Dos and Dont’s when Filing a Home Insurance Claim

Dos and Don’ts when Filing a Home Insurance Claim

One of the policies on your expense sheet that you pay but hope you never have to use is a home insurance policy. That’s why many St. Augustine, FL homeowners do not know how to file a home insurance claim. Unfortunately, terrible things happen, and you may need to call your insurance company to file a claim. If you have recently bought home insurance or had damages to your property, here are a few dos and don’ts’ we thought you should know.

Do: Contact Your Insurance Company

Your first step towards filing a successful insurance claim is contacting your insurance provider. If there was criminal activity involved, call the police first and get a police report. Your insurance company will request it when compensating you for damages.

Don’t: Touch Anything If a Crime Was Committed

If there was a criminal activity like murder, consider your home a crime scene and don’t touch anything until the police allow you. Remember, you will also be questioned regarding the crime, so leave everything as it is until the investigations are done.

Do: Document Everything

Tim Huber Insurance recommends taking as many videos as possible. There is nothing like over documenting when it comes to your home insurance claim. Your smartphone can be a reliable tool for taking pictures and videos to be used during the compensation. It’s even better if you can capture the origin of the loss and the resulting damage.

Don’t: Throw Away Receipts

Receipts will always be helpful in any insurance claim. You will need them to prove that you owned specific items that were stolen, and you will also need receipts as evidence of your incurred costs when your home becomes unlivable.

Don’t forget to study your St. Augustine, FL home insurance policy before filing your claim to avoid attracting extra premium charges.  For more information about filing home insurance claims, contact Tim Huber Insurance today!

Is motorhome insurance needed in Florida?

The St. Augustine, FL area can be a great place to live. One of the advantages that comes with living in this area also has access to many great local parks and outdoor adventure. To tour the state and country well, getting a motorhome is a great option. Along with the purchase of your motorhome, you also need to carefully consider your insurance needs for it. There are great reasons why this coverage is necessary for Florida owners. 

Insurance Needed to Comply with State

A reason that many people in Florida will need to have a motorhome insurance plan is that it is required to drive any type of vehicle. Those that would like to drive a vehicle on a public road should always carry a liability insurance plan. If you do not maintain this coverage, you could be penalized if you are caught driving without it. This could result in losing your right to drive the vehicle.

Insurance is Required by Lenders

Purchasing a motorhome will almost always come with a big investment and it could require that you take out a loan to complete the purchase. If you have decided to finance your vehicle purchase with a loan, it is important to understand the insurance requirements. Most of the time, you will need to carry a motorhome insurance plan at all times to ensure that the asset is as well protected as possible. 

As you are looking for this protection in the St. Augustine, FL area, it would be a good idea for you to call Tim Huber Insurance. The team with Tim Huber Insurance can give the support needed to understand your insurance needs and options. They can then give the support needed to pick a quality insurance plan for your business. 

Who needs home insurance in Florida?

The St. Augustine, FL area continues to be a great place to work and live. If you would like to move here, it would be a good idea to own your property. Those that are property owners in this area of Florida will benefit in many ways but also have responsibilities. One need that most property owners have here is the need to get proper insurance. There are several situations when this coverage is needed.

When Financing Home with Mortgage

A lot of people choose to take advantage of low-interest rates and to buy their homes with a mortgage. If you want to buy a home and take out a mortgage, you will need to get proper coverage. Any mortgage lender will have specific insurance requirements that need to be met and they may require escrow payments to ensure there is not a coverage lapse. 

Home Association Rules

You may also need to get a home insurance plan if you live in a home association. There are a lot of individuals that will live in a home association community. If this is the case for you, it is important to follow all of the rules. Most associations will have insurance requirements that need to be met. 

Buying a home is a great housing option for those all over the St. Augustine, FL area. If you are going to buy a home in this area, getting the right insurance for it is extremely important. One company that will be able to help you assess your insurance needs and pick a plan is Tim Huber Insurance. When you do call Tim Huber Insurance for your insurance needs you understand more about how the coverage can mitigate risk for you. The team can also assist you and create a plan that properly protects your asset. 

Commercial Insurance Options in St. Augustine, FL

If you live in St. Augustine, FL and are a business owner, you may want to learn more about commercial insurance. You can learn from the expertise of a firm such as Tim Huber Insurance.

If you are a business owner in the state of Florida, there are different types of commercial insurance that you should consider. There are both legal and financial reasons for this. There are many different events that could potentially threaten your business. These include employees getting injured, customers slipping and falling, and even natural disasters. Additionally, you need to have worker’s compensation available for your employees if you have them. There are also other types of coverage that you should consider, depending on the exact nature of your business. These include coverage for your business property, daily operations, and electronic data.

There are many types of coverage that you should have in terms of commercial insurance. General liability insurance is very important for businesses, as this will protect against third-party property damage and bodily injury. Commercial auto insurance and workers compensation insurance might also be necessary, depending on whether you employ vehicles and workers. Business insurance isn’t actually required by Florida state law, other than workers compensation for those who have employees, so it is really up to you what type of coverage you want to get. There are many different types and the types that you would need depend a lot on the type of business that you own.

If you live in the city of St. Augustine, FL, and want to know more about commercial insurance, you should feel free to contact the professionals at Tim Huber Insurance. They will be able to provide you with guidance in terms of the policy that may be right for you and answer any other questions that you may have about commercial insurance.

I Caused a Car Accident, Now what?

Car accidents are unexpected events that are costly. To meet financial responsibility, all drivers must carry personal protection insurance in case of a vehicle accident. Luckily in St. Augustine, FL, most car accidents fall under the no-fault rule. It means that no matter who caused the accident, each party claims damages from their insurance. However, there are exceptions. Suppose the accident is particularly serious and the other party sustains a serious injury with permanent disablement or even loss of life. In that case, the injured party can claim damages from the person who caused the accident. 

How is blame for the accident appropriated?

Nobody goes out of their way to cause accidents, but things happen. Perhaps you lost focus behind the wheel or drove after drinking alcohol when the accident happened. Some accidents are always considered your fault entirely, especially if you drive into the rear of the vehicle in front of you or make a left turn and collide with a car driving straight in the other direction. In those cases, the driver that caused the accident is responsible for compensating the other parties’ medical bills, lost wages, and other losses suffered. 

Protection against the cost of liability.

To protect yourself financially against unforeseen accident claims, you need Bodily Injury Liability cover. It will protect you if someone else is injured or dies in an accident you caused. The insurance covers not only the costs of the actual loss incurred but also provides cover for your defense in case the other party sues you. Buying Bodily Injury Liability cover will help you fulfill your financial obligations in case of an unfortunate vehicle accident. To discuss your needs, contact Tim Huber Insurance agent, to help you choose the cover that matches your circumstances.

Exploring Some Common Umbrella Insurance Myths

Tim Huber Insurance serves the St. Augustine, FL community, as well as the surrounding areas, by offering residents multiple types of insurance coverage. We enjoy simplifying the process of helping our clients find the policies they need to protect what matters most. We have a passion for helping people.

Common Umbrella Insurance Myths

Umbrella insurance is an asset during times when you are faced with a potential liability dispute. The policy acts as a safety net to protect you from potentially dealing with huge losses. You’ll be protected if someone is injured while visiting your St. Augustine, FL residence. If you are a business owner, you’ll also be protected if you are in a serious liability issue that threatens your assets. While you are researching policies, avoid some of these common umbrella insurance myths.

Umbrella Insurance Stands Alone

This is incorrect. Umbrella insurance functions as a secondary policy. The coverage is not designed to take the place of a home, auto, or commercial policy.

I Don’t Need Coverage Because My Assets Aren’t Valuable

Umbrella insurance doesn’t simply protect people with luxury assets. Everything that you own has some type of value. If someone gets seriously injured at your home, you could potentially be faced with expensive litigation. However, umbrella insurance provides a safety net.

Umbrella Insurance Policies Are Too Complex

The process of finding the right umbrella insurance policy can be complicated at times. However, the primary objective is to add coverage to protect your investments. If you are involved in an auto accident you cause serious property damage, you can rely on your umbrella coverage to back up your traditional auto insurance policy.

Tim Huber Insurance Will You Protect Your Investment

Visit our website today to learn more information about umbrella insurance.

What are the benefits of flood insurance in Florida?

The St. Augustine, FL area continues to be a great place for anyone to move to and purchase a home. Those that are in this area will love the warm weather and access to local beaches. While there are a lot of advantages that come with living here, there are some risks as well. One risk that people in this area have is the risk of their home being damaged by the flood. Fortunately, you can protect against this risk with flood insurance. This type of coverage offers several benefits. 

Coverage for Property

One of the advantages that comes with a flood insurance policy is you will receive coverage if your property is damaged. If your property is ever damaged by floodwaters, the costs to remediate can be extremely significant. When you have a flood insurance policy, you will receive the protection you need to cover this damage. 

Loan Compliance

Another advantage of getting flood insurance for your property in Florida is that it can help you achieve loan compliance. When you get a mortgage, you will need to comply with all lender requirements. If your home is located in a flood zone, there is a good chance the lender will require that you protect it with flood insurance. 

In the St. Augustine, FL area, there continues to be a risk that your home could be affected by a flood. If this is the case for you, it is important that you speak with someone that you can trust about your flood insurance needs. The insurance professionals at Tim Huber Insurance should be the first group that you call. The team at Tim Huber Insurance understands the value that flood insurance provides and will be able to help you build and choose a new policy. 

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.