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Hurricane Deductibles Explained: Why That 2% Isn’t What You Think

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Introduction

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.

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Government Shutdown & FEMA Flood Insurance: What to Know

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Introduction

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.

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How Wind Mitigation Lowers Florida Home Insurance Costs

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Why wind mitigation matters in Florida

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.

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5 Common Insurance Mistakes Florida Families Make (and How to Avoid Them)

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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.

Introduction

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.

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Life Insurance: Which is Better, Term or Whole Life?

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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?

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Filing an Insurance Claim After a Hurricane

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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.

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Is Your Business Covered? What You Need to Know About Business General Liability

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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:

  • Someone gets hurt on your business property
  • You or one of your employees causes property damages or injuries to others
  • You need to hire a legal defense
  • You must pay a settlement after losing a court battle
  • You cause damage to the property that you rent from a landlord

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Protecting Your Home From Common Holiday Hazards

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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:

  • Only use space heaters in clear, open areas
  • Inspect your fireplace and chimney before its first use of the season
  • Test your home’s carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
  • Don’t leave candles and fireplace flames unattended

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Water Damage Vs Flood: What’s Covered and What’s Not

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The difference between flood damage and water damage isn’t well understood by most homeowners, yet it’s an essential distinction that has the potential to severely limit your ability to recover from a storm or other water incident. Make sure you understand what’s covered and not covered by your insurance when it comes to water and flood damage.

What Qualifies As Flood Damage?

The National Flood Insurance Program defines a flood as a temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties. A flood must be caused by an overflow of inland or tidal waters, unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters, mudflow, or the collapse of land along the shore of a body of water.

As a homeowner, this means that water damage on your properly only qualifies as flooding if it also affects at least one of your neighbors. Keep in mind that most flood insurance policies require a 30-day waiting period before the policy takes effect, so implementing a flood insurance policy the day before a hurricane arrives won’t help you minimize your losses. Continue reading “Water Damage Vs Flood: What’s Covered and What’s Not” →

Hurricane Preparedness: How to Help Protect Your Home This Season

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hurricane insurance floridaThe harsh Florida summer season is almost over, but it will quickly be replaced by hurricane season. Even if you don’t live on the coast, your home is still vulnerable to wind damage, flooding, and other issues caused by natural disasters. Use the following tips to prepare your home and minimize costly damage during this year’s hurricane season.

Trim Overgrown Trees Now

Strong winds turn majestic shade trees into weapons of destruction. Take the initiative now to trim trees with large, high branches that pose a risk to you, your home, and your neighbors. Preventative action now will minimize damage during the next inevitable hurricane. It could even save a life!

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