DIY Door Fixes For Your Home

You may not give much thought to the doors in your home, but they provide privacy, quiet and protection from the elements. But one small problem just may be enough to drive you nuts. However, you don't need to resort to living with the problem, or even call a handyman to fix it. There are several issues that you can easily repair yourself. Below are just three examples.

• Squeaky hinges: If the hinges to a door squeal each time its opened, all it needs is a bit of lubrication. You can use WD-40, olive oil or petroleum jelly to fix the problem. Pour a bit of the lubrication of your choice onto a paper towel or rag and rub it all over the hinge, working it into the seams. You can perform this task as many times as necessary to stop the squeaking.
• Loose screws: Some loose screws may simply need to be tightened, while others become loose because the wood around them has rotted or worn. If you're faced with the latter, purchase a 3/8-inch wooden dowel and cut it down so you have a piece for each screw. Remove the screws and drill the existing holes to fit the larger size of the dowels. Coat the dowels in wood glue, insert them into the new holes (saw off any excess length) and give them time to fully dry. Once dry, drill a new, screw-sized hole directly into the dowels and then reattach the door.
• Drifting door: Do you have a door that drifts toward the closed position when you try to leave it open? It's time to realign the doorframe. Start by removing one of the door's hinge pins and hit it with a hammer until it bends slightly. Then, simply reinsert the pin. The bend will cause extra friction and help prevent unwanted drifting.

Protect your home completely. Call Adcock-Adcock Insurance Agency at (813) 933-6691 for more information on Tampa home insurance.

Improve Productivity by Improving Employee Morale

You’ve heard it before, the economy is still weak. Many businesses have had to cut back on employees just to stay afloat, making it important that fewer employees carry more weight than ever before. But this extra burden puts extra stress on employees. Finding ways to alleviate this stress and improve morale is essential for maintaining a motivated, productive workforce.

Improved morale comes from a variety of sources. Some employees may long for recognition for their good work, while others may yearn for a more lenient schedule. Here are five tips for making your employees feel appreciated, valued and supported:

1. Plan monthly department meetings in which employees can freely discuss successes, areas for improvement and long-term goals. To make this open forum more accessible to shy individuals, provide an anonymous suggestion box so anyone can contribute to the overall goals of the company, even if they don’t feel comfortable verbalizing thoughts. Employees are more likely to work toward goals when they can help create them.
2. Deliver positive feedback whenever recognition is necessary. Most people take comfort in their accomplishments being noticed and rewarded, even if that reward is simply a verbal “job well done.” This can be a big motivator to encourage accomplished employees to keep up the good work.
3. Offer flexibility in regards to hours, time off and the option to work from home. Many people are overscheduled and emergencies can happen at any time, making it hard to work around rigid hours of operation. If an employee needs to visit a doctor or wait at home for a handyman, allow them to make up the time or complete tasks from home rather than forcing him or her to take time off. Showing your employees you care about their personal lives nurtures their company loyalty.
4. Plan annual team-building events and celebrate holidays. Participating in a company-wide game day or a holiday gift exchange can be a fun way to help employees get to know each other on a more personal level. Employees who are more comfortable around each other generally work better together.
5. Offer perks to your employees, which can be almost anything that gives your employees a financial break. Offices can offer free snacks on Fridays, store discounts (if the company is a retailer), company matching for charitable donations and so on. Employees enjoy working for a company that gives back to them.

Learn more about what you can do to ensure you business’ success. Call Adock-Adock Insurance Agency at (813) 933-6691 for more information on Tampa business insurance.

Insurance for Dog Bite Liability

Over 60 percent of American households own a pet, with dogs being a popular choice. Any dog owner will admit their devotion to their canine, but having a dog increases liability risks. Though most pooches are docile, any animal (humans included) can lash out if provoked. It’s important to understand the liability risks associated with dog ownership, along with what insurance will or will not cover.

About one-third of states mandate that dog owners are “strictly liable” for their dog’s behavior. The rest of the country is more lenient, with a “one free bite” principle mandating that dog owners are liable only if they know about their dog’s tendency to bite. In any state, you are considered liable in instances of unreasonable carelessness; however, you are not held liable if your dog injures an intruder.

Homeowners and renters insurance will often cover dog bite liability, up to policy limits. Most homeowners policies provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage. Dog owners found liable are responsible for reimbursing the victim for medical costs, lost wages, property damage and any associated legal fees. Once your dog has bitten a guest, your insurance provider may charge you a higher premium or exclude your dog from coverage to offset the increased risk.

This may sound unimportant to owners of well-mannered dogs, but dog bites occur more frequently than you may think. Dog bites accounted for over a third of all homeowners liability claims in 2012, costing over $489 million. The average cost paid out per bite was $29,752.

Your dog is part of your family, a loving companion. You wouldn’t dream of rehoming your pal. However, if you notice aggression or unease around strangers, you may find it best to restrain your dog while guests are in your home to prevent unwanted incidents.

Wondering what your state laws are for dog bite liability? Call us at 813-933-6691 for more information on Florida homeowners liability insurance.

Citizens Property Insurance Clearing House FAQs

What is the Property Insurance Clearinghouse?

The Property Insurance Clearinghouse will help match all new personal lines applicants and renewing personal lines policyholders with  participating private - market insurers before placing or renewing coverage with Citizens.

When will Citizens implement the Property Insurance Clearinghouse?

Citizens will launch the Property Insurance Clearinghouse in January 2014.

Why is Citizens implementing the Property Insurance Clearinghouse?

As the Florida insurance market continues to rebound and options for private - market coverage expand, Citizens is working diligently to help Florida homeowners find coverage in the private market. A clearinghouse statute was enacted by the Florida Legislature during the 2013 legislative session with this goal in mind.

Why should consumers try to find coverage in the private market before purchasing a policy from Citizens?

Improvements in Florida’s insurance market are making it possible for some Citizens policyholders to find broader and possibly less expensive coverage in the private market. Citizens policyholders not only may have more restrictive coverage, but also may face higher Citizens policyholder assessments following a major hurricane. When a policy is written by Citizens even though there are private - market offers of coverage, it increases both Citizens’ potential claims exposure and the risk of assessments for all Floridians. (Source)

Learn more about the Clearinghouse and how Adcock can help.

Money Saving Strategies for Tampa Business Owners

Everyone knows that business insurance is certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s hard for many business owners to actually provide a targeted estimate of what kinds of specific coverage they need for any kind of complex operations. Insurance companies will often meet a businesses halfway in coming up with calculations that work, but a better and more detailed knowledge of what’s currently going on will help those who have to negotiate and sign onto new business insurance policies. 

Keeping Current On Operations

Businesses that have more than one location or more than one corporate vehicle may need to do more research in figuring out what’s in use when a policy is written. It may be that a previously used building is sitting empty or there are fewer drivers on the road than there used to be. Understanding these current needs will help write a policy that’s more effective and less bloated by extra premium costs.

Assess Operations for Likely Liabilities

Another way to get more proactive about writing business insurance is by taking a closer look at everything that happens on a daily basis and evaluating where there may be a coverage gap. For example, the business may not need more security insurance, if workers already operate in a controlled environment, but they may need more kinds of worker coverage for tougher or more dangerous jobs. Even seasonal or climate changes can make some jobs more difficult, with heat stress or seasonal storm risks creating business hazards. In addition, businesses have to look at the vast range of areas where lawsuits may be involved in order to get coverage that won’t leave them exposed if some legal challenge comes up.

Utilizing Government Regulations

Many business owners don’t like to think about OSHA rules or other regulations, but looking at these kinds of laws also provides relevant guidelines for writing business insurance. Of course, all business operations should be compliant. Along with compliance, though, business owners can look at the types of dangers that are covered in OSHA regulations in order to understand how a certain industry may need its own insurance coverage, not to use insurance as an alternative to safety, but again, to get more exact coverage that fits the needs of the business.

These strategies can help a business save money on insurance costs, while giving leaders a better idea of how business processes are working and whether they are as efficient as they should be.
For more information on determining hazards for Tampa business insurance purposes, call us at 813-933-6691.

How Does ObamaCare Influence Your Health Insurance?

Although the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, the full effects of the legislation have yet to trickle down to ordinary health insurance policies. The main principles behind so-called 'Obama Care' are the reduction of healthcare costs and the efforts to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health insurance. The act has also been designed to widen the scope of Medicaid and ensure that the estimated 33 million Americans without insurance can purchase affordable policies. However, this legislation is complicated, so breaking it down into its main points is the best way to fully understand it.

What Are the Main Points Of 'ObamaCare'?

1. A Sliding Scale of Maximum Premiums - A family of four earning a combined annual income of $29,000 or less will be eligible for Medicaid. Families earning between 133% and 400% of the national poverty line will receive tax credits to assist in the purchase of private insurance. Insurance premiums will be subject to a cap of 6.3% for a household that has a combined income that falls between 150% and 200% of the official poverty line. Premiums will be capped at 9.5% of household incomes when those incomes are between 200% and 400% of the poverty line.
2. Financial Penalties for Those Who Don't Purchase Insurance - The act defines the affordability of insurance as a policy that does not exceed 8% of a person's income. Those who can afford to buy health insurance but refuse to do so will be ordered to pay a 'fine' of $695 or 2.5% - whichever is greater.
3. Discriminatory Practices Will Be Banned - Insurance companies will not be allowed to increase premiums or refuse coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions except in a few circumstances, such as coverage for the elderly or for smokers. However, restrictions are in place to limit discriminatory premium increases to a ratio of 3 to 1.
4. Creation of a More Competitive Market - From 2018, a 35% tax will be imposed on employee health insurance plans in excess of $10,200 for one year of individual coverage. It is hoped that this will force employees to shop around for the cheapest policies possible, thus forcing insurance companies to keep their prices low. Online healthcare exchanges will be state or federally-operated marketplaces for the purchase of health insurance policies. It is hoped that, over time, giving people the chance to compare policies on an equal basis will drive prices down.
5. Tighter Regulation for Insurance Companies - Insurance companies now have to spend between 80% and 85% of the income they receive from premium payments on medical care. This legislation is designed to limit spending on executive bonuses, administration and marketing. Companies that underspend on healthcare expenses will be forced to give their customers rebates. Both drug manufacturers and insurance companies will be faced with a substantial annual bill in order to finance this overhaul in America's healthcare system.

It is too early to tell whether or not these changes will result in lower premiums for the American people. 'Obama Care' will provide the insurance industry with 32 million new paying customers, but insurers will be forced to spend more money on care, provide cover for anyone who wants it and provide coverage without discrimination. Insurers may also be forced to provide preventive care in many situations. Increased and more transparent competition could drive prices downwards over time. However, experts and analysts currently have very different views on whether 'Obama Care' will lead to price reductions in the long-term.
This is a complicated issue, but if you feel you need to seek advice from a market expert, give us a call at 866-933-6691. We are here to explain your options and guide you through the relevant changes in the law. You can also get an online Tampa health insurance quote.

What you should know about Hit and Run Auto Accident Claims

No one wants to be on the receiving end of a hit and run accident. It's especially frustrating when the driver who hits your car flees the scene. In this case, defensive driving courses teach you to remain calm after an accident and to get out of the car with the intention of obtaining details from the other driver in order to expedite your claim. But, what do you do if the driver doesn't stick around?

Tip #1: Get as much information as possible.

Call the police as soon as possible after an accident.  While you are on the phone, write down as much information as you can about the other driver's vehicle. You should also note the street the accident happened on and any mile markers. If you have a portable camera or a camera phone, you can get even better evidence. Take a snapshot of the other driver's car and zoom in as much as possible to try to capture the driver's image. If the driver takes off while you're on the phone with the 911 operator, make sure to immediately let them know what direction the car is driving in and down what road. For your personal safety, don't try to pursue the driver yourself; let the police handle it so that you don't risk becoming the victim of violence.

Tip #2: Call your insurance company immediately.

You can still file a claim even if the other driver fled the scene. Share whatever information you managed to get in order to maximize your chances of a successful claim. Since leaving the scene of an accident is against the law, you may want to consult an attorney about filing a lawsuit. Provide your attorney with as much information as possible.

When a driver flees the scene of an accident, your insurance company presumes he or she does not have insurance. Thus, you have to depend on your insurance company to handle the claim. If you have to pay out of pocket for any damages, you can recover your payments via a personal injury lawsuit.

Tip #3: Make sure you have adequate insurance before you get behind the wheel.
If you don't carry full coverage and don't have any details about the other driver or his or her insurance, you may be out of luck as far as filing a claim. If no witnesses were present or you didn't get any statements from witnesses, there's really nothing you can do to recover any money.

Hit and run accidents are complicated situations that not all insurance companies are equipped to handle. If you'd like more information on hit and run Tampa Auto Insurance claims, please call an Adcock-Adcock Insurance Agency at 866-933-6691.

5 Common Auto Insurance Exclusions

One thing that must be purchased at the time of buying, leasing or renting a car is auto insurance.  Oftentimes, the excitement of driving takes over and you may not read your auto insurance policy handbook as closely as you should. This may not cause immediate problems, but it usually does when  there's an accident or you need to claim on your policy and discover that what you're claiming for is excluded from cover.

What is an Auto Insurance Exclusion?
An auto insurance exclusion is something that isn't covered on your policy either without an endorsement (being added on for an extra fee) or it isn't covered at all.  Auto insurance exclusions are not just items, they can also be other drivers or actions.

Auto insurance companies may have several exclusions, and although many companies will recite these exclusions to you at the time of purchase, there are just too many for some companies to make you aware of, so they almost always refer you to the manual for these exclusions.

Common Car Insurance Exclusions
Below is a list of five auto insurance exclusions, which most insurance companies can write into the policy:

• Overlapping insurance policies - Although it isn't a common practice for the average driver to have dual coverage, some drivers do choose to have their car ensured through more than one company. This is usually due one company offering better liability coverage, while the other offers more in the ways of endorsements. Either way, both auto insurance companies will write exclusions into your policy. This will cover how much they will insure you for and what type of insurance they will provide.
• Bodily injury - Although medical is almost always covered in an auto insurance policy, bodily injury caused to yourself while carrying passengers or hauling materials for compensation (such as a limo driver, deliveryman or cabdriver) is normally excluded. This usually falls under the term livery.
• Intentional damage - Part of this exclusion is rather new to most auto insurance policies. This involves acts of rage such as using your car as a weapon. This also includes setting your own car on fire or kicking your car to blow off steam.
• Acts of nature - Hail damage, damage caused by flying degrees or a tree falling on your car are all considered acts of nature.  You may think that all insurance policies cover these acts, but they don't. Unless you have comprehensive cover, your car will not be insured from damage caused by acts of nature.
• Drag racing - Injury caused to yourself or your vehicle while drag racing will be excluded from collision coverage.

Before getting behind the wheel of your car, read your insurance policy closely to look for any specific exclusions from cover. Some things may not written in your policy, so if you don't see it there, don't assume that it's covered.  For additional information on insuring your car and Tampa auto insurance exclusions, call an Adcock-Adcock Insurance agent at 866-933-6691 today.

5 Reasons to Change Your Auto Insurance Policy and How to Do It

The necessity of owning auto insurance is a fact of life. Perhaps because it’s such a constant in life, people often make the mistake of doing some initial research before they get their auto insurance but then not thinking about it again for years. However, there are plenty of reasons you should reassess your Tampa Auto Insurance policy on a regular basis. Here are just a few:

1. A couple years has passed since you last shopped around
If it’s been 2 or 3 years since you got your auto insurance policy, you should at least spend some time shopping around and comparing the price of your policy with others on the market. Over 2-3 years, the market can change drastically. However, if you’re locked into a current plan you may not even notice there are better offers out there. There are also constantly new insurance companies entering into the market, and they are frequently willing to offer tantalizing deals to lure you away from your current company. To not at least explore these options regularly is unsound financial logic.

2. You’re getting married
If you’re getting married and will have two cars with two individual insurance plans, you should strongly consider canceling one of the plans. You can get a joint insurance plan to cover both cars and save yourself some money.

3. You’re getting a new car
Frequently car dealers will offer some sort of insurance deal to entice you to buy a new car. This might be something like free insurance for a year (or longer). This alone could be a reason to change policies. But even if there isn't an appealing offer that comes along with your car, insurance companies differ in the rates they offer for different brands and types of cars. You should shop around to see if you can find a better deal than what you’re currently getting.

4. You are retired and over 55
There are many insurance companies that offer discounts to those who are over 55. This is especially true if you have a good driving record. Thus, if you’re over 55 and your current company doesn't offer a discount, seek out someone who does.

5. You are going on a new budget
Don’t feel forced to accept your current insurance rate if you’re trying to cut costs. Shopping around may very well find you a new plan that fits in your budget, instead of one that forces you to form your budget around it.

Changing your insurance policy these days is pretty easy, and you can do most of the work over the internet or phone. To get started, contact an Adcock-Adcock Insurance agent today at 866-933-6691 and get a free quote on your new car insurance policy. You’ll wonder why you waited so long to shop around!

Who Needs Temporary Auto Insurance

Everybody understands the value of vehicle insurance, but few people understand how temporary auto insurance works. If you are like most motorists, then you have a standard auto insurance policy that covers you for an extended period of (e.g., six months or a year). What about if you are not a frequent driver, and you only want to drive your cousin’s car for a day or two?

Temporary auto insurance covers those who just need to drive for short periods. In most cases, it is available for 1 to 28 days, though there may be variations. Applicants usually get the coverage in a few minutes, so it is not something you have to plan for long in advance.

If you are borrowing a friend’s car, for example, you should not assume that his policy offers you coverage too, as that is not always the case. You should also look for temporary auto insurance when test driving a car or in any other situation where you need temporary use of a vehicle. Do not assume that the rental car is covered because it might not be.

This form of insurance is necessary because an accident can occur at any time, even in the driveway, and the consequences for the uninsured can be devastating. The temporary cover protects the driver, the car and any third parties who may incur losses in an accident involving your car.

However, temporary insurance is not all about protection in case of accidents. You should insure any car under your custody, even when it is not being driven. A car packed in the driveway or garage can be damaged by vandalism, fire or even stolen. If such a vehicle is not insured, then the owner will be left to bear the liabilities. Therefore, when you are in temporary custody of a vehicle, you should cover it even if it is just going to sit in your garage for a few days.

Short-term auto insurance policies can be expensive when you view them in an annualized basis. Since they are only required for short periods, they are not really expensive. In addition, you can use choose between liability coverage and full coverage. In most cases, it will just cost you a few dollars per day.

Tampa auto insurance regulations may not always be clear to you, so you should always check with your regular insurer first. If you have valid coverage in place, it may extend to any vehicle you drive. You should confirm, however, especially if you plan to drive out of state or in a foreign country. We are happy to answer all your temporary auto insurance queries. Contact us at Adcock-Adcock Insurance Agency for all temporary vehicle insurance coverage you may need. Since it is always best to err on the side of caution, you should contact us if you are in doubt.

What Would You Do Without an Income?

Have you ever tried to plan your budget around the possibility that you could lose your income? For most people, the loss of an income is unthinkable. They have financial obligations to meet, kids to feed, and a roof to keep over their heads. Unfortunately, after a non-work-related disability, many individuals see their capacity to earn an income ripped out from under them in the blink of an eye.

And while their income flow stops almost immediately, supposed resources for the disabled are slow in coming. Social Security has so many incoming applications that one must wait for months before payments are approved – and there is no guarantee that they will be. Social Security disability is notoriously difficult to qualify for and impossible for those with a short-term disability. For families who ultimately get approved there are still devastating financial consequences caused by delays in paperwork processing, paperwork errors, and Social Security disability’s waiting period.

So what's your plan? Do you have enough in your savings account to support your family while waiting for Social Security disability approval? And what if you are denied? Can you continue supporting them sooner savings until you are cleared for work again?

It's impractical for most families to self-insure their income during the whole of their disability which is why disability insurance exists. Disability insurance policies offer families an affordable premium in exchange for disability benefits paid out on their terms. The benefits can be for both short- and long-term disabilities, they can have a very short waiting periods before benefits begin in order to avoid forcing families to deplete their savings, and the payments can replace as much or as little of your income as you see fit.

With a disability insurance policy, you can ensure that your family never has to find out how to survive without an income after a disability forces you out of work. If you're ready to start shopping for disability insurance policies and comparing quotes, give us a call or stop by today. At Adcock-Adcock Insurance Agency, we can compare the quotes of many high-rated insurers and design a policy that fits your budget while still providing the protection your family needs.

How much are your valuables worth?

As you look around your home, it may be difficult for you to accurately assess the value of the items you own. Therefore it could be difficult to choose the right limits for your homeowners insurance policy contents coverage. In order to more accurately assess the value of your property, follow these steps:

1. Determine whether your policy provides replacement or actual value: Your home insurance policy can pay for damages to contents in one of two ways. It may give you replacement value for your damaged property which means that you will be given an amount that should allow you to buy a comparable replacement item in a retail setting. Or your policy may pay actual value which means your insurer will attempt to put a value on the actual item lost, factoring in its age and depreciation, and reimburse you that amount. Replacement value will give you a higher dollar amount per item and may also result in higher insurance limits.
2. Review your receipts: Your receipts tell you how much you paid for each of the items in your home. While you might not have the receipts for every knick-knack ever purchased, look through your documents to see if you have the receipts for some of your big ticket purchases. Use them to help you identify what a comparable product price would be if you have replacement value or to help determine the starting point for the actual value of the item lost.
3. Get an appraisal: Some items aren't easy to value. This includes certain jewelry, art and antiques. Bring these items to a professional appraiser who can estimate the actual value at the time you bring them in and give you a certificate for that amount
4. Complete your home inventory: It’s impossible to properly value all your contents if you don’t even know what they are. Completing a home inventory consists of listing every item in every room of your home. This can be an invaluable tool for determining an appropriate limit for your policy and for later submitting claims.
5. Keep the emotions out of it: Your stuff may have a high emotional value to you, but an insurance company can never make you emotionally whole after an insurable incident. Their goal is to focus on something objective—financial value—and make you whole in that respect, so you must stay focused on dollars and cents when trying to find the right limit for your contents coverage.

Our agents are experienced in helping homeowners determine what their limits should be. Give us a call to get your Tulsa home insurance policy quotes today.

Can Carpooling save on my car insurance?

Carpooling is a great way to save on gas as you share driving responsibilities with other people working in the same building or office complex as you. But there are some considerations you should make with regards to your auto insurance when you decide to carpool.

• Increase your liability coverage: With more people in your car, you’ve got more potential liabilities. Increasing your liability insurance coverage and adding an umbrella policy can help protect you from the personal financial liabilities that injured carpoolers could bring.
• Increase personal injury protection: Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage provides medical and funeral expenses as well as lost wages to those injured in a car accident in your vehicle. Increasing this coverage will ensure that you have enough to cover all passengers.
• Reduce your miles driven: While you may be carpooling to save gas, you may inadvertently also be lowering your insurance bill. Tell your insurance company how many fewer miles you now drive to see if it affects your premiums. 

Read more about carpooling considerations. To increase your coverage or find out all the different factors that can affect your car insurance rates, give us a call at 866-933-6691 for a free Tampa car insurance quote.

Adjustments That You Should Consider for Your Auto Insurance Policy

An auto insurance policy should not be a static line of coverage. After all, your life changes; medical and liability expenses that can accompany an accident change too.
Considering changes to your life happen in the blink of an eye, you should make an effort annually to adjust your auto policy to ensure that it is as effective and accurate as you need it to be.

Annual Adjustments to Your Auto Policy You Should Consider

Average annual miles driven: Your insurance carrier requires an average of how many miles you drive per year in order to assess the risk you pose to them. Every year, make sure you report any major changes to them.

Take advantage of applicable discounts: You may receive discounts when you add anti-theft measures to your car, such as security alarms and wheel locking devices. You may also receive additional discounts for taking defensive driving classes. Prior to your annual renewal, consider which of these discounts you may qualify for and discuss them with your agent.

Add uninsured motorist rider: Without uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you could be stuck with some major bills after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. If you don’t already have uninsured or underinsured motorist, then you need to consider adding it to your policy.

Adjust your limits: You know that you set limits for your risk exposure with your agent when you initially purchased your policy; but, when was the last time you reviewed your risk exposure with your agent? With the rising cost of medical care, as well as possible changes in your driving habits, you may need to increase your limits to help reduce your exposure. As you’re also aware, cars and other personal property are only getting more expensive; another important reason to keep a tight rein on your limits.

Change your deductibles: Your ability to support your deductible may change from year to year. In lean years, you may have fewer savings to commit to a deductible, and as you pay off debt you might find you have more disposable income to put toward that responsibility. Keeping your deductible at an accurate level for your budget will help to control your risk exposure and your premium.

The next time your auto policy is coming up for renewal, remember these tips and update your policy so that it works with your current life and not the one you had when you originally took out the policy. Call us today at 866-933-6691 for more information about which auto insurance policy is right for you or get a free Tampa auto insurance quote.

JG

Tampa Boat Insurance Coverage Fundamentals

The freedom of being out on the Tampa Bay water is incomparable for boat owners.  Whether you’re boating in a bay or the deep blue ocean, it feels as there are boundless possibilities. Don’t let this freedom allow you to forget about boat insurance. You have an obligation to your family as well as to other boaters to carry insurance that protects you and them from financial liabilities.

Here are some coverage and policy options to consider for when you decide to buy boat insurance, as not all policies are created equal.
Some things to consider include:

1. What nautical area do you need your insurance to cover?
2. Should you get coverage for oil spills? If your watercraft leaks oil then you are responsible for the cleanup costs even if you don’t have coverage.
3. Do you need coverage for the personal items on board?
4. Do you need coverage for equipment such as anchors, water skis and other unattached tools and recreational toys?

Next you need to clarify what you want covered in terms of value.
There are two choices here,

i. agreed value which is the amount you agree on -stated in the insurance policy, or

ii. actual value which is the actual value of your watercraft and may not be enough to replace it if there has been some deterioration.

How to keep your boat insurance policy affordable
Lastly, bear in mind that there are ways to lower your monthly premiums of your boat insurance. Official boat safety program training and certificates for such can be very useful in reducing your premiums. Similarly you can have the coast guard perform boat safety checks to reduce costs. Installing safety devices like a GPS and choosing a proper marina for docking your boat can also help.

Your boat insurance policy guarantees that you and your family will remain financially secure even after an expensive claim. It will also allow you to continue boating after a natural disaster or other insurable incident. Having the right policy will enhance that feeling freedom while you’re out on the water. Call us today to discuss your options for Tampa Boat Insurance at (813) 933-6691.

America's Fire Insurance History

The Great Fire of London in 1666 was responsible for the destruction of over 13,000 homes and 87 churches. This enormous blaze also caused the displacement of over 70,000 residents. While it was mostly poverty stricken residents who were affected by the fire itself, the disaster had some major fall out that affected the entire country economically. After the fire, the number of homeless people increased exponentially, businesses lost both customers and workers, and disputes arose over whose responsibility it was to pay for damages and rebuilding.

The Great Fire of London pointed out the need for some insurance to help individuals recover from this type of disaster. Many different fire insurance schemes were attempted after the disaster, but they weren’t particularly well thought out and eventually, they failed. Marine insurance was the only real functioning type of insurance at this time, and it was used as a model to develop a successful and functional fire insurance company in England in 1681.

In 1732, an insurance company in the United States issued the first fire insurance policy, but it still didn’t really catch on. Benjamin Franklin was a giant proponent of fire insurance and, in 1752 he created Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, a company that refused to offer fire insurance to owners of buildings that were high risk. Unfortunately, that included wooden houses, which left an enormous portion of the population without protection.

Continue reading "America's Fire Insurance History" or contact us at (813) 933-6691 to learn more about Tampa home insurance.

What to Do If You Have Been in an Auto Accident

Auto accidents are unexpected and even the most careful drivers may be involved. The sad truth is that most of us will be involved in an auto accident at some point in our lives. Even if you are not injured, there are certain things that you should and should not do.

Stay At the Scene

If you are in an accident involving bodily injury or substantial damage to property, do not leave the accident scene until the police tell you to do so.  If you are unsure whether the damage or injury is “substantial”, stay there and let the police decide.  Leaving the scene of an accident can result in driver’s license sanctions and even criminal charges.

If you are on the roadway, turn your flashers on, or use flares to warn approaching traffic.

Do not Admit Fault

Even if you think you are at fault, do not admit liability.  There may be factors you are not aware of that played a role in the accident which could determine the other driver was more at fault than you. Therefore, avoid discussing who is at fault in the accident.

Obtain Relevant Information

In any accident, you should obtain the following information:

• The other driver: Name, address, driver’s license number, insurance information and license plate number.
• Witnesses: Names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
• Police officers:  Ask the police officer(s) who investigate the traffic scene to provide you with a business card and an “incident number”. 
• The accident:  If possible take notes about how the accident occurred, such as the direction of travel of the vehicles involved and what the cars were doing at the time of the collision.
• The location:  You may wish to take notes about and/or pictures where the accident happened; speed limits, the road conditions, the weather, traffic control devices and the lighting.

Continue reading "What to Do If You Have Been in an Auto Accident" or contact us at (813) 933-6691 to learn more about Tampa auto insurance.

What is a Certificate of Insurance?

Insurance of all kinds is generally intangible. Whether you are talking about auto insurance, life insurance, home insurance or flood insurance--you can’t hold insurance and you can’t sense it. Upon entering a car or premise, you won’t even know insurance is “present” unless someone tells you.

Generally, it doesn’t matter that you can’t touch, feel or sense an insurance policy. As the insured you pay your premium when it is due and you know that, should disaster strike, your policy will be useful. You have proof of your payments and somewhere, where you store your most important documents, a copy of a policy.

But there are times when you need some sort of physical proof that you are insured and if you don’t have a policy or if you need something with a current date proving that you are still consistently paying your premium, it is then that a certificate of insurance is a useful tool.

The Certificate of Insurance

A certificate of insurance is a document issued by an insurer that discloses details about your insurance coverage. It can disclose the owner of the policy’s information, information about the insured property or person (for life insurance policy) as well as the amount of insurance and the incidents that are covered.

Continue reading "What is a Certificate of Insurance?"
or contact us at (813) 933-6691 to learn more about Tampa Insurance.

Understanding Health Insurance Terms - Tampa, Florida

The overall idea of health insurance is easy to comprehend but behind is a complex product that you should understand in order to get the best product for you.

Health Insurance Terminology

Benefit: Health insurance benefits are financial terms and parameters of the services that are covered under your health insurance policy.

COBRA: The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) ensures group health insurance participants that they can continue receiving coverage under a group policy for a limited period of time after leaving the group. The COBRA act also protects dependents in the event that the group member dies or divorces them. This is exclusively helpful to individuals who are uninsurable or highly rated as a result of pre-existing conditions.

Coinsurance: Coinsurance is a percentage that the insured pays after the deductible has been met and does not generally exceed 20% of the cost of the procedure, treatment or visit.

Copayment: After your deductible has been reached, or in an insurance policy with no deductible, there is a flat fee that you must pay for the services you receive each time you receive them. This is called copayment.

Deductible: The deductible is the amount of money you must pay before your insurance company will begin paying any benefit.

Exclusions: The exclusions are any medical condition, illness or injury whose medical expenses are not included for coverage under the plan and that sometimes are referred to as riders.

Explanation of Benefits (EOB): Your insurance company will send you an accounting of all the procedures you had, the cost of the procedures and the amount the insurer paid for them under your policy. This is called EOB.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): The HIPAA governs the electronic privacy standards of health insurers and guarantees insurability after COBRA coverage ends as long as there has been continuous creditable coverage without a break of 63 days or longer (this number can vary depending on your state of residence).

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Health insurance ‘works’ because there is a network of medical facilities and doctors willing to perform services at the predetermined insurance company’s rate and to bill the insurance company for payment. When you have an HMO plan, you have a restricted network that you can visit for treatment. If you visit anyone outside that network there will be no insurance benefit paid against your claim and any out-of-pocket expenses will not be considered as part of your deductible.

Pre-existing conditions: If you were diagnosed with a chronic illness or injury before you became insured, this is considered a pre-existing condition. In group insurance, pre-existing conditions can be excluded in most states if you had a 63-day or longer gap in creditable coverage. Individual policies can exclude pre-existing conditions in most states whether or not there has been a gap in coverage. Some pre-existing conditions can even render the consumer uninsurable.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A PPO is similar to an HMO, but they offer a minimal benefit if you decide to visit a healthcare provider or facility outside the network of medical facilities and doctors.

To learn more about Health Insurance contact us today (813) 933-6691 or get a quote.

Tampa Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance

Why do you need auto insurance?

It's really all about protecting yourself financially.

• If you're in an accident or your car is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.
• If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.
• If you or your car is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth.
• Not only is having insurance a prudent financial decision, many states require you to have at least some coverage. 

Questions to ask your agent

Your Independent Agent is an advocate for finding auto insurance that meets your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion:

• How much can you afford to pay if you get in an accident? (To keep premiums low you may want to have a higher deductible and be willing to pay more for repairs.)
• What is the insurance company's level of service and ability to pay claims?
• What discounts are available? (Ask about good driver, multiple policy and student discounts.)
• What's the procedure for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.) 

Tampa, Florida

Tampa is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709.

The current location of Tampa was once inhabited by various indigenous cultures, most recently the Tocobaga. It was spotted by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century, but there were no permanent American or European settlements in the area until 1824, when the US Army established a frontier outpost called Fort Brooke at the site of today's Tampa Convention Center. The village of Tampa began as a small group of pioneers who settled near the fort for protection from the Seminole population in the area.

Today, Tampa is a part of the metropolitan area most commonly referred to as the Tampa Bay Area. For U.S. Census purposes, Tampa is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida MSA. The four-county area is composed of roughly 2.7 million residents, making it the second largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the state, and the fourth largest in the Southeastern United States, behind Miami, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. The Greater Tampa Bay area has just over 4 million residents and generally includes the Tampa and Sarasota metro areas. The Tampa Bay Partnership and U.S. Census data showed an average annual growth of 2.47 percent, or a gain of approximately 97,000 residents per year. Between 2000 and 2006, the Greater Tampa Bay Market experienced a combined growth rate of 14.8 percent, growing from 3.4 million to 3.9 million and hitting the 4 million people mark on April 1, 2007.

Tampa has a number of sports teams, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League, and the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies in North American Soccer League (2010). The Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball, are actually based in neighboring St. Petersburg, Florida.


In 2008, Tampa was ranked as the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes. A 2004 survey by the NYU newspaper Washington Square News ranked Tampa as a top city for "twenty-somethings." Tampa is ranked as a "high sufficiency" world city by Loughborough University and is one category away from becoming a Gamma world city. According to Loughborough, Tampa now ranks alongside other world cities such as Phoenix, Cologne, and Osaka. In recent years Tampa has seen a notable upsurge in high-market demand from consumers, signaling more wealth concentrated in the area. Tampa has been tapped to host the 2012 Republican National Convention.


(Source: Wikipedia.org)


As a result of the agency representing the best insurance companies operating in the state of Florida, the agency finds itself in a position to be able to offer excellent insurance coverages, in addition to the most competitive pricing. We are confident you will find that Adcock-Adcock Insurance Agency will provide you with a level of service that you could expect from a family owned insurance agency, while providing you with pricing equal to, or better than, the national companies. Call us today to get a free Tampa Auto Insurance quote.