Author: agentinsure

5 ways to save money on motorcycle insurance

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For some people in Pembroke Pines, FL their motorcycle insurance premium is a major expense.  Of course, it’s also something that you don’t want to cut back on.  A good motorcycle insurance policy can protect you and your other passengers in the event of an accident, but only if you have the right kind of coverage.  Rather than cut back on your level of coverage, try these strategies to save on your premiums.

  1. Shop around.  If you think you’re paying too much in premiums, call the agents at McCormick Insurance Inc.  They have years of experience in finding discounts so that you can get a motorcycle insurance policy that fits into your budget.
  2. Ask about how to qualify for discounts.  Sometimes simple things, such as housing your motorcycle in a garage at night, can qualify you for significant savings on your premiums.  Also ask about safety and security features that you have or could easily have installed.  Sometimes just wearing a helmet can help to reduce your premium
  3. Consider a higher premium.  While this will require you to have more money in savings, it might be a good idea if you’re able to do a lot of smaller work on your bike.  If you can make small repairs yourself, then you just need to rely on insurance for the big stuff.
  4. Combine your policy with your auto policy.  If you can combine these policies together, you may be able to qualify for some large discounts.
  5. Be careful.  A clean driving record is the best way to save money on your motorcycle insurance.  If you’ve made some mistakes, be careful going forward.  After a few months, you’ll start to see your premiums drop.

Why You Need Umbrella Insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL

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Umbrella insurance is necessary for a number of people in Pembroke Pines, Florida and you may need it and not even know what it is. Below are some more details about what umbrella insurance is, why you might need it and how much it costs. If you do decide to set up an umbrella insurance policy, there are a lot of different options out there but a local broker is probably best, like McCormick Insurance Inc. who serves the great Pembroke Pines area and offers competitive rates.

WHAT IS UMBRELLA INSURANCE?

Umbrella insurance is basically a back-up insurance policy to your other insurance policies if you coverage isn’t sufficient, as well as a policy that fills gaps in your existing policies. For example, if you are in a car accident and sued by the other person for injuries and your car insurance doesn’t cover what they are suing you for, you can trigger your umbrella policy if you have it to cover the difference. These umbrella policies also protect against libel and slander lawsuits, which most insurance policies out there do not.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Umbrella insurance costs about $200 a month per one million dollars of coverage, which may seem like a lot of protection but isn’t depending on the lawsuit or the damages reported. For another $100, you can usually obtain another one million dollars of liability insurance for your umbrella policy.

WHO NEEDS IT?

Anyone who thinks they may be vulnerable to a larger lawsuit due to an accident that may occur in the future. It really all depends on the type of life you lead and who you are before you should pull the trigger on setting up an umbrella insurance policy. Make sure your monthly payment is worth the coverage.

Prepare Your Boat for the Summer

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Before the summer begins, you’ll want to make sure your boat is in good condition and prepared for the high seas. For new and experienced boaters, you will need to do annual checks to make sure your boat is ready for your summer excursions.

Clean the Interior and Exterior

Do a thorough examination of the ships’ hull and interior deck. Make sure there is no damage due to inclement weather that may have occurred during the winter months. Then comprehensively clean the inside and outside of your boat. If there is any surface damage or obvious wear, have it repaired before you set sail.

Do a Complete System’s Check

It is important to inspect the pumps, hoses, cable lines, and fuel system. Any components that are cracked, chipped, or broken will need to be repaired or replaced. Propellers must also be examined. Damaged propellers can cause the drive train to become distressed.

Overhaul the Electrical System

Scrutinize the electrical system and test it for connection issues and corrosion. The GPS, radio, and other electronic devices must be in perfectly working condition to be able to navigate your way on the water and contact help if there is an emergency.

Emergency and Safety Equipment

Unfortunately emergencies happen when you least expect it. You should be prepared and make sure all of your equipment is functioning properly.

  • Have enough life jackets or vests for every passenger.
  • Replace expired flares.
  • Inspect your floatable devices, such as a dinghy or inflatable boat.
  • Fire extinguishers must be on board and in good condition.
  • Store a first-aid kit on board

With the independent insurance agents that serve the Pembroke Pines, FL area, McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you with your current policy or search for a new one that fits your needs.

Tips For Organizing Your Closet

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Your closet is an important part of your home. While many people may not go into the closet, it is something that you go in every day. An organized closet will help you feel less stressed and it is important to take some time to organize it. However, the process of organizing the closet may seem daunting. To help you through the process, we have compiled some helpful tips for closet organization. For all of your insurance needs, please contact us at McCormick Insurance Inc. 

  • Use an over the door shoe rack. Your shoes can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a lot of them. There is only so much floor space in your closet so take advantage of other space and utilize an over the door shoe rack. You will be surprised by how much it helps your closet and how much more room you have.
  • Use tiered hangers. You can put so much more in your closet when you use tiered hangers. This will allow you to put more than one item of clothing on the hanger. You can also put like clothes together. It makes it easier to store pants together and will provide you with a lot of extra room. Using these hangers come in multiple styles and colors so you can choose the right ones for your closet design.
  • Install shelves if you have the room. If there are any clothes that you would like to fold instead of hang, but don’t have room in a dresser, you can use any shelves that you install. You can put them where you have room and you can use them to store all kinds of extra things in your closet. You can also separate the shelves to create separate areas for different items, like scarves or purses. 

Keeping Teen Drivers Safe

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When you have a teen driver in Pembroke Pines, FL, you want to make sure you are doing all that you can in order to keep them safe. They may have their driver’s license now, but that doesn’t mean that they are above the law. You may want to set some boundaries for them as a way of keeping them safe.

Identify the Rules

Just because they passed their driver’s license test does not mean that they know all of the rules – particularly your rules. Take the time to go over each and every one of them. Sit down and have a serious conversation so that it doesn’t fall on deaf ears. You may want to set some very specific boundaries, such as:

  • Amount of time they can be on the road
  • How far they can drive
  • How many friends they can have in the car
  • How late they can drive

Limit the Number of Passengers

The number of passengers in the car can be dangerous. The more teens there are, the more risks there are. This is because rowdy teens can often distract the driver. Some may also go your teen driver into being riskier behind the wheel, such as speeding, changing lanes inappropriately, and much more. You may already know which friends these are, and this means you may want to forbid your teen from having them in the car at all.

Back to Basics

It never hurts to go over some of the rules again and again. This means no drinking, no texting, and always wearing a seatbelt. Even if you get the “I know, I know” speech from your teen, it’s better to say it again as opposed to finding out that they were in an accident because of not following one of these rules.

For information on auto insurance in Florida, contact McCormick Insurance Inc. today.

 

 

Ways To Find Your Next Great Family Used Car

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Cars are not built to last forever and when it is time to find a new family car, you are likely already planning on taking the time to find a quality vehicle to keep your family safe and serve your purposes. However, there are some tips you need to keep in mind, especially if you are trying to save money by purchasing a used family car. Use these tips to help guide you through the process. 

  • Weigh the age and price together. An older car will likely cost less than a newer car but sometimes, the car will be too old to meet your needs. Take this into consideration while you are looking for a used family car and remember that just because you find a cheap family car does not mean that it is what you are needing. 
  • Use another, independent mechanic to examine the car before purchase. Once you have found a car that you are interested in purchasing, take it to a mechanic to examine. You will want to use your own mechanic because they will be more honest with you about any issues. This can cost up to $100 but it will be well worth it. If the mechanic tells you the car is not a good idea, you may want to listen.
  • Keep your emotions out of the decision. An emotional decision is not usually a good one when it comes to big purchases like a new or used family car. Leave your emotions out of it until you have made a purchase so that they do not cloud your decision. 

After you find your next used family vehicle, make sure you get an auto insurance policy that will protect you and your family as well. Contact us at McCormick Insurance Inc. today to get started.

 

Spring Maintenance to Protect the Home

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The folks at McCormick Insurance Inc. want to remind you that spring is a great time to perform annual home maintenance to reduce the chance of damage to the home.

Roof and Gutters
During winter, gutters and drains fill with fallen leaves, which can block the flow of water when it rains. Water held on the roof can leak into the home and cause mold to form on the interior surfaces. Mold spores that pass through the home ventilation or air conditioning system are bad for the occupant’s health.

Make sure the downspouts release water at least three feet away from the home’s foundation. Water that flows directly on to the foundation can cause it to weaken or crack. In addition to clearing out the gutters and making sure the downspouts are not blocked, it is a good idea to check the attic for any sign of water damage or mold growth.

Replace any damaged or missing shingles on the roof. Be careful using the ladder, because falls are one of the most common accidents. If the roof repair job is too dangerous, it is best to hire a roofing contractor to do the work who has the correct safety equipment.

HVAC System
It is best to perform the annual maintenance of the HVAC system before the weather gets too hot. Many HVAC maintenance companies offer annual specials during springtime when they are not as busy as they become during summer. Spring is a good time to clean out the air ducts and change the air filter. Clean any fallen debris that blocks the air vents of the HVAC unit. Replace any worn out parts to make the system run well.

Check for air leaks around windows and doors. Use weather stripping to block the air from leaking. This helps save money on energy bills.

Insurance
Spring is a good time to check insurance to make sure you have adequate coverage. Contact the agents at McCormick Insurance Inc. for all your insurance needs.

Motorcycle Security Tips in Pembroke Pines, Florida

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Pembroke Pines, Florida is a beautiful community in the Miami area and arguably the ideal place to own and ride a motorcycle. It will get great gas mileage, keep you from being stuck in traffic and also help you to truly enjoy the perfect Miami tropical air while living in paradise.  So it’s also important to protect your motorcycle and since Miami is a pretty big city, there is a better chance that someone could try and steal it. Below are some tips for preventing motorcycle theft in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

KEEP IT HIDDEN

Don’t leave your bike out in the open on a major street that people drive or walk by on a regular basis. That will make it a target over time. Instead, park it in a garage, put a cover over it or park it in an area that’s somewhat out of the regular public view.  It’s surprisingly easy to do this when you look for places that people won’t notice as easily and motorcycles are relatively small and can fit in a number of hard to access places.

LOCK IT UP

Like with a bicycle, having a lock on a tire will make it difficult if not impossible for a thief to steal it. U locks on the wheel of a motorcycle are almost impossible to pick and will usually require a blowtorch for a few minutes to successfully melt it away, especially without damaging the wheel and tire of the motorcycle itself. Because of this, just seeing a lock or anchor on the tire of a motorcycle will dissuade an interested thief from stealing it.

INSTALL A TRACKING SYSTEM

Installing a GPS tracking system will make it much easier for police to recover the motorcycle, at least before it goes into a chop shop. While this won’t prevent theft necessarily, it will make the chances of finding it better and make your insurance cheaper. And on that note, it’s critical to have an insurance policy for your motorcycle that covers you if it is stolen. Check out policies from McCormick Insurance Inc. who serves the Pembroke Pines area for insurance against theft on your motorcycle.

5 Reasons You Need Flood Insurance

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Pembroke Pines, FL definitely sees its fair share of storms, but many people may not realize that standard insurance policies don’t cover floods. See 5 reasons why you need to look at your policy, and ensure you have some type of protection against the cloud cover. 

1. A Little Goes a Long Way

Even small amounts of water have a tendency to spread out when it comes to your home. A little seepage can cause whole areas to be destroyed. This not only decreases the value of your home, but also can make it difficult to live in. 

2. Repair Costs 

If you do decide to fix the damage, it could be more expensive than you think. Thousands of dollars are spent on flood damage each year. Instead of pulling out your credit card then, try adding the policy coverage now. 

3. Peace of Mind 

Do you really want to be checking each weather report, hoping the next storm doesn’t cause any flood damage to your home? One strong benefit to buying insurance is knowing you have an entity fighting in your corner to get your home back. 

4. Assistance in an Emergency 

If you need to evacuate your home for any reason, you need somewhere to go and a plan in place for how to get back to your home. Flood insurance can help bridge that problem for you. 

5. Partnering Up 

The right insurance company knows what’s important to you, and they make it a point to deliver on their promises. McCormick Insurance Inc. is here to give you personalized service and start insuring what’s yours. Floods are inevitable, but fear and worry don’t have to be when it comes to fixing the problem. Give us a call for a quote. 

How to Prepare Your Home for a Disaster Slug

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While Pembroke Pines, FL may not be the most disaster prone area in the nation, there are still a number of potential scenarios you should be prepared for. For example, Florida is well-known for its fair share of hurricanes. With the unpredictable nature of the weather, it is a good idea to take steps now to reduce your overall risk and protect your home, while keeping your family safe.

Identify specific risks

Knowing what the most common hazards are for the area, especially if you are new to the area, will help you focus on what you need to do to be prepared. Be sure to take action against the event that will have the highest likelihood of occurring. For Florida, you will likely need to purchase some type of flood insurance, since these are typically not covered in traditional home insurance policies.

Know and address your home vulnerabilities

In many cases, homeowners feel helpless when destructive weather strikes. The good news is, you can perform a few home improvement strategies to lower your risk of damage. For example, to protect your home from the damages of hurricanes, install storm shutters, built a new safe room or install hurricane straps that will help to keep your roof securely in place when high winds blow.

Create a personal emergency kit

You should not wait until the last minute (when everyone else is scrambling around) to gather emergency supplies. Include the following items in your emergency kit: water, food, battery powered radio, flashlight, first aid kit and tarps for covering any potential damage to the roof or windows.

Being prepared for a storm or other disaster is not only smart, it will give you peace of mind. If needed, you can also find home insurance by contacting McCormick Insurance Inc. today.