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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

5/15/2019

You found your dream home. Now, it is time to conduct your due diligence by getting a home inspection.

A home inspection should not be skipped, it can save a home buyer from potential issues with their new home in the future,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent homeowners insurance agency.

Results from a home inspection could affect the purchase of a home. Florida homeowners are required by law to disclose all known problems that could negatively impact the value of a home to a potential buyer. Requesting an updated Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement is a good start. However, the seller can only disclose problems they are aware of regarding the property. A home inspection can reveal problems the current homeowner might not know about.

Home inspection services should be performed by a licensed home inspector. They are required to provide written reports of the home inspection. The report will contain detailed information on the property and be delivered no longer than a week after the inspection. Florida law requires the inspector to check the following:

Structural components including framing and the foundation of the home

Electrical system including service panels, breakers and fuses

HVAC system equipment and venting

Roof covering including shingles, flashing and skylights

Plumbing systems including pipes, drains, water heating equipment and sump pumps

Interior components including walls, ceilings, floor, windows, doors, stairs and railings

Exterior components including siding, soffit, porches, balconies, walkways, railings and driveways.

As well as site conditions that affect the structure

Keep in mind, home inspections are defined by Florida law as, “a limited visual examination.” While home inspectors cover a lot they do not cover the following unless specified.

Pest control and termites

Swimming pools and hot tubs

Appliances

Alarm systems

Fire and smoke detection and suppression systems

Environmental hazards-asbestos, radon gas, lead paint, toxic mold

Detached structures- docks, garages, sheds

Code compliance

Well systems

Several of these listed are real issues in Florida homes. To check for those, a specialized inspector is required.

“Make sure you hire a state certified home inspector,” recommends Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent homeowners insurance agency.

Your real estate agent, friends and family are great resources to find a dependable home inspector in your area.  Other resources include: American Society of Home Inspectors and Porch.

Make sure you get the adequate homeowners insurance you need with GreatFlorida Insurance. Contact us today.

The post What is and is NOT Included in a Home Inspection appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

5/8/2019

This year’s legislative session has come to an end. According to the Tampa Bay Times, lawmakers passed 195 bills of the 1,861 bills filed. Some bills were successful and for most of the others- there is always next year. Below are some highlights.

Winners:

Property Insurance Reform-Property insurance reform, commonly known as assignment of benefits (AOB). It will primarily limit attorney’s fees in disputes over assignment of benefits between insurance companies and contractors and authorizes policies that aren’t subject to assignment of benefits.

“After a long battle against insurance abuse, there is a victory,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent auto insurance agency.

The following are the bills provisions according to Insurance Journal.

• Define “assignment agreement” and establishing requirements for the execution, validity, and effect of such an agreement
• Prohibit certain fees and altering policy provisions related to managed repairs in an assignment agreement
• Transfer certain pre-lawsuit duties under the insurance contract to the assignee and shift the burden to the assignee to prove that any failure to carry out such duties has not limited the insurer’s ability to perform under the contract
• Require each insurer to report specified data on claims paid in the prior year under assignment agreements by January 30, 2022, and each year thereafter
• Allow an insurer to make available a policy prohibiting assignment, in whole or in part, under certain conditions
• Revise the state’s one-way attorney fee statute to incorporate an attorney fee structure in determining the fee amount awarded in suits by an assignee against an insurer
• Require service providers to give an insurer and the consumer prior written notice of at least 10 business days before filing suit on a claim.

Texting- Texting while driving will now be considered a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can stop a motorist for just that offense. It is also illegal to use or hold your cell phone while driving through a school zone or construction zone.

Ride Share-Ride share services such as Uber and Lyft can provide non-emergency trips to the hospital for Medicaid patients.

Losers:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)- A repeal to eliminate Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system, where drivers are required to carry personal injury protection coverage to help pay medical bills after accidents. “Each year an attempt is made to eradicate the old no-fault system and move to a bodily-injury coverage requirement, but it cannot get enough support from lawmakers, says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent auto insurance agency.

Genetic Testing – Restricts insurance companies from using genetic testing information in selling policies or setting rates.

Sunscreen- Prohibits local governments from banning the sale of certain sunscreens.

Call GreatFlorida Insurance for all your auto insurance needs. We can craft a policy to suit your needs. Contact us today.

 

 

The post Winners and Losers from the 2019 Florida Legislative Session appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

5/1/2019

Would you let your kid ride with a stranger? USA Today recently featured an article asking, “Parents, would you let your kid ride an Uber or Lyft by themselves?” Kids getting rides through ridesharing companies is a growing trend.

“Parents have an emergency arise or they cannot get away from work, so they turn to rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft to help them transport their kids,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent rideshare insurance agency.

While some parents feel this is a helpful transportation alternative, other parents feel it is too big of a safety risk for their children. The trend also goes against company policies. Uber and Lyft require riders to be 18 or older to ride unless accompanied by an adult.

“While not as popular or widely available, rideshare services are available to transport kids in certain areas of Florida,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent rideshare insurance agency.

Below is a list of rideshare services specifically designed to transport children.

Care.com– they offer transportation services at an average rate of $12 per hour. Safety and screening are left up to the person hiring. They are available throughout the state.

Moms Helping Moms– this service is currently only available in Parkland and Coral Springs. They offer door to door service and provide transportation for ages 4-17. Drivers are required to complete a variety of courses and certifications to ensure child safety.

Bubbl– is expanding in to the Emerald Coast area with service between Pensacola to Panama City. They hire active or retired military, police officers, firefighters, nurses and first responders. Their vetting process includes in-person interviews, criminal background checks, drug tests and a motor vehicle review. The minimum rider age is 8. Rides can be booked by phone or app.

Whether you drive full-time for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, or it is the source of additional income, make sure you are covered. If you are looking for rideshare insurance, contact GreatFlorida Insurance today.

The post Ridesharing Services and Kids appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

4/24/2019

AccuWeather predicts a fairly normal 2019 Hurricane season. They expect to see 12 – 14 storms to develop in the Atlantic. “Of those storms, five to seven are forecast to become hurricanes and two to four are forecast to become major hurricanes.”

“Despite the predictions for a normal hurricane season, it only takes one storm to do incredible damage,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent homeowners insurance company.

Hurricane damage is what retirees are concerned about, and it is driving many out of the state. About 52,630 people ages 65 and over left Florida in 2017, compared to 48,174 in 2016 and 43,356 in 2012, according to Jon Rork, professor of Economics at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, who studies retirement migration.

Rork told Money, “Many of these people have left Florida for states like Georgia and North Carolina. There’s a hypothesis that those who have left Florida for Georgia and North Carolina have done so to avoid hurricanes and big insurance premium jumps.”

 

One cause for concern is changes being made to flood insurance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plans to implement risk-based pricing in 2020. This would change from the current system used by the National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP), which depends on flood maps that are often outdated.

The reason for the transition? To offer a “more accurate assessment of risk,” according to FEMA. The NFIP is currently billions of dollars in debt. It unsustainably pays out more than it takes in each year. Many are concerned this means higher rates for those living in coastal areas.

“Before we sound an alarm, it is best to wait and see what Congress does, while being aware of the potential increases,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent homeowners insurance company.

Current funding for NFIP expires on May 31, 2019. Legislators have until then to reach an agreement and find a permanent solution for the program or else pass another temporary funding extension.

GreatFlorida Insurance provides homeowners insurance and well as flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Policy. Visit us online today.

 

The post Hurricanes are Taking a Toll on Retirees appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

4/17/2019

Over the weekend, 13 people were rescued after a pontoon boat capsized off the coast of Anclote Key. Thankfully, everyone was all right.

Capsizing happens when a boat turns on its side or completely over in the water. “It can happen to anyone on the water, even the most experienced boaters,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent boat insurance agency.

While it is more common among smaller vessels, even large ones can flip. If the conditions are right, any boat can capsize.

It is best to be safe and prepared before going out on the water. Below are some tips to follow if you find yourself in the water unexpectedly.

Drowning is the biggest concern. If you do not have on a life vest, look for flotation objects such as seat cushions and coolers. Realworldsurvior.com even recommends stuffing empty plastic bottles inside your shirt. This will help you stay afloat, which conserves energy.

Always stay with the boat. “You are much easier to see with a boat,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent boat insurance agency.

Boating magazine says, to retrieve as many supplies as possible, such as flares and extra flotation devices. Find anything that floats and tether it to the boat to create a bigger target or release it into the water to create a debris field, which also helps spotters.

A good practice before you head out onto the water, tell at least one person on shore where you are going and when you plan to return. They can alert the authorities if you have not returned around your designated time.

GreatFlorida Insurance offers boat insurance on a wide variety of boats from yachts, to Jet Skis. Additional coverage is available for fishing equipment and injury caused by an uninsured boater. Call 888-478-7801 or go online to www.greatflorida.com for a free quote. A local insurance agent will help you find affordable boat insurance to suit your needs.

The post Surviving a Capsized Boat appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

4/10/2019

Millions of households across the U.S. own a dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds us, any dog can bite, if provoked. Half of all dog bites involve a dog owned by the victim’s family or neighbor.

Approximately, 4 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). They also report, about 800,000 require medical attention. Children are usually the victims, 44 percent are under 14 years-old.

“In Florida, if your dog bites someone even if it is a first-time occurrence, the owner is held liable,” reports Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent homeowners insurance agency. Florida is a “strict liability” state regarding dog bites. This means a dog owner is liable for any damage to a person, even a non-bite injury.

A report by the Insurance Information Institute (III), reveals, Florida had 1,281 dog bites or other dog related injury claims last year, second only to California. Over $56 million was paid out in Florida with the average cost per claim being $43,893.

The report also notes a trend in higher costs per claim being attributable not only to dog bites but also to dogs knocking down children, cyclists, the elderly, etc., which can result in injuries that impact the potential severity of the losses.

Dog bites and other dog related injuries accounted for nearly a third of the money paid out in 2018 for homeowner liability claims, totaling $675 million nationally.

“Homeowners insurance and renter’s insurance policies generally cover dog bite liability legal expenses,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent homeowners insurance agency.

Each insurer is responsible for checking into their liability limits. The dog owner is responsible for damages that exceed claim limits.

Whether you own or rent your home, insurance should be a priority to protect your family and belongings. GreatFlorida Insurance works with reputable insurance companies to provide dependable homeowners insurance and renters insurance at affordable prices. For more information go online to www.greatflorida.com or call us today.

The post Florida Ranks Among the Top for Dog Bites appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.

by GreatFlorida Insurance

4/3/2019

“Proper disposal of medications can prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent health insurance agency.

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends. They usually come from the home medicine cabinet.

The best way to dispose of expired or unused medication is through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsored, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. They seek to provide an anonymous, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. Saturday, April 27, will be the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The DEA reports, the last take back day brought in more than 900,000 pounds of unused or expired medication.

Responsibly getting rid of unwanted medications can protect you, your family and the environment, reports the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• It prevents the poisoning of children and pets.
• Deters misuse by teens and adults.
• Avoids health problems associated with taking the wrong medicine, or medicine that is too old and no longer effective.
• Keeps medicines from entering streams and rivers.

In homes that use septic tanks, prescription and OTC drugs flushed can leach into the groundwater. In areas with wastewater treatment plants, prescription and OTC drugs poured down the sink or flushed can pass through the treatment system and enter rivers and lakes. They may flow downstream to serve as sources for community drinking water supplies. Water treatment plants are generally not equipped to routinely remove medicines.

However, the Food and Drug Administration still recommends flushing Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and a couple of dozen other drugs, so they cannot be fished out of the trash.

“Those medications are considered a lethal threat to others,” says Ellsworth Buck, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent health insurance agency.

The following link provides a  list of medications to be flushed.

If you cannot make it to the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, some Walgreens and CVS locations, have a kiosk to dispose of unwanted medications.

To dispose of medications at home, use the following instructions:

• Mix medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds
• Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag
• Throw the container in your household trash
• Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty pill bottles or medicine packaging, then dispose of the container.

GreatFlorida Insurance has experienced agents that can offer you and your family quality health insurance policies to fit your needs. Call us at 888-478-7801 or go online to www.greatflorida.com for a free quote today.

 

The post Medicine Disposal appeared first on The GreatFlorida Insurance Blog.