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!

Florida home insurance has become interesting, challenging, frustrating, and evolving over the past several years.

The changes have been blamed on litigation, fraud, climate change, politics, and a lack of choices. If you own a home in the Longwood, FL, and Central Florida areas and have been challenged by changes in home insurance, here are some things to know from Express Insurance.

Yes, Roofing Rules Have Changed

Traditional asphalt roofs in Florida have been determined to have a lifespan of just 15 years. If your roof is approaching 15 years of age or older, an insurance company may ask that the roof be replaced before insuring it.

Partial Roof Replacements

Florida regulations allow for roofs to be repaired when they may have been replaced previously.

What Happens if You Drop Homeowners Insurance in Florida

If you have a mortgage, your mortgage company likely requires you to carry homeowner’s insurance. If you allow homeowners insurance to lapse while you have a mortgage, your insurance company can “force place” coverage on your home. This is often extremely expensive coverage when compared to getting coverage on your own.

You Still Have Options

Even in Florida, there are still options for homeowners insurance, and Express Insurance of Longwood, FL, may be able to help. There may be alternatives to increasing deductibles or carrying separate “hurricane” protection. Contact us to discuss your central Florida home and your options.

If you think your only course of action is to self-insure or “go naked” without coverage, we encourage you to call Express Insurance of Longwood, FL.

Owning a home can be a great option in the Longwood, FL, area. If you want to purchase a home in this area, you should also consider all your insurance options and needs. For those in this part of the state, there are some unique types of coverage and options to consider that could appropriately cover your home. 

Coverage for Natural Disasters

One of the risks of owning a home in Florida is the risk of natural disasters. Some of the most common natural disasters that need to be protected against here include hurricanes, floods, and sinkholes. If your home is affected by these risks, the remediation costs can be significant. Fortunately, there are specific policies and riders you can receive that will ensure you are protected against these risks in the state of Florida. 

Temporary Housing

Another type of coverage that you can receive here is temporary housing insurance. If your home has been damaged due to a hurricane, flood, sinkhole, or other type of peril, there is a chance you will need to rebuild your property completely. This can take a very long time. When you have a home insurance policy, it will offer support to cover your temporary housing expenses while the work is being done. 

Home insurance is always a good option for those in the Longwood, FL, area. If you want this coverage and want to know more about your options, call our Express Insurance team. Our professionals with Express Insurance will help ensure you can build a quality plan that meets your needs and keeps you and your home protected throughout your plan’s term. 

Homes are often a family’s most valuable investment. Unfortunately, however, you may find that natural disasters threaten your home. Thankfully, you can take out home insurance policies to cover many events. That said, it is crucial to study each policy as not every natural disaster may be covered. Let’s look at some natural disasters you should watch out for as a homeowner. Contact Express Insurance, serving Longwood, FL, if you have questions.

Hurricanes

In Florida, hurricanes are perhaps the most well-known natural disaster. These powerful storms can impact entire communities and regions. If you own a home in Florida, preparing for hurricanes is essential. That includes taking out the right insurance policies.

Wildfires

Wildfires can also cause widespread devastation. If a wildfire has broken out near your home, it’s important to prioritize safety. These natural disasters can prove especially deadly and often very unpredictable.

Tornadoes and Water Sprouts

While Florida doesn’t experience as many tornadoes as other parts of the country, these weather events are still a grave threat. Unfortunately, if a tornado strikes your house, it could quickly be destroyed. You may also lose vehicles and other pieces of property.

Floods

Many Floridians are familiar with floods. Floods are common since Florida is a low-lying state surrounded by oceans and is regularly hit with powerful storms. For better or worse, however, damage caused by flooding may not be covered by your standard homeowner’s insurance plan. Fortunately, it may be possible to acquire coverage by taking out a separate flood insurance policy.

Ultimately, natural disasters can be devastating. Fortunately, the right home insurance policies can provide protection if you live in or near Longwood, FL. Contact Express Insurance to discuss policy options.

For those who work from home, it is essential to understand the risks that may be present – but not covered under a traditional homeowner’s insurance policy. The insurance professionals at Express Insurance, serving the greater Longwood, FL vicinity, offer their guidance regarding the insurance risks when working from home.

What Are the Risks When You Work From Home?

Working from home, if you work for another company (and not for yourself), creates unique risks because, from a technical perspective, you are on your own property working for a separate company. Each employer determines the specific protocols for at-work employees and business-related activities, so it is important to understand how and if you will be compensated should something happen.

First, if you have one, check your current renter’s or homeowner’s policy to see if there are exclusions related to business activities. Then consider these potential situations –

• If a business client is injured on your property, you should have sufficient liability or consider adding a rider or additional coverage.
• Business Equipment/Property can be expensive, so ensure you have insurance coverage should there be a loss.
• Depending on the work, the following types of policies may be a smart business move –
  • An Errors & Omissions Insurance policy can protect you from issues regarding your professional services.
  • Cybersecurity/Data Breach insurance covers cyber-attacks or other issues that may occur with possessing sensitive information digitally.

Contact a Leading Longwood, FL Insurance Company Today

For additional information and other potential coverage options while working from home, contact the licensed professional at Express Insurance. We can be reached online or at 407-215-7318 and look forward to helping you protect what matter most.

Longwood, FL residents are not mandated by law to obtain homeowners insurance. Yet, you will usually be required to purchase this coverage by your lender while you carry a balance on your mortgage. However, it is a choice that can protect your investment, even once the last payment has been made on your home.

Covered Perils

By definition, a peril causes damage, while a hazard is an exacerbating factor. Your insurance company has categories of scenarios for which they will accept claims and others for which they will not. Your Express Insurance agent can give you details on the specific events included in your policy. 

Different types of indemnification will extend to various situations, such as open peril, which means they will reimburse for any scenario that causes damage except those excluded. A named-peril clause has a list of certain claims it deals with. 

Examples of Perils Often Covered 

Power surges are a damaging phenomenon that can destroy electronics and appliances and sometimes even result in a conflagration. Lightning is another potential cause of the fire and can damage wiring within a structure. 

Water damage not caused by flooding tends to be a named peril, which may come in the form of a leaky roof due to heavy snow and thawing. Fallen tree branches and other natural events such as wind, hail, and sleet may create any number of problems for your house. Theft and vandalism can befall your property as well. 

Express Insurance Wants to Help

We can provide insurance products and services to meet the needs of your life, and we invite you to contact us for more information on homeowners insurance today. We service those living in and around Longwood, FL. 

As a homeowner, you must do everything you can to protect your investments. That’s why carrying homeowner’s insurance is so important. A policy from Express Insurance can help you financially in a disaster, whether it’s a fire, severe weather damage, or even theft.

Covered Events

One of the most important things about your homeowner’s insurance policy is what events are covered. Most policies will cover damage from fires, severe weather, and theft. However, there are some exclusions that you should be aware of. For example, most policies will not cover flooding or earthquake damage. That’s why it’s so important to read your policy carefully and understand what is and isn’t covered before you need to file a claim.

Deductibles

Another essential thing to know about your homeowner’s insurance policy is your deductible. You’ll need to pay an out-of-pocket amount before your insurance company steps in and covers the rest. Remember that having a higher deductible will usually result in a lower premium, so it’s a trade-off you’ll need to consider when choosing your policy.

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value

When shopping for homeowner’s insurance, you’ll also need to decide between replacement cost coverage and actual cash value coverage. Replacement cost coverage will reimburse you for the cost of repairing or replacing your home up to the limit of your policy, regardless of its current value. Actual cash value coverage, on the other hand, will reimburse you for the current market value of your home—which may be less than what it would cost to repair or replace it.

As a homeowner, carrying adequate insurance in Longwood, FL is one of the best ways to protect your investment. A policy from Express Insurance can help you financially if disaster strikes by covering damages from events like fires, severe weather, and theft—up to your policy’s limit.

Home insurance in Florida is not mandatory, but the lending institutions require it when you want to secure a mortgage. However, whether compulsory or not, homeowners insurance is pivotal because it safeguards your home structure and its contents from unexpected disasters. So, if you have a home in Longwood, FL, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Express Insurance for a home insurance plan. Home insurance is a worthwhile investment as it provides homeowners with coverage in numerous areas, but not limited to:

• Provision of liability protection: What happens if a third party slaps you with an expensive lawsuit or skyrocketed medical bills? Fortunately, home insurance from Express Insurance safeguards the policy bearer from exorbitant lawsuits emanating from third parties whose property has been damaged or bearing inflicted injuries by you or your family members. 
• Dwelling protection: Owning a house in Longwood, FL is an investment. And being one of your valuable assets, your home requires formidable protection from imminent perils. If such calamities transpire, repairs or reconstructing of the structures are covered by the home insurance policy.
• Assets protection: Nothing is comforting like knowing that your valuable assets are protected if an unexpected eventuality strikes. You have invested in exclusive furniture and other home appliances which you hold dear. Financial stress resulting from loss or damage to your home can be detrimental. Home insurance pays for the damage or loss to your assets.
• Provision of additional living expenses: Loss of use coverage caters to costs such as hotel bills and accommodation when residing elsewhere as your home is getting rebuilt or reconstructed after being damaged by a peril listed in your policy.

Express Insurance has tailored magnificent solutions that will leave you and your house protected from imminent calamities. To get home insurance coverage in Longwood, FL, please contact or visit us today, and you won’t regret it.

In the U.S., approximately 95% of homeowners have home insurance. Even though it is not a legal requirement, it is an essential investment for your property in Longwood, FL. Our homeowner insurance at Express Insurance typically protects your home in case of events like fires or hurricanes.

The ideal home insurance policy should protect not only the physical structure but also all the valuable items that you would need to replace. Read on to learn three ultimate reasons why you should get home insurance.

1. Home Insurance Gives You Financial Safety

In the case of events like tornadoes or hurricanes where houses are at risk of significant damage, home insurance is necessary. You get peace of mind knowing that you have a  home insurance policy that will pay for repairs and replacements that may be required.

2. It Is a Necessity for a Mortgage

Most mortgage lenders will insist that you get home insurance to protect your investments. Home insurance ensures that any damages are taken care of in case of any unfortunate events. A mortgage lender will typically insist on a policy that covers the amount of the mortgage.

After completing your mortgage payment, you are no longer required to pay for home insurance, but as a homeowner, you should continue as this is a major investment. 

3. Home Insurance Protects the Equity of Your Home

Homes are one of the significant investments in one’s life, and as you continue doing renovations and modifying them, the equity of your home increases. In case of a damaging event, home insurance will ensure that you don’t start from zero. 

If you want to know more about home insurance, contact our independent insurance agents in Longwood, FL. They’ll answer any question you may have and help you identify the right quotes that fit your budget. 

In Longwood, FL the general rule of thumb is that your home insurance will cover the home, it will cover the building, it will cover your possessions, it will cover the possessions of those who are staying with you on a permanent or temporary basis. But it will not cover the possessions of your tenants. That is to say that if someone is paying you a monthly fee to rent the home, or to rent a room in the home, then the insurance does not cover their possessions in the event of a fire, burglary or other hazard.

For this, they will need to invest in renters insurance. They can do their own research and buy a renters insurance policy to cover their belongings, or you may be able to work something out with your home insurance provider so that they can easily buy renters insurance through the same insurer. But your home insurance policy does not cover a tenant’s possessions.

Many landlords actually choose to require tenants to carry their own renter’s policy. This simplifies the process should claim to need to be filed. You don’t want a tenant to try and hold you responsible in the event that their possessions are lost or damaged. It’s up to you, but it’s not a bad idea to require your tenants to carry their own insurance.

If you have any questions about renters insurance or home insurance in Longwood, FL, or you’re looking to get covered for your own home or a rental property, get in touch with Express Insurance. Express Insurance can help you to get a great policy no matter your home insurance needs.