Do I always need to have home insurance for my Florida property?

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Owning real estate in the Ft Myers, FL area has been a good investment for a long time. When you are going to purchase a property here, it is essential that you always consider your insurance needs. For most property owners, having home insurance is a necessity and a requirement. There are various reasons why you should also have home insurance for your Florida property. 

Meet Standards of Mortgage Lender

You will want to have a home insurance policy on your Florida home so you can meet the standards set by a mortgage lender. Using a home loan to buy a property is very common today. If you take out a mortgage, you are obligated to meet their requirements in terms of the insurance. Usually, you will need to have a full insurance plan and have payments escrowed each month.

Receive Protection and Coverage

You also want to have a home insurance plan to benefit from the protection and coverage it provides. If you choose to buy a home, you will always want to know that it is covered. With a home insurance policy, you will get helpful coverage that will give support so you can repair your home when needed. This coverage can also extend to your personal items up to the limits of the policy. 

If you are looking to purchase a property in the Ft Myers, FL area, reach out to our office. The Martin Insurance Team can provide any support that you need to build an appropriate insurance plan. Call the Martin Insurance Team and our professionals will help you understand your needs and options, so you remain fully covered. 

Three assumptions you shouldn’t make about your company’s commercial insurance policy

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If you want to be sure that you’re meeting your company’s commercial insurance needs, it’s crucial for you to be informed. At Martin Insurance Team, we can offer you helpful information about commercial insurance in Ft. Myers, FL. 

Don’t make assumptions about your insurance policy unless you’ve done your research. You also shouldn’t make assumptions about your company’s commercial insurance policy.

Your commercial insurance covers vehicles you use for business purposes.

You need to make sure that you specifically purchase commercial auto coverage if you need your commercial insurance policy to cover your business fleet.

A standard commercial insurance policy will not necessarily cover vehicles used for business purposes. 

Your company’s insurance is adequate if you’ve just chosen a generic commercial coverage policy.

Every company is different. You should never assume that your current commercial insurance policy is adequate if you haven’t updated your policy after recent changes to your company’s operations and size. 

There are numerous types of commercial insurance out there. There are also many options in terms of coverage limits. You need to update your commercial insurance policy periodically to ensure that the coverage you’re currently carrying is adequate for your company’s needs. 

Your commercial insurance policy is the most cost-effective option available.

Choosing a cost-effective commercial insurance option is always vital for maximizing your company’s profitability.

If it’s been a long time since you updated your policy, you should get quotes from a few different commercial insurance providers to ensure that your current policy is cost-effective. 

Businesses in Florida can rely on us at Martin Insurance Team for commercial insurance coverage. You can explore our commercial insurance policies by contacting us in Ft. Myers, FL. 

How to Stay Safe When You Have Passengers in Your Car

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Tragically, thousands of accidents happen yearly due to distracted drivers with passengers in their vehicles. You may not think about it, but their safety is partially in your hands when you have passengers in your car. Here are some tips from the Martin Insurance Team of Ft Myers, FL, to help keep your passengers and yourself safe while driving.

Always wear a seatbelt.

It is always essential to wear a seatbelt as a driver or a passenger in a vehicle. Wearing a seatbelt can help to protect you in the event of an accident by keeping you restrained in your seat. This can help prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle or thrown around inside the car, which can lead to severe injuries or even death.

Do not distract the driver.

As a passenger, you should never distract the driver by talking on the phone, having loud conversations, or doing anything that takes their attention away from the road. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents, so it’s essential to be aware of your surroundings and not cause unnecessary distractions.

Do not let anyone drive under the influence.

When someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they are not in the right mind to drive. They may be unable to think clearly, and the driver may slow down their reflexes. This can lead to them getting into accidents and even killing themselves or others.

If you’re looking for a great car insurance team in Ft Myers, FL, look no further than Martin Insurance Team. We’re here to help you find the right coverage for your needs and budget. Give us a call today to get started.

Four Key Items Protected By Your Home Insurance Policy

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Home is where the heart is and where most prized possessions are kept. Our home is our sanctuary, a safe place to relax and unwind at the end of a long day. But what happens when something goes wrong?

When an accident or disaster strikes, it’s essential to know that our home and everything in it are protected. That’s where home insurance comes in. A home insurance policy is designed to safeguard your home and your belongings in the event of unexpected damage or loss. Here are four essential items that are typically protected by a home insurance policy:

1. Liability From Lawsuits

Home insurance protects you from various risks, including liability from lawsuits. If someone is injured on your property or you damaged someone else’s property, you could be held liable in a lawsuit.

Your home insurance policy can help to protect you by providing financial coverage for legal expenses and damages that may be awarded in a lawsuit. Sometimes, the insurance company can even provide coverage for your legal defense. Whether you’re worried about an accident that has already occurred or you’re simply looking for peace of mind, home insurance can offer valuable protection against the risk of liability from lawsuits.

2. Additional Living Expenses (ALE)

Everyone is familiar with the basic coverage provided by a home insurance policy, including protection for the home’s structure and contents. However, home insurance policies also provide essential coverage for additional living expenses. Also known as ALE, this coverage can help to reimburse you for the cost of temporary housing if a covered event damages your home.

This insurance can be invaluable if your home is destroyed by a fire or severe weather, as it can help ease the financial burden of finding a new place to live. ALE coverage is typically limited to a specific dollar amount, so it’s essential to review your policy limits before you need to use this coverage. But for those who do find themselves in need of temporary housing, ALE coverage can help to make the process a little easier.

3. Personal Belongings

Home insurance policies generally cover personal belongings in the event of a covered loss, such as fire, theft, or certain types of water damage. The coverage may be limited, so checking your policy documents is essential to see what’s included. Most policies will have a maximum limit for each type of item, and some items may require additional coverage. For example, you might need to purchase a separate rider to insure jewelry or furs. If you have high-value items, it’s important to ensure they are adequately insured. Otherwise, you could be left with a sizable bill if they are damaged or stolen.

4. Your Home’s Structure

We all think of home insurance as something that covers the physical structure of our homes – the walls, roof, and so on. But your home’s structure is just one part of what’s covered by a typical home insurance policy. Most policies will also cover things like your plumbing and electrical systems and any permanently installed fixtures like cabinets and countertops. So if you’re ever faced with a burst pipe or a faulty electrical outlet, you know your home insurance will have you covered.

Contact Us Today for the Right Home Insurance Policy

These are just a few key items your home insurance policy protects. Of course, every policy is different, so reviewing your policy documents is important to see what’s included. And if you have any questions, be sure to contact your insurance agent or broker. They’ll be happy to help you understand your coverage and ensure you get the protection you need.

If you’re a homeowner in Ft Myers, FL, the Martin Insurance Team can help you find the right home insurance policy based on your needs. Contact us today for more information.

How to Choose a Home Insurance Policy in Ft Myers, FL

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When you’re ready to buy a home insurance policy in Ft Myers, FL, it’s essential to understand the different coverage options available. Homeowners’ insurance covers the house, other buildings, and personal belongings. They also include liability protection in homeowners’ insurance policies.

Different Levels of Coverage

The most common type of homeowners’ insurance is all-risk insurance, which covers the home against all perils, except those expressly excluded from the policy. Another type of homeowners’ insurance is perils insurance, which covers the home against specific risks named in the policy. Buyers should understand the different coverage before they purchase a policy.

The Martin Insurance Team can help you understand the different coverage and ensure you have the right amount of protection for your home. Call us today to get started.

Deductibles

Deductibles are the amount the policyholder must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company pays a claim. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Your mortgage lender may require you to purchase a policy with a deductible of only 1% of the loan amount.

Policy Limits

Policy limits are the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay for a covered claim. Most policies have limits for different coverage. For example, a policy may have a $100,000 limit for the dwelling and a $50,000 limit for personal belongings.

Replacement Cost Coverage

Replacement cost coverage is the amount it would cost to repair or replace damaged property with similar kinds and quality materials without deducting depreciation. Depreciation is property value loss due to age, wear, or obsolescence.

When you’re ready to purchase a home insurance policy in Ft Myers, FL, call the Martin Insurance Team. We’ll help you choose the right coverage for your home.

Four of the most important things motorists should know about auto insurance

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As a motorist, it’s important that you’re informed about how auto insurance works and what types of coverage you need. We can help you get the information you need about auto insurance in Ft Myers, FL at Martin Insurance Team.

The following are four of the most important things motorists should know about auto insurance.

Auto insurance coverage is required by law.

It’s crucial to purchase auto insurance because liability insurance is required by law in just about every state in the US. If you don’t carry adequate auto insurance, you could be subject to fines or worse if you get pulled over by the police.

You can get quotes from different auto insurance providers to compare policies.

Auto insurance providers will offer you quotes on the policies so that you can determine a price. You can get quotes from numerous insurance providers and compare them. This way, you can find a policy that offers value while providing you with all the coverage you want and need.

Your driving history and credit score affect auto insurance premiums.

Maintaining a driving record that’s free from infractions can allow you to take advantage of the lowest possible auto insurance premium costs. You’ll also benefit from having a good credit score. Motorists with higher credit scores usually also enjoy lower auto insurance premiums.

There are numerous discounts available on auto insurance premiums. 

Auto insurance providers typically offer discounts for paying for your entire policy upfront or completing a defensive driving course. Explore discount options so that you’re sure you’re not paying more than you should have on your auto insurance premiums.

Call or email us at Martin Insurance Team to explore auto insurance options available to you in Ft Myers, FL.

Umbrella Insurance Comes in Personal and Business Forms

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In Ft Myers, FL, you might purchase an umbrella insurance policy for your home insurance policy to add to the liability coverage, but wish you could buy one for your business, too. Well, you can.

Martin Insurance Team offers umbrella policies for business and personal needs. You’ll purchase two separate umbrella policies because you can buy one for business and one for personal use. Still, you can’t cover your business and personal coverage on the same policy.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Do?

When you purchase the primary policy, such as home or business liability, it provides a specific level of liability coverage. Typically, that coverage amount tops at half a million dollars or less. Your primary or central policy’s liability coverage equals the amount provided as a cap in the insurance papers.

An umbrella policy, a secondary policy, offers only liability coverage. It typically starts with a one million dollar coverage option. When the liability coverage in your primary policy pays out ultimately, your umbrella policy kicks in and pays the rest of the liability you incurred.

If you hosted a party where a fire occurred and three people incurred burn injuries, your primary or home policy would pay for your liability first. It would cover as much of their hospital, rehabilitative/physical therapy bills as its policy maximum allowed.

With three individuals, this could easily exceed the primary policy maximum of $25,000 to $50,000. The umbrella policy covers up to $1 million of liability, so if the three individuals sued you, this policy would pay the settlements.

A business umbrella policy works the same way. If a fire occurs at your business and injures three customers, the business liability primary policy covers up to its policy cap. After that, your business’s umbrella policy kicks in to cover the hospital bills and settlements.

Contact Us Today

Contact Martin Insurance Team serving Ft Myers, FL to purchase an umbrella policy for your business and to purchase a policy for your personal needs. Let us help you protect your financial security.

Benefits of Landlords Liability Insurance

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Did you know that as a landlord in Florida, you’re legally responsible for the safety of your tenants? That means if someone is injured on your Ft Myers, FL property, they could hold you liable. That’s why it’s so important to have a landlord’s liability insurance. This type of insurance can help protect you financially if a tenant ever sues you.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of having landlords’ liability insurance:

Help Cover Your Legal Expenses

Your legal expenses can quickly add up if a tenant ever sues you. With landlords’ liability insurance, you won’t have to worry about how you’ll afford to pay for a lawyer. Your insurance will cover the cost.

Provides Financial Protection

You could face a significant financial judgment if you’re liable for an accident on your property. That’s why it’s so important to have insurance. It can help cover the cost of the judgment and any damages they may order you to pay. Your Martin Insurance Team can help you find the right policy for your needs.

Covers Property Damage

If a covered event damages your property, a landlord’s insurance can help pay for the repairs. This policy can also cover the cost of any lost rent if your property is uninhabitable.

Gives You Peace of Mind

As a landlord, you have enough to worry about without stressing about what would happen if someone sued you. With landlord’s liability insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re protected.

As you can see, there are many benefits to having a landlord’s liability insurance. If you’re a landlord in Florida, it’s something you should consider. Contact your Martin Insurance Team today to find out more.

Cyber Insurance: Protect Your Florida Business

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There are several different types of business insurance, but one kind of insurance that businesses often forget there is cyber insurance. Here’s what you need to know about cyber insurance to protect your Ft Myers, FL business and how Martin Insurance Team can help you keep your business safe.

What is Cyber Insurance?

Cyber insurance protects businesses against the effects of cybercrime, such as ransomware, malware, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and other attack methods that can be used to compromise sensitive data and networks. This type of insurance is also referred to as cyber risk insurance or cybersecurity insurance. A dedicated insurance team can help personalize a cyber insurance policy to help you mitigate specific risks.

Does My Business Require Cyber Insurance?

No. Cyber insurance is not required to operate a business. However, it is an asset to your company. Whether you use one or multiple devices to manage your business, your business is prone to cyber-attacks. The more devices you use, the higher your cyber risk.

What Are the Benefits of Cyber Insurance?

Unfortunately, cyber-attacks are the new choice of destruction. Cyber insurance is ideal for small businesses, corporations, and businesses. This type of insurance is beneficial in many ways.

Improved Security Standards

The security provided by insurance companies can redefine your current security standards. You can advance your business and open different doors of opportunity with improved security standards.

Improving IT Security

Better business insurance coverage is a possibility when you have cyber insurance. Better insurance coverage for your business could mean more coverage at lower rates.

Improved Executive Awareness

Security initiatives can be easier obtained when you recognize and understand the risk and consequences of cyberattacks. You can save your business money by avoiding unnecessary risks with this understanding.

Here at Martin Insurance Team, we want the best for your business. We proudly serve Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Ft Myers, FL. We’re here to help you keep your business safe by safeguarding you from cyberattacks. Contact us today to learn more about our cyber insurance services.

How do you determine how much restaurant and liquor insurance coverage your establishment needs?

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Opening your own restaurant offers an exciting opportunity, but you need the right insurance just as much as you need the right sous chef. Few chefs realize it with their first restaurant, but commercial insurance provides one of the most critical business tools at their disposal.

Your restaurant’s insurance protects your financial investment from most losses. Suppose your food doesn’t taste good, so no one eats there. In that case, that’s on you, but if a tornado damages your café or hurricane winds tear apart your restaurant’s patio and roof, commercial property insurance from Martin Insurance Team covers it. Business interruption insurance helps you pay yourself and your staff while you’re closed for repairs.

Most restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, and bars carry more than one insurance policy. What policies do you need, though, and in what amount of coverage? The amount in question varies by eatery. We’ll help you determine how much based on your building cost, operating costs, sales volume, number of employees, etc.

Most establishments start with a business owners policy (BOP), then add to it. The BOP contains four policies that every business needs – general liability, business property, business liability, and business interruption insurance.

If you serve alcohol of any kind – beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc., you need to carry liquor liability to cover damages by an intoxicated individual or group. If you’re a dry establishment, you can skip this policy.

Without Exception, Buy This Coverage for Your Eatery

  • Spoilage: If the power goes out and your food spoils in the refrigerator or freezer, this insurance covers your loss.
  • Equipment Breakdown: This policy covers damage, repairs, and replacement of freezers, refrigerators, steamers, boilers, ovens, ice makers, and food warmers.
  • Employment Practices Liability: This policy protects you if an employee sues your eatery for harassment, discrimination, or another workplace tort.
  • Umbrella: Commercial umbrella insurance extends your general liability and commercial auto liability coverage policies.
  • Sewer Backup: Yes, there’s a specific policy for sewage. Most property damage policies exclude sewer backup as a peril, and sewage happens.
  • Utility Interruption: This policy covers interruptions to any utility needed to operate your restaurant – electric, gas, water, Internet, telephone, etc.
  • Electronic Data Processing: The electronic data processing insurance policy has only existed as long as computers and modern cash registers, but it does qualify as a must-have. It covers your computers, registers, and electronic table ordering systems.
  • Extra Expense: When a named peril like fire damages your Ft Myers, FL eatery, you may need to rent a new location temporarily to continue operation while your main location undergoes repairs. This policy pays for that.

Contact Us

In Ft Myers, FL, call Martin Insurance Team for the restaurant insurance you need to protect your business investment. We’ll help you build a policy that covers exactly what you need.