Choosing the right home insurance policy is one of the most important things you must do as a homeowner. At B & G Insurance, we offer home insurance coverage that protects homeowners financially. 

The following are three mistakes homeowners in Miami, FL need to avoid when meeting their home insurance needs. 

Getting a quote from only one home insurance provider

Shopping around and comparing quotes between numerous home insurance providers in your area is essential.

By comparing your options and researching, you can be confident that your insurance policy is competitively priced and offers you good value. 

Being unaware of the exact coverage offerings of your policy

Reading over the details is important. Don’t make any assumptions about what types of home damage will be covered under your policy.

In particular, you shouldn’t assume that your policy includes flood coverage. Flood coverage is vital for Florida homeowners and isn’t typically included in most standard home insurance policies. 

Choosing the wrong deductible amount

Be sure to consider your options regarding your deductible amount carefully.

Choosing a deductible amount that’s very low could make it so that your monthly premiums are high. However, a deductible amount that’s too high could make it difficult to afford your deductible if you have to file a claim.

Consider your budget and the amount of funds available in your emergency fund to pay a deductible to determine what the deductible amount should be on your policy. 

If you’re in the market for a home insurance policy in Miami, FL, we’d like to help. Get in touch with us at B & G Insurance for a quote on a home insurance policy. 

Your home is family-centered and making sure that you keep it safe makes sense. Home insurance provides several different kinds of protection. When you have a mortgage, the lender requires you to maintain coverage, but it is a good idea, no matter what, to protect the major investment that your home is. At B & G Insurance in Miami, FL, we are locally owned and have more than 40 years of combined experience. We work for you and will use our expertise to find the best possible options to meet your needs. 

Home insurance is not static, it changes with you. What may have been adequate protection when you originally purchased your policy can end up being not nearly enough today. When your policy renews, most home policies renew yearly, that is the ideal time to check the declaration page to see what coverage you have and whether or not it provides enough protection. 

You need to consider if you have increased the value of your home significantly. The replacement value should reflect that increase. Have you added any additional risks such as a swimming pool, a dog, or a trampoline?  Are you worth significantly more than when you took out your policy? Is your liability coverage adequate and is it time to consider getting an umbrella policy? 

Have you made your home a safer place by adding a home security system or smoke detectors directly connected to the fire department? These are things that you need to make your insurance agent aware of. 

Have you added any jewelry, art, or collectibles to your home? You may need to consider content enforcement to extend the level of your coverage to protect the new additions. 

Basically, you should review your home policy any time you have a significant change in your personal situation. 

Contact B & G Insurance in Miami, FL when you are ready to discuss home insurance coverage.

Your Miami, FL home deserves the best protection it can have which means adequate home insurance. Most policies start with four basic coverages included. From there, the homeowner works with B & G Insurance to customize the policy, adding things like wind coverage or adding to the basic coverages.

The standard home policy covers property damages, liability, other structures, and additional living expenses. You can add coverage to every type of coverage except the living expenses.

The property damage portion of the policy covers damage to the house itself and its contents. This includes the personal property of those visiting your home when a named peril occurs. A named-peril means an event specifically named in the policy document such as fire, tornado, snowstorm, lightning strike, etc. The amount of this varies depending on your home. The value of your current home is covered by this portion of the policy.

The liability portion pays for the medical costs of individuals accidentally injured on your property as well as the court costs, attorney fees, and settlement from a lawsuit brought by an individual who was injured or their family. In cases of accidental death, it would pay funeral costs. It also covers the settlement costs if you libel someone. The standard policy level depends on your insurer, but you can add to it. Half a million to a million dollars of coverage is not excessive.

The other structures coverage typically equals about 10 percent of the value of the home. You can add to this though if needed. The structures covered include any standing structures on the property detached from the home. That means your garage, shed, workshop, driveway, fences, walkways, retaining wall, swimming pool, decks, patios, lanai, etc. If it attaches to the home, property damage covers it; if it is detached from the home, other structures cover it.

B & G Insurance can help you obtain the home insurance you need for your Miami, FL home. Call us or email us today to learn more about how you can customize your standard home insurance to your needs.

You need to perform certain tasks before the cold seasons and also before the hot seasons. These chores help keep your home safe and the people who visit it safe. At B & G Insurance, serving Miami, FL and the surrounding area, we can provide you with advice that can prevent a lawsuit, while it can also keep you and your family safe and comfortable.

Air Conditioner

You want your air conditioner functioning before the hot months begin, so you stay content indoors. However, maintaining your air conditioner may optimize the function of your cooling system, too. Additionally, servicing your unit has the possibility to prevent a fire.

Check Your Attic

Although it’s hot in the attic, you should check your attic for any dampness. You also want to check for mildew and leaks. It’s important to evaluate your attic for holes and pests as well. 

Examine Your Deck

Take a look at your deck before you start entertaining company during the warmer months. You want to evaluate each board for rotting. While you’re doing this, you should also check for any loose ones and hammer them in. This is an ideal time to reseal your deck to protect it against water. You may want to perform a water test, which is when you pour a small amount of water on your deck. Notice the results. If the water forms beads, your sealant is still intact. However, if it soaks into the wood, you need to apply it again. 

Update Your Homeowners Insurance 

Before the summer months, you need to update your homeowner’s policy. Make sure you have enough coverage and that it covers pools if you have one. 

Discover more about homeowner’s insurance policies and how to maintain your home for optimum safety by visiting B & G Insurance, serving Miami, FL, and the nearby region, by visiting our website. 

 

Buying a home is an important step in life. When you are looking to purchase a home, it is essential to find the home that is going to be suitable for you for many years to come. However, you also need to make sure that you are diligent about your purchase. For those that are in the Miami, FL area, this means having a quality home insurance policy in place. While it is always recommended, there are several situations in which having home insurance is also a requirement.

Part of an Association

When you were looking to purchase a home that is located in a community with an association, you almost always are required to carry home insurance. These communities are most concerned with whether or not you have liability insurance in place. The association will likely require that you provide annual proof of insurance and not having it could be a violation.

A Mortgage is in Place

If you are like the vast majority of home buyers, you likely have a mortgage in place. Mortgage lenders are always concerned with whether or not a borrower has home insurance. Because of this, you likely will have to have your payment escrowed on an annual basis. This will ensure that you comply with the lender’s requirements while also making sure that your home is adequately covered by home insurance. 

When you are looking for insurance for your Miami, FL home, reaching out to B & G Insurance could be a great option. When you meet with the team at B & G Insurance, we will discuss some of the options available for you to choose from with a home insurance policy. This will help to ensure that you are appropriately educated on the topics and are able to select the right coverage for your home. Reach out to our offices for more information.