Insurance

Many Florida residents have gone through a hail storm or two, and they know it can cause damage to your roof making it unlikely to survive into old age like it would somewhere else. Many insurance companies have figured this out and are looking to cut their losses. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau Hail-Related claims increased 84% between 2010 and 2012.There are a few things you can do to find out if your insurer is out to cut your hail claims. It’s important to check for changes in your renewal policy. Things like refusing to cover roofs of a certain age (like 10 years). Or doing roof inspections that note the condition and age of the roof before issuing a policyThe largest disadvantage to consumers are insurers who pay actual cash value rather than replacement value for roof damage. If you have cash value roof coverage your roof claim will be discounted by your insurance company based on how old your roof is.There are a few things you can do to protect yourself. After storms don’t respond to offers claiming you can get a free roof. Also only let reliable, and experienced contractors examine your roof. It is also wise to speak with an independent insurance agent who can look over your coverage and you give other coverage options.EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

Many times it’s not what you are doing to your vehicle. Sometimes it’s what you aren’t. When it comes to your vehicle small oversights can become very costly repairs quickly. However, many repairs can be avoided with the implementation of a few maintenance routines.  Wash Your Car- This isn’t just about having the cleanest car on the block. From bird droppings, to sand from that trip to the beach elements begin to wear at the paint on your vehicle. Keeping your car washed helps prevent rust and corrosion, as well as oxidized paint.Check your Fluids- Many people when asked know to do this, however they often forget. Failure to check fluids can sometimes lead to overheating. Making sure to keep all fluids are topped off is key to having a smooth running car.Don’t Ignore the Tires- Tires can sometimes be misleading. Because they look fine many times they are not regularly checked on. All tires lose a little air as time goes by, that’s why it’s important to check your tire pressure monthly. Usually a sticker can be found on the drivers side door jam telling you the recommended pressure.Keep an Eye on Your Belts and Hoses- Making sure your belts and hoses are in good shape is key in keeping a well running car. Snapping a serpentine belt can cause a number of your vehicles systems to fail like your air conditioning, power steering, and alternator. To keep a well running car make sure to have your belts and hoses checked at each oil change.It doesn’t take a lot to make sure your car is running in its best shape. A little extra attention to a few things under the hood can help you avoid the repair shop, and keeping a clean car can help you get top dollar if you decide to sell or trade it in.  EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

With the start of the New Year many have begun undertaking New Year’s resolutions. Usually these resolutions are to get in shape, or to budget more effectively, however there is one resolution that many overlook and can help you in many areas; getting organized. If you’re looking for tips to stay organized this year keep these in mind. Start with your medicine cabinet. Start with something small that you can accomplish quickly to get you started. Clean the shelves and consult the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for disposal of unused or expired medication. If you can’t recall when you last replaced your toothbrush toss it, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Create a filling system to help you stay on top of your bills, or any other notices. You should purchase a slot organizer for your desk and label each slot. This method will help reduce any duplicate copies of documents you may have. Also use separate folders to store receipts and proof of payment. One major thing to do is to clean out that junk drawer. Nearly all of us seem to have that one drawer that seems to accumulate an assortment of pens, take out menus, and expired coupons. Generally these drawers are located in a central area of your home. To start getting it organized take everything out of the drawer, discard anything broken or dirty. Now use open drawer containers to place pens and pencils, and use larger containers for other items.

Christmas time has come and gone. You got a chance to see those relatives and tell them how much their kids have grown since the last time you saw them. You got a chance to eat too much, and are probably in the process of undertaking those resolutions you set for yourself. With the beginning of this New Year there are a few things you should re-evaluate, one of those things being your auto policy. Many people have resolved to save in the New Year, but many don’t look at auto coverage as something they can save money on. The most simple way to begin saving on auto insurance is to check rates in your area. An independent insurance agent makes this very easy. Independent insurance agents are able to provide a variety of insurance products, from an assortment of insurance providers letting them find the best prices in your area. Another way to save is to install a millage tracker. If you have a car that was made after 1996 you have a diagnostic port where these devices plug into. Low millage drivers may be able to get discounts on their policy. Two well known tracking devices are IntelliDrive and Snapshot, but there are many on the market depending on your insurer. Choosing an independent insurance agent can save you money in the New Year. As an independent insurance agency Emerge Insurance is able to help you find the best policy for you. Give us a call and start saving money in 2015.Cecil B. WilliamsEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

The holiday season has come again. Many are counting down the days now until they are able to take off from work, or their semester has ended to take a vacation, or head home for the holidays. While during this time of year travel peaks, whatever time you may be traveling it is widely known that travel these days can be very pricey. With the high cost of travel many wonder if they should invest in travel insurance for coverage for themselves and dependents. The short answer is: it depends. When considering whether to purchase travel insurance it is important to investigate what the policy actually covers. These policies typically cover travel protection, baggage protection, medical, and emergency evacuation. Travel Protection is probably one of the most popular types of travel coverage. This coverage will cover a fraction of the expenses of a trip that is cancelled or rescheduled. Usually the traveler or the traveler’s companion must be sick or injured to be reimbursed. Baggage Protection is protection that covers baggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Usually airlines automatically extend coverage for the loss or damage of baggage during a flight, but do not assume your airline will cover your possessions. If you travel with jewelry, electronics, and other expensive items this coverage is worth purchasing. Medical Coverage is coverage you will probably only need if you are travelling internationally. Many think they don’t need additional medical coverage, however many policies only cover in-network. If you are in a place with few in-network providers and have to go to an out-of-network provider there is a good chance your claim will be denied. Emergency Evacuation this coverage covers expenses for a medically-necessary evacuation; this includes your transportation to medical care. When travelling to remote areas it is wise to purchase this type of coverage. There are many different policies to choose from when shopping for travel insurance, with many different benefits. With all the different choices in travel coverage, as well as the likely hood your current policies coverage may overlap you travel insurance you should ask you independent insurance agent about your options. Cecil B. WilliamsEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

It’s the Christmas season once again, time to pick out that perfect tree and decorate the house with green and red. While this is a very joyous time of the year it can also be quite hazardous. Its estimated emergency rooms treat roughly 8700 people during this time of year for things ranging from falls, cuts, and shocks associated with decorations, lights, and Christmas trees. Use these tips when preparing for the holidays to keep you and your family safe. Safe Decorations and TreesMake sure when shopping for artificial trees, to look for the label “Fire Resistant.” This label doesn’t mean the tree won’t catch fire, however it shows that the tree will resist burning and will extinguish quickly

After purchasing a live a tree it is wise to cut a couple of inches off the trunk to expose fresh wood. This increases the water the tree is able to absorb, and helps keep the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. 
If you have small children you should avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, and make sure to keep decorations with small parts out of reach of children.
 When decorating with spun glass “angel hair,” make sure to wear gloves to avid eye and skin irritation. When decorating with artificial-snow sprays follow the container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation.
Lights SafetyWhen putting up lights make sure to use lights that have been tested for safety by a testing laboratory.
Before hanging lights check each set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, or loose connections. If lights are damaged make sure to throw them away.
An extension cord should have no more than three standard size sets of lights.
Toy SafetyWhile Christmas shopping be mindfully of the recommended age ranges on toys. Toys recommended for older children may be hazardous to younger children.
To avoid electrical shocks or burns, do not give under the age of ten toys that need to be plugged in.  Instead purchase toys that require batteries.
Cecil B. WilliamsEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

Ingredients: For the filling
2 pounds sweet potatoes (about two large)
¾ cup canned coconut milk 
¾ cup light brown sugar
3 large eggs
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

For the crust
1 ¼ ground gingersnap cookies (about 25 cookies)
1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 

Cecil B. WilliamsEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884Source: wholefoodsmarket.com

Directions:Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick sweet potatoes with a fork and place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 1 hour or until very tender. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Meanwhile, to make the crust, stir together gingersnaps, coconut and butter in a medium bowl until moistened and well combined. Press mixture into and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Bake about 15 minutes or until golden. Let cool slightly.To finish making the filling, peel roasted potatoes and transfer flesh to the bowl of a food processor. Discard skins. Process until potatoes are puréed. Add coconut milk, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and process until evenly combined. Pour sweet potato filling into crust and bake about 50 minutes or until just set in center of pie. Let cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Serve or chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Ingredients:
1 whole turkey breast (5–6 lb total) , boned, halved, and butterflied by your butcher
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp plus ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

½ lb pancetta, cut into ½-inch pieces
1½ lb ground pork shoulder
12 chestnuts, boned, halved, and butterflied by your butcher roasted, peeled, and halved
10 prunes, pitted and quartered
2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated
2 eggs
2 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 Tbsp sage, chopped
3 cup dry white wine

Cecil B. WilliamsEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884Source: Mario Batali – Communitytable.com

Add a little variety to your Thanksgiving meal with this interesting take on a traditional turkey.Directions: Pound butterflied breast halves to flatten, season with salt and pepper, and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a 12- to 14-inch sauté pan, heat 3 Tbsp oil over medium-high until smoking. Add pancetta and cook until golden brown, 7 to 9 minutes. Add pork and cook for 25 minutes or until it starts to brown, stirring regularly. Drain all but 4 Tbsp fat from pan and add chestnuts and prunes. Continue cooking for 8 minutes or until prunes start to soften. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Add bread crumbs, Parmigiano, eggs, 2 Tbsp pepper, nutmeg, and herbs and mix well with your hands. (Overmixing can result in a lead torpedo for stuffing, so do not overdo it.) Place turkey breasts on a cutting board, skin side down, and divide stuffing between them. Roll each breast like a jelly roll and tie firmly in several places with butcher’s twine. Place on a rack in a roasting pan, skin side up. Pour 2 cups wine over turkey and season with salt and pepper. Roast until breasts are dark golden brown outside and a meat thermometer reads 165° at fattest part, about 1 hour (plus or minus 10 minutes). Remove and allow to rest 15 minutes before carving. Add remaining 1 cup wine to roasting pan and deglaze, scraping with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes, then add remaining ¼ cup oil. Shake pan to emulsify sauce and season with salt and pepper. Carve roast into ½-inch-thick slices and drizzle with pan sauce. Serve.

When purchasing a new home it can be easy to be swept up in the joys of home ownership, particularly if you are a first time homeowner. Owning a home can upgrade your lifestyle and give you a sense of accomplishment; and with all that in mind many rush through the mortgage application process.  While this is an exciting time it is important to take your time and realize that things done in a rush could slow your mortgage application process down. It is important to consider some missteps before you begin your application process that could possibly delay your application review, or even get you declined by a lender. 1.       Fail to Get Preapproved Buying a home is the largest purchase most will make in their lives, and before making any large purchase it is always wise to prepare. The best way to prepare when looking for a home is to get preapproved to see if you even qualify for mortgage financing. 2.       Altering Your Credit Behavior Some believe if you pay off all of your bills on time, that makes it ok to use a large chunk of your credit. Too much credit is bad for your credit score and mortgage approval, because it seems to the lender that you rely on borrowing money. 3.        Overlooking the Fine Print Many are very eager to apply for a mortgage when they have not fully researched it, and end up being approved for a mortgage they really didn’t want. Rushing when applying for a subprime mortgage is a major waste of time for both you and your lender. 4.       Bending the Truth It may not seem like a big deal if you embellish about things like income, or credit score on a mortgage application, but in these post financial crisis days it can really hurt you. Nowadays lenders can find just about anything in your financial past, so it’s a good idea to be completely truthful.  EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884