Commercial Insurance Claims for Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can devastate businesses, inflicting considerable property damage and disrupting operations, particularly in Winter Garden, FL. It’s crucial to promptly and accurately file a commercial insurance claim for recovery. Grasping the necessary steps and typical challenges can contribute to a smoother claims process.

Assessing Damage and Documentation

The primary step following a natural disaster is to evaluate the damage. Recording the damage is vital in supporting your insurance claim. Moreover, accumulate any applicable financial records, such as receipts, invoices, and past maintenance records, to validate the worth of the lost or damaged property.

Immediate Reporting

Swift reporting commences the claims process and validates compliance with policy stipulations. To fortify your claim, supply your insurer with all mandatory documentation, including photos, videos, and financial records. Early engagement with your insurance company can pave the way for a smoother claims experience.

Understanding Policy Coverage

Deciphering the specifics of your commercial insurance policy is imperative. Comprehending what is covered and the policy restrictions can help you set realistic expectations for your claim and prevent unexpected surprises.

Working with Adjusters

Fully cooperate with adjusters by granting them access to your business premises and addressing any queries they may possess. A comprehensive and transparent evaluation by the adjuster is necessary for a just settlement. Transparent communication can keep the process flowing seamlessly and ensure you receive compensation to cover the damage expenses.

Managing Repairs and Business Continuity

Maintain detailed records of all repair expenses and related costs, as your policy may cover them. Additionally, concentrate on business continuity planning to minimize operational interference and ensure a swift recovery.

Abney Insurance Helps Guide You

Abney Insurance is here to guide you and showcase how commercial insurance can provide long-term benefits. We serve the Winter Garden, FL, region. Reach out to us today.

Three Risks Home Insurance Can Protect Against

Home insurance can protect your home against various risks, ranging from bad weather to break-ins. Here are three risks that most homeowners’ policies cover if a house is damaged or destroyed.

1. Natural Disasters

One of the most important risks that home insurance can protect against is certain natural disasters. Should your home be damaged by severe weather or other disasters, your policy may pay to repair the damage.

In Winter Garden, FL, it’s especially important to make sure your policy includes coverage for high winds and hurricanes. We at Abney Insurance can help you find a policy that does.

You should also be aware that two potential disasters normally aren’t covered by standard homeowners policies. Both floods and earthquakes are excluded by most of these policies. If you need coverage for flooding, we can find a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or private market. Coverage for earthquakes is also available but less commonly purchased in Winter Garden, FL.

2. Fire and Smoke Damage

A fire is a devastating event that can lead to a significant loss of property and life. Home insurance policies usually include coverage for damage caused by fire and smoke, providing funds for repair, replacement, and even temporary accommodation while your home is restored.
Loss of life, of course, falls under life insurance. We at Abney Insurance often recommend getting at least enough life coverage to pay your mortgage off (and likely more).

3. Theft and Vandalism

Theft and vandalism can occur unexpectedly, leading to substantial repair and replacement costs. Home insurance may help repair any damage done during a burglary and assist with replacing what’s stolen.

Secure Your Home with Confidence

Contact our agents today to ensure your home insurance covers the risks you need.

Types of Liability Coverage You Need in Your Auto Policy

When you own a vehicle, it’s essential that you have an auto insurance policy. Your vehicle lender requires it, and the state requires it. Several coverage types can be included in an auto policy, and two of them are types of liability coverage. It’s essential for many reasons to have liability coverage. It’s crucial for your financial future and those on the road around you who may end up in an accident with you. While getting liability coverage is the minimum type of coverage you need, you should also have other types, such as collision and comprehensive coverage. Call us at Abney Insurance in Winter Garden, FL, for an auto policy.

Property Damage Liability 

This required type of coverage pays for the repairs needed to someone else’s property after you cause an accident that damages that property. Typically, this coverage pays for someone else’s car repairs after you have an accident with them. However, it can pay for other types of property damage as well. If your vehicle ends up on someone else’s property, this coverage can pay for damaged landscaping or damage done to a building. 

Bodily Injury Liability 

This type of liability pays for the bodily harm that is caused to someone else after they’re in an accident with you. This can be another driver, a pedestrian, etc. When you’re found at fault for an accident, paying the medical bills that come from it is your responsibility. Medical bills can be extremely high, even when injuries aren’t that bad, so it’s never a good idea to go without this coverage.  

Get Your Auto Policy

When you need an auto policy, we can help. Call Abney Insurance in Winter Garden, FL, to find out more.

What You Need to Know About Commercial Insurance Policies

If you have a business in the Winter Garden, FL area or are thinking about starting one, you need to make sure you have the right commercial insurance policy. Abney Insurance can help with that by providing accurate information from reputable agents. Not every business needs a commercial policy, but most do, and you don’t want to be caught without it when you need it. Here’s what to consider about commercial coverage.

Working with an agent can give you knowledge and insight, along with quotes from several different insurers. Then, you can make the best decision for your specific needs. You want to understand the level of coverage you’ll be getting and its specifics. An office and a factory don’t need the same kind of policy, and that’s true for a construction company, a restaurant, or nearly any other kind of business.

Since your company is also unique to you and your details, you want to ensure that your policy is designed for your actual business, not just for a typical business in your industry. That way, you’ll get what you need from your policy, including plenty of peace of mind for the future. An agent is the best choice for finding your new commercial coverage or updating the policy you already have because they can review everything with you before you select a policy or make changes.

Contact us today if you’re in the Winter Garden, FL, area and looking for a commercial insurance policy. At Abney Insurance, we want to help you and other business owners in the local area get the right coverage to meet their needs.

Biggest Dangers on the Road for Modern Drivers

Each year, more than five million car accidents occur in the United States. If you spend a lot of time on the road, there’s a good chance that you could end up in a wreck at some point. If you have the right auto insurance plans, however, the damage might be covered. Either way, it’s still important to understand the dangers modern drivers face. If you live in or near Winter Garden, FL, contact Abney Insurance to explore auto insurance policy options.

Biggest Dangers on the Road for Modern Drivers

Other Drivers

There’s no way around it: other drivers are a major risk. You can be the perfect driver, always following the law and driving defensively. Yet if another driver breaks the law or is reckless, they could hit you. Further, these days you also have to worry about AI drivers. While in theory, people are always supposed to be in control, some drivers are letting AI take over.

The Weather

Bad weather can cause many different issues. Rain can reduce visibility and make the roads more slippery. Ice can cause people to lose control of their vehicle. When driving in poor weather, it’s best to take things slow.

Road Debris

While local authorities may work to keep roads clear, the simple fact is that there are so many miles of road that it’s hard to keep everything clear. Among other things, road debris, such as broken-off car parts and nails, can pop tires and cause people to lose control. Make sure you always keep an eye out for debris on the roads.

Schedule A Consultation Today

If you want to learn more about the dangers of driving or are considering auto insurance policies, feel free to get in touch. Abney Insurance serves Winter Garden, FL, and other communities nearby, and our agents would be glad to help.

Four Things to Know about Commercial Insurance

Commercial insurance is essential when owning a business. Also known as business insurance, it protects you, your business, and your employees. While there are basic commercial insurance options in Winter Garden FL, you can add more depending on your type of business, number of employees, and so on. The more you know about commercial insurance, the better decisions you can make about obtaining commercial insurance in Winter Garden FL.

Four Things to Know about Commercial Insurance

  • Know Which Employees Are Covered

Considering workers’ compensation insurance in Florida, most companies are mandatorily required to carry this commercial insurance. In today’s world, you may have temporary employees, full-time and part-time in-house employees, or remote-work-from-home employees. Knowing which type of employees need coverage helps you avoid penalties.

  • Commercial Vehicle Insurance Requirements

If your business uses commercial vehicles for transportation or delivery, you need to be aware of the limits. They are $10,000 in personal injury and $10,000 in property damage liability. If you have passengers in the vehicle or transport hazardous materials, you are required to have more than these basic limits. Additionally, you can choose more coverage optionally for other specific business needs.

 

  • Commercial Health Insurance

Florida’s law does not require a business to offer health insurance. However, the "Employee Health Care Access Act" provides the availability of commercial health insurance for small business owners for their employees. ERISA, COBRA, and ACA  are federal organizations that also guide employee health benefits.

  • Extreme Weather Insurance for Businesses

Florida is known for hurricanes. However, there is no explicit coverage for hurricane damage. Instead, businesses piece together a patchwork policy with Abney Insurance.

Abney Insurance assisst in creating coverage for extreme weather or other commercial insurance needs Email us , or visit the website for a free quote.

Understanding the Timing for Home Insurance When Buying a House

When buying a new house in Winter Garden, FL, one of the critical steps you will need to take is acquiring home insurance. Here’s a look at when in the home-buying process you’d likely do this.

When to Shop for Home Insurance

You can begin shopping for home insurance once you have a signed contract to purchase a house. You don’t have to start immediately, and might not if you’re more focused on a home inspection and survey. It’s important to not delay shopping for insurance too long, however.

Contacting an insurance agent with enough time before your closing date ensures that you’ll be able to shop around. Asking an agent to check policies for you is the easiest way to find the right coverages and premiums for your new house. It doesn’t take an agent too long to do this, but they may need a few days if there are specific questions or issues that arise (e.g. if the home was built using unusual construction methods).

If you’re still unsure when to start looking for insurance, consider contacting us at Abney Insurance once your property survey is ordered. This should be enough time to find a policy, is usually a lull in what needs to be done, and lets you first take care of the most pressing matters.

Get a Binder Before Closing

At closing, you’ll need to provide a “binder,” This is simply a document that shows you have insurance in place. It’s something your insurance agent can provide you with. While agents can get binders in a single day most of the time, plan on taking care of this several days before closing. That way, you’ll have some wiggle room in case something happens.

Have Questions? Consult With Us

If you’re purchasing a house in Winter Garden, FL, contact us at Abney Insurance. One of our agents will be happy to help you find insurance for your new house — and congratulations!

Does Auto Insurance Cover Upgrades and Cosmetic Repairs?

When our team at Abney Insurance speaks with car owners in Winter Garden, FL, we hear from folks who have all sorts of cars. From classic cars to modified vehicles, we know how important it is to have coverage that serves your needs not only as a vehicle owner but as someone who owns your specific kind of automobile. Sometimes, you may have a car or other vehicle in your garage that doesn’t fit the standard auto insurance coverage. 

Alternatively, you might have questions about whether your current policy has the level of coverage you need to meet your goals as a car owner such as making modifications or repairs that alter the function or style of your car. In these cases, it pays to speak with an agent at our office to determine what policies might be available to fit your preferences. Until you do that, we can only provide general guidance about what auto insurance policies may cover without going into detail about what your policy in particular can offer.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Upgrades and Cosmetic Repairs?

When you want to upgrade or repair your vehicle for purely aesthetic reasons, a typical auto insurance policy will probably not be able to help you cover those costs. Sometimes, when you modify a vehicle, it makes it ineligible for standard auto insurance coverage. The good news is that there are policies that might be more appropriate in that case to use like classic car insurance. Classic car insurance may be a better fit if you have a modified vehicle. Custom vehicle insurance may also be a good option if you modify your car with custom paintwork or other unique modifications.

For more information, call Abney Insurance in Winter Garden, FL!

How many kinds of commercial insurance do I need for my small business?

What kind of insurance your small business needs depends on several factors such as what you do, whether you have employees, and whether you provide a product or a service. Abney Insurance can help you figure out which protections your Winter Garden, FL small business needs.

Commercial Insurance Coverage Options

We will talk to you first about a Business Owner’s Policy(BOP). A BOP combines multiple kinds of insurance in one policy. When you bundle insurance, you can save money and make the entire process smoother.

General liability insurance is vital for a small business. It provides coverage against financial loss when someone claims property damage or physical injury from your business.

Commercial property insurance will protect your building and much of what you keep in it from fire, smoke, vandalism, and other listed events.

Product liability insurance will protect you if one of the products you make injures someone.

Professional liability insurance (also known as Errors & Omissions Coverage) will protect you if someone makes a claim against you because of the services you provide as a licensed professional. This type of coverage is important for medical and legal professionals, accountants, contractors, and other individuals who depend on their licenses.

The federal government requires every business with employees to protect them. You will need workers’ compensation, unemployment, and disability insurance to protect your workers.

Temporary business closure insurance can help you pay the bills when your business is closed through no fault of your own.

If you work from a home base, you may need home-based business insurance. This will protect your equipment and other assets in your home. 

Schedule A Consultation Today

If you have a small business in Winter Garden, FL, you need protection from all the things that could happen. Call Abney Insurance today so we can help you create an individualized policy.

4 Tips to Back Up a Home Insurance Claim

When you have home insurance, it’s a relief knowing that damage or loss to your home is covered. Filing a claim is easy when you work with your insurance representative at Abney Insurance serving Winter Garden, FL. Still, you can make the process of filing a home insurance claim even easier with these four tips for backing up your claim.

4 Tips to Back Up a Home Insurance Claim

1. Submit Receipts

Your insurance provider will want to give you accurate compensation for your loss or damage. Submitting original purchase receipts with your claim establishes value. Whenever you purchase anything that’s covered by your home insurance, keep the receipt. One great way to do this is to photograph the original receipt and file it in a dedicated folder on your PC or cloud storage folder.

2. Document With Photos

It’s helpful if you can submit photos that prove ownership, damage, or loss, too. For instance, when you have a kitchen remodel, photograph the new space, including sink fixtures, appliances, tile, and so on. Then, if something happens years later, you’ll have these photos available to show the original condition of your home.

3. Obtain 3rd Party Reports

If a loss included a burglary or something similar, be sure to get a copy of the police report. Submit this with your claim to help establish the details of the loss and a 3rd party’s objective backup.

4. Know Your Policy

When you get your home insurance policy, read through it carefully so you understand your coverage. You may have coverage for more than you realize. Also, the policy will explain in detail how to submit a claim and what to expect.

For more information and support for filing a home insurance claim, contact Abney Insurance serving Winter Garden, FL. We’re here to help.