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Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Living near the coast can be a little nerve wrecking during hurricane season. Being prepared is a wonderful way to help decrease panic and ensure life gets back to normal as soon as possible after the storm. Here are a few tips to consider:

Take a Home Inventory
Taking a home inventory ahead of a hurricane is important. Take inventory of everything inside your home—clothing, toys, furniture, kitchen items, electronics, household goods, etc. You especially want to have proof of high value items. A walking video through your home is an easy way to record your property and make the process of getting paid for your damaged items much easier. Save this video online or in the cloud so it can be accessed even if your electronic devices are damaged in the storm.

Have an Emergency Supply Kit
Having an emergency supply kit on hand is important. Not only can these items make dealing with the post-hurricane mess a little more bearable, they can also ensure the safety of your family.
Include items in your kit such as:
• Non-perishable food
• Bottled water
• Batteries
• A battery powered cell phone charger
• Flashlight
• A first aid kit or other medical supplies

Also, consider keeping items of importance with you. This can include bank information, birth certificates, important family photos, etc. If certain members of your family require daily medication, be sure to keep a few days’ supply with you. Find your home insurance policy number and your company’s claims phone number to include in your packet of important documents. 925 Partners sends all our clients an email as the storm is approaching with their home insurance policy number and a link to their company’s phone number to file a claim immediately after the storm.

Secure Your Property & Prepare
Preparing for a hurricane takes a bit of effort. However, there is usually a bit of advanced warning for this type of storm, which allows you to appropriately prepare your home. Identify potential hazards—such as windows that need covering—and make appropriate plans to secure them. Fill your car tank with gas and be ready for any emergency evacuation orders. It is also vital to communicate with your family what your emergency plans are and how to communicate with each other if you are separated during the storm.

After the Storm
• If
your property sustains damage, contact your agent to file a claim as soon as you have the chance. In a catastrophic situation, thousands of claims will be filed, and the sooner you file your claim, the sooner it can be resolved.
• As soon as it is safe to do so, take photos of the damage.
• Take any measures necessary, while maintaining personal safety, to secure your property from more damage. Hiring someone to tarp your roof, remove mold, clear debris, etc., will all be covered by your home insurance policy. Keep all receipts and take photos of the work you have done before your claim adjuster can make it to your property.

The team at 925 Partners takes a proactive approach to guiding our clients through the hurricane process. From in-depth guidance when selecting a home insurance policy with the proper coverages and deductibles, to sending correspondence prior to the storm’s arrival to check one more item off your hurricane preparedness list, to assisting with the claim process to get you back on your feet, 925 is prepared to serve the Jacksonville community through the 2021 hurricane season.

Why Florida Business Owners Should Consider Adding Umbrella Insurance

925 Partners offers insurance coverage to the Jacksonville, FL community. We want to make sure that our clients find policies that will enable them to have peace of mind as they deal with life’s challenges. We take an analytical approach to help our clients assess their risks and find the coverage they need.

Why Umbrella Insurance Is An Asset For Florida Business Owners

Owning and operating a business is a significant investment. It takes a lot of time and energy to make sure that things are running smoothly. However, an accident can happen at any moment. Suddenly your entire business could be at risk. Umbrella insurance adds an extra layer of protection as you go through the process of handling an emergency.

There are multiple scenarios where you can rely on umbrella insurance to protect your Jacksonville, FL business. The common reason is one of your customers suffers a serious bodily injury. If one of your customers visits your business and falls, breaking their ankle in the process, you may face potential litigation. If your assets are at risk, you can lean on your umbrella insurance policy to protect you.

If you use vehicles to transport items related to your business, your commercial liability coverage may not fully protect your business if the vehicle damages someone’s property. The potential consequences are even worse if you hit someone with your business vehicle. Umbrella insurance can help you protect your most important asset.

Umbrella insurance also supplements your employee liability coverage. If one of your employees alleges improper conduct in the workplace, umbrella insurance helps you navigate the legal process by ensuring that your business remains intact.

925 Partners Can Help You Protect Your Assets

Visit our website today to learn more information about umbrella insurance.

OWNER OPERATOR TRUCK INSURANCE FAQ’S

Jonathan Wallace, EVP at 925 Partners Insurance Agency.

At 925 Partners, we love helping owner operators achieve their dream of owning and operating a successful trucking business. This includes Hot Shots, Auto Haulers, Intermodal, Flat Beds, Dry Vans, and more. Our team of trucking experts will help you navigate the truck insurance process and make sure you are insured properly for the most competitive price possible. We want to be with you for the long haul.

Below are answers to some common questions we hear from owner operators. You can visit 925TRUCKING.COM to request a quote, or call us at 855-925-1200 to speak directly with a trucking insurance specialist.

What is the minimum coverage needed to get my authority active?

Answer: While a $1,000,000 combined single limit will be required by almost everyone you haul for, $750,000 is still the FMCSA minimum for truckers who need a federal filing. If you are still a few weeks away from booking your first load but want to get your letter of authority in place, you can always start with a $750,000 limit. You will likely need to increase to $1,000,000 shortly after, but this approach will save you some dollars at a time when cash flow is critical.

Why is my premium so high?

Answer: It is not because we don’t like you. For first year owner operators, we have seen annual premiums as low as $8,500 and as high as $40,000. This is for all coverages combined. If you have 20+ years of CDL experience, a clean MVR, and excellent credit, your premium could be less than $10,000 annually. The state you are domiciled in and the commodities you haul also have a major impact on your premium. For example: An auto hauler in South Florida might pay $30,000 annually, while a dry van trucker in Wisconsin might be $9,000 annually.

Will my rates go down after my first year?

Answer: If you have little to no claim activity and clean inspections, yes you should expect a moderate decrease year over year. A big misconception we hear is that rates are always higher the first year and then they start going down. That is true if you are assuming a perfect first year in business. Poor roadside inspections and/or moving violations can adversely impact your insurance rates just as much as claims. Zero claims in year 1 does not guarantee a rate reduction. 

Do you charge for certificates of insurance?

Answer: No. You should never be charged for a certificate of insurance.  We are surprised how often this is asked. 925 Partners Insurance has a certificate of insurance platform that allows our clients to generate their own COI’s 24/7.

Do you offer trailer interchange coverage?

Answer: Yes, every insurance company we work with can provide this coverage by endorsement. However, you must have a signed trailer interchange agreement in place for the coverage to apply.

If I hire another owner operator, am I responsible for their insurance?

Answer: Yes. You are responsible for Auto Liability and Motor Truck Cargo insurance for anyone hauling loads under your DOT #. You could pay for the Physical Damage on their equipment, but this is typically left up to the owner operator to insure on their own.

Do you offer discounts for veterans?

Answer: Yes, there are insurance companies we partner with that provides a discount if the trucking company owner is a veteran.

Contact the author of this article:

Jon Wallace

EVP, 925 Partners Insurance Agency

Direct Line: 904.672.4003

Email: jwallace@925partners.com

Future Articles:

Avoiding These Mistakes Will Help Truck Insurance Rates.

How Commodities Hauled Impacts Truck Insurance

Auto Hauler Insurance Considerations

Avoiding These Mistakes Will Help Truck Insurance Rates.

Truck Insurance Tips for Fleet Owners

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