Does My Home Insurance Policy Cover My Work-From-Home Business?

As more people spend all or part of their work hours at home, there is increased awareness that most home insurance policies provide limited coverage for work-related tools and equipment. This article covers several options for adding that coverage. If you live in or near Oviedo, FL, the Karla Salmon Insurance team will gladly review your options and create a home and business insurance plan that works for you.

Home Insurance and Working From Home

As the name implies, home insurance covers personal assets and activities. It does not protect business assets and activities, whether you or your employer owns the assets. Typically, a home policy covers only $2,500 in business assets, so you should obtain additional coverage if you own a business and keep some assets at home.

You have several methods to obtain coverage that depends on your business size. Self-employed or freelancers often gain enough coverage by adding a business property endorsement to their home policy. However, check whether your business assets exceed the policy limits ($5,000 is standard.) If so, increase the policy limit with an endorsement.

Businesses with employees and less than $250,000 in revenues can benefit from in-home business insurance. These policies cover property, liability, and other elements typical of commercial insurance coverage.

Finally, a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) may be appropriate for home-based businesses with revenues exceeding $250,000. BOPs package the commercial insurance elements you need, like Workers’ Compensation, and add liability coverage for colleagues or customers injured at your residence. 

Working with Karla Salmon Insurance

We recommend discussing your situation with your agent, such as Karla Salmon Insurance. Our team proudly serves homeowners and businesses in and near Oviedo, FL. Call us or stop in today.

Are Outbuildings Covered By My Homeowners Insurance in Florida?

At Karla Salmon Insurance, we get a lot of questions about homeowners insurance from property owners in the Winter Springs and Oviedo, FL areas. The more our areas grow, the more questions increase in numbers and scope. Some of these questions involve outbuildings on a property. Here are some of the more frequent questions and answers.

What is an Outbuilding?

An outbuilding is a structure located on a property but separate from the main building. Examples include sheds, storage units, an unattached garage, and fencing.

Does my Homeowners Insurance Cover These Outbuildings?

The short answer is "probably". Many policies cover these structures to mirror the coverage of the main structure. However, outbuildings may not be covered for damage caused by lack of maintenance, pests, or insect damage. They may also be uncovered due to damage from flooding if a separate flood insurance policy is not in place on the main structure.

Are There Limits to Coverage of Outbuildings

Outbuilding coverage is generally tied to the overall limits of the primary homeowners’ insurance policy. This may include limits on the coverage of an outbuilding’s contents.

If you own a home in the Winter Springs and Oviedo, FL areas, you are in the midst of explosive growth. This includes massive commercial and residential developments. Home values are rapidly increasing, meaning you can quickly outgrow your homeowners’ insurance. Karla Salmon Insurance can review your present home insurance policy and provide a price quote. If you are unsure about your homeowner insurance and its coverage and limits, reach out to Karla Salmon Insurance, which serves Winter Springs, Geneva, Sanford, and Oviedo, FL.

Does Home Insurance Cover My Valuables If They Were Stolen Outside of the Home?

At Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, we help homeowners cover their houses and the valuables inside their homes. When your most prized possessions are stolen, figuring out whether you can pay for their replacement can be stressful. While each policy specifies terms and limits, we can offer general guidance and hop around the topic of stolen belongings below.

Does Home Insurance Cover Stolen Belongings Outside the House?

Although break-ins threaten homeowners, valuable possessions are at risk of theft outside the home. Many home insurance policies provide coverage for valuables even if they’re stolen off the premises of the primary dwelling. For example, if you find yourself traveling and notice that a thief snagged your luggage, you might be able to file a claim and cover the costs of replacing the stolen items through your insurance policy. Of course, limits and policy terms apply to this situation. Even if you can’t be reimbursed for the entirety of the costs of the stolen items, this can help ease the financial burden after this devastating event happens. 

If your home insurance policy wouldn’t usually cover an item, or you’ve reached your limits, then it’s doubtful it would be covered if it’s stolen outside the home. If an item was in an area outside the house already covered by your home insurance policy, such as the garage or deck, it should still be covered. For special items like collectibles, you may want to get an insurance policy that specifically covers those valuables, so they’re covered inside and outside the home.

To protect your valuables, speak with an agent at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, today!

Tips for making your home a safer place

Safety in the home is an essential aspect of homeownership. Making your home safe from danger inside and out is vital to your personal safety and security. At Karla Salmon Insurance Oviedo, FL, our insurance experts are here to answer your questions and put your mind at rest about your home insurance coverage. 

Security

You should feel safe when you are at home. If you have been thinking about getting a home security system, now is the time actually to do it. Many systems are DIY projects that can be accomplished in a short time without needing any help. By adding cameras to the exterior of your home and motion-activated lights, you can always know who might be approaching your home. You should always use your door and window locks. They are free and are a deterrent. 

Storm shutters and hurricane-proof windows

Florida is twice as likely to be hit by a hurricane than any other hurricane-prone state. Florida residents need to be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane. By having storm shutters and shatterproof glass, you can limit some potential damage. If you are in an area prone to hurricanes, having a generator is necessary.  

Clear clutter

Clutter is a significant danger to both your personal safety and the safety of your home. Clutter is a fire hazard to your home and a trip and fall hazard to you. Keep all walkways and stairs clear and well-lit. Don’t keep anything that is potentially flammable in an area that is not air-conditioned. It gets very hot in the summer in Florida. 

When you need assistance with your home insurance, give our office a call or stop by the office for a no-obligation quote at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL.

Why Are Certain Dog Breeds Precluded From Home Insurance Policies?

Here at Karla Salmon Insurance, providing residents in Oviedo, FL with home insurance, two of the questions that we are asked are why certain dog breeds are precluded from home insurance policies and what happens if you have one of these dog breeds despite them being precluded from your home insurance policy. Read on to find out the answers to these questions. 

Why Are Certain Dog Breeds Precluded From Home Insurance Policies?

Certain home insurance companies preclude certain breeds of dogs because certain breeds of dogs are more likely to bite people and cause injuries. Home insurance companies keep data and then mull over that date to find out what breeds have bitten individuals and lead to home insurance claims being filed. Based on that information, companies have decided to preclude these breeds of dogs from home insurance policies or increase the price of your policy based on the breed of dog you own because they are considered high-risk. 

What Happens If You Have a Dog Breed That Is Precluded From Your Home Insurance Policy? 

If your home insurance policy precludes a breed of dog from your policy, it does not mean that you cannot own that type of dog. You can still own the dog. However, if your dog happens to bite someone or cause injury to someone, your home insurance policy will not cover the costs associated with that event. You will be personally responsible for any costs, including medical care. 

Here at Karla Salmon Insurance, serving the greater Oviedo, FL area, we want to match homeowners up with the right insurance policy for their needs. Some companies do preclude specific breeds of dogs, while other companies may offer insurance with no breed exclusions. We can help you find the insurance plan that fits your family’s needs. Call us today to get started. 

Three Tips to Keep Your Home Safe From Vandalism and Theft

It’s crucial to ensure that your Oviedo, FL home is protected from burglary and vandalism. While crime rates may decrease in certain areas, that doesn’t mean you should become complacent with home security. Here are three simple tips from Karla Salmon Insurance that can help keep your home safe from vandals and thieves.

Install an alarm system

An alarm system helps protect your home from vandalism and theft by alerting you to an intrusion. You can do this through motion sensors, door/window contact sensors, glass break detectors, and other types of sensors. When the alarm is triggered, an alarm will sound, a notification will be sent to you, and in some cases, the police will be alerted. This gives you the time to take action and prevent or reduce the damage caused by vandalism and theft.

Use outdoor lighting

Outdoor lighting can deter would-be vandals and thieves by making it more difficult for them to hide in the shadows and remain undetected. Additionally, outdoor lighting can make it easier to identify suspicious activity, allowing homeowners to call the police if they see something out of the ordinary. Finally, outdoor lighting can provide an additional layer of security by providing visibility to areas around the home that may be susceptible to break-ins.

Secure doors and windows

Securing doors and windows can help protect a home from vandalism and theft by making it more difficult for intruders to access the house. The use of deadbolts, keyed locks, or other security measures on the doors and windows makes it harder for an intruder to enter the home, reducing the likelihood of a break-in. Additionally, visible security measures can deter potential criminals, who may move on to an easier target if they see that your home is secure.

Karla Salmon Insurance is a locally owned and operated insurance provider serving Oviedo, FL. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients feel secure with their home insurance coverage. We understand the importance of having reliable insurance protection, and we strive to provide outstanding service and competitive rates. Contact us today!

Hurricane Damage Covered by Home Insurance

Karla Salmon Insurance serves the city of Oviedo, FL with the home insurance it needs to protect the typical American’s most significant investment – their home. In Florida, hurricanes frequently make landfall, damaging homes.

More than just coastal homes incur damage. The rains and winds of a hurricane damage inland homes, too.

Covered: Wind Damage

Your home insurance covers some of this damage. If high winds damage your home, your home insurance covers the damage.

Uncovered: Rising Water Flood

If the rain causes water levels to rise and your home floods, your home insurance does not cover that. Only a flood policy covers that.

Covered: Wind Damage Caused Flooding

However, if winds damage your roof and rainwater enters the home through the wind damage, your home policy does cover that water damage.

Covered: Hail Damage

Hail from the thunderstorms that spawn from a hurricane, the home policy covers. Also, if the hail breaks windows or damages the roof, the home policy does cover the ensuing water damage.

Covered: Mold or Mildew Caused by Roof Damage

If the water that enters the home from above causes mold or mildew, then the home coverage pays for it. Only flood insurance covers if mold or mildew develops because of a rising water flood.

Contact Us

As you can tell, a fine line exists between what home insurance covers from a hurricane and what it does not. Your best line of defense against paying out of pocket for hurricane damage remains proper insurance.

Meet with an agent from Karla Salmon Insurance to learn how best to protect your home from hurricane damage in Oviedo, FL. Let our agency help you determine which policies, riders, and endorsements will best protect your Florida home. When a hurricane hits, ensure your insurance covers the damage to protect your financial security.

Why Every Homeowner Needs Home Insurance

When you own a home, there are many things you need to do to protect your investment in that home. It’s essential always to have home insurance to do just that. Home insurance protects you in multiple ways, and no homeowner should be without it. When you need a home policy for your house, contact us at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL.

It Protects Your House

One of the most important types of coverage in a home policy is protection for the actual dwelling. There is a wide range of incidents that can happen to a house and cause damage to it. There are calamities, accidents, and many different disasters that can damage a home and require repairs to be made. The repair bills are all yours to cover when you don’t have home insurance. With home insurance, you can have the repairs paid for to get your home back to normal again. 

It May Be Required

Another good reason to have home insurance is that it’s generally required for anyone with a mortgage. Virtually all lenders require that a buyer have and keep home insurance so that the home is protected in case of damage. Even if your home is paid off and you no longer have a lender, it is likely required by your homeowners’ association. 

It Protects Your Belongings

Another type of coverage in home insurance policies is protection for all of your items inside your home. This coverage is vital in case of a damaging incident to your home that ruins your belongings. With this coverage, you can start replacing your items quickly. 

Protect Your Home and Possessions

When you need home insurance, there’s no time to wait. Call us at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL.

What Florida residents need to know about homeowner’s insurance

Karla Salmon Insurance is proud to serve the insurance needs of the greater Oviedo, FL area. We want to help you protect your home and offer a range of different homeowner’s policies. If you want to learn more about the available options, give us a call today!

Homeowner’s insurance in Florida

Our homes are likely the largest investment we make during our lifetime, and it only makes sense to protect them. If you are a Florida resident, you may be wondering how you can find the proper homeowner’s policy for your needs.

Choosing the right policy for your family home does not need to be confusing. You will need to consider the house’s value and its contents to start. When you have a better idea of the amount of insurance you will need, you can begin to review the various available policies.

There is no right or wrong answer for insurance, but you will want to have your needs covered. When you meet with your local agent, you can better understand your needs and how to meet them best. Anyone buying their first home should meet with their insurance agent as soon as possible.

Our homes are sanctuaries, and having the right insurance to protect them is an integral part of responsible homeownership. Find out more about your options today! 

Protect your home with the proper homeowner’s policy

If you want to make sure that your home has the protection it needs, the team at Karla Salmon Insurance is here to help! Oviedo, FL area residents can count on us for their insurance needs. Call or stop by today!

Updating Your Home Insurance After Renovations

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!