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

Posted on September 22, 2025 by Alex Buric

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.


1. Not Carrying Flood Insurance

Many homeowners believe their standard homeowners policy covers flooding—but it doesn’t. In Florida, where heavy rain and hurricanes are common, skipping flood insurance is a risky move.

  • Why it matters: Just one inch of floodwater can cause over $25,000 in damage.
  • How to avoid it: Ask your independent agent to add a flood policy. It’s more affordable than you may think, and it gives you peace of mind during storm season.

👉 Learn more: Request a free flood insurance quote today.


2. Choosing the Cheapest Policy (Instead of the Right Coverage)

We get it—saving money matters. But the cheapest policy often leaves big gaps in coverage. For example, a cut-rate auto policy may not cover uninsured motorists, which is crucial in Florida where many drivers are uninsured.

  • Why it matters: Choosing the cheapest policy may cost more in the long run when you’re left paying out of pocket after an accident.
  • How to avoid it: Work with an independent agency (like ours!) that can shop across 30+ carriers to find the right balance of coverage, service, and value.

3. Not Bundling Policies

Too many families keep their home, auto, and life insurance policies with separate companies. That not only creates more paperwork but often means missing out on bundle discounts.

  • Why it matters: Bundling can save hundreds of dollars a year.
  • How to avoid it: Review your policies annually with your agent to see if bundling makes sense for your family.

4. Forgetting to Update Coverage After Major Life Changes

Life changes fast—new home, new car, marriage, kids. But many families forget to update their insurance policies to reflect these milestones.

  • Why it matters: Outdated coverage can leave gaps that put your family at financial risk.
  • How to avoid it: Schedule an annual insurance review with your agent to make sure your coverage evolves with your life.

5. Not Working With an Independent Insurance Agent

Captive agents (like those at State Farm or Allstate) can only sell their company’s policies. Independent agencies, like Tampa Bay Insurance, have the flexibility to shop across multiple carriers to find the best fit.

  • Why it matters: You get unbiased advice, more options, and personalized service.
  • How to avoid it: Partner with a family-owned independent agency that puts your needs—not the carrier’s—first.

Conclusion

Avoiding these five mistakes can mean the difference between financial stress and peace of mind when life’s unexpected events happen. At Tampa Bay Insurance, our team treats clients like family. We’ll shop across top carriers, explain your options in plain English, and make sure you’re protected where it matters most.

👉 Ready to review your coverage? Request a free, no-obligation quote today.

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

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Alex Buric

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?” →
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Filing an Insurance Claim After a Hurricane

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Alex Buric

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

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Alex Buric

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

Continue reading “Is Your Business Covered? What You Need to Know About Business General Liability” →

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Protecting Your Home From Common Holiday Hazards

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Alex Buric

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

Continue reading “Protecting Your Home From Common Holiday Hazards” →

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

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Alex Buric

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” →

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Hurricane Preparedness: How to Help Protect Your Home This Season

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Alex Buric

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!

Continue reading “Hurricane Preparedness: How to Help Protect Your Home This Season” →

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Homeowners Insurance 101: The Importance of a Personal Article Floater

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Alex Buric

homeowners insurance policyYou have a homeowner’s insurance policy, but is it enough to cover you in every unexpected situation? If you don’t have a personal article floater, the answer is likely “no”.

A standard home insurance policy will cover the major items in your home like appliances, furniture, and clothing. The exact specifications of your policy may or may not allow coverage for jewelry, electronics, and antiques. Many homeowners don’t realize the limits of their coverage until tragedy hits and their settlements do not cover the true costs of their damages.

You can prevent falling into this situation by purchasing a personal article floater.

Continue reading “Homeowners Insurance 101: The Importance of a Personal Article Floater” →

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Cars and Depreciation: Why You Need Gap Insurance

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Alex Buric

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 107 million Americans have auto loans, which means that 43% of Americans owe money on their vehicles. This can be dangerous considering that cars depreciate so quickly and leave car owners upside down in their loans. If you owe more on your car loan than your car is worth, you’re certainly not alone, and gap insurance can help.

What You Should Know About Car Depreciation

If you buy a brand new car, it loses up to 30% of its total value the instant you drive it off the sales lot. This loss of value doesn’t stop, either. As of 2017, the average rate of depreciation of a vehicle between years two to six was 17.6%. Even if you buy a used car to avoid that initial 30% loss in value, you’re not shielded from depreciation in the future. Continue reading “Cars and Depreciation: Why You Need Gap Insurance” →

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