As more people spend all or part of their work hours at home, there is increased awareness that most home insurance policies provide limited coverage for work-related tools and equipment. This article covers several options for adding that coverage. If you live in or near Oviedo, FL, the Karla Salmon Insurance team will gladly review your options and create a home and business insurance plan that works for you.

Home Insurance and Working From Home

As the name implies, home insurance covers personal assets and activities. It does not protect business assets and activities, whether you or your employer owns the assets. Typically, a home policy covers only $2,500 in business assets, so you should obtain additional coverage if you own a business and keep some assets at home.

You have several methods to obtain coverage that depends on your business size. Self-employed or freelancers often gain enough coverage by adding a business property endorsement to their home policy. However, check whether your business assets exceed the policy limits ($5,000 is standard.) If so, increase the policy limit with an endorsement.

Businesses with employees and less than $250,000 in revenues can benefit from in-home business insurance. These policies cover property, liability, and other elements typical of commercial insurance coverage.

Finally, a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) may be appropriate for home-based businesses with revenues exceeding $250,000. BOPs package the commercial insurance elements you need, like Workers’ Compensation, and add liability coverage for colleagues or customers injured at your residence. 

Working with Karla Salmon Insurance

We recommend discussing your situation with your agent, such as Karla Salmon Insurance. Our team proudly serves homeowners and businesses in and near Oviedo, FL. Call us or stop in today.

At Karla Salmon Insurance, we get a lot of questions about homeowners insurance from property owners in the Winter Springs and Oviedo, FL areas. The more our areas grow, the more questions increase in numbers and scope. Some of these questions involve outbuildings on a property. Here are some of the more frequent questions and answers.

What is an Outbuilding?

An outbuilding is a structure located on a property but separate from the main building. Examples include sheds, storage units, an unattached garage, and fencing.

Does my Homeowners Insurance Cover These Outbuildings?

The short answer is "probably". Many policies cover these structures to mirror the coverage of the main structure. However, outbuildings may not be covered for damage caused by lack of maintenance, pests, or insect damage. They may also be uncovered due to damage from flooding if a separate flood insurance policy is not in place on the main structure.

Are There Limits to Coverage of Outbuildings

Outbuilding coverage is generally tied to the overall limits of the primary homeowners’ insurance policy. This may include limits on the coverage of an outbuilding’s contents.

If you own a home in the Winter Springs and Oviedo, FL areas, you are in the midst of explosive growth. This includes massive commercial and residential developments. Home values are rapidly increasing, meaning you can quickly outgrow your homeowners’ insurance. Karla Salmon Insurance can review your present home insurance policy and provide a price quote. If you are unsure about your homeowner insurance and its coverage and limits, reach out to Karla Salmon Insurance, which serves Winter Springs, Geneva, Sanford, and Oviedo, FL.

At Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, we help homeowners cover their houses and the valuables inside their homes. When your most prized possessions are stolen, figuring out whether you can pay for their replacement can be stressful. While each policy specifies terms and limits, we can offer general guidance and hop around the topic of stolen belongings below.

Does Home Insurance Cover Stolen Belongings Outside the House?

Although break-ins threaten homeowners, valuable possessions are at risk of theft outside the home. Many home insurance policies provide coverage for valuables even if they’re stolen off the premises of the primary dwelling. For example, if you find yourself traveling and notice that a thief snagged your luggage, you might be able to file a claim and cover the costs of replacing the stolen items through your insurance policy. Of course, limits and policy terms apply to this situation. Even if you can’t be reimbursed for the entirety of the costs of the stolen items, this can help ease the financial burden after this devastating event happens. 

If your home insurance policy wouldn’t usually cover an item, or you’ve reached your limits, then it’s doubtful it would be covered if it’s stolen outside the home. If an item was in an area outside the house already covered by your home insurance policy, such as the garage or deck, it should still be covered. For special items like collectibles, you may want to get an insurance policy that specifically covers those valuables, so they’re covered inside and outside the home.

To protect your valuables, speak with an agent at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, today!

Safety in the home is an essential aspect of homeownership. Making your home safe from danger inside and out is vital to your personal safety and security. At Karla Salmon Insurance Oviedo, FL, our insurance experts are here to answer your questions and put your mind at rest about your home insurance coverage. 

Security

You should feel safe when you are at home. If you have been thinking about getting a home security system, now is the time actually to do it. Many systems are DIY projects that can be accomplished in a short time without needing any help. By adding cameras to the exterior of your home and motion-activated lights, you can always know who might be approaching your home. You should always use your door and window locks. They are free and are a deterrent. 

Storm shutters and hurricane-proof windows

Florida is twice as likely to be hit by a hurricane than any other hurricane-prone state. Florida residents need to be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane. By having storm shutters and shatterproof glass, you can limit some potential damage. If you are in an area prone to hurricanes, having a generator is necessary.  

Clear clutter

Clutter is a significant danger to both your personal safety and the safety of your home. Clutter is a fire hazard to your home and a trip and fall hazard to you. Keep all walkways and stairs clear and well-lit. Don’t keep anything that is potentially flammable in an area that is not air-conditioned. It gets very hot in the summer in Florida. 

When you need assistance with your home insurance, give our office a call or stop by the office for a no-obligation quote at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL.