Steps to take if you receive a non-renewal notice from your home insurance company in Florida

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It happens almost daily throughout the Sunshine State, including Oviedo, FL. Homeowners are getting letters from their home insurance providers stating that their home insurance is not being renewed.

Many are reaching out to us at Karla Salmon Insurance. They are seeking guidance on what to do next. Here are some tips.

You can contest the non-renewal.

Depending on the reason given for non-renewal, you may be able to contest the non-renewal. If the provider is no longer offering home insurance in the state, there may be little you can do other than seek another provider.

Research your options.

If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to maintain home insurance. This means you will need to find protection elsewhere. This could mean potentially higher premiums, or you may even be asked to improve your home.

You do have options.

Keep in mind that you may still have options. You may have to increase deductibles or limit coverage. If you own your home outright, you could even self-insure, which can be risky depending on your financial situation.

Get the help you need.

There is a difference between getting your home insurance canceled by your provider and getting a "non-renewal" notice. Knowing these differences can help determine your options for future coverage.

If you struggle to maintain home insurance on your Oviedo, FL, area home, contact us at Karla Salmon Insurance. We can help guide you through what can be a frustrating process for many. We look forward to assisting you.

Does Your Policy Cover Your Car in the Event of a Hurricane?

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Liability-only insurance won’t cover your car in the event it is damaged or lost during a hurricane. Your agent at Karla Salmon Insurance, serving Oviedo, FL and all of the state, will have to write you comprehensive coverage for that.

Comprehensive coverage is what its name suggests. It protects your car in the event of many different kinds of hazards, including theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters, including windstorms and hurricanes. But there is a catch:

You can’t get comprehensive coverage for your car once a tropical storm watch or hurricane watch has been issued.

Preparation is Key

The time to get comprehensive coverage is before you think you will need it! Protecting your car from wind and high water is always a good idea. Still, if your vehicle is damaged by wind or high water in Oviedo, FL, or wherever you evacuate, comprehensive coverage will protect it. Comprehensive will protect your car in Florida or any other US state.

Potential Hurricane Damage

What kinds of damage can occur during a hurricane? Comprehensive coverage covers your car’s floating away or being crushed by a falling tree. It also covers damage from submersion in water or exposure to salt water. If the wind tosses a large object against your vehicle, you’ll be covered.

It would be best if you kept in mind that unless your policy says otherwise, your payout will consider your vehicle’s blue book value. Depreciation will reduce your payout (unless you get agreed-value coverage on your classic car, which you can discuss with your agent at Karla Salmon Insurance).

Your premiums will likely go up after a claim on your comprehensive coverage, but not as much as if you were in an at-fault accident.

Secure Your Comprehensive Insurance Today

The best time to get comprehensive insurance is always now. Call us today!

Gap Insurance vs. Auto Insurance: What’s the Difference?

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Auto insurance is necessary in most states, but many people don’t realize that gap insurance may also be useful. There is a key difference between auto insurance and gap insurance, mainly that gap insurance helps cover the difference between what we pay and the outstanding principal on a vehicle loan. If you’re still confused, we at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL can help you understand the differences.

What is Gap Insurance?

Gap insurance is a separate type of insurance policy that helps reimburse you if your vehicle is totaled. In many cases, your car may not be fully paid off. If you have standard auto insurance, you may be stuck paying for the remainder of your loan, as auto insurance only provides payments based on the original balance of the vehicle. 

If you’re funding through a car loan, then you’ll likely have added fees, interest, and extra charges added to your loan. Gap insurance is designed to help cover those costs when auto insurance only gives enough for the car’s value. Hence, it can benefit some drivers to purchase gap insurance at an additional charge.

The Main Difference Between Gap and Auto Insurance

Auto insurance and gap insurance serve different purposes. Auto insurance is primarily for accidents and injuries, providing coverage for damage up to a specific limit. On the other hand, gap insurance is specifically designed to bridge the ‘gap’ between insurance payouts and the remaining balance of your vehicle loan. 

Who Needs Gap Insurance?

Not everyone needs gap insurance. In fact, if your vehicle is paid off, then you likely won’t need it. Drivers who have vehicle loans would benefit the most from gap insurance. So, if you’re ready to discuss, our team at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL is happy to help.

Can You Go Without Home Insurance in Florida?

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These can be challenging for homeowners in Oviedo, FL, and elsewhere in the Sunshine State. Home insurance rates are rising, regulations are changing, and you may have fewer options. This, of course, has led to a flurry of questions at Karla Salmon Insurance. One question that we get increasingly is whether homeowners must carry homeowners insurance.

It is not a legal requirement to carry home insurance in Florida.

Unlike auto insurance in the state, homeowners are not legally required to carry homeowners insurance. If a home, however, has been financed and has a mortgage, the lender will likely require the mortgage holder to carry it.

What if I own my Home Outright?

If you do not have a mortgage, you can choose to “go bare” and go without home insurance. This is also called “self-insuring” because you alone will be responsible for the damage your home may experience. Any and all damage from a fire, storm, vandalism, or theft would be the responsibility of the owner.

The Danger of Self-insurance.

While it may be tempting to self-insure a home you own outright in this time of uncertainty and rising costs, it could be financially risky, especially if you don’t have the financial resources to absorb a significant loss.

You may have Home Insurance Options.

You may have options for changing your coverage and even locating a different homeowners insurance provider. At Karla Salmon Insurance of Oviedo, FL, we invite you to contact us to discuss your situation. We may be able to help you avoid having force-placed insurance on your financed home.

Contact us today to discover what we can do for you.

Reasons Why Your Small Business Should Have Crime Insurance

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Full protection is essential for small businesses, even when faced with situations beyond their control. The benefits of including crime insurance in your commercial insurance package may be the critical difference in enabling your business to continue operations. Crime insurance covers acts related to theft, financial losses, and forgery, among others.

Have Property Protected

When your business is attacked, an investigation is conducted by the local authorities and your insurance agency. They may allege negligence in your practices and attempt to deny coverage for the damaged property. However, with crime insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that, given a documented crime, you can receive financial assistance for damages to the property and replacement of lost items.

Protect Assets

With crime insurance, you don’t need to use your assets to restore your business. This can prevent smaller companies from closing. Also, even if your business is significantly successful, you would want to protect your assets without having to downsize or eliminate positions to maintain security.

Assist With Fraud

In instances of fraud or cybercrime, the business needs to rectify the situation quickly, protect customer information, and return stolen funds. This could occur through employee theft or a system hack. With crime insurance, you can protect your business, employees, and customers by incorporating this policy into your plan. It saves you from dipping into the business account or using personal funds to cover these refunds.

If you own a small business in the Oviedo, FL area or surrounding communities, ensure to get a quote from Karla Salmon Insurance for commercial insurance today.

What needs to be included in a new auto insurance plan?

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Those living in the Oviedo, FL, area are going to find that being a vehicle owner is a good option. When you buy a car in this area, you will have an easier time getting around the community and enjoying all it has to offer. If you are going to buy a car, you do need to get insurance for it as well, and one of these plans should include various forms of coverage to ensure you are supported. 

Protection for Car

A form of coverage you will need to have in an auto plan is protection for your car. If you are going to buy a car, you will quickly find that it can cost a lot of money to purchase and maintain, and the best way to protect this investment is with insurance. If you are appropriately insured, you will have support if your car is damaged or stolen and needs to be replaced or repaired. 

Liability Insurance

You also need to ensure you have proper liability insurance in your auto plan. When you have a liability insurance policy, it will offer support if you are at fault in an accident. This can help ensure you can cover damages, but it will also keep you in good standing with the law, which requires you to maintain auto coverage at all times. 

If you intend to drive a car in the Oviedo, FL area, you will likely know that you also need insurance. If you want auto coverage when you are here, our team with Karla Salmon Insurance is a great group to call. Our team with Karla Salmon Insurance will ensure you have the proper support and remain covered. 

Keys to Coverage: Auto Insurance Basics for Oviedo, FL Drivers

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Navigating Oviedo’s busy streets can be tricky. Navigating grueling rush hour traffic in the blazing Orlando sun can become even more challenging when you know your vehicle isn’t adequately covered by insurance. 

The insurance experts at Karla Salmon Insurance are here to help! In the guide below, learn about a few auto insurance basics for Oviedo, FL drivers. 

Auto Insurance Basics for Florida Drivers

New drivers in Florida may be unaware that Sunshine State laws mandate all drivers to have minimum insurance coverage for liability protection on local area roads. Liability insurance protection is an introductory form of insurance that provides immediate financial protection for drivers in an at-fault accident. 

An auto accident can result in automobile damage, personal injuries, and legal liability claims for related medical expenses.

Talk to a trusted local insurance agent to learn more about the benefits of having mandatory coverage and how liability insurance can shield your finances in an automobile emergency. 

Additional Coverage Options Can Extend Your Policy Limits

Proactive drivers who want to protect their finances, passengers, and vehicles take their auto insurance protection a step further by adding comprehensive and collision coverages. These add-on auto insurance components can extend your policy limits to cover a variety of at-fault and no-fault accidents. 

Local drivers may know comprehensive coverage as “full coverage” insurance. This total insurance solution provides safeguards from accidents, liability claims, auto theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and even animal collisions. 

Get Auto Insurance Near You from a Trusted Local Provider in Oviedo, FL

Now that you understand auto insurance basics and coverages, the next step is to contact a knowledgeable local agent and get a quote! 

Five Reasons to Protect Your Oviedo FL Home with Comprehensive Home Insurance

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Oviedo, FL homeowners are no strangers to the devastation and destruction that hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, flooding, and other natural disasters can leave behind. The good news is that the experts at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, are here to help! 

Five Reasons to Protect Your Florida Home with Comprehensive Insurance 

1. Exposure to Weather-Related Risks 

Florida experiences weather extremes, including tropical storms, hurricanes, tornados, and extreme heat. These naturally occurring phenomena can pose significant risks to the structural integrity of your home. A comprehensive insurance policy can help offset some of the costs associated with storm recovery. 

2. Comprehensive Property Protection

Safeguard the interior and exterior of your home with comprehensive home insurance that can cover structural damage, theft, vandalism, and related perils. 

3. Liability Coverage Can Shield Homeowners from Legal Fees 

Unforeseen accidents that happen within the confines of your home and property can lead to costly lawsuits that can wipe out your savings and rack up expensive legal fees. Liability insurance for homeowners can help protect your finances from potential lawsuits and medical fees.

4. Comply with Mortgage Lender Requirements 

Many Florida mortgage lenders stipulate that homeowners must carry comprehensive home insurance to hold a mortgage. Comprehensive home insurance meets mortgage lender requirements. It adds a layer of financial security to your most significant investment. 

5. Peace of Mind is Priceless

It isn’t easy to put a price on peace of mind. However, in Oviedo, FL, residents who know that their financial interests are protected by home insurance can rest easier knowing that their home, family, and personal belongings are safe. 

Contact the knowledgeable and friendly insurance agents at Karla Salmon Insurance and get a home insurance quote today! 

Can You Afford to Leave Your Business Unprotected?

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Owning a business comes with various rewards and benefits, but achieving success isn’t devoid of its associated costs. For business owners, these expenditures manifest in the form of time, effort, and resources required to nurture, expand, manage, and protect your business. Fortunately, service providers like Karla Salmon Insurance are here to help protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build, especially for our Oviedo, FL area clientele.

The High Price of Inadequate Insurance Coverage

Most business owners understand the worth and advantages of comprehensive insurance coverage. However, numerous businesses realize the exorbitant costs of underinsurance and lack of protective coverage every year. This realization highlights that the pertinent question isn’t about having insurance but the appropriate coverage for your business and its assets.

Moreover, it doesn’t require complicated mathematics to understand the intrinsic value of comprehensive commercial insurance. For instance, what would it cost to replace your facility roof damaged by a storm? What would it cost to replenish your inventory lost in a warehouse fire due to an electrical storm? Unquestionably, the true value of a well-crafted commercial insurance plan for your business is undeniable.

Avoid Leaving Your Business Vulnerable

If you’re a business owner in Oviedo, FL, or have questions about your commercial insurance coverage, the proficient and cordial team at Karla Salmon Insurance is here to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about our bespoke services and secure the best protection your business needs.

What to Do After an Accident

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Auto Accident Guide: Steps to Take After an Incident

Most drivers may experience a car accident at some point, especially if they have been driving for a long duration. Here’s a guide to help you know what to do if you ever get involved in an accident.

Ensure Safety First

The Initiative after an accident is to confirm the safety of all implicated parties. Check for any injuries on yourself, then verify the well-being of your passengers and the occupants of the other vehicle.

If anyone is injured, summon an ambulance right away because people’s safety supersedes any insurance matters. In many cases, drivers involved in accidents around Oviedo, FL, can also relocate their vehicles to a secure location.

Exchange Critical Information

Switch contact and insurance data with the other driver involved in the accident. This includes names, addresses, phone numbers, insurers, and policy numbers. Acquiring contact information from any witnesses can be advantageous, too.

At Karla Salmon Insurance, we suggest drivers carry a physical copy of their insurance data in their vehicle, although looking it up on your phone is also feasible.

Document the Scene Accurately

Taking photographs of the accident scene can be beneficial when completing your insurance claim, mainly when there’s ambiguity concerning who’s at fault.

Capture images of all involved vehicles from a range of angles, showing the damage and the entire scene. Document any crucial road signs, traffic lights, or stop signs as well.

Call the Police if Required

In case of significant accidents, those that involve injuries or property damage, or any disagreement related to the accident’s occurrence, call the police. A police report delivers a credible and neutral document detailing the officer’s observations and the reported statements.

Reach Out for Auto Insurance Help

For auto insurance assistance, get in touch with Karla Salmon Insurance. Having helped numerous Oviedo, FL drivers, we’re here to assist you, too.