Umbrella Insurance FAQs

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Umbrella insurance covers you for damages that exceed your basic policies. If you have home, auto, or renters insurance in Brandon, FL, you might consider investing in umbrella insurance for added protection and peace of mind. It can cover you when a claim exceeds your liability limits and may pay for legal fees associated with libel, slander, and other covered events. Contact your agent at Runnels Insurance to learn more.

Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance isn’t required by law in Florida. However, it can be a wise choice if you have valuable assets to protect. If you have higher risks than others, umbrella insurance can help you protect your assets. Examples of higher risks include owning a trampoline or swimming pool or living in an area where car thefts are more prevalent.

How Much Umbrella Insurance Do I Need?

This will vary depending on your personal needs and policies. However, your insurance agent can help you determine how much umbrella insurance you need to cover your home, car, and other assets appropriately.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Umbrella insurance gives you protection over and above what your standard insurance policies will cover. Generally, umbrella insurance can help you pay for property damage, injuries, personal liability claims, and some lawsuits. It’s important to carefully review different policies to ensure you choose the one that fits your situation the best.

What Isn’t Covered by an Umbrella Policy?

An umbrella policy generally won’t pay for damage to your property or injuries. Like regular insurance, umbrella insurance won’t cover intentional acts that damage someone else’s property. The best way to understand what your policy covers and doesn’t cover is to schedule an appointment with your agent from Runnels Insurance.

Contact us today or stop by our office for more information on umbrella insurance in Brandon, FL.

What’s Covered and Not Covered Under a Condo Insurance Policy?

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You’re proud of your condo in Brandon, FL, and it may act as your primary home or vacation oasis. But what does and doesn’t your condo insurance cover? Besides flooding, there are other perils that your condo insurance doesn’t handle. For example, your condo insurance covers personal liability and living expense coverage, but your homeowner’s association master insurance policy addresses damages to common areas. At Runnels Insurance, we can answer any questions you may have on your policy and review it for coverage gaps.

What Does Condo Insurance Cover?

These policies typically cover personal property, your unit, loss of use, and your portion of damage to common areas.

The building property portion of your policy covers everything inside the walls of your specific unit, including lighting and plumbing fixtures. Your policy will probably include property coverage for electronics, furniture, and other movable belongings and personal liability for condo-related lawsuits filed against you.

Meanwhile, loss-of-use condo coverage pays for transport and lodging if you cannot remain in your condo, and loss assessment coverage pays your part of the losses shared with other association members.

What’s Not Covered Under Condo Insurance?

In short, your condo insurance won’t pay for any damage covered by your master building policy. So, you could find yourself footing the bill for losses due to wear and tear or termite damage. You may already know that natural events like flooding and earthquakes are also typically not covered under your personal condo insurance. Fortunately, you can obtain separate coverage for these perils.

If you would like one of our team members to review your personal and master condo insurance, we would be happy to do so. It’s essential to understand your coverage so that you can act quickly to cover any gaps before it’s time to file a claim.

Contact Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL today to set up an appointment to discuss your condo insurance needs.

I only drive my motorcycle a few times per year. Do I need motorcycle insurance?

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Believe it or not, motorcycle insurance isn’t required in every state. However, it is required in most states. Florida is the only state where motorcycle insurance isn’t required, but motorcyclists are required to register their bikes with the DMV. Our Brandon, FL team at Runnels Insurance is committed to helping motorcycle owners get the coverage they need. 

What is Motorcycle Insurance?

Motorcycle insurance is similar to auto insurance because it provides liability coverage for other people’s injuries and property when you’re at fault. However, like auto insurance, you can also purchase collision coverage for your motorcycle and injuries you may incur as well. The coverage can include fire, theft, and damage your bike may incur from poor weather conditions and theft. 

I only drive my motorcycle a few times per year. Do I need motorcycle insurance?

As a Florida motorcycle owner, you don’t need to invest in motorcycle insurance while you’re a resident of Florida. However, if you plan on driving your motorcycle in other states, you will need to invest in motorcycle insurance regardless of how often you drive your motorcycle. Also, motorcycle insurance may be a good idea if the cost of repairing your motorcycle after an accident is too expensive. Motorcycle insurance, like car insurance, has many benefits. Plus, liability coverage is helpful if you’re found at fault for someone’s injuries, accidents, property damage, and traffic violations. If you have questions regarding motorcycle insurance, call us. We’d be happy to help you explore your options.

Your only requirement in Florida is to register your motorcycle at the DMV. 

Is there value to getting a boat insurance plan in Florida?

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Owning a boat can be a great option in the Brandon, FL area. If you are going to buy a boat, you should start thinking about your insurance needs. While having boat insurance is not necessarily required in all situations, it can still be a good investment. There are various reasons why this coverage is a good idea and offers value to boat owners. 

Ensures the Boat is Covered

Like investing in any other asset, you will want to know that your boat is covered. Some various risks and perils can impact your boat and investment in it. An accident, theft, vandalism, or fire could require a lot of money to make the necessary repairs. However, you will get the financial support you need to cover your boat if you have insurance. 

Reduce Liability Risks

If you are looking to get a boat, it is vital that you are very careful when using it. However, even if you are careful when operating the boat, you could still make a mistake that leads to an accident. When this occurs, you will be responsible for damages you may have caused. Fortunately, you are able to receive support in this situation if you have a boat insurance policy, as it will give coverage if you are found liable.

Boat owners in the Brandon, FL area always need to take their insurance needs seriously. When you want a boat, call our team with Runnels Insurance. There are always a lot of big choices to make, and our team of professionals can help you assess your situation. We will give you the support and guidance you need to build an ideal plan for your situation. 

Tips for Protecting Your Home While Away

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Many people go on vacations every year. There are so many things to do to get ready before you leave and it is easy to forget something important. It is also easy to forget to do simple tasks that will help keep your house and possessions safe from damage and theft.

Tips for keeping your house safe

Set timers on interior and exterior lights

Nothing is more inviting to a burglar than a dark house with no signs that anybody’s home. Set timers on the interior and exterior lights to make it look like someone is there.

Prepare for power surges.

Power surges can happen at any time. Unplug all electronics or plug them into a surge protector.

Don’t post on social media.

Some people post everything on social media, especially when they go somewhere on vacation. This is a beacon for someone looking for a place to rob. You are advertising when you are leaving and when you will be back.

Lock away valuables

It is always a good idea to lock away all jewelry and other valuable things. Make sure it is out of sight and in a lockbox or safe.

Double-check all doors and windows

Double-check that all your doors and windows are locked, even if you think they are.

Protect pipes

If you are going to be gone during the winter, it is crucial to check your pipes. Please ensure they are well-insulated, so they don’t freeze and burst.

Stop or pause newspaper and mail.

Newspapers and mail piling up at the door is a big flag that no one is home.

Contact us

For more information on insurance or home tips, contact us at Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL.

How to make your home more energy efficient

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Making your home more energy efficient is a great way to save money and help the environment. But it can be tricky to know where to start. Here are some tips to get you started.

  1. Insulate your home. Add insulation to your home’s attic, walls, and crawl spaces. You can get special rolls of insulation designed specifically for each of these areas, making it easy to install on your own. Just be sure to check with local building codes before you start so that you know what type of insulation is required for your area.
  2. Check for air leaks and seal them up. A great way to save energy is by ensuring that there aren’t any air leaks in or around your home. Your best bet is to hire a professional contractor who can find exactly where those leaks are coming from and help you plug them up so that air isn’t constantly escaping from your house.
  3. Upgrade your heating and cooling system. If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, make this one of the first things you upgrade. This can help to save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature in your home based on when you’re home or away – so that it never wastes energy by running when nobody is there to use it.
  4. Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets. By replacing your old fixtures with new ones designed for maximum water efficiency, you can reduce how much water you’re using each day without sacrificing any comfort at all.

If you have more home energy efficiency questions, call Runnels Insurance today. We proudly serve the Brandon, FL area.

Will my home owners insurance cover my she-shed?

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Your homeowner’s insurance covers many things. Homeowner insurance provides coverage from the structure of your home to your personal belongings. Homeowners’ insurance can be expansive, making it hard to know exactly what’s covered. Our Brandon, FL office at Runnels Insurance knows that a homeowners’ policy has many details that people may not be familiar with. We’re here to help.

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides coverage for your home’s external and internal structures and any other structures on your property. Homeowners insurance also includes liability protection and medical coverage. However, every homeowner’s policy is specific. As a result, it’s a good idea to understand your homeowner’s policy thoroughly. Although many things are covered, there are some situations that your homeowners’ policy wouldn’t cover. Most policies have limits and stipulations concerning what’s covered.

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover my she-shed?

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers your home and any structure on your property. This includes sheds. There’s no need to purchase a separate policy for your shed because it should be covered under your existing homeowner’s policy. However, there are some circumstances where your shed’s damage may not be covered. If the damage occurred due to an action or incident not outlined as a covered event, you might have to cover the damage out of pocket. Your homeowner’s policy clearly outlines what’s covered. Also, an insurance agent could clearly outline what damage would be covered under your policy. If you have questions regarding coverage, call us. We’d be happy to discuss any issues or concerns you may have and provide answers. 

Who needs to carry home insurance in Florida?

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If you live in the Brandon, FL area, it would be a good idea to invest in your future by purchasing your own home. If you purchase a property in this part of Florida, having the right insurance is very important. It will give your dwelling and personal assets coverage and reduce liability risks. There are various situations when someone will need to carry a home insurance plan. 

Those with Mortgages

A situation when someone in this part of Florida will need home insurance is when someone has an outstanding mortgage. A mortgage is a common way to finance real estate purchases in Florida. If you have a mortgage, you will need to follow the rules set by your lender. In many cases, this includes requiring you to maintain home insurance. Sometimes, you will even have to escrow your monthly payments. 

Those in Home Associations

You also may be required to carry a home insurance plan if you live within a home association. These associations will always want to know that their residents and owners have proper insurance. They will usually have specific rules for coverage levels and may require that you provide the association with evidence of coverage every year. 

If you do live in the Brandon, FL area, it would be very helpful to always have a proper insurance plan in place for your home. There are a lot of choices that you need to make when looking for this coverage, and Runnels Insurance can be a great resource. When you call the team at Runnels Insurance, we will offer you additional support to ensure you can select the right plan for your lifestyle. 

How do Home Insurance Adjusters Determine Coverage in Brandon, FL?

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Home insurance adjusters visit your Brandon, FL property to determine your policy coverage and payout.

You decide your coverage limits when you purchase a home insurance policy from a company like Runnels Insurance. Although a policy isn’t required to buy a home in Flordia, it’s highly recommended to blunt the costs of damages.

It’s especially true when it comes to severe weather conditions the state is subject to. In addition to fire, theft, and vandalism, your home can be damaged due to hurricanes, tornadoes, and strong thunderstorms. A home insurance policy covers these conditions for your Brandon, FL property. 

How Coverage Is Determined

When you file a claim with your insurance company, it’s given a case number and delivered to the adjusters. In turn, they do one of two things. They might ask for photos of the damage for their records. On the other hand, if the damage is extensive, they’ll make an appointment to see it firsthand. 

During their visit, the adjuster will take photos and notes related to interior and exterior issues. They’ll take this information back to the office and compare the damage to what your policy covers. Further, they’ll review current costs related to the necessary repairs. These factors will determine what the insurance company pays for. 

How to Get the Right Amount of Coverage

Don’t underinsure your home insurance policy to save money. While it may initially help you, it won’t allow you to repair your home when appropriately needed. Thus, it’s best to reach out to a company like Runnels Insurance to calculate the right amount of coverage. Contact a representative today for additional information. 

Signs You Need to Update Your Home Insurance Policy

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As a homeowner, you know your home is one of your most valuable assets. It’s not just the physical structure but everything inside – from your furniture to your clothes to your priceless family photos. That’s why it’s so important to have a good home insurance policy in place. But what happens when your needs change? Here are four signs that it might be time to update your home insurance policy.

1. You’ve Made Major Renovations to Your Home

If you’ve made any significant renovations to your home, it’s essential to let your home insurance company know. That’s because the value of your home has likely gone up, which means you need more coverage. For example, if you’ve added a new room or replaced your roof, you’ll need to update your policy.

2. You’ve Acquired New Belongings

Over time, you’re bound to acquire new belongings. Whether it’s a new piece of furniture or a new energy-efficient appliance, you could be underinsured if you don’t update your policy. If something happens to your home and you need to make a claim, you might not get enough money to replace your belongings.

3. You Have a New Baby

Becoming a parent is a huge life change and should be reflected in your home insurance policy. That’s because you now have more people in your home who are vulnerable to injury. You may also have more belongings, like toys and baby clothes, that need to be protected.

4. It’s Been a While Since You Reviewed Your Policy

Even if nothing significant has changed in your life, it’s a good idea to review your home insurance policy regularly. That’s because, over time, your needs may change, and you might be able to get a better rate. So, if it’s been a while since you reviewed your policy, now is the time to do it.

Contact your insurance agent today if you’re thinking about updating your home insurance policy. They can help you assess your needs and ensure you have the coverage you need. At Runnels Insurance, we can help you review your existing policy to see if it meets your current needs in Brandon, FL. We’re also here to help you find a new policy if you need one. Contact us today to get started.