post

Simple Tips to Prevent Car Theft

by Posted in Auto Insurance Tagged , ,

In 2022, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the U.S.—an increase of 7 percent over the previous year. And industry experts say that nearly half of the time, owner errors contributed to the theft of the vehicle!

You may not think your vehicle is of interest to a car thief, but it’s not always the most expensive or flashy vehicles which are stolen. The top five vehicles stolen in 2021 were full size Chevy and Ford trucks, Honda Civics and Accords, and Toyota Camrys. In many cases, car thieves target vehicles because they want to resell the parts.

If you carry comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy and your car is stolen, your loss should be covered, less your deductible. However, since you don’t want to go through the hassle and expense of losing your vehicle in the first place, here are a few simple tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of car theft.

Avoid being an easy target

Car thieves look for the easiest marks they can find—vehicles with unlocked doors, open windows, and so on. Even if they don’t steal your vehicle, thieves also look for valuables they can resell left in unlocked vehicles. Make it harder for them to take your vehicle and your belongings, and they will move on to an easier target.

Make it hard to get in

  • Always lock your car doors when you leave your vehicle. Roll up your windows, too.
  • Never leave your keys or key fob in your car.
  • Never leave the car running and unattended, even if you leave the car locked.
  • Don’t leave valuables like phones, purses, or laptops in your car. If you must leave them, put them out of sight. Consider locking them in your trunk before you reach your destination in case anyone is watching as you leave your car.

Pay attention to where you park

  • Park in well-lighted, high-traffic areas, such as near store entrances or guard shacks in public parking garages. Don’t give thieves privacy and darkness in which to work.
  • At home, if you can’t park in a garage, park under a streetlight, or install motion-detecting lights that will illuminate where you park.

Make it harder to steal

  • Add an anti-theft device such as a steering wheel lock, noise-making alarm, or an ignition kill switch.
  • Etch your vehicle identification number (VIN) on your windows, or use paint or an indelible marker to place your VIN under the hood, on your battery, and under your trunk lid. This makes it harder for thieves to get rid of the car and easier for police to identify it if it is stolen.

If your car is stolen

Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, your vehicle might be stolen anyway. If this happens to you, report the theft to the police within 24 hours. You’ll need to provide the following: Make, model, and color of your vehicle; license plate number; Vehicle identification number; any additional identifying characteristics of the vehicle. You should also report the theft to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Don’t be an easy target for car thieves. Take these simple, common-sense precautions to reduce the chance that you’ll be a victim of car theft.

L & M Insurance Group: your source for car insurance

If you’re shopping for car insurance, please call L & M Insurance Group at 813-672-4100 for a no-obligation quote, or click here to contact us online. As an independent insurance agency, we work with many insurance companies in order to help you find the best coverage for your specific needs at the most competitive price. For more than 30 years, L & M Insurance Group has helped customers in Riverview, Brandon, Gibsonton, Apollo Beach and Tampa.

post

Why Is My Homeowners Insurance Cancelling or Non-renewing?

by Posted in Homeowners Insurance Tagged , ,

Florida homeowners insurance is some of the most expensive in the nation, and it’s getting more challenging to find appropriate coverage. Once you’ve shopped for a policy that meets your needs, you’re all set, right? Hopefully, yes, but with the homeowners insurance market’s continuing volatility, there’s a chance that your homeowners policy could be cancelled or non-renewed. What then?

Sometimes this is out of your control, such as when an insurance company decides to reduce or eliminate coverage in a certain geographical area, or becomes insolvent, something we’ve seen far too often in Florida. But there are a few things you can do to lessen the chance of your policy being cancelled or non-renewed.

Cancellation vs. nonrenewal

First, what is the difference between cancellation and non-renewal? If you receive a notice of non-renewal, that means you will not be able to renew your homeowners policy at the end of the policy term. By state law, insurance companies are required to notify you at least 45 days before the end date of your policy in order for you to be have time to find a new policy.

Cancellation can take place during the policy term. Generally, a homeowners insurance policy is cancelled due to either fraud/misrepresentation or failure to pay insurance premiums.

Why your homeowners insurance might be cancelled or non-renewed

Homeowners insurance companies aren’t looking to cancel or non-renew your insurance coverage—they need policyholders or they wouldn’t be in business. But there are a few situations that make it more likely that your policy will be cancelled or non-renewed.

  • You don’t make your payments on time. It seems obvious, but for your policy to remain in effect, you need to make your homeowners insurance payments. If you’re being cancelled for non-payment, contact your insurance company to see if you can get back on track. Some companies offer a grace period and will reinstate your policy when they receive your payment. If your homeowners insurance is paid through an escrow account by your mortgage company, you’ll need to call them to make sure the payments are sent on time.
  • You make excessive claims (even if the insurance company doesn’t pay out). If you have significant damage to your home, of course you should make a claim. But too many people try to make claims that don’t fall under the limits of homeowners insurance. If you wonder if your problem is one that homeowners insurance should fix, call your insurance company or agent to check before making a claim. (For more information, see “What Your Homeowners Insurance Won’t Cover.”)
  • Your home is in an area of high risk, such as one prone to wildfires, flooding, or hurricanes.

  • You own certain types of pets—a dog breed considered aggressive, or certain reptiles, for example.
  • You don’t maintain your property in good condition. An insurance company may cancel or non-renew your policy if an inspection reveals structural damage or other significant maintenance issues. Avoid this by keeping your home in good repair. (Click here for a spring maintenance checklist!)

How L & M Insurance Group can help

If your homeowners insurance policy is cancelled or non-renewed, whatever you do, don’t wait to shop for a new policy. Florida’s homeowners insurance market is still in crisis, and you’ll want to give yourself as much time as possible to find coverage to protect your home. If you need to shop for a new homeowners insurance policy, give L & M Insurance Group a call at (813) 672-4100, or click here for an online quote. Our agents will be happy to help you find coverage to protect your greatest asset—your home.

L & M Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency serving the personal and commercial insurance needs of Riverview, Brandon, Tampa, Valrico, and surrounding areas.

post

Tips to Avoid Scams After a Disaster

by Posted in Homeowners Insurance Tagged , , , ,

When you’ve just come through a disaster like a hurricane, flood, or wildfire, the last thing you want to worry about is getting scammed. Unfortunately, when people are at their most scared and vulnerable, that’s when scammers try to take advantage. Here are a few things you should know about protecting yourself from scams after a disaster.

Types of scams to watch for

Identity theft

If you get an unsolicited call from someone saying they’re from your insurance company, your mortgage company, or an agency such as FEMA, don’t give out any personal information. Hang up and call that entity directly to verify. Scammers are looking for information like your Social Security number, bank account info, even your insurance policy number and details in order to steal your identity or otherwise cheat you.

Insurance fraud or abuse

Someone may try to convince you to hire them to inspect your home’s damage. Your insurance company will provide an adjustor for free—you don’t have to hire one yourself. Keep in mind that most claims can be handled without the involvement of outside adjustors—or attorneys. Remember to give your insurance company time to settle the claim. In the case of a disaster like a hurricane, they will be dealing with thousands of claims at once. (If you run into problems, you can always hire an outside professional later.)

Charity scams

Maybe you personally weren’t affected by the disaster, and you’d like to help those who have been. Maybe you see an appeal on social media or get an email request for donations. Before you donate, check out the charity to be sure it’s real. Organizations like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or Give.org can help vet an organization you’d like to support. If you get an email appeal, be cautious about opening it, and don’t click links from an unknown source.  

Fake government representatives

Agencies like FEMA, HUD, and the U.S. Small Business Association do not charge a fee for helping you apply for disaster aid, or inspecting your home after a disaster. They will not ask for personal info like your Social Security number or bank account information. They also do not endorse individual contractors.

Construction fraud

After a storm or other disaster, you may see construction industry salespeople going door-to-door in an affected neighborhood. While some of these folks are reputable, many are not. Be wary of any contractor who wants to rush you into a contract, wants a large amount of money before starting the job, or who says they can work it so you don’t have to pay your deductible.

If possible, choose a contractor recommended by someone you know and who has a positive reputation in the area. For major jobs, get several written estimates to compare. Lowball bids often are too good to be true. And don’t make your final payment until you’ve inspected the repairs and you’re satisfied with them.

Common sense ways to protect yourself

  • Ask questions. Ask to see ID, ask for references and to see appropriate licenses. Ask if you don’t understand something you’re being asked to sign.
  • Don’t allow yourself to be rushed. Take time to compare bids and read through contracts. A little time spent now can help you avoid a lot of frustration later.
  • Pay with a check or credit card. You’ll have a record of what you pay, and possible recourse if you need to stop payment. And ask for and keep all receipts.
  • If you have questions, contact your insurance agent or your insurance company directly.

Questions about your coverage?

When disaster strikes, the right insurance coverage is essential. If you have questions about your coverage—whether it’s for your home, vehicles, or business—please give L & M Insurance Group a call. Our agency, located in Riverview, Florida, serves the needs of thousands of clients just like you. Our goal is to find insurance coverage tailor-made for you at the most competitive rate. Call us at (813) 672-4100 or contact us online.

For more information on avoiding scams:

Housing Counseling Disaster Recovery Toolkit

post

What Is Social Inflation, and How Does It Affect You?

by Posted in Commercial Insurance, News Tagged , ,

As if the Florida insurance markets don’t have enough challenges, there’s a relatively new concept causing concern here as well in the rest of the country: social inflation. In fact, some insurance industry experts list it as one of their main concerns in 2023.

What is social inflation?

Social inflation describes the impact on the cost of insurance claims caused by rising litigation costs. These costs are different from those related to traditional inflation—things like material costs, labor prices, or supply chain issues. One example of the impact of social inflation: According to a report released March 6, “U.S. commercial auto insurance liability claim payouts increased $30 billion more than would have been otherwise expected between 2012 and 2021 due in part to social inflation.”

The primary factors influencing social inflation include:

  • Runaway litigation—insurance companies face a much higher than normal number of lawsuits.
  • “Nuclear” verdicts—an increase in huge jury awards.
  • Rollback of tort reform which placed limits on non-economic damages.
  • Litigation funding from third parties—third parties provide legal funding to clients and their attorneys in exchange for a share of a winning jury award or arbitration, often resulting in legal proceedings that take longer than expected (another driver of social inflation).

The use of the word “social” indicates that the attitudes of society play a role. Negative attitudes of the public toward corporations, a desire to “see someone pay” when an accident occurs, and the ability of plaintiffs’ attorneys to play on the sympathies of a jury all affect litigation costs. At this time, social inflation is primarily affecting commercial auto insurance, professional liability, product liability, excess liability and umbrella policies, and increasingly, personal auto insurance.

How does social inflation affect you?

As we’ve seen in the Florida homeowners insurance market, the actions of some affect what we all pay for our insurance. Social inflation makes insurance cost more because it inflates the cost of claim payouts. It likely also increases the costs of goods and services, because when businesses have to pay more for insurance coverage, they pass some of that cost on to their customers.

Insurance companies have tools to plan for factors influenced by traditional inflation, but social inflation is unpredictable and hard to foresee. If social inflation continues for a significant amount of time, insurance companies may not be able to keep premium increases in line with the rising costs of claims. This threatens the solvency of insurance companies, and in some instances, results in insurance companies deciding not to write certain coverage at all. This makes it harder for you to get the insurance coverage you need.

What can be done about social inflation?

Insurance companies have become more aware of social inflation, and are doing what they can to mitigate its effects, including improving risk management practices, educating the public, and advocating for more transparency around third-party litigation funding.

As an independent insurance agency, L & M Insurance Group partners with multiple commercial and personal lines insurance carriers, and monitors insurance markets for current trends. If you need a quote for commercial auto, personal auto, homeowners insurance, commercial liability, or any other form of business or personal insurance, please give us a call at (813) 672-4100, or contact us online. Because we’re independent, we have much more flexibility in finding insurance coverage tailored for your specific needs.

post

5 Tips to Improve Your Credit Score—and Lower Your Insurance Premiums

by Posted in Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance Tagged , ,

When high prices make you feel financially pinched, you look for ways to save money on your expenses, including insurance premiums. One way to do this is to improve your credit score.

Even though they aren’t the same, there is a connection between credit scores and credit-based insurance scores, also known simply as insurance scores. As we explained in “How Your Credit Affects Your Insurance Premiums”:

“Credit-based insurance scores (or insurance scores) are ratings based on your consumer credit information. They use much of the same information to provide a rating as credit scores do—payment history, outstanding debt, pursuit of new credit, credit mix—but they are used to predict insurance losses. As with credit scores, the higher your insurance score the better, because, according to the Insurance Information Institute (iii.org), ‘Insurance claims tend to decline as credit scores improve.’”

And according to this Forbes Advisor article, drivers with bad credit may pay up to 42 percent more for their car insurance than those with good credit. Homeowners insurance rates are also affected by credit scores.

So let’s take a closer look at your credit score, since improving it just might save you money on your home and car insurance.

Credit score factors

A credit score is your credit history reduced to a number between 300 and 850. The higher the score, the better credit risk you are. Scores above 720 are considered good, and those below 630 are considered poor.

There are five components of a credit score:

  • Payment history
  • Amount you owe (“credit utilization”)
  • Length of credit history
  • Credit mix—what types of credit you have, such as credit cards, student loans, car loans, etc.
  • Hard inquiries for new credit—have you been trying to get a lot of new credit in a short period of time?

The most important of these factors are your payment history and credit utilization.

Five tips to improve your credit score

Though it may take a bit of time, it’s worth the effort to improve your credit score for both your financial health and as a way to lower your insurance premiums. Here are five tips to improve your credit score:

  1. First, check your credit report for errors and outdated information. By law, once a year you can request a credit report from the three main reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—go to AnnualCreditReport.com for more information). One study found that more than one quarter of consumers had at least one error on their reports that would make a difference in their credit score. Look for accounts that aren’t yours, on-time payments marked late, etc.
  2. Pay your bills on time. The most important and effective thing you can do to raise your credit score. Set up payment reminders or take advantage of auto pay. If you find you’re not going to be able to pay at least the minimum due, contact your creditor to see if they have hardship options available.
  3. Monitor your credit utilization. How much of your available credit are you using? Are your credit cards maxed out? Pay down high credit card balances when you get the chance. If you pay off a card, leave the account open, even if you don’t intend to use it. Accounts like this help with both credit utilization and length of credit history. Experts recommend keeping your credit utilization at no more than 30% of your available credit, preferably lower.
  4. Build a credit history. Some people have lower credit scores partly because they don’t have much of a credit history. If you have little to no credit history, build one by applying for a department store or gas credit card. These are usually easy to get. You may also choose to apply for a secured credit card. This card requires a deposit equal to your credit limit. Otherwise, it functions just like an unsecured credit card—you’ll need to pay your bill monthly (the deposit can’t be used to pay your bills, but usually you’ll get that money back when you’re done needing a secured card).
  5. Keep “hard” credit enquiries to a minimum. Even if you need to apply for credit to build a history, don’t try to open too many accounts in a short period of time. And if you need to shop for a car loan or mortgage, do so in a focused period of time.

No matter what your credit score, L & M Insurance Group can help you find the best deal on insurance

L & M Insurance Group partners with many different insurance companies, so whether you have good credit or bad credit, we can match you with auto and home insurance coverage at the most competitive price. Because we are an independent agency, we have more options to choose from than a captive agency does. Let our agents shop for your best insurance deal—call us at 813-672-4100, or click here to contact us online.

For more information:

How to Improve Your Credit Score

post

Are You Covered? Liability Insurance Options for Business Owners

by Posted in Commercial Insurance Tagged , ,

You’ve spent years working to make your business a reality. Finally, after all your hard work, you’re making money. Then—disaster! A customer slips and falls in your office and sues you, one of your employees is injured on the job, or a computer with sensitive client information is stolen!

Most if not all businesses need the protection of commercial liability insurance. Along with your own best practices, partnering with a commercial insurance company can give you peace of mind that your business can survive a lawsuit, data breach, or other covered loss. Commercial insurance can protect many different businesses—from a small retailer to a real estate investor, a landscaping company, to a CPA.  

What is liability insurance?

Commercial liability insurance covers what you as the policyholder are legally obligated to pay because of bodily injury or property damage caused to another person. For businesses, this coverage is essential, protecting assets from lawsuits that could be financially devastating, or even put you out of business entirely.

What type of liability coverage do I need?

The type or types of liability coverage you need to protect your assets depends on your business. The kind of work you do, your property and equipment, your customers and employees—these factors influence the kind of coverage you’ll need. Here are some of the most important coverages to consider:

Commercial general liability. Most businesses need general liability. This coverage protects you from claims that include customer injury or property damage, mistakes that adversely affect a client financially, or advertising that hurts a competitor. General liability insurance can be bought by itself, or as part of a business owner’s policy, or BOP, which combines business liability, property, and income coverage into one policy.

Workers compensation. This coverage provides financial compensation to employees who have been injured on the job and can’t work. Employer’s liability, which is often included in a workers comp policy, helps employers pay for legal costs when an employee is injured on the job.

Professional liability insurance, or errors and omissions insurance (E&O). Like malpractice insurance for doctors, this coverage protects you if a customer sues you because of a professional mistake or oversight.

Umbrella or excess liability. Additional coverage which takes over once policy limits have been reached on your general liability, employer’s liability, or commercial auto policy.

Employment practices liability. EPL covers damages and defense costs if an employee claims harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, or makes another employment-related claim. 

Cyber liability. Helps your business deal with the financial repercussions of a data breach or cyberattack.

How can L & M Insurance Group help me with my insurance needs?

You’re not wrong to think there’s insurance available for almost any crisis a business might face! If you need help in sorting through the insurance coverage your business needs, please consult with an L & M Insurance Group agent to discuss your specific situation. We can help you tailor your insurance coverage to address the specific risks unique to your business. Reach us by phone at 813-672-4100, or click here to contact us online. L & M Insurance Group is a locally owned, independent small business—let us help you protect your business from the unexpected.

post

I’ve Never Had a Claim—Why Does My Insurance Keep Going Up?

by Posted in Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, News Tagged , , , , ,

This is a common complaint among our customers who find their home and auto insurance rates continue to rise, even when they haven’t had any claims. We know this can be frustrating and we always do our best to find the most competitive insurance rates, no matter what type of insurance our clients need.

As we’ve noted before, the Florida insurance marketplace has some unique challenges, but the cost of insurance is rising in most states. Insurance companies look at many factors when they set their rates, only some of which you can influence—like keeping your driving record clean or improving your credit score. But there are some things which are beyond both your control and your insurance company’s control, factors which are at work in the industry at large. Here are a few things which affect the price of your insurance—even if you, personally, don’t have a claim.

Insurance is a “pool of risk”

First, understand that the central function of insurance is the sharing or pooling of risk. In return for a premium, the insurer agrees to pay for the covered losses of its policyholders. As the Insurance Information Institute (iii.org) rather poetically explains, “If risks—chances of loss—can be divided among many members of a group, then they need fall but lightly on any single member of the group. Thus misfortunes that could be crushing to one can be made bearable for all.”

Insurance protects against catastrophic loss, and in that role it helps to keep society functioning. We couldn’t get credit to buy a house or car, or to start a business if creditors couldn’t have some guarantee of being paid back in the event of a loss. A family who loses a home and all their belongings in a fire would be devastated without an insurance policy. A small business owner could lose everything if someone sued them after slipping and falling at their business. Insurance helps protect us all from financial ruin.

Claims have become more frequent

So remembering that insurance is a pool of risk, if claims become more expensive or more frequent, everyone in the pool will be affected. Simply put, you may not have made a claim, but plenty of other people have. According to Climate.gov, “In 2021, the U.S. experienced 20 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, putting 2021 in second place for the most disasters in a calendar year, behind the record 22 separate billion-dollar events in 2020.” These events include wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and, of course, hurricanes. Plus, those claims numbers don’t include the more mundane events that take place every day—the fender benders, the burst pipes, and so on.

The cost of everything is increasing

This includes the costs to rebuild or repair homes and vehicles in the event of a loss. Home renovations, demand for new construction, and supply chain issues have limited the availability of construction supplies and materials, inflating prices. Auto claims costs are also rising because of similar factors.

Another significant expense for insurance companies is the rising cost of reinsurance (insurance for insurance companies).

Because of these factors, the cost of doing business has insurance companies scrambling. In order to stay in business themselves, they pass on these increased expenses to policyholders.

L & M Insurance Group—your independent agency

Despite the cost, buying appropriate insurance is still one of the best ways you can protect your assets. If you want to be sure you’re paying the most competitive rate for your insurance, why not call a local, independent agency like L & M Insurance Group? Our agents are well-versed in the Florida insurance marketplace and will be happy to answer your questions and give you a quote. We handle personal lines, such as homeowners and auto, as well as business insurance, health, and life insurance. Please call (813) 672-4100, or click here to contact us online. Let us help you find the best insurance coverage at the most competitive price.

post

New Homeowners Insurance Legislation—Will It Bring Your Premiums Down?

by Posted in Homeowners Insurance, News Tagged , ,

If you own a home in Florida, you know that homeowners insurance premiums are skyrocketing, and it’s getting harder for some to even find homeowners insurance. In 2022 alone, six Florida homeowners companies became insolvent, leaving thousands of consumers scrambling for coverage. Many insurance companies are cancelling or non-renewing policies, as well as tightening underwriting requirements. Florida property insurance companies have recorded underwriting losses of more than 1 billion dollars for the past two years, and many are fleeing the state or raising premiums as much as they are allowed to by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

And while hurricanes and other covered perils contributed to their losses, insurance experts note that lawsuits and assignment of benefits abuse have been the main reasons for underwriting losses.

In December 2022, Florida lawmakers met in a special session to address the crisis in the homeowners insurance market. They passed Senate Bill 2A (SB 2A) which was signed into law by the governor on Dec. 16.

SB 2A provisions

While there are still many issues to address, we hope this bill will help stabilize the homeowners insurance market in Florida, stop the steep rise in premiums, and keep homeowners insurance available to everyone. Here are a few of the main provisions of SB 2A:

  • Creates a state-backed reinsurance fund to offer reinsurance (insurance for insurance companies) at lower rates to insurers struggling with the cost. Reinsurance prices have risen significantly, and experts expect them to continue to go up in 2023.
  • Eliminates one-way attorney fee provisions. In the past, property insurers were responsible for paying the attorney fees of policyholders who sue them over a claim and win. Now, each party will pay for their own attorney fees.
  • Prohibits the assignment of benefits for both residential property and commercial property claims. Assignment of benefits is an agreement that gives a third party, such as a contractor, authority to do such things as file claims and collect insurance payments, without the involvement of the homeowner. Originally intended to streamline the claims process, assignment of benefits has become a vehicle for abuse and fraud.
  • Attempts to return Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to the status of insurer of last resort by requiring policyholders to accept renewal or take-out offers from an authorized company that is within 20 percent of the policyholder’s Citizens insurance premium.
  • Requires those with Citizens policies to purchase flood insurance.

The bill also contains provisions to encourage insurance companies to pay claims promptly, including requiring them to begin an investigation of a claim within seven days, and reducing the time for them to pay or deny a claim from 90 to 60 days.

Will homeowners insurance premiums come down?

The question everyone wants to know the answer to! Unfortunately, we won’t see the price of homeowners insurance come down right away, though it’s possible we might see decreases in a year to 18 months’ time. It will take time to see the results of the changes taking effect. State regulators and lawmakers say they will continue to monitor the situation and have requested data from the insurance companies about litigation and other factors which contribute to insurance company insolvencies.

Your partners at L & M Insurance Group

The insurance professionals at L & M Insurance Group are experts in navigating the Florida homeowners insurance market. If you receive a cancellation or non-renewal notice for your homeowners policy, or your renewal offer goes up drastically, we can help. Give us a call at 813-671-4200, (or click here to contact us online) and one of our agents will help you review your homeowners insurance options. L & M Insurance Group is a locally owned, independent insurance agency. We’ve served Riverview, Tampa, Brandon, Valrico, and surrounding communities for more than 30 years.

post

Fire Pit Safety Tips

by Posted in Homeowners Insurance Tagged ,

With the holidays and some of Florida’s nicest weather approaching, many of us are planning outdoor get-togethers. When the nights get cooler, one fun gathering spot is a fire pit—imagine relaxing around a fire, sipping a warm drink, maybe roasting marshmallows with the kids.

Florida homeowners don’t usually need a fire permit for a small fire such as one in a fire pit, but you may want to check with your homeowners association to see if there are any regulations to be aware of.

Fire pits can be either portable or built-in, and if you’re thinking of installing one, or enjoying one you already have, here are a few basic fire pit safety tips so you and your guests don’t get burned.

Preparing the fire pit

When deciding where to put your fire pit, be sure to position it at least 10 feet away from any structure (including your neighbor’s house). Be careful that there are no tree limbs or other flammable items hanging over the fire. You don’t want any flying sparks or embers to set landscaping or structures alight.

Make sure portable firepits sit on flat, even ground, on a non-flammable surface like pavers or concrete. Don’t put them directly on grass, leaves, or a wooden deck.

Before lighting the fire, check wind direction and strength. Windy conditions can send sparks or embers where you don’t want them.

Only burn clean-burning wood that isn’t stained, painted, or treated in any way. Do not burn yard waste, trash, or other combustibles in your fire pit. And don’t use fuel such as gasoline or lighter fluid to light or relight your fire. Taking care in what you burn will help ensure an even-burning, manageable fire.

Around the fire

When it’s time to enjoy your fire pit, arrange chairs a safe distance away, and keep hands and clothes away from flames. Keep children and pets a safe distance from the fire. Never leave the fire unattended by a responsible person.

You’ll also want to keep a hose, fire extinguisher, or bucket of sand or water nearby in case you need to put out the fire in a hurry.

When you’re done, put the fire out with water. Then stir up and spread out the ashes so they can cool. Dispose of ashes safely, making sure they are completely cooled.

L & M Insurance Group wishes you a safe holiday season

Sometimes, despite your precautions, accidents happen. If your home is damaged by fire or other covered peril, or if someone is injured at your home, that’s when your homeowners insurance will be there for you.

We hope you’ll consider giving L & M Insurance Group the chance to serve your insurance needs, whether you need homeowners, auto, commercial, or life insurance.  You can reach a licensed, independent agent by calling (813) 672-4100, or you can request information online here.

No matter what your plans are, L & M Insurance Group would like to wish you a safe and fun holiday season.

For more holiday fire safety tips, please click here.

post

Do You Need Flood Insurance Even if You Don’t Live in a Flood Zone?

by Posted in Flood Insurance Tagged , ,

You know waterfront living carries risk of flooding, but did you know that about 25 percent of all flood claims come from moderate- to low-risk areas?

Every year, thousands of homes flood that aren’t in a designated flood zone.  Because Florida has flat terrain, low elevation and a high water table, realistically, nearly the whole state is a flood zone.

Flood facts

Flooding is the most common and expensive natural disaster homeowners face. Many Florida homeowners don’t realize that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. For flood coverage, you need a separate flood insurance policy.

Flood insurance covers physical losses to the structure of your home, including systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, as well as your personal belongings up to the policy limit.

Floods can result from many causes, such as heavy rains, flash floods, storm surge, ground water rising, rivers overflowing. New land development can change the way water flows, affecting your risk of flooding. Flood damage is extremely costly. According to Floodsmart.gov, just one inch of water can do an average of $25,000 damage to a home.

Why does it cost so much to repair? Because flood waters not only damage belongings like furniture and appliances, they also wreak havoc with the structure and systems of your home. Flooding can also contaminate wells or carry debris that clogs septic tanks. And if flood water comes into your home, mold and mildew may grow on anything the water touches.

Flood insurance options

Homeowners may choose to buy flood insurance two ways, through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through a private flood insurance company. For many years, the NFIP was the only choice, but new technology has made flooding more predictable, so more private insurance carriers are entering the flood insurance market.

Either option will provide insurance coverage for flood damage, but there are some advantages to buying a flood policy from a private insurer. With the NFIP, coverage is capped at a $250,000 limit—that may not be enough to cover your losses. You can get higher limits with private insurance companies. You’ll also have a 30-day waiting period before your flood coverage goes into effect with the NFIP that you often won’t have with a private flood insurance provider.

Call us for a quote!

If you need a quick and easy flood insurance quote for your home (or your business), give L & M Insurance Group a call at 813-672-4100, or click here for an online quote. Our independent agency writes with many quality insurance carriers for all insurance needs—including, home, auto, flood, and commercial insurance throughout Florida. Let us help you find the coverage you need to protect your most valuable investments: your home, your vehicles, and your business.