Home Security and Safety Tips

Here are some general home security and safety tips:

-Check your washing machine hoses once a month – look for bulges and leaks. A broken hose will ruin your day.

-Check your door locks. How substantial are they? Are the door frames rugged enough to withstand a kick? In new construction, have the doors open outwards, making kick-ins almost impossible.

-Check the support structure of your deck. Is the deck attached to your home with lag-bolts? Nails are not enough to prevent collapse.

-Walk around your house, thinking like you want to break in. What is the weakness in your security?

-Check your smoke alarms and the batteries.

-Consider an alarm system. Your home insurance company will help to pay the bill, with reduced insurance premiums.

-To prevent electrocution, use only ground fault interruption (GFI) electrical outlets in your bathroom. The garage too. If your home still has screw-in electrical fuses, get an electrician in to inspect your wiring.

-At least one phone in your house should be hardwired to allow for phone calls in a power failure. If you use internet based phones, make sure you can make emergency calls.

-If you have a pool, buy a motion detector alarm (about $20 from many catalog companies – Google “pool alarms”) that will let you know someone is in the pool area.

-If you depend on a well for your water supply, have backup water in case the electricity goes out – both for drinking and for operating your toilets. Remember, you can pour water into the tank on most toilets for use in a flush.

-Have at least one fire extinguisher on each floor of your home. Check them every six months.

-Have a safe bolted to the floor in one of your closets. Keep spare keys, blank bank checks, social security cards, and other info useful to a thief locked up. Put your “good” jewelry in the safe too.

-Install a “Charlie bar” to prevent sliding doors from being forced open. A broom stick in the track is a poor second choice. Charlie bars are mounted in the middle of the door, offering greater protection. Intruders can see the bar too. Perhaps they will search out an easier mark.

-Ladders stored outdoors should be locked to prevent a thief from using your ladder to break into your house.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Builders’ Risk Insurance, An Introduction

Builders’ risk insurance policies cover buildings during construction, renovation, or repair. Insurance coverage is provided on the structure and materials used in construction. In most cases, materials are covered while in transit, at temporary storage locations, and while stored at the job site.
Here are some of the issues to consider:

Amount Of Coverage – Most policies require that you include 100% of the expected construction cost as the amount of insurance. Coinsurance penalties may apply if you fail to meet this requirement. Work with your insurance adviser to determine what costs to include in selecting the amount of builders’ risk coverage.

You May Already Have Coverage – Your property insurance policy may include coverage for newly acquired and newly constructed buildings. The amount of insurance may be relatively small. However, it may be broad enough to eliminate the need for an additional insurance policy. Review your policy for the perils included in coverage.

Deductibles – Higher deductibles can reduce your insurance costs. Consider five thousand dollars, ten thousand, or more.

Perils Covered – What causes of loss are included in the policy? Special perils insurance forms include damage by any cause except what’s excluded – earthquake, flood, intentional damage by you, mold, terrorism, and damage by insects or vermin, for example. Named peril policies list the events that are covered – fire, lightning, wind, explosion…

Consider Flood and Earthquake Coverage – Damage caused by flood and earthquake is almost always excluded from basic policies. Get quotes and consider the coverage.
Exclusions – In addition to the flood and earthquake exclusions mentioned, most policies will exclude damage caused by defect in construction, defect in design, mold, pollution, settling, cracking, shrinking, bulging, or expansion.

Theft Of Building Materials – Some builders’ risk insurance policies exclude theft of building materials stored on site. Some require gated storage areas. Read your policy.

Subcontractors’ Work – Is the work of subcontractors (while in process) included in the coverage?

Collapse During Construction – Some policies exclude damage caused in the collapse of the building. Review your insurance policy.

Business Income – Coverage can be included for loss of income in the event that a fire or other insured event prevents you from doing business. Imagine a new hotel under construction that is destroyed two months before completion. The losses in revenue while the building is rebuilt could be substantial. Work with your insurance adviser on the correct amount of loss of business income coverage you should have.

Liability Insurance – Builders’ risk insurance does not include coverage for bodily injury or damage to property of others. Look to your general liability insurance for protection.

Get Quotes – Your insurance agent or broker can get you quotes. For new construction, your agent should get proposals from several insurers. There are specialty programs for builders’ risk insurance which may offer a better price and coverage.

Occupancy – Most builders’ risk insurance coverage terminates at occupancy. Coverage ends automatically. Be sure you let your agent know ahead of time that you are moving in. Coverage may terminate if the building is ready for occupancy. Talk with your adviser.

Soft Costs – After a building under construction is destroyed, there may be architects’ fees, attorney’s bills, planning board reviews, and the like before reconstruction can begin. Many policies require soft-costs to be a separate limit of coverage.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Got Toys? Get Tips on Insuring Them

12 Things to Think About When Insuring Your Toys 

All across the country (though not as often here in sunny Florida), people put their motorcycles, boats, RVs and classic cars in storage for the long winter, anxiously awaiting that warm spring day when the garage door rolls up and the engine purrs (or perhaps rattles) back to life.

After a battery charge, a fluids check and a few other tasks, you’re ready to get back out on the road or the water. But, is your insurance policy ready, too? Maybe your policy is outdated due to some customization work last fall. Maybe you reduced your coverage for off-season storage. Maybe you’d just like to explore a better rate.

These are all reasons to get in touch with your independent insurance agent before the boating, riding and exploring all begins again.

Whether you need to update a policy or buy a new one, here are 12 things to think about when it comes to selecting insurance for your toys that go vroom:

Boats and Personal Watercraft

1. How you use it: The type of policy you need and your rate may change based on things like whether you go boating in fresh or salt water, use it for recreational or commercial purposes and if there are multiple owners, you live onboard or you occasionally rent the boat to others.
    
2. Standard coverages: Be sure to cover all the bases, including the hull, engine(s) and trailer. In some cases, the engine replacement cost is more than the hull. And, add your trailer if it needs coverage, too. Do you want roadside assistance with that?
    
3. Equipment and extras: Be sure you understand how you’re covered and for how much when it comes to your equipment, such as fishing gear and wakeboards. Plus, consider whether you need added coverage for uninsured/underinsured boaters, passenger injuries, theft and other scenarios.

Motorcycles and More

4. How you use it: A bike used for racing or commercial purposes will require a different type of policy than one used for commuting or recreation.
    
5. Standard coverages: Your state likely requires you to carry liability coverage for property damage and injuries, to your passenger or others, you may cause while on your bike, scooter, ATV or snowmobile. And, of course, you want coverage for yourself and your ride if an accident were to occur.
    
6. Equipment and extras: Your safety apparel, such as helmets, boots and gloves, is oftentimes a significant investment. Check whether you have coverage and for how much. Then, think about coverage for roadside assistance, trip interruption and custom parts.

RVs

7. How you use it: Some people live in their RVs. Others only use them a few months each year. How you use yours, as well as things like its size and model, will affect your rate and other aspects of your policy.
    
8. Standard coverages: Much like insurance for your car, RV insurance can include liability, comprehensive, collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist. Your state likely requires you to carry a certain level of some coverage types.
    
9. Equipment and extras: Your RV is a home on wheels, so you no doubt have it filled with some pretty valuable stuff. Be sure your policy covers it all, and think about whether you want extras such as roadside assistance and loan or lease protection.

Classic Cars

10. How you use it: If you take your car out for a spin only in warmer weather and store it in a secure location for the rest of the year, you may be able to reduce your coverage during the off-season and save on your premium. Or, you may commute daily in your vintage beauty or travel the country for car shows. Your policy and rate will change accordingly.
     
11. Standard coverages: While you’ll find many similarities between your standard auto insurance policy and an antique car policy, there’s oftentimes a key difference: agreed value. When you purchase your policy, your rate will be based on, among other things, the value that both you and your carrier agree your prized ride is worth. Then, if the worst happens and your collector car is totaled or stolen, you receive a payout for that amount.
     
12. Equipment and extras: If you carry a lot of tools or other personal property in your car, you’ll want to be sure your insurance policy will help cover them if they’re lost, stolen or damaged. And, for those times when you can’t get her running again, roadside assistance will come in handy.

Of course, with each type of insurance, discounts are oftentimes available for things such as taking a safety course, being a seasoned operator or having an anti-theft device. Your independent insurance agent will see to it that you save with the appropriate discounts.

It’s a good feeling when spring arrives and you get back behind the wheel of your favorite toy. It’s even better when you know you have the coverage you want for the toy(s) you love.

Just think – the official start of spring is just 10 weeks away. Get ready to start those engines!

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Bob's Rules of Insurance – Rule 1 – Insurance Is All Fine Print

Rule 1 – Insurance is all fine print – work to understand it.

Insurance policies are written by insurance companies to cover specific risks and exposures.  Every word is carefully placed to clarify, expand, and restrict coverage.  There are no hidden meanings.  There is no subterfuge.  Ambiguity in insurance contracts can be disastrous for the insurance company as courts always read confusing language in favor of the insured.

Courts, too, help define insurance contract language.  Precedent moves insurers to further clarify language.

A basic understanding of insurance is not a Herculean task.  For over 50 years, I have been explaining insurance concepts and issues to insurance buyers. Heck, helping insurance buyers is why I’m in business.  All you have to do is call.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Keep Your Drone In the Sky – and Out of Trouble

5 Tips for Safe Drone Operation
 

The holidays are over, and Santa’s sleigh is back at the North Pole. That doesn’t mean the skies are empty, however.

Hundreds of thousands, if not a million, drones were likely given as holiday gifts in 2015, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates. That’s a lot of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (the official term) flying around. And, with very real concerns about privacy, liability and legality, there’s the potential for a lot of problems, too.

Whether you or a loved one got a drone over the holidays, or your neighbor got one and you’re curious about regulations, here are five things to keep in mind for responsible flying:

1. Practice, practice, practice. Don’t start off with a complicated “mission” right out of the gate. Learn how to maneuver your drone in an open field or empty parking lot. And, never use it in crowded areas, such as near stadiums, no matter how skilled a flyer you become.
    
2. Obey the FAA. The agency, which regulates aircraft, says drones must be under 55 pounds and remain under 400 feet of altitude. Furthermore, operators must be U.S. citizens of at least 13 years of age. You shouldn’t fly within 5 miles of an airport unless you have permission from the airport and control tower. You’ll also need to register your drone, whether it’s brand new or you’ve been flying it for a while.
    
3. Keep it personal. You typically don’t need approval to operate your drone as long as you’re using it recreationally — and following the FAA’s general guidelines. But, if you’re flying your drone for a commercial purpose, such as creating a professional video or taking business photos, you need authorization from the FAA.
    
4. Limit your risk. Damage caused by your drone could lead to liability costs and fines, so check your homeowners insurance policy or ask your independent insurance agent to see if you’re covered (not all policies cover hobby and model aircraft). And, if you use your drone commercially, remember that your homeowners policy won’t cover that at all.
    
5. Be smart. All it takes to operate a drone safely and responsibly is a little skill and a lot of common sense. So, follow regulations and guidelines, and don’t endanger people or invade their privacy. The same goes for wildlife. Finally, if someone else’s drone is impacting you, try talking to them (or the authorities) before taking drastic measures.

Flying your drone responsibly takes a little more effort, and thought, than simply turning it on and taking off. But, you can still have a lot of fun — and get some cool pictures, most likely — while keeping yourself and those around you safe.

So, have fun up there, but always keep in mind what – and who – is down here.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Does my Homeowners policy cover valuables like jewelry and art?

While some of these items are covered under your Homeowners insurance policy up to a certain value, your policy may not cover very expensive items or collections. To ensure you have total protection for your valuables, give us a call so we can talk about them. Then, we can shop the market to find you optional add-on coverage. We’ll work together to ensure I find the policy that provides you with the peace of mind you deserve.   If you’d like to talk about your valuables and how they’re covered, give us a call at 321-725-1620.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Reminder: Read communications from your insurance carrier

As your insurance agency, we do our best to keep you informed about changes to your policy. In some cases, your insurance carrier may contact you directly. It’s important to read any notices you receive from your carrier immediately as they may contain important information about your policy.

As always, we’re here for you. If you receive a notice from your carrier and have questions or concerns, please contact us at 321-725-1620.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964