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Express Insurance

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

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Should I Agree to Driving Monitoring to Lower Insurance?

A trend that has been increasing in the insurance world involves customers voluntarily agreeing to restrictions in their behavior that inherently reduces risk for the insurance provider. For example, health insurance policies have been giving Longwood, FL customers bonuses for quitting smoking, exercising or reducing their weight. In terms of auto insurance, the most common restriction/benefit offered is one where the driver agrees to have a monitoring tool installed in the vehicle to track speed and general driving location. According to Express Insurance experts, If the driver agrees and follows a voluntary restriction of driving slower, safer and avoiding specific hazards, he or she then gets a reduction in a related insurance premium the following billing cycle.

The fear of big brother watching, the idea that the government or some large entity is invading a person’s privacy, has always been a counter-argument. However, it’s important to understand that any kind of insurance monitoring on a vehicle is voluntary and agreed to by the customer. Unlike justice programs that require monitoring for penalties, the insurance monitoring only "watches" the car’s performance and specific measurements, like speed of travel. And a customer can end the monitoring as well when desired. Granted, the rate cut benefit then disappears as well. The two go hand-in-hand. That said, a good number of customers who have tried the monitoring agreement have found it was pretty simple, no great conspiracy, and a convenient way to save some hear-earned money on a regular basis.

To find out more about what sort of monitoring programs and rate cut benefits are available in the Longwood, FL region, car drivers can give the folks at Express Insurance a call or email. They can provide the details on which insurance company offer the option with car insurance and how it works. And a little bit of knowledge can go a long way toward adding some savings in the bank account.

 

The Latest Home Safety Devices: Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, and More

The latest and greatest innovations in home safety devices provide advanced features for increased protection of you, your loved ones, and your home. Alerting you about smoke progression, fires, and carbon monoxide infiltration, these handy safety devices have been around for over a 100 years. Through the years, the features have changed, but the concept remains the same – signal systems of danger. With all the high-tech devices on the market, you can find one to fit and address your needs, so let’s clear the smoke and dive into some alert systems.

When looking for a defense against fire and smoke, you’ll find some of the most cutting-edge smoke detectors and fire alarms for your house. Now, there’s a difference in the mechanics and functionality of these two systems. A smoke detector checks for the presence of smoke, and a fire alarm provides heat sensors and sprinklers. For latest types of smoke sensors, you’ll find Ionization, photoelectric, and dual-sensor devices. Ionization models provide peak testing of minute particles usually found in fast, flaming fires. Photoelectric styles test for larger particles associated with heavy, more dense and smokey fires. Dual-sensor protectors combine the abilities of both of these models for small and large particle detection. Whether it’s a smoke detector or fire alarm, you can connect these types of systems to your mobile or Internet-accessing device – a techie feature.

So how do these fire detection systems provide you with mobile fire alerts? These systems are integrated with the world of app connections, so you receive these signals from a downloaded app linked to your alert device. With an app link through a mobile device, phone, laptop, or desktop, you get a whenever and wherever connection to the alarm activation. Other features not to be missed are digital functionality with a link to a monitoring service that notifies the police, fire department, or your phone; and voice alarm systems. Along with these defenses against fires, there are devices that detect silent, odorless, but highly dangerous carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide detectors check for the existence of this lethal gas. A toxic substance that is the top cause of death due to poisoning in the United States. This gas is released from the burning of gasoline, natural gas, wood, propane or charcoal. The most advanced devices function in one of three ways through a biomimetic sensor, metal oxide semiconductor, or electrochemical sensor. Some more advanced features include a digital screen showing gas levels and Smart detectors that sync with apps to provide alerts to the end user. And, of course, the best of both of these detection worlds merges the capabilities of a smoke and carbon monoxide system into one device.

So, whether it’s a single or dual safety device for the home, there are now more sensitive and reliable sensor devices to detect smoke and carbon monoxide. With these latest technology systems, you get advanced capability to defend you, your loved ones, and your home. Keep it safe with the most current detection devices, and let Express Insurance, serving Longwood, FL, protect your risk of damage to or loss of your home with insurance coverage. Having both home safety mechanisms and home insurance, you’re protected on both ends in the event of a covered fire or carbon monoxide leak.

How Home Insurance Keeps Longwood Residents Safe

The people of Longwood, FL care about their homes, there’s no doubt about this. However, home insurance is often overlooked or not discussed as one of the primary ways it keeps people safe. Express Insurance has been in the business long enough to know that it has a lot to do with safety, and we want you to know more about why.

Sending the Right Message 

Even if you have the best possible home insurance, that doesn’t mean that a criminal won’t decide to target your house. However, what home insurance does do is give you (and the people in your neighborhood) a means to fix the damage that does happen right away as opposed to leaving it for months on end. The better a street and neighborhood is maintained, the more criminals get the impression that they will not only be not welcome in the area but likely be seen or caught because people look out for one another.

Keeping the House on Solid Ground 

Homes that have the right foundation stay upright, even during bad storms in Longwood, FL. There are so many potential dangers on a property that you may not even notice. Express Insurance knows that one dying tree can cause a lot of damage to the house if it falls unexpectedly. These are just a few ways that homes stay safe when they have home insurance, and there are so many other ways that it protects you. If you’re looking for a quality home insurance policy that will benefit both you and your neighbors, then give our agency a call today. We have agents and experts who can assist you, so contact us for more information or a quote on your property in Longwood.

Distracted Driver Facts

Safe driving campaigns often focus on the dangers of drinking and driving. Although driving while intoxicated is a serious risk, distracted driving incidents account for 80 percent of crashes, according to a recent Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study. Now, many areas, including Longwood, FL, are passing laws to prevent distracted driver accidents.

Types of Distractions

What causes a driver to lose focus on the road? Distractions are broken down into three basic categories: manual, visual, and cognitive. Manual distractions force your hands away from the wheel. Visual distractions take your eyes off the road. Cognitive distractions cause your mind to wander off the task of driving.

The following are the most frequent driver distractions:

  • Texting
  • Mobile Phone Calls
  • Mobile Web Browsing
  • Eating and Drinking
  • Using Dashboard Devices (Radio, mp3 player, GPS, etc.)
  • Talking to Passengers

How Serious Is the Problem?

In 2014 alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation attributed over 3,100 fatalities and 431,000 injuries to distracted driving. Each year, the number of accidents caused by text messaging and cell phone use is steadily increasing. More than 28 percent of all vehicle crashes can now be traced back to mobile phone use.

National surveys have shown that 90 percent of all drivers recognize the risk of driving while using a cell phone. However, three out of four drivers admitted to talking on the phone while driving and one in five acknowledged texting and driving. High school students are particularly high risk for distracted driving behaviors. In 2013, the CDC reported two out of five high school drivers stated they drove and sent out a text or email within the last 30 days.

Drivers must use common sense while on the road and put down the devices. Any distraction that takes their mind or body off of operating vehicle should be ignored. Driving safety is not only important for your well-being but your insurance rates as well.

Contact an agent at Express Insurance today to learn more about how we are helping serve Longwood, FL area drivers.

Fall Home and Fun Checklist

Getting ready for winter means winterizing your home, preparing for holiday guests, and conducting an annual insurance review with your agent at Express Insurance to make sure there is adequate insurance, especially if there have been any life changes during the past year.

There are plenty of maintenance chores to do in fall to get ready before the winter weather comes.

Besides having things you must do on the home checklist for fall, be sure to include some of these fun things:

  • Decorate pumpkins and toast the pumpkin seeds
  • Go for a hay ride
  • Snuggle by the fire
  • Bake an apple pie
  • Visit a farmer’s market
  • Enjoy a scenic drive
  • Jump into a pile of leaves
  • Visit a haunted house
  • Go fruit picking
  • Bake cookies
  • Make pumpkin bread
  • Enjoy hot spiced apple cider and eggnog
  • Fly a kite
  • Go on a scavenger hunt
  • Make caramel apples
  • Have a tailgate party at a football game
  • Make popcorn balls
  • Knit a scarf
  • Use scented candles
  • Go to a spooky graveyard
  • Bundle up and go for an early morning walk
  • Make hot chocolate
  • Enjoy a weekend getaway at a bread and breakfast
  • Take a holiday family photo
  • Adopt a new pet from an animal rescue facility
  • Decorate your porch and front yard with holiday decorations
  • Make s’mores and Rice Krispies treats with the kids
  • Enjoy movie night with homemade popcorn and caramel corn
  • Toast marshmallows over a fire pit
  • Make blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup
  • Enjoy the season premiers on television
  • Go for a walk in the rain and splash in the puddles
  • Make mulled wine
  • Build a tent fort for the kids in the living room out of blankets
  • Have a pillow fight
  • Enjoy a costume party
  • Go caroling house to house

Be kind, enjoy life, and be thankful.

Reasons to Review Your Longwood Company’s Insurance Yearly

One of the primary goals for every business is to grow and increase market share. Generally, as your business grows so does its revenue and assets, and such growth can lead the company to expand its operations, expand its offerings, and even search for a larger location. Just as the company itself does not remain static from year to year, neither does its insurance needs. As your company changes it is highly recommended that you continue to adjust your insurance coverages in order to reflect the company’s ever-changing needs.

Below we will review some reasons your company should review its insurance coverages annually:

Business needs change – As your company grows and prospers it will naturally expand into additional products and services and possibly even larger premises. Every change your company undergoes could create a corresponding liability, which may best be addressed by increased or modified insurance coverage. It is best to speak with your insurance agent at least once per year in order to discuss how your business has changed over the past 12 months, and to review if your current coverages are adequate.

Society changes – Just like your business needs will evolve over time, so will the societal factors which take place in and around your company.  For example, if you own a company with a storefront location and which employs delivery drivers, you may wish to increase your coverages if a daycare were to open up next door. Your insurance coverages should be reviewed periodically to ensure they reflect the current societal factors which may affect it.

Environment changes – From year to year environmental changes can take a toll on businesses.  Longwood, FL area businesses should review their insurance every year in order to make reasonable adjustments to coverages which may help mitigate unexpected or particularly harsh environmental cycles.

If you are a Loongwood area business and you have not reviewed your insurance coverages recently, contact our agents at Express Insurance for a review today.

 

Am I Covered For A Hit & Run?

Living in Miami Beach can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous on the roads. If you are involved in a hit and run, you want to make sure you have sufficient coverage for auto insurance. This means taking a good look at your policy and potentially adding on coverage.

In the state of Florida, you are required to have bodily injury as well as property damage liability insurance. If you are still making payments on your car or you are leasing, you may also be required to have collision coverage. Collision is always a good idea in the event you are involved in a major accident – such as a hit-and-run.

Then, you have to look at other forms of coverage that you may or may not have on your policy.

Do you have uninsured motorist coverage?

If you don’t know the person who hit you, they are going to fall under uninsured motorist. Having this coverage will provide bodily injury as well as property damage to help cover some of the medical bills, lost wages, and repairs to your car.

Do you have medical bills coverage?

The amount of medical bills involved can be high and you don’t want to pay anything out of pocket you can get away with it. Having this coverage can be very helpful.

Do you have PIP?

Personal injury protection is going to cover medical bills as well as potential lost wages that you have experienced as a result of the hit and run. It can be a very affordable form of coverage time to your policy.

Hit and runs can be expensive. Contact us at Express Insurance today and one of our agents can find auto insurance coverage that can provide protection in Miami Beach that is also affordable. We’ll get the quotes and more.

 

 

Secure Your Valuables with Umbrella Insurance

Most people have limited knowledge concerning the benefits of umbrella insurance coverage. Umbrella insurance offers protection above and beyond the coverage limits of standard home and auto insurance policies. This extra protection can help secure your valuable assets against any eventuality.

Who Can Benefit from Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance can benefit middle class families in California as much as those in the upper echelon of society. If you own a vehicle, you run the risk of being sued for damages or injuries to others if you cause a serious auto accident that results in disability or death to a third party.

As a homeowner, you may be sued for injuries sustained by visitors in an accident on your property. Imagine, for example, a neighbor’s child accidentally drowning in your pool. If your neighbor decides to sue, your liability would probably extend far beyond the limits of your home insurance policy.  

Umbrella insurance gives you an extra layer of protection, generally into the millions of dollars, beyond your current home or auto coverage. Your umbrella policy will also cover all legal fees along with your settlement.

What You Stand to Lose

If you are hit with an unexpected lawsuit, you risk the loss of such assets as savings, retirement funds, financial investments and home equity. In some instances, you may be required to pay money from future earnings to settle the account. On top of a settlement, you may have to pay for legal fees for both parties. Such lawsuit expenses can easily cause financial ruin. By covering the expenses of a costly lawsuit, umbrella insurance can protect you from financial loss.

Call or visit us at Express Insurance today to learn more about umbrella insurance coverage. Your financial future could greatly benefit from the preventative measures that umbrella insurance has to offer. 

What Exactly Is Umbrella Insurance?

You may have heard it said before or maybe even mentioned to you while you were shopping around for insurance but if you do not know what it is, how could you know if you need it? Umbrella insurance is a form of supplemental insurance but it is not right for everyone. It is something to consider, however, if you have a lot of assets you want to protect. Continue reading to learn more about umbrella insurance and see if it is something you should consider. 

Umbrella insurance is something that you purchase when your standard homeowners, auto, or even boat insurance does not cover the value of the asset. While each of these kinds of policies come with a minimum you must purchase, they also come with a maximum you can purchase. That is where an umbrella policy comes into play. It can cover your assets when they are over the maximum amount of your traditional insurance policy.

Umbrella insurance is much more than that, though. It can also protect you from non-work related personal injury cases such as false arrest, wrongful conviction, slander, and libel. It provides you with personal liability coverage both on and off the property. It is a worldwide coverage as well. It can even cover the cost of legal fees for a covered loss. It is something to consider if you want to further protect yourself and add others kinds of coverage that traditional policies do not cover. These kinds of policies are available between $1 million and $5 million depending on your protection needs.

For more information about umbrella insurance policies or to get a quote, contact us at Express Insurance today. We will be happy to assist and help out with your insurance options. 

Why Do I Need Commercial Insurance?

We tend to insure the things in our lives with the most value. Our cars, homes, health, and loved ones are things we insure just in case something terrible happens. Anytime disaster of any kind strikes it can take a huge emotional toll and we want to make sure that we are financially covered in those situations so we can deal with whatever life hands us. Insuring our place of business should be just as important as insuring the other things of value in our lives. Your business is your livelihood. It is what helps you support the life you live and it should also be protected.

Commercial insurance covers your business in many different situations. You can cover the actual property and vehicles associated with the business in case of damage. You can cover legal issues that may arise due to a business related interaction like a customer injury on the property. Workers compensation can be covered in case an employee is ever injured on the job. Whatever the incident is, it can likely be covered.

If you leave your business uncovered then you are leaving it vulnerable. Should something happen while you are in this vulnerable state, could you pay out of pocket for all the damages? If you are sued. If there is a fire. If you are held liable for an employee’s injury. It’s likely any of these situations would put you in a financial bind that could put you out of business altogether. That would be a devastatingly life changing blow that could easily be prevented.

Call one of our knowledgeable and friendly Express Insurance agents in Santa Monica, CA today to make sure your business is never left uncovered. We can walk you through the process of obtaining exactly the commercial insurance policy you need!