Local Insurance Agent in the Punta Gorda, FL Area
Local Insurance Agent in the Punta Gorda, FL Area
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1. FIRE DEPARTMENT PROXIMITY
If you are close to the fire station, you’re going to pay less for home insurance. Homes that are close to the active fire departments will usually not cost as much to insure. This is also true for the houses that are close to fire hydrants.
Suburban and urban homes will usually get better fire protection ratings than the urban areas. Having your fire department close to your home is going to help with keeping the house safe if there is a fire.
2. PROXIMITY TO NATURAL DISASTERS
If you live in an area that has a lot of natural disasters like earthquakes or flooding you are going to have a higher rate. Homes that are closer to the coastline or coast generally will be more expensive when it comes to insuring them when compared with inland homes. Homeowners who are living close to the coast might have another deductible for things like hurricanes or another an insurance policy for windstorms. But even though you are living close to any kind of water can affect your rates due to the flooding risk.
Flood damage isn’t covered by the usual home insurance policy. It’s often a good idea to take another policy for food insurance despite the fact that you may not be at high risk when it comes to flooding.
3. CRIME RATE IN THE AREA
If you’re living in an area that has a high crime rate, you are going to pay more for your home insurance. Things like arson, burglaries and robberies can drive up the rates for your insurance. You can help with keeping your rates lower by having an alarm system put in your home.
When you are comparing your homeowner’s insurance rates with friends and family, if yours are higher or lower with all other variables being equal, it could be because of the home’s location.
FREE INSURANCE REVIEW
WhitCo Insurance agents provide this free service just for you. Meet with our agents in person or connect online to review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs. If you would like us to explain your insurance policies in plain English, you can contact us a call at 866-298-7608.
We hope you will benefit from our web site and can take advantage of our insurance experience in Punta Gorda and North Port, Florida.
1. IT COVERS FLOOD DAMAGE
Home insurance won’t cover damage from flood. You have to buy an insurance policy that is specifically for flood so that you are covered.
2. IF I’M INJURED MEDICAL EXPENSES WILL BE COVERED
That medical part of the home insurance policy is designed for your protection if there is a guest on your property and they get injured. Your family and you aren’t covered if you or they are injured.
3. IT’S DUMB TO INVENTORY YOUR POSSESSIONS
Having a list of the things in your home is the proof that you own them. When you have to make a claim, you have to list the items that had been listed to insure that nothing was forgotten. Which will maximize your reimbursement.
4. MY PREMIUM INCREASES WHENEVER I FILE A CLAIM
One claim might not mean that your premium is going up; but when you have more than one claim it might mean that the premium has gone up. Always estimate the cost of repairs before you file your claim. If the cost is not going to be a lot higher than the insurance deductible, it’s a better idea to fix it on your own dime instead of filing your claim.
5. IT COVERS EVERYTHING VALUABLE, INCLUDING FURS AND JEWELRY
Your policy will only cover so much regarding valuable coverage. If you have something that is over that amount, it’s better to buy more coverage for the items.
6. POOR MAINTENANCE DAMAGE IS COVERED
If you have damage due to something like mold, which is usually because of poor maintenance, you are not going to be covered. You are the one who is responsible for your home’s maintenance. This way major repairs are going to be prevented and your home is going to be safer.
7. YOU ONLY NEED FLOOD INSURANCE IF YOU’RE IN A FLOOD ZONE
Floods happen everywhere. The regular insurance policy isn’t going to cover the damage that flooding causes, so you want to have some flood insurance.
8. YOU MUST LOWER COVERAGE TO LOWER THE PREMIUM
Reducing the coverage so you can save on the premium isn’t smart. You need to have adequate insurance. In order to keep the premium low, look at the options that you might be able to get which could lower the premium. One thing that might help is buying a burglar system.
9. THE DWELLING COVERAGE AMOUNT IS BASED ON THE HOME’S PURCHASE PRICE
You should base this upon what your home will cost to replace. It doesn’t have to include your property’s land. Replacement cost usually is calculated when you multiply the up to date construction costs and your home’s square footage.
10. IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO BUY A HOUSE AND NOT BUY HOME INSURANCE
If your home is mortgaged, most of the lenders might require that you buy home insurance. However, it’s usually up to you to buy your insurance.
These are the myths that you may have heard about homeowners insurance. Know the truth and you’re going to save money, time, and heartbreak.
FREE INSURANCE REVIEW
WhitCo Insurance agents provide this free service just for you. Meet with our agents in person or connect online to review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs. If you would like us to explain your insurance policies in plain English, you can contact us a call at 866-298-7608.
We hope you will benefit from our web site and can take advantage of our insurance experience in Punta Gorda and North Port, Florida.
1. LOOK AT WHAT’S AVAILABLE
Before you choose an insurer, get a quote from a minimum of four carriers. You can find databases online that are free like InsWeb, which will offer you a quote from as many as eight carriers.
2. BUY DIRECT
The companies that are dealing directly with the consumers and don’t use any independent agents are known as direct writers. Theoretically they’re able to pass their savings on because they eliminate middlemen.
3. READ JUNK MAIL
It’s a great idea to read the Internet, your email or answer your phone. Overhead is saved by direct marketers by using these things to market, and they can give you the savings.
4. CHECK YOUR HOME STATE
Most of the insurance departments in the state offer shopping guides online for those looking to buy homeowner’s insurance. The guide from the state may be able to give you companies that aren’t as well know that have competitive rates. You can get linked to the guide for your state on insure.com.
The bad thing is if you’re living in one of the hurricane zones, it’s possible you will be stuck with a single expensive option. That is your state-sponsored pool of high risk people. But it’s possible to try again in a year. The private insurers always look for different ways to cut the market up and a black mark for company will be a business opportunity for another.
Some of the states provide those who in a vulnerable coastal or urban area.
5. LOOK AT THE SERVICE HISTORY
Even though a company may offer a big discount, that is not going to help you if they are slow at processing claims, so you want to discover everything you can about the service about a company before signing on. It’s a good idea to ask the representative about the turn-around time for their claim. If they have a shorter time for claims it indicates that they have good service.
6. FOCUS ON THE FINANCIALS
You want to examine the insurer’s financial ratings. Ask the rep about the information or you can use one of the services online to find out their financial ratings.
Standard & Poor’s great rating is A or higher, and Moody’s Investor Service’s AA rating will say that the company is strong. You can also check out Weiss Ratings, which has very stringent guidelines and it’s also the one that’s most independent, to see the homeowner’s insurance companies that are the weakest.
7. SEARCH FOR DISCOUNTS
It’s possible to save money by looking for discounts offered by insurers for risk lowering behavior. This could be things from quitting smoking to driving below a certain number of miles each year. Certain categories of people, such as senior citizens, are also eligible for lower prices. You’re also going to save money by installing some protective or safety equipment inside your home. Since it’s much cheaper to service more than one policy from a customer, premiums are often cut by insurers by as much as 15% when you link your homeowner’s and auto policies.
These are the seven things that you can do to help you find the right company for your homeowner’s insurance. When you want to protect your home and everything in it, you want to choose a company that you can count on. These tips will help you find the right one.
FREE INSURANCE REVIEW
WhitCo Insurance agents provide this free service just for you. Meet with our agents in person or connect online to review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs. If you would like us to explain your insurance policies in plain English, you can contact us a call at 866-298-7608.
We hope you will benefit from our web site and can take advantage of our insurance experience in Punta Gorda and North Port, Florida.
