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Do Renters Need Umbrella Insurance?

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Umbrella insurance can provide valuable additional protection if you don’t otherwise have sufficient personal liability coverage. Personal liability coverage is a standard feature of most renters’ insurance policies, and most renters’ policies offer adequate coverage for those who rent. If you’re a high-net-worth individual who rents, however, you might want additional umbrella insurance protection.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is a supplemental policy that extends liability coverage beyond what a standard renter’s or homeowner’s policy offers. It can protect against major lawsuits, covering legal fees and damages if you’re sued for defamation, someone else’s harm, or another covered liability incident.

The insurance is most often purchased by high-net-worth individuals, who can be targets of lawsuits and have substantial assets to protect. If you’re unsure whether you should get umbrella insurance, our team here at The Isom Insurance Group can help evaluate your situation.

Do You Need Umbrella Insurance?

Most people who lease their residence don’t need additional liability coverage beyond what a renters policy provides. People usually purchase a house when they accumulate enough wealth to justify additional liability protection. Umbrella insurance policies are commonly purchased in conjunction with home insurance policies.

However, high-net-worth individuals sometimes lease a residence without a primary home. Doctors might rent while taking a one-year contract somewhere (such as Polk County, FL), business professionals on short-term assignments might not purchase a house, and career-focused professionals who expect to be moving regularly might decide to rent. There are other reasons why wealthy individuals might rent.

If this describes your situation and you’re renting in Polk County, FL, umbrella insurance may indeed be appropriate. Contact us at The Isom Insurance Group for help deciding whether you should get the additional liability insurance protection. Our team of agents will be glad to assist you.

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How Home Insurance Helps When a Guest is Injured on Your Property

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Hosting friends and family is a wonderful way to create memories, but what happens if a guest gets injured while visiting your home? Accidents can happen unexpectedly, whether it’s a slip on a wet floor, a fall down the stairs, or even a dog bite. That’s where your home insurance policy can step in to help. At The Isom Insurance Group, serving the greater Polk County, FL, area, we want to ensure you understand how your policy can protect you in these situations.

Does Home Insurance Cover Guest Injuries?

Most standard home insurance policies include personal liability coverage and medical payments coverage. Personal liability coverage helps if you are found legally responsible for an injury on your property. It can cover medical bills, legal fees, and even settlement costs if the injured person decides to take legal action.

On the other hand, medical payment coverage is designed to cover minor medical expenses regardless of who is at fault. If a guest trips on your doorstep and needs medical attention, your policy may help cover their doctor’s visit without requiring a legal battle.

What Isn’t Covered?

While home insurance provides valuable protection, it doesn’t cover everything. Injuries to members of your own household typically aren’t included, as these are covered by health insurance instead. Additionally, if the injury was intentional or caused by negligence, your claim could be denied.

Make Sure You’re Protected

Accidents happen, but having the right insurance can give you peace of mind. Contact The Isom Insurance Group, serving the area in and around Polk County, FL, today to review your policy and ensure you have the coverage you need to protect yourself and your guests.

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Drivers are Unpredictable – Auto Insurance Is Not

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Most people drive regularly, but they often overlook the risks they face each time they hit the road. From unpredictable road conditions and mechanical failures to unexpected obstacles, we can encounter numerous unpredictable scenarios. Arguably, the most unpredictable factor on the road is other drivers. This is one of the many reasons why drivers in and around Polk County, FL, trust the experienced team at The Isom Insurance Group for all their auto insurance needs.

Auto Insurance: A Dependable Solution for Unpredictable Roads

Distracted drivers, uninsured drivers, impaired drivers, and bad drivers are just a few examples of other drivers’ unpredictability. The good news is that auto insurance provides a reliable safety net. Drivers from the Polk County area rely on it to keep them and their vehicles safe, including protection from the unpredictability they encounter each time they get behind the wheel. The Isom Insurance Group understands and appreciates these concerns and the risks that auto insurance can help mitigate.

Auto Insurance Solutions for Polk County, FL Drivers

If you live in Polk County, FL, and have questions or would like to learn more about auto insurance for your vehicle, we’re here to help. Contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment for the protection you and your vehicle need at The Isom Insurance Group today. The road and other drivers can be unpredictable – but your insurance doesn’t have to be.

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Do I need to have an umbrella insurance plan in Florida?

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Everyone should be aware of and consider liability risks. One way to protect oneself and reduce liability risks in Polk County, FL, is by investing in an umbrella insurance plan. This type of insurance offers blanket liability coverage, and there are several reasons why you might want to have it.

Protection Against Major Claims

One of the primary reasons to get an umbrella insurance plan is to protect against the risk of a major claim. If you are involved in an accident and it’s deemed your fault, you will be required to pay restitution to the other party. While home or auto insurance plans may offer some coverage, they have policy limits. An umbrella insurance plan provides coverage on top of these plans.

Preparation for Unforeseen Risks

There are many liability risks that can be challenging to insure on their own. In these situations, your other liability insurance plans may not provide support. However, a comprehensive umbrella insurance plan offers blanket support, ensuring you are protected against a wide range of risks and situations.

If you are in Polk County, FL, and considering an umbrella insurance plan, contact us at Isom Insurance Group. Our team understands the value of umbrella insurance and can help you create a new plan. We take a customized approach to understand your needs and provide the best possible coverage.

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How to Pick Home Insurance Based On Your Needs

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The Isom Insurance Group serves Polk County, FL, and beyond and can provide many types of coverage. For example, we can help you narrow your homeowner’s policy and satisfy you. Here’s what you need to do to get the most out of this process with us.

Know What You Need

Talk with us about the cost to fully rebuild your home and other concepts, such as dwelling coverage, inflation, and extended replacement needs. These expenses are essential to consider because the world will change and can significantly impact what your policy covers.

Consider Add-Ons

Extra policy protection may include scheduled personal property protection, sewer and water backup support, equipment breakdown, and home business endorsements. If you fall under any of these headings, consider these, as they provide great value at reasonable rates.

Don’t Forget Disasters

Florida homeowner insurance will protect against some disasters (in a state that experiences many) but not all. For example, floods and earthquakes aren’t covered. Even if we don’t get too many earth-shaking experiences here, floods are far more common due to hurricanes.

Read Policies Very Closely

Sit down and read through your policy to make sure it makes sense. The home insurance declaration page is significant, laying out everything you need to know. Get 3-4 of these from various providers and compare and contrast your options to choose.

We’re Here for You

At The Isom Insurance Group, we can help Polk County, FL, residents understand their homeowner’s policies. We’ll sit down with you, walk through the process, and ensure you know what’s happening. In this way, you’ll get the help you deserve to thrive and minimize potential financial issues if something happens to you.

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Building a Custom Emergency Kit for Your Auto

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The relentless 2024 hurricane season seems unwilling to give Florida a break. After Helene came Milton, and The Isom Insurance Group wants to address hurricane and overall safety preparation that could help keep Polk County, FL, residents safer. Today, we’ll discuss emergency kits for your automobile.

Custom Emergency Kits

Home emergency kits get all the attention, especially during hurricane season, but your car, truck, minivan, SUV, boat, or RV needs an emergency kit, too. Your kit should address the many natural hazards that threaten the state of Florida, not just hurricanes.

This auto emergency kit includes items the home kit doesn’t, like emergency blankets, flares, bottled water for drinking, and jugs of water for the radiator. As strange as it might sound, carrying a life jacket in a Florida auto emergency kit can save lives because, during hurricane season, the state is prone to flash floods and rising water floods.

Essential Emergency Kit Items for Your Vehicle

Your auto emergency kit needs more items than the one you create at home. When you need your emergency kit on the go, it must provide the necessities for any situation. Let’s consider the essentials that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend:

  • Three gallons of water per person
  • Three days of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank NOAA Weather Radio
  • Sleeping bag or Mylar thermal blanket
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
  • Whistle for signaling for help
  • Dust mask
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape
  • Personal sanitation items, including moist disinfecting towelettes, garbage bags, and bag ties
  • Manual can opener
  • Local maps and a road atlas
  • Cloth face coverings/safety masks
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
  • Flares
  • Rope
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Waterproof matches
  • Paper and pencil
  • Soap or hand sanitizer
  • Prescription eyeglasses, contacts, and contact lens solution
  • Cash or traveler’s checks
  • Prescription medications
  • Common non-prescription medications, including pain relievers, antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, etc.

If you have or travel with children, include items relevant to their age, such as infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream for babies, and puzzle books, reading books, or portable games for older children. If you travel with your pet in the vehicle, include water and pet food. Make copies of important legal documents, such as your identification, insurance policies, and bank account numbers, and store them in a waterproof container.

Storing Your Auto Emergency Kit for Easy Access

Organize the essential items in airtight clear plastic bags and label the contents. Place all bags into one or two plastic bins with lids or a duffel bag. Store this kit within reach of the driver’s seat without exiting the vehicle. If your car features seats, you can adjust them to fold down from within, and you can store them in the trunk area. In older cars without this feature, store it on the floor of the backseat.

Contact Our Agency Today

Make your automotive emergency kit before Polk County, FL faces its next emergency. Contact The Isom Insurance Group for an auto insurance review. Let us help you customize your insurance policy to cover the perils faced by Floridians. Contact us today.

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How An Umbrella Policy Will Benefit You as A Business Owner

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An umbrella policy can shield your company’s assets and be a valuable part of your insurance plan whether you’re a new or existing business owner. If this sounds like the right type of coverage for you, our agents at The Isom Insurance Group are available to help you navigate updating your commercial insurance plan.

Your business may face legal battles, causing financial uncertainty. For example, you will be responsible for securing the services of an attorney needed to manage legal matters.

If your current commercial insurance policy doesn’t adequately cover your business, an umbrella insurance add-on can fill in the gaps. Umbrella coverage handles costs that exceed what a standard policy pays out.

Having this coverage means not having to divert funds from savings, business accounts, or other assets in stressful times. As a result, you can continue running your business without experiencing financial hardship.

Possible legal situations could include bodily or personal injury, legally essential defenses, or property damage; all of these could require you to cover out-of-pocket costs. Review your current commercial insurance policy – your insurance documents will explicitly state the coverage details.

An umbrella insurance plan will be invaluable if your business involves significant investments in machinery, inventory, and other essentials. Unexpected expenses won’t bog you down in case of legal issues.

Having reviewed the basics of umbrella insurance, contact our agents serving Polk County, FL. They can assist in updating your commercial insurance policy as per your requirements.

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Tips for getting your home ready for fall

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As summer winds down, thoughts turn to cooler weather and preparing your home for those cooler nights. While the fall weather in Florida is not as different as it is in other parts of the country, fall is hurricane weather in the Southeast. At The Isom Insurance Group in Polk County, FL, we ensure that our customers don’t have to worry about the fall, whether their home insurance is up to date or what they need. 

Get your heating unit serviced

In Florida, you are likely to have either a split system or a heat pump and AC. In the fall, there may start to be chilly nights when you want to turn the heat on, and you want to make sure that your system is in good condition and working as efficiently as possible. 

Make sure your gutters are clear.

The fall can be very rainy, and if your gutters are filled with debris from trees in your yard, the water can back up and damage your eaves and your roof. If you are going to clear them yourself, make sure that someone is with you and spot them if you lose your balance. Even better, hire someone to do it for you. 

Make sure your lawn furniture is secure.

Because fall is hurricane season, it is wise to ensure that your lawn furniture is secured or easy to carry indoors. If you are going to be away at any time, take everything in from the yard, including ornaments, portable plants, and furniture, and put them in the garage for safekeeping.  

Call our office at The Isom Insurance Group in Polk County, FL. We will ensure that you have the home insurance you need for your particular home. 

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Things you should always have in your glove box

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Essential Items for Your Vehicle’s Glove Box in Polk County, FL

Your vehicle’s glove box is the ideal place to keep all of your car-related necessities. At The Isom Insurance Group in Polk County, FL, we are an independent insurance agency prioritizing our customers over insurance carriers. Let’s explore some things you should always have in your glove box.

Your Insurance Card

Upon purchasing auto insurance, the insurance company will mail or email you a copy of your insurance card and policy. Make sure you print it out and place it directly into your glove box. If you are ever pulled over, you’ll need to show proof of insurance.

Your Vehicle Registration

Vehicle registration is mandatory before they can be driven on the road. Once registered, make it a point to store a copy in your glove box, preferably with your insurance card. Consider having a folder for them to keep them neat and easy to find.

Owner’s Manual

The owner’s manual can be very handy, especially when you can’t find information on your phone. Having it in your glove box can be a lifesaver.

Practical Items

Apart from the essential documents, you might want to stash other practical items such as a highway pass (in Florida, the Sunshine Pass), pad and pen, extra charger, flashlight, glass-breaking tool, seat belt cutter, and a water bottle. These can be helpful in various situations.

Contact The Isom Insurance Group in Polk County, FL to discuss your auto insurance needs with one of our informed agents. Feel free to call us today.

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Top Factors to Consider Umbrella Insurance

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Purchasing umbrella insurance if you’re a Florida resident is a way to maintain your peace of mind, no matter how many properties and assets you own or have invested in. With extra liability coverage that extends well beyond standard insurance policies, you can ensure your investments are protected year-round. If you’re living in or around Polk County, FL, and are interested in an umbrella insurance policy, The Isom Insurance Group can help you once you’re familiar with common factors most likely to encourage investment in umbrella insurance in the Sunshine State.

Top Factors to Consider for Umbrella Insurance

Before selecting an umbrella insurance policy that is right for your property portfolio, it’s important to consider which motivating factors matter to you. While deciding on a policy, keep the following in mind: 

  • Large or High-Value Portfolio: Protecting multiple assets such as properties, vehicles, and even savings accounts or investments can prevent losses during litigation.
  • Weather and Natural Disasters: Because living in Florida can pose a higher risk than other states, hurricanes, storms, and flooding must be accounted for with extended umbrella insurance policies. 
  • Risky Activities: Most Florida residents spend plenty of time outdoors. However, additional liability insurance can protect your peace of mind if you’ve invested in jet skis, boats, or even swimming pools.

If you’re a commercial or residential real estate investor in Polk County, FL and you’re interested in extending your insurance coverage, finding the right umbrella insurance policy is key. Working with The Isom Insurance Group, protect your investments and assets beyond standard insurance policies in Florida. To learn more about umbrella insurance policies that may be right for you in Polk County, FL, contact The Isom Insurance Group for your quote and consultation today. 

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