Does Boat Insurance Cover Repairs From Hitting Debris?

Your boat is a piece of machinery that takes time and effort to keep running smoothly. You have to invest money in it each year to make sure that it is running properly and as such hitting debris and causing damage is a big issue. For those in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, the agents with McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you find the policy that works best to protect your boat.

So, does boat insurance cover damage caused by hitting debris? The overall answer to this is a bit difficult to answer and may not be something that you can get in a few short sentences. In most cases, your basic boat policy is going to cover injury to passengers, collision, and damage caused by accidents. It may cover things like hitting a buoy or a dock but you will have to discuss that more specifically with your insurance agent.

In most cases, your policy is not going to cover the damage that you incur from hitting something that was readily avoidable in the water. If you are driving your boat and you hit a piece of debris that was clearly visible and that does not do a great deal of damage, odds are you are going to have to foot the repair bill. If you hit something under the water however that was not clearly, visible, most policies are going to help cover repairs.

The real issue is making sure you have a policy that covers your unique boat as well as your unique usage. If you live in an area and boat in an area where there is a great deal of debris and therefore accidental damage is likely, your policy should reflect that. For those that live in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, the agents with McCormick Insurance Inc. Insurance can help.

The Difference Between Excess and Umbrella Insurance

If you live in Pembroke Pines, FL, it would be a good idea to get familiar with umbrella and excess insurance. What are those two and what do they cover? Well, McCormick Insurance Inc. can answer those questions today. Keep reading to find out the difference between the two.

Umbrella Insurance

This type of insurance is used when your primary coverage is exhausted. If your home, auto, or other insurance has reached it’s limits in a legal battle, this is where your umbrella insurance would kick in. It also covers libel and slander, things that many traditional insurances do not protect you from. Another great thing about umbrella insurance is that you can be covered anywhere in the world. One thing to know about this type of insurance is that you must already have home or car insurance to get an umbrella policy. Think of it as an add-on.

Excess Insurance

In the event of an accident where you need to pay money for repairs, excess insurance will help you out. It is a contribution you make to your car insurance that will provide you with insurance that is a lot more than the primary liability policy. It works like this: when a claim is made to your insurance company, the underlying policy would be used to pay for damages. If the claim amount is greater than the policy, then this is where excess insurance would pick up where your primary policy left off.

Both excess and umbrella insurance help fill in the gaps of your primary coverage. But the difference is in what they can cover. Umbrella insurance can cover things like libel and slander, but excess insurance covers things like damages and liability.

More questions? Contact McCormick Insurance Inc. of Pembroke Pines, FL today.

Things you need to know about Flood Insurance

Rainfall is a good thing since it keeps the land beautiful, nourished, and healthy which ensures the survival of humanity, plants, and animals. However, like all other good things in life, moderation is always required. Unfortunately, you can’t control mother-nature hence there is no way you can stop rainfall and subsequent flooding.

Recently, there has been numerous storms, hurricanes and excessive rainfall which is the main reason you should re-examine your flood insurance policy. Notably, flooding can be severe, leading to irreparable damages to homes and property. According to McCormick Insurance Inc., Pembroke Pines, FL, these are four things you need to know about flood insurance.

1. Don’t postpone until the last minute before buying flood insurance
Like other insurance policies, flood insurance has a waiting period before you start ripping its benefits. In most instances, the waiting period is 30 days hence the policy should be bought in advance of the storm or hurricane seasons.

2. Don’t over-rely on the homeowner’s policy
The standard homeowner’s policy might cover for damages caused by a busted pipe, but it won’t cover for damages caused by excessive rains or hurricanes. As such, it is imperative to consider a flood insurance policy.

3. Even if you are a tenant, you still need the policy
If there is no requirement for the landlord to have a flood insurance policy, they will most likely not invest in the policy. As such, any water damage to your belongings will not be covered.

4. You should protect your business using this policy
Most offices are stocked with expensive furniture and files, and yours might not be an exception. In case there are floods around your office you can incur a huge financial liability due to water damage. However, with a flood insurance policy, all your liability claims will be covered.

While hurricanes and storms are isolated issues, McCormick Insurance Inc., Pembroke Pines, FL advises you to purchase a flood insurance policy to ensure that you are always prepared.
 

Reasons to Get Builder and Vacant Risk Insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL

Having an empty building or a building under construction presents unique concerns. It can be a vandalism magnet or can be an avenue for a disaster. Empty buildings are more likely to be affected by wind, fire, or lightning. Getting a standard homeowner’s or commercial insurance policy is not enough as you are not covered if the building is vacant.

However, there are two types of insurance you can get from McCormick Insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL.

Vacant dwelling policy

The coverage insures your home if it is vacant for a period. The coverage usually lasts for about 60 days. You can get the policy if you recently bought a home and had not moved in or moved to a new home and you need the policy to protect your home until it sells. You can also get the coverage if you have a rental building that has no tenants.

Builders risk policy

Builders risk policy insures building if it is under construction. The coverage extends to the building, and can also include materials that are used at the job site or in constructing the building.

Getting the policy is important since it ensures your property is secured. A leak in an unoccupied building can escalate to become a flood. Getting the insurance policy will ensure that the building is safe and that you are protected in case there is a flood. You can also get flood insurance that will provide additional coverage for the building and the contents.

If you have questions or want to get more information on builders and vacant risk insurance, visit our offices or contact us. McCormick Insurance agents provide coverage to clients in Pembroke Pines, FL. The agents have experience in property insurance and will advise you on the best policy that will suit your property.

 

What is Excess Insurance and Why Do You Need It?

When you submit an automobile claim, you need to pay an excess.  There are two types of excess payments; compulsory excess and voluntary excess.  

The former refers to an amount that is set by your insurer. This set amount will depend on factors such as age, type of claim, and the type of car you drive. This amount is non negotiable.  

The later refers to an amount you can actually determine yourself. The more you pay for the voluntary excess payment, the lower your insurance premiums will be.  However, if you do make a claim, you will be paying more out of pocket in the form of a an excess payment.   

What is Excess Insurance?

Excess insurance is supplemental insurance that you can add to your existing car insurance to cover the cost of excess payments when or if you need to make a claim.  The amount of the excess payment, of course, is agreed upon beforehand.  The way is works is that you still cover the excess expense during a claim but you then submit another claim to get reimbursed for the excess payment you made.  

Why You Need Excess Insurance

If you were to have to make a claim down the road, will you be able to afford the excess payment?  if you don’t think so, you may want to consider purchasing excess insurance. The amount for excess insurance will be easily charged on top of your traditional car insurance policy premium.  

To learn more about purchasing excess insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL, contact the friendly agents at McCormick Insurance Inc.  We can answer all of your questions and help you find the right excess insurance for your automobile.  Contact McCormick Insurance Inc. serving the Pembroke Pines, FL area today at 954-602-5741.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Marine Inland Insurance

Marine inland insurance is a type of insurance policy that is not typically understood. If you work for a company and they have asked you to purchase marine inland insurance, your mind may be racing with questions. Here are a few of the questions that we at McCormick Insurance Inc. serving the Pembroke Pines, FL area, are often asked about Marine Inland Insurance. 

What is Marine Inland Insurance? 

Marine inland insurance typically covers inland items that are stored near waterways. This may be transportation property, such as bridges, piers or roads. This may be communication devices, such as radio or television towers or phone lines. Or this may be covered to docked boats that carry cargo that may be damaged. 

What Does Marine Inland Insurance Cover Against?  

Marine inland insurance helps to cover the property named in the policy against damage done by these waterways. If there is a storm or the tides change, the property can become damaged. Bridges can get rusty and need extensive repairs, roads can be wiped out, telecommunication equipment can be destroyed and cargo stored on ships that are being transported can become water damaged. This type of insurance helps to protect against these losses, ensuring these businesses are not hit with a huge bill because of water-based events. 

If I Have Marine Insurance Do I Still Need Marine Inland Insurance? 

Marine insurance helps to protect cargo while it is being transported at sea. Once your boat is docked, you will need marine inland insurance. As such, marine insurance does not offer the same protections that marine inland does, though they both cover your cargo on a ship at different points in time. 

If you still have questions about marine inland insurance, or you are ready to get a quote in the greater Pembroke Pines, FL area, call McCormick Insurance Inc. today. We can help you get the right policy for your needs. 

A Simple Explanation of Excess Insurance

Have you ever heard of excess insurance? Probably not, and that is why it is so important to understand it. Here’s a quick overview of excess insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL, including what it is and three things you need to know about it. 

What is excess insurance?

When you invest in excess insurance, you are essentially buying a coverage plan that exceeds what most normal insurance providers offer in terms of limits. For example, if you make a claim and your auto insurance exhausts all of its coverage, excess insurance can be beneficial because it will provide extra compensation above what your auto policy will pay you. Please keep in mind that an excess insurance policy does not provide extra coverage. Instead, it provides an increase in your coverage limits. If your primary policy provides coverage for a certain type of claim, then excess insurance will provide an increase in limits as well. If the claim is not covered under the primary policy, then your excess insurance policy will be of no benefit. 

Is excess insurance worth the investment? 

Many people think that excess insurance will be very expensive. Fortunately, though, it tends to be extremely nominal in relation to how much the real value of the policy is. And while some people believe you need to be wealthy to invest in this type of insurance, it has proven itself to the average Joe many times over. To keep it simple, the benefits that can be gained from this type of policy are far worth the investment made. 

To learn more about excess insurance, make sure you contact McCormick Insurance Inc. serving your area today. 

Why Boat Owners In Pembroke Pines Have Boat Insurance

When you are a boat owner in Pembroke Pines, FL, it’s important to look at why you should have boat insurance. It can provide you with protection against what happens while you are on the boat and even when it’s sitting at the dock.

Protect Your Investment

One of the main reasons to have insurance is for the financial protection. Your boat was expensive and it only makes sense to have a policy on it. At McCormick Insurance Inc., we can work with you to find the right policy. You will then have the coverage in the event of a boating accident as well as theft.

You will have property damage and bodily injury coverage. This will ensure that you can repair the damage to your boat as well as take care of injuries that you or anyone else has sustained.

Be Covered in Multiple Scenarios

You never really know what could happen when you are out on the water. Someone on your vote could fall overboard and hurt themselves. You could end up hitting another boat. Even when you’re not out on the water, your boat could get broken into. Another boat could hit yours when it’s tied up at a dock.

The only way to be covered against all of the different scenarios is to have boat insurance. There are plenty of insurance companies that will write policies. There are also various coverage levels that can provide you with protection. It can seem overwhelming, which is why it’s helpful to talk to an independent insurance agent. They will be able to guide you through the process to ensure that you have a good policy that you can rely on.

Get the help with what insurance policy is right for you in Pembroke Pines, FL. Call and talk to an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. today.

 

 

 

What to Do When Your RV is Involved in an Accident

Summer sun means road trips and camping out with your RV. If you’re planning to explore the country with your recreational vehicle this season, you should know what to do if your RV is involved in an accident with another vehicle.

Florida State Law

If you are involved in a car accident in the Pembroke Pines, FL area, Florida state law requires a report to be made within 10 days of the occurrence if the accident caused death, injury, extensive damage, or involved a commercial motor vehicle. The report should include the names and addresses of those involved, as well as descriptions of the vehicles and their insurance information.

All parties involved in the accident are required to submit their insurance information to responding law enforcement officials. If you are unsure of your vehicle insurance status, the experts at McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you get full coverage.

What You Should Do

Take these steps after your RV accident to ensure a smooth claims process.

  • Make sure everyone involved is safe. Move away from damaged vehicles and busy roads before taking any other actions.
  • If anyone is injured, call for emergency medical services right away.
  • Call local law enforcement to control and document the scene.
  • Write down license plate numbers and insurance information. You can give out your insurance information, but do not provide your personal information to anyone besides law enforcement officials.
  • Take pictures of the scene from multiple angles. This will be used as evidence in your claims process. If you don’t have a cellphone with camera capabilities, keep a disposable camera in your RV.
  • Call your insurance company as soon as possible.

McCormick Insurance Inc. serves the vehicle insurance needs of residents in the Pembroke Pines, FL area. Contact us to find out more about the importance of RV insurance.

3 Reasons to Consider Personal Umbrella Insurance Coverage

If you own a home, liability insurance is a must to protect your assets. If a guest has an accident on your property, liability insurance will help cover his or her medical expenses so you don’t have to pay for them out of your own pocket.   

But what happens if these expenses go beyond the limits of your home liability coverage? That’s where personal umbrella insurance comes into the picture. Umbrella insurance provides additional coverage to protect you against major liability claims that can deplete you of current and future finances. Here are a few ways in which a personal umbrella policy from McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL can benefit you and your family.

Home Accidents  

If you entertain often or have regular visits from relatives during the holidays, there’s always the risk of someone having an accident on your property. A slip on the patio or trip on the stairs could lead to serious injuries for which you would be responsible. Personal umbrella coverage protects you against serious liability claims and prospective lawsuits that could arise from these accidents. 

Auto Accidents

If you are sued for damages due to a serious auto accident you have caused, your personal umbrella policy will provide coverage beyond your auto insurance limits.

Slander

If you’re an avid social media fan, you may inadvertently post “offensive” material about someone that leaves you open to being sued for slander. In the event of an unexpected lawsuit, your umbrella policy will pay for legal expenses and settlement costs, protecting your current and future earnings.  

Personal umbrella insurance is a smart investment for anyone looking to protect their financial assets. For more information on personal umbrella coverage and costs, contact us at McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL.