If you own a boat that you haul from one location to another, you need equipment to transport the boat. When transporting the boat, you need either a boat hauler or a boat trailer. At McCormick Insurance Inc. serving the greater Pembroke Pines, FL area, we are often asked if the boat trailer or hauler is covered by boat insurance. Here is what you need to know about this topic. 

Does Boat Insurance Cover Boat Trailers and Haulers? 

Boat insurance does not typically cover boat trailers and boat haulers. Boat insurance typically only covers floating vessels that have an engine, such as boats and jet skis. 

How Can You Cover Boat Trailers and Haulers?

If you are looking to insure your boat trailer or hauler, you generally have two options. Some companies offer an add-on policy to your boat insurance that will cover trailers or haulers. These are policies or addendums that are added on to your current insurance policy to cover the items you use to haul the boat or trailer. Most of the add-on policies only cover the trailer or hauler when it is being used to transport the boat. 

The other option is to purchase a completely separate boat trailer or hauler policy. This type of policy will cover your boat trailer or hauler even when it is not transporting the boat or when it is transporting other items, such as toys. This type of policy is generally more expensive than an add-on policy, but it offers more coverage and protection, so may be right in the right situation. 

Are you looking to insure both your boat and your boat trailer or hauler in the greater Pembroke Pines, FL area? Then contact McCormick Insurance Inc. today. We will help you find the right insurance policies to meet your needs. 

 

You might be thinking that RV insurance and auto insurance are pretty much the same things. They are not. If you own an RV or are considering purchasing one, there are a few things you need to know about RV insurance. 

A Must in Some Situations

In some situations, RV insurance is going to be a legal requirement. For instance, if you have financed your RV, you will likely be required to keep RV insurance on the vehicle while you are making payments. It is also often required that you have RV insurance if your RV qualifies as a motorhome. It is important to research the specific insurance laws for your state to make sure you are in compliance with your RV. 

What Does RV Insurance Cover?

In many respects, RV insurance is like auto insurance. Your policy will include collision coverage, comprehensive, bodily injury and damage liability. These are essential to have in the event that your RV is involved in an accident. Where RV insurance and auto insurance differ is in respect to personal property. The RV will house personal property which an automobile would not house. Personal items such as furniture, electronics and more will be protected under your RV policy should the RV get stolen or damaged somehow. It can even protect in the event of a burglary. This is especially important for people who use their RV as their residence. Many people do consider their RV their home. In these situations, you will want to protect your RV in the same way you would protect your home. 

An RV can be a wonderful investment as well as a fun addition to your life and family. Make sure your RV is properly protected. To learn more contact McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL.

Misunderstandings about umbrella insurance have resulted in people believing all kinds of myths concerning this coverage. At McCormick Insurance Inc. our goal is to debunk myths concerning personal umbrella insurance so you can have a clear picture of the protection it provides. The following are some of the most common myths about this coverage.

Myth: Umbrella insurance covers expensive personal property such as jewelry, furs, works of arts, etc.

Umbrella insurance does not provide coverage for personal property. It gives you extra liability protection against accidents that may occur in your home in Pembroke Pines, FL, on the road or sailing in your boat. It also protects you against lawsuits that may arise as a result of liability claims. 

Myth: Umbrella insurance takes the place of home, auto or boat liability coverage.

Umbrella insurance coverage does not stand alone. It can only be obtained if you already have liability coverage from a home, auto or boat insurance policy. The purpose of umbrella insurance is to increase the limits of your current liability coverage.

Myth: Personal umbrella insurance is extremely expensive. Only wealthy people can afford a policy.

The cost of umbrella policies varies depending on the amount of coverage you desire. A $1,000,000 umbrella policy, for example, could cost anywhere from $150 to $300 annually. Compared to the coverage it provides, umbrella insurance is quite reasonably priced. It helps cover the costs of accidents where injuries or damages exceed the limits of your home, auto or boat liability coverage. Without this extra protection, you could be held liable for these extra expenses on your own. 

If the value of your personal assets exceeds the liability limits of your home, auto or boat insurance policies, you can benefit from what umbrella coverage has to offer. To obtain personal umbrella insurance protection, contact McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL.

It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Your home and your house have become a swimming pool. It doesn’t matter if it’s from a burst pipe or a natural disaster, a flooded home is a nightmare. Florida is known for getting hit by hurricanes, and if you live in Pembroke Pines, FL, you know this all too well. McCormick Insurance Inc. is here to help with some tips on what to do after your home is flooded.

When you first return to your home, safety should be your number one priority. Turn off the main power to your house, but call a professional if you can’t do so without standing in water. This is important even if your home has lost power in the flood; you never know when it will get turned back on. Also, as you assess the damage, open windows and doors to let the house air out. It is very likely there is mold growing in your home, and there could also be sewage that has leaked into the water. Before you walk all over the house, check for shifts or cracks in the foundation. If you find that you cannot deal with any aspect of your flooded home safely, be sure to call a professional.

Once you have determined that it is safe to be in the home, you can begin to clean up. Slowly remove any standing water and get rid of mud while it is still wet. Once the water is gone, clean and disinfects all surfaces; you never know what the water was contaminated with. While you can salvage some items in your home, there are probably many, such as mattresses and couches, that you will need to throw out and replace.

Once you re-enter your home, it’s important to contact your insurance agency if you haven’t already. Serving Pembroke Pines, FL, and the surrounding area, McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you navigate the next steps.

Getting life insurance for your children is not something fun to think about, but there could be benefits in various situations. The insurance agents at McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL have all the insurance you need and can help you find the best policies for your situation. Often it is grandparents that are buying insurance on their grandchildren as they may be more attuned to the benefits of insurance.

When children are prodigies in music or some other artistic area, or a popular musician or actor, parents may think of having some insurance on them. If a child is famous for some reason, insurance might seem like a sensible option.  Most children do not fit this situation, but there are some other situations where insurance can be a good idea. There are whole life policies that will grow in cash value and could be considered an investment in the child’s future. This could be used to pay college expenses or other big events in the child’s future life once the policy matures, or reaches the end of the time period.

If there is a tragedy, expenses will be paid for, and that is a reason to have life insurance in itself.  Another advantage though, is that in most cases the child will always be able to get insurance no matter what their health in the future. People with certain conditions or situations have a hard time getting insurance, but if they already have insurance, they can more easily continue to have coverage.  If they have coverage they cannot be turned down at a later date.

Call or visit McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL to learn more about ensuring your children and for all your insurance needs. Let us make sure your policy is up to date, or start a new policy.

There is nothing more saddening than to discover your motorcycle has been stolen. The good news is there are several easy and inexpensive ways to prevent motorcycle theft. If you value your motorcycle and want to do all you can to protect it in Pembroke Pines, FL, here are a few easy, inexpensive ways to prevent motorcycle theft.

Park Smart

You can significantly reduce the risk of motorcycle theft by simply choosing a good parking space. Keep in mind that thieves seek out dark, unsecured locations, so one of the best places to park is next to a street lamp or outside of your window. Parking within a group of motorcycles will also help to prevent theft, so whenever possible, park close to other bikes. If you park in your garage, make sure to close the door and keep the bike away from windows where it is visible.

Lock and Cover

Most motorcycles come with a steering lock and/or an ignition lock, so the easiest way to avoid theft is to utilize these. Whether you are parked in your driveway or in front of the local police station-always lock your bike. A motorcycle cover is also helpful in preventing theft. This is because a thief will typically go for an item that is easy to see as well as easy to get to and removing a cover may take longer than they want to spend on stealing the item.

For additional security, consider installing a tracking device and/or an alarm system on your motorcycle. A tracking device may not prevent the bike from being stolen, but it will allow you to locate the bike and alert the police about its location much quicker.

Residents in and around the Pembroke Pines, FL interested in reviewing the current motorcycle insurance or upgrading their policy should contact McCormick Insurance Inc.

When you’re looking for inland marine insurance in Pembroke Pines FL, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. No matter what kind of property you transport, you need an insurance carrier who understands the circumstances behind your shipments and transportation methods. Keep these tips in mind from McCormick Insurance Inc. before you settle on a policy. 

Versatility 

Whether you work with bailees or straight property transfer, an inland marine insurer needs to be versatile enough to cover it all. Whether the property is in transit or being held by a third party, you need to be sure it’s protected at all times. Not all policies cover every event in the process, leaving company owners shocked and dismayed when they actually have to reach out for help. From a dropped box to a well-timed robbery, there’s a lot that can go wrong when you’re trying to keep your original lot intact.

Ready to Help

When you’re looking for insurance, you’re ultimately looking for a company who will help your own company survive any upcoming storms. Finding the right policy is the best way to protect your livelihood, which means you can’t leave it up to chance. McCormick Insurance Inc. understands the value of offering service you can count on, which is why we’re always there for you when you need help. Whether trying to find the right policy or settling the final details on a claim, it’s our privilege to give you the advice and service you need. 

If you have any questions about how our inland marine insurance can help you, give us a call today. Our staff serves the people of Pembroke Pines FL who are looking for inland marine insurance that will work for them. 

One of the most expensive investments you can have in your life is an RV. An RV isn’t just a vehicle, it can also be a temporary home. You can travel the country or take family vacations on the weekends. However you choose to use your RV, you want to make sure that you have it protected with high-quality RV insurance. You may have questions about RV insurance such as does it cover the appliances inside of the RV if there is an accident or theft. 

Are Appliances Covered?

The type and limits of coverage for RVs can vary greatly. Before you decide on a policy to protect it, it is important to ask your insurance agent about the conditions relating to the appliances inside the RV. Some policies will cover them and some won’t. You may, however, be covered by the appliance’s warranty, so you can check with the manufacturer about the warranty conditions and this may eliminate the need for policy coverage. 

Finding The Right RV Coverage

One of the best ways to protect yourself from financial losses is to have the right insurance from a good insurance agency. RVs are a large investment and should be protected by a comprehensive, quality insurance policy. Work with an established insurance agency that takes customer service seriously. A great company for residents in and around the Pembroke Pines, FL area is McCormick Insurance Inc.  They have knowledgeable representatives who can give you in-depth details about insurance products and policies to help you get exactly what you need.

If you are in the market for RV insurance, you should call or stop by the office of McCormick Insurance Inc. They proudly provide RV insurance to the Pembroke Pines, FL area and would love to work with you to help you find the coverage you need for your investment. 

Purchasing a boat is a worthwhile investment, especially if you live in Pembroke Pines, FL. As such, keeping it in peak condition should be among your top priorities. Here are some tips for keeping your boat in peak condition;

Wash and maintain its exterior and interior
As the boat is continually used on salt water, it is predisposed to corrosion. Wash its exterior with a soft-bristle brush that has a long handle so that you clean every inch. Waxing it after the final rinse maintains its shine and gloss. Keep its interior clean by getting rid of debris and unsightly stains.    

Keep its mechanisms working perfectly
Just like a car, a boat needs regular servicing to keep it in optimal working condition. Ensure that you change the oil either every year or after every 100 hours of use. Use the marine-grade oil only. Check the propellor regularly as its damage could lead to leaks from the gear case.

Cover it during the winter
Many boats breakdown as a result of exposure to the harsh winter conditions. Thoroughly clean your boat, and lubricate all the plugs. Remove the battery and store it in a dry place and regularly change the oil to avoid corrosion. Fully cover your boat in readiness for winter and store it according to the manufacturer’s directives.

Have it insured
Just like you would not dare to move around in an uninsured car, you should not go boating in an uninsured boat. A boat insurance policy will help repair your boat in case of accidents. Insurance firms such as McCormick Insurance Inc. a provision for a replacement should the boat be irreparably damaged.

Are you in need of getting an insurance policy for your boat? McCormick Insurance Inc. has been writing boat insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL area for years now. Our coverage options are tailor made to match your specific boat insurance needs. Contact us today for more information.  

Many clever entrepreneurs start a home-based business to increase income, while at the same time reduce the risk of capital investment needed to start a new enterprise. Using a spare room in a house for business efforts is usually less expensive than renting out an office space for the same operations.

Surprisingly, a study by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America found that 40% of business owners operating a home-based business falsely believe that they are adequately insured. Contrary to this popular misconception, usually regular homeowner’s insurance does not cover business uses of a home or part of a home. Regular home insurance may only provide limited or no coverage for equipment.

A common, yet surprising, example of this concern is that when a person rents out a room in a home to a third-party, the items in the room are usually not covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy. The reason this happens is renting a room means that the function of room changes from personal use to commercial use.

Having a home-based business is similar. Even if you do not pay rent for the room(s) used; each room’s function changes from personal use to commercial use.

Considerations for Home-Based Businesses

Many home-based businesses operate as consultants and freelancers. When in-person client contact is minimal, the insurance requirements for a home-based business are modest.

Foot-Traffic

One thing to consider, when you consult with your insurance agent at McCormick Insurance Inc., serving Pembroke Pines, FL, and the surrounding area, is the amount of foot-traffic of clients or customers coming to the home. If people come to the home they need to be protected by insurance from accidents that might occur.

Equipment and Vehicles

Additionally, you will want coverage for any business equipment used in the home-based business. Moreover, if you use a personal vehicle for business purposes, there are special insurance requirements for your vehicle in order to have adequate coverage.

Work Down Outside of the Home

If some portion of the work is done in the home and another portion is done outside of the home, consider a business owner’s insurance policy. It can take those different types of work into account.

Consult with your insurance agent at McCormick Insurance Inc., serving Pembroke Pines, FL to be sure you have adequate insurance coverage for your home-based business.