Should You Keep Your Home Insurance Once Your Mortgage Is Paid?

If you financed your home, you are aware that you must maintain home insurance while you are paying off your loan. However, many people are unclear about the specifics of their coverage and the protection a home insurance policy offers. After you pay for your home, you may be wondering if you need to carry homeowners’ insurance. 

Should You Keep Your Home Insurance?

Paying off your mortgage is quite an accomplishment. It means less financial burden and a chance to breathe a little easier. Some may be tempted to free up additional money by canceling their insurance policy. This is a potentially disastrous choice because your homeowners’ insurance protects you from financial losses due to covered events such as fire or theft. You home insurance gives you a layer of protection to help you safeguard from potential losses that could create a devastating loss.

Get The Right Protection

Once of the most important decisions you make as a homeowner is selecting your homeowners’ insurance policy. Not all policies are the same and you must choose an option that fits your individual needs and lifestyle. Reputable insurance providers such as McCormick Insurance Inc. serves the citizens in and around Pembroke Pines, FL. They can sit down with you one on one and outline the fine print and answer any questions you have before you make a decision.

Don’t talk chances with your financial future once your mortgage is paid off. Make sure you continue your coverage with a provider that serves Pembroke Pines, FL and the surrounding areas with quality insurance products that protect you from loss. Call or stop by McCormick Insurance Inc. today and safeguard your financial future.

Talking To Your Kids About Life Insurance

Attention Rochester MN residents: now is the time to talk to your adult children about life insurance. An agent at Safechoice Insurance Agency can give you a variety of tips on how to make the conversation flow smoothly. Talking to your children about what you’d like to have happen after you pass away is not easy, but it’s necessary. Having this difficult conversation now can save your children heartache and stress after you’re gone. Use these simple tips to make the conversation easier. 

– Plan ahead. Let your kids know that it’s important for you to discuss your final wishes, and set a time and place that the conversation will happen. Know that your kids might try to reschedule a few times- that’s ok. Just let them know that the topic needs to be discussed. 

– Stress to your adult children that you’re having this conversation in order to make their lives easier, not more difficult. Let them know that the last thing you would want is for them to be financially burdened after you die. 

– Be open to questions and various emotions that may come up. Just like you wouldn’t want your children to tell you how to feel, you can’t tell them how to feel either. They may feel nervous, sad, or even angry at having to face the thought at that at some point, you will pass away. Give them a safe space to feel these emotions, and press forward with the conversation regardless. 

If you need life insurance coverage, it’s important to talk to a qualified agent to ensure that you and your family are protected. If you’re in the Rochester MN area, call Safechoice Insurance Agency today to learn about your life insurance options. 

What to Know about Auto Insurance for Your Teen Driver

Once your teen reaches driving age, you may be worried about your insurance rates going up. While adding a teen driver to the policy can cause rates to go up a bit, there are things you can do to avoid drastic hikes.

The reason it costs more to insure new drivers is that they are more dangerous on the road, and the riskier people are, the higher insurance rates they have to pay. In order to save some money on auto insurance for your teen in Pembroke Pines, FL, speak with an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc..

You have to insure your teen driver. Let your insurance company know when they receive their learner’s permit, even though they aren’t typically listed on the policy until they receive their license. There are some cars that are cheaper to insure, so if your household has more than one car, have your teen driver assigned to the specific one that is the least expensive to insure. If your child is getting their own car, look at the IIHS website for cars that have lower insurance rates. Four-door sedans and crossovers are usually good options.

There may be discounts with your teen driver, just as there are with adults with good driving records. They may be a good student discount for those that receive at least a B average, and your teen may be able to take a driver’s education course for a cheaper rate. If your teen is at college and not driving the car regularly, speak with an agent about getting a break on insurance. Bundling home and auto insurance can still help you save money with a teen driver.

Contact an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL to get a quote for adding your teen on your auto insurance.

How Does Excess Insurance Work to Protect Me?

Insurance is a general term to refer to a practically infinite amount of policies. But the truth is that insurance has to be flexible because life itself can’t be predicted. Excess insurance is just one way to plan against the extreme events in life. So if you live in Pembroke Pines, FL and want to know more about how you can do more to protect yourself, it might be time to learn more about excess insurance from the friendly experts at McCormick Insurance Inc. 

How Excess Insurance Can Help

Both umbrella and excess policies are designed to increase the liability coverage of your policy. So if you happen to come up with an extreme type of claim, you’ll have everything you need to keep yourself from financially going under. While it won’t give you any additional kinds of protections when it comes to your policy, it will increase the limits of what’s already covered should you need it. This means if you own a business or a home and you’re accused of neglect, you can use excess insurance to handle everything from direct lawyer fees to the costs to restore your reputation. 

Finding the Right Provider 

Liability claims can be some of the most expensive types of claims. If someone trips on your sidewalk crack because you weren’t able to get them replaced, you could be looking at medical claims that far exceed your current coverage. If you live in Pembroke Pines, FL, calling McCormick Insurance Inc. is the first step to finding out more about how excess insurance can work to your advantage. Contact us today if you’re looking for a quote or if you want to learn more about where your particular vulnerabilities lie. We can help you figure it out today. 

 

3 Tips for Getting Builder and Vacant Risk Insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL

Vacant dwelling insurance policies cover a home if it remains vacant for a specific amount of time, which usually has to be a minimum of 60 days. The builder’s risk insurance policy will cover any building that is still under construction. 

These are two types of insurance available to residents in Pembroke Pines, FL from McCormick Insurance, Inc., that some people are unaware of, but that can be extremely beneficial in certain situations.

If you are interested in this type of insurance coverage, then you should use the tips here to make sure you get the right policy for your needs. 

1. Bundle and Save

Chances are you already have a few other insurance policies provided by an insurance company. You have also likely heard that when you purchase several policies from the same provider, you can actually save money. 

This is true for most insurance companies. As a result, if you are thinking about purchasing builder or vacant risk insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL, consider working with your current insurance provider to see if savings are possible. 

2. Compare Quotes

While asking your current insurance provider about this coverage is a good idea, you don’t want to automatically jump at any offer given. This can leave you with a policy that costs more than you actually want to pay. 

Instead, make sure to gather a quote from your existing provider, and then a few others. This will help ensure you get the best deal and most value. 

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

The absolute best thing you can do is work with a reputable agent. They will help ensure you get the coverage and price you want and need. 

If you need more information about vacant or builders risk insurance, you can also contact the helpful staff at McCormick Insurance Inc.

 

What You Need to Know About Buying Flood Insurance as a Renter

If you are renting a home, condo, townhome or other dwelling, you may have a renters insurance policy. But many renters do not realize that this policy does not protect their belongings in the event of a flood. Here at McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL, we want renters to know all about flood insurance. Here is what you need to know about buying flood insurance as a renter. 

If the Homeowner’s Policy Helps Renters

As a renter, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is assuming that the homeowner’s insurance policy will cover you in the event of a flood. The homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover you in any way if a flood occurs. 

If a Renters Policy Covers You

Another mistake you can make is assuming that the renter’s insurance policy that you have will cover you if it floods. Most renters insurance policies specifically preclude flooding. As such, you will need a specific policy that is intended to cover flooding. 

What Renters Flood Insurance Covers

As a renter, a flood policy will cover your belongings. If your furniture, electronics, clothing or other goods get damaged due to a flood, your flood insurance will kick in and pay the fair market replacement value, allowing you to replace your belongings. In addition to this, the policy will also pay for you to live somewhere else if the home becomes inhabitable due to the flooding. 

Here at McCormick Insurance Inc. serving the Pembroke Pines, FL area, we want renters to know all about flood insurance, so they can purchase a policy to help cover themselves. If you are a renter and do not have flood insurance, now is the perfect time to get started buying one. Contact us today to get started. 

Safe Boating In Pembroke Pines

You never see safe boating in movies or on television. Why not? If you’ve been boating in and around Pembroke Pines, FL for any length of time, then you know that you’re not supposed to go blasting full speed past the docks. You don’t want to kick up a wake that sends everyone else’s boats slamming into one another, leaving McCormick Insurance Inc. (or whoever your provider is) holding a massive bill and wondering whether it’s worth keeping you as a client.

But in the movies and on television, nobody ever slows down for the docks. Nobody ever keeps an eye on the buoys. Filmmakers seem to assume that open waters are just the wild wild west where no rules apply. The truth is quite the opposite. For instance, on the road, you’re not obligated to help a stranded traveler. But out on the water, you have a responsibility to do what you can to help should you come across a fellow boater in trouble.

Likewise, you can hit the road without even glancing at a weather report, but out on the water you’d better take a look and make sure that there are no storms or choppy waters coming in. Simply put: There’s a lot more to keep in mind for piloting a boat than there is for driving a car. It is true that a multiple-vehicle collision is less likely on the water than on the road, but beyond that there is quite a bit that needs to be considered before untying your watercraft.

McCormick Insurance Inc. can help to cover you when the unforeseeable happens, but nothing serves as a suitable substitute for safe boating.

What does RV Insurance cover?

If you own an RV or you are looking to get one in the near future, it’s vital that you take up an RV insurance cover for your investment. Generally, an RV Insurance policy covers your recreational vehicle against damage as a result of an accident. 

What are the primary coverage options? 
At McCormick Insurance Inc. we offer the following RV insurance coverage options in Pembroke Pines, FL. 

Comprehensive coverage
Under the comprehensive cover, you are protected against damages to your RV that are not caused by an accident. Here you are covered against the theft of your RV or any other damage such as flood damage. 

Collision coverage
In Florida, you are required to have a minimum amount of collision insurance for your RV. Essentially, this coverage comes into play during an accident and helps you settle the cost to repair your vehicle. The policy also covers the repair costs of the other vehicle involved in the accident.

Uninsured and Underinsured coverage
Sometimes you may be involved in an accident with someone who is not covered, or his/her cover is insufficient to cover the repairs needed. This coverage option tops up the repair cost in such an incident. 

Why choose McCormick Insurance Inc. for your RV coverage?

Tailor-made RV insurance cover
At McCormick, our RV insurance coverage option is tailor-made to meet your immediate needs. Our limits are flexible, and you can choose from an array of options available.

Expert advice
We go beyond offering an RV insurance policy. Our expert agents take time to analyze your preferences and advice you accordingly. Also, our RV insurance policy meets the legal requirements of the state of Florida.

We would like to cover your residential vehicle today; we service the Pembroke Pines, FL area, kindly contact us today for more information and a quote. 
 

Do I need Umbrella Insurance?

An umbrella insurance policy covers excess personal liability. The purpose of this policy is to provide protection above and beyond the limits covered by your condo insurance, homeowner’s insurance, watercraft insurance, or any other personal insurance policy that you may have. Umbrella insurance from McCormick Insurance Inc. provides you with added liability protection for claims that may arise, and even lawsuits. You can consider it as an inexpensive way to protect your established assets as well as your financial future.

Why You Need Umbrella Insurance Policy?

Umbrella insurance policy requires you to have a primary policy – it is a secondary policy. The primary or underlying liability policy needs to first pay out on any claims that have been made before the umbrella policy can become effective.

This policy can provide you with protection from:

  • Associated legal defense costs in the event that you get sued for injuries or damages to other people or their property.
  • Litigation that may arise from injury or property damage.

Who Can Benefit from This Insurance Policy?

McCormick Insurance Inc. is serving Pembroke Pines, FL, and recommends that any person who has established some assets that they wish to protect in case they get sued should get this type of policy. When you get sued, there is always the possibility that you will lose valuable assets that you have built over the years. This may include any savings that you may have, which means that any person with an asset is at risk. If you own a business establishment in Pembroke Pines, FL, it’s highly recommended that you get an umbrella insurance.

In a litigious society, all items are always up for grabs, including your assets and savings. For more information on how you can use an umbrella policy to protect your future, call or visit our offices, and one of our agents will help you with any concerns. 

Does flood insurance cover special items like paintings which are destroyed?

If you live within a high-risk flood area and receive any kind of federal assistance in buying or building your home, the federal government requires you to obtain special flood insurance. However, even if you are not required to have flood insurance for your home in Pembroke Pines, FL, you may need a policy to protect yourself against losses.

However, you may have some truly unique items like paintings or special clothing or artwork which are not only expensive but irreplaceable. It is important to know whether you are also protected against those losses. 

We at McCormick Insurance Inc. understand how important your valuables are to you. A great deal of thought goes into acquiring such special items, and they can have a special emotional attachment too. We can help you explore the various options you can take to insure your jewelry and artwork.

If your valuables are stolen or damaged, a regular flood insurance policy will cover damages up to your policy limits. You may need to get additional coverage because of the value of the items.

Most insurance policies also only try to pay compensation for losses. They may assess the value on what the value is versus the replacement cost, and often take into account factors such as wear and tear or depreciation.  When it comes to a truly unique item, you may want to find a policy that restores your artwork instead of just replacing it. That might even turn out to be the most economical option, depending on what is needed to restore your items. 

If you possess unique and valuable items, you want to make sure they are protected. McCormick Insurance Inc. proudly serves  Pembroke Pines, FL and helps find the best options for every client.