Insurance

After an automobile accident, if your car is beyond repair, you depend upon your car insurance company to compensate you fairly. If you feel the offer by the insurance agency is lower than your car’s actual value, you can dispute their estimate and try to win a higher settlement. A car is considered a total loss when the cost to repair it is approximately 75 percent of its value or more.
EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

Citizens Property Insurance really doesn’t want your business. So much so that some homeowners feel they’re being misled, if not outright deceived, as they’re strongly nudged to go elsewhere. At the urging of politicians and the state regulators who control it, Citizens has been shifting hundreds of thousands of homeowners policies back into the private marketplace, mainly to small, untested Florida-based insurers. Citizens’ goal is to shrink as much as possible as it focuses on its core mission: insuring those who cannot find adequate coverage on the open market. Going back into the private market through a “takeout” insurer is better for policyholders, the state-run company insists, because it’s less likely they’ll face big assessments to help pay claims after a major hurricane. But what about those who want to stick with Citizens? Especially since it has much sounder fiscal strength than any of the private insurers taking out its policies, according to Florida ratings agency Weiss Ratings. Especially since customers could be at risk of paying higher rates to their new company while Citizens has been cutting rates. Especially since most of the takeout companies have no track record for handling hurricane claims. Good luck…..Read moreEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884 Source:  Tampa Bay Times November 7, 2014

Here are three important credit score myths — mostly half-truths — you need to know. After all, the more you know, the higher your score is likely to be. Three credit score myths THE MYTH: Closing a credit card you’ve had open for a long time will hurt your score because the formula values a long account history. People often hesitate to close credit card theyeve had open for years because they think that doing so will shorten the length of their credit history, which comprises 15% of one’s score. Not so. “Closing an account with a good payment history does not cause you to lose the history for that account,” says Rod Griffin, director of public education at Experian. “Closed accounts with a zero balance that have no negative information in their history remain 10 years from the date they are closed.” So if you have a long and healthy credit history, you won’t likely see an immediate, sharp drop to your score if you close an old card—at least not for reasons related to length of credit history. But you might see a dip for credit-utilization reasons. “Losing the available credit limit on that card can increase your overall utilization rate, also called your balance-to-limit ratio, which can hurt credit scores, at least temporarily,” Griffin says. A full 30% of your credit score is heavily influenced by your credit utilization ratio. Since many people have high limits on their older cards, closing one could drive up your credit utilization ratio — and drive down your score — if you’re carrying balances on other plastic. This could do serious damage to your score, so the credit limit — not the age of the card — is what’s most important to consider before closing an account. THE MYTH: Your credit score will be fine as long as you pay your balance in full every month. Staying out of credit card debt is important for maintaining a good credit score, so you might be patting yourself on the back for paying off your balance in full every month. Not so fast. If you’re charging too much at any point in time, there’s a still chance your score could suffer. As discussed above, 30% of your credit score is heavily affected by your credit utilization ratio. And the FICO scoring model generally penalizes consumers who use more than 30% of the available credit on their cards. FICO gets the information about what you’re charging — and all the information used in your score, in fact — from the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Here’s the catch: Card issuers typically report to the bureaus on a specific day each month, regardless of when your balance is due. This means that if you spend $4,000 on a card with a $10,000 limit, and this balance is reported midway through your billing cycle, your score could get dinged — even if you later pay it off by its due date. To be on the safe side, keep your credit utilization below 30% on all of your cards, at all times. THE MYTH: Applying for too many loans in a short span of time will ding your credit score Unraveling this half-truth depends on how you define “short span of time.” Ten percent of your credit score is determined by new credit inquires, and applying for too much credit too quickly — as in, over the course of a few months — will result in lost points.But most scoring models count several applications for the same type of loan that occur within a 14- to 45-day window as one hard inquiry instead of many. So if you’re shopping for a mortgage, try to submit your applications within a few days of each other. This is better for your score than stretching the process out over several months.EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884SOURCE: Nerdwallet Finance by Lindsay Konsko, 11/07/2014

In addition to producing a profit, restaurant owners have many different responsibilities to ensure that their restaurant runs as smoothly as possible. Have the right insurance to protect the restaurant is one of their most critical responsibilities. As an owner, make sure to invest in the following insurance coverage options to ensure that you and your restaurant are covered in any situation.

Commercial auto insurance. If you have a car that is used to make deliveries, a commercial auto insurance policy will provide the coverage needed for your vehicle and employees who drive the car.

Worker’s compensation. This policy will provide coverage for any employee who are injured while on the job. It includes payments for medical treatment, lost wages, and more.

Business Interruption/Business income coverage. If you need to stop business for a variety of reasons, such as a natural disaster, a business income coverage policy will cover any losses that are incurred.

Property and sewer or drain coverage. This policy will provide the financial coverage in case you have to repair your restaurant due to damage caused by sewer malfunctions, and other issues.

Employee practice liability insurance. This policy will provide the protection needed in case of a claim that is filed due to harassment, discrimination, or wrongful termination.

Business property and outdoor sign coverage. If your building is damaged from any named event, such as a burst pipe or fire, this policy will provide the coverage needed to replace or repair the property.

Umbrella insurance. If the liability of any of your other insurance policies runs out, an umbrella policy will provide the extra coverage needed so that you do not have to pay out of pocket to cover any costs.

We can help you  with all of your business and commercial insurance needs to ensure that your restaurant is protected from any situation, contact us and we can ensure that your restaurant will have all the coverage that it deserves. EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY 904-677-5884

Halloween is just around the corner! While you may be planning decorations, preparing for trick-or-treaters or organizing Halloween-themed activities, it is also important to take certain precautions to keep you and your family safe so everyone will be able to fully enjoy the evening. Check out these simple steps to a safe and fun Halloween:

Costumes can be scary and designed to frighten, but be sure to keep sharp objects out of your designs and away from children.

When trick-or-treating, always go out in groups and have at least one trusted adult in the group.

Add reflective tape to costumes so that you and your children are easily seen by passing vehicles. Reflective tape is very effective. A flashlight is also a good idea.

Obey all rules of the road and posted street signs. Remember to look both ways before crossing the street; just because you can see a car doesn’t mean the driver can see you.

Do not eat or let your children eat any candy and treats which have not been inspected for tampering or possible choking hazards. Do not eat homemade treats unless they are made by someone you know and trust.

Read warning labels on all makeup, hair dye, and other materials you plan on using for your costume. By doing this you could avoid a severe allergic reaction. Stay away from Halloween-themed contact lenses as they have been known to cause eye damage.

Using light bulbs or flameless candles when decorating is a far safer option.

Keep your entryway and porch area well-lit to reduce the risk of trick-or-treaters tripping.

If you are planning on driving on Halloween night, be on high alert for trick-or-treaters.

Never drink and drive. If you do plan on drinking, either designate a driver or hire a car service to get you where you need to go. As a party host, keep an eye on your guests and do your best to limit their alcohol intake.

Another important thing to remember is that whenever you are expecting guests at your house for a party or other activity, there is a possibility that an unfortunate accident or injury may occur. Emerge Insurance Agency is a local agency that can assist you in getting the personal or general liability insurance and benefits that will provide you with the most protection. Having adequate coverage means your expenses will be covered if a party guest accidentally slips and falls in your home, a trick-or-treater is injured on your property, or your belongings are stolen or damaged. A local insurance agent from Emerge Insurance Agency will be able to review your policy, advice you about what coverage you have, or put together a tailor-made policy that better fits your needs and budget. Our goal is to get you the protection you need at the lowest possible cost. We live and work in your community, and we are able to meet with you during or off business hours at a time and place most convenient to you. Contact us to discuss your insurance needs.   EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY 904-677-5884

The idea of hauling something huge behind your truck or SUV may sound like a fun adventure, but for those who aren’t familiar with the complexities of towing, it can actually be pretty intimidating! According to Complete Trailers LLC, there are eight common mistakes people make while towing. To avoid costly damages, read this list before you hitch and go: 1.     Overworking Your Engine The number one mistake people make is overworking their tow vehicle. Overextending your vehicle can start a landslide of engine problems. This mistake could lead to a meltdown on the side of the road and potentially require a brand new transmission. To avoid this, keep an eye on your pressure, temperature gauges, and exhaust gas temperature gauges. THERE ARE EIGHT COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHILE TOWING. TO AVOID COSTLY DAMAGES, READ THIS LIST BEFORE YOU HITCH AND GO. 2.     Wrong Weight Distribution Bars If you don’t have your weight distribution bars set up right, you’re bound to have your vehicle and trailer bouncing from each other. Your ride will be bumpier than usual and the hitch and frame can be damaged from this too. And when it comes to weight distribution bars, bigger is not better. The bars with chains are tunable and come in various strengths and weights. If you properly load the correct bar size, they’ll be parallel to the trailer’s frame. 3.     Not Checking or Maintaining Brakes Brakes are the most essential and most overlooked safety system. Trailer brakes don’t self-adjust like the brakes on your tow vehicle. In fact, they must be manually adjusted by you. Additionally, trailer brakes wear out just like any other brake does, so be sure to check for wear and tear regularly. 4.     Poorly Loaded Vehicles It’s crucial for safety and damage prevention to always put a balanced load on your trailer. Read up on weight restrictions and follow them closely because if you don’t, your tow vehicle won’t last very long. 5.     Wrong Ball/Ball Mount Make sure that you have the right ball and mount for your trailer. There are three different sizes of balls: 1 7/8 inches, 2 inches, and 2 5/16 inches — each with a different weight rating. Using the wrong mount or ball will pitch your trailer up or down on your axles and it also puts extra stress on your brakes and tires, which eventually reduces your breaking ability. If you use multiple trailers, carry multiple mounts. 6.     “Racing” While Towing We know how exciting it is to get to a destination, but remember, slow and steady wins the race! Speeding up or down a grade is the last thing you want to do because it’ll ruin the longevity of your tow vehicle. 7.     Low-Pressure Tires If you maintain the right tire pressure on both your tow vehicle and trailer, you’ll have even tire wear, which means you’re less likely to have blow-outs from overheating. This scenario is especially dangerous when it happens on your rear trailer tires, so make sure to pay special attention to them. Tires degrade more quickly when not in use. Before you hitch and go, remember to always inspect your tires and pressure. 8.     Not Lubing Your Components Like any well-oiled machine, taking preventative measures with your trailer and tow vehicle goes a long way. Axles and all pivot points where steel meets steel (or rubber bushings meet steel) should be greased. EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY wants you to travel and tow safely contact us to help you choose the right insurance for your hitching adventures.Article courtesy of Foremost Insurance EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

Meatless Sloppy Joes?!? Yes, using mushrooms – especially with flavorful cremini mushrooms you may prefer these over the traditional Sloppy Joe. From start to finish, this recipe takes about 45 minutes. I modified this recipe from one featured on the Food Network, by using more common and readily available household spices

Ingredients:
1 pound cremini mushrooms, halved
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large sweet onion, diced
1 3/4 cups light beer (drink what’s left in the bottle)
Kosher salt
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chile powder (adjust if you like more heat)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons tomato paste
6 whole grain hamburger buns
Shredded red cabbage or lettuce, for serving, option

Directions:Pulse the mushrooms in batches in a food processor until finely chopped. Set aside.Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, 1 tablespoon beer and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the walnuts and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper and chipotle powder and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are just cooked through, about 5 minutes.Add the remaining beer, the ketchup, tomato paste and 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook while stirring until the sauce is the consistency that you like, about 2 minutes.Spoon the mixture onto each bun. Serve with toppings if desired.Recipe courtesy Food Network Kitchens

Let me know how you like this recipe.Cecil WilliamsEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are sparked every year by clothes dryers.  Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing air flow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, creating a fire hazard. “Clothes dryers are an appliance that make our lives easier but we often take them for granted. We shouldn’t,” said Angie’s List founder, Angie Hicks. “We need to maintain them and most importantly have their vents cleaned.” Facts and figures
In 2010, an estimated 16,800 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 civilian injuries and $236 million in direct property damage.
Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires; washing machines 4%, and washer and dryer combinations accounted for 4%.
The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (22%). Eight percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.

For additional tips on how to keep your dryer in proper working order to prevent fires, watch the video titled, “NFPA Safety Tips – Clothes Dryer Safety” or download their safety tips flier.We encourage you to share this information with your family and friends. In our opinion, everybody is so busy, the focus is on taking care of the pile of clothes in the laundry room and we don’t take time to think about the importance of proper maintenance. Or we see or hear a story like about a dryer fire and think it will never happen to us.Source:http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/causes/dryers-and-washing-machinesEMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884