Question 1

Where do you write insurance?

Accepted Answer

In all Florida counties. Our office is in Wellington, and we work with clients across the state by phone.

Question 2

Do you speak Spanish or Russian?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Emily speaks Spanish and Kate speaks Russian. Call the office and ask for either of them.

Question 3

What happens at renewal?

Accepted Answer

Lauren, our renewal specialist, personally reviews every renewal before it goes out so you keep the right coverage at the right rate. If something changes, we call you.

Question 4

How do I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Call the office at 561-416-9370, Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 4:30. A real person answers.

Question 5

What is the Citizens depopulation program?

Accepted Answer

Citizens Property Insurance is Florida's state-created insurer. To reduce the number of policies it holds, the state approves private insurance companies to offer to take over Citizens policies, known as takeout or depopulation offers. If you receive one, read it carefully: the coverage, deductibles and hurricane terms may differ from what you have now, and under current Florida rules, if a comparable private offer is priced close to your Citizens renewal you may no longer be eligible to stay with Citizens. Call us before you accept or opt out, and we will compare it line by line.

Question 6

What is a wind mitigation inspection?

Accepted Answer

An inspection that documents features protecting your home from wind, such as roof straps, roof shape and impact windows or shutters. In Florida it can be the single biggest discount on a homeowners policy.

Question 7

What is a four point inspection?

Accepted Answer

An inspection of the roof, electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems. Carriers usually require one on older homes before they will write the policy.

Question 8

Why is Florida homeowners insurance so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Litigation has historically been a major issue, and homes are much more expensive to repair. We live in a hurricane-prone state, so insurance companies have to be prepared for the possibility that one storm could damage hundreds of thousands of homes at the same time. Hurricane Ian alone caused well over $100 billion in damage. Hurricanes, in addition to global disasters, also affect the price of reinsurance (insurance for insurance companies).

Question 9

Why did my policy get non-renewed?

Accepted Answer

Assuming it was not excessive claims, it is almost always risk management rather than anything about you. Carriers set reinsurance against their maximum probable loss in an area, so they manage exposure down to the county, the zip code, and the individual risk to spread it across the state. It keeps one storm in one place from taking out their whole book. It is not personal.

Question 10

Does homeowners insurance cover flood?

Accepted Answer

No. Flood is a separate policy. Homeowners does not pay for flood-related losses.

Question 11

What does flood insurance actually cover?

Accepted Answer

Groundwater rising onto normally dry land. A coastal area inundated after a hurricane is flood. A pipe break or an overflowing toilet is not. There are sometimes disputes between the carrier and FEMA over whether an event was flood or hurricane, which is why in a coastal area you want both a hurricane policy and a flood policy.

Question 12

Is all of Florida really a flood zone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some areas are further designated as emergency zones, where flood is mandatory for mortgage holders and Citizens policyholders.

Question 13

What are the coverage limits?

Accepted Answer

Typically up to $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for contents. All flood policies are underwritten through FEMA, so the price is the same no matter which company sells it to you.

Question 14

I am not in an emergency zone. Should I still get it?

Accepted Answer

Look at how your property drains. If it has any history of standing water, carry it. On a recent purchase where you do not know yet, a small policy for a couple of years is a reasonable way to find out.

Question 15

What is life insurance good for?

Accepted Answer

Protecting the people and plans that depend on you: replacing income, paying off a mortgage, funding education, covering final expenses, and giving an estate cash to settle without selling assets. For a married couple with a home and children, it is often the most important policy in the plan.

Question 16

Who actually needs umbrella coverage?

Accepted Answer

Anyone with assets worth more than their auto and home liability limits. In Florida, legal and medical costs escalate fast in an auto accident or an incident on your property, and that is where primary limits get exhausted.

Question 17

Why is auto insurance so expensive in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Claims cost more in Florida than in other states due to uninsured drivers, unusually expensive injury claims, more litigation, more fraud and inflated claims, cars that are more expensive to repair (sensors, cameras, electronics), and a lot of expensive vehicles and dense traffic.

Question 18

What does uninsured motorist coverage actually pay for?

Accepted Answer

Excess medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. Uninsured Motorist coverage helps protect you when someone else hurts you and doesn't have enough insurance to make you whole.

Question 19

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage?

Accepted Answer

There isn't one answer that fits everyone. Uninsured Motorist coverage can be especially important if an injury could significantly affect your income, family finances, independence or quality of life. If your family depends on your income, lost wages become very important. It is worth talking through rather than guessing.

Question 20

Will filing a claim raise my rates?

Accepted Answer

It depends on fault, how much was paid, and your claim history by severity and frequency. Some policies include accident or claim forgiveness. If you were not at fault and the amount is close to your deductible, filing may not be worth it. Worth knowing: even calling the claims department with a question can be recorded as an occurrence. Ask your agent before you file.

Question 21

What happens if my auto insurance lapses?

Accepted Answer

Instead of lapsing, ask about suspending coverage on a vehicle you are not driving. You keep continuous coverage and your rating tier.

Clear answers to the questions we get asked.

Bridget explains

Written answers