3 Ways to Prevent My Recreational Vehicle From Being Stolen

Recreational vehicles and motor homes are designed to be your home away from home. It’s important. Residents living in Pembroke Pines, FL can protect their recreational vehicles and prevent them from being stolen by following a few simple tips. The agents at McCormick Insurance Inc. can give you sound advice on how to secure your property no matter where you are.

Keep It Locked

Keep your recreational vehicle locked at all times. Even if you are only parking it for a short period of time, always make sure all of the doors and compartments are locked and secured. This not only protects you from theft, but it also protects you from stowaways.

Install A Security System 

Many motor homes and recreational vehicles are being equipped with smart devices. Installing a home security system with a couple of security cameras is a great way to deter potential thieves from making your RV their next target. A DIY system is easy to install and can be monitored using a mobile app.

Always Park in Well Lit Areas

Always park your recreational vehicle in well-lit areas. Even when you are camping at a campground, ask for a spot that is near to a street light.  Being in a well-lit area makes it more difficult to get into your RV and then get away without being seen. If you choose to install a DIY home security system, many come with motion sensors that will turn on a floodlight, illuminating the area around your RV.

The agents at McCormick Insurance Inc. can help the residents of Pembroke Pines, FL get the recreational vehicle insurance they need to protect their property. Call and schedule a consultation today to find out how recreational vehicle insurance will help you!

Common liability claims that require umbrella insurance

An umbrella policy will help protect your assets in the event you are found at fault in a liability claim. There are various claims that almost certainly will need additional limits from an umbrella policy. If you are living in the Pembroke Pines, FL area and are unsure if you have adequate umbrella limits reach out to an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. today.

Teen Driver Auto Claims 

Even the most cautious teen driver is much more likely to be a fault in a car accident. Teens are responsible for close to 10% of all fatality crashes annually. A car crash involving a fatality can result in a high liability lawsuit that will quickly cause you to go through your primary policy limits. An umbrella policy will help mitigate the increased risk of having a teen driver on your policy. 

Dog bite claims 

If you are a dog owner, it is imperative that you consider an umbrella policy. There is a good chance that your homeowners’ policy excludes or restricts coverage for dog bites. Dog bite claims can quickly add up, and you could be on the hook for a third party’s’ medical bills in addition to large sums for pain and suffering. 

Children playdate injuries 

If you have your kids’ friends over for playdates regularly, you may want to consider an umbrella policy to cover you in the event a child is injured. An umbrella policy is even more critical if you have a house with a pool, trampoline, or other activities that significantly increase the risk of someone being injured. If you enjoy entertaining, especially children, an umbrella policy will give you peace of mind that you will have enough coverage above your homeowners’ policy in the event of an injury. 

If you would like to learn more about umbrella coverage, reach out to McCormick Insurance Inc. today. We proudly serve the Pembroke Pines, FL area. 

What Protection Does Flood Insurance Offer?

Unless you live in a flood-prone area, it’s not mandatory to have flood insurance coverage in Florida. If your home is damaged by flooding, however, you risk substantial financial loss. As hurricanes and tropical storms are quite common in the Sunshine State, it’s to your advantage to protect your property against flooding. A flood insurance policy from McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL can offer you the following protection against floods:

Building Coverage

Flood insurance covers damage to your home’s structure up to the amount of $250,000. This coverage includes repairing (or replacing) your home’s foundation, walls, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, kitchen appliances, carpeting and built-in structures (cabinets, paneling, etc.)

If your home has a detached garage, you can use up to 10% of your building coverage to cover repairs caused by floodwaters. Your flood policy will also pay to remove debris so this cost doesn’t come out-of-pocket.

Contents Coverage

Flood insurance protects your personal effects to include clothing, electronics, furniture, artwork, jewelry, etc. up to the amount of $100,000, making it easier to replace these goods after a disaster. As standard homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, flood insurance can be a lifesaver in helping you recover from flood disasters.   

What Isn’t Covered by Flood Insurance

It’s also good to know what’s not covered in a flood policy so you can be prepared to pay for this damage through other coverage or out-of-pocket.

Flood insurance doesn’t cover mold or mildew damage not caused by flooding incidents, earth movement damage, damage to landscaping or outside structures (pool, hot tub, walkways) or additional living expenses while your home is being repaired.

To learn more about flood insurance coverage and costs for your Pembroke Pines, FL home, contact your McCormick Insurance Inc. agent today.

Getting Life Insurance? Avoid These Costly Mistakes

Life insurance can give your family the financial security they need to carry on upon your demise. Choosing the right life insurance coverage is key to giving your family the protection they need. By discussing life insurance options with an agent from McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL, you can avoid costly mistakes in your coverage. Here are some common mistakes people make when selecting life insurance policies:  

Not Shopping Around

To get quality coverage at reasonable costs, you need to shop around and compare what different insurers have to offer. Research your options with reputable insurers in your area to get a good idea of what’s available within your budget.

Selecting the Wrong Policy

Make sure you understand the difference between term life and permanent life policies. Term life insurance is purchased for a specific time period such as 10, 20 or 30 years. If you pass during that time period, your family receives death benefits according to your policy. Permanent life insurance lasts your entire life and accrues cash value as time goes by. When selecting a policy, consider what you want from your investment, taking into consideration policy costs.    

Getting Insufficient Coverage

Many people skimp on coverage to reduce life insurance costs. Skimping on coverage could result in insufficient protection for your family. When calculating coverage, consider such factors as your debts, assets, income, health, life and financial needs of your family. Make sure the amount of coverage is sufficient to provide the financial security your family needs.

Not Buying Early Enough  

Life insurance is cheaper when purchased at a young age. The older you get, the higher the policies cost. As you age, you may come down with a serious health condition that also increases life insurance costs.

For quality life insurance coverage at affordable costs, contact McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL.

Can You Insure a Non-Traditional Home on a Home Insurance Policy?

When it comes to insuring a home there are some stipulations that do need to be met in order to be able to add a residence to the policy. The main issue is, of course, the zoning of the property in question. For those that live in the Pembroke, FL area, the agents with McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you to find the best home policy, no matter what type of home you live in.

For the most part, a home is a place where people live and that is on a property that is zoned as residential. This means that a home must be on a piece of land that is zoned for residential use rather than commercial. With any home policy, your agent is going to come to the home to help value it, to determine what sort of policy is going to protect it best, and to tailor the coverage as needed. This is an essential step and with a good insurance agent, you can get your home insured perfectly.

Even homes that are non-traditional like converted spaces that have been made into homes can be insured on home policies. Say you have a grain silo that has been converted into a home, if the property is rezoned residential and space fits all the safety requirements to be considered a home, then you can insure it on a home policy. You will, of course, need an agent to help you to evaluate your home and make sure it fits the requirements to be insured as a home.

For those in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, the agents with McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you to insure your home, be it traditional or a little out there.

Driving Safety Tips for Hurricane Season

During hurricane season you have a lot of extra tasks to think about and do. You might need to evacuate your home and purchase extra supplies for weathering the storm. You also need to be prepared for driving conditions that are different from usual. With that in mind, here are some driving safety tips courtesy of McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL.

Fuel Up

Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas well before a storm is expected to arrive. For one thing, this will also you the flexibility of being able to travel out of your area if needed.

Prepare for Traffic

As people run around town doing their hurricane preparation errands and during times that people are evacuating, you can expect heavy traffic and gridlock. Maintain a large enough space between you and the cars around you. Have bottled water, snacks and flashlights in your vehicle at all times.

Stay Off the Road

One of the best safety tips isn’t quite a safety tip, because it involves not driving. Yes, if you can, avoid driving as much as you possibly can. Leave the roads open for people who really have to travel.

Avoid Flooded Areas

With the heavy rains of hurricanes can come floods. Avoid flooded streets at all costs. Turn around, and head for higher land that is dry.

Slow Down

During hurricane season don’t try to be in a hurry while driving. Instead, keep at the speed limit, or even slower if possible.

It doesn’t take much time to learn about and implement these safety tips. And you’ll be glad you did. Remember to use common sense, and be extra cautious and wise during hurricane season.

 

Safe Riding in Pembroke Pines

It’s riding season in Pembroke Pines, FL. Well, it’s always riding season in Pembroke Pines. Florida’s warm weather and wide open roads make for great motorcycling all year round, but we can’t forget to stay safe out there. It’s good to know that your insurer has you covered in the event of an accident, but it’ best not to get into an accident in the first place. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind on your next adventure:

  • Dress appropriately. Florida gets pretty hot and humid, but there’s no excuse for inadequate attire on a bike. T-shirts, shorts and sandals are great for the beach, but jackets, pants, covered shoes and helmet are a must even for a short ride.
  • Check the weather. The drier the conditions, the safer your ride will be. High humidity immediately following a heavy rain can leave the roads slick with near-invisible water.
  • Stay in practice. Riding motorcycle is not exactly like riding a bicycle. We hone our instincts and abilities through regular riding. If you find yourself having to take some time off, start slow when you’re ready to get back at it. Shorter rides and training courses can help you to get back to the top of your game.
  • Check your bike before every ride. Look for oil spots under the bike, check your tires, test the brakes and keep your mirrors clean.

And always, always ride defensively. The real danger for a motorcyclist is careless drivers, so be ready for anything.

If you’re looking to get covered before your next trip, get in touch with McCormick Insurance Inc. and see what we can do for you.

Why We Call It Inland “Marine” Insurance

Inland marine insurance is one of those terms that can be a little misleading. Inland marine insurance covers a variety of property including property in transit, the property being held by a bailee and mobile medical equipment. The fact is that most inland marine property in Pembroke Pines, FL is actually transported on land.

The name comes from "marine insurance," being insurance used to cover goods that were being shipped across bodies of water. When this property was then transferred to the people who would transport it across the land, the same insurance policies would often apply, being covered by a "marine" policy even though it was being shipped by truck or other land vehicles. So inland marine insurance is a form of marine insurance, but for items on land.

It’s a bit like the term "shipping." Most shipping today involves simple state-to-state, city-to-city transport, and when it doesn’t, it’s more likely that it’s going to be sent on airplanes than on actual ships. Shipping rarely involves actual ships in this day and age, and marine insurance doesn’t always mean shipping across a body of water.

In short: If you’re looking to sign up with McCormick Insurance Inc. for a policy to protect goods being shipped from point A to point B, don’t get confused by the name. Inland marine insurance doesn’t mean your goods will ever see the cargo hold of a ship, it’s just a name.

When shipping, you have a lot on the line, whether you’re going by land, sea or air. You need to make sure you have adequate protection, and that’s why McCormick Insurance Inc. is serving the Pembroke Pines, FL area.

Protecting Your Home On Wheels

As more and more American baby boomers reach retirement age, many are looking forward to enjoying their retirement by going on the road in an RV. The modern RV is not some tiny camper that we used when we were children with the parents on camping trips. These “Homes on Wheels” are luxurious and easily cost as much as a simple tract home in many parts of the country.

Protecting Your RV Investment

It is easy to spend $100,000+ on a luxury motor home with all the modern conveniences. The Hollywood A-list types spend millions on theirs and use them when they are on the movie sets to relax between shooting scenes.

The tricky part about this valuable property is sometimes it is going down the highways and is therefore exposed to all the risks of driving in inclement weather and heavy traffic. Hit a pack of nearly invisible black ice, which forms under a freeway overpass, and you may drive off the road and into the ditch. That can really ruin a person’s day.

Comprehensive RV insurance provides protection for the vehicle, the passengers, and its contents when it is on the road and when it is stationary as well.

Getting an RV Insurance Quote

Work with your agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL and the nearby communities. Make sure the insurance coverage is adequate by taking an inventory of the RV contents. It is a good idea to videotape them. Save all the receipts for everything that is purchased, which did not come with the original RV sale.

Give copies of all the receipts to your insurance agent, so they can be added up along with the cost of the RV to determine replacement value. Replacement value is the best to use as a guide for the amount of insurance protection because if something is damaged or stolen you will want to get another new one that is similar.

Ask your agent about other insurance options to consider such as emergency road service that will provide additional protection.

To get a quote for RV insurance contact an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL by calling 954-602-5741.

What is Excess Insurance?

Insurance can be a difficult thing to understand. With new laws and regulations coming out often, it helps to have someone on hand that can help you navigate the world of insurance. For those that live in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, the agents with McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you find the policy that is right for you.

So what is excess insurance? In terms of insurance, the excess is the amount that is above and beyond what you have paid in, or the excess costs of the coverage. This means that if you are in an accident and it causes damages to your car but you only have coverage for a specific amount. You will then be required to pay an excess when you file with your insurance. In most cases, excess is not a big issue for all of those individuals that are insured.

The excess may also be referred to as the deductible, or the amount that you are required to pay in order to have a claim payout. This means you are responsible for this amount before an insurance claim can be made and before you can collect any money on the claim. Most insurance companies have deductibles in the range of $500 to $5000 and these amounts are determined by the driver when they take out the policy. It is best to talk with your agent about what a good excess is for you and what a reasonable amount should be so that you can be fully covered and insured.

For those in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, the agents with McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you find the polity that works best for you and for your particular circumstances. They can also explain all relevant terms so you better understand your policy.