Boating Season

Warm Weather Means Boating Season

Now that the warm weather has come around it is time for boating season. Before you take your boat out you should check many things to ensure you and your family’s safety.boating season

• You should always check you’re to make sure your safety equipment is your boat. This includes but is not limited to a fire extinguisher, a whistle, and make sure everyone that is going to be in the boat has a life vest available in case of an emergency. You should also make sure your have ropes and anchors because the ropes can brittle and break after use for a few season
• Make sure your registration is up to date and not expired. Having an expired registration on the water could cost you a hefty fine. Also, make certain the registration sticker is on the boat.
• You should always make sure your boat has a plug and know exactly where the plug drain is located.
• The mechanics on your boat should always be checked. Replace all cracked belts and hoses that you know are not going to make it through the boating season. Check all electrical systems; turn on and test everything including battery terminal which sometimes get corroded. Also give the hull a look over to make sure there are not any spots which could leak water inside.
• The status of your boat trailer is very important also. Make sure your tires are aired up properly; and test your lights seeing if you have brake lights, turning signals, and running lights.

Using this list will ensure your families safety over this boating season. Enjoy your time on the water and be safe.

Home Insurance

home insurance

Home Insurance Policies and What To Look For

Home insurance policies differ in many ways. We think of home insurance as a must, but don’t always explore our options when looking for the perfect home insurance policy. It is not your insurance provider’s responsibility to make sure you get the best deal, it is your responsibility. There are many ways to make sure you get the best possible home insurance that fits your needs, let’s talk about a few.

Always shop around for the perfect insurance. Sometimes people just want to stay insured by the family insurance company but shopping around could be to your advantage. Even if you stick with your family insurance company getting other quotes could help you negotiate with your current insurer.

Another thing you can do is to take advantage of special discounts insurance companies offer. Insurance companies do not automatically deduct these discounts; you have to ask for them. Your driving record or report card are two examples of discounts which may apply to you. Ask your insurance company yearly for a list of discounts that may apply to your family.

Make your home more disaster ready. The best way to prepare for a disaster is before it happens. Being prepared for a disaster might not help lower your insurance rate, but it will help after the disaster happens. You could cut down trees close to your home or install hurricane shutters so your home would sustain less damage during a storm.

Often when your home has a security system installed an insurance company will offer a discount. Installing a security system is not a hard or as expensive as it sounds. Ask your provider for specific details on what needs to be installed to be eligible for the discount.

Did you know where you live depends on your insurance cost? Your home insurance cost depends on if you live close to the ocean, elevation, flood risk, and many other claims that have been made close to your home. If you have not yet bought a home you should check out the area before purchasing. Insurance rates could go up two blocks down the road from your home. Your dream home might not be as dreamy as you think.

These are a few things you should take in to consideration when searching for your perfect home insurance policy. If you need help finding a great policy call Gulf Coast Educators Insurance at 239-591-0963. It would be our pleasure to serve you.

 

Sinkholes

sinkhole

Sinkholes In Florida

Sinkholes in Florida occur all the time without any warning signs. Some might ask how does a sinkhole form? The peninsula of Florida is made of limestone, which helps to store and move groundwater. Soil sits on top of the limestone and over time, groundwater erodes the limestone, forming a cavity. When this occurs a sinkhole is created. The cause of a sinkhole is when a period of drought is followed by heavy rain, along with a heavy pumping of groundwater by people.
Tampa counties which include Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando, and Pasco are affected the most by sinkholes. Does your insurance cover sinkhole damage? Florida law requires insurance companies to provide coverage for catastrophic ground cover collapse, this is when a sinkhole opens suddenly and severely damages your home. In some cases sinkhole incidents catastrophic ground cover collapse coverage will not cover the damage. Actual sinkhole coverage is available to add to a homeowner’s insurance policy for an additional cost.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection stated, “Many insurance companies rely upon the regional maps showing zones of sinkhole occurrences based on the local geology and historical sinkhole activity, or on private sinkhole data.” When you are choosing a homeowners insurance policy take into consideration the area you live and the risk of sinkholes in the area.
At Gulf Coast Educators Insurance we thrive in helping you to choose the right policy that fits your needs, give us a call at 239-591-0963. It would be our pleasure to serve you.

Auto Accidents

Make Sure You Know Exactly How To Handle An Auto Accident

Auto accidents are inevitable but they do happen unexpectedly. If you ever are involved in an accident you should know what exactly you should do.
The first thing you should do is call 911, whether you call or the over driver does someone needs to call. An official document needs to be made to prove who is liable for the accident or if you chose to file a personal injury lawsuit down the road. You should then gather the other driver’s information. The information you should find out is contact information, their auto insurers name and pAuto Accidentolicy number, license plate number, and the make, model, and color to the driver’s vehicle. Make sure you take pictures of your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle to show the damage. You should also know exactly where the accident occurred; take a picture to better remind you later.
If you’re injured or the other driver calling 911 is a must! If you go to the hospital make sure you document all treatment you receive, include locations, names of doctors, addresses, and telephone numbers, tests they perform, and prescription information. This information will help you if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Next you should open a claim. You should file your claim as soon as possible. When you contact your insurance agency you should have your policy number and must be able to recall details of the accident. Setting up a claim will help you get your car repaired, some insurance agencies have specific places where your vehicle can be repaired and be covered.
Following these steps and having the correct information for your auto insurance agency will help you get through this unexpected collision more smoothly. If you need auto insurance call Gulf Coast Educators Insurance at 239-591-0963 we will be happy to serve you.