flood insurance in Florida. 

When Required by Lender

One of the most common reasons why someone will get a flood insurance policy in Florida is because it will be required by their mortgage lender. If you purchase a home in Florida and it is located in a high-risk flood zone, your lender will want to make sure you have the appropriate insurance in place to protect their collateral. 

When Concerned About Flood Risk

Even if you do not have a requirement by a lender to get flood insurance, you should still get coverage if you are concerned about the risk of flooding in your area. A flood insurance policy can provide you with ample coverage to restore your property if it is damaged. This could prove to be a very valuable investment. 

Ultimately, choosing a new flood insurance policy for your St. Augustine, FL home is very important. When you are looking for a new policy, you should reach out to the team at Tim Huber Insurance. The insurance professionals at Tim Huber Insurance can help you to better understand all of your obligations when it comes to insuring your home. They can then help you to choose a flood insurance policy that offers the best coverage possible.

Why should I invest in a Florida commercial insurance policy?

Those that live in the state of Florida and want to start a small business will find that this state offers an incredible amount of opportunities. If you are going to start a company here, you could do quite well as long as you take the proper precautions to protect your company. One of the best ways that you can do this is by getting a commercial insurance policy. There are several reasons why a St. Augustine, FL business owner should invest in this insurance coverage.

Ensures Proper Liability Coverage

One of the advantages that come with investing in a commercial insurance policy is that it will ensure you receive proper liability insurance coverage. A business owner of any kind is going to take on liability risk very frequently. To ensure that you and your company are properly covered, you should get a commercial insurance policy as it will include liability insurance protection.

Gives Coverage for Assets

A commercial insurance policy will also give you coverage to protect your assets. Business owners will need to invest a lot in company assets to get the company off the ground. When you get insurance for your business, you will receive coverage for these assets. 

When you are going to get a St. Augustine, FL commercial insurance policy, it is important to fully understand your needs and options. Due to the complexities that come with picking a policy, you should reach out to the team at Tim Huber Insurance. When you speak with Tim Huber Insurance to discuss your insurance needs and options, you will learn a lot more about how you can protect your company. This will ensure you are able to choose a policy that protects your company as well as possible. 

What Kind of Coverage Do You Need for Your Classic Car?

Driving a classic car even for short distances in St. Augustine, FL without insurance is illegal and risky. You may be thinking it’s okay to put your classic car on your regular auto insurance policy but that’s also not a good idea. The best thing you can do to get the right coverage is to get a specific classic car insurance policy from Tim Huber Insurance.

You need special coverage to protect your classic car and an ordinary policy won’t provide that for you. A well-maintained classic car will often appreciate in value, while a standard insurance policy assumes that a car will depreciate over time.

Your classic car insurance policy should include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Liability insurance will be required if you want to drive on state roads. With comprehensive and collision, you are covered in the event of an accident and your insurance will pay for your valuable car. The insurer will work with you in St. Augustine, FL and discuss an agreed value based on the appraised market value or auction prices for cars similar to yours. There are other add-ons to your policy that you may want to consider depending on how you use your classic car. If you visit a lot of auto shows, you may want to get insurance for this that will cover your vehicle, whether or not you are actually present with your vehicle. You can also get insurance to cover towing should your classic car break down away from home.

Even though you will be getting higher coverage, your classic car insurance isn’t likely to cost you more than regular insurance. The policies do have some restrictions. You may be limited on how much you can drive your classic car and you will have to make sure it’s stored in a secured garage.

Contact Tim Huber Insurance to get a quote on classic car insurance.

Motorhomes vs. Campers, What’s The Difference?

As beautiful as St. Augustine, FL may be, sometimes you just want to head out for a trip in the wild. If you’re considering buying something for those long camping trips, you may be wondering what the difference is between a motorhome and a camper.

What it really comes down to, as far as the law is concerned, and as far as an insurer like Tim Huber insurance is concerned, is the engine.

If you pull it, it’s a trailer, and you don’t need to insure it unless you want to.

If it has a motor in it, it’s a motorhome. It’s really as simple as that.

Which One Is Right For You?

If you’re just looking for something you won’t have to insure, there you go. But of course, there’s a lot more that goes into the decision than that. One major point to consider here is the size of the camper.

A camper is going to be somewhat restricted in terms of size. It needs to be small enough that you can pull it with a standard-sized vehicle, which means that it’s not going to be as roomy as some of the larger RVs available. This might not be a big deal if you travel light, but if you’re hoping for a full bathroom-and-kitchen setup, you might be somewhat limited. You’ll also want to consider that motorhomes are built to pull all that extra weight, your car might not be.

If you’ve selected a vehicle to spend your summers away from St. Augustine, FL in, Tim Huber Insurance can get you set up with a policy to protect your motorhome and everything in it. Give them a call and see what they have for you.

What Kind Of Home Insurance Do I Need?

At Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL, we don’t just offer insurance policies to our clients, we also make them understand every detail. Home insurance is one of the most confusing types of insurance and that is because there are so many factors to consider when choosing your home insurance coverage.

One of the most frequently asked insurance questions is what kind of home insurance do I need? The best and the most honest answer to the question is “it depends on a lot of factors”. In fact, you and your next-door neighbor living in the same kind of apartment do not have to purchase the same home insurance policy.

So, we can only guide you. The best person to decide the most suitable kind of home insurance policy for you and your family is you. However, we will point you in the right direction by telling you the important things to consider.

Understand what is covered in every policy and what is not covered. For instance, when you are living in a condo, you don’t have to choose a policy that covers a garden and patio when you don’t have one. The additional coverage will raise the cost of your insurance. So, why should you pay for what you are not enjoying?

It is also necessary to ask for the special limits in every policy and know the items that are limited. You should also ask for the list of perils covered by every home insurance policy. It is a common practice for insurance companies to list out what a certain policy covers and they will also list out what the policy doesn’t cover. There’ll always be certain perils that are not mentioned on both sides. Take the time to find out where these perils belong (are they covered or not?).

For more information about home insurance, you can schedule an appointment with us at Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL. We will be glad to inform you and help you make a great home insurance choice. 

Commercial Insurance for Home-Based Businesses

Many aspiring entrepreneurs make a wise decision to run a business from their home, or in their garage, to keep their business overhead costs low when they first get started. Right after making such a very good decision to save money by not renting office space, the majority of them then make a huge mistake.

Over 60 % of home-based business owners do not have commercial insurance. Why is this a huge mistake? They rely on their homeowner’s insurance policy and this extremely dangerous. Homeowner’s policies do not cover any commercial operations at all. If you check your home insurance policy, you will likely find a specific exclusion that says it does not cover any commercial activities.

Imagine this nightmare scenario. The equipment that you use for a home-based business has a short circuit. The electrical short starts a fire. Your house burns to the ground. Since this was caused by equipment used for your business, you may lose everything!

Be one of the smart ones who start a home-based business with proper commercial insurance for it. Consult with your agent at Tim Huber Insurance, serving the St. Augustine, FL area, to get a comprehensive commercial insurance review and a quote. You may be surprised how reasonable it is to protect yourself and your business. It is certainly unwise not to protect yourself with adequate insurance.

The basics of commercial insurance include worker’s compensation if you have any employees, commercial liability insurance, and property/casualty insurance. You will also need commercial vehicle insurance if you use any vehicles in your business.

Call your agent at Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL to discuss the types of commercial insurance that are appropriate for your new home-based business. Then you can sleep well at night knowing your business and your home are both protected properly.

Does your vehicle qualify for classic car insurance?

Most people understand that as soon as you drive a new vehicle off the dealership’s lot, it begins to depreciate in value but classic cars actually appreciate in value over time which means your insurance coverage will be different.

People who embark on becoming classic or antique vehicle owners understand they will not be driving these vehicles on a daily basis. You will need a specialized insurance policy for your classic car and here is a roundup of the information you need to know while seeking an insurance policy.

Check Eligibility

To qualify as a classic car, your vehicle must meet some criteria, including the fact that it must be between 10 and 24 years-old. It must also have a historical interest, such as it is a sports car, hot rod, or muscle car.

To qualify as an antique vehicle, it must be 25 years old or older with the same type of historical interest as classic cars must possess.

Limit the Use

Your vehicle must be used only on a very limited basis, such as driving or hauling it to a classic car show.

Restore and Preserve

Your vehicle must be restored and preserved to its original condition or in the process of undergoing the restoration process. Some insurance agents may reject your vehicle for coverage if it is not in top-notch condition and being maintained properly.

Proper Storage

Your insurance policy will probably require that your classic or antique car be stored properly inside an enclosed building.

Understand Your Policy

Understanding your policy is imperative to ensure your investment in a classic or antique car is protected. Your policy will cover liability, collision, comprehension, and medical payments. You can always request increased coverage options if you so choose.

Call Your Agent

The insurance agents at Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL are ready to assist you in obtaining the proper coverage for your classic car and can answer any questions you may have. Call today for more information.