Author: agentinsure

Does Home Insurance Really Cover Contractors Who Are Injured While Working on My Home?

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If you are looking to hire a contractor to complete work to your home in Pembroke Pines, FL, it is important that you ensure the contractor carries their own insurance. But, even if they do carry insurance, they may still be able to come after you if they are injured on your property. Here is some information you need to know about home insurance and its coverage for contractors.

Injury Liability Coverage

Under most homeowner’s insurance policies is a coverage called injury liability coverage. This coverage covers anyone who is injured while visiting your property, including family members and contractors. The amount of coverage you have varies based on the details of your policy. Pull out your policy and ensure you have enough coverage before you hire a contractor.

Intentional Act Exclusion

While most contractors will be covered if they are injured while working on your home, there is one key exclusion. The intentional act exclusion. If the contractor jumps off a roof and purposely injures themselves, you or your homeowner’s insurance may not be liable. Likewise, if you shake a ladder while a contractor is on it and cause the contractor to fall, your homeowner’s insurance may not offer coverage. As long as the act was an accident, rather than something done on purpose, your homeowner’s insurance will cover it.

If you are beginning a home construction project in the near future, it is always important to read over your home insurance policy and see what is covered and what is not. An insurance agent can help you with any questions you have. If you have any questions about your policy or need a new one before contractors begin work on your home in the greater Pembroke Pines, FL area, call McCormick Insurance Inc. We can help answer your questions, ensure your policy meets your needs and if it doesn’t, find a policy that does.

How Often Should You Evaluate Your Auto Insurance Policy?

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Residents of Pembroke Pines, Florida enjoy beautiful weather and plenty of fun activities year-round. Like most, they enjoy their vehicles. Florida law requires auto insurance coverage for all automobiles, and depending on your vehicle and whether it’s paid off or not, you may be required to carry full-coverage auto insurance.

Aside from your monthly payments, how often do you think of your auto insurance policy? Are you familiar with your level of coverage, and have you checked to ensure you are getting the best deal? It’s a good idea to periodically review your policy to make sure your coverage is still appropriate for your situation. You can sit down with an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. to determine whether you need to make any changes or not.

How Do You Know It’s Time To Re-evaluate Your Policy?

If you’ve purchased a new vehicle, it’s a great time to completely look into your policy to ensure you are getting the right amount of coverage and to make sure you are getting the best deal. Other situations that warrant another look include:

  • Age. Have you celebrated a birthday? Young people tend to pay higher insurance rates, so if you are getting older you should check your policy, same goes if you have your adult child on your policy.
  • Driving record changes. Have you had tickets or accidents in the past? If they’ve dropped off your record, you may now qualify for lower rates or a good driver discount.
  • If you have moved to a new neighborhood, rates may change as well.

It’s also a good idea to check if your coverage is enough for your needs. You may wish to increase your coverage, or add things like roadside assistance or rental car coverage to help you in case of an emergency. Take time periodically to review your current policy, it can save you money.

Common Myths Regarding Car Insurance

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While most people understand that car insurance is required by law, there are many misconceptions that people have developed over the years. These have largely been perpetuated by the general public and other insurance companies that push these myths for their own gain; however, McCormick Insurance Inc. has been serving the area of Pembroke Pines, FL and wants to dispel these myths in the interest of putting the needs of the clients first. Take a look at some of the myths below.

The most common myth is that any insurance policy with an agent is more expensive than a similar policy without an agent. This is a myth on several levels. First, there are many policies that do not come with an agent that are absolutely more expensive than the same policy with an agent. Second, having an agent actually saves the customer money in many ways. First, an agent will fight on behalf of their client to have their claims paid out and to have their rates lowered. These are extremely valuable assets. In addition, an agent knows the policies that their companies offer. This means that an agent can find a policy that suits the needs of their client without overpaying.

Another common myth is that people think they cannot shop around for other insurance policies while they have an active policy. This isn’t true. People can always talk to other insurance companies and try to get quotes for their insurance without committing to another policy in the process. People can have another policy lined up that will take over once their current policy expires. Don’t wait for a policy to expire before investing in a new one. This lapse in coverage can have serious consequences due to the risk of not having coverage and the fact that car insurance is required by law.

People in the Pembroke Pines, FL area with questions about other common car insurance myths should contact McCormick Insurance Inc. today for more information!

Making Sure You Have the Right Home Insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL

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If you live in Pembroke Pines, FL, you should be aware of the home insurance policies that are in place in the state of Florida. There are many things that you should keep in mind, and you should make sure that you know how home insurance works with respect to your specific situation.

Even though home insurance is not required, it is very beneficial to have it. People can opt out of it and end up regretting it later when an unexpected crisis situation comes up and they have to pay for it out of their pockets. However, if you do choose to have home insurance, you should make sure that you choose the right coverage for you. There are many different packages when it comes to home insurance that is designed to protect your home and your belongings. Each of the packages protect against a certain set of events that could cause damage and cost you money. You should make sure that you choose the one that is actually applicable to you, so that you get the coverage that you need and you are not wasting your money on coverage that is basically unnecessary. Some of the examples of things that can be covered by home insurance packages are theft, wind storms, and fire. Every policy should contain certain basic types of protection though, such as property damage, personal liability, medical payments, and additional living expenses. These are the ones that you need in order to have the basic level of protection so that you can feel safe and secure in terms of finances.

If you have questions about home insurance in the state of Florida, you should feel free to contact the professionals at McCormick Insurance, Inc. The agents of McCormick Insurance, Inc. will be able to tell you everything that you are interested in knowing about home insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL.

4 Simple Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter Weather

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The weather in Pembroke Pines, Fl. does not get as blustery as it does in other parts of the country; however, there are plenty of cold, rainy nights that can torture your car and jeopardize your safety. If you frequently travel to areas that have frigid weather, you should take every precaution to prepare your car for the temperature dips.

Switch to thinner oil. Thinner oil is designed to perform better in cold weather. So next time you get your oil changed, talk to the mechanic about adding a winter-grade oil such as a 5W-30 to the engine instead of the 10W-30 you may typically use in your car.

Check antifreeze levels. Don’t run the risk of your engine freezing and cracking in the cold. If your car is low on antifreeze, add the appropriate levels before it gets chilly.

Pack a winter supply box. This is especially important if you are traveling outside of Pembroke Pines, Fl. to colder areas. Below is a list of items that will increase your chances of getting help and avoiding frostbite should you get stranded on the side of the road:

  • road flares
  • flashlight
  • blanket
  • weather appropriate change of clothes
  • protein bars, jerky, nuts or other snacks
  • gloves and hats
  • ice scraper
  • fully charged cell phone
  • sand or kitty litter to help with traction

Check tire tread depth and tire pressure. Properly inflated tires with adequate tread can mean the difference between life and death when you’re driving on wet or icy roads. You can purchase a gauge from any auto supply store to check tire pressure. If there is not enough pressure in the tires, simply head to the nearest gas station and put air in them. As far as the tire tread goes, you can use a penny to check it. Simply insert the penny in the tread (with Lincoln’s head pointing inward). If you can see all of Lincoln’s head on the penny, it’s time to replace the tire.

Your insurance agent may be able to offer additional tips or coverage recommendations to help prepare your vehicle for cold weather driving.

Summer Vacation RV Safety Checklist

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Before you take to the road in your RV for summertime family fun, run through a safety checklist so you can spend more time making memories and less time panicking in an emergency.

Vehicle Maintenance

Check all of your fluids, examine the air pressure in the tires, drive the RV around town while running errands a few days before to see how it runs, and make sure there are no odd bangs, squeaks, or grinding. If you notice anything odd or simply aren’t sure if it’s running fine, take the RV into a trusted mechanic for a thorough check-up.

First Aid Gear

A basic first aid kit is a must-have for every vehicle. The Red Cross offers excellent advice for building a kit, or you can purchase a pre-packaged one. If you already have one, take a peek inside to see if anything has gone missing as first aid kits are frequently raided.

Emergency Kit

You never know when a blown tire or fried engine will leave you stranded down a road with no help coming anytime soon. In addition to your first aid kit, an emergency kit can make the difference that lets you survive an unforeseen catastrophe. The Red Cross emergency kit is a good starting point, but you’ll want to add in supplies for the RV, such as oil, as well.

Registration and Insurance Coverage

The last thing you want on your vacation is racking up traffic fines and repair bills. Since RVs get infrequent use, your registration may have expired since the last time you drove it, so be sure to examine your tags. The final item on the safety checklist is the insurance you’ll need to keep your bank account safe from the damage of an accident on the road. If you need to renew your coverage, expand from a basic liability package to comprehensive coverage, or are just looking for better value, contact McCormick Insurance Inc. for a quote on recreational vehicle coverage.

What Florida Homeowners Need to Know for Fall

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Fall isn’t a major change for homeowners in Florida as it is in other states. The temperatures dip a little and the leaves begin to drop, but it doesn’t require a weekend to rake the lawn or insulate the entire house. 

Nonetheless, there are still some important preparations for residents of Pembroke Pines, FL and beyond to take as we get further into fall. Colder temperatures can take their toll on your home, even if Florida, so follow these McCormick Insurance Inc. suggestions to make sure you’re all set for the season.

Get Into Gutters & Up On the Roof

It’s important to inspect the exterior of your home from top-to-bottom several times a year, and fall is the perfect time to do so. Make sure that your gutters are free from debris and that they effectively divert water several feet from the house, in the direction of storm drains. Repair or replace any damage on your roof, such as cracked shingles and loose fixtures, before low temperatures put them to the test.

Flip Your Fans to Reverse

Some ceiling fans can be set to run in the opposite direction. If you have this option, set them to run clockwise so that warm air is circulated back down into the room and makes your home more energy efficient.

Have Heating Systems and Insulation Inspected

Prevention is preferable to cure, so it’s better to confirm that your heating and insulation are in good condition now while it’s still warm. Have an expert take a look if you can’t answer questions yourself. The energy savings alone can make this a worthwhile activity to check off your list.

Check Your Home Insurance Coverage

As much as you take care of your home, it’s crucial to know what your insurance policy covers. Checking for any gaps in your coverage helps you to highlight areas of risk and take steps to fix the problem or expand your coverage.

If you have any questions about homeowners coverage, or if you would like to look at new policy options, call McCormick Insurance Inc. to discuss protecting your Pembroke Pines, FL home.

3 Reasons You Need Auto Insurance

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Paying for auto insurance seems like such a pain. There’s so much that you could use that money for instead of paying for an accident that may never happen. However, there are numerous reasons to have insurance, even if you never get into an accident. 

1. It’s the Law

In every state in the United States, it’s required that you have automobile insurance, whether you have a car, truck, van or SUV. The level of insurance you need depends on the laws in your state, which a McCormick Insurance Inc insurance agent will be able to explain to you, so you develop a policy that’s beneficial to you and follows the laws in your state. If you get caught without insurance, which states are getting stricter about, you can lose the plates on your vehicle. Even if you don’t get caught by the police, you can still find yourself in trouble legally because checks are being conducted, and as soon as a policy is canceled or lapses, you only have a short window of opportunity to get new insurance after the insurance company is required to notify the state. 

2. It Protects Your Assets

Let’s say you cause an accident and don’t have insurance. The other party can file a civil suit suing you for compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering and vehicle damage. You’ll be financially responsible for all of these bills out of pocket. If you don’t have money, you can lose your home or whatever else you own. You may be required to have monthly payments taken directly out of your pay. While if you had insurance, it would have covered almost all of the expenses minus the deductible. 

3. Covers Your Car

If your car isn’t paid off, you’ll need to pay the remaining balance, plus try to figure out how to pay to replace it. This can get costly and possibly impossible for you to handle. Your loan company may require you to have a full tort.

Contact McCormick Insurance Inc. today at 954-602-5741 to get a quote and open a policy. We serve the Pembroke Pines, FL area.

Who Needs An Umbrella Insurance Policy?

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There are many different kinds of insurance policies that cover a multitude of things. The types of insurance that many people consider typically include auto insurance, homeowners insurance, and life insurance. However, most people do not think about an umbrella insurance policy. This is the kind of policy that people tend to think they need only if they are rich but that is not always the case. Use these steps to figure out if you could use an umbrella policy.

  • Are you a well known person in the community or a leader of some sort? If you are, then you may want to consider an umbrella insurance policy so that you can better protect yourself from potential lawsuits. People are attracted to people of power and some of those people do not have good intentions. If you are in the spotlight in your community, this is a great way to protect yourself from these types of things.
  • Do you need more protection than a typical auto or homeowners insurance policy can offer? There are maximum amounts of coverage associated with both of these types of insurance policies and if your assets are valued at a higher amount than the coverage allowed, you may want an umbrella insurance policy to cover the difference.
  • Do you have retirement accounts set up with large sums of money in them? The fact is that you probably do and you should protect these as well. You have more to keep safe than you think and an umbrella insurance policy is the perfect way to protect all of your assets, even the ones you may not consider protecting with a separate policy.

For more information about umbrella insurance policies or to see about getting a quote for one, contact McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, Fl., today!

 

Have your family needs changed?

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It’s important for your home to be your own and to meet the needs of your family. So when your family needs change, you can renovate your home to meet those needs. This may include expanding a bathroom, redoing the kitchen, or even adding an entire wing to your home. Renovating can be a more cost-effective option than buying a new home. It also gives you the chance to customize your home and make sure it reflects your family’s personality. When you decide to renovate your home, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Plan ahead

Renovating isn’t something you can just do over a quick three-day weekend. It takes planning and preparation. If the renovations are extensive, you may also need trained and certified vendors to help, including plumbers, electricians, or contractors. Planning your renovations ahead ensures that you will be able to accomplish what you need and want on time and within budget. This includes getting permits and paperwork in order well in advance of beginning the renovations.

Check your home insurance policy

Another preparation for your home renovations should be to check your home insurance policy to make sure your home insurance also reflects the changes to your home. The type of policy you have is dependent on the type of home you have, where it is located, and how well it is maintained. When you make changes to your home, your home insurance policy may need to be changed to reflect those changes so that your home is properly protected.

For more information about changing your home insurance after renovations, contact your local McCormick Insurance Inc. agent today.