Updating Your Home Insurance After Renovations

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At Karla Salmon Insurance, we always want your Oviedo, FL home to receive the protection from homeowner’s insurance it deserves. We want to address the importance of updating your policy with us when you renovate or remodel your home.

Understanding the Value

When you purchased your home, you also purchased a home insurance policy, which insured your property as-is. That means your insurance policy insures your home as it was when you purchased it. If you read your policy in full, you’ll see that it specifies your home’s value. That value changes when you renovate or remodel.

If one of the perils named in your policy occurred today, your policy would pay you for the value of your home named in the policy documents. That means you would receive the amount of your home as you purchased it, even if you had poured $100,000 into remodeling it. You might have put in a new kitchen, added a bathroom, and converted the attic to a bedroom and bathroom, but if you did not update your insurance with us, we know and add to the policy that added value, it isn’t covered.

We recommend that when you consider making renovations, you contact us. We can help you with a construction policy that covers your added liability while having construction workers in the home. We can also update your home policy as soon as the renovations finish and receive a review from the city code enforcement office.

We also recommend taking a close look at the language used in your policy. Whether the policy provides actual value or current value makes a difference in the amount you would receive for repairs or rebuilding if a peril, such as a fire or a tornado occurred and your home incurred damage.

Contact Karla Salmon Insurance serving Oviedo, FL for more information on updating your home policy. Renovation isn’t the only reason to update it. Call us today!

The Different Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

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Most people know that they need car insurance, but not many people know their options. If you want to learn about the different types of auto coverage, read on.

Types of Car Insurance

There are five types of auto insurance coverage: liability, collision, comprehensive, medical, and uninsured/underinsured protection. Each one is there for a different reason and has a specific function in helping you return to stability after an accident occurs.

1. Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is for damage that occurs to your car, not resulting from an accident. For example, this includes hail damage or theft.

2. Medical Coverage

If you are injured in an accident, medical coverage will help pay for your injuries and get you back on your feet quickly. It can cover doctor and hospital costs, ambulance services, and even rehabilitation.

3. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This coverage takes care of you if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have any insurance or not enough insurance to cover your bills. It can pay for medical costs, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.

4. Liability Coverage

The first type of coverage is liability insurance. This covers you if you are at fault for an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage to another party. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, or other costs associated with the accident.

5. Collision Coverage

The next type of coverage is accident-related, which is called collision insurance. A collision occurs when your car strikes something, like another vehicle or a tree. While your liability coverage will help you pay for damages that result from an accident that is your fault, collision coverage pays for damages to your car resulting from the accident.

There are many types of auto coverage, and it is vital to understand what each one does. Karla Salmon Insurance can help you find the best insurance for your needs in Oviedo, FL. Call Karla Salmon Insurance today for a free quote.

Why should a business owner start their commercial insurance with a business owners’ policy (BOP)?

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A BOP provides the four most essential business coverage at a reduced premium. It provides the foundation for most commercial policies. You can obtain a BOP and any of its many possible add-on insurance policy types from Karla Salmon Insurance.

Your Oviedo, FL business needs commercial insurance coverage, and a BOP makes the logical starting place because it provides the four most frequently purchased policy types in one package, and it costs less than if you purchased each policy separately. A BOP contains business interruption, perils, liability, and property damage coverage.

You can add any type of commercial insurance to your BOP. This lets you save money on your overall insurance costs while obtaining the customized policy you need for your business.

The BOP covers the four things that each business has in common. Customizing the coverage afterward covers the things that make your business different. For example, a pizzeria that offers delivery requires commercial auto insurance, while a doctor’s office requires malpractice. A manufacturer of medical devices, such as wheelchairs, leg braces, or IUDs requires errors and omissions insurance. A dry-cleaning business needs inland marine insurance.

The flexibility of the BOP option lets you add any type of commercial insurance to the BOP from boiler insurance to glass insurance. You can create a commercial policy that contains as many or as few types of coverage as you need to do so to adequately protect your business.

Karla Salmon Insurance serving Oviedo, FL can offer you a BOP and any type of insurance you need to add to it. Call us today.

Why You Need a Home Inventory

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Building a home inventory is a daunting task, and we accumulate so much stuff that the idea of cataloging every item and making a record of it sounds like the worst kind of tedium. Despite that, you should create and maintain yours for a few critical reasons. 

To accurately assess your insurance needs.

Whether you are a renter or property owner, it’s important to understand just how valuable your property is to make educated decisions about how much coverage you should carry. You do not want to find out belatedly that your insurance limits are insufficient to replace or repair property lost to disaster, theft, or vandalism. Feel confident in your insurance purchases by keeping an updated, remotely stored home inventory. 

To know if you need to schedule property.

Scheduled property is a fancy term that means costly items are covered. Scheduled property endorsements usually apply to high-value items like expensive electronics, jewelry, artwork, and firearms. While doing your home inventory, note your possessions of significant worth and discuss picking up an endorsement to protect those items in case of a loss with your agent.

To be prepared in the event of a claim.

You don’t want to be scrambling to remember what you owned and how much it was worth after a loss. If you don’t keep an updated inventory, you could lose out on otherwise claimable assets, which translates directly into cash in your pocket for repairs or replacement. Having an inventory makes the claims process much smoother, faster, and likely results in higher reimbursement. 

Oviedo, FL homeowners and renters looking to get started on, or update a home inventory, don’t wait. Call or stop by Karla Salmon Insurance today to speak with a friendly agent happy to answer your questions. Make your homeowner’s policy count.

How to Avoid Buying Too Much Florida Auto Insurance

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It happens when we are on the phone trying to get this really boring errand out of the way. We say yes to the insurance agent that is securing our car insurance, and then wind up annoyed for the rest of the year because our premiums feel too high. They might be. 

At Karla Salmon Insurance, we want Oviedo, FL drivers to have what they need on the road.  You don’t have to say yes to everything. We can help you to determine the best policy for your needs, and it doesn’t take long to do that for you at all.

Here are some ways to avoid paying too much for Florida auto insurance.

Increase Your Deductible

It is a given that your rates will go down if you have a high deductible. You are assuming some financial risk in the event of an accident, and this risk brings your premiums down. Pick a realistic amount for you, and this will help you to avoid buying too much auto insurance.

Buy What You Need

Do you need a special rider on your Florida auto insurance for all of those times you rent a car? It can help if you rent a car a lot. Do you?

It can sound like an exciting add-on, and it is if you will use it. Add on to your policy only the things that you know you will need. If you already have AAA for roadside assistance, you don’t need to add it to your car insurance. 

Watch Collision Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance Rates

If your car has a lower value or is very old, you may not need either of these additions to your auto insurance policy. If, for example, the blue book value of your vehicle is less than $2,000, it might not be worth it. The amount you pay for that in insurance could be saved for a better car down the road.

You won’t get a full replacement value in the event of a collision, and insurance companies reach a point where repairs worth more than the car lead to a write-off.

You don’t always need collision and comprehensive insurance unless a lender requires it. They are great to have, but a waste of money if your car is older.

Get a Quote

When you are looking for auto insurance in Florida, it’s easy to overbuy. Avoid that by thinking more about what you need. At Karla Salmon Insurance, we want Oviedo, FL drivers to have what they need to get the premiums that work best for them. Call us for a quote today.

How a New Dog Impacts Your Florida Home Insurance

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Whether you have a pup already or are considering obtaining one, it’s worth understanding how a dog can influence your home insurance policy in Oviedo, FL.

The Owner is Liable 

If your pooch is involved in a biting incident, Florida law allows any person bitten in a public place or while lawfully in a private area the right to collect damages from the owner. That can include medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. In short, it can add up quickly. 

Is Your Pup Covered?

Some liability protection likely exists in your homeowner’s policy. However, there are possible exclusions, and your policy limits may not be high enough to protect you from financial fallout should your family pet be unexpectedly aggressive. Check to see if your dog’s breed is on a restricted list. Some insurers don’t have breed restrictions at all; instead, they insure based on your pet’s biting history. Some refuse to cover dog bites entirely. It is essential to know what your insurer offers before an injury occurs.

Consider Additional Coverage

There are a few additional coverage options homeowners can consider to protect themselves against potentially catastrophic financial damage from a dog bite:

  • Umbrella policies can add to your pool of available funds to pay for damages, not just from dog bites but from other claims that exceed your usual limits.
  • Canine liability policies exist to provide additional protection for pet owners. 
  • Excess coverage can expand your limits. 

The best way to determine your coverage options is to speak with an agent to help you navigate your policy details. When you are ready to pick up your new pup, be sure to call or stop by Karla Salmon Insurance to make sure your family, including your new best friend, is adequately covered. 

Auto Insurance Options in Florida

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In Florida, auto insurance is required and you must have at least an auto liability insurance policy in place to be able to legally drive your vehicle on public streets and highways. The auto insurance agents at Karla Salmon Insurance in the Oviedo, FL area are stressing the importance of auto insurance not only to protect your vehicle but to provide you with a sense of security and peace of mind.

In addition to a liability auto insurance policy, there are other auto insurance coverage options you should consider.

Uninsured and Underinsured Auto Insurance Coverage

An uninsured or underinsured policy is great to have in place in the event you are ever involved in an accident that is caused by a motorist that is driving with no insurance policy in place or a driver who does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for all of the damages and medical treatment involved.

Comprehensive Insurance

If you have an active loan for the vehicle you purchased, your lender may very well require you to have comprehensive auto insurance in place to protect the investment they have made in your car, truck, or SUV.  This type of auto insurance will help you repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, fire, vandalism, or some other detrimental event. It will also replace your vehicle if it is stolen.

Collision Insurance

If you are driving your vehicle and collide with another vehicle or if you collide with some type of object, collision auto insurance coverage will help you pay for any damages that were caused in the collision.

Get Your Auto Insurance Policy Started

To obtain an auto insurance quote and to get your policy started today, contact the trusted and experienced auto insurance agents at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL.

What Is And Is Not Covered By Standard Home Insurance?

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Home insurance that is also known as homeowner’s insurance is a type of property insurance, the purpose of which is to protect your home, you as a homeowner, and your personal belongings. In the state of Florida, it is not required to carry home insurance, but your mortgage lender may require it. If you are considering getting this type of insurance, and you want to know more about it, Karla Salmon Insurance serving clients in Oviedo, FL prepared information about what home insurance does and does not cover. 

What Is Covered By Standard Home Insurance?

Generally, standard home insurance includes six types of coverage:

  • Dwelling – damage to your home and attached structures
  • Other structures, including certain stand-alone structures, such as a shed or fence. 
  • Personal property. Home insurance pays for the repair and replacement of stolen or damaged personal belongings. 
  • Liability. It protects you against lawsuits for injury or unintentional property damage that you or your family members caused to other people. 
  • Additional living expenses. It pays for your temporary living while your home is being repaired. 

What Is Not Covered By Standard Home Insurance?

Usually, most standard home insurance policies do not cover:

  • Wear and tear. Home insurance covers only accidental or sudden damage. 
  • Negligent home care. If you did not take care of your home property and this caused problems, your insurance will not cover it. 
  • Poor installation. If systems, structures, or appliances were not installed properly, this will not be covered by insurance. 

Karla Salmon Insurance – We Are Ready To Take Care of Your Home

Are you a homeowner living in Oviedo, FL or any other nearby town? Are you looking for home insurance? Then you should contact our insurance agency. Our professional and knowledgeable insurance agents will answer all of your questions and help you find a perfect policy based on your budget and personal preferences. Feel free to visit our website or call us. 

What Exactly Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

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If you own a business, you can testify that it didn’t come easy — you invested a lot of time, resources, and effort to bring your dream to fruition. For this reason, Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, cautions you against running your business without commercial insurance.

But what exactly does commercial insurance cover? Here are the areas covered by commercial insurance. 

Cyber protection

If you run an online-based business or store sensitive customer data, your business is susceptible to online malicious activities like hacking. What would you do if online criminals target your business? Commercial insurance can help you cover negotiation fees, legal suits, data restoration, notification costs, and so on.

Protects workers

Anything can happen to your business workers while they are attending to their duties. For example, they can sustain injuries when handling machinery or lifting heavy objects. If the injuries call for medications, you are responsible for their treatment costs.

Such costs can be huge to bear on your own, and that’s where commercial insurance steps in.

Liability protection

Slippery floors or other hazards can cause clients and customers to sustain injuries while on your premises. Besides, your products can harm your customers. When this is the case, ensuing medical bills and legal costs are paid by your commercial insurance and not money from your business coffers. 

Protect your assets

The cost of replacing damaged or stolen business assets such as furniture, buildings, and so on can cause you financial struggles. However, with commercial insurance, your insurer compensates you when a covered peril causes losses or damages to your assets.

Professional liability coverage

If you are in a professional career like accounting, auditing, or legal, you are bound to make mistakes or miss deadlines. When this happens, your clients could sue you for negligence. Fortunately, professional liability insurance pays for legal costs, including attorney fees, when facing a legal suit.

Buy commercial insurance today!

Don’t run a business that’s not insured — one peril is enough to put all your efforts down the drain. Instead, contact Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL for a competitive quote. 

Ways You Can Protect Your Car from Theft

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If you have not installed anything to slow down professional car thieves, you are making your car more attractive to thieves. Car theft cases have increased in Oviedo, FL, and other parts of America in the past few years. The most frequently stolen vehicles include Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Pickup, and Nissan Altima.  Even if your car is not among them, it’s still at risk of getting stolen. Karla Salmon Insurance explains several ways you can prevent car theft.

Be smart about where you park your car

Dark unattended areas can create great opportunities for thieves to get away with your car. At night, always make sure your vehicle is parked in well-lit areas and install a motion sensor or security camera if the area is not lit enough.

Lock the doors and remove the keys from the car

80 Percent of vehicles stolen in the US happen due to car key accessibility. Not locking the door or leaving your car keys lying anywhere around the car is one great way to invite thieves. It only takes seconds for someone to jump in and get away with your vehicle.

Never leave valuables in your car

Regardless of where you’re going, never leave valuables in the car. Leaving a purse, phone, laptop, or other valuable items in your car may attract unnecessary attention, particularly from thieves. If you have to take these items with you, don’t leave them in the car and if you have to, keep them out of sight.

Install alarm systems and anti-theft devices 

In Oviedo, FL, there exist many systems designed to alert you or stop your vehicle from moving if they’re triggered. An audible alarm is enough to warn you that all is not well. The unwanted noise will also chase away any thief trying to break into your car. You can also invest in a steering wheel lock or wheel lock to deter a car thief.

Don’t forget to buy enough auto insurance to replace the car if the worst happens. Karla Salmon Insurance can help you review your policy and add coverages based on your needs. Call us today.