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Pensacola, FL  32526
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Umbrella Insurance

Lawsuits are not reserved for the rich and famous, unfortunately, no one is immune.  Disastrous circumstances can leave you in debt if you are not protected.

An umbrella insurance policy goes beyond the limitations of traditional insurance.

GreatFlorida Insurance provides extra liability insurance from lawsuits, property damage, injuries, slander and libel, worldwide incidents and false arrest and imprisonment as well as shock and mental anguish for residents of West Pensacola.

Our umbrella insurance is designed to protect you and your family from major claims and lawsuits. It is security without the huge costs.

An umbrella policy will cover medical bills and claims of an incident that occurs on your property such as a dog bite, pool injury or death, or boating incident. Property damage liability covers damage you are responsible for such as a serious auto accident.

It can also safeguard rental property you own. Without an umbrella policy your assets, college fund, salary and retirement savings are vulnerable.

GreatFlorida Insurance is here to support you and your family when a crisis occurs. Prevent your family from financial ruin by signing up for an umbrella policy to shelter your family’s future.

Cover Your Bases with Umbrella Insurance

It's the part of insurance that we all dread, policy coverage limitations. You pay for insurance expecting complete protections.

Unfortunately, we all know that while it's essential to arm yourself with insurance policies that protect your assets, there are occasions where those policies just aren't enough.

You can hope that you have great luck and will never need more than your policies cover, or you can invest in umbrella insurance.

Contact a GreatFlorida Umbrella Insurance Agent in West Pensacola for your free quote today by calling 850-378-2500 or by taking a few moments to complete our online quote request form.

What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella Insurance is like the super hero of insurance policies. It saves you by breaking the chains on the limitations of auto, boat and home insurance.

Basic policy exclusions are no match for umbrella insurance. Get added protection from such liabilities and incidents like:

• Lawsuits
  
• Property damage
  
• Injuries
  
• Slander and libel
  
• Worldwide incidents
  
• False arrest and imprisonment

How do I know if I need an umbrella insurance policy?

Do you want to know you're protected against the limits of your policies? Do you want coverage on items that are excluded from your policies?

If you answered "yes," an umbrella insurance policy is your answer.

Simply call 850-378-2500 or complete our online quote request form. A GreatFlorida Umbrella Insurance Agent in West Pensacola will help you find the best deal for you.

Get a Quote Online

by GreatFlorida Insurance

10/17/2018

Hurricane Michael was the 3rd most powerful storm to hit the U.S. The storm quickly escalated to a category 4 hurricane, making it the worst in almost a century. National Geographic reports, Michael had the three most critical characteristics for a hurricane to gain strength and make a big impact. Those include, warm waters, low wind shear (a change in wind speed or direction in a short distance) and a tight core, keeping the storm intact.

“In a span of 48 hours we watched the tropical storm grow to a worst-case scenario,” recounts Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent homeowners insurance company.

While it has been a week since Michael made landfall, the impact was so devastating, crews are still searching for survivors in the hardest hit areas. Hundreds remain in shelters and over 100,000 are still without power. Many are dependent on food and water being air dropped to their areas. Bay county schools are closed indefinitely for over 26,000 students. Cell phone service is spotty, and it is difficult to fill a gas tank. To support victims, Verizon announced it would give a three-month credit to every Verizon customer in Bay and Gulf counties.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has established a website, floridadisaster.org, for storm victims, as an information hub. The website includes a list of open shelters, instructions on how to apply for disaster assistance, emergency supply distribution locations, updated curfews for each county, family reunification, boil water notices, debris reporting, insurance resources, available gas stations, power outage details, school closures, traffic, weather, a list of open camping areas, rumor control and more.

“At GreatFlorida Insurance, we are making every effort to provide our customers with a quick response so they can piece their lives back together,” says Ellsworth Buck Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent homeowners insurance company.

Gov. Rick Scott, issued an emergency order that ensures additional protections to Florida insurance policy holders. According to the Insurance Journal, the order requires that insurers perform the following.

• Freeze any rate hikes for 90 days.
• Provide an additional 90 days to policyholders to supply required information to their insurance company.
• Rescind for 90 days, all non-renewals or cancellations issued to policyholders in the days leading up to Hurricane Michael. This gives policyholders 90 days to either renew their insurance policy or find a new insurance policy.

For those interested in helping financially, Charity Navigator has highly rated the following charities. They will help by providing food, shelter, medical care and other necessities to victims of the storm.

Team Rubicon, https://teamrubiconusa.org

Samaritan’s Purse, https://www.samaritanspurse.org

All Hands and Hearts- Smart Response, https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/programs/hurricane-michael-relief/

Direct Relief, https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/hurricane-michael/

Many good Samaritans have packed up trucks with food and supplies to come and aid storm victims utilizing their own resources.

The post Hurricane Michael- What is being done? appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

10/9/2018

Driving in the rain is stress inducing.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, it is more dangerous to drive on a rainy day than a snowy one. Most weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement-70 percent and during rainfall-46 percent.

“Sometimes rain seems like no big deal, but it’s a good idea to follow safe driving techniques when driving in inclement weather,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.

Slow down and keep calm

When the weather takes a turn for the worst and you must get behind the wheel, make sure you are alert and attentive. Reduce distractions. Also, even if it is raining during the day, it is a good idea to turn on your headlights to increase visibility. Keep your pace slow and steady. Leave plenty of extra space between you and the car in front of you, five seconds is advised.

Avoid hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is the biggest risk to driving on wet pavement. It occurs when a layer of too much water gets between the road and your tire, preventing the tire’s tread to properly grip the road.

“Rotating your tires and maintaining proper tire pressure will keep you tires it good condition, this helps prevent hydroplaning,” reminds says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent auto insurance agency.

To prevent hydroplaning, avoid the outer lanes of the road where excess water accumulates.  Also, drive in the tracks of the car in front of you. Another word of caution, turn-off cruise control. Cruise control causes you to lose control on wet surfaces. If you hydroplane while in cruise control, your car will accelerate.

Popular Mechanics recommends, “If you start to hydroplane, keep both hands on the steering wheel and gradually apply the brakes. Slamming on the brakes or jerking the wheel can cause a skid.”

Water and wind

Keep a firm grip on the wheel if it is windy.  Be aware of vehicles around you, larger vehicles are more susceptible to high winds and could have trouble staying in their lane.

When it comes to standing water, avoid driving through a puddle with an unknown depth. If you are confident the puddle is only and couple of inches, slow down before coming to it and do not brake until you drive out of it.

Motorcycles

For those riding on motorcycles, be sure to wear proper gear especially for your feet and hands. Likewise, invest in a clear, anti-fog faceshield or goggles.

GreatFlorida Insurance offers reliable and affordable car insurance as well as motorcycle insurance. Contact us today!

The post Avoid driving like a maniac in bad weather appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

10/2/2018

It’s fall in Florida, that means, football, pumpkin-spice and flu shots. October just started and there are already confirmed cases of the flu.

Last year, 80,000 people died from the flu in the U.S. The largest number of casualties in four decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Americans made 900,000 hospital visits. The CDC also reports last year’s flu season, was the most severe since the pandemic in 2009.

“There is really no reason to avoid a flu shot this year,” comments Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent health insurance agency in Florida. “It’s readily available, quick and for most people free.”

The Florida Department of Health recommends everyone over the age of six months old receive a flu shot by the end of October. The flu vaccine is convenient to get and available at most pharmacies such as CVS, Publix and Walgreens, walk-in clinics, public health facilities and your doctor’s office.

“Many health insurance companies cover the cost of the flu vaccine, but in case, check with your insurance beforehand to see if your plan requires your shot from a particular office or location,” reminds Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent health insurance agency.

The Florida Department of Health reports, “Influenza or the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. The “flu” is a common catch-all term used for a variety of illnesses, but it correctly applies only to the upper respiratory diseases caused by the influenza virus.”

While, getting a flu shot will not guarantee you will not get the flu, research shows people who receive the vaccination experience less severe complications. A CDC study in 2017, showed that vaccination reduced flu deaths among children with high-risk medical conditions by half and among healthy children by about two-thirds.

To keep updated of national and state flu activity, check out the Florida Health Department’s web page at: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/index.html.

GreatFlorida Insurance is committed to helping Floridians stay healthy. Our experienced agents can offer you and your family quality health insurance policies to fit your needs while staying within your budget. Call us at 888-478-7801 or go online to www.greatflorida.com for a free quote today.

 

 

 

The post Think you don’t need a flu shot? appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

9/27/2018

“Hurricanes and floods can endanger lives, economic viability and entire communities,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent homeowners insurance agency.

Seeing the destruction Hurricane Florence left behind in the Carolinas, is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of flood insurance.  According to data from Pew Charitable Trusts, between 2000-2017, flood related disasters accounted for more than $750 billion in losses in the U.S. Flood related disasters are the most common and most expensive disaster threat in the nation.

Pew Charitable Trusts also reports, when Hurricane Irma hit Florida last year, 14 percent of the 3.3 million households in the nine counties affected by the disaster had flood insurance. Leaving many Florida residents to come out-of-pocket for repairs and expenses.

“Most homeowners are unaware of the natural disasters covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s principal independent homeowners insurance agency.

A standard homeowners insurance policy covers natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes and hail storms. Two natural disaster categories a standard homeowners insurance policy will not cover are floods and earth movements.

Floods are defined as rising water from excessive rainfall, hurricanes, storm surge, dam failure and a tsunami. Earth movements include earthquakes, landslides and sinkholes.

A homeowner might have a hurricane deductible included on their homeowners insurance, however it will not cover the flooding caused by a nearby lake that overflows during a hurricane. Experts with CNBC say a hurricane deductible typically ranges from one to five percent, depending on the specifics on your homeowners insurance policy. The percentage is based on your insured value, not the damage caused.

Flood insurance is available with GreatFlorida Insurance, through the National Flood Insurance Program. Also, additional disaster coverage is available for addition to a standard homeowners policy. Do not wait until the report of a storm is looming. It takes 30 days for flood insurance to go into effect.

The post Understanding flood insurance appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

9/19/2018

Last year, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) reports 42,889 motor vehicles were stolen across the state. “Quite often, stolen cars are not recovered and if they are, they are not without damage,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent auto insurance agency.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released its annual Hot Wheels report identifying, the 10 most stolen vehicles in the U.S. during 2017.  The NICB also breaks down their research by the top stolen cars in each state.

Listed below are the vehicles and the most popular year stolen in Florida last year. Is yours a favorite among thieves?

1. Ford Pickup (Full size) 2006
2.  Nissan Altima 2016
3. Toyota Camry 2017
4. Honda Accord  2017
5. Toyota Corolla 2016
6. Honda Civic 2016
7. Chevrolet Pickup (Full size) 2006
8. Hyundai Sonata 2010
9. Dodge Pickup (Full size) 2005
10. Hyundai Elantra 2017

While anti-theft technology is an effective deterrent, beware of complacency. The NICB reports that thousands of vehicles continue to be stolen each year due to owner negligence. Many cars are taken because drivers leave their keys or fobs in the vehicle. According to the FBI, 25 percent of cars stolen in Florida had the keys in the ignition.

If your car is stolen, take the following steps. First, determine for sure that your car has been stolen. Make sure it was not towed or borrowed by someone without them asking for permission.

Once this is determined, call the police. “The police will need your vehicle identification number, VIN, which can be found on your car insurance ID card,” reminds Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.  The police will also need your license plate number, a description of the vehicle and any additional information your car may have such as GPS or telematics information. You will also need to fill out a police report, required by most insurance companies.

Next, contact your insurance agent. The insurance company will walk you through the information they need to file a claim on your behalf. If you are leasing or financing the vehicle, you will need to also contact the lender.

Make sure you are covered if your car is stolen with comprehensive car insurance from GreatFlorida Insurance. Contact an agent in your area today.

 

The post The most stolen cars in Florida appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

9/14/2018

Florida offers unique opportunities for fishing in the fall. Cooling water temperatures can result in great bites this fall.

“In the middle of hurricane season, always make sure to keep track of the weather before you head out,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent boat insurance agency.

As reported this week, a few storms are churning in the tropics. While none look like they are headed toward Florida, anglers need to be aware of dangerous rip currents and high seas as well as possible thunderstorms according to meteorologist at clickorlando.com.

Before you cast your line, you’ll need a fishing license, whether in local waters inland or off shore. There are exceptions for those fishing off a local pier or on a charter boat where a blanket license has you covered. To find out more about Florida fishing licenses, click the links below.

Saltwater license

Freshwater license

Popular catches in the fall in freshwater include bass, crappie and catfish.

In saltwater you can hook, red snapper, grouper, king mackerel, red fish, trout and snook. However, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has temporarily made snook and redfish catch-and-release only from the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Gordon Pass in Collier County. This was done through and Executive Order in response to the impact from red tide bloom in southwest Florida. This order is an effect until the next FWC meeting September 26-27.

However, you do not always need a boat to make a good catch. During the fall mullet run, anglers without a boat have the opportunity to catch big game fish.

“When the weather cools down and the visitors clear out, that is when the water really heats up,” says Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent boat insurance agency.

GreatFlorida Insurance can make sure you are fully prepared before you head out to trawl with premium boat insurance at affordable prices. Contact a GreatFlorida Insurance agent to make sure you have proper boat insurance and adequate coverage for all your fishing equipment.

The post What you need to know about fall fishing appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

9/6/2018

Animal related insurance claims

 Florida is known for its abundant wildlife population. Green space surrounds many of our highways, increasing the chances of an animal-auto collision.

“When driving at night, it is almost impossible to avoid a collision once an animal steps or jumps onto the roadway,” observes Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent auto insurance agency.

The U.S. Department of Transportation claims an estimated one to two million collisions between a car and large animal occur every year.

A recent study from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), analyzes the number of animal-related insurance losses for the years 2014-2017.  All animal-related claims went up 6 percent over the four-year period.

The most common animals involved in auto collisions include: deer, racoon, dog, turkey, coyote with deer being the most frequent victim. Additional animals often struck by cars in Florida include the alligator, Florida panther, black bear and birds.

“If animal related accidents are a concern for you or you frequently travel near wooded areas, you might want to check out comprehensive coverage through your car insurance policy,” recommends Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.

Consider these wildlife-auto collision statistics from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

A collision with some form of wildlife occurs on average every 39 minutes.

The average repair cost of a car-deer collision is $2,8000.

Approximately 200 motorists die every year in car-wildlife collisions.

1 out of every 17 car collisions involve wandering wildlife.

89% of all wildlife collisions occur on roads with 2 lanes.

84% of all wildlife collisions occur in good weather on dry roads.

If you unexpectedly come upon an animal in the road while driving, experts advise not swerving. Consequences could be more severe if you hit an oncoming vehicle. It is recommended to hit your brakes, honk the horn and duck low behind the dashboard.

The post To Swerve or Not to Swerve appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.