Insurance Blog of Florida

A recent report from homeinsurance.com found that homeowners insurance premiums are on the rise for homeowners in Florida and nationwide.

In December 2011 the average rate for a homeowners insurance premium was $810-a 19 percent jump from January of 2011.
The report factored in data from 15,000 homeowners insurance policies from different U.S. carriers including The Hartford, Safeco, ASI/Ark Royal, and Travelers. On average, homeowners are paying an additional $128 more on an annual basis for a new homeowners insurance policy.

Homeowners in Mississippi, New Mexico, and Montana were hit the hardest with premium increases anywhere as high as 39 percent. However, homeowners in Washington D.C., West Virginia, Vermont, Virginia, and California saw around a 7 percent decrease in homeowners insurance premiums.

If you’ve ever seen the movie, The Wedding Crashers starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, then you no doubt know that we are in full wedding season mode. Aside from real wedding crashers, and annoying relatives (something that we can’t help you with), SIG Insurance of Florida CAN insure that special day.

Here are reasons to get a wedding insurance policy in place.

Protects your wedding ceremony location: If the chosen site of your ceremony and reception is not already covered, a wedding insurance policy protects your special day in the event that your location burns down, has extensive flood damage, or closed its doors for good without telling you.

Weather: So let’s say the wedding hall is still standing, decorated floor to ceiling with flowers, BUT a hurricane decides to head for your ceremony.  A wedding insurance policy would allow the bride and groom to reschedule every detail for another date. In other words, if an act of God prevents a situation too dire or dangerous for everyone to attend, you are protected.

Vendor Issues: We are not trying to scare anyone, but imagine if the caterer is running so late as to delay the start of your wedding, or say…the DJ is a no-show. Yup, a wedding insurance policy would cover a delayed or no-show vendor from financially ruining your day.

Change in Job Situation: Imagine you get the call…your dream job is now a reality. But, it means relocating to a new city, and this relocation happens to fall on or near the same time as your wedding. Or say, your sweetheart is in the military and has to leave immediately. A wedding insurance policy also allows you to shift your wedding date.

In sickness: God forbid anyone such as the bride, groom, Father of the bride, or Mother of the groom is too sick or injured to be a part of this special day, wedding insurance would allow you to buy some time until that special day can include them as well.

Now that you know what’s covered, here is what’s not typically covered: cold feet (bride or groom has a change of heart), or your engagement ring, watches or jewelry. For all the precious keepsakes and jewelry worn during the wedding, go ahead and get those insured separately.

The summer’s unforgiving sun rays can not only damage your skin, but can lead to skin cancer..especially if you call Florida home. Here are some simple tips to help protect you and your family this summer from The Skin Cancer Foundation.
•    Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
•    Do not burn.
•    Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
•    Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
•    Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
•    Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
•    Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
•    Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
•    See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.