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Express Insurance

710 Miami Springs Dr., Suite 120
Longwood, FL 32779

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Preparing Your Home for Storm Season: A Safety Checklist

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Storm season can catch homeowners off guard, especially in Longwood, FL, where summer weather often brings heavy rains, high winds, and the occasional hurricane warning. At Express Insurance, we understand the importance of protecting what matters most—your home and your peace of mind. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide to help you get your home storm-ready before the clouds roll in.

Start With the Outside

Your home’s first line of defense is its exterior. Walk around your property and secure loose items, such as patio furniture, garden tools, or decorations, as these can become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Trim overhanging tree branches and clear your gutters of leaves and debris to ensure rainwater flows freely.

Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles and repair them promptly. Even a small damaged area can lead to costly leaks during heavy rain. Additionally, check your windows and doors—consider installing storm shutters or using plywood to reinforce them if a significant storm is forecasted.

Secure the Inside

Within your home, ensure that your emergency supplies are easily accessible. Flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and a first-aid kit should all be readily available. Back up important documents and store them in a waterproof container along with your insurance policy.

Review your home insurance coverage to ensure it meets your current needs. Storm damage can be unpredictable, and having the right coverage in place is essential for a quick recovery.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Storms won’t wait, and neither should you. Contact Express Insurance in Longwood, FL today to review your policy or get a quote. Let us help you protect your home before the next storm hits.

Adding or Removing a Vehicle from Your Auto Insurance Policy

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When you drive a car in Florida, you’re required to carry auto insurance. Many Florida drivers have questions about their coverage and responsibilities. If you live in the Longwood, FL area, our team at Express Insurance is here to help you find the best insurance policy for your needs. Since 2007, we’ve been assisting drivers like you with professional guidance and support.

Adding or Removing a Vehicle from Your Auto Insurance Policy

When you purchase a new car, it must be added to your auto insurance policy. If you’re no longer using your previous car, it should be removed from your policy. Your insurance company will notify the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Administration (FLHSMV) of these changes. If you no longer own a vehicle and remove it from your policy, but don’t plan to transfer its Florida tags to another vehicle, you must surrender the tags for that vehicle.

If you own a car that is no longer operable or one you’ve placed in storage, you are permitted to remove that vehicle from your policy. According to the FLHSMV, you must surrender the tags for that vehicle at a motor vehicle service center. Additionally, drivers who move from Florida to another state and keep their Florida tag and registration on the vehicle are required to register the vehicle in their new state.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Driving a car comes with the responsibility of protecting yourself from the possibility of an auto accident. At Express Insurance, our team is dedicated to providing the support you need to choose the right insurance solutions. Drivers in the Longwood, FL area can rely on our professional guidance. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and let us help you find the coverage that best suits your needs.

Getting Sued, but You Have Umbrella Insurance!

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Typically, umbrella insurance protects your assets by covering repairs or replacements if something gets damaged. But what about damaged feelings? Suppose someone got so upset with you that they decided to sue! In such a scenario, umbrella insurance has you covered. Generally, umbrella insurance comes into play when your regular insurance isn’t sufficient to cover everything. While it’s always better to resolve issues out of court, if it comes to that, umbrella insurance is a good safety net to have.

Learn About Umbrella Insurance and Liability

Let’s say your dog, Rover, got out of the yard and chased the mailman. Trying to escape from Rover, the mailman slipped on a muddy patch, fell, and broke his nose and eyeglasses. Fortunately, because Rover didn’t actually bite the mailman, he doesn’t get sent to the pound. But the mailman wants his eyeglasses replaced, to be compensated for his medical bills after getting his nose set and bandaged, and some compensation for pain and suffering. If what he’s demanding exceeds your liability insurance coverage, it’s time to rely on your umbrella insurance! If you are indeed found liable in court, your umbrella insurance can cover whatever your liability insurance doesn’t. Umbrella insurance can cover not only the amount you are being sued for, but it may also cover your court costs.

Contact Express Insurance in Longwood, FL

If you are in the Longwood, FL area and are considering umbrella insurance, please contact Express Insurance. Our experienced agents are dedicated to helping you find the policy that’s best for you.

Is Water Damage From Toilet Overflow Covered by Renters Insurance?

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Does Renters Insurance Cover Toilet Overflows?

Toilet overflows are always unexpected and unpleasant and have the potential to cause serious water damage to floors, furniture, and personal belongings. A common question that we at Express Insurance serving Longwood, FL, often get is whether renters insurance covers this kind of damage. The answer is yes in many cases, but there are essential conditions to consider.

Personal Property Coverage

Renters insurance typically includes personal property coverage, which may help pay to repair or replace your belongings damaged by accidental water overflow. If your clothes, electronics, or furniture are affected by a sudden and unintentional toilet overflow, this part of your policy can provide financial protection, up to your coverage limits and minus your deductible.

What’s Not Covered

Coverage usually depends on the cause of the overflow. Your claim may be denied if the toilet backup is due to neglect or poor maintenance (such as ignoring a known clog). Likewise, damage caused by flooding from outside the home or sewer backups generally requires separate coverage or a specific policy endorsement.

Loss of Use and Liability Protection

If the overflow causes severe damage that you can’t stay in your rental while repairs are made, your policy’s “loss of use” coverage may help with temporary housing and related living expenses. In some cases, if the overflow causes damage to a neighbor’s property, like leaking into the apartment below, liability coverage can help protect you from paying out of pocket.

Renters insurance can be a valuable safety net, but it’s essential to understand what your policy includes. Review your coverage with your insurance provider and ask about endorsements for water-related incidents. With the proper protection in place and the help of Express Insurance serving Longwood, FL, you can handle the unexpected with less stress and fewer out-of-pocket costs!

How Condo Insurance Helps When a Neighbor Causes Damage to Your Unit

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Living in a condo has many perks. However, one downside is that your home is connected to others, meaning your neighbor’s mishaps can quickly become your problem. Whether it’s water damage from an overflowing bathtub, a kitchen fire that spreads, or damage from a renovation gone wrong, these situations can leave condo owners wondering who pays for what. At Express Insurance in Longwood, FL, we help condo owners navigate these tricky scenarios with the right insurance coverage.

Who Is Responsible for the Damage?

The first step in determining responsibility is understanding your condo association’s master policy. Typically, this covers common areas and the building’s structure but not the interior of your unit. That means any damage inside your condo—such as ruined flooring, damaged walls, or destroyed personal belongings—could be your responsibility, even if your neighbor caused it. If the neighbor was clearly at fault, their liability insurance might cover your repairs, but that can take time and isn’t always straightforward.

How Your Condo Insurance Steps In

This is where your personal condo insurance becomes essential. Your policy can cover repairs to your unit and replacement of damaged belongings, depending on your coverage limits. Loss of use coverage can help pay for additional living expenses if the damage forces you to move out temporarily. Without condo insurance, you could be left handling these costs on your own while waiting for a resolution from your neighbor’s insurance.

Get the Right Protection for Your Condo

Unexpected accidents happen, and when they do, having the right insurance makes all the difference. At Express Insurance in Longwood, FL, we can help you find a policy that protects your home from the unexpected. Contact us today to ensure you’re covered.

Discovering the Niche Coverage Your Business Needs

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Do you have the necessary commercial insurance to protect your business’s financial security if you run a business in Longwood, FL? In this blog, we at Express Insurance will introduce you to various types of niche coverage. This will help business owners build a commercial insurance package that fully safeguards their business.

Commercial Insurance Niches

Commercial insurance encompasses many types of niche coverage, including boiler insurance and glass coverage, each of which protects a physical part of the building. Business interruption coverage, another type of niche coverage, provides funds to pay salaries and cover bills when a peril disrupts daily business operations. Other types of niche coverage include:

  • Surety
  • Fidelity bond
  • Home-based business
  • Workers Compensation
  • Errors and omissions
  • Employers liability
  • Product liability
  • Key person coverage
  • Business owners’ policy (BOP)

Some businesses need specific types of coverage due to their size or type of employees. Other types of niche coverage protect specific types of businesses, such as home-based businesses that maintain an inventory.

Certain professions require specific policies or policy packages. Lawyers and doctors, for example, need malpractice coverage. Other professions, such as hair salon owners, massage therapists, estheticians, child care providers, and building owners who rent their premises for special events, also have specialty or niche policies.

Take the Guesswork Out of Buying Commercial Insurance

Don’t let your Longwood, FL, business go without the insurance coverage it needs. Call or email Express Insurance today to discuss your business’s insurance needs with an agent. Let us help you identify which policies your business needs so you only buy what you need.

How Home Insurance Policies Are Impacted by Home Renovations in Longwood, FL

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Owning a home in Longwood, FL, allows you to enjoy the beautiful, lush, and inviting scenery almost all year round. However, if you plan to upgrade or conduct major renovations to your home, it’s crucial to understand how these changes may affect your home insurance policies. Since renovations can fundamentally alter your property’s foundation, structure, value, and risk, adjustments may be necessary to ensure adequate and optimized coverage.

How Renovations Impact Home Insurance Policies in Longwood, FL

Renovations can impact home insurance policies for several reasons:

  • New Risks: Introducing new risks, such as brand-new electrical systems or even an outdoor pool, increases the potential liability risks on your property. This will typically result in an increase in coverage requirements and costs.
  • Coverage Needs: When you invest in new upgrades, such as a modernized roof for your home, you may receive a discount on your insurance policy. However, new upgrades, such as a hot tub, swimming pool, or even a home addition, may increase insurance rates.
  • Home Value: As your home’s value increases, you may need to update your existing home insurance policy. For instance, if you add more square footage to your home, repair your home’s foundation, or incorporate eco-friendly appliances throughout your kitchen and bathrooms, the replacement cost of your home will rise. In most cases, this will require additional coverage.

If you’re interested in reviewing your current homeowners’ insurance policy due to recent renovations, Express Insurance in Longwood, FL, can help. As a trusted and experienced provider, we assist homeowners in navigating insurance adjustments after renovations, additions, and various upgrades throughout the home. Contact Express Insurance today for more information about your existing home insurance policy and potential adjustments you may need for current or future renovations.

What Type of Car Insurance Covers Weather Damages?

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If you are a car owner in Florida, purchasing auto insurance is a necessity. For those residing in Longwood, FL, our team at Express Insurance is prepared to guide you through our extensive range of auto insurance options. With over 17 years of experience, we have been providing insurance solutions to clients in your area.

What Type of Car Insurance Covers Weather Damages?

Weather conditions can often cause significant damage to your vehicle. As per Kelly Blue Book, damages caused by hurricanes, floods, or fallen trees require the right insurance coverage to avoid out-of-pocket expenses. This is where comprehensive coverage comes into play. Comprehensive coverage caters to all non-accident damage, including weather-related damage.

Kelly Blue Book states that Florida frequently experiences hurricanes, which can severely damage your vehicle. If your car is parked near a tree or a telephone pole that falls on it, it can result in exterior dents, engine damage, and broken windows. Hailstorms can also cause holes in your car’s exterior. While comprehensive coverage isn’t mandatory in Florida, it’s evident why it would benefit Floridians to opt for this coverage.

Contact Us Today for Your Appointment

Whether you are looking for a new auto insurance policy or want to add coverage to your existing one, our Express Insurance team can help you find the best options tailored to your needs. We will review your information to identify any available discounts. Residents of Longwood, FL, can trust us with their insurance needs. Contact us today to discuss your auto insurance options.

What to do After a Natural Disaster: Filing Insurance Claims in Florida

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In a split second, everything you own and cherish can be taken from you due to a natural disaster. Your world can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. While you may not be able to recover all of your family heirlooms or household items that hold significant meaning, one thing you should not have to worry about is filing an insurance claim in Longwood, FL. Here are some simple steps you can take to make an insurance claim when disaster strikes.

Call Your Agent

The first step in making a claim is to inform your insurance agent about what happened. These skilled professionals can help put you at ease by explaining what to expect during the process. If you are relocated, provide your agent with the address and phone number of your temporary location.

Keep All Receipts

If repairs need to be made before your insurance adjuster can inspect your home, keep all the receipts for materials purchased. You should be able to get reimbursed for most repairs you have had to make to the home.

Make a List

Your agent will need a list of all damaged items to ensure you get properly compensated. If you have pictures of these items, along with the receipts, it can be extremely helpful in helping the adjuster determine the value of each item. Having this list can also help close the claim much quicker than not having these records.

Do you need an insurance agent in Longwood, FL? Express Insurance is here to help.

Our trusted agents are here to help you with whatever life throws at you, whether you need renter, homeowner, or auto insurance. Call us today for more information.

Handling Home Damage from Hurricane Helene

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Floridians know that inland towns, like coastal towns, sustain hurricane damage. The type of damage varies, but some homes in Longwood, FL, sustained damage from Hurricane Helene.

This fair city is surrounded by lakes and creeks—Bear Creek Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Jessup, and Sailor’s Creek, among them. The recent rains from Helene caused rising water flooding, and its gale-force winds damaged the area. Today, Express Insurance addresses the steps homeowners in Longwood need to follow to file their homeowners’ insurance claims and start the cleanup and restoration process.

Starting the Cleanup Process

The aftermath of any disaster feels overwhelming. Your agents at Express Insurance understand the frustration and sadness of seeing destruction done to your home; we experienced it, too, because everyone at Express lives in the Orlando metropolitan area, too. We empathize with you and your situation. Here are our industry insider tips on how to quickly and effectively file your claim and obtain cleanup payments.

  1. Document your situation. Take photos and videos of damage to your home and belongings. Make an inventory of your belongings, their cost, and how long you’ve owned them.
  2. File a claim with your insurance company using its website or mobile app. Put all contact in writing via email and apps. This provides you with a written record if you need to refute an adjuster’s mistake or go to court. Mention any needed emergency repairs, such as roof patching, that would prevent further damage and make your home safer.
  3. You can file a claim for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) using the forms on its website. This federal assistance covers items like rising water flood damage that homeowners’ insurance does not cover.
  4. Meet with your insurance adjuster. Answer all of their questions, walk through the property with them, and show them photos you took of the fresh damage.
  5. Begin the repair process. Many homeowners want to make repairs immediately, but waiting for the insurance adjuster’s visit works best. Some homeowners pay out of pocket for emergency repairs while they wait for the insurance company to cut a check or direct deposit funds.

Here’s an extra tip. Avoid the temptation to throw out damaged items. Move them to an area of the yard where they can dry and not attract bugs. The adjuster needs to see them, and you need to remove them so they don’t cause further damage. For example, remove a rug that has become inundated with water so it won’t contribute to mold or mildew development.

Contact Express Insurance Today

We understand the challenges some Longwood, FL, homeowners face right now, especially those with lakefront and creekfront homes. Contact us today to begin your claim. The sooner you file your paperwork, the quicker we can send an adjuster to your home and process your insurance claim. Let’s build Florida together, Longwood!