Protecting Your Home and Assets: The Importance of Insurance During Natural Disasters

Posted on September 28, 2023September 28, 2023 by Jeremy Scott

Natural disasters can strike at any moment, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. From hurricanes and floods to wildfires and earthquakes, these events can result in significant damage to your home and belongings. While we often can’t control when or where these disasters occur, we can take proactive steps to protect ourselves financially. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the critical importance of insuring your home and assets against natural disasters, the challenges of obtaining coverage during and after an event, and how to navigate the claims process.

The first step in safeguarding your home and assets against natural disasters is to assess the risks associated with your geographic location. Different areas are susceptible to various types of disasters, and understanding your risk profile is crucial. Consider factors like your location, the frequency of disasters, and the history of past events to determine your risk.

Procuring the Right Coverage

Once you’ve assessed the risks, the next step is to procure the right insurance coverage. Keep in mind that you can’t get insurance during a disaster, so it’s essential to have coverage in place well before disaster strikes. Be aware of waiting periods and exclusions in your policy, especially in cases like flood insurance, where events beginning before the waiting period may not be covered. Avoid the temptation to cut corners on coverage to save money.

Emergency Preparedness

In addition to insurance, emergency preparedness is crucial. Prepare emergency kits with essential supplies, including food, water, first-aid supplies, and flashlights. Having these on hand can be a lifesaver during a disaster. Additionally, maintain detailed records of your belongings, including receipts, photographs, and appraisals, as this documentation will be invaluable when filing an insurance claim.

Claims Process

If a natural disaster damages your home or assets, navigating the claims process can be challenging. Here’s what you should know:

1. **Contact Your Insurance Broker/Company:** Notify your insurance broker/company as soon as possible after the disaster. They will guide you through the claims process.

2. **Document the Damage:** Take photographs and videos of the damage and keep records of any temporary repairs you make to prevent further damage.

3. **Meet with Adjusters:** Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage. Be prepared to provide documentation and answer questions about your claim.

4. **Keep All Communication:** Save all communication with your insurance company, including emails and written correspondence.

Natural disasters are unpredictable and can have devastating consequences. Protecting your home and assets with the right insurance coverage is essential to ensure financial stability during and after such events. Don’t wait until it’s too late; assess your risks, procure the right insurance, and be prepared for the unexpected. By taking these steps, you can avoid being penny-wise and pound foolish, and you’ll be better equipped to recover and rebuild in the face of a disaster.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this communication is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be construed as such. All information, content, and materials available in this communication are for general informational purposes only. Listeners, viewers, readers, users, browsers, or recipients of this communication are advised to consult with their attorney to obtain advice regarding any specific legal matter.

No listener, viewer, reader, user, browser, or recipient of this communication should make decisions or take actions solely based on the information contained herein without first seeking legal advice from qualified legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. It is important to note that individual circumstances can vary, and only your personal attorney can provide guidance on whether the information provided here is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.

The views expressed in this communication are solely those of the individual creators in their individual capacities and do not represent the opinions of ASZ International, Inc. doing business as ASZ Associates. Any actions taken or refrained from, based on the contents of this communication, are undertaken at your own risk, and all liability with respect to such actions or inactions is hereby expressly disclaimed.

The content in this communication is provided “as is,” and no representations are made regarding its accuracy, completeness, or reliability. It is important to independently verify any information presented here and to consult legal professionals for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

Rising Commercial Auto Rates

Posted on January 12, 2023January 12, 2023 by Joann Koziol

If you are a business owner and you have commercial auto insurance, then you may have noticed that your rates have been increasing. Let’s look at why commercial auto insurance rates are on the rise.

The Cost of Claims
One of the primary reasons for an increase in commercial auto insurance rates is the cost of claims. The more expensive the claim, the more likely it is that insurance companies will need to increase their premium prices in order to offset costs. It is important to note that this isn’t necessarily something specific to commercial auto insurance; rather, it has become increasingly difficult for insurers to make money in general as the cost of claims continues to rise.

Risk Management Practices
In addition to rising claim costs, another factor contributing to higher premiums is risk management practices. As technology advances, there are more ways for insurers to identify and manage risk effectively. For example, insurers can now use predictive analytics and telematics data to assess a driver’s risk profile and adjust their premiums accordingly. By implementing these practices, insurers can better manage risk and protect themselves from potential losses.

Changes in Auto Insurance Market
Finally, the changes in the auto insurance market also contribute to rate increases. In recent years, there has been an influx of new competitors entering the space offering low-cost policies with attractive benefits. This increased competition has driven down prices overall but also created an environment where insurers must continue raising their rates just to stay competitive.

Overall, commercial auto insurance rates are increasing due to a variety of factors including rising claim costs, risk management practices, and changes in the auto insurance market. While this can be frustrating for business owners who rely on their vehicles for work-related purposes, we can help you make informed and proactive decisions. Contact us at info@aszinternational.com for assistance.

Fraud in Florida

Posted on July 8, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

The state of Florida is definitely known for many things, and one of those things is bad storms! High winds, hard rain, hail, and more are many of the frequent natural disasters that hit Florida. Homeowners and business owners are constantly looking for contractors to help them when in need of damage repaired. But one thing Floridians need to be aware of is the scammers!

According to Schuppe (2002), there are local contractors knocking on doors offering to inspect homeowners’ roofs for storm damage. “They say they can help get a roof replacement covered by insurance, and they persuade the homeowners to sign away their rights to file the claims themselves. The contractors then file fraudulent damage claims, and when the insurance companies balk, the contractors sue” (para. 7).

As these scammers continue to prey on Floridians, increased insurance rates continue to skyrocket as the carriers are being heavily impacted by this. This is one of the leading factors for why carriers are fleeing the state of Florida. “Those (carriers) that remain have sought rate increases ranging from 15 percent to 96 percent and have become more selective about who they will cover” (para. 15).

Something needs to be done to address this urgent matter. In the meantime, Florida residents, please keep this scam in mind!

Reference:

Schuppe, Jon. (2022, May 21). Florida lawmakers Scramble to Fix a Property Insurance Crisis Before Hurricane Season. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/roofing-scams-florida-property-insurance-hurricane-rcna29649

Florida Roofing Laws – What to Know

Posted on July 7, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

While many carriers are ceasing to write at least part of their book of business in Florida, others are taking further steps to help reduce their risk of exposures. Some insurance carriers are now avoiding writing homes or commercial properties with older roofs (Rabb, 2022).

If you’re a homeowner or business owner in Florida, this might be something for you to consider. If you haven’t had any updates to your roof or other areas in your home, like electrical, plumbing, etc., within the last 15-plus years, this might be a red flag for an insurance carrier.

According to Deventer (2022), “home insurance companies will be prohibited from denying policies solely due to the age of a home’s roof, but only if the roof is fewer than 15 years old and has five years of life left. Homes with older roofs may still be denied coverage” (para. 4).

The age of your roof impacting your insurance is largely due to the hurricanes and large storms that Florida faces (Carey, 2021). Annual inspections, maintenance, and necessary repairs are key to lessening the chance of a storm causing damage to your roof, while also giving you the green light when it comes to getting and maintaining a homeowner or commercial insurance policy in Florida.

Roof age has played a big factor in whether underwriters will accept a home. This is something we are constantly talking about with our insureds. So, before you start looking for a new homeowner or commercial insurance policy, do yourself a favor and find out when you last had your roof repaired or replaced. This will be a number one question your agent will ask you.

References:

Carey, Diane M. (2021, September 2). New Florida Roofing laws Affect Insurance. Hometown News. https://www.hometownnewsvolusia.com/news/new-florida-roofing-laws-affect-insurance/article_d6cae4ca-fec2-11eb-9387-1b8db5624822.html

Deventer, Cate. (2022, June 3). Will Florida’s Home Insurance Reform Bill be Enough to Review a Collapsing Market? Bankrate. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/new-2022-florida-property-insurance-reform/

Rabb, William. (2022, July 1). Gone with the Flo: Progressive Stops Writing DP-3 Policies in Florida. Insurance Journal. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2022/07/01/674326.htm

Florida Homeowners Insurance

Posted on July 6, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

No matter how you look at it, prices are increasing everywhere, from groceries to gas and even insurance rates too. No matter what state or county you live in, inflation is happening around us all and has become our new reality.

Florida residents know a lot about overpriced insurance premiums as it is, their auto insurance alone is the most expensive out of the 50 states (Deventer, 2021). But when it comes to homeowners’ insurance, Floridians have another thing to think about.

According to Rabb (2022), “The Florida property insurance market is showing more signs of trouble, with one of the state’s largest carriers deciding to stop writing new homeowners’ business in the state – while also asking for a rate increase on some policies” (para1). Unfortunately, it’s not just one insurance carrier who’s revealing they’re going to stop writing new homeowners and dwelling fire policies in the great state of Florida, it’s multiple (Rabb, 2022).

While some companies cease to write policies in Florida, the ones left standing are pushing ahead with rate increases (Rabb, 2022). This is a clear issue for Florida residents who have already been paying a large amount of money for their insurance policies.

So, what are the next steps for Florida? For now, insurance agents are urging lawmakers to make reforms that can help stem losses and reduce litigation, among other changes (Rabb, 2022).

References:

Deventer, Cate. (2021, December 31). Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida in 2022. Bankrate. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/average-cost-of-car-insurance-in-florida/

Rabb, William. (2022, February 8). Another Big Insurer Stops Writing Homeowners Policies in Florida. Insurance Journal. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2022/02/08/653123.htm