When to Purchase Home Insurance After Buying a New Home

For new and seasoned homeowners in St. Augustine, FL, our team of insurance professionals at Tim Huber Insurance is excited to help protect your property. It can be tricky to tell when the best time is to buy home insurance for your property. After all, if you purchase it before you’ve closed on a home, it may feel too early. Buying it after years of homeownership leaves your home at risk. When you want to strike the perfect balance between these two extremes, our suggestions below can help.

What Is Home Insurance?

Home insurance, also known as “homeowner’s insurance,” protects your primary dwelling as a homeowner from liability, qualifying damage, and more. It’s useful to have for any homeowner. In some cases, it may also be legally necessary to hold it.

When to Purchase Homeowner’s Insurance for New Homeowners

Before you buy homeowner’s insurance, you’ll want to research policies and connect with our office to discuss how we can support you in protecting a prospective home. It’s never too early to research home insurance policies and options. In fact, we encourage those interested in purchasing a home to start looking at policies and building a relationship with us as soon as they know that’s a goal they want to achieve.

Once you’ve researched home insurance policies, you’ll want to know when your mortgage lender and other relevant parties require you to have home insurance. Since some lenders will refuse to approve a loan without proof of insurance, it’s best to get on this task sooner rather than later. Of course, it’s better to purchase home insurance late than never.

To learn how to protect your home, call us at Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL! 

Three Things You Need to Know About Classic Car Insurance

Classic car insurance and regular car insurance aren’t the same. For one, getting classic car insurance is impossible unless your car is at least 20 years old. There are also storage requirements and usage limitations to abide by. For instance, it’s important the vehicle gets stored somewhere safe and secure. Secondly, owners cannot use their classic cars to drive anywhere. That’s why you typically see these types of cars only at car shows and other special occasions. Some other significant differences include:

  • Cost: Classic car insurance is usually cheaper than regular car insurance. One reason behind this is that classic cars aren’t usually driven as much as new models.
  • Coverage: Many classic car insurance policies offer specialized coverage options customized for classic cars, such as coverage for expert repair services or vintage parts. 
  • Actual value vs. agreed value: Classic car insurance uses an agreed value to assess the amount of the payout to give you if your car gets stolen or lost. The agreed value is the amount you and your insurer agreed as the value of the car at the start of the policy. Regular car insurance goes by the actual cash value system. In other words, your payout is based on your car’s depreciated value at the time of the claim.

Classic car insurance has a lot of benefits for owners in St. Augustine, FL, but it’s still important to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for your specific classic car at the best price. Our agents at Tim Huber Insurance will walk you through the terms and conditions of your policy so you get a comprehensive understanding of what’s covered and what’s not. 

Who needs to have motorhome insurance in Florida?

Owning a motorhome can be a great idea for many people in St. Augustine, FL. With a motorhome, you will not only have a mode of transportation but also a place to live when on the road or as a permanent residence. If you are going to purchase one in Florida, having insurance is important. There are many situations when someone will need this coverage. 

Those with a Loan

A situation when you will need to have a motorhome insurance plan is when you take out financing. When you are looking to purchase a motorhome, you will find the costs can be significant. While you can finance the purchase with a loan, there are rules that you need to follow. One requirement will be to carry a motorhome insurance plan at all times. Lenders will want you to have this to ensure their collateral is protected. 

Those Looking for Coverage

Even if you are not obligated to carry a motorhome insurance plan, you should still consider getting one. When you have full motorhome insurance, it will provide you with coverage for your asset and liability support. This can prove to be very helpful if you are found at fault for an accident that leads to a liability claim or a covered claim damages your property. 

When you are going to purchase a motorhome in the St. Augustine, FL, area, you need to ensure that you are appropriately insured. As you are ready to start looking for a motorhome insurance plan here, calling our team with Tim Huber Insurance would be smart. Our professionals with Tim Huber Insurance will offer all the guidance you need to build your following policy and protect your motorhome. 

Does a Renovation Impact Homeowners Insurance? Tim Huber Insurance

Transforming your residence into your unique sanctuary is an exciting endeavor. Selecting paint colors, fixtures, and other design elements for your home renovation project is certainly exhilarating. However, amidst the thrill, it’s easy to overlook one critical aspect—homeowners insurance. With Tim Huber Insurance service, based in St. Augustine, FL, understanding and addressing the changes in your homeowners insurance after your renovation becomes straightforward.

How Renovation Impacts Homeowners Insurance

Did you know your home renovation can significantly affect your homeowner’s insurance coverage and premiums? The primary consideration is that a renovation escalates the value of your home, leading to increased replacement costs in the event of damage or loss. Consequently, it’s crucial to inform your insurance provider about any renovations, ensuring your policy mirrors the upgraded worth of your home.

Types of Renovations and Insurance Impact

Certain types of renovations, such as a new swimming pool installation or electrical system upgrades, can alter your insurance rates. These could increase the potential risk linked to your property, leading to adjusted insurance premiums. Noteworthy, specific renovations might qualify you for discounts or special endorsements on your policy, something to discuss with your insurance agent during and after the renovation.

Tim Huber Insurance: Your Insurance Partner in Saint Augustine

Thinking of a home renovation? Tim Huber Insurance is here to help you navigate through homeowners insurance changes. Our dedicated team in Saint Augustine takes pride in ensuring our clients have adequate insurance coverage for their renovated homes. Schedule an appointment with a Tim Huber Insurance agent today.

Why businesses need commercial insurance

Insulate Your Business with Commercial Insurance

Running a successful business requires foresight to weather both foreseeable and unpredictable challenges. Commercial insurance emerges as a crucial fortress to safeguard businesses from such obstacles. Here’s a closer look at why businesses in St. Augustine, FL, need commercial insurance, curated by Tim Huber Insurance.

Secure Against Legal Woes

Every business involves inherent risks with employees, customers, and products in play. Commercial insurance shields against losses from wounded customers, defective products, or employee-related issues. Should these problems translate into a lawsuit, your commercial insurance policy steps in to minimize potential costs.

Insurance with Compliance

Based on the specific nature of the business, the law may demand certain insurance liabilities. Commercial insurance helps you comply with these legal mandates specific to your industry. Experts at Tim Huber Insurance can guide you on whether your business needs enhanced protection to adhere to these regulations.

Future-proof your Business

Unforeseen damages can significantly curtail a business’s growth. Commercial insurance, however, ensures that such losses do not hinder your expansion plans. By favoring regular insurance costs over random, significant losses, you keep your company’s future secure.

For more detailed insights and assistance concerning commercial insurance, get in touch with our agents at Tim Huber Insurance today.

If My Classic Car is in an Accident, Can I Repair it Myself?

Many owners of classic cars enjoy driving, showing, and discussing their vehicles with others, knowing they restored and maintained the car. Bragging rights come from the craftsmanship and care that brought the vehicle back to its glory days, and this is why some classic car insurance policies allow owners to repair their vehicles following accidents. If you need a classic car or other insurance and live in or near St. Augustine, FL, contact the Tim Huber Insurance team for assistance.

Approved Repair Practices for Classic Car Insurance

Classic cars are different animals than everyday drivers, and the same is often true of their owners, so classic car owners whose vehicles are involved in an accident have different needs than owners of everyday vehicles.

Insurance companies often have preferred repair providers for everyday vehicles but have more liberal policies for classic cars. Usually, the owner can take their classic car to a specialist shop that charges several times more than a mainstream shop for a similar repair. Classic car policies are also more forgiving with the cost of replacement parts due to the need for authenticity.

In addition, some, but not all, classic car insurance providers allow the owner to repair the car and may help locate the parts needed for the repairs. If repairing your vehicle yourself is critical, raise the issue with your agent when you first discuss acquiring classic car insurance so they can search for the right provider.

Working with Tim Huber Insurance

The team at Tim Huber Insurance wants to provide the classic car insurance that best fits your needs. If you live in the St. Augustine, FL, area, call or stop by today and allow us to care for all your insurance needs.

Expanding Coverage: The Role of Umbrella Insurance in St. Augustine

For those in St. Augustine, FL, figuring out if umbrella insurance is a wise decision can be daunting. Still, Tim Huber Insurance wants to use our knowledge to help Floridians better understand the role of umbrella insurance and how they can choose a policy that works well for them. Umbrella insurance is not the most well-known type, so many people are surprised by its usefulness.

Weather the Storm with Umbrella Insurance

In life, unexpected incidents can cause lots of chaos, stress, and financial burden. It can feel like you’re forced to stand in a storm that leaves you soaking wet and unsteady on your feet. It’s in those types of situations that umbrella insurance can come in handy. Umbrella insurance is a lot like an extension of your other insurance because when you reach limits on different policies, like home or car insurance, your umbrella insurance can then pay for costs you owe beyond what your other policies will cover.

Different umbrella insurance policies will cover different things, but these plans often cover situations such as injuring someone, damaging someone’s property, defamation, or other similar liabilities. It doesn’t cover expenses related to business liability (unless you get a specific business policy), injury to yourself, or property damage. In Florida, you aren’t required to have umbrella insurance, but it can be good to have if you think you are likely to be sued or have many assets.

People who own property, for instance, often choose this type of policy, or families with a new or inexperienced driver may also opt for this type of policy. Certain types of equipment or items may be associated with higher potential liability, such as dogs, guns, pools, or trampolines, which can all cause harm in worst-case scenarios. You’ll want to ensure your policy covers your assets or potential liabilities. Some insurers, for instance, do not cover certain breeds of dogs.

Get Yourself Covered

At Tim Huber Insurance, we love to help people in and around St. Augustine, FL, get the coverage they need to feel confident, no matter what obstacles are ahead of them. If you’re ready to call a policy your own, our agency will gladly help you through the process and share our experience and knowledge with you. Contact us to learn more and ready yourself for unexpected accidents.

How Can You Tell If You Live in a Flood Zone or Flood Plain

Knowing if your home is situated in a flood zone or flood plain is crucial for assessing your flood risk and securing the right flood insurance. Tim Huber Insurance, based in St. Augustine, FL, is here to guide you through this critical aspect of safeguarding your property.

How to Determine Your Flood Zone

  1. FEMA Flood Maps: FEMA offers Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that delineate flood zones. You can access these maps online or consult local authorities or insurance agents like Tim Huber Insurance for guidance.
  2. Property Survey: If your property boundaries are unclear, consider hiring a surveyor to assess your property and provide flood zone information.
  3. Local Authorities: Contact your local zoning or planning department for flood zone information. They can help you determine your property’s flood zone.
  4. Insurance Agent: Consult an experienced insurance agent, such as Tim Huber Insurance, for insights into your flood risk and help with obtaining flood insurance.
  5. Online Tools: Some websites offer tools that allow you to input your address and receive flood zone information. However, these tools may not be as accurate as official FEMA maps.
  6. Community Rating System (CRS): If your community participates in FEMA’s CRS program, they may have information on your property’s flood risk reduction efforts, which can influence insurance rates.

Determining if your home is in a flood zone or flood plain is essential for making informed decisions about flood insurance. Tim Huber Insurance in St. Augustine, FL, is ready to assist you in understanding your flood risk and acquiring the appropriate flood insurance coverage. Contact us today to evaluate your flood risk and secure suitable flood insurance coverage.

It is Clear Sailing with the Right Boat Insurance Plan

Few things compare to the joy and beauty of being out on the open water in places like sunny St. Augustine, FL, where boating and beaches go hand in hand. For boaters, however, that also means being prepared, and that is where the professionals at Tim Huber Insurance can help.

If you need boat insurance or are comparing policies and plans, we invite you to visit us today. The only thing more important than having fun when we are at the helm of our seaworthy vessel is staying safe.

Protect You and Your Vessel with Boat Insurance

From the legal aspect to the practical standpoint, boat insurance isn’t only advisable but necessary. Like any motorized vehicle, with great power comes great responsibility, which is where insurance plays a role.

In addition to the legal and practical considerations, boat insurance is a great way to protect your investment. If you are like most boat owners, you take great pride in your boat and spend time and energy to keep it in excellent, seaworthy shape.

It is also an excellent idea to protect your time, effort, and investment in your seaworthy pride and joy with a boat insurance plan to fit your needs. While boat insurance isn’t a legal requirement in Florida, taking care of you and your boat does require the kind of protection boat insurance can provide.

For All Your Boating Insurance Needs

Thank you for visiting Tim Huber Insurance, where we proudly help boating enthusiasts in and around St. Augustine, FL with all their boat insurance needs. Contact us today to learn more and hit the open waters with the confidence to handle any rough waters that come your way.

How much condo insurance do I need?

Whether your condominium is your primary or secondary home, it is likely among your most significant investments. That makes insurance coverage that protects against the financial impact of fire, theft, or other unforeseen causes critical. Our goal at Tim Huber Insurance is to provide the coverage that best meets the needs of those in or near Jacksonville or St. Augustine, FL.

Condo Insurance Considerations

Every condo is different, as are the owner’s needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all formula for the amount of condo insurance you need. How much condo insurance you need depends on your choice of selected coverages, insured limits, and deductibles. More specifically:

  • Building Property- Your insured amount varies with the condo’s value and whether your association’s coverage is All-In or Bare Wall. All-in means the association is responsible for the building structure, cabinets, lighting, and other fixtures attached to the interior walls. Bare Walls mean the association covers only the building structure, so you must insure the interior fixtures.
  • Personal Property- The value of your furniture, flooring, appliances, and personal items drives the insured amount.
  • Personal Liability- Your risk tolerance determines whether you increase the liability limits for legal fees and medical bills above the policy minimums.
  • Additional Living Expenses- You choose whether to cover the expenses if you need to live elsewhere while repairs occur.
  • Loss Assessment Coverage- Protects you when facing charges due to shortfalls in the association’s coverage or new assessments.

Working with Tim Huber Insurance

Tim Huber Insurance proudly serves the St. Augustine, FL area. We take the time to understand each client’s unique insurance needs and look forward to helping you obtain a policy to protect your home and family against unforeseen events. Call or stop by today to discuss your condo insurance options.