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Do I Need to Insure My Teen Who Only Has a Driver’s Permit?

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Once your teenager becomes old enough to drive, it can be a relief because driving teenagers to the many activities that they participate in can be a pain. If you’re a Florida resident and your teenager has just obtained their driver’s permit, you might wonder if you need to add them to your insurance. Here is a brief overview that answers this question.

When Will Your Teen Obtain Their Official Driver’s License?

While it might be possible to add your teen to your auto insurance once their permit is obtained, it’s not mandatory. Your teen is only covered once they graduate with an official driver’s license. However, some insurance companies will allow you to add a teen to an existing policy with only a permit. You can never predict when your teen might become involved in a collision while learning to drive. 

As you can see, adding your teen to your auto insurance policy is unnecessary until they have obtained their official driver’s license. However, it’s a good idea to contact your insurance and inform them that your teen has obtained their driver’s permit, and if possible, you can add your teen to your policy beforehand. If you attempt to file a claim with your auto insurance and your uninsured teen was driving, it’s likely that the claim will be rejected. Therefore, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you need a new auto insurance company, Americas Insurance Associates provides coverage for Florida, and we’re here to offer you and our other customers top-notch coverage. Call us today, and one of our Americas Insurance Associates will provide you with a quote. 

How to Insure an ATV

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Securing ATV Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide

Riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) contributes significantly to local entertainment and outdoor activities in Florida. Still, it’s paramount not to ignore the importance of insuring your ATV. Given their value and potential for causing substantial damage, following the right steps to insure your ATV is crucial. This blog offers a step-by-step procedure to achieve efficient ATV coverage and essential information should you ever have to file a claim.

Getting Started with ATV Insurance

Typically, ATVs are not covered under other insurance types you might possess, such as home or auto policies. In certain situations, you could append ATV coverage to an existing insurance policy, like motorcycle insurance. Alternatively, consider procuring a separate recreational insurance policy to insure your ATV specifically.

The first course of action is to connect with an agency in Florida and request quotes. Choosing an independent agency, like Americas Insurance Associates, will exempt you from the tedious task of contacting each carrier individually. Be prepared to provide specifics about the ATV model, including name/number and engine capacity (in CCs). Additionally, determine whether you need the insurance to cover any other drivers and furnish details regarding any alterations or modifications made to the vehicle.

Preserving Essential Information

In case you need to file a claim in the future, having detailed information about your ATV could prove beneficial. Photograph the vehicle and note down its VIN or serial number. Preempting potential theft scenarios, it’s prudent to collate this data early.

Americas Insurance Associates extends reliable recreational insurance policies to ATV aficionados across Florida. Thanks to our experienced agents and diverse coverage options via a range of local and national insurers, you’re always in safe hands with us. Call 941-493-1583 to find out more about our offerings or to request a free quote.

Why Are So Many Renters Taking Out Renters Insurance?

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Renting rather than owning a home has become more common in many areas. With rental rates on the rise, it should come as no surprise that more people are signing up for renters insurance. That said, this trend isn’t the sole factor driving insurance for rentals. Many customers are coming to how valuable renters insurance is. If you’d like to discuss any rental insurance policies, contact Americas Insurance Associates, serving the residents of Florida.

Renters Need to Mitigate Risks

Renters sometimes think that they are covered by their landlord’s insurance. This is sometimes true, to a limited extent. However, many renters find out after an emergency or incident that the coverage isn’t as extensive as they thought. This is where rental insurance comes in.

One of the primary functions of many insurance policies is to mitigate risks. While different insurance plans may cover different things, when you take out renter’s insurance, you can mitigate some risks. Some plans may provide more protection than others, but any plan can provide a bit of peace of mind.

Often, the landlord’s insurance policy will not cover the renter’s personal property if someone should break in. Many renter’s insurance policies, however, do cover things like theft. The right rental insurance policies may also cover damage from some natural disasters or medical bills if someone is injured in your rental unit. That said, it is essential to not assume what is and is not covered. You should always review insurance plans closely.

Consult With Us

Should you be in need of renters insurance, get in touch with Americas Insurance Associates. We serve Florida and would be happy to help you break down different insurance policies to find the one that is right for you.

Making Sure Your Motorhome Customizations are Covered

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One of the reasons that people own motorhomes instead of renting them occasionally is because they want their RV to have exactly the amenities they prefer. Those can include high-end sound systems, home theaters, luxury features of various kinds, and all the high-end comforts of home such as beautiful carpets and decorations. At Americas Insurance Associates, we tell our Florida customers to talk with us about what’s special in their motorhome. That way, we can make sure the additional features beyond the standard model sold by the manufacturer can be covered.

Options, Customizations, and Costly Contents

When your RV is ordered with optional features beyond the base model, it’s important to make sure that your insurance policy reflects that. It can be an unpleasant surprise to have your vehicle stolen and your claim amount limited to what was on record. Filing paperwork, photos, and other evidence of your upgrades helps get any claim paperwork off to a good start. If your upgrades and customizations are aftermarket work, the documentation needs to be from the customizer or if you do it yourself, talk to us about how to properly make note of the added value. For the contents of the RV, the process is similar to homeowners insurance and, in some cases, could involve added coverage for high-end equipment.

Customize Your Vehicle, Customize Your Policy

Whether the answer is simply documenting your vehicle’s unique features or specifically covering them on your policy, it’s important to talk to your professional insurance team at Americas Insurance Associates. We help you maintain the right coverage on your property in Florida, as well as for liability and other important financial reasons. Let us review your coverage and help you make sure it’s what you need, carefully selected, today!

Do You Need Boat Insurance for a Kayak?

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Kayaking is a popular activity in Florida, where the waterways offer endless exploration opportunities. A fairly common question that we at Americas Insurance Associates hear from kayakers is whether they need boat insurance. 

Insurance Requirements for Kayaks

In Florida, kayaks typically aren’t subject to any mandatory insurance requirements. However, there are several reasons why you might still consider insuring your kayak. 

Protecting against theft or damage is important, as kayaks can be expensive. Liability coverage is also crucial if you accidentally injure someone or damage property while kayaking. Additionally, having insurance coverage brings peace of mind, especially if you’re paddling in areas with higher risks or traffic.

Understanding Your Homeowners Policy

Your current homeowners’ insurance may already provide some level of coverage for your kayak. It’s important to understand the extent of this coverage, as some homeowners insurance policies may offer limited coverage for kayaks under personal property protection. Others might have all of the protection you need.

Checking your homeowners’ policy is something that one of our insurance agents can help with.

Considering Boat Insurance

Should you need more protection than your homeowners can afford, boat insurance is available. Boat policies can provide substantial coverage for theft or damage and also come with potentially high liability limits.

If you get boat insurance, it’s easy to bundle this with a homeowners policy if they’re purchased from the same company.

Americas Insurance Associates Is Here To Help

For more information about boat insurance and how it can cover kayaks, contact us at Americas Insurance Associates. Our team can help you evaluate how best to insure your kayak, whether that’s through your homeowners’ policy or a separate boat insurance policy.

Flood Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

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Despite Florida’s history with hurricanes and other severe weather, a recent survey found that only 18% of Florida homes are covered by flood insurance. That figure suggests the need to address common flood insurance mistakes by those with and without proper coverage, and our Americas Insurance Associates team stands ready to assist with the insurance needs of Florida residents.

Common Flood Insurance Mistakes

While there is a long list of flood insurance mistakes to avoid, we will focus on four common issues that can severely affect Florida home and condo owners.

#1 No Flood Insurance. Some people mistakenly believe their home and condo policies cover flood damage. They do not. In addition, people whose homes are not in severe flood zones often skip flood insurance, yet many other areas can flood. Also, many flood zone maps are outdated and do not account for new construction and climatic changes.

#2 Relying on Federal Disaster Assistance. These funds apply only to disasters designated by the President. They do not apply to localized events and cap out at $41,000 per household.

#3 Being Underinsured. Increased housing prices or improper valuations can lead even those with flood insurance to undervalue their property. In addition, flood insurance does not cover pools, landscaping, docks, motor vehicles, and other assets that need separate protection.

#4 Lack of Documentation. Flood claims are based on the damage compared to pre-existing conditions, so homeowners should regularly document their belongings and home conditions using a smartphone or similar device.

Avoiding these mistakes will be helpful if misfortune affects your home and community.

Working with Americas Insurance Associates

Americas Insurance Associates proudly serves Florida homeowners and provides for flood and other insurance needs. Call us or stop by today to discuss your flood insurance options.

How Much Condo Insurance in Florida Do You Need?

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Condos are a popular housing choice statewide, especially on the Florida coastlines. Here at Americas Insurance Associates, we understand that insuring a condo isn’t as straightforward as getting a policy for other types of properties.

Condominium associations generally have a policy in place that covers common areas and the building’s exterior, but the interiors of your unit aren’t covered. This is why having adequate insurance with an outside policy is essential and may even be required by the property association.

What Does a Condo Insurance Policy in Florida Cover?

When buying condo insurance, expect a basic policy to include the following.

  • Dwelling Coverage—This includes the unit’s interior physical structure that is not included by the community’s master policy.
  • Personal Property Coverage—All of your belongings in the unit including appliances and furniture can be covered at current or full-replacement value. High-value items may require additional coverage.
  • Personal Liability Coverage—Should an injury of a guest in your unit occur or their property is somehow damaged due to your responsibility, this policy covers medical fees and any legal expenses.
  • Additional Living Expenses—Should a disaster like a hurricane occur and the unit is not habitable, the policy may pay living expenses, meals, and commuting costs.

Do note that additional policies may be necessary to cover damage due to flooding, earthquakes, seizures, and demolitions by the government.

Determining How Much Condo Insurance You Need

Of course, the value of Florida condos varies drastically, with options from the hundreds of thousands up to several million. Some guidelines to determine how much insurance you need include several factors.

Unless your condo is paid off, mortgage providers typically require you to carry at least 20% of the unit’s appraised value in insurance. Personal coverage will depend on how many valuables you have. Most minimum liability limits are at $100,000, yet most opt to carry $300,000 or more in coverage.

Schedule A Consultation Today

At Americas Insurance Associates we serve all of Florida and offer customized condominium insurance for our customers. If you’d like to receive a quote, please contact us online or call us to speak to a representative for assistance in making an assessment of how much insurance is needed to adequately cover your condo.

Three auto insurance priorities to be aware of

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If you own a vehicle, you should carry auto insurance that provides you with financial protection. Fortunately, we can help you meet your auto insurance needs at Americas Insurance Associates.

It’s important to focus on the most important priorities when you are in the market for auto insurance.

Here are three key auto insurance priorities that motorists should be aware of in Florida:

Having enough coverage to meet the minimum liability requirements

Meeting Florida’s auto insurance minimum liability coverage requirements is crucial. The state mandates a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage.

Complying with these requirements ensures legal driving while providing basic financial protection in case of accidents.

Maximizing the convenience of dealing with an accident and filing claims

There are certain coverage types that can make your life a lot easier when you have to file a claim. For example, rental vehicle coverage makes your life more convenient after an accident by covering the costs of renting a vehicle to provide alternative transportation while your vehicle is in the shop. 

You should make sure that your policy includes features like roadside assistance and rental vehicle coverage so that all your needs are covered when you face an accident. 

Purchasing auto insurance from a company that offers good customer service

Choosing an auto insurance company with exceptional customer service is paramount. Good communication, efficient claims handling, and positive customer reviews indicate a company that values your satisfaction and peace of mind.

Prioritizing excellent customer service ensures a smooth and supportive experience throughout your policy term.

Consult With Us

At Americas Insurance Associates, we’ll provide you with the insurance you need for your vehicle. Florida drivers can enjoy peace of mind thanks to the policies we offer. Get a quote on a policy so that you’re financially protected on the roads. 

Four things you shouldn’t assume about recreational insurance

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You can protect yourself financially as a recreational vehicle owner by purchasing an insurance policy from Americas Insurance Associates. We offer recreational insurance to Florida consumers.

Consumers may encounter misinformation about recreational insurance that can cause them to make poor insurance decisions.

The following are four things you shouldn’t assume when it comes to recreational insurance:

Recreational insurance isn’t necessary if you use your recreational vehicle very infrequently.

It’s always best to carry recreational insurance even if you don’t use your recreational vehicle often or don’t take it out on public roads. You can still experience liability expenses or damage to your recreational vehicle even if you don’t use it very often. 

It doesn’t matter which recreational insurance policy you buy. 

Recreational insurance policies are customized for the needs and preferences of the policyholder. That’s why you need to carefully evaluate coverage options and research insurance providers to find the best recreational insurance policy for your situation. 

Homeowners with home insurance don’t need recreational insurance.

Consumers often think that they all need recreational insurance if they don’t have home insurance. The truth is that you cannot rely on your home insurance to cover your recreational vehicle when you’re using it anywhere outside of your property. 

You can get your recreational vehicle covered by your auto insurance policy.

Auto insurance and recreational insurance are not the same thing. This means that you need to buy a recreational insurance policy even if you already have auto insurance. 

Reach Out To Us

Get a quote on a Florida recreational insurance policy today. Call us at Americas Insurance Associates, and we’ll provide you with the information you need to insure your recreational vehicle. 

My landlord already has insurance. Why do I need renters insurance as well?

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As a renter here in Florida, it’s important to understand that your landlord’s insurance policy does not cover your personal belongings. While your landlord may have an insurance policy in place to protect their property from a variety of risks, such as fire or theft, this does not extend to any of your possessions.

If something were to happen and your belongings were damaged or destroyed, you would be responsible for the cost of replacing them. That’s why it’s essential to have your own renter’s insurance policy—it will provide you with financial protection and peace of mind.

Why Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance from Americas Insurance Associates is designed specifically for tenants and offers protection from a range of possible risks. This includes coverage for personal property damage due to fires, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters. It also provides liability coverage if someone is injured in your home or if you are held responsible for someone else’s injury or property damage while on the premises.

Additionally, renters insurance can help with additional living expenses if you need to relocate temporarily due to damages caused by an insured peril.

We Are  Here To Help

Protect yourself today with renters insurance from Americas Insurance Associates. We are proud to serve the state of Florida and would be happy to help you find a renters insurance policy that not only meets your needs but your budget as well.

For more information about our insurance coverage options and the benefits we can provide, contact one of our agents today. We are here to help you find the best coverage for your needs and budget at a competitive rate.

OUR PARTNERS

  • AAA
  • Allstate
  • American Traditions
  • Auto-Owners
  • CHUBB
  • Federated Natonal
  • Florida Family
  • Frontline
  • Hagerty
  • Heritage
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Nationwide
  • Progressive
  • SafeCo
  • SafePoint
  • The Hartford
  • Tower Hill
  • Travelers
  • Universal