Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
New discount on auto insurance with Progressive
On April 1st Progressive will begin offering a new product in Florida called Pay-As-You-Drive, personalized auto insurance based on how you drive.
This new policy will base the cost of your insurance on when, how much and how you drive. The fewer miles you drive the lower your premium.
Once you sign up for the MyRate program, Progressive will mail you a small device that you place on the bottom of your dashboard. (It looks similar to the E-pass device you use to pay toll roads.) After you’ve logged some driving time (30 days to be exact) you can log on to your policy at www.progressive.com to see what your projected renewal rate is. If you’re not happy with the rate change (perhaps it increased) you can either change your driving habits to increase your discount or you can terminate your enrollment in the program at any time.
The discount is based on the following driving habits:
- The total number of miles you drive
- The number of miles you drive during high-risk hours
- Sudden starts and stops.
They recommend it for people who drive less than 10,000 miles per year, but customers have been reporting that they have saved even though they drive around 15,000 miles a year.
The MyRate device records the following:
- Vehicle speed and time of day
- When the device is connected and disconnected from the vehicle
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) upon installation
Other information, such as miles driven and rates of acceleration and braking, is derived from the speed and time information recorded by the device. The MyRate device does not collect information about where you drive. Instead, it focuses on how safely, how often, how far, and when you drive. Please note that the MyRate device does not contain GPS technology and does not track vehicle location or whether you're exceeding the speed limit, nor do they know who is driving the car in which the device is installed.
The MyRate device can only be used on cars built in 1996 or later.
To watch a short video about the program, visit http://www.progressive.com/myrate.
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Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
This new policy will base the cost of your insurance on when, how much and how you drive. The fewer miles you drive the lower your premium.
Once you sign up for the MyRate program, Progressive will mail you a small device that you place on the bottom of your dashboard. (It looks similar to the E-pass device you use to pay toll roads.) After you’ve logged some driving time (30 days to be exact) you can log on to your policy at www.progressive.com to see what your projected renewal rate is. If you’re not happy with the rate change (perhaps it increased) you can either change your driving habits to increase your discount or you can terminate your enrollment in the program at any time.
The discount is based on the following driving habits:
- The total number of miles you drive
- The number of miles you drive during high-risk hours
- Sudden starts and stops.
They recommend it for people who drive less than 10,000 miles per year, but customers have been reporting that they have saved even though they drive around 15,000 miles a year.
The MyRate device records the following:
- Vehicle speed and time of day
- When the device is connected and disconnected from the vehicle
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) upon installation
Other information, such as miles driven and rates of acceleration and braking, is derived from the speed and time information recorded by the device. The MyRate device does not collect information about where you drive. Instead, it focuses on how safely, how often, how far, and when you drive. Please note that the MyRate device does not contain GPS technology and does not track vehicle location or whether you're exceeding the speed limit, nor do they know who is driving the car in which the device is installed.
The MyRate device can only be used on cars built in 1996 or later.
To watch a short video about the program, visit http://www.progressive.com/myrate.
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Edison Insurance Group is bought by Florida Peninsula
Edison Insurance Group, an insurance carrier based in St. Petersburg, has been bought by Florida Peninsula in Boca Raton. Florida Peninsula is an admitted carrier and has approximately $65 million in surplus and almost $600 million in claims paying ability. They have a Demotech Financial Stability Rating ® of A Exceptional.
There are about 25,000 Edison policy holders in Florida who will be assumed by Florida Peninsula and the transition will be seamless for them. There will be no changes to their policies or contact numbers and the agent who wrote the policy will continue to service the account as usual.
If you are an Edison policyholder and have questions about this change, please feel free to contact us at 866.786.4613 or info@suninsuranceservices.com. We have been an agent for Florida Peninsula for several years now and we are confident in their ability to offer great service, competitive rates and fair claims handling.
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
There are about 25,000 Edison policy holders in Florida who will be assumed by Florida Peninsula and the transition will be seamless for them. There will be no changes to their policies or contact numbers and the agent who wrote the policy will continue to service the account as usual.
If you are an Edison policyholder and have questions about this change, please feel free to contact us at 866.786.4613 or info@suninsuranceservices.com. We have been an agent for Florida Peninsula for several years now and we are confident in their ability to offer great service, competitive rates and fair claims handling.
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
Monday, January 04, 2010
It's a great time to create a home inventory!
With the hectic holiday season now behind us, it's a great time to take an inventory of the items in your home. Chances are Santa dropped off new toys for everyone and we want to make sure they'll be replaced if your home were damaged or destroyed. You never know when disaster may strike so it pays to be prepared.
A home inventory list will not only help you decide how much insurance you need to purchase, it will also help you through the claims process if you have a loss. If your house burned to the ground today, would you be able to list every single item in the house? Most of us could list the big items, like TVs & appliances, but the smaller things like dishes, clothing, toys, books and jewelry might be more difficult to recall. Here's a short one-minute video to help illustrate the importance of this process: http://bit.ly/673kjV.
As they mention in the video there are several ways to take an inventory. The Insurance Information Institute offers a free software program that you can download here: http://www.knowyourstuff.org/. This will help to guide you through the inventory and allows you attach photos and receipts to the file.
You can also videotape the inside of your house, narrating as you go along to help record your possessions. Be sure to open drawers and closets so you can see everything.
Taking photographs of your possessions is another quick and easy way to document things. You can post these pictures online to a photosharing site like Flickr or Picasa so you can access them from anywhere. Scanning receipts for big ticket items like jewelry and electronics is also recommended.
Once you've completed your inventory, be sure to store the information in an offsite location so that it's protected. We are also happy to attach your pictures and lists to your file here in the agency as well. Feel free to contact us here at Sun Insurance if you have any questions about insuring the items inside your home. We are happy to help!
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
A home inventory list will not only help you decide how much insurance you need to purchase, it will also help you through the claims process if you have a loss. If your house burned to the ground today, would you be able to list every single item in the house? Most of us could list the big items, like TVs & appliances, but the smaller things like dishes, clothing, toys, books and jewelry might be more difficult to recall. Here's a short one-minute video to help illustrate the importance of this process: http://bit.ly/673kjV.
As they mention in the video there are several ways to take an inventory. The Insurance Information Institute offers a free software program that you can download here: http://www.knowyourstuff.org/. This will help to guide you through the inventory and allows you attach photos and receipts to the file.
You can also videotape the inside of your house, narrating as you go along to help record your possessions. Be sure to open drawers and closets so you can see everything.
Taking photographs of your possessions is another quick and easy way to document things. You can post these pictures online to a photosharing site like Flickr or Picasa so you can access them from anywhere. Scanning receipts for big ticket items like jewelry and electronics is also recommended.
Once you've completed your inventory, be sure to store the information in an offsite location so that it's protected. We are also happy to attach your pictures and lists to your file here in the agency as well. Feel free to contact us here at Sun Insurance if you have any questions about insuring the items inside your home. We are happy to help!
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Do you need un/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage on your auto insurance policy?
Many times when people shop for car insurance they are looking for the cheapest policy out there instead of a policy with adequate coverage. They choose the state minimums in return for a cheaper premium.
What this means is many drivers on our roads are underinsured. If you were to be injured by this person and he did not have enough coverage to pay for your medical expenses and/or lost wages, you would need to rely on the UM coverage of your own policy.
UM, or Un/Underinsured Motorist, coverage pays for bodily injuries to you, your family members, or any other person in your covered vehicle, caused by the negligence of an underinsured or uninsured motorist. It pays for medical expenses and lost wages (after your PIP is exhausted) and also includes payment for pain and suffering if you sustain a permanent injury. UM coverage can also apply when someone is injured in a hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver is unidentified.
Without this coverage it is unlikely that you will receive payment for damages or injuries unless you decide to sue the at-fault driver. Protect yourself fiscally and physically with this valuable coverage.
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
What this means is many drivers on our roads are underinsured. If you were to be injured by this person and he did not have enough coverage to pay for your medical expenses and/or lost wages, you would need to rely on the UM coverage of your own policy.
UM, or Un/Underinsured Motorist, coverage pays for bodily injuries to you, your family members, or any other person in your covered vehicle, caused by the negligence of an underinsured or uninsured motorist. It pays for medical expenses and lost wages (after your PIP is exhausted) and also includes payment for pain and suffering if you sustain a permanent injury. UM coverage can also apply when someone is injured in a hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver is unidentified.
Without this coverage it is unlikely that you will receive payment for damages or injuries unless you decide to sue the at-fault driver. Protect yourself fiscally and physically with this valuable coverage.
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Chinese drywall not covered by home owners insurance
During the housing boom in the mid-2000s U.S. drywall supplies were depleted and we began importing drywall from China to keep up with demand. It was later discovered that much of this Chinese drywall, which is made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper, was defective and emitting poisonous odors, prompting many homeowners to leave their homes.
It is estimated that as much as 500 million pounds of Chinese drywall was imported between 2004 and 2008 and a little more than 1,800 complaints have been filed since October 2009, most of them coming from Florida, Louisiana and Virginia. Repair costs are currently estimated to be between $8-10 billion dollars.
Thousands of homeowners have filed lawsuits and many have filed claims with their insurance carriers, only to have them denied. It has become a point of contention between homeowners and insurance companies, with homeowners now facing tens of thousands of dollars in repair bills and insurance companies taking the stance that it is not a covered loss.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty took a stance this week when he stated his opinion that insurance companies have no obligation to cover defective Chinese drywall. He feels that the insurance industry is not responsible for the drywall problem and so the financial responsibility lies with the manufacturers of the drywall.
What should a homeowner do if they are faced with this problem? Your first course of action is to contact the builder of the home to see how they are handling the situation. You should also file the complaint with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. They can be contacted by phone at 800.638.2772.
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
It is estimated that as much as 500 million pounds of Chinese drywall was imported between 2004 and 2008 and a little more than 1,800 complaints have been filed since October 2009, most of them coming from Florida, Louisiana and Virginia. Repair costs are currently estimated to be between $8-10 billion dollars.
Thousands of homeowners have filed lawsuits and many have filed claims with their insurance carriers, only to have them denied. It has become a point of contention between homeowners and insurance companies, with homeowners now facing tens of thousands of dollars in repair bills and insurance companies taking the stance that it is not a covered loss.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty took a stance this week when he stated his opinion that insurance companies have no obligation to cover defective Chinese drywall. He feels that the insurance industry is not responsible for the drywall problem and so the financial responsibility lies with the manufacturers of the drywall.
What should a homeowner do if they are faced with this problem? Your first course of action is to contact the builder of the home to see how they are handling the situation. You should also file the complaint with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. They can be contacted by phone at 800.638.2772.
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Florida Housing Help Workshop
The city of Orlando, Florida Housing Help & the Department of Financial Services are hosting a foreclosure workshop this Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm at the Englewood Neighborhood Center in Orlando, FL.
The workshop will give residents an opportunity to meet with mortgage lenders, HUD certified housing counselors, legal services and other foreclosure assistance programs.
You should bring as much of the following documentation as possible:
• Two most recent paycheck stubs for all household applicants.
• Two most recent checking and savings account monthly statements.
• Driver license or picture ID of applicant(s).
• Social Security cards for applicants/co-applicants.
• Income tax returns for current year along with W-2 forms. If self employed, proof of quarterly tax payments for the last four quarters and two years signed and dated income tax returns.
• Hardship letter explaining delinquency of mortgage payments and any gap of employment during the last two years.
• Divorce papers, if applicable.
• Statements or bills documenting ALL monthly household expenses, i.e., telephone, cable, utilities, etc.
• Last mortgage statement / year-end summary.
• Most recent correspondence from mortgage company.
• Current property tax bill and proof of homeowners’ insurance.
It's also helpful to bring a copy of your most recent credit report, which you can get for free at www.annualcreditreport.com.
For more information, please call 877.693.5236.
Details:
Florida Housing Help Workshop
11/7/2009 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Englewood Neighborhood Center
6123 La Costa Drive, Orlando, FL 32807
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
The workshop will give residents an opportunity to meet with mortgage lenders, HUD certified housing counselors, legal services and other foreclosure assistance programs.
You should bring as much of the following documentation as possible:
• Two most recent paycheck stubs for all household applicants.
• Two most recent checking and savings account monthly statements.
• Driver license or picture ID of applicant(s).
• Social Security cards for applicants/co-applicants.
• Income tax returns for current year along with W-2 forms. If self employed, proof of quarterly tax payments for the last four quarters and two years signed and dated income tax returns.
• Hardship letter explaining delinquency of mortgage payments and any gap of employment during the last two years.
• Divorce papers, if applicable.
• Statements or bills documenting ALL monthly household expenses, i.e., telephone, cable, utilities, etc.
• Last mortgage statement / year-end summary.
• Most recent correspondence from mortgage company.
• Current property tax bill and proof of homeowners’ insurance.
It's also helpful to bring a copy of your most recent credit report, which you can get for free at www.annualcreditreport.com.
For more information, please call 877.693.5236.
Details:
Florida Housing Help Workshop
11/7/2009 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Englewood Neighborhood Center
6123 La Costa Drive, Orlando, FL 32807
--
Sun Insurance Services, Inc. is a family-owned and operated insurance agency located in Orlando, Florida. We write with twenty of Florida's most prestigious insurance carriers and offer our clients a broad range of choice and customization for their insurance needs. Find us on the Web at www.suninsuranceservices.com.
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