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In Florida, natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, sinkholes, and even wildfires are all a very real possibility. Wildfires are the most frequent natural disaster in the state, despite the fact that its location between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean renders it particularly vulnerable to powerful storms. This partially explains why home insurance rates in disaster-prone locations are generally higher than the national average.

A typical home insurance policy does not provide coverage for most natural disasters. Following a natural disaster, claims could be so high that insurance firms would go bankrupt if all claims were permissible. As a result, insurance providers are reluctant to offer coverage for certain dangers.

Homeowner’s Insurance and Natural Disasters FAQs

Let’s examine a few frequently asked questions surrounding natural disasters and homeowner’s insurance.

#1 Is My Home Protected from a Natural Disaster?

This is a broad question that depends on the specifics of your homeowner’s policy, and the location you live in impacts the coverage greatly. For example, the majority of plans include coverage for fire damage, but if you reside in a wildfire-prone location, your coverage may differ slightly. This is why it is crucial that you check your policy closely or go to an experienced insurance professional BEFORE disaster strikes.

The following damages are frequently covered by homeowner’s insurance. However, always check your insurance policy to ensure that these are indeed covered.

• Damage due to lightning and fire
• Wind or hail damage
• Damage caused by smoke
• Volcanic eruption or damage from ash
• Weight of snow, ice, or sleet causing collapse

#2 Why Is My Home Not Protected from a Natural Disaster?

It is certainly understandable to be concerned that your homeowner’s insurance may not protect you from a literal force of nature. However, due to the possibility of expensive natural disaster claims, the majority of natural disasters are not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Since many natural disasters result in total losses, private insurance firms simply cannot bear the risk.

Be aware that the following natural disasters are usually NOT covered by typical homeowner insurance policies:

• Floods
• Sinkholes
• Earthquakes
• Landslide or a mudslide

#3 Do I Need a Separate Policy to Have Flood Coverage?

Contrary to popular belief, homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. Flood insurance must be purchased separately. You will need a separate policy, such as from the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, to be covered against flood damage.

Many mortgage lenders require flood insurance, especially in light of the fact that so many homes, especially in Florida, are situated in flood zones with varying degrees of risk. You can either obtain flood insurance from the government or from a private company.

#4 Is There a Special Policy for Hurricane Coverage?

There isn’t a special hurricane policy that you should seek out. In actuality, hurricane damage is produced by a variety of factors, including wind, floods from storm surge, and rain. As a result, the question of whether a residence is covered by insurance during a hurricane generally depends on whatever aspect of the storm, or its aftermath, caused the specific damage.

In many instances, homeowner’s insurance can protect your home, personal belongings and many other items located on your property if a hurricane causes damage or complete destruction. You will need to meet your hurricane deductible, and your insurance company will likely cover the remainder up to your policy’s maximum limit.

Need an Experienced Insurance Professional?

Your homeowner’s insurance will cover damage from some Florida natural disasters, but you will need to buy additional insurance to cover damage from floods, hurricane winds, windstorms, and some types of sinkholes.

At GWK Insurance, we take pride in helping our clients feel assured should disaster strike. To find out more about how we can get the best coverage for you and your family, contact us today.

Maintaining a homeowner’s insurance policy is a vital step for anyone looking to purchase a home. Shopping out different policy options, along with reading the fine print, is a necessary part of the process. This ensures that you, the homeowner, understand the ins and outs of what incidents your policy will cover, and instances that will not be covered by insurance.

Types of Damages Not Typically Covered

While every homeowner’s policy is unique, there are certain key issues that most policies will not cover. Understanding these instances before purchasing your home will benefit you, so that you are prepared if disaster strikes.

The following are different types of damages that will not be covered by basic insurance policies.

Issues Caused by Lack of Maintenance

Taking care of your home through necessary maintenance is a vital part of being a homeowner. Failing to properly maintain your home can cause serious damages to the dwelling, which are not covered by your homeowner’s policy. The insurer will cite any issue caused by neglect, or failure to maintain routine maintenance procedures, as something within the homeowner’s control.

In these cases, the insurer will most likely not cover the resulting damages. These damages often include leaky pipes that were possibly neglected that have caused rotting wood and underlying water damage to the structure. Typical wear and tear of appliances, or neglect of furniture are also excluded.

If the insurer determines that these damages could be prevented by proper homeowner maintenance and care, they will most likely not cover the cost to repair the damages.

Floods and Earthquakes

The majority of homeowner’s insurance policies cover common natural disasters such as wind, hail, lightning, and wildfires. However, most policies do not cover damages caused by flooding or earthquakes.

Flood and earthquake coverage is typically found in a separate policy entirely, and homeowners living in regions prone to these disasters should seek out this coverage if necessary.

Basic homeowner’s insurance policies, however, do not offer coverage for these events since most homes are not prone to these types of disasters. If you feel that your home is at risk of being damaged by a flood or earthquake, contact your insurer regarding separate policies for these more extraordinary events.

Mold

In most cases, mold damage is caused by a long-term leak, or failure to properly maintain the home. If your insurance company determines that the mold damage occurred due to neglect, a leak that was not repaired, or a naturally occurring flood, they will not cover the cost of repairs.

However, if the investigation determines that the mold was caused by a leak that quickly built up or was deep in the walls and unable to be noticed, they may cover the cost of damages. In any situation, it is best to notify your insurance company immediately so they can begin an investigation as soon as possible.

Intentional Damage

Your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover any damages caused by yourself or a family member. This includes a wide range of issues, such as structural damages, damages to appliances or other belongings, theft, or graffiti.

Your insurer will cover accidental damages or injuries, as laid out in the personal liability section of your policy. However, if any damage was intended, pre-determined, or used to cause harm, the insurer will not cover the cost of repairs.

Questions About Your Policy?

Are you a first-time homeowner or in need of a new homeowner’s insurance policy? We are here to help! At GWK Insurance, our team of experienced agents is prepared to guide you through the insurance selection process.

We understand the ins and outs of a policy can be daunting, especially for a new homeowner, and we are ready to assist you. Contact us today so that we can answer any questions you may have regarding your homeowner’s policy.

A necessary part of being a homeowner is having a homeowner’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, the average person may not understand what their homeowner policy actually covers. An uninformed homeowner may end up with inadequate coverage for their home since they do not know the specific terms to look for.

Use this guide to become better informed about your coverage.

Terms of a Standard Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Simply put, homeowner’s policies ensure that your home will be repaired or replaced in the event of damage. A standard policy typically covers damage caused by fire, smoke, fallen trees, plumbing issues, storms, and theft.

However, there are certain things that are not covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. For example, flood damage is not included in a standard policy. Damage from floods and earthquakes is typically covered by separate policies entirely.

Wildfire protection also falls into this category and is determined by the level of risk in the area where the home is located. Some policies cover other types of damage, including mold, foundation damage, and roof replacement, but these types of coverage are not standard. Some insurers may not provide this type of coverage at all, so it is important to be specific and ask your agent any and all clarifying questions.

What Does Homeowner’s Insurance Provide?

If an event covered by your policy damages or destroys your home or valuables, homeowner’s insurance should cover you. It will also protect you if you cause injury to someone else or, in certain circumstances, cause property damage. Homeowner’s insurance has four primary functions:

• To make necessary repairs to your home, yard, and other structures.
• To repair or replace your personal belongings
• To provide for other living arrangements while repairs occur
• To cover personal liability if you’re held legally accountable for someone else’s property damage or injury

What are the Types of Coverage?

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy can be broken down into six types of coverage, which help ensure that you and your home are wholly protected from potential damage and other threats.

1. Dwelling coverage ensures that the home itself is protected. This coverage will cover the costs to repair or rebuild the home, depending on the total amount of damage and your coverage costs.
2. Other structures coverage ensures that fences, garages, outdoor sheds, and guest houses will be repaired or rebuilt in the event of damage.
3. Personal property coverage includes items that are stolen or vandalized, mainly furniture, appliances, and electronics.
4. Loss of use coverage covers expenses in the event your home needs to be rebuilt and you are required to stay elsewhere (i.e. hotels, restaurants, rentals).
5. Personal liability coverage covers others’ medical bills and hospital costs in the event you are found liable as the homeowner.
6. Medical payment to others coverage covers minor medical costs due to injuries, not taking into account who is at fault.

How Can We Help?

Homeowner’s insurance is a vital part of owning a home. At GWK Insurance, our agents know that the ins and outs of a policy can be overwhelming at times, but we are here to walk you through the entire process. If you are a homeowner searching for a new policy, we would love to partner with you on this journey. Contact us at any time, and let us know how we can help.

While it may not be an enjoyable topic, life insurance is an important element of your financial plan, as it can provide financial stability to your loved ones upon your passing. In simple terms, this type of insurance is an investment in the future for those who you choose as beneficiaries.

Life insurance can be a confusing topic, as policies can differ quite significantly. Here are the answers to 5 frequently asked questions (FAQs) associated with life insurance.

#1 Why Invest in Life Insurance?

Perhaps the most important reason to secure life insurance is to gain peace of mind. Because it is a contract between you and your insurance company, you can feel confident in the knowledge that your beneficiaries will be relieved of financial hardship in the event of your death.

#2 At What Age Should You Buy Life Insurance?

It is generally recommended that life insurance be purchased in your younger years. An important advantage to buying life insurance when you’re young and healthy is the ability to lock in a good rate. Life insurance increases in cost as your age increases, so consider securing life insurance earlier in life rather than later.

#3 How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

When determining how much life insurance you need, first take a look at your current and future financial obligations. What does your monthly cost-of-living equate to and who is involved? Then, consider your future expenses like college tuition, medical needs, and end-of-life expenses such as those associated with a funeral. Once you’ve compiled all these expenses, you will be able to better estimate your life insurance needs. One simple guideline that many industry leaders recommend is to aim for 5 to 10 times your current annual salary.

#4 Who Can Be a Beneficiary of Life Insurance?

As the owner of a life insurance policy, you can name any person of your choosing as a beneficiary. Many people choose their spouse or life partner, but it is possible to name more than one person as a beneficiary. For example, you could leave a percentage to your spouse and divide the remaining percentage amongst your children.

It is a good habit to review your beneficiary choices frequently to avoid unwanted outcomes. As your life changes with age, consider those life changes that may impact your choice of beneficiary.

#5 What are the Main Types of Life Insurance?

Life insurance typically falls into two main categories, referred to as term insurance and permanent insurance.

As the name suggests, term insurance covers you for a period of time and includes a guaranteed death benefit. While there is no savings component, term policies typically offer the lowest monthly premium and are usually the best option if you have a limited budget.

On the other hand, more expensive, permanent life insurance provides peace of mind with life-long protection that never expires. Permanent life insurance premiums go toward both maintaining the policy’s death benefit and allowing the policy to build cash value. The potential for increasing cash value, or equity, is one of the more attractive elements for those who select permanent life insurance coverage.

Need Help Selecting the Proper Plan for You?

Life insurance can provide peace of mind and security for all stages of life.

At GWK Insurance, we take the needs of our clients as seriously as if they were our own.  We are experts in helping you make the right insurance choices to protect the financial future for those you care about most.

Contact us today to start evaluating life insurance policy options that can help provide financial security for your family’s future.

More people are renting in the U.S. than ever before. According to the Statista Research Department, in 2021, there were approximately 45 million renter households. However, only 57% of renters have renter’s insurance, leaving more than half of renters at risk.

If you are one of the millions of people currently renting, consider these top 4 reasons for minimizing your personal risk with renter’s insurance.

#1 Your Landlord’s Coverage Does Not Protect You

A common misconception is the belief that the landlord’s policy will cover your losses as a renter. Your landlord’s policy covers only the physical structure of the rental property and will not protect you or your personal belongings. The landlord is responsible for fixing any structural damage caused by weather or a catastrophic event. For example, if a tornado were to strike your apartment, your landlord would rebuild the structure. However, the cost of replacing your personal belongings would likely fall on your shoulders without renter’s insurance coverage.

#2 Protect Your Personal Possessions

In general, renter’s insurance covers what you own, and your possessions are likely worth more than you may think. The higher ticket items you may own, such as TVs, furniture, and computer equipment are included and can be replaced in case of a loss. Renter’s insurance is not only affordable, but its biggest value may be the peace of mind it provides when it comes to covering your personal belongings.

#3 Protect Your Guests

Liability coverage is included in standard renter’s insurance policies. When you invest in renter’s insurance, it doesn’t just protect your home and property–it will also protect you and any guests you may have. This provides protection if someone is injured while in your home or if you accidentally cause injury to another person.

#4 Prepare for the Unexpected

Sometimes the unexpected happens, and your renter’s insurance can help you manage the unknown. In the case that a named peril occurs such as vandalism, fire, wind, or lightning damage, and you can’t stay in your home because of a covered loss, you would be provided reimbursements for temporary housing and additional living expenses. Being prepared for the unexpected means never having to worry about where you will live should the worst happen.

Finding the Best Coverage for Your Needs

Life takes many twists and turns and having renter’s insurance can make dealing with a potential traumatic event much more bearable.

When you work with GWK Insurance, you can rest easy  knowing that we will help you navigate your options to determine the best coverage for you and your family.

Contact us today to help get the best coverage for your specific needs.

When choosing a life insurance policy to protect your family’s financial well-being, there are a number of things to consider. You need to understand the basics, such as how this type of insurance policy works, coverage types, why it’s beneficial to have, and how to choose the right plan for you and your family, before making any decisions.

How Does Life Insurance Work Exactly?

The purpose of a life insurance policy is to  provide a death benefit to your pre-selected beneficiary, which in most cases is a spouse, child, or other family member. Upon your passing, your beneficiary, or your licensed insurance agent, would submit a claim to the insurance company basically informing them of your passing. Once the insurance company receives all the required documents, the beneficiary would receive a payout based on the terms of the life insurance policy.

Understand the Two Main Types of Life Insurance

There are several things you should consider when purchasing the best life insurance policy for you, and understanding the two main types of life insurance, permanent and temporary, is a good place to start.

Permanent Life Insurance

A permanent life insurance policy sounds exactly like what it is: you’ll be covered for the entirety of your life, so long as you are paying the premiums. This type of policy gets paid of regardless of the age at passing as long as the policy is up to date.

Two of the most popular types of permanent insurance are whole life and universal life. Most whole life policies provide a level premium, so the rate that you pay stays the same for the entire policy. With most life insurance policies, you can get a larger death benefit by passing a medical exam. Other permanent insurance policies available include universal life and variable universal life.

Universal life and whole life are the two most common types of permanent life insurance. Whole life insurance is more standard, and you pay consistent premiums throughout the life of the policy. In addition to lifelong protection, universal life insurance, which has flexible premiums, has a savings component (called “cash value”) in which you can borrow or withdraw against the insurance policy’s value and your cash value earns interest.

Temporary Life Insurance

A temporary life insurance policy, sometimes also referred to as term life insurance, is issued only for a certain amount of time, typically from five to 30 years.

Term life insurance policies stipulate a death benefit to your assigned beneficiary only if you pass away during the pre-determined term of your temporary policy, until the age of 95.

The majority of temporary life insurance policies are level premium term policies, meaning your premium will remain consistent for an established period of time. There are a few other, less common, types of term life insurance, such as decreasing term coverage and annual renewable term coverage. However, these are typically not the right option when looking for the best protection for your family.

As you review various policy options, consider the length of time you would like to have coverage.

Choosing The Best Life Insurance Policy for Your Family

Life insurance can help give you peace of mind and secure what matters most for all ages and stages of life.

Protect the life you want for those that matter most. This is what GWK Insurance is here for. We make it a point to educate, inform, and assist our clients in the process of making the right insurance choices.

Contact us today to start evaluating life insurance policies that can help provide financial security for your loved ones by covering expenses like the mortgage, college tuition, and other everyday living costs.

No matter what type of risks your business may face, there are insurance coverage options available to help protect your company. When determining which types of insurance to invest it, be sure to consult with your insurance agent. They can help guide you in the right direction and ensure your business is properly covered in case any issues arise down the road.

5 Types of Business Insurance to Consider

Consider the following 5 types of business insurance to help safeguard your company and minimize potential financial setbacks in the future.

#1 General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance typically covers legal issues due to injuries, accidents, and negligence claims. This type of insurance protects you when claims are made regarding libel, slander, settlement bonds, lawsuit defense, property damage, bodily injury, medical expense, and more.

#2 Product Liability Insurance

If you sell a product, you may be held liable for its safety. Product liability insurance is most necessary for businesses that wholesale, distribute, or manufacture products. This type of insurance can protect your business from monetary losses should a defective product cause bodily harm or injury to one or more individuals. Speak with an experienced insurance agent to determine the amount of coverage you should have, which is dependent on the products you manufacture/sell.

#3 Professional Liability Insurance

If your business provides services, you should strongly consider investing in professional liability insurance, sometimes referred to as errors and omissions insurance. This type of insurance helps to safeguard your company when it comes to issues such as errors, malpractice, and negligence in regards to the services you provide to your clients.

Be sure to check state and local requirements, or consult with your insurance agent, as many types of professions are required to carry this type of policy, such as medical doctors being required to carry malpractice insurance in many states.

#4 Commercial Property Insurance

This type of insurance coverage protects your business when it comes to loss or damage of company property which can come as a result of storms, fires, wind, etc. Commercial Property Insurance can include everything from lost income to building damage to the contents inside the building.

To select the best possible type of commercial property insurance for your business, consult your insurance agent.

#5 Home-Based Business Insurance

Now, more than ever before, businesses are being run out of the business owners’ homes. And, what many people do not realize is that home insurance does not cover your business’ losses.

Depending on the type of business you have, and the risks associated with your business, you may be able to add provisions to your existing home insurance policy to cover some basic business risks, like property damage. However, you may decide that these very basic add-ons will not suffice to properly protect your company. Consider purchasing additional insurance coverage, such as professional liability and/or general liability insurance to be appropriately insured.

Find The Best Business Insurance for Your Company

At GWK Insurance, we know that starting up and running a company is a lot of work, and adding shopping for business insurance to your already-full plate can feel overwhelming. But we are here to help you find the best possible business insurance to protect your company. Contact us today to help you find the best quotes for your insurance needs.

Getting a new home insurance policy may not be the most exciting task, but it is vital to protecting your family and your property. Not to mention, all mortgage lenders require you to carry home insurance.

Whether you just purchased a new home or your current policy no longer fits your needs, you should shop for the best home insurance policy to fit your specific needs.

To help you do that, let’s take a look at some of the most important things you need to know about home insurance before starting your search. Some of them may surprise you.

#1 Home Insurance Coverage Varies Depending on the Policy

It is important to know that policies can provide varying levels of coverage. A typical home insurance policy covers your house, your belongings in it, and your liability for any injuries or property damage caused to others. Additional living expenses may also be covered by some policies, in the event that you cannot live in your home while work is being done to it after a natural disaster or accident.

When comparing home insurance policies, think details, details, details. Read each policy in its entirety and be sure you understand exactly what type of damage it protects against, the compensation it provides, the deductible amounts, etc.

#2 Understand What is Excluded from Each Policy

Floods, earthquakes, termites, mold, and wear and tear are amongst the many types of exclusions outlined in most policies. But there are additional coverage options you can add to your home insurance policy — like flood insurance — to get the coverage you need for those occurrences.

Depending on your location and proximity to flood zones, you may be required by your mortgage lender to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

And, along the coast in some areas in Florida, home insurance policies exclude wind damage. But you can shop for a wind damage policy to best fit your needs and local requirements.

#3 Difference Between Rebuild and Market Values

Oftentimes, a home’s market value is less than the cost to rebuild the home. That being said, a home insurance policy that only covers the market value of your home will not provide full coverage for rebuilding it in the case of a total loss.

Keep this in mind as you read the fine details of any policy, as it could potentially mean having inadequate insurance should you need to rebuild the home.

#4 Policy Pricing Can Vary Greatly

Although you may think that two policies offering the same coverage, exclusions, deductibles, etc. would be the same price, that is incorrect. This is why it is so important to shop around for not only the best policy for your needs, but also for the best price. You need to consider both when making your decision.

When comparing prices, be sure you are comparing apples to apples to really understand the cost difference. It will just lead to confusion if you try to compare prices of two completely different policies.

Shop The Best Home Insurance for You

At GWK Insurance, we know shopping for home insurance can feel daunting. But we are here to help you shop for and purchase the best possible home insurance policy to protect your home and family. Contact us today to help you find the best quotes for your insurance needs.

Driving a motorcycle can feel freeing and fun. But like cars, operating them comes with a certain amount of risk. While you are not required to have motorcycle insurance in Florida, it may be in your best interest to purchase a policy.

Having the right motorcycle insurance policy can help you have peace of mind knowing that you will be covered if you are ever in an accident. Each motorcycle and driver is different which is why there are a variety of policies available to meet your unique needs.

3 Areas to Evaluate When Choosing Motorcycle Insurance

It is important that you have a motorcycle insurance policy with the right coverage for your needs. The following are three areas to evaluate when choosing the best policy for you.

#1: Liability coverage

In the event that you caused the accident, having liability insurance likely won’t cover your medical bills or bike repairs. But it may pay for the other individual’s property damage or medical bills.

There are two types of liability coverage you may want to consider: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. While bodily injury liability coverage often covers the other party’s medical bills it may exclude your passengers, so just be sure to double-check the scope of coverage with the insurance provider.

#2: Collision & comprehensive coverage

Collision and comprehensive coverage will often help you pay for any repairs that may need to be made to your bike or even a new bike if it was stolen or totaled in an accident. Collision coverage often comes into play if you need repairs or replacements that resulted from a collision.

Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, may help pay for repairs or replacements if your motorcycle was stolen or damaged from forces outside of a collision, such as fire or hail.

#3: Personal injury protection

You are also subject to injury and medical bills resulting from a motorcycle accident. That is when personal injury protection, or PIP insurance coverage, is beneficial. PIP coverage helps to pay for injuries you may have sustained from an accident, regardless of whose fault it was. It can also help cover related expenses such as lost income or childcare costs.

Shop The Best Motorcycle Insurance for You

While motorcycle insurance is not required in Florida, having some sort of coverage can be very beneficial. There are several policies and providers to choose from, so it is important to evaluate your needs and budget to help narrow down your options.

Shopping for an insurance policy can often be a hassle and extremely time-consuming. At GWK Insurance, we help you find the best insurance policies to meet your unique needs and budget. Contact us today to help you find the best quotes for your insurance needs.

If you are like most homeowners, you may not have recently reviewed your home insurance policy. The last time you likely skimmed through it was if you had to file a claim or when you chose your policy.

However, after you have nestled into your home, you may have made a few renovations, updated your appliances, and acquired more belongings. Unfortunately, without an insurance review, you may be shortchanging yourself when it comes to your home insurance coverage, should you need it one day.

3 Tips to Prepare for Your Annual Home Insurance Review

You may be happy with your coverage or have forgotten all the fine print associated in your policy.

To ensure you are adequately covered in your current policy, or to determine if you should look elsewhere for a better policy that meets your current needs, you should conduct an annual home insurance review. The following are three tips to help you best prepare for this.

#1: Conduct a home inventory

A home inventory is when you take inventory of everything in your home, which can include installations, appliances, renovations, technology, heirlooms, etc. This type of inventory will help you determine the amount of coverage your home insurance policy should include.

#2: Discuss significant life changes

There are a multitude of life changes that can affect your property and necessary coverage, such as having a baby, starting a home business, inheriting jewelry or firearms, and more. These significant changes are worth discussing as a part of your annual home insurance review so that you receive adequate coverage if you ever need to file a claim.

#3: Review the policy with your agent

You are bound to encounter several life changes, which can affect your insurance needs. Annually conducting a home insurance review with your agent helps you determine if you have sufficient coverage for your current situation. You should review items like available discounts, any home renovations, landscaping changes, and appliance upgrades.

Finding the Best Home Insurance Coverage

Conducting an annual home insurance review can be very beneficial. You may discover that you are happy with the price you are paying for coverage, or you may realize you have insufficient coverage.

At GWK Insurance, we help you shop the best quotes and policies that meet your budget and lifestyle needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help you find the right home insurance coverage for you.