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Do I need home insurance in Palm Coast?

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As you are looking for a new place to live, the Palm Coast, FL area can be a great option. If you move here, you can enjoy the great weather and local amenities. For those that are going to purchase a home here, getting the right home insurance is vital as it could be a necessity for many buyers. 

Required by Association

One reason that you may need to have home insurance in the Palm Coast area is that a home association could require it. If you live in a home association, the other members will want to ensure you are able to repair your home or pay for any damages that you or your property create. One of the best ways to do this is by making sure that all owners in the community carry a full home insurance policy.

Required by Lender

You are also likely going to need to get a home insurance policy if your mortgage lender requires it. Most of the time, a mortgage lender will require that you have one year of insurance paid upfront when you close on a home. Going forward, they will require that you escrow for future payments monthly. Doing this helps to ensure you do not have a lapse in insurance, which protects their collateral.

Anyone that is looking for home insurance in the Palm Coast, FL area should contact All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to discuss their insurance needs. The team at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School can help you better understand all of your options when it comes to protecting your home. We can then help you find a policy that ensures you are fully protected. 

How to stay up-to date with your auto insurance while on vacation

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There is so much to think about when going on a holiday, especially with regards to your insured assets. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and wonder whether it is a good idea to notify your insurance company of your trips or not. Fortunately, you don’t need to. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School, we understand that people travel a lot in Palm Coast, FL, and across the world. However, it is always prudent to let your auto insurance know that you will be away for more than 30 days.

Can I suspend my auto insurance?

Of course. If you are going to be away for a more extended period let’s say more than three months or are not sure how long you will be away, you can always agree with your insurance provider to suspend or lower your rates depending on whether you will use the car or not. It is essential to inform your provider early before your bills are late. If you are leaving with your vehicle, you will also need to inform your provider.

When should you cancel your policy?

Since all the 50 states require you to carry minimum liability coverage, you may face a few challenges when trying to cancel your policy. Instead of withdrawing it, your insurance provider may request that you suspend or slash your costs. You also have the option of removing yourself from the policy and letting another member take over while you are away. This is the best option if you have other people being left behind.

Auto insurance concept is complex. Making assumptions can mislead you into making the wrong decisions. If you live in or around Palm Coast, FL, feel free to visit us at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School, and we will be happy to share more information with you.

How Do You Ensure You Have The Right Amount Of Flood Insurance?

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Several different types of insurance are meant to protect a home or personal property. One particular type is part of a national government program to protect homeowners from damages related to flooding in a variety of scenarios. Flood insurance can be the layer of coverage to allow you to pick up the pieces and get back to normal when nature takes a turn for the worse.

Flood Insurance Protection

Flood insurance will cover structural damages to the covered items listed on the policy, which can include personal items as well. Before buying flood insurance, it’s essential to know precisely what level of coverage you need. To properly make a selection, work with a licensed insurance agent who knows the ins and outs of flood insurance policies. They can explain critical details that you need to be aware of before signing the policy. 

Agents are There to Help

Flood insurance is a unique type of insurance coverage that has many terms and conditions to be aware of before you make a purchase. Your insurance agent can explain all of the fine print and important points of interest so you can be a more educated buyer. Anyone who is currently searching for flood insurance in the Palm Coast, FL area can rely on All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to provide them with the coverage and guidance they need to get the right protection for their situation.

Get the assistance you need to get essential flood insurance to protect your home and property. Call or stop by the office of All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School today for more details and to schedule a consultation. Residents of Palm Coast, FL can get the peace of mind they need with flood insurance coverage. 

What happens if your home insurance policy lapses?

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Your home insurance plan is essential when you want to protect your personal finances in Palm Coast, FL. Such is the reason why you should make sure that your premiums are paid on time to ensure that there are no lapses in coverage. You should call the agents at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School immediately if your home insurance plan has been canceled or is at risk of lapsing. 

What does a lapse in insurance mean?

Lapses in home insurance are instances where there is no coverage. The most common reason for gaps in indemnity protection is because of missed payments. 

Many insurance providers offer grace periods that homeowners can lean on if they happen to run late on making monthly premium payments. Those who go beyond the grace period generally forfeit their policy’s coverage and are fully responsible for any losses during the time that they are uninsured. 

What happens when a home insurance policy lapses?

You are at risk of paying higher rates when you let your home insurance plan lapse. Data shows that those who maintain their indemnity policies are less likely to file claims for losses. Meanwhile, those who have several gaps in insurance are generally regarded as high-risk customers. 

Those with lenders are also at risk of having the mortgage company purchase coverage on their behalf. This type of insurance is not meant to protect your assets but rather to guard the lender from significant financial loss in the instance of your home being damaged beyond repair. You will pay the highest premiums for home insurance chosen by the lender. 

Do not let your home insurance fall behind!

The financial responsibility of incidents that occur while you are uninsured completely rests on your shoulders. Do not let your home indemnity plan in Palm Coast, FL lapse! Instead, call the agents at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to learn about your available options. 

What does a comprehensive auto policy cover

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Auto insurance is not one size fits all. Every customer has different needs and finding the perfect fit is what good auto insurance agents will do. Auto insurance is basically three types of different coverage, liability, collision and comprehensive. While liability and collision are pretty much exactly what they sound like, comprehensive is a type of insurance that is confusing and often misunderstood. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL, we understand all facets of auto insurance and we are ready to help you to understand comprehensive coverage and whether it is something that you need. 

Comprehensive auto insurance is not all-encompassing even though that is what the name implies. It is also known as non-collision insurance. It covers damage that happens to your vehicle that is beyond your control. When storms rage across your area, they may drop hail that can cause major damage to your vehicle. Strong winds cause branches to fall from trees and land on your vehicle. You have no control over the weather. If your vehicle is vandalized or stolen, it is comprehensive auto insurance that will help you to repair or replace it. 

Another danger in many places is large animals running into the road and causing massive damage to vehicles. A deer can result in the total loss of a vehicle depending on the size of the vehicle. Glass coverage is also usually part of comprehensive auto insurance. 

When you are ready to discuss your auto insurance needs, we are here for you. You can use our online rating tool or give us a call at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL to make an appointment to sit down with a knowledgeable member of our team. We will listen to your concerns and give you the answers that you need and want. 

Is the Flood Water Really Rising Across America?

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the governmental agency responsible for maintaining and updating the floodplain maps that are used across America to determine the areas that are in flood zones.

In the areas that are officially flood zones, which have a high risk of flooding, mortgage lenders and government-backed FHA loan programs require that a homeowner carry flood insurance. Your agent at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School serving the Palm Coast, FL area can help you get flood insurance, which meets these requirements. The problem is that these flood zones are no longer accurate.

In recent years, flooding occurred in many parts of the U.S. that had never seen any flooding like that before. Homes that were many miles outside flood zones were awash with water when river banks overflowed in record amounts during the past few years.

Many 500-Year Floods in a Few Years

All of this record flooding is due to the severe weather pattern changes that are happening. How bad is it?

FEMA has the designations on the flood zone maps of 100-year flood zones and 500-year flood zones. In a 100-year flood zone, there is one chance in a hundred (1%) each year of having a flood. In a 500-year zone, which has no requirement to carry flood insurance, there is only a 0.2% chance of having a flood each year. Sounds safe from floods, right?

Houston had three 500-year floods within three years. That is one 500-year flood each year. Homes that never had seen flood waters got hit by them for the first time, and then it happened again and again. Is that bad luck? Probably not. It likely means the maps are no longer useful in predicting flooding.

Summary

The message to everyone in Florida is that you need flood insurance for your home. Even if your mortgage lender does not require it, you probably should have it anyway.

Contact your agent at All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL to get a quote for flood insurance.

Do You Really Need a Home Inventory?

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Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you probably have valuable goods that need insurance protection. A home inventory will provide you with an accurate account of all your assets and their value to help you select the home insurance coverage you need. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL, we recommend that all Flagler County homeowners and renters create a home inventory of their possessions for insurance purposes. Here’s how a home inventory can benefit you. 

Proof of Ownership & Property Value

A home inventory that lists all the items you own and documents their value can be used as proof of ownership when making a claim. If you were to lose all your possessions in a major disaster, your home inventory would make it easier to recuperate your losses per your insurance coverage.

Accuracy in Insurance Protection

A home inventory will help you obtain proper insurance protection for your goods. Standard home insurance offers protection for personal property along with dwelling and liability coverage. The amount of property coverage you choose depends on the value of your goods. Having a complete list of your goods enables you to choose accurate coverage to meet your needs.

Facilitate Claims Process

Documenting your personal goods will make it much easier to make a claim when you need it. Your home inventory should include a description, photos, or videos of your goods, particularly high-end items. If these items are stolen, damaged, or lost in a covered peril, you’ll have the information you need on hand to expedite your claim. By maintaining an up-to-date home inventory, you can be prepared for any eventuality.

For help in making a home inventory or to learn more about home insurance coverage and costs, call or visit All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL.

What Is Flood Insurance and Why Do I need It?

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If you are a Florida resident, then you’ve likely heard of flood insurance, but whether or not you are required to have it largely depends on what flood zone your home lies in. Whether you are in Palm Coast, FL or the Florida Keys, flood insurance is a reality in the state.

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood Insurance covers homes for losses due to water damage and specifically flooding. While any dwelling can be covered by additional flood insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency maps flood zones throughout the country to determine what areas are at the highest risk of damage from floods. They require flood insurance to be purchased at the time of a mortgage issuance. 

Is Flood Insurance Required in Florida?

If the flood zone maps from FEMA indicate that your home is located in a flood zone designated with an A or V, you will likely need to purchase flood insurance. However, homes in an X, C, or B flood zone are at a lower risk of flooding and may not be required to have additional coverage. However, even for Florida homes where flood insurance is not required, it may not be a bad idea to at least explore your coverage options. Talking through your options with a qualified insurance company like All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School in Palm Coast, FL will help you make an educated decision. 

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?

The pricing of the policy is mostly determined by the zone in which the property resides. It also includes other factors like the number of floors and the age of the home. At All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School, we’ll work with you to shop for the best rate that fits your needs.

 

 

First Time Homeowners: Planning Your New Home Purchase

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Homeownership is one of the most celebrated of real estate achievements, and first-time homebuyers have good reasons to be pleased with their planning. Getting through the process can be simplified with a few planning steps including insurance. Paperwork for the real estate part of the process often includes a purchase contract along with the start of paperwork being processed at a title company. This also may be an excellent time to get additional information for home insurance. All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School is available to answer questions about home insurance and any other types of coverage options. Serving the Palm Coast, FL area, the trained staff from this agency is experienced working with homeowners and first-time buyers.

In addition to the paperwork that is needed for the real estate purchase, many first-time homebuyers understand that they can begin planning and coordinating for the moving process. This includes moving furniture, household items, and anything else that will be transported to the new property. Other planning steps can be more manageable with an estimated date for closing on the home and the best estimates for moving into the house. Having good contacts throughout this process is helpful.

All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School has a friendly staff waiting to help you with the planning for your new home purchase and the insurance part of the process. The opportunities for homeowners throughout Palm Coast, FL, and Flagler County are essential for many people, and experience is helpful in the process of acquiring your new home. You can visit our office or contact us with any questions you may have about the planning. Call our agency today for more information, and congratulations on planning your new home purchase.

 

Do I Really Need Auto Insurance if I have an Old Car?

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Many of us drive old cars that may no longer have much monetary value. This may lead many of us to question whether or not we need to carry insurance on an old car. Of course, the answer is "yes." However, more importantly, the question is how much and what type. Car insurance is a necessity for most cars regardless of where you live. However, the right conversation with an insurance agent is probably all you need to determine the best type of coverage for your car. 

The Law and Car Insurance

The law requires all car owners to carry liability insurance. This insurance is the minimal insurance required because it takes care of any liability you may have if you cause damage to another person’s car or injury to others as a result of a car accident. This is why most states require liability insurance which covers both bodily injury and property damage insurance. However, you can also invest in comprehensive and collision insurance to protect your car as well. However, there are guidelines to consider before you invest in more insurance.

How Much Insurance is Enough?

Most car owners wonder just how much insurance they truly need to protect themselves, their vehicle, and other people and their vehicles. The answer is fairly simple. If you’re financing a car, most lenders will require that you carry full insurance on your car. This ensures that they will be reimbursed should anything happen to your car while you’re still paying on it. However, even people who aren’t financing their car invest in liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Full comprehensive and collision insurance will pay for any car repairs that result from a collision or an accident. However, collision and comprehensive is only a wise investment if the full value of your car is more than ten percent of your deductible. If it’s not, you are probably paying too much for car insurance primarily because the repairs could exceed the value of the car which means that the insurance company wouldn’t pay for the repairs.

All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School of Palm Coast FL understands that car insurance can be confusing when it comes to deciding how much you need and what type will be best for you. However, these agents are committed to helping you select the best coverage for your car and your unique situation. Give All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School so that we can find the best policy for you.