Author: agentinsure

Five Life Insurance Basics Everyone Should Know

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Five Life Insurance Basics Everyone Should Know

As interesting as it would be to know a lot about everything, most of us have to pick and choose our interests. For those of us at McCormick Insurance Inc., we have chosen to make loss prevention products a big part of our lives. We have undergone the training necessary to get properly licensed in the various forms of insurance we make available to our clients and potential clients. We understand that many may consider insurance a less than stimulating conversation starter, but here are five life insurance basics everyone should know.

  1. Buy life insurance when you are young and healthy. The biggest factors affecting life insurance prices are your age and health. Buying it when you are young and healthy may seem contrary, but it is the smartest time to purchase it.
  2. There are two basic forms of life insurance. The two are Term life insurance, that covers an insured for a specific period or term, and Whole life insurance which covers the insured as long as premiums are paid.
  3. Whole life insurance builds value, term life insurance does not. Term life coverage is generally less expensive but expires after its term is over. Whole life builds value as you make payments over the years, value that you can tap into.
  4. Make sure someone knows about your life insurance coverage. An unclaimed policy doesn’t help the people it was intended to help.
  5. Compare to get the best rates. Rates can vary widely from provider to provider. Comparing is the one way to ensure you are getting the best value.

If you live in the Pembroke Pines, FL area we invite you to compare using McCormick Insurance. We are an independent agency that can do the work for you. We can scour the rates of multiple companies to find your best rates. Visit us online or contact us. Knowing the basics can go a long way in better protecting your family.

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Understanding the Layers of Your Pembroke Pines, FL Home Insurance

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Odds are you carry homeowners insurance on your Florida home. If you have a mortgage, your financial institution likely requires it. There are layers to your homeowners insurance you may not be aware of. Here is a closer look at homeowners insurance and what it may encompass.

  • Coverage A Dwelling – This is the part most people think about first when they think of home insurance. It covers the structure of your home.
  • Coverage B Other Structures – This is the portion of your coverage that would cover a shed or detached garaged.
  • Coverage C Personal Property – Personal property includes your clothing, furniture and other personal possessions that may be lost due to a covered peril.
  • Coverage D Loss of Use/Additional Living Expenses – This is worth considering because replacing a severely damaged home could take an extensive period of time. The cost of additional living expenses could be significant.
  • Coverage E Personal Liability – If someone is injured while on your property, this is the coverage that would protect you. It could be a neighbor, friend, or even a delivery person.
  • Coverage F Medical Payments to Others – Provides for the medical expenses to those who may be injured on your property.
  • Additional Coverage – This is supplemental coverage to fill in gaps where your base policy may fall short. Coin collections, stamp collections, art, etc. may be better covered through additional coverage.
  • Exclusions – This portion of your policy will note specifically what is not covered. Common exclusions are earthquakes and flooding.

At McCormick Insurance Inc., we serve the Pembroke Pines, FL area with a range of insurance products to protect what you’ve earned. We are an independent agency that can seek out quotes from multiple companies to find great coverage at a good price. Visit our website to get an online quote for your homeowners or auto insurance. We look forward to assisting you.

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Understanding What GAP Coverage Is

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Many policyholders often ask about GAP coverage. They want to know what it is and why they need it. Others are even required by their auto lender to carry it, but do not understand how if affects them. Here are a few things to know about GAP insurance.

What GAP Coverage Is

Short for Guaranteed Asset Protection, this type of coverage "bridges the gap" between the value of your vehicle and how much you owe should you have a total loss claim. This means that if your car is damaged beyond repair in an accident or is stolen, your insurance policy will pay above and beyond the value of the vehicle in order to pay off your loan. Many finance companies require this type of coverage to help protect both them and you in case of an incident.

Why You Should Consider Purchasing GAP Coverage

Even if it is not required by your lender, purchasing GAP coverage is a good idea for anyone with an auto loan. Vehicles often depreciate rapidly, especially if you purchased your car brand new. Today’s auto loans are generally much higher than the value of the vehicle and failure to have GAP coverage could put you in a serious situation if you have a major claim. Many policyholders without this type of coverage have incurred serious debt after a total loss incident as they still had to make loan payments on a vehicle that was no longer driveable.

Purchasing insurance is meant to be a protective mechanism for you and your family in case of an incident. GAP coverage is simply an added safety feature to help ensure your financial well-being if you ever experience a total loss claim.

For more information about auto insurance in Florida, please contact our local agents today.

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Home Insurance: Ensuring Carpet Damage And Other Things Are Covered

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Pembroke Pines, FL is located on the East Coast of the state, sandwiched between the two metropolitan cities of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. This offers a variety of commute options for work as well as plenty of recreational opportunities for singles, couples, and families. It’s also a close drive to the Atlantic Ocean where there are beaches, surfing, fishing, and other ways to stay active outdoors.

When you’re a homeowner, you will want to make sure your home insurance covers everything on your home in 33024. This can be a task if you’re not working with an agent and that’s why we’re here to help. We can help you get a cheap policy that still covers you against any kind of damage.

Living in Florida, there are going to be storms and even hurricanes periodically, especially during the summer months. If you experience carpet damage, you will want the insurance company to cover it all. For them to pay the claim, you need the coverage.

Our independent agents can look to see what the most common claims are within Pembroke Pines so they can make sure your home insurance policy has coverage to include it all. We can find out how carpet damage is covered and ensure that it protects your home when there are storms, floods, and anything else that can take place.

Peace of mind is something important to have when you own a home in the 33024 ZIP code. If something happens, you want to make sure that it can be taken care of. The home insurance company should pay so you don’t have to. The most you should have to pay is the deductible.

Learn how to get cheap insurance and be covered for it all by calling an agent today.

3 Tips for Creating a Roadside Safety Kit

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Being prepared is always important, especially for drivers. By keeping a few items inside your vehicle, you can rest assured that you are totally ready for any situation, Here are three tips for creating a roadside safety kit to keep in your car.

Tip #1: Include Emergency Provisions

Including emergency provisions is the first step to starting your kit. Non-perishable food, such as granola bars, and a few bottles of water are important. You will also want to add a blanket, an extra pair of socks, and a basic first aid kit to your collection.

Tip #2: Add Vehicle Related Items

Adding vehicle related items to your emergency kit is also important. Remember jumper cables, a quart of oil, deicer, an ice scraper, and additional fuses. A safety triangle and roadside flares should be included. Other special items related to your exact vehicle and its condition may also be necessary, such as brake or power steering fluid.

Tip #3: Remember Tools

While many people usually remember food and medical supplies, they often forget about keeping tools inside their emergency kits. A basic pair of work gloves, a few screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, vice grips, and a tire gauge are always a good idea. A few wrenches in various sizes can help as well.

Many companies also offer pre-packed emergency road kits to keep inside your vehicle. These often include a basic first aid kit, some road flares, and other common items. You can also use a plastic storage box or small cardboard box to keep the kit organized.

Of course, having your insurance information handy is also important. Keep the number of your local insurance agent and your policy number inside your vehicle. The claims hotline number and emergency roadside assistance numbers are also a good idea.

If you need any more tips or tricks for creating the best roadside safety kit, call our highly knowledgeable agents today!

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Life Insurance Has You Covered During the Hard Times

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When it comes to making it through the hard times, you should already know that life insurance can prove to be of the utmost value. With a whole life insurance policy in your name, you can usually borrow against it before you become deceased in the event that you have an expense that needs to be covered, such as for your children’s college tuition.

Life insurance can also come to the rescue in the event that you or loved one suffers from an illness and you need money to cover the associated medical expenses. Of course the exact usage of your life insurance policy will depend on the agency that you purchase a policy through as well as the policy that you buy.

Do keep in mind that even if you are on a tight budget that affordable life insurance is available. Also remember that the sooner you buy a policy, the better. The older you get, the more expensive a policy becomes. This is why it is highly suggested that you purchase a life insurance policy for each of your children when they are young. Many people find they can buy a policy on their children for only a few dollars each month.

You never know what life will throw your way, which is why it’s so important to be covered from the get go. With a policy in your name, you can rest assured that if something was to happen to you that your family will be financially protected. Whether you die due to being sick or in a car accident, life insurance provides your family with the funds they need to continue living like they were when you were alive.

For more information on life insurance, please contact one of our agents in Pembroke Pines, FL serving the 33024 area.

Work with the Best Life Insurance Agents in Pembroke Pines

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It can be a common misconception that residents of Pembroke Pines, FL spend all of their time soaking up the sun without a care in the world. But whether you reside in the West Pines or in the 33024, planning ahead for your family’s future is an important part of leading a happy and healthy life in Florida.

Plan for the Future with Life Insurance

Although it may not be a favorite subject to touch upon, it is important that American’s plan for the unexpected. Give yourself and those you care about most peace of mind knowing they will be taken care of when the unexpected happens.

Because insurance laws vary from state to state, dealing with large national providers can be a bit intimidating. At McCormick Insurance, our independent agents have experience servicing the greater Pembroke Pines area and can work with you to get coverage at a price that works well within your budget.

Whether you want a term or whole life insurance policy, we can help to quickly and easily shop and compare quotes online in just minutes. This type of coverage can be very affordable and allows you to care for your family even after you’re gone.

Get a Quote Today

We want to make sure you find the best coverage policy to fit the needs of you and your loved ones. That is why our online quoting system is designed to find quotes quickly and allows you to compare each quote in order to find the perfect option for your needs and financial concerns.

Don’t leave your loved ones behind without the protection they deserve. Visit McCormick Insurance online or give us a call to get your fast and easy quote today.

Protect Your Home from Unexpected Smoke Damage

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Take a few hours out of your busy schedule to visit local sites in Pembroke Pines, FL. Living in the 33024 area of Pembroke Pines gives your family many opportunities to go on outings together. Take home a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables offered at Stile’s Farmers Market. From bananas and pineapples to avocados and limes, you’ll find many interesting choices for reasonable prices.

Spend an entire day at the Young At Art Museum where your kids can learn more about art in a fun and relaxing environment. When visiting the Young At Art Museum, you won’t experience boredom because you can enjoy drinking a craft beer or listening to live music. Enrich your palate when you visit the posh Capriccio’s Ristorante. You’ll have a chance to eat delicious Italian fare while enjoying musical entertainment.

While reviewing the fine print in your homeowners insurance policy, you may want to contact our office in Pembroke Pines and speak with our agent about smoke damage coverage. Your policy may not cover smoke damage that occurs because of a faulty chimney. Your standard homeowners insurance policy may not cover smoke damage that occurs because someone in your family leaves a burning cigarette on your sofa or bed. However, if smoke damage is caused by an accident that is not your fault, your homeowners policy can protect your finances.

When in doubt about whether you have sufficient coverage for an accidental fire that results in smoke damage to your home in Pembroke Pines, FL, the best thing to do is to visit our website, get a free quote, and then contact our insurance agency. Once you speak with our agent about smoke damage protection covered by your current homeowners insurance policy, you’ll have a better perspective.

Pembroke Pines Auto Liability Insurance

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If you’re going to operate a motor vehicle on a Florida roadway, you’re required to maintain minimum insurance coverage on your vehicle. In order to get your license plates and registration, you’re required to have $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage and another $10,000 in property damage. Although it’s perfectly legal to drive anywhere in the state with those policy limits, minimum coverage is woefully insufficient.

$10,000 of personal injury protection covers maybe an ambulance trip to the hospital, an emergency room visit and an overnight admission. If you’re liable for an accident with $40,000 in personal injury damages, you’re going to be on the hook for the excess $30,000. If you caused in excess of $10,000 in property damage, you’re responsible for that overage too. Knowing all that while driving around on minimum mandated insurance probably makes you want to boost your auto insurance coverage.

We’re independent insurance agents, and we offer you choices in increasing your insurance coverage that agents for the "big three" aren’t permitted to give you. Since we’re agents for several very reputable insurance companies, you have choices of who will insure you, the type of coverage that you want, and how much your premium payments will be. Other agents will only give you one alternative from one single insurer. That’s no choice at all.

We’re trusted providers for the community in and around Pembroke Pines and FL Zip Code 33024. It’s likely that some of your friends and neighbors already do business with us. If you’re putting a new car on the road or just want to get an independent, objective and unbiased evaluation of your coverage, give us a call. We also offer other policy endorsements you might want know about. We’ll be pleased to talk with you.

Marriage and Car Insurance: Should You Bundle Policies?

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You just said “I do,” and you and your spouse have now entered the state of wedded bliss. As part of setting up house, a review of your individual car insurance policies, as well as other types of coverage, may save you a significant amount on insurance premiums. As your independent insurance agent serving the Pembroke Pines, FL area, we would enjoy the opportunity to meet with you and review your policies. In fact, by bundling car insurance for both spouses, we may be able to find you greater coverage at a better price.

Many of the major insurance underwriters price their premiums to target a specific sector of the market. For example, they will price homeowner’s insurance to attract clients who need car insurance, life insurance or other types of policies. While you may find significant savings on premiums with direct comparisons on single-line insurance policies, the large underwriters want you to carry multiple lines of insurance with them for many years to come. This allows them to keep prices competitive while giving you the assurance that you will not have to shop around every six months.

To do this, insurance companies frequently offer greater coverage and better premium prices to clients who bundle all of their insurance together rather that purchasing separate lines for just a car or house.

Give us a call today, and we will assist you with clear comparisons between multi-line policies from the top insurance companies. We offer a handy online tool for comparison shopping with real-time quotes, and we offer personalized service that helps you find the appropriate coverage for your individual needs. If you are in the 33024 zip code, we serve the Pembroke Pines, FL  and the surrounding areas. So contact us today!