Few things feel better than driving home in a new car.
But there’s one surprise that can deflate the excitement fast:
👉 The insurance premium.
Many buyers assume that because newer vehicles have advanced safety features, their insurance rates will go down.
In reality, it often goes the other way — and for good reason.
If you’re a Florida homeowner, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation — or maybe you’re even insured through them. What many don’t realize is that Citizens isn’t a typical insurance company. It’s a state-run, nonprofit insurer of last resort, created to provide coverage when private companies can’t or won’t.
But as Florida’s insurance market has tightened, Citizens’ policy count has grown to near-record levels — and that’s where the “depopulation program” comes into play.
Here’s what Citizens depopulation means, how it works, and what you should know if your policy is selected for takeout.
Continue reading “Understanding Citizens Insurance Depopulation: What It Means for Florida Homeowners”
When Florida storm season hits, most homeowners know they have hurricane coverage — but few actually understand what their deductible means.
That “2%” or “5%” you see on your policy isn’t a small number taken off your claim. It’s a percentage of your home’s insured value, which can translate to thousands of dollars out of pocket before your insurance even kicks in.
At Tampa Bay Insurance, we’ve seen how confusing these terms can be for homeowners — especially after a storm. So let’s break down what hurricane deductibles really mean and how they impact your wallet.
Continue reading “Hurricane Deductibles Explained: Why That 2% Isn’t What You Think”
With storm season never far away, Florida homeowners know how essential flood insurance is to protecting their property and peace of mind. But what happens when the federal government shuts down?
One of the most significant effects of a funding lapse is on FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)—the source of most flood policies across the U.S. During a shutdown, NFIP temporarily loses its authority to issue new policies or make certain updates, leaving homeowners and homebuyers uncertain about their options.
Here’s what you need to know if a government shutdown occurs and how Tampa Bay Insurance can help you stay protected.
Continue reading “Government Shutdown & FEMA Flood Insurance: What to Know”
Hurricanes and tropical storms make Florida one of the most wind-exposed markets in the country. The single biggest lever most homeowners have to reduce premiums is a wind mitigation inspection and the credits it unlocks.
At Tampa Bay Insurance, we’re not home inspectors and we don’t perform inspections. But we do help you understand which home features typically qualify for windstorm credits and how to work with a licensed home inspector to document them properly for your carrier.
Continue reading “How Wind Mitigation Lowers Florida Home Insurance Costs”
Discover the 5 most common insurance mistakes Florida families make and learn how to avoid them. Tampa Bay Insurance helps you protect your home, auto, and family with the right coverage.
When it comes to protecting your home, car, and family, the right insurance coverage makes all the difference. Yet too often, Florida families fall into the same insurance traps—leaving them underinsured, overpaying, or unprotected when disaster strikes.
At Tampa Bay Insurance, we’ve served families across Florida since 2001, and we’ve seen firsthand the costly mistakes that can be avoided with the right guidance. Here are the five most common insurance mistakes we see—and how you can sidestep them.
Continue reading “5 Common Insurance Mistakes Florida Families Make (and How to Avoid Them)”
Life Insurance can often be a tricky subject, no one likes to imagine the worst-case scenario, but thinking about life insurance is an important part of taking care of your family. When someone passes away, they can leave in their wake mountains of debt, funeral costs, and bills that are difficult to pay. Life insurance provides a solution for the potential financial burden that may arise in the event of unforeseen circumstances. By obtaining coverage, you can ensure that your loved ones will be supported. The big question that comes into play is deciding which type of life insurance policy to purchase, term or whole life?
Continue reading “Life Insurance: Which is Better, Term or Whole Life?”
After a hurricane hits, there can be a large variation in damage to property across a region. Some areas may be completely devastated while others have minimal damage. Although it is a scary and emotional process dealing with post hurricane damage, having flood insurance means you can feel more comfortable that your claim will be handled with care and diligence. Despite the fact that you and your insurance company will work as a team to get you back to where you were before the storm, there are steps that can be taken to make this process go smoothly.
Continue reading “Filing an Insurance Claim After a Hurricane”
There are a couple of business essentials that no company should operate without, and general liability insurance is one of them. You know that it’s responsible to hold a general liability insurance policy, but do you know exactly what coverages it affords? Here’s everything you should know to make sure your business is covered from the unexpected.
What Does General Liability Insurance Do?
General liability insurance, also referred to as commercial general business liability, is an insurance policy designed to help protect your company’s assets by covering the costs and expenses incurred during unexpected accidents.
You can expect your general liability insurance to provide coverage in the following instances:
Continue reading “Is Your Business Covered? What You Need to Know About Business General Liability”
The holiday season is exciting, festive, but also dangerous. There are many unique holiday hazards that pose extra risks to your home. Don’t overlook the biggest threats in your home, even if they are holiday inspired. Use these tips to help protect your biggest investment and keep your family safe.
Pay Attention to Common Sources of House Fires
What conjures up the image of a cold December night more than a Christmas tree, a warm fireplace, and a scented candle? Unfortunately, all three are common causes of house fires. Make sure an unexpected fire doesn’t play a part in your holiday celebrations by following these tips:
Continue reading “Protecting Your Home From Common Holiday Hazards”