Motorcycle Insurance and Animal Accidents: What Riders Must Know

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Florida has more than alligators and crocodiles crossing busy streets. Deer, bears, tortoises, dogs, cats, squirrels, and other wildlife frequently cross busy lanes and highways as well. Pembroke Pines, FL, residents are aware of this, but sometimes, your motorcycle may collide with an animal. Other times, you might swerve to avoid hitting one and accidentally hit a vehicle or object instead.

Will Motorcycle Insurance Cover Animal Accidents?

Coverage is possible only if your situation fulfills certain conditions:

  • The type of animal involved in the accident
  • The type of coverage included in your policy
  • How you responded to the animal (swerve vs. head-on collision)

Motorcycle insurance categorizes animals as either domesticated or wild. Motorcycle insurance typically does not cover accidents involving domesticated animals (such as dogs, cats, or farm animals) because there is someone to hold responsible—the owner. However, it does cover accidents involving wild animals, as there is no one to blame. Most carriers cover animal-related accidents through comprehensive coverage, while others offer this coverage through collision coverage. Full-coverage motorcycle insurance policies generally include both options. Additionally, personal injury protection coverage will always cover injuries from animal accidents, as it is a legal requirement in Florida.

If you swerve to avoid hitting an animal and end up hitting an object or vehicle, collision coverage and personal injury protection are your best chances for compensation.

Does My Motorcycle Insurance Have Adequate Coverage?

That’s where the team at McCormick Insurance Inc. can help. We will review your motorcycle insurance policy to determine if you have adequate coverage for animal accidents. If you don’t, we’ll discuss your carrier’s options and add-ons with you. You can also switch to one of our partner carriers that offers the coverage you need at a budget-friendly price.

McCormick Insurance Inc. doesn’t want customers paying for animal accidents out of pocket. Securing the right coverage makes these situations less stressful and frustrating. We want motorcycle insurance to work for you, not against you. For more information on motorcycle insurance, call or visit our Pembroke Pines, FL, office today.

Who’s Liable For Boat Damage During Dry Dock?

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Dry docking is an essential part of responsible boat ownership, whether for maintenance, hurricane preparation, or seasonal storage. But what happens if your boat gets damaged while it’s out of the water? In Florida, where dry dock usage is common, liability depends on where the damage occurs, who was in control of the vessel at the time, and what your insurance covers. McCormick Insurance Inc., serving Pembroke Pines, FL, can provide valuable insights on this important topic.

Liability May Depend on Where the Boat Is Stored

If your boat is damaged while stored in a marina’s dry dock facility, liability could fall on the business, especially if the damage results from employee negligence, faulty equipment, or improper storage procedures. However, if the marina has a waiver or limited liability clause in your storage contract, its responsibility might be reduced or even waived entirely.

Boat Owners Might Still Be Responsible

In some situations, the boat owner remains liable, particularly if the damage occurred while you were moving or preparing the boat, or if your own equipment (such as a trailer or cradle) failed. If another boater caused the damage, their liability insurance might cover the costs, provided fault can be clearly established.

Review Your Boat Insurance Coverage

Many boat insurance policies include coverage for damage sustained during haul-out, storage, or routine maintenance. However, not all policies are the same. Some may exclude dry dock incidents or offer only limited protection. It’s crucial to confirm whether your policy includes “lay-up” coverage or protection during non-use periods.

Prevent Confusion with Proper Coverage

Dry dock damage can lead to disputes if you’re not adequately insured. McCormick Insurance Inc., serving Pembroke Pines, FL, specializes in marine policies and can help you navigate the fine print to ensure your investment is protected, whether your boat is in the water or stored high and dry.

Does RV Insurance Cover Personal Belongings?

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If you spend a lot of time using your RV and bring along many personal belongings, you may wonder what will happen to them if they are lost or damaged while you’re on the road. Will your RV policy adequately protect your possessions? The answer depends on the coverage you select for your investment. McCormick Insurance Inc., serving residents of Pembroke Pines, FL, can help you choose the right coverage for your personal belongings.

RV Policies Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

RV policies vary widely, offering different options for covering various types of vehicles. Before settling on an RV policy, carefully review its provisions to determine if it includes personal property coverage, also known as personal effects coverage. Personal property insurance is typically optional and comes with a limit on the amount your insurer will pay for lost or damaged items. Covered risks that result in lost or damaged belongings are similar to those covered by homeowner’s insurance, including fire, theft, vandalism, and storm damage.

What Types of Items Are Covered?

Personal property coverage generally protects most items you bring into your RV or travel trailer. These include:

  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Appliances
  • Electronics
  • Cookware
  • Furniture

However, some policies may not cover theft or damage to personal effects unless your RV itself is stolen or damaged.

If you keep valuable items like jewelry, artwork, or small collections in your RV, consider purchasing additional insurance. A standard personal property provision may not cover the full value of your loss. Options include a jewelry policy or a rider that lists specific items for a scheduled fee.

Protect Your Belongings on the Road

Learn more about how you can safeguard your belongings while traveling in your RV. Contact the agents at McCormick Insurance Inc., serving Pembroke Pines, FL, to schedule an appointment and explore your coverage options.

Building a House? Insure it Now!

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If you’ve decided to build a house instead of buying one, you’re likely planning to get homeowners’ insurance. But why wait until the house is built? You own the property and are responsible for it. Moreover, there are a lot of expensive tools, materials, and machinery around during the construction. Construction can be a dangerous job, and accidents happen. What you need is builders’ & vacant risk insurance.

Understanding Builders & Vacant Risk Insurance

If you’re working with a general contractor, they likely have insurance for their equipment, time, and materials, plus workers’ compensation for any employees who might get injured on the job. (It’s advisable to work only with insured contractors.) Builders and vacant risk insurance covers everything that is your property. It also covers the cause of loss and available policy extensions. If an underground sewage pipe gets damaged during construction, you’re covered. You’re covered if your half-built home is damaged by theft, vandalism, bad weather, or an unexpected event. You may want to look into some extensions. A policy that would cover all plants and sod will almost certainly be readily available. Once construction is finished, you’ll want to remove some debris. Any pollutants must be cleaned up by law. Ask your insurer about extensions that will pay for cleanup and removal costs.

Get Insurance from McCormick Insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL

If you need builders’ and vacant risk insurance and are in the Pembroke Pines, FL, area, please contact McCormick Insurance Inc. We’ll discuss all available extensions and get you the policy that best suits your needs.

What is included with an excess insurance plan in Florida?

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Having insurance for your personal assets and liability coverage is essential. If you’re in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, you might want more coverage than your standard plans offer. In these situations, an excess insurance plan can be beneficial. This type of coverage is advantageous for several reasons.

Additional Insurance

One good reason to get an excess insurance plan is to receive additional insurance coverage. Home or auto insurance plans, as well as other types of coverage, can be very helpful. However, there’s always a risk that an accident could occur where damages exceed your coverage. If this happens, an excess insurance plan is beneficial as it provides additional coverage on top of existing policies.

Commercial or Personal Coverage

An excess insurance plan can benefit individuals, but it can also be a good option for local businesses in Florida. Florida businesses must know their commercial liability risks and seek ways to mitigate them. If you or your business is adequately covered with excess insurance, you can ensure you have support even if found liable for a significant claim against your business.

If you’re considering a new excess insurance plan in the Pembroke Pines, FL, area, call McCormick Insurance Inc. Our professionals understand the value of this coverage and will provide any guidance you need to build your next plan.

How to Determine if Your Business Needs Inland Marine Insurance

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Inland marine insurance is a valuable safety net option for many businesses. But how does an owner determine if the coverage is right for their daily operations? Before making a decision, you need to consider several factors that could hinder the development of your business. McCormick Insurance Inc. of Pembroke Pines, FL, can explain how inland marine insurance safeguards your work items in transit.

What is Inland Marine Insurance?

Inland marine insurance protects a business’s movable property, such as repair tools, work equipment, and finished products, while traveling from one destination to another. The coverage is ideal for a business that frequently ships items from the workplace to an off-site location. Having inland marine insurance ensures protection for your business from the risks associated with moving assets.

The Factors Confirming Your Need for Inland Marine Insurance

First, you must account for the number of work materials that leave the workplace daily. This includes transporting work equipment from temporary job locations to a storage facility. Another factor is whether your business uses mobile equipment vehicles that travel throughout the local community. Also, keep track of the multiple work sites set up each month.

Unfortunately, a standard commercial insurance policy does not adequately protect these factors. Choosing inland marine insurance provides coverage for your materials from outside threats. The policy protects a business from being exposed to theft, damage, or loss of work essentials that are en route to a new destination.

If you need to learn more about inland marine insurance, contact McCormick Insurance Inc. of Pembroke Pines, FL. Our staff can show how a specially designed policy can benefit your insurance needs. Choosing the right coverage will keep your business well protected for any situation. Please call and schedule an appointment today.

There Are Reasons Why Many Marinas Require Boat Insurance

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There’s nothing quite like the freedom and relaxation of being out on the open waters in a boat. However, it’s not uncommon for boaters to share that tranquility and those open waters with other boaters, especially at any popular marina on a warm sunny day in the Sunshine State. That’s one of the many reasons why boat owners in and around the beautiful Pembroke Pines, FL area rely on the professional and friendly team at McCormick Insurance Inc. for all their boat insurance questions and needs.

Why Many Marinas Require Boat Insurance

If you’re considering joining or using the services of a marina, you’re not alone. Marinas offer numerous benefits and extra protection, which is why many boat owners take advantage of them. However, don’t be surprised if you’re required to show proof of boat insurance to become a member.

Marinas have a lot to offer, but they also have many reasons for requiring members to carry boat insurance. From accident concerns to boater safety and more, these are many of the same reasons why boat owners choose to use marinas. These benefits, reasons, and the protection boat insurance offers are also why boat owners in and around Pembroke Pines turn to the team at McCormick Insurance Inc. when they have questions or need boat insurance solutions.

Boat Insurance Solutions for Pembroke Pines, FL Area Boat Owners

If you own a boat and live in or near the Pembroke Pines, FL area, and you have questions or need boat insurance for your seaworthy vessel, we can help. Contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment with our experienced and knowledgeable team at McCormick Insurance Inc. today.

Don’t be Caught Unprepared with the Right Umbrella Insurance Solutions

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Insurance is a crucial safety net, but is it always enough? This is a question many people ask when they want to safeguard their hard-earned assets and their families. Unfortunately, some people discover too late that their insurance coverage is inadequate or that damages from an unexpected event exceed their policy limits. These are just a few reasons why residents of Pembroke Pines, FL, turn to the professional team at McCormick Insurance Inc. for their umbrella insurance needs.

Stay Prepared with the Right Umbrella Insurance

Typical insurance policies, such as auto and home insurance, often provide sufficient protection for many basic accidents and incidents. However, accidents can be unpredictable, and so can people. This unpredictability leads to questions like, "Do I have enough coverage?" or "Am I protected if this or that happens?"

The good news is that umbrella insurance plans are designed to cover liability expenses that exceed standard policy limits. That’s why it’s beneficial to work with experienced agents who can help you understand what your basic plan doesn’t cover and ensure you get the protection you need and deserve.

Umbrella Insurance Solutions in Pembroke Pines

If you live in the Pembroke Pines, FL, area and want to learn more about umbrella insurance or how it could benefit you, we’re here to help. Contact McCormick Insurance Inc. today to learn more and schedule an appointment with our friendly team. Don’t be caught unprepared; get the right umbrella insurance solutions.

For Every Mile of the Trip RV Insurance has You Covered

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Living in a beautiful place like Pembroke Pines, FL, doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy traveling. Speak to any RV owner in the area, and they’ll share stories about the joy of hitting the open road. The call to travel varies for everyone. Some might hear, "Pack a bag, let’s take a trip," or "Who’s ready for vacation?" Others feel the allure of the open road.

No matter what calls you to travel in your RV, rest assured that RV insurance has you covered every step of the way. That’s why so many RV owners in and around Pembroke Pines trust the friendly and professional team at McCormick Insurance Inc. for their RV insurance needs.

RV Insurance: Your Companion for Every Mile

Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, and they don’t discriminate. Whether you’re backing your RV into the garage or traveling far from home, the right RV insurance can protect your mobile home. That’s why it’s crucial to work with experienced agents who can address all your RV insurance questions and concerns.

RV Insurance Solutions for Pembroke Pines Residents

If you live in the greater Pembroke Pines, FL, area and have questions or need RV insurance, we’re here to help. Contact McCormick Insurance Inc. today to learn more and get the coverage you and your RV deserve.

What Are the Benefits to Purchasing Your First Life Insurance Policy When You’re Young and Healthy?

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Life insurance might not be a priority when you’re young and healthy. After all, you’re just starting out in life—perhaps building your career, saving for the future, or planning significant milestones. However, purchasing your first life insurance policy early can be one of the most prudent financial decisions you’ll ever make. At McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL, we’re here to explain why starting young has numerous advantages.

Secure Lower Rates

Your age and health significantly influence your life insurance premiums. The younger and healthier you are, the lower your rates will be. Buying a policy early allows you to secure these affordable premiums for the long term. It’s a proactive step that saves you money over time while ensuring coverage when you need it most.

Provide Early Protection for Your Loved Ones

Even if you don’t have dependents yet, life insurance can still offer peace of mind. It’s not just about covering final expenses—it’s about ensuring that any debts, such as student loans or credit card balances, don’t become a financial burden for your family. Starting now means you’re protecting your loved ones from day one.

Establish Financial Security

Many life insurance policies, like whole or universal life, have a cash value component that grows over time. By starting young, you give your policy more time to accumulate value, creating an additional layer of financial security for the future.

Don’t wait to secure your financial future. Contact McCormick Insurance Inc., serving the Pembroke Pines, FL area, today to learn more about life insurance options that fit your needs. It’s never too early to plan ahead!