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Should I Consider Purchasing Flood Insurance

October 2, 2022

This Newsletter Brought to You by Brooks Insurance

Residents of the Florida Panhandle were left reeling on Sunday after Hurricane Ian inflicted heavy flooding and damage. Ian was downgraded to a Tropical Storm on Sunday morning but continued to bring heavy rains and wind gusts of up to 50 mph to the area. Quite a few residents died in flooding related to the storm.

In Escambia County, emergency crews responded to more than 100 high-water rescues, most involving stranded motorists. The county’s public safety director, Tony Green, said the area had not seen flooding this bad since Hurricane Ivan in 2004
“It’s widespread. It’s not just one area. It’s all over the county,” Green said.

Despite the storm’s downgrade to a Tropical Storm, officials were warning residents not to let their guard down. “Just because it’s a Tropical Storm doesn’t mean it’s not a serious storm,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said.

Even if your State is not affected by hurricanes, flood insurance is still worthy of your consideration. There’s no doubt that flood insurance can be a valuable asset for homeowners. After all, flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States.

But is flood insurance right for you? Here are a few things to consider:

1. Check your flood risk.
Not all homeowners need flood insurance. In fact your chances of experiencing a flood are pretty low if you live in a low or moderate risk area. To find out your risk level visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance and input your address.

The type of coverage you need will depend on your risk of flooding and the value of your home. Basic flood coverage usually includes damage to your home and belongings, but you can also purchase additional coverage for things like temporary living expenses and repairs.

3.Assess your budget

Flood insurance can be expensive, but it’s worth comparing rates from different insurers to find the best deal. Keep in mind that you may be eligible for discounts if your home is in a low-risk area or if you have a federal flood policy.

4.Review your policy

It’s important to read over your flood insurance policy carefully to make sure you understand what’s covered and what’s not. For example, most policies don’t cover damage caused by flooding that results from a hurricane or other natural disaster.

5.Make a Plan
Flooding can be a devastating event, so it’s important to have a plan in case it happens. Make sure you have contact information for your insurance company, as well as for a reliable handyman or contractor who can help with repairs.

We would like to thank you for your continuing business, and please feel free to call us at 512-428-6264 so we can answer any of your insurance related questions.

Does Your College Student Need Insurance?

September 27, 2022

Special insurance for college-bound students.
Your college student is heading off to college, and you worry about many things, including their safety. We want to help you provide a safe experience for your college student. One of the most important things your student will need at school is something that doesn’t have to be packed at all – the right insurance coverage.

Is Your Student Renting a Home or Apartment?
If your child is renting a home or apartment with others, you may want to consider a renters policy. The concern is that roommates can create liability for you if their actions cause a loss (parties, drinking, etc.). If not insured, you may expose your own liability insurance thus increasing your premiums over time. We usually recommend a separate renters policy to keep the liability separate. This

Typical Insurance Issues- (living in dorms)

Personal property - Depending on the value, items like clothes and computers should be covered under your homeowner’s policy. Most homeowner’s policies provide 10 percent of Coverage C (Personal Property) for your property while it is at a secondary residence. If you have a high deductible on your homeowner’s policy you may want to consider purchasing a renter’s policy for your college student to cover his/her belongings at a lower deductible. Check with our office for any limitations.
Jewelry or other high-end items – These may require special coverage. It is a good idea to call our office for a review. Make sure you insure laptops!
Personal Liability - This coverage is provided anywhere the student goes, inside the U.S.A.

What Will an Auto Policy Provide?

Auto - If your student takes their car to college, you need to call our office or your insurance company. Depending on where they attend college you may have to make changes to meet minimum coverage requirements for that state, which may impact your premiums.

Other Coverage

Health - Children can remain on your health policy until the age of 26. Many colleges will offer student health insurance at a very reasonable cost. This might be a good option.

Some colleges may have specific insurance requirements, so check with the admissions office to make sure your student is covered.

Brooks Insurance is committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest possible rates. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance, home insurance, or business insurance, we can help you obtain the best coverage available at the lowest rate possible.

All of us at Brooks Insurance truly value the long-term relationship with our clients and are proud to give families, individuals and businesses the personal attention required when it matters most. When claims arise, we realize that it can be very stressful and will do everything possible to assure timely and complete recovery.

Reduce Your Auto Insurance Premiums

September 21, 2022

Auto Insurance
When it comes to purchasing auto insurance, having options can be a very important way to save money. Putting money back in your pocket is one of our primary goals. We know and understand the auto insurance market. This allows us to provide you with the best possible combination of pricing, coverage, and service.

Auto insurance rates differ from company to company, so it really pays to have us shop for your insurance. Some markets offer better rates for trucks, RVs, and campers, while others can offer better rates for motorcycles.

How to reduce your auto premium
There are many things you can do to keep your auto rates at the lowest level possible.
1. Review your deductibles. According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your Collision and Comprehensive costs by 15 to 20 percent.
2. Encourage your student driver to get the best grades possible. Most major insurance companies offer a discount for students in good academic standing.
3. Select a safe car. Check out which cars are popular with thieves and avoid them. Also, the more expensive the car, the higher the premiums.
4. Be a safe driver. The more accidents and tickets you have, the higher the premiums will be.
5. Purchase a car with an alarm or LoJack. LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery System provides car owners with peace of mind knowing that if their vehicle is stolen, they have the best chance of getting it back.
6. Be loyal. Many auto insurance companies offer loyalty discounts if you stay with them over time.
7. Check for other auto insurance discounts. These might include taking safe driver courses, senior discounts and more.
You might be able to pay less for your car insurance premium and not even know it. So it pays to connect with us to review your insurance needs.

Brooks Insurance is committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest possible rates. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance, home insurance, or business insurance, we can help you obtain the best coverage available with the lowest rate possible.

All of us at Brooks Insurance truly value the long term relationship with our clients, and are proud to give families, individuals and businesses the personal attention required when it matters most. When claims arise, we realize that it can be very stressful and will do everything possible to assure timely and complete recovery

Does Your Auto Insurance Cover This?

September 14, 2022

Auto Insurance

Auto insurance plays an important role in society. It protects you from liability and covers the damage in the event of an accident. Remember each auto insurance policy is different, and if you purchased your auto insurance online you may not have proper coverage. Claims will be paid based on your individual auto policy terms and conditions. Check out these interesting claims.

Auto insurance claims

A teenager drove the family van into the swimming pool; he pushed the gas rather the brakes.
An elderly man filed a claim after neighbors witnessed his wife drive through their garage door, through the living room and into their camper trailer, pushing it into the home's septic tank, resulting in the entire carport collapsing.
A family was driving home from Christmas tree shopping, and they tied the tree to the top of the car. The tree flew off the top of the car and hit two other vehicles causing damage and injury.
One day, a dog discovered a raccoon in his owner’s garage. The dog scared the raccoon and caused him to climb to the nearest safe place-- the roof of the dog-owner’s Lexus. While the raccoon and dog both suffered some damage, the biggest casualty was the Lexus. The entire body of the car was covered in claw and scratch marks, requiring a complete body makeover.
The owner of a 1961 Ford was working in the garage when his 10-point mounted buck fell off the wall and directly onto his precious car.

All these claims were subject to policy terms and deductibles.

Auto Insurance Coverage

According to III.org, Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium, and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy. Auto insurance provides property, liability, physical damage, and medical coverage.

Many people don't fully understand what their auto insurance policy covers and excludes. To avoid making costly assumptions, it pays to know what's included in your policy. We are here to help answer all your insurance questions.

Brooks Insurance is committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest possible rates. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance, home insurance, or business insurance, we can help you obtain the best coverage available with the lowest rate possible.

All of us at Brooks Insurance truly value the long term relationship with our clients and are proud to give families, individuals and businesses the personal attention required when it matters most. When claims arise, we realize that it can be very stressful and will do everything possible to assure timely and complete recovery.

Extreme Weather and Insurance Premiums

September 5, 2022

This Newsletter Brought to you by Brooks Insurance

Global temperatures are on the rise, and extreme weather is one of the most pressing issues of our time. As the Earth’s climate changes, our insurance premiums will too. Here’s what you need to know.

Are insurance premiums going to rise because of climate change?

Global temperatures are on the rise, which is causing climate change. And with climate change comes an increased risk of natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires. These disasters can cause extensive damage to property, and as a result, insurance premiums are likely to rise.

How big of a rise can we expect?

It’s difficult to say for sure, but experts believe that insurance premiums could go up by up to 50% in the next decade. This is because the risk of natural disasters is increasing as the Earth’s climate continues to change.

What can I do to protect myself?

Unfortunately, there’s not much that individuals can do to protect themselves from the effects of climate change. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk of a natural disaster happening in the first place. For example, you can make sure your home is properly insured, and you can have a disaster plan in place.

Disasters can happen anywhere in the world, so it’s important to be prepared. If you live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters, make sure you have an evacuation plan and some emergency supplies on hand. And if you do experience a natural disaster, make sure to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Flooding is becoming more frequent and extreme.

Flooding is a common natural disaster that can cause serious damage to property. Even a few inches of water can cause extensive damage, and many homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Homeowners and renters who want to protect themselves from potential flooding damage should consider purchasing a flood insurance policy. Flood insurance policies are available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The NFIP offers two types of flood insurance policies: standard and excess. Standard policies provide up to $250,000 in coverage for building damage and $100,000 in coverage for personal property. Excess policies provide up to $500,000 in coverage for building damage and $500,000 in coverage for personal property.

Flood insurance policies are not available in all areas. Homeowners and renters who want to purchase a policy should contact our office to see if coverage is available in your area and what the cost might be

In general, the higher your risk of flooding, and the coverage you need, the higher your flood insurance premiums will be. However, there are a number of ways to reduce your premiums, including raising your deductible and taking steps to reduce your risk of flooding. Please call our office at 512-428-6264 for more information.