Tag Archives: Florida Homeowners Insurance

Spring Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Home

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Tips on how to lower your homeowners insurance costs

LNC INSURANCE PROVIDERS Offers Spring Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Home

Following these simple steps can even, in some cases, lower your homeowner's insurance premiums

FLORIDA - A home is one of life's most important investments. Keeping it properly maintained can help reduce the risk of a loss and help ensure the safety and well being of friends and family. Just in time for spring, LNC INSURANCE PROVIDERS, a leading insurance agency of auto and homeowners and commercial insurance, offer these maintenance tips to prepare your home for warmer weather and to keep it safe year-round:

  • Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change the batteries at least every six months, when you change your clocks.
  • Check the light bulbs in all your fixtures to be sure that they are the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Replace lamps that use high-producing bulbs (such as halogen) with those that use fluorescent bulbs and operate at much cooler temperatures.
  • Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power source.
  • Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation.
  • Have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Check for damage to your roof, and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
  • Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion, and keep surrounding area clear.
  • Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
  • Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material or cloth.
  • Inspect washing machine hoses and replace hoses that show signs of wear or leakage with stronger reinforced hoses. Turn off the water when not in use to prevent water damage if a hose breaks.
  • In your yard, remove all dead trees and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires. Do not attempt to remove tree limbs from power lines yourself.  Instead, call your power company to request assistance.
  • Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, secured area.
  • Repair driveway and walkways that are cracked, broken or uneven to provide a level walking surface.

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Established in 2006

LNC INSURANCE PROVIDERS is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products including AUTO, HOME, COMMERCIAL,, BOAT, MOTORCYCLE, ETC.  

What is the difference between a condo & homeowners insurance

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Condo vs. Homeowners Insurance

Let's put it this way.  Purchasing a home is one the most exciting things most people will ever get to do during their life time. Whether your new piece of heaven on this earth is coming in the form of a house or a condo doesn't change the excitement and thrill of finally moving into a place you finally own. Even if for a while, your lending bank will be the one as the principal of that deed of yours, the emotion is still the same.

Owing a home brings with it its own sets of responsibilities and one thing we get asked a lot, here at LNC Insurance Providers agency is:

Is there really a difference between a house and a condo in terms of insurance?

The short answer to that question is that yes but before we get to the nitti gritty of it all, please make sure to read all about Florida Homeowner's Insurance, and that to do about break-ins. You might also want to familiarize yourself with what to look for when choosing the best homeowners insurance.

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We tell you what to look for in a condo insurance

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Condos vs Houses: What sets one insurance coverage type from the other?

If you own a house, then that means that you are usually responsible for both the outside and the inside of your home. What that really means is that you will need to plan for two types of coverage:

  1. One for the building of the house. Walls, windows, doors, roofs, garden shed, driveway etc...  Anything that you "see from the outside" as you look at your house.
  2. Homeowner's insurance which takes care of the belongings you put inside your house.

A condo, on the other hand is a property that is part and parcel of a number of other properties which all fall under the responsibility of a condo association (HOA). In these types of development, owners share common areas and pay a monthly fee to their associations which typically ensures the outside of all the building within that community.

  1. If you own a condo, you are thus not required to purchase any insurance that would cover structural damages to the building in which your condo was built.
  2. You are however responsible for what is inside of you home which means homeowners insurance.

Differences:

If you own a house and someone falls in your garden, slips by the pool etc... you would need enough liability coverage to ensure that these types of eventualities are covered since they would fall under what is assumed as being your responsibility as a home owner.

If you own a condo and a situation described above happens outside of your condo, then you would be held responsible.

Similarities:

Insuring personal belongings is the same whether you live in a house or a condo. Such protection would cover electronics, jewelry, furniture, clothing and any movable object with the confines of your home's walls.

What you need to do:

You'll need to make sure that you have enough protection to cover as much as possible of the total value of your belongings. Make sure you take a home inventory of everything you own inside your home and keep it in a safe place.  You might want to share it with your insurance agent to make sure you have enough coverage for all your stuff.

How Do I Choose The Best Homeowners Insurance?

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New Home Owners Rarely Think About Homeowner's Insurance

We see it all the time. It's taken months of preparation, pounds upon pounds of paper work, endless back and fort email exchange and finally, you get the phone call. Your loan has been approved, closing is next week!

If you're a new home owner, then you know exactly what I mean! Applying for a mortgage can be one of the most stressful things people ever do in their lifetime.  The process takes its toll on everyone, and you've felt just about all the emotions under the sun. Elation, hope, despair, discouragement, hope again...  And then one day, you're finally there. Congratulations, you've made.  You're about to enter the circle of home owners. All there's left to do is sign a tons of papers. And as you sit in that conference room, all you can think about is getting out of there, and finally, finally go home.

It's taken you months of hard work and during all this time the thought that you might need homeowners insurance rarely entered your mind.

If hasn't, don't feel bad.  You're not the only one. So many new homeowners take possession of their new home without a plan in place should something happen.

We have a lot of pertinent information about what you need to know about Florida Homeowner's Insurance.  Want to know if your insurance covers you in case of break-ins?

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Quality coverage is what counts. LNC Insurance Providers can help you make the right choice

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Most lenders require that you have insurance

In all likelihood, your loan would not have been approved without it. Mortgage companies typically ask for proof of coverage before funding or refinancing your home. It's a safety precaution as the lenders want to make sure that the financial investment they're about to make are secure. The amounts placed as replacement values typically cover the physical structure of a home. In other words, how much would it cost to re-build it. But what about your belongings. Would they be covered under the umbrella of your building coverage? Not necessarily. For that you might need to look into a homeowners insurance policy.

What to look for when you shop for homeowners insurance?

  • Insure your home for its replacement value.
    Cost of construction materials do not stay fix and in most cases, go up with each passing year. In addition, take into consideration inflation.
  • Make sure you are aware of previous claims made on the property you now own.
  • Ask your insurance agent about the various options available to you.
  • Understand what your insurance policy covers.
  • Be aware that location is everything. Depending on where you live, your premium might have a 5% to 15% fluctuation in costs.
  • Include additional living expenses in your insurance policy.

Your home is probably going to be the largest investment you'll ever make in your life. Make sure you are fully protected and don't hesitate to call us for advice. We'd be only too pleased to help you find the best homeowners insurance

 

I have Homeowners Insurance. Am I covered against Break-Ins?

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Does My Insurance Cover Burglaries?

Talking about insurance policies may not be the favorite pastime of most people, and for good reasons: who wants to talk about matters that could have a serious effect on a person's life and even future.  The problem with these types of discussions is that when they're served up at dinner time, it's usually too late.

Take Florida homeowners insurance for example. You would be hard fetched to find a single person who genuinely believes that a policy of that nature is unnecessary. But in the event that you did, the world is wonderful canvass of personalities and characters after all, there may in fact come a time in that person's life where he or she might actually come to realize how wrong his or her prior conviction might have been on this subject.

In the 2012 calendar year, Miami registered a 4,390 property crime rate per 100.000 people! Including burglaries, motor vehicle theft and larceny theft. .

Homeowners Insurance May Help Cover Break-ins

There are two types of policies that might be of use here:

  1. Personal Property Coverage
  2. Dwelling Coverage

Note: The best way to find out where you stand in any insurance related discussion is to talk to the professionals. The folks at L & C Insurance Providers are the experts in this matter and will be able to answer all your questions and point you in the right direction.

Whether you are in the market for a new Florida homeowner's insurance policy or you would like a professional to review an existing policy, Liz Fernandez and her team, at L & C Insurance Providers will be only too happy to help.

L & C Insurance Providers in Florida shops all the major carriers to find the best policy and the best rate. Easy, Low-Cost and Worry Free.

That's the L & C Insurance Providers Insurance promise.

Find out how you can too can protect your home

A homeowners insurance policy is the best way to protect and safeguard your home

Get a quote

How Much Insurance Do I Need for Break-Ins?

The answer to that important question depends on a number of factors. As a rule of thumb, a personal property coverage will depend on whether you have a:

  • - "Replacement cost" clause for your belongings. That that means that an insurance company would undertake to replace your belongings at today's market prices.
  • - "Actual cash value coverage" is a more affordable alternative in which an insurer deducts for depreciation so that you might not recoup the amount of money you originally paid for the lost item.

When it comes to dwelling coverage, the aim is to to help pay to repair or replace burglary damages with material of equivalent quality.

Are there limits? Yes! Most companies set a monetary limit to claims. The common practice is to cover possessions at 50 to 70 percent of the total amount of insurance you have on your home.

What happens to jewelry or silverware? These items are usually grouped under a specific category where limits are also set. Jewelry coverage for example might be capped at $1000 or $2000.

In conclusion, if someone breaks into your home and walked away with your TV, your personal property coverage would cover you and reimburse the cost of purchasing a new one. But if that burglar finds an expensive ring on your bedside table, and takes it, in all likelihood, you will only ever be reimbursed up to the sub-limit set by your insurer. Loss of expensive pieces of jewelry will result in out or your own pocket expenditure and it is important that take the necessary steps to protect your most valuable items.

Deductible. Any policy, be it homeowners insurance or otherwise will include a deductible which you will be entirely responsible for. A scheduled personal property coverage clause might help reduce, or even eliminate that cost.

Are you covered?

When it comes to the protection of your home, quality coverage makes all the difference

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You're insured. What should you do next

Congratulations. You have taken the first step. You insurance agent will have covered the various clauses in your insurance policy but taking stock of what you own is your responsibility.

Make sure you keep a list of all your belongings, including taking pictures of each and everyone of them and keep this in a safe place. You'll want to include the type of item, the year of purchase and any other relevant information. Keep copies of receipts, purchase contracts and appraisal document as well.

In a 2014 survey of more than 1000 homeowners conducted by Allstate, a staggering 40% stated that they had not made any assessment of the value of their possessions, nor kept any sort of documentation to that effect in the first place.

You've been burglarized. Now what?

The thing you have preparing for has unfortunately become reality. First thing to do is to report the burglary to the police. The next thing is to place a call to your insurance agent. You need to do this as soon as possible. (According to the Insurance Information Institute some insurance companies place a time limit on how long you can wait before filing a claim.

Make emergency repairs. It is crucial that you protect your home from further damage. Replace broken windows, door locks damaged during the break-in.

Many of customers feel that break-ins are the among the worst types of home invasions. If you are a victim of a burglary, hopefully you will have followed the advice as laid out on our website. You will have  called our agency and talked to one of our agents who would have helped you get the kind of insurance policy protection that fits your need.

While it is impossible to fully replace all of the items that were stolen or broken during the burglary, a well written Florida Homeowners Insurance policy will enable you to get back on your feet as soon as possible.

Homeowner’s Insurance in Florida. What You Need To Know

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Florida Homeowners Insurance

Homeowner's Insurance, Florida

Known for its pristine beaches, its tropical climate and tourist attractions, Florida is a wonderful place to call home. A place of residence for a melting pot of cultures, Florida has it all: a bristling night life, paradisiac vacation spots, international business hubs, gorgeous parks and so much more.

Over 89.8 million tourists traveled to Florida, a staggering number given that just 21 million people actually live in the sunshine state.

Florida Homeowner's Insurance

In a state where mother nature can sometimes pummel properties with strong and sometime destructive storms, a house unprotected by an adequate homeowner's insurance policy is a recipe for disaster. This kind of insurance is not just one that gives owners peace of mind. It can also be a life saver by helpin pay to repair and or rebuild a home.

As wonderful as life is is for Florida residents, savvy home owners are fully aware of the importance of homeowner's insurance and rely on the expert advice and premium service of Florida's preferred insurance agency:  L & C Insurance Providers.

Florida Homeowners Insurance

Whether you are in the market for a new Florida homeowner's insurance policy or you would like a professional to review an existing policy, Liz Fernandez and her team, at L & C Insurance Providers will be only too happy to help.

L & C Insurance Providers in Florida shops all the major carriers to find the best policy and the best rate. Easy, Low-Cost and Worry Free.

That's the L & C Insurance Providers Insurance promise.

Find out how you can too can protect your home

A homeowners insurance policy is the best way to protect and safeguard your home

Get a quote

What does a standard Homeowner's Insurance Policy include?

  • Personal Property
  • Personal Liability ( in case of a claim about an injury or property damage to a third party)
  • Loss of Use/Extra living Expenses (if your home is unhabitable following a covered loss)
  • Dwelling
  • Other Structures (Detached garage, shed...)

What happens if you own a condominium? Normally the condominium association covers any damage to the exterior of the property including roof, walls and the common areas.  The Important thing to understand is that is where the coverage stops.  The interior finish of your unit is only protected when you purchase an H06 Condo insurance policy. 

The H06 Condo Insurance policy covers any damage to your walls, floors, bathrooms, kitchen.  It also provides coverage to your personal property items, like furniture, clothing, Electronics and appliances.   If we need this items to be covered it is imperative that we buy an H06 Condo Insurance policy.

What about wind or windstorm insurance?

A professionally drawn insurance policy will usually ensure that both wind and windstorm coverage are included in the homeowner's insurance.

Given that Florida is susceptible to hurricane force winds and or tropical storm on a regular basis, it is important to consider protecting your home with wind breakers, tropical resistant shutters etc...

Older homes, build before the onslaught of hurricane Andrew in 1992 are more vulnerable to wind damage than modern, post Andrew's new building code homes.

If you own such a home, in addition to the recommended shutters, it might be a good idea to replace the windows with impact glasses, change old doors etc...

Upgrading your home is such a way is an investment that may cost you an initial outlay. But if you consider the savings in premium per year, it is usually accepted that a couple of years are all it takes to recoup any initial investment.

What about Flood Insurance

If you live in Florida, you probably already know if your home is located in a flood zone. Insuring that you are covered for flood insurance is certainly a question you should ask Liz. A flood policy is not normally covered under the homeowner's insurance or content policy.

A great number of claims are made due to flood damages

What if you don't live in a flood zone? There are several types of flooding. The first one is the result of a tropical storm of a hurricane that produces a tidal surge.  Another type is caused by water having nowhere to go during heavy and rapid rainfall. This produces a water bottle neck which may spread to homes nearby.

What about costs?

When it comes to annual premiums for homeowners insurance, Florida ranks as one of the more expensive states in the country. But premiums vary from location to location and even from one policy to another.  The determining factors in estimating the cost of homeowners insurance for your own home depend on the size of your home, your assets and of course your address.

Florida Homeowners Insurance Cost Comparison
(You can sort both the cities and costs columns in the order of your choice)
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