Why It Makes Sense for Everyone to Buy Umbrella Insurance

So many people and businesses in the Pembroke Pines, FL area continue to shop around for umbrella insurance, but should you be joining the train? What is the real value of an umbrella insurance agency and is it something that is worth it for you as an individual, or as a business owner?  

There is a lot of good that can come from an umbrella insurance policy. With umbrella insurance, you are putting a big blanket of coverage over your existing policies. The minimum limit on an umbrella insurance policy is usually $1 million and this goes above and beyond what you already have for, say, an auto insurance policy.

Say you are in an auto accident and you are liable for the accident. You are paying or the damages of the other car, as well as the medical bills of the person. If the accident and whom you are liable towards is someone such as an executive, or someone with high assets, their bills could exceed the auto insurance limits. If you have no umbrella policy, you are on the hook for those costs on your own, versus having an insurance company pay them on your behalf.

Umbrella insurance can help to protect you against lawsuits, as well as other related liability. Other coverages will help with include legal fees, property damages, and more. What it will not cover is things such as worker’s compensation claims as well as damage you cause intentionally. With umbrella insurance, it makes all the sense in the world to make the purchase to give you peace of mind. Work with the McCormick Insurance Inc. group to be better prepared for your umbrella purchase today.

How Much Boat Insurance Is Necessary?

If you own a boat with a motor or are planning on making a purchase in the near future, you will likely wonder how much insurance you need to carry. Not all situations are the same, but there are a few basic things to consider when determining the level of coverage necessary. The best way to get the right amount and scope of coverage is to work with an insurance agent with experience helping clients obtain boat insurance.

How Much Boat Insurance Is Enough? 

Anyone uncertain about the level of coverage necessary to offer adequate protection should work with an agent. They can help assess the value of the insurance parts of the boat, such as the motor, and offer liability coverage that reflects the situation. In some cases, additional coverage can be offered to provide greater protection in certain instances. Keep in mind that some areas of the country may require certain additional coverage too. 

People in the Know

There are people in the insurance industry who are in the know and can help clients find coverage that offers complete protection while out on the water. If you live around Chester, NJ, those people are at The Insurance Outfit. They are committed to helping boat owners find the ideal coverage that fits their needs. It’s just one of the many reasons to work with them to protect your investment. 

Navigate the world of boat insurance with ease when you work with The Insurance Outfit, serving Chester, NJ. Call or stop by the office today to schedule a consultation, or to ask questions about boat coverage or any other type of insurance coverage. 

Is Flood Insurance Required If You Live Near A River?

Flood insurance is a government program designed to protect homeowners from damages to their home and property resulting from a flooding event. In some cases, laws may require a homeowner to purchase flood insurance if they live near a body of water such as a coastline, river, or lake. To find out if this type of coverage is required, consult with the finance company as well as a reputable flood insurance provider in your area. 

Is Flood Insurance Required?

In most cases, the client’s real estate agent, as well as the finance company will relay requirement pre-purchase to the buyer so they can complete the transaction. Any potential buyers who have questions about restrictions and requirements in a certain area can consult an experienced home insurance agent to find out what the situation for each potential home is. 

Working With an Agent

The best way to find out if flood insurance is necessary for an area is to work closely with an insurance agent who is familiar with the area. Those who are considering moving to Pembroke Pines, FL should consult with McCormick Insurance Inc. to find out which properties need flood insurance. Their agents are highly experienced and can guide clients through the purchase process and explain all of the terms and conditions so they can be informed. 

Those who are considering making a home purchase in the Pembroke Pines, FL area should consult with McCormick Insurance Inc. to get answers to their questions, as well as help with the selection process and more. Call or stop by today to get started with the process and help protect your investment. 

4 Reasons to Add Umbrella Insurance

Even if you have good insurance policies to protect yourself and your belongings, it’s possible that more coverage would be needed in the event of an accident or other serious incident. But you can give yourself more coverage and plenty of peace of mind with an umbrella insurance policy. At The Insurance Outfit, we work with clients all throughout the Chester, NJ area, to make sure they have the right type and level of coverage. Here are four of the best reasons to add an extra layer of coverage to your life.

1. Protecting your life, business, and property means you can sleep better at night and lower your stress levels, instead of worrying over problems that could occur.

2. Extra insurance coverage is a backup plan for anything that might go wrong in life and exceed the coverage limits of the policies you already have in place.

3. For people with a lot of assets, company ownership, or other areas of life that may need a higher level of protection, standard policy limits may not be enough.

4. It’s far better to have something and not need it, as opposed to needing it and not having it, and a policy can’t be bought after something has already gone wrong.

Come see us today at The Insurance Outfit, or give us a call to talk about your options for umbrella insurance. We serve the Chester, NJ area and are happy to talk with you about the kinds of policies you already have and what you might need for the future. Then you can address any parts of your life where coverage may be lacking, and anticipate changes for the future. You’ll feel more secure, be better protected, and can get back to living and enjoying your life.

Why you need home insurance in Pembroke Pines

The Pembroke Pines, FL area is a great place for anyone to live. Those that are in this area should consider purchasing a home as they will benefit from the long-term value appreciation that occurs in this area. When you do own real estate in the area, it is important that you get home insurance. There are several reasons why you need to have home insurance when you are in this area. 

Ensures Compliance with Agreements

One reason why you will need to have home insurance in this area of Florida is that it will ensure that you are in compliance with all agreements. Anyone that has taken out a mortgage or lives in an area that has a home association is bound to be required to carry insurance. When you get home insurance in this area, you will need to take these agreements into consideration to make sure you get the right policy.

Protects Asset

Even if you are not required by any agreement to carry home insurance, you still will want it to protect your asset. A home is a very valuable and important asset. If it were to be damaged or destroyed, you could lose a lot if you do not have insurance. A home insurance policy will give you coverage to protect against this risk.

Having home insurance in the Pembroke Pines, FL area is a necessity. When you are looking for this insurance, it will always be helpful to work with someone that is experienced. The team at McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you to get into a great home insurance policy that properly protects you and your property. McCormick Insurance Inc. does this by carefully assessing your situation to make sure that you get into the best policy possible. 

Do I need Florida auto insurance?

The Pembroke Pines, FL area is a great place to work and live. If you do live in this area, you will likely need to own a car. Those that do have a car in this area should consider this a big responsibility. One part of caring for this responsibility is making sure that you have adequate insurance in place. This will have to include getting an auto insurance policy. There are several reasons why you will need to get one in Florida.

Required by the State

One reason why you need to get auto insurance in Florida is that it can actually be a requirement of the state. When you drive a car, you are taking on the risk that you could cause damage in an accident. When this happens, you are going to need to pay restitution to cover damages. The state requires drivers to carry auto insurance to ensure they can make this payment.

Lender Requirements

Many people in this area take out a loan to buy a car. If you do take out a loan, you also will need to have an auto insurance policy. Auto lenders actually require that you have a full policy with comprehensive and collision coverage to make sure that their collateral is fully protected. 

All people in the Pembroke Pines, FL area need to have auto insurance. When you are looking to get into a new policy, it is important that you speak with someone that is experienced and can give you great guidance. McCormick Insurance Inc. is a great resource whenever you have questions about your auto insurance needs. McCormick Insurance Inc. will give you insight into what type of coverage is right for you and then help you get into a great policy. 

What is excess insurance and do I need it

Pembroke Pines, FL is a wonderful place to live and do business but even in the most idyllic location that are things that can go wrong. That is why you have insurance. All types of insurance have set limits to the liability portion of the policy, business commercial insurance is no exception. Whether you are a large business or a small one, excess insurance is something that you may want to consider. At McCormick Insurance Inc. we are here to help you to make this important decision. 

Some people confuse excess insurance with umbrella insurance. In some ways they are the same, they both raise the liability limit above the original limit of the primary policy. They both do not stand alone, they are used in conjunction with another policy that you own and they are always the secondary line of defense. The purpose of the excess insurance is to fill any gaps that may exist in your coverage, It does not add additional coverage it just extends the coverage you have. Unlike umbrella insurance, it will not cover anything that is not covered in the original policy and it is specific to one particular policy, not all your policies. 

No matter what business you are conducting, you are vulnerable to having the need for liability coverage. With the addition of excess insurance, you are able to customize the insurance that you have to fit your needs. 

When you own a business in Pembroke Pines, FL even the gorgeous weather can’t protect you from all the things that can happen to you. You need to have commercial insurance to protect you and there may be circumstances that make getting an excess policy desirable. The experienced team at McCormick Insurance has the expertise to help you to make sure that your business and your assets are safe. 

Why You Need Builders and Vacant Risk Insurance

Home insurance is one of the most common forms of insurance for people in the Pembroke Pines, FL area. While this type of insurance is fine for someone that is looking to buy a home and move right in, those that are getting one that will need some work and will be vacant for a while should also consider builders and vacant risk insurance. This insurance will cover you in several different ways.

Covers Home During Vacancy

If you buy a home and do not plan on moving in for some time, whether it is because the property is being renovated or moving will take a while, you should consider getting builders and vacant risk insurance. This type of insurance will insure you further during the period of time in which your home is vacant. It may be a requirement based on how long it will be vacant depending on your home insurance policy.

Covers Property Under Construction

Homes that are being built ground up or are being heavily renovated come with a unique set of risks. Due to this, you need the right insurance to protect against these risks. Builders and vacant risk will provide coverage for your home during the construction or renovation process. 

There are clearly many reasons why having builders and vacant risk insurance is a good idea for someone in the Pembroke Pines, FL area. If you need this type of insurance, working with a professional such as the team at McCormick Insurance Inc. will help get you into a great policy. The team at McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you by assessing your situation to determine if builders and vacant risk insurance are right for you. If it is, they can help you get into a policy that provides these unique protections. 

Tips to Make Docking Safe and Easy

There is nothing better than spending the day on the water in Pembroke Pines, FL, unfortunately, at some point you’ll have to dock the boat, which is a commonly dreaded task for almost all boaters. Regardless of the size of your boat, the wind or the current, it is the close-quarter maneuvering that requires patience and calmness. The good news, there are a few tricks to help make docking safer and easier. Here are a few tips from McCormick Insurance Inc. to help make docking safe and easy.

Approach at a Safe Speed

It is extremely important that you never approach the dock at rate of speed that you want to hit it. Some people like to play around by shifting and throttle, but if the best boater can misjudge the drift and distance or stall the engine, which only leaves the boat, stalled until it regains momentum. The safest way to approach the dock is a slow, steady speed and always be alert to your surroundings.

Keep Arms and Legs Inside the vessel

It is critical that you warn your passengers to keep their legs and arms inside the boat and away from any points of pinching between the dock and the boat. The safest move is to have suspended fenders in place in case the boat lands harder than expected. Arms and legs outside the boat are at risk of serious injury, especially should you hit the dock hard or if there is any debris alongside the dock.

Gauge the Wind

The wind is a primary enemy of boaters, especially when docking. It’s important to gauge the wind force and the direction before heading into the dock; this will help you determine whether you can overcome it or benefit from it. For instance, docking is often easier when the wind is pushing in the direction of the pier. It’s also best to approach a mooring against the current, so always gauge the current when docking; the momentum and direction determine the safest approach.

Remember there’s only one captain on the boat, so don’t get overwhelmed with passengers interfering with your docking plans. Always have a clear plan and prepare all passengers for the landing. Experience and knowledge are key to a fun and safe boating, so always be mindful of surroundings and make sure all passengers wear life jackets.

Residents of Pembroke Pines, FL that are interested in learning more information about boat insurance or upgrading their policy should contact McCormick Insurance Inc.

A short guide to boat insurance

As a boat owner in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, it is critical to have the correct insurance in place to make sure your asset is protected in the event it is damaged, or you are sued. The specialists at McCormick Insurance Inc. are to help guide you to understand the various boating insurance options and put together a plan that is right for you. 

The types of boats that need insurance

Many people assume that a homeowner’s policy will provide coverage for boats; however, that coverage is minimal. It is meant to cover boats such as a canoe or a very small boat with an engine. If you have a larger or expensive boat, such as a yacht, sailboat, or any vessel that goes over 25 MPH, you will need a separate insurance policy. 

The types of coverages available under a boat policy

For the most part, boat insurance is a liability policy that will protect you against claims for damages or injuries caused by your boat. A boat insurance policy may also cover the following, check with your agent to confirm which coverages you have under your policy. 

Guest passenger liability which covers others who drive your boat with your permission 

Medical expense coverage that pays the medical expenses of you and your passengers 

Damage to equipment attached to the boat such as an anchor

Coverage for theft and vandalism 

The types of value under a boat policy

There are two types of methods to determine how you will be paid in the event your boat is damaged or destroyed. 

The actual value is when the insurer will pay you the market value of your boat at the time it was destroyed. 

Agreed to value means you and your insurer come up with an agreed-to amount before you purchase the policy.

If you are interested in learning more about boating insurance, reach out to an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. today. We proudly serve the area Pembroke Pines, FL area.