SWFL Insurance

When choosing your coverage limits, consider three things: The risks you may face. Consider your risk exposures as a homeowner, condo owner or renter such as swimming pool, sport activities, scooters, bicycles, golf carts, property you own and its features, etc. The risk of causing an auto accident during your work commute, and any potentially dangerous activities you participate in that could put those around you at risk of bodily injury or property damage. The value of your assets. These include real properties, possessions, stocks, bonds, savings and retirement funds. The more assets you have to protect, the higher the umbrella policy limit you should consider. The potential loss of future income. Because liability lawsuits can result in loss of both current assets and future income, even those with few assets to protect may want to consider the long-term ramifications of a serious claim. When you review your future income, consider your earning potential. You may not have many assets now, but if you’re on track for a high paying career, you could be involved in a lawsuit that can target money you haven’t earned yet. Speak with an independent insurance agent at SWFL Insurance Agency, inc. to determine your specific risk factors and learn more about how to protect your current and future assets. We have Umbrella liability Policies starting at $ 250. Annually. Call us at 239-265-9577.

As distinguished from personal property, “addi­tions and alterations” are those types of property which comprise a permanent attachment to the re­alty, for example: floor coverings, wall coverings, built-in cabinets and appliances, tile, light fixtures, and plumbing fixtures. This area of loss exposure demands the close attention of the condominium unit owner. Two important questions must be resolved: (1) what property is the responsibility of the unit owner, and (2) what is a proper valuation of such property? Part of the answer to the first question may be found in Section 718,111(11 )(b) of the Florida Statutes which became effective October 1, 1979, and has been since modified by the Florida Legislature almost annually. Some of the most important changes were made in 2008. The statute now dictates the insurance responsibilities of the Association…..as opposed to the Condominium Declaration documents. The statute applies to all residential condos, regardless of the date of the Declaration. The Master Policy of the Association must provide primary coverage for all portions of the condominium property as originally installed or replacement of like kind and quality, in accordance with the original plans and specifications. Any such interior items additionally installed or by the unit owner after acquisition of the unit, or any increase in value created in upgrading the existing interior items, would have to be protected by the unit owner unless responsibility is assumed by the condominium association under its declarations and/or bylaws, and covered by the association insurance. To avoid under or over insurance, the unit owner should clearly identify the property for which there is personal responsibility. If in doubt, the best recommendation would be to increase the amount of coverage the unit owner maintains for additions and alterations. It is also important to determine whether or not the condominium association carries a high deductible which may preclude the payment of relatively minor damages on interior unit items under the association policy. If so, coverage should be provided by the unit owner. Note that the board of the association sets the “reasonable” deductibles. The unit owner should understand the “deductibles” in the Master policies and how they are applied. High deductibles could yield Loss Assessments to the unit owner. The following property is typically NOT insured under the Association’s Master Policy and is the responsibility of the condo owner. Floor coverings, tile, wall and ceiling coverings (paint) Electrical fixtures Appliances Water heater, water filters Built in cabinets Window Treatments Replacement for any of the above Air conditioning units, regardless of where they are located are the primary insurance responsibility of the Association. The second question is more difficult to resolve. The unit owner should know the cost of additions and alterations made at personal expense. However, property installed by the builder or a previous owner may have to be evaluated with the help of the association, suppliers, contractors and others. Establishing an amount of insurance deemed adequate for a serious or total loss to the additions and alterations is most important because quality and quantity varies so greatly among unit owners. Learn more by calling SWFL Insurance Agency at 239-265-9577

Timely and Important Topics that can Save Money and Protect Your Wealth Most Homeowners policies today have very limited or no “Animal Liability” coverage. Most policies have a “Bad Dog” List. Do not go without the proper coverage. We have stand alone Animal Liability coverage available. Remember Insurance is all about protecting your Wealth. If you own a Home, you should have an Umbrella Liability Policy with limits that protect your Wealth. Should a court find you “Liable” in a Bodily Injury case involving your property, automobiles or actions. Will your present coverage limits be enough to avoid having to cash in your property, stocks, retirement funds and possibly your home? Umbrella Liability Policies start as low as $ 250. Annually. Call us for a “Risk” review today. It is Hurricane season again….Make sure your Homeowners, Condo Owners and Flood Policies are up to date and that the insured values are accurate. Do not assume that everything is fine, have your policies reviewed today. Make sure the “Replacement Cost” of your Home has been evaluated. We offer free reviews and premium quotations with no obligation.  Condo Owners should review your “Additions and Alterations” limits.  Typically, you should consider everything inside the unpainted “perimeter” walls of your unit as yours.  The “Basic Limit” of $1,000. will never be enough.  Do not be caught underinsured. If your home’s elevation is at or below the required Flood Elevation, your Flood Insurance premiums are probably way out of hand. If so, you should talk with us about Private Flood Insurance. We can probably save you money. A Wind Mitigation Inspection of your home can provide you with exceptional premium credit savings. Give us a few minutes to discuss your home and we can evaluate where you can increase you premium savings. Watch for future Newsletters with new topics of interest. Don’t miss our timely articles on our Blog at www.SWFLAgency.com Call 239-265-9577 for Quick Quotes or visit www.SWFLAgency.com Providing Auto, Motorcycle, Golf Cart, Home, Condo, Flood, Business Insurance as well as Health, Medicare and Life Insurance SWFL Insurance Agency, Inc.         SWFL Insurance Associates, Inc. Lee County                     8595 College Pkwy, Suite 160, Fort Myers     239-265-9577 Charlotte County        3718 Tamiami Trail, Unit C, Port Charlotte   941-624-3444 Collier County              2500 Tamiami Trail N. Unit 113, Naples         239-649-4442

Overview of Your Personal Auto Policy Liability Coverage (Bodily Injury & Property Damage) If you are deemed to be at fault in an accident that’s covered by your auto policy and other people or property are injured or damaged, liability coverage helps protect you and pay the cost of these damages. Everyone has different needs, so we can customize your liability coverage to suit your personal needs. Remember when your insurance coverage limits are exhausted, you will be paying out of your pocket. Our recommendation for bodily injury limits is $ 50k per person / $ 100k per accident, property damage limits is a minimum of 50k per accident. This coverage helps to pay for damage to another driver’s property (car, house, fence, etc). With pickup trucks costing in excess of $ 50k these days, many vehicles have values in excess of the state requirement of $10k. That’s why we recommend the higher coverage. This increased coverage is usually very affordable, sometimes as little as a few dollars extra per month. Medical Payment Coverage (Med Pay) Medical payment coverage helps pay for medical expenses for accident-related injuries to your family and passengers, no matter who is at-fault. These expenses can include; hospital stays, doctor visits, x-rays, surgery, and even funeral expenses should the worst happen. Medical payment coverage covers you, your passengers, and other family members. This is a valuable protection that is fairly inexpensive to add to your policy. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) This coverage helps pay for medical expenses and other damages incurred by your family and passengers when the other driver carries little or no bodily injury liability insurance. A recent survey found that about 20% of drivers in SWFL either have no insurance or carry the state minimum. That’s why UM coverage is a valuable addition to any auto insurance policy. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Personal Injury Protection coverage (or PIP) is required by the state, and covers $10k in medical expenses and other expenses regardless of who’s at fault. The way PIP pays out is a little more complicated, so please call or stop by for a more in depth explanation. Collision Coverage This covers your vehicle if you’re in an accident that involves a “collision” with another car or cars or objects (trees, house, etc). Collision coverage helps pay for repairs to your vehicle up to the ACV (actual cash value) of your car less the applicable deductible. Typically, you can select a deductible from $100 up to $1000. Keep in mind, that you can save money by choosing a the higher the premium. Comprehensive Coverage This coverage helps pay for losses that result from everything that is “not a collision”. This can include; fire, theft, vandalism, storms, or even a tree falling on your vehicle. This coverage also provides coverage for broken glass and/or windshields. Like collision, comprehensive coverage carries a deductible, and can affect your premium based on how high or low of a deductible you chose. Other Coverage that can be added. Towing and Labor—This option will help reimburse you for the expense of having your vehicle towed, as well as other basic roadside services. You usually have a couple of coverage options; either $50 or $100 per occurrence. Rental Car Reimbursement—This feature would pay a set amount ($20, 30, 40, etc) for you to rent a vehicle while your car is in the shop being repaired due to accident. The coverage typically pays for a maximum of 30 days. A nice feature, if you only have one vehicle in the household, or if you need a vehicle to get to and from work. Customizing Equipment—Custom wheels, gauges, and other aftermarket products that are permanently installed to the vehicle. Stated amount coverage is available for values over $ 5,000. Loan Payoff Coverage—Pays for the difference between the actual cash value and any greater amount that you may owe under a finance or lease agreement to a financial institution. Limited to 25% of actual cash value. Some conditions apply. Typical Available Discounts – How Many do you qualify for? Advance quote discount Multi Car discount Continuous coverage discount Paid in Full discount Three year Safe Driving discount Five Year Accident Free discount Vehicle Anti Lock Brake, Airbag, Passive Anti-Theft discounts Multi-Policy Discount Senior Citizen discount We have Great Auto Insurance Rates. See how many Discounts you may qualify for. Request a Quick Quote from Website or Call 239-265-9577.

Here’s why – Following an intensely active tropical storm season and resulting all-out battery on the US, a handful of insurance companies not-surprisingly went bankrupt over mounting claim costs. Officials in states like Florida and Louisiana, hard hit by strong storms like 2004’s Charley and Ivan and 2005’s Katrina and Rita, saw an exodus of insurance companies and homeowners left high and not-so dry. They knew they needed to do something to help property owners and insurance companies alike and do it FAST. The solution: Incentivize wind mitigation inspections as a means of safeguarding properties in targeted areas, in the hopes that insurance companies would increase their odds of insuring more secure, less damage-susceptible properties. In 2006, Florida became the first state in the nation to mandate that insurance companies offer some reduction insurance costs if a wind mitigation inspection is sought and certified upon review by a qualified inspector (usually a state certified contractor, architect or engineer) with other coastal states including Louisiana, following suit. So….How much can I save and what does a wind mitigation inspection cost. Savings depends on the features of your property. An inspector will evaluate the wind-mitigating characteristics of your home or business. Post-inspection, that inspector will make recommendations for any improvements or repairs that you could make to enhance its sustainability against windstorm damage. He then submits a state-standard inspection report to you for your use. The report is viewed as a benchmark of your home’s ability to withstand storm damage, and your agent can provide you with details of your discount. Fees for a Wind Mitigation Report can be as low as $75. Features of your home that will be inspected: Roof Covering: inspectors want to know when the roof was installed and does if it meets building codes. In Florida, the code standard was updated in 2001. Roof Deck Attachment: inspectors will determine what type of roof decking is used and how it’s attached to the underlying structure, like if it’s nailed or stapled down. If nails are used, nail length and spacing between each will also be noted. Roof to Wall Attachment: the roof attachments become the focus here: are trusses attached with nails or hurricane clips? Are the metal wraps single or double? The more secure your roof, the better impact on your wallet! Roof Geometry: is your roof hip or not? Nope, the inspector won’t care how cool it is, just how it’s shaped – a hip roof resembles that of a pyramid, and is a definite qualifier for a discount. Gable End Bracing: if the roof is a gable style, an inspector will review if the gable ends are braced to Florida Building Code standards. Gable ends measuring more than 48 inches tall should be braced for reinforcement, and inspectors will be checking for this qualification for discount. Wall Construction Type: Inspectors will review the construction materials used on your home for framing, reinforcement, and outer fascia, and at what percentages. Steel reinforced concrete block homes may yield a better discount than one with a wood frame /plywood walls and plastic siding. Secondary Water Barrier: This is a newer item for roofs. If your roof was installed or upgraded before 2008, it’s fairly unlikely you’ll have this sort of barrier. As with most newer features, photo documentation, at a minimum, will be required for a discount in this area. Discuss this feature with your roofer when replacing a roof. Opening Protection: Here, inspectors are looking for shutters and installed-protection devices from wind-born debris for doors and windows. They will also be checking the rating of the devices, if you have them (as in- are they hurricane-rated?). 100% of all openings need to be covered with Hurricane rated protection to qualify for this discount. In the end, investing in a wind mitigation inspection is at your own discretion. The potential cost-savings per year could easily outweigh the cost. If you live in a coastal region, avoiding a wind mitigation inspection is at your own peril. For homes constructed in 2000 or earlier, some of the largest premium savings can be realized by having the Third nail added to your roof to wall attachment. See more at The Third Nail. Call us at 239-265-9577 to find out how much your savings will be.

Many homeowners learn the hard way (or the wet way) that their homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover property damage caused by hurricanes and floods. If you live in a potentially affected area — which could include everything from a home on the coast near a fragile levee that sees frequent floods to one downhill from a stream that hasn’t flooded in years — you probably should buy a separate flood insurance policy to cover your home and its contents. Get Flood Insurance Coverage for Property and Contents A flood insurance policy through the NFIP can provide maximum coverage of $250,000 for property and $100,000 for contents. (Property and contents coverage must be purchased separately, even though they may form part of the same policy.) If you want additional coverage, you can purchase excess flood insurance from private insurers. The average flood insurance policy costs less than $570 per year, according to the NFIP. If you buy a home in a designated high-risk flood zone and get a mortgage loan from a federally regulated or insured lender, your lender must require that you purchase flood insurance. If you live in a zone that’s been designated moderate- or low-risk, you don’t need to buy flood insurance for your lender’s sake — but you may want to do so anyway, especially if your own observations indicate that the official designation on your area are out-of-date (a common problem). According to FEMA, almost 25% of all flood insurance claims come from areas with low-to-moderate flood risk. The good news is that you’ll qualify for a preferred-risk policy. The premiums for this type of policy start at only $129 per year (for both property and contents). Here’s what flood insurance pays out for each type of property covered: Contents. Flood insurance pays actual cash value (not the most generous amount — it means the cost to replace the damaged or lost property based on its actual, depreciated value as used goods). Property. You can opt for replacement cost coverage (the cost to replace the damaged or lost property with new property, without regard to depreciation) if you’re insuring a single-family home that is your primary residence. Available coverage is at least 80% of the full replacement cost of the building (an amount that’s set in advance for your property) or the maximum available under the NFIP. Know What Flood Insurance Doesn’t Cover A good flood insurance policy can be a financial lifeboat following a destructive event such as a hurricane. But flood insurance doesn’t cover everything. Before buying, you should know about the following key restrictions and limitations, which are specific to flood insurance Swimming Pools and Landscaping Aren’t Covered If something goes wrong with a swimming pool on your property and this causes your home to sustain flood damage, your flood insurance policy won’t apply. Also, don’t expect any reimbursement for flood damage to flower beds, vegetable gardens, trees, or other landscaping on your property. Water Must Have Come From Outside Your Home If something breaks or malfunctions inside your home — for instance, pipes freeze and burst or a toilet overflows — and this leads to flooding, your flood insurance policy won’t apply. However, your homeowners’ policy should cover these types of losses. Ask your agent or broker to give you the lowdown. Small Floods Don’t Count Living Expenses or Business Interruption Aren’t Covered To be considered a flood, the water that causes damage must have covered at least two acres or have affected at least one other property. Also, if your home sustains any mold or mildew damage that you could have prevented from occurring, your policy won’t cover such damage. Your flood insurance policy won’t pay you for any living expenses you may incur (such as renting a hotel room until your property is fixed). Also, you won’t recover any financial losses caused by business interruption (if you operated a business out of your home) or any other loss of your home’s use. Money and Important Papers Aren’t Covered Your policy won’t pay for the value of any currency, precious metals, stock certificates, and other valuable papers that get destroyed in a flood. Improvements and Most Contents in Below-Ground Areas Aren’t Covered Your flood insurance policy won’t cover any improvements you’ve made to your basement, such as finished walls or floors. Also, almost all personal property (including clothing, computers and electronic equipment, kitchen and office supplies, and furniture) located in basements or other areas of your home below the lowest elevated floor aren’t covered. If You Want Coverage, Act Now Unlike other types of insurance, flood insurance coverage doesn’t kick in on day one. With few exceptions, you must wait 30 days after you first purchase a flood insurance policy before your policy will take effect. So the longer you delay looking for coverage for your home, the greater your risk of suffering a loss before your policy is actually in place. The only time this waiting period does not apply is when a lender or mortgage company is involved. Check with your agent closely when you have a real estate closing and flood insurance is required by the lender. Even if the next hurricane season is months away, you could still benefit from getting a flood insurance policy sooner. In addition to damage from hurricanes, a flood insurance policy will also protect you from losses from other causes, such as heavy or prolonged rainstorms, coastal storm surges, snow melt, clogged storm drainage systems, levee dam failures, and mudslides. *From an Article written by Ron Leshnower on NOLO.com

A Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP) is a necessary addition to insurance protection for most insureds. Are you aware of the importance of this valuable coverage? One of the best ways to understand the need for a personal umbrella is to review actual claims examples. It is very clear that an incident arising from just normal daily activities can expose all of us to the potential for a large claims suit.Listed below are actual RLI PUP claims. These claims show the very real consequences of situations that quickly exhaust underlying liability limits and threaten the net worth of the people involved. The Insured hosted a party at his home. Among the guests was the Claimant, a family friend who was also the Insured’s financial advisor. The Claimant brought his wife, infant, and 2 year old child to the party. The Insured gave the Claimant a jug of spring water for him to use to mix formula for the infant. The 2 year old child also had a drink. Shortly thereafter, the children became ill. The family left the party, and then took the children to the hospital. The hospital requested the water jug which was found to contain arsenic. An old label was found wrapped around the handle with the word “weed killer” printed on it. The Insured had apparently mixed a solution of weed killer in a jug similar to the ones used for spring water and mistakenly given it to the Claimant. The infant died and the 2 year child survived after being in critical condition. The Personal Umbrella policy limits were paid out.

Hey Homeowners and Realtors! Are your Flood Insurance Premiums out of sight? Can’t sell that home because of lack of Flood Insurance or unmanageable premiums, we have the answer. Private Flood Insurance is available through LLoyds of London. Premiums are reasonable. Call us now for a premium quote. Elevation certificates are not required. Same coverage as FEMA; accepted by every major mortgage lender; no elevation certificates required; uses same claims adjusters as FEMA. Older homes, second homes, non-primary residences, commercial properties and small apartment buildings enjoy significant savings compared to FEMA policies. The program is attempting to reach out to an even broader audience by lowering the minimum policy coverage from $100,000 building coverage to only $50,000 building coverage. Coverage cannot be bound. Application must be submitted and accepted by company. Typically takes less than a day for approval. Pay premiums within 7 days. Mortgage lender can be billed for premium. Call 239-489-1212 or email info@swflagency.com for your quote today. We provide quotes over phone or by email. We need your Name, address, phone, email, building value requested, contents value requested, zip code. Call Today.

Dairyland Motorcycle Insurance can Save you Money!!!!! By Combining Multiple Discounts, Dairyland may be the Best Deal in Florida Save up to 7% with Dairyland, when your Homeowners policy is provided by SWFL Insurance Agency Rider Group Discounts for Members of HOG, and some 30 additional groups Special Discounts for Military Rider Groups, both active and retired. Outstanding Coverage Features Looking for the basics or for a more comprehensive package for things like optional equipment or custom bodywork? Ask your agent how to build a Dairyland Cycle® policy to suit your needs. Bodily injury with limit combinations up to $500,000 per accident Medical expense limits up to $10,000 Physical Damage Plus, which guarantees that all repairs will be made using Genuine Manufacturer’s parts Excursion Diversion provides up to $1,000 for temporary lodging, transportation, and meals if you have a covered loss 100 miles or more from your home Rental reimbursement with limits up to $45 per day (up to $1,350 per accident) 24-hour Roadside assistance for instances such as battery failure, flat tires, lock-out, fuel or fluid shortage and more Optional equipment and accessory coverage up to $20,000 for equipment and accessories that are not factory standard, up to $5,000 included at no cost Give Linda or Josh a call at 239-489-1212 or email Info@SWFLAgency.com for a Quick Quote. You can also request a quote online at www.SWFLAgency.com SWFL Insurance Agency is a Full Service Insurance Agency with answers to all of your Personal and Business Insurance Needs. SWFL Insurance Agency, Inc. www.SWFLAgency.com Info@SWFLAgency.com Located in the College Plaza next to Geraci Travel on corner of Winkler and College Pkwy.

Hey Homeowners and Realtors! Are your Flood Insurance Premiums out of sight? Can’t sell that home because of lack of Flood Insurance or unmanageable premiums, we have the answer. Private Flood Insurance is available. Premiums are reasonable. Call us now for a premium quote. Elevation certificates are not required. Same coverage as FEMA; accepted by every major mortgage lender; no elevation certificates required; uses same claims adjusters as FEMA. Older homes, second homes, non-primary residences, commercial properties and small apartment buildings enjoy significant savings compared to FEMA policies. The program is attempting to reach out to an even broader audience by lowering the minimum policy coverage from $100,000 building coverage to only $50,000 building coverage. Coverage cannot be bound. Application must be submitted and accepted by company. Typically takes less than a day for approval. Pay premiums within 7 days. Mortgage lender can be billed for premium. Call 239-489-1212 or email info@swflagency.com for your quote today. We need the following in order to prepare a Private Flood premium quote: Name, address, phone, email, building value requested, contents value requested, zip code, flood zone (A, AE, B, V, etc.)