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Homeowners Insurance

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Homeowners Insurance Information

Homeowners Insurance in Florida

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What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a form of property insurance that covers losses and damages that can occur in a home. Generally, it includes furniture, structures, and other assets while also protecting you from liability issues, meaning accidents that occur in your home or on your property.

You can expect four kinds of incidents to be covered.

Interior Damage
Exterior Damage
Loss and/or damage of personal belongings
Injury that happens on the property

If you want additional coverage, there are “riders” that can do that for specific incidents or reduce your deductible amount. For example, with a high value-property, you might interested in additional coverage, but you can usually expect a higher premium as a result.

Do I need homeowners insurance?

Legally, no. There are no laws that say that you have to have homeowners insurance. But for most people, not having coverage over their largest (and most expensive) asset can mean financial ruin in the event of an accident, damage, or loss. In other words, without homeowners insurance, you will have to pay out of pocket for all of those events.

Also, mortgage companies definitely require it and “force-place” insurance and add it to your mortgage payment if you do not show proof of having it. That coverage is often more expensive and not properly fitted to your life, assets, etc. It’s usually just focused on the loan amount and not your “contents.”

What Coverage Do You Need?

That depends on your needs, budget, and home details. We recommend that you err on the side of safety, meaning look at every possible potential events and shop your policy based on that information.

Ultimately, you have to consider what you want covered—your contents (your stuff), your dwelling (the structure itself), the liability portion, etc. There are programs these companies use to estimate the value of your home and what it would cost to rebuild.

PRO TIP: There is a big difference between Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value, which can easily affect your premium. Also, please note that if you have a mortgage, your mortgage company will require you to carry a certain amount of limits so that if something happens, the loan can be covered. Some other limits include:

Jewelry - $1,000
Cash - $200
Firearms - $2,500
Silverware - $2,500

Check your policy carefully. If you see you don't have enough coverage, find out how much it would cost to increase those limits or to buy special coverage.

We Also Offer Mobile Home Insurance

Your home doesn’t need to be brick, stick, and mortar to be protected. Especially in Florida, having mobile quality coverage from homeowners insurance can make all the difference in recovering from damage.

You can learn more about mobile home insurance here.

Who We Are & Why That Matters

Pritchard’s & Associates have been protecting Floridians for three generations. You know the stories of someone’s insurance doing nothing in a moment of need. We say that your protection is our policy, and we mean it.You have a lot of things to worry about, and when things go wrong, that pile grows before your eyes. We won’t add to it. You deserve good coverage. And we will work hard to make sure your coverage actually protects you, your family, and your life—and that it isn’t just another bill.
homeowners insurance florida

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Serving ALL The Families In Florida

We are able to write business in all of Florida. Our location doesn’t limit us, what allows us is being an independent agent and partnering with multiple carriers. This gives us more opportunity to place you with the best option to fit your needs and budget.

When You Need Homeowners Insurance

You'll want to start looking into homeowners insurance in the following situations.

Before your policy is due to be renewed
Before your loan closes (if you are getting a loan) and then the policy is bound effective th closing date.
When you’re looking to purchase as well to see what it could cost you in premium because that can affect their mortgage.

Deciding who to go with can be difficult, but we recommend talking to several different companies and agencies and getting recommendations from your friends.

We don’t recommend immediately going with the cheapest option; rather, go with the one that balances customer service and rate. Companies and agencies alike are on their best behavior during the initial stages, so you’ll have to do your best to gauge who is *could* be the most helpful in a moment of need. Then, you’ll get a few different quotes.

REMEMBER: If you work with an independent insurance agency, they can do this part for you. In other words, they can get quotes from all their relevant carriers and walk you through choosing the best one based on their knowledge and your needs.

After quoting different companies (on your own or with the assistance of an independent agent), you’ll be guided through the payment process.Once a policy has been shopped, the agent will go through the various quotes, then the client will choose and the agent will bind the policy, send applications to be signed digitally (or wet if they’re in person) and payment is collected. Generally this is done via the carrier website.

Why You Should Avoid The “Cheapest” Homeowners Insurance

Looking for the cheapest home insurance options always seems like a good place to start. You have so many bills to pay, and this is just another one. We see it all the time. The cost of a premium/deductible can make or break the deal for lots of folks. But we have to recommend against it.

When your agent is tasked with making it cheaper, they are usually only able to chop and trim bits of coverage off until the price is right. But those additions might be things your future self desperately needs. The reality of the risks your property faces probably won’t cooperate with the “cheapest” option. Just be prepared for that and understand that cheap rarely saves you money in the end.

How This Works

If you’ve never done this before, you can easily get overwhelmed by all of the details. Home buying (even home ownership) is a lot, but making sure you get the right insurance with the right details can be just as confusing. So, let’s answer some questions and help you understand how all of this works.

How do you get homeowners insurance?

Usually, you start by getting quotes from various carriers. If you start with an independent insurance agency, they’ll be able to do that part for you. Then it’s a question of which policy/carrier is the best option for you.

How is home insurance calculated?

Before you get your hopes up, know that you cannot tell exactly what your premium will be without ALL of the details. Below are just some of these details.
Details of your home’s value (such as the age of the house, square footage, building materials, foundation type, state of the roof and materials, custom building features, etc.)
Your credit history
The value of your assets (cars, boats, recreational vehicles, additional structures, etc.)
The value of personal property
How much coverage you need (dwelling, personal liability, loss of use, medical payments, etc.)
Additional needed policies (earthquake, water/sewer, flood, windstorm, sinkhole, etc.)

But generally speaking, all of that is taken into consideration when estimating and setting up your premium and deductible.

How do you shop for home insurance?

The best way to understand what you could pay for homeowners insurance is to get quotes from multiple insurance carriers. When you work with an independent insurance agency, they will do that step for you. They take your details to all of their relevant carriers and help you find the most suitable option.

Without an independent agency, you’ll be doing that part yourself.

How much home insurance do I need?

Realistically, you need to prepare for the most likely risks that can impact your property. Most policies will cover the following.

Interior damage
Exterior damage
Loss or damage of personal items and belongings
Liability due to injury on your property

But we also recommend looking into relevant coverage for the following.

Natural disasters (also known as “Acts of God”)
War Risk Coverage (also known as “Acts of War”), though this one is notoriously hard to get covered

The best way to know what you need is by talking to a few different agencies or carriers and finding a middle ground amongst their recommendations.

How do you switch home insurance?

Start with getting quotes. Once you’ve gotten quotes and decided you want to make the switch, you need to decide when. If your premium is paid via your mortgage company, we suggest switching carriers at your renewal date, as it’s generally easier that way.

You can switch in the middle, and a refund will be paid to the mortgage company or you for whatever premium was paid in and not used. When a new policy is written, if we have your current policy, we’ll send a cancellation to your prior carrier. If we do not hold the old policy, you’ll just provide your old carrier/agent with a copy of your new policy and request to cancel it so you don’t have duplicate coverage.

How do you file a home insurance claim?

Claim processes vary from carrier to carrier, but generally speaking, you would reach out to the company directly, and they will walk you through the process. If there was an incident needing a police report, do that immediately. (Theft, Fire) Some companies want you to come to us, your independent agent and we will do it with you; some will have an app you can start the process on, even online, in your customer portal.

Once the process starts, a claims adjuster will contact and walk you through it. It’s important to do things quickly to avoid delays, and taking pictures and documenting everything you can is also very helpful. As an independent agent, we’re here to help you navigate if you have questions or need clarification.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a type of coverage that protects you in the event of damage or losses that occur on a residential property.

What is a home insurance premium?

A premium, for any insurance policy is a monthly or annual payment that maintains your policy. Usually, you do not have coverage if you do not pay your premium.

What is a home insurance deductible?

With any insurance policy, a deductible is an amount that you are contractually obligated to pay before your coverage steps in. So, if you have a $10,000 deductible, then you have a claim for $50,000 in damages. Your company will expect you to pay your deductible before they cover the remaining $40,000.

Do you need homeowners insurance?

Technically, no laws require you to insure your home, but it’s a risky business. In the event of damage, loss, or injury on or to your property, you will be liable to pay for all of it out of pocket.

How much is homeowners insurance?

There are lots of factors—fraud is a big one, and we’re in a hurricane state: more risk, more premium. The national average annual premium in the United States is $2,511.The average homeowner insurance annual premium in Florida ranges from $2,625 to $4,419.

What is hazard insurance for a home?

Your lender might suggest that you get “hazard” insurance, and you might think that is separate from home insurance, but it’s not. Hazard insurance is just another name for home insurance.

Does home insurance cover plumbing?

While homeowners insurance does cover sudden or accidental plumbing issues, it doesn’t typically cover damage from the sump pump failure. In other words, your insurance will likely cover pipes bursting, appliances leaking, and overflowing sinks, toilets, or bathtubs—specifically, if the problem is within the plumbing system on your property.

Just be aware that coverage DOES NOT usually include sew backup, sump pump failure, floodings, maintenance, or general wear and tear. We recommend that you get to know your coverage so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Is home insurance tax deductible?

It is a myth that home insurance is tax deductible in your main home. On a rental property, that is another story.

How long does it take to get homeowners insurance?

Getting a quote is a very quick process, meaning it can happen in minutes. If you decide to pursue one of those quotes, your agent should be able to set up the policy in a few hours. But don’t judge the quality of a policy just on its speed.

Does home insurance cover water damage?

If water enters your home due to a plumbing issue, it will likely be covered. However, if the water damage is caused by flooding, your home insurance policy likely will not cover it. We recommend that you get to know your coverage so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Does home insurance cover my roof?

Insurance only covers roof repairs and replacements if they are needed after a sudden incident. If the roof is simply due for replacement, then the policy won’t likely cover it. We recommend that you get to know your coverage so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Does home insurance cover foundation repair?

Like most issues, your home insurance policy will not cover repairs needed due to wear and tear, neglect, or age. But if the repairs are made necessary because of fire, vandalism, or sudden issues, then it will likely be covered. We recommend that you get to know your coverage so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Does home insurance cover termite damage?

For most policies, termite damage is not covered because it is preventable through regular maintenance.

Can I refuse a home insurance inspection?

Generally, a home inspection is required to write your homeowner's insurance policy. By refusing, you could be dropped due to failure to comply with the terms of your contract.

Why did my home insurance go up?

Some reasons home insurance rates in Florida have been on the rise include

- - Rising cost of material resulting in higher coverage costs
  - Skilled labor shortage causing higher repair and build costs
  - Higher frequency of extreme weather events
  - Here are some ways you could help with your insurance rate.
  - Adding protective devices like security systems, alarms, etc.
  - Review your coverage and make sure you actually need the coverage you have
  - Increase your deductible (this will technically lower your premium)

Can you change home insurance at any time?

Yes, you can change carriers at any time. As for coverage, you can have adjustments made to a policy, like if you added a pool or wanted to increase your liability coverage. For example, you could come into some expensive jewelry you want to “schedule” on the policy to be sure it’s covered.

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1802 S Parrot Ave
Okeechobee, FL 34974

P: 863-763-7711
F: 863-763-5629