Introducing Online Quote Requests

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Using Technology to provide Easy Online Homeowners Insurance Quotes to All Floridians

Easy Homeowners Insurance Quotes in Brandon, Tampa, Riverview and Beyond

We understand in today’s busy world, many would like to conduct their business in a more tech-friendly and efficient manner. We are very pleased to offer an enhanced customer service experience by introducing our online homeowner insurance quote request form.

Online homeowners insurance quote request

This form is an excellent starting point to begin the process of purchasing homeowners or dwelling insurance policies. The form is a quick and easy process for L&M Insurance Group to learn enough about you and your home so we can accurately provide a quote, including home insurance discounts to help you save money. It’s very simple to use and shouldn’t take more than 2 to 5 minutes.

Once you have completed the form, click the submit button to send your information–all quotes you request before 1 p.m. will get a call back the same day. So whether you are buying a new home or would just like to see if we can offer a better rate than your current company, you can use this link to get started. If you are a realtor or mortgage professional checking rates for a client, or if you own tenant occupied properties, our quote form will serve your needs as well.

And of course, if you would rather talk with a real person about your homeowners insurance needs, we will always be more than glad to help you at 813-672-4100.

 

Liability Insurance and Your Homeowners Policy

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Liability Insurance and Your Homeowners Policy

Protecting your Home in Brandon, Tampa, Riverview or other cities in Florida

Liability coverage is a common section of a homeowners insurance policy. Basically, it’s financial protection for you and your family. While no one expects to need this coverage, accidents in and around your home can occur. Here are some examples of the many ways this important coverage can help protect you:Florida homeowners liability insurance coverage

  • Someone slips and falls down your stairs or trips over the door jamb entering or exiting your home.
  • Your child throws a ball through a neighbors window shattering a valuable crystal vase inside.
  • Neighborhood children are injured playing in your yard or pool and you are found legally liable.

Liability coverage may also cover you for accidental damages that happen when you are away from home.   Perhaps you accidentally damaged something at a restaurant/store or some other business you were visiting and that company is seeking reimbursement. Or you are a golfer and an errant shot injures another player or goes through the window of a nearby home. Under your liability coverage, your insurance company will typically defend you if you are sued and pay any judgments to injured parties up to the limits of the policy. Typical policies will provide $100,000 in liability coverage and higher limits can be purchased. Most homeowners policies will only allow you to purchase up to $500,000 total for liability coverage. You can always purchase an umbrella policy if you think you need more. The difference between purchasing coverage with a $100,000 limit and a $300,000 limit is usually only about $15-$20 a year.

Liability Insurance Includes Medical Payments to Others Coverage

Liability insurance also includes Medical Payments to Others coverage. This important coverage provides for payment of medical expenses for those who are accidentally injured on your property, regardless of whether you are legally responsible. Expenses like x-ray, dental, hospital, ambulance, nursing services, prosthetic devices, and even funeral expenses. Most policies provide $1,000 but higher limits are available.

Liability Insurance Exclusions

As with all policies, there are exclusions and it’s important for you to read your policy to learn what is and what is not covered. Typical things that would not be covered include injuries/damages arising from animal bites, trampolines, diving boards and slides, injuries/damages caused by your car, business or professional activities (including a home office) and, of course, intentional acts.

Homeowners liability and medical payment coverage is an important part of your homeowners insurance policy and we at L&M Insurance Group will make every effort to make sure you have the proper coverage for your needs.homeowners liability insurance coverage from multiple companies

Call us today at 813-672-4100 or click this link if you have more questions or would like to get a quote on homeowners insurance.

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Unit Owners Special Coverage A: What is it?

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Unit Owners Special Coverage A: What is it?

Condo Insurance Policy Endorsement for Brandon, Tampa, Riverview, Florida and Beyond

Great question. I quote a lot of condos at L&M Insurance Group, and I always include “Special Coverage A.” Special Coverage A is an inexpensive endorsement on your condo insurance policy that changes your policy to “Open-Perils” coverage. A typical condo policy without this special endorsement would provide coverage on a named peril basis. This means if you incur damage from one of the perils named in the policy you have coverage; if it’s not named, you don’t. It’s that simple. The Special Coverage A endorsement changes your policy to an open perils policy, meaning the insurance company will cover damage from every peril unless it is listed in the exclusions.

Named Peril Versus Special Coverage A Examples

Examples are always best, so let me give you one. Let’s say you have a named peril policy (not Special Coverage A) and you have water damage caused by a pipe breaking, and it is a listed peril. Whew–you have coverage. But, let’s say the water damage is from a broken fish tank, a leaking water bed, rain that enters an open window and causes damage, seepage of water around windows, or a sprinkler that causes damage through an open window. I just listed a few ways you could have water damage, yet not have coverage under a typical condo policy since they are not specifically listed as covered perils.   These perils would be covered under the broadened coverage of an all peril policy with Special Coverage A.   This is just one example using one peril–water damage. Please remember my posts are intended as a guide. It’s important to read your entire policy to discover the coverages you have and don’t have.

Many claims are denied every year because this inexpensive endorsement (almost always less than $50 annually) is not purchased by the client.

We at L&M Insurance Group believe this is an important endorsement to your condo insurance policy and believe it is worth the extra premium. Call us today at 813-672-4100 if you have any questions or would like to get a free quote or review of your current condo policy.

Remember, we would love to serve all your insurance needs including auto, commercial auto, commercial general liability, homeowners, tenant occupied dwelling, bonds and any other insurance you might require. If you would like to send me an email–use this link.

Do I need commercial insurance on my truck or can I leave it on my personal auto policy?

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Florida Commercial Auto Insurance Policies

Including Brandon, Tampa, and Riverview, Florida

commercial auto insurance Brandon Florida

Do I need commercial insurance on my truck or can I leave it on my personal auto policy?

That’s a great question and one that I hear a lot. There are many issues to consider before a question like that can be answered, and a good agent will know what to ask. Here are a few questions I like to ask before I can make a recommendation:

 

  1. Is the vehicle owned by an individual, corporation, LLC or some other entity?
  2. How many people drive the vehicle? Just you, or do you have employees that drive occasionally?
  3. What mileage radius does your business operate in?
  4. How many job sites a day do you visit?
  5. Do you have any signage or advertising on your vehicle?
  6. Do you transport goods or people for a fee? In other words, what is your business, or what do you do?
  7. Do you have ladder racks or permanent tool boxes attached to your vehicle?
  8. Do you tow a trailer in relation to your work?
  9. Are your employees, if you have them, likely to be driving their own cars for your business?

 

Once I have a firm grasp of what your business does and how you do it, I am able to make a recommendation.   I do have companies that will allow one vehicle on the personal auto policy to be used for business, with a small business use surcharge.

 

However, we have to be very careful because personal policies are written with the average private citizen and their needs in mind, while commercial policies are designed to address the unique needs and situations that arise in commercial use. We need to make sure we write your policy properly so that if you file a claim, it’s paid. You don’t want your car insurance company to deny your claim simply because your particular business use violated the terms of your personal car insurance policy.

 

It’s important to know that commercial insurance is not always more costly than a personal auto policy. Many times when I write a commercial policy the premium is lower than what it was on a personal auto policy.   So, PLEASE don’t try and second guess your agent. Countless times I have gone around and around with a client, convinced the vehicle was being used for commercial purposes. But the client, believing he/she will save money by not providing me all the info I need to help them, flat out hides the fact that the vehicle is used commercially. When they finally relent and work with me, they are almost always surprised by how reasonable the cost is. Remember, I am your insurance advocate–I work for you. Getting you the insurance you need at the lowest premium is my goal.

Brandon commercial auto insurance

 

Still not sure? No problem. L&M Insurance Group can help you determine the coverage you need based on how your vehicles are used in conducting your business and who will be driving your vehicles. L&M Insurance Group has been serving the car insurance and commercial auto insurance needs of Riverview and surrounding communities for more than 10 years. Call 813-672-4100 for more information about commercial auto insurance (or car insurance in general), or click here to contact me by email.

 

Congratulations Kristin!

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Kristin Gott Insurance Agent for L&M InsuranceCongratulations Kristin!

 

We would like to extend our congratulations to Kristin Gott, who is now a fully licensed Registered Customer Service Representative.   Because she completed the required online college classes to get the designation, she was able to successfully obtain her Florida 4-40 customer service representative license to sell and service insurance.

If you talk to her be sure to congratulate her on this accomplishment.

Well done, Kristin.

Can I Save Money With a Multi-Policy Discount?

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Can I save money with a multi-policy discount?

Why Bundling Insurance Might Cost You More

multi policy insurance discount

Another way I hear this question asked is; if I bundle my auto and home insurance with you, will I get a discount? It’s a great question, and there are companies out there that offer discounts if you purchase both your auto and homeowners insurance with them.   However, it’s usually the captive agencies that offer it. Captive agents sell for just one company, generally one with a familiar name that has been built up with a tremendous amount of advertising, but in the end, you are just buying a brand. They will provide one quote from one company, and it may or may not include a multi-policy discount.

Your best rate will almost always come from an independent agency. An independent insurance agency like L&M Insurance Group will offer you the most choices in coverage options and prices. Independent agencies represent more than just one national brand–for instance L&M Insurance Group represents more than 40 different insurance carriers.   We know it’s convenient for you to have all your insurance with one agency, and that’s why we work so hard to make sure we represent the best companies with the lowest rates for all types of insurance–your car insurance, home insurance, commercial insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance.independent vs captive insurance agency

A couple of months back, I got a call from someone looking for a better rate on his homeowners insurance and a rental property he owned as well. He was insured with a national brand insurance company that you would recognize instantly. The individual believed he was getting a great rate because he was told he would get a “special” rate for bundling his insurance. When I finished quoting and writing his two properties, I was able to save him THOUSANDS of dollars–that’s how much he was overpaying.   He was shocked and thrilled at the same time.

I have been licensed to write insurance for 24 years and during this time I can honestly say I rarely see where a policy could be lower in price bundled than if you quoted both out separately. I have found that the companies that bundle either offer a decent homeowner insurance rate and kill you on your auto premiums or offer decent auto premiums and have horrible home insurance rates. Think about it for a moment–if their rates are so great on both auto and home, why do they need to give a bundling discount?   Because it’s a great marketing gimmick and they make more money!

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 U.S. National Auto Insurance Study found that customers who had auto and home insurance policies with two different companies were more satisfied with what they’re paying for auto insurance than customers who bundled their auto and home insurance policies.

Of course, we at L&M Insurance Group would love to write all your policies–and it’s convenient for you to have all your policies in one place. Our focus will not be on who will offer a bundled price, it will be on how can we write all your insurance for the lowest price, the best coverage and with the best carriers. We represent your interests as an independent agency–unlike a call center or direct writer that writes with just one national brand.

So the answer is no, I don’t believe you can save money taking advantage of a bundling discount. But you can save money if you shop with an independent agent like me.   So give me a call–you will never find someone who will work harder to save you money and protect your interests.   Click this link to send me an email or call me today at 813-672-4100

What is General Liability Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

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What is General Liability Insurance and Why Do I need It?

General Liability Insurance For Florida including Brandon, Tampa, Riverview and Hillsborough County

general liability insurance Brandon Tampa Florida

You’ve put your blood, sweat and tears into building your business, yet you could lose it all in the smallest of mishaps that could result in a large lawsuit. We live in a litigious society, and although it may be unlikely for you to face a claim, getting general liability insurance is a wise investment that doesn’t cost much.   Most annual premiums range from between $550 to $2,000, depending of your type of business, coverage limit requirements, years of experience in your business and your company size.  The premiums obviously can be higher if you own a large business.

 

Tampa Brandon general liability insurance

Liability insurance (also known as Commercial General Business Liability) protects you from a variety of claims, including bodily injury, property damage, products and completed operations, and personal injury (libel, slander or advertising injury) that can arise from your day to day business operations.   Liability insurance will typically cover the cost of your legal defense and any settlement should you be successfully sued, up to the limits of your policy.

It’s important to understand that general liability is not the same thing as a product warranty policy.   For example, if a plumber installs a water pipe that leaks and causes property damage, the GL policy should cover the property damage during the time when converge was in force, but it would not pay for the defective pipe or bad workmanship.

  • Additional risks not covered under a comprehensive general liability policy include:
  • Workers compensation
  • Automobile liabilityBrandon Commercial General Liability Insurance
  • Directors and officers liability
  • Errors and omissions or professional liability
  • Non-performance of contracts
  • Employment practices
  • Damages or injuries resulting from intentional acts

General liability insurance can be purchased on it’s own, or in some cases, it is included as part of a Business Owners Policy (BOP) which combines the liability with property insurance at a cost effective rate.

All of us at L&M Insurance Group take your protection seriously and will work hard to help you evaluate all aspects of your business to ensure you have the general liability policy that’s right for your business. We have been serving the insurance needs of Brandon and East Hillsborough County for more than 10 years and have access to dozens of A-rated insurance companies, allowing us to provide the best coverage at the lowest rate. Call us today at 813-672-4100 or click this link to send us an email.

Hurricane Season Preparation

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Hurricane Season Preparation in Florida

Including Brandon, Tampa, Riverview and other Florida Cities

The 2015 Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs until November 30. If you haven’t started, you need to prepare now.

 

Hurricane Emergency KitBrandon hurricane preparedness

If you don’t have a hurricane emergency kit you could find yourself is a very bad situation. This is not meant to be a complete list, but a starting point.

  • Water and non-perishable food. You should have enough to supply the needs of each member of you family for a minimum of three days–don’t forget the needs of your pets as well.
  • First aid kit–don’t forget any prescription medicines, extra glasses etc.
  • Battery operated radio and spare batteries–the radio will allow you to get important updates from local officials.
  • Flashlights and batteries.
  • Cash.hurricane preparedness emergency checklist
  • Important documents in a waterproof container.
  • Blankets and/or sleeping bags.
  • A change of clothes and rain gear for each person.
  • Coolers and ice.
  • Games, books, cards–something to pass the time.
  • If you have a generator–make sure you also have gasoline.

 

Get Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage Ready for Hurricane Season

Do you have flood coverage?   Homeowners insurance does not include flood insurance, it must be purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. Don’t forget, in many cases, you will have to wait 30 days after you purchase flood insurance for coverage to take effect. You can get more information about flood insurance at the NFIP website at www.floodsmart.gov, or you can call our office for a quote.

Do you have coverage for additional living expenses? This coverage will pay the increased costs such as for a place to stay and food, associated with living outside your home if you are unable to live in your home because of a covered loss. Give us a call at L&M Insurance Group to see if you have this coverage on your policy.

Do you have contents coverage? This coverage typically refers to property you own, your “stuff.” If you have contents coverage, you should consider doing a home inventory of what you own–this will make filing a claim easier and will help ensure you don’t forget anything. The simplest way is to take a video of your possessions–room by room. Or if you like, just snap photos and write down some notes. Keeping track of receipts, model numbers and stores where you made your purchases is a good idea.   Don’t forget to keep the photos or video in a safe place outside your home.

 

Protect Your Property

First of all, have your insurance company claim phone number handy as well as your policy number.   There are many, many things you can do in advance to protect your property–simple things from bringing in outdoor furniture that can be easily picked up in the wind and thrown through a window, to having your trees trimmed so they don’t fall on your home. There are more complicated measures you can take like boarding up your windows or installing hurricane straps/clips to help your roof stay connected to the walls of your home. Further research online can give you more comprehensive suggestions to protect your home.

 

For Additional Information

 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/hurricane preparedness Brandon

http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane

http://www.tampabay.com/topics/specials/hurricane-preparedness.page

Does It Really Matter Where You Buy Insurance?

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Choosing the right Insurance Agent Can Make a big difference in your Insurance Rates

Does It Really Matter Where You Buy Insurance?

Yes, and making the wrong choice could be costing you money, service and coverage protection. Purchasing insurance for your car, home, business or life is too important to treat lightly.

Independent Insurance Agents Give You Options

There are basically three ways to purchase insurance. The first is through captive agents. Captive agents sell for just one company, they generally have a familiar name that has been built up with a tremendous amount of advertising, but in the end, you are just buying a brand. They will provide one quote from one company. The second way to buy insurance is with a telephone representative, and once again, you are getting a quote from a heavily advertised brand name with very little choice. Finally, the third way is through an independent insurance agency like L&M Insurance Group–this is the way that will offer you the most choices in coverage options and prices.independent insurance agent

 

 What Are The Benefits Of Working With An Independent Insurance Agency Like L&M Insurance Group?

 

  1. L&M Insurance Group represents multiple insurance carriers. In fact, we represent more than 40 different insurance companies. With this many carriers we can insure any risk you bring through our door. For instance, if you called us today for a quote on your auto insurance, we would be able to provide rates from more than 15 different companies and another 20 companies if you needed us to insure your home. By doing this we can provide the best combination of rate, service, company strength and coverage options of any captive agent or telephone representative anywhere.
  1. L&M Insurance Group is on your side. Do you ever wonder who represents YOU and YOUR needs when it comes to insurance? Don’t wonder anymore. WE do.   WE work for you, not the insurance company. We periodically review your coverage to make sure it meets your changing needs and to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. You can’t say that of a telephone representative or a captive agent–they are both employees of the insurance companies.
  1. L&M Insurance Group is your trusted insurance professional. Need questions answered about SR22 insurance, replacement cost coverage vs actual cash value? Need help understanding wind mitigation reports, 4-point inspections or commercial general liability? Call and ask! Try that with a telephone representative who is evaluated on one criteria only–did he/she SELL you insurance.
  1. L&M Insurance Group can do it all. That means whether you need car, renters insurance, commercial auto, homeowners, general liability, life or builders risk–we can help you. It’s nice to have all your insurance taken care of by one professional.
  1. L&M Insurance Group will always treat you like a person. You are not a number to us.   Customer satisfaction is paramount here. We return calls and go out of our way to make each encounter with our agency a positive experience.

L&M Insurance Group: Your Local Independent Insurance Agency

Proudly serving Brandon, Riverview, Tampa and surrounding cities in Hillsborough County and beyond.

Contact L&M Insurance Group today for a free review of your insurance needs. Partner with us and you won’t regret it. 813-672-4100. Click this link to email us.

Florida Independent Insurance Agents

How Do We Determine the Replacement Cost Estimate of Your Home or Investment Property?

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How Do We Determine the Replacement Cost Estimate of Your Home or Investment Property?

 

When we insure your home we insure it for its “replacement cost estimate,” and I get asked all the time, “How did you come up with that amount?”   That’s a fair question, but before I answer it, I need to tell you that replacement cost is NOT:

 

  1. The market value of the home.replacement cost estimator
  2. The home’s purchase price or the cost of the land.
  3. The outstanding amount of any mortgage loan.

 

As we learned in the previous blog, replacement cost is: “the amount of money it would take to repair, replace or rebuild your home with materials similar to the kind and quality used in constructing your home.”

 

So how do we determine the replacement cost? It’s simple. L&M Insurance Group uses software packages provided by insurance companies that ask a series of specific questions about the structure. These questions include frame or block construction?   Slab or open foundation? What is the square footage? How many bedrooms/bathrooms? Is there a garage/carport, pool, etc. Once this information is all entered, the software gives us the replacement cost estimate.

 

If you want to determine your home’s replacement cost, here is a website you can use.   Building-cost.net

 

Call today (813-672-4100) or click this link to get a quote today on your home or investment property.