Life Insurance for Investments

At Tim Huber Insurance of St. Augustine, FL, we want you to understand the many ways insurance can benefit you. This blog explains how to use life insurance as an investment tool to save for retirement.

You can use insurance to fulfill the old adage, “Kill two birds with one stone.” That’s because if you buy the right policy, it functions as both insurance and investment tool. By choosing permanent insurance, you cover your impending burial costs, plus provide for your family. It also works to your advantage in four key ways as an investment tool.

  • It provides tax-deferred growth. You pay no tax on the interest of the cash value component. You won’t pay taxes on capital gains, dividends or interest related to the life insurance policy until withdrawal.
  • You can keep the insurance policy into old age – up to age 120. So long as you pay your premiums, you have coverage. Unlike term, you will still be covered past your 70th year. With improvements in health care, people live longer. This ensures you still have life insurance coverage, so your spouse or adult children do not get stuck with a surprise expense.
  • Your insurance policy works a little like a savings account. If you want to take out a loan for a large purchase, you can borrow against the policy’s cash value. It functions as collateral and makes it easier for you to pay for college for your children or buy a house. Another plus is you can do it without paying penalties or taxes.
  • You can access accelerated benefits if you fall critically or terminally ill. Depending on the policy, you can receive between 25 and 100 percent of the death benefit if you fall ill with a condition specified in your policy, such as end-stage renal failure, heart attack, invasive cancer or stroke. This lets you pay medical bills and improve your end-stage quality of life. While your beneficiaries won’t get the full death benefit, they also won’t be stuck with your medical bills. Even if you have health insurance, you’ll have to pay the deductibles.

Call or visit Tim Huber Insurance of St. Augustine, FL to learn more about how you can use life insurance as an investment tool. Why not obtain a policy that helps you in multiple ways? We can help. Call us.

Some Subtle Differences In My Trailer Home Insurance Policy As Opposed To My Stationery Home Insurance Policy

An insurance policy for a trailer home and an insurance policy for a stationary home are pretty similar in that they basically cover for damages, theft, and other run-of-the-mill things that can occur to a structure. However, there are some subtle differences with a home insurance policy for a home that has the ability to move and for a home that should never move.

Because a trailer home is usually located with other trailer homes, sometimes there is security provided for that particular community as opposed to a stand-alone home that is stationary. It is like the advantage of living in a gated community. As a result, your agent may specifically discuss the merits of how much theft insurance you should carry on the trailer home. There are also many differences in the foundations of the trailer home as opposed to the stationary home which can affect home insurance guidelines. Trailer homes have different types of foundations some of them are made to be temporarily stationary. Before speaking with your agent have a clear understanding of this aspect.

We are a community of homeowners here in St. Augustine, FL and at Tim Huber Insurance we understand the value of what you are trying to protect with your home insurance policy. Whether you own a trailer home or a stationary home, you want your property which you work very hard to be fully protected. Call us today to discuss how we can help you realize your home insurance goals. Additionally, if you are in the market for auto insurance, home insurance, flood insurance, life insurance, commercial insurance, recreational insurance or classic car insurance please call us at  9048–824-2555. Please stop by our offices today, Tim Huber Insurance is located at 28 Clark St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.

 

5 Reasons To Double Check Your Home Insurance Annually

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.

 

Common Commercial Insurance Mistakes for Restaurants

Running a restaurant in St. Augustine, FL can be a rewarding experience but can be a challenge if you don’t buy high-quality commercial insurance. The following mistakes are ones we at Tim Huber Insurance have seen far too many unfortunate business owners make.

Weak Liability Coverage

Though general liability coverage is a good choice for restaurants, you’re going to want more than that to protect your business. For example, umbrella insurance policies help protect you from claims such as damage from food poisoning or burns caused by spills. Comprehensive liability also helps to protect you from specialized restaurant claims, such as slipping on a wet floor.

No Loss of Income Coverage

What happens to your business if a fire or a health-related shutdown close your doors for weeks or months at a time? You won’t be getting any money and neither will your employees. If you bought loss of income coverage, this situation wouldn’t be devastating. This coverage will pay for your lost income when your restaurant is closed. It may also help your employees if you set up this type of extra coverage with your insurance company.

Poor Background Checks for Drivers

If your restaurant does deliveries, you need to make sure that you double- and triple-check the records of each employee who drives your company vehicle. Your commercial auto insurance policies will hinge on the abilities of your drivers. So even if you don’t cause an accident but an employee does, you will end up having higher premium rates and struggling to make your payments.

Avoid These Issues With Our Help

So if you run a busy St. Augustine, FL restaurant and want to make sure you don’t fall a victim to these mistakes, please contact us at Tim Huber Insurance right away. Our agents will work with you to identify the best commercial insurance coverage for your restaurant’s needs.

How Much Flood Insurance is Enough?

Flooding can be common around St. Augustine, FL, especially around hurricane season. However, that is not the only time that you need to worry about it. You should have a flood insurance policy in place all year long from Tim Huber Insurance because flooding can happen in a variety of ways, not just with hurricanes. Unfortunately, most home insurance policies do not actually cover any flood damages so you need to get this in addition to that policy. However, the question is for how much?

When it comes to getting flood insurance, what you want to look at are the coverage amounts. To get the right coverage amount, you should consider not only the rebuild cost of your home but also the cost of your personal belongings in the home. Both of these things can be impacted by a flood and in the case of a total loss, you want to make sure you have enough in place to replace as much as possible. You may also want to consider getting enough coverage for housing in the interim if that is not covered by your home insurance policy. By taking these estimated amounts into consideration, it will give you the estimated amount of flood insurance coverage you need. 

Now that you have an idea of what you should be looking for in terms of a flood insurance policy, it is time to get one. You do not want to get caught without one during a flood because the financial impact can be devastating. Be sure to reach out to us here at Tim Huber Insurance, serving St. Augustine, FL, to get your flood insurance policy in place as soon as possible. We will also work with you to make sure we find a policy that fits in your budget. 

The ABCs of Liability and Boat Insurance

Owning a boat can bring both a lot of joy and also a lot of responsibility in your life. If you are concerned about the amount of insurance coverage that your current policy provides, or you are thinking about buying a boat and want to learn more about the boat policies that are available, contact Tim Huber Insurance, serving the greater St. Augustine, FL area, to learn more about your options. 

The ABCs of Boat Ownership and Liability

As a boat owner, you are responsible for any damage that your boat causes, whether through an accident or another mishap and for any injuries sustained by your passengers. Many owners do not consider that their liability can extend to medical costs as well as damages brought by a party who is injured while on your boat. In fact, if someone is injured climbing onto or out of your vessel you may be held responsible even if the boat is docked. In order to protect yourself from such damages, it is important to carry adequate liability coverage. Our team of professional agents can meet with you and review your current policy and confirm if the protection is adequate for your needs. Many boat owners focus on coverage for the boat itself without considering what can happen to them if there is an injury-causing accident involving their craft.

Don’t let the joy and exhilaration of boat ownership cloud your judgment when it comes to securing adequate boat insurance coverage. The team at Tim Huber Insurance is proud to serve the St. Augustine, FL area, especially those who own boats and enjoy being out on the water! Contact us today or stop by our office to learn more about your options when it comes to boat insurance.

Does My Condo Insurance Cover Jewelry?

A condo insurance policy offers an excellent protection package. However, this insurance coverage doesn’t automatically cover everything you own. There are some limitations to your basic policies when it comes to unique and valuable items like furs, collectibles, jewelry, and fine art.

Realizing that your condo insurance doesn’t cover your valuable jewelry may leave you wondering what to do next. Can you comfortably replace your jewelry out of your pocket when it’s stolen or destroyed in a fire? Is there an insurance option that will not leave you empty handed in case the unexpected happens? The key is to understand the situations and the items your insurer covers and for how much. Here at Tim Huber Insurance, we help St. Augustine, FL residents learn how to protect their valuables through insurance.

Jewelry coverage in condo insurance

In most cases, a condo insurance policy may cover your jewelry, but not entirely. Sometimes coverages are limited by:

  • Coverage value limits
  • Exclusions or limitations on the covered situations
  • The need for different estimates before a claim is settled
  • The requirements for using jewelry replacement companies

Additionally, a jewelry claim can easily affect your entire policy status, and this is why you need to evaluate all your options. Make sure you contact your condo insurer and find out more about your jewelry coverage details. Don’t just assume that your condo insurance covers your jewelry.

Getting jewelry insurance

Since your condo insurance won’t cover your jewelry and other valuables fully, you need to get a separate insurance policy from a reliable insurer. You may also upgrade your existing condo insurance policy by buying a rider that particularly insures these types of items. This is a mini-insurance policy that can be added to your condo policy covering certain lists of items.

For more information on your jewelry coverage, be sure to contact us at Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL.

 

Why do life insurance companies need me to take a medical exam?

When you purchase a life insurance policy when you are very young, or through some work programs, there is usually no requirement for the individual covered to undergo a medical exam. One of the advantages to buying a loved one a whole life insurance policy from a very young age is that they have the benefits of the policy for life, without a threat of increased premiums, and they cannot be forced to take a medical exam.

When you are older and attempting to purchase a whole life policy in St. Augustine FL,  there is usually a requirement to go through a medical exam. Even though it is relatively noninvasive and only takes about 20 minutes, it gives the insurance company important information about your health. At this point, they are evaluating your health because when you buy life insurance, you become one of their investments. 

At Tim Huber Insurance, we can help you choose your options and prepare you for your exam. They will need to get basic information like height, weight, blood pressure and medical history, and being relaxed can make a difference.

You may be able to get a term life policy, which is more expensive, without a medical exam. It doesn’t have as many benefits, and will expire as soon as the premium is no longer being paid, but it does have the basic death benefit.

Our friendly agents at Tim Huber Insurance can help explain all your options. If you are in St. Augustine FL and are interested in obtaining a life insurance policy, or just have questions about an existing one, don’t hesitate to call us today.

3 Home Improvements that Could Reduce Home Insurance Costs

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.

Why Franchises Need Comprehensive Commercial Insurance

You fought hard to get your franchise license. Now it is up to you make sure that the business survives in these economic times. Competition can be intense in St. Augustine, FL.

What will protect your business when the times get tough?

One way to prove you have the acumen to remain in business is to buy Tim Huber Insurance comprehensive coverage. Do not make the mistake of relying solely on the minimum commercial insurance required by your franchising brand. Instead, get more coverage to ensure you can handle any unplanned events.

The Problem

Even if your standard St. Augustine, FL commercial insurance seems adequate you might need more. For example, an accident or lawsuit could cost so much that the parent company may see you as a liability no longer worth backing. Sure, they might allow the insurance to pay off your debts incurred in the lawsuit, accident, or other incidents; however, it is not uncommon for brands to decide to end such a partnership.

You will remain in business, just without their further support. All the hard work you did getting the franchise will have been wasted.

The Solution

To help keep your business from losing its franchise license by some unplanned calamity, always purchase comprehensive commercial insurance. Doing so is a fine way to build a solid reputation within the brand. The main office will know that you are a serious player out to protect both your interests and theirs.

Get More Information Now

Feel free to contact Tim Huber Insurance to learn about ways to save on extended commercial coverage. The helpful agents will lead you through the process. Visit the website today to request a free quote.