Flood insurance is the type of coverage, the purpose of which is to protect your home, your personal belongings, and financial wellbeing in case if your house is damaged by water. Flooding remains one of the most common natural disasters in the United States, which makes flood insurance so important to have. On average, a flood can cause up to $25,000 worth of damage.

The way flood insurance works is similar to your auto or home insurance. If the flood occurred and caused the damage, you need to document everything, file a flood insurance claim, and let a licensed adjuster have a look at the damage in order to process the claim you filed. Once everything is done, your insurance company will give you a check for the damages and you will be able to use it to repair the house and restore whatever was damaged or destroyed. 

It is also important to know that standard home insurance does not cover flood damages. Therefore, even if you have your homeowners’ insurance already, you still need to purchase flood insurance separately to protect your home from a flood. 

There are two ways to purchase food insurance – either through The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through one of the private insurance companies of your choice. Even though it is not required to have flood insurance in Florida, it is still highly recommended to get one because the entire state of Florida is in a flood zone. 

If you are a resident of the Sunshine State and you are looking for a reliable insurance agency to purchase flood insurance, Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL is ready to assist you. Whether you live in Pinecrest, FL or any other surrounding town, give Hamilton Fox & Company Inc a call today to discuss how you can protect your home and belongings from unpredictable flood events. 

When you own a business in Pinecrest, FL, you’re responsible for the safety and security of your employees. Depending on the nature of your business, you’ll need to put measures in place to create a safe working environment. These tips from Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. can help you get started.

Encourage Awareness

Promote safety awareness amongst your workforce to motivate them to be safety-minded. Encourage them to report hazardous conditions or situations that can lead to accidents. Take prompt action to correct these situations to create a safer work environment.

Make Contingency Plans for Disasters

Develop a plan for what to do in the event of a disaster. Designate emergency exits for employees and mark them accordingly. Conduct quarterly or bi-annual drills for vacating your business in the event of a disaster so everyone knows what to do in a crisis.

Uphold Health Standards

Educate your workers on health, safety, and cleanliness and encourage them to uphold these standards to prevent sickness and accidents.

Maintain Business Building and Workspace

Inspect your business environment periodically to see if there are upgrades that need to be made to improve safety. Clear walkways of clutter, add rubber padding to stairs, and make sure stairs have secure, slip-proof railings. 

Support Policies on Sexual Harassment

Make sure employees are aware of policies concerning sexual harassment and ensure your HR department is upholding these policies. Encourage an atmosphere of courtesy and respect in the workplace to create a safe, positive environment.

Protect Your Pinecrest, FL Business with Commercial Insurance Coverage

Talk to your Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. agent about commercial insurance to protect your Pinecrest, FL business against theft, accidents, and disaster damage. Commercial coverage protects your business assets so you can have the confidence to invest in its growth and expansion. 

If you’re looking for a worker’s comp insurance policy and have questions call the friendly agents at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., in Pinecrest, FL.

Worker’s comp insurance is designed to help workers who get injured or become sick because of their job or workplace. The insurance pays for worker’s medical bills and a portion of their lost wages, vocational rehab, in the event of death the funeral and burial costs are also covered. Sometimes workers comp cases end up being settled with a lump sum of money. If it appears or if it does go on for a long time (years) a settlement will be offered by the insurance company who represents and holds the policy for the employer.

Small Business and Workers Comp

If a small business is also an independent business and the only person working at the business is the owner worker’s comp insurance is not needed. If the small business has a co-owner in cases that a  policy is needed specifically if one person’s name appears on all the businesses document. If the business has one employee or 300 workers comp is needed.

Large Businesses and Workers Comp

All large businesses that employ at least one person must have worker’s comp insurance. The amount of money an employee must pay for each employee far out weights the amount of money it would cost to pay out of pocket if a worker got injured or sick on or because of the job.

Except in the States of Alabama and Missouri, businesses aren’t required to have workers comp unless they have five employees. Unless it is a construction business then regardless of the number of employees the insurance is necessary.

If you need a worker’s comp insurance policy call Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. in Pinecrest, FL call today to set up an appointment.

No matter the size of your business, you likely want to provide some kind of security for your employees in the event they become injured or sick from conducting their job activities. It can be tricky to figure out how you should discuss these matters with people who work for you. Here are a few tips on how to do so accurately and with compassion.

Workers’ Compensation in Pinecrest, FL

In the state of Florida, all businesses with four or more employees must offer worker’s compensation. All construction companies are required to provide this insurance to all of their employees, even if they’re contractors. Make sure to tell your employees that the laws only cover those illnesses and injuries that arise during the course of employment, though it doesn’t have to occur in the workplace. This includes when they’re running errands for the company, at a work social function, or traveling for business. If any of this is confusing and you want clarification to be able to give your employees all the facts, we can help at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc.

The Complexities for Workers’ Comp Claims

There are a variety of injuries and illnesses that are covered by workers’ compensation which includes the following:

• Occupational diseases occurring as a result of the conditions in the workplace (i.e. cancer and lung disease from being exposed to toxic chemicals)
• Cumulative trauma from repetitive stress or strain injuries from conducting the same physical tasks repeatedly

Boat Insurance provides coverage in an event of damage or loss to your boat. Most types of watercraft are covered under this policy, however; do check with your local Florida licensed insurance agency if your specific watercraft is covered or not. Typically, personal watercraft, kayaks or canoes are not covered in boat insurance policies.

A boat insurance policy should provide for property damage and bodily injury liability. This covers you in the event of damage caused by you to someone else, their boat or property. Collision damage covers for repair or replacement of your boat and comprehensively provides for compensation for non-collision related incidents such theft of vandalism. Additional coverage options such as on the spot assistance, oil spills or medical payments can be also be added to the primary boat insurance policy. Most policies come with a deductible, which is the amount you must pay out of pocket before the insurance policy kicks in.

Most marinas require you to have boat insurance for you to use their docks. Similarly, if you are financing your boat, the lender will require you to have boat insurance. The passengers of your boat are also covered under the liability portion of the insurance policy. The type of boat you have, your age, location, gender, previous history and more will all contribute to the boat insurance premium rate you are offered. An experienced insurance agency such as Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL can guide you with boat insurance. Their agents are experienced in all the requirements and guidelines for boat insurance in the state of Florida. The best way to get in touch is to give them a call. The phone number for the Pinecrest, FL office for Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. is available on their website. The agent will be glad to assist you.

According to Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. in Pinecrest, FL, umbrella insurance gives extra coverage when your policy does not cover a particular situation or when your insurance plan has hit its limit. Imagine how it feels when your insurance provider declines your claim. 

Umbrella insurance provides a safety net in such a situation. The question is, what exactly does umbrella insurance cover? Umbrella insurance covers personal liability, lawsuits, damage to property, and injuries to a third party.

Personal liability

The policy covers personal liability for which the existing plan does not cover, especially in a situation where you are not directly at fault. A good example is a situation where your friend knocks down someone in your car. Most auto insurance policies will not cover the damages caused by someone else. Even though you were not the one who drove the vehicle, it is your car. So, you’ll be held liable. Umbrella insurance can be of help here.

Lawsuits

Umbrella insurance does not cover all lawsuits, but it covers the ones for false detention, wrongful imprisonment, wrongful arrest, slander, libel, or malicious prosecution. It means that if someone sues you for any of the crimes listed above and relevant insurance policy cannot cover it, and umbrella insurance will kick in. 

Third-party injuries

If you cause someone’s injury, you should foot the hospital bill and also compensate the person. But, what if your current insurance policy cannot handle it? You’ll fall back to your umbrella insurance.

Damage to property

The policy can also help in the situation when you damage other people’s property. A good example is when you mistakenly run your car into a stationary vehicle out of impatience and negligence. Your umbrella policy can help in the situation. 

How the insurance works is a little complex, you may need further clarification from your insurance provider. So, if you need further explanation, contact Hamilton Fox & Company Inc.in Pinecrest, FL. 

If you are injured while on the job, it’s important that you understand how to file a Workers’ Compensation claim. At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. the agents are able to assist clients living in the Pinecrest, FL area if they have questions about when to file and how to file a Workers’ Compensation claim.

File As Soon As Possible

An injury at work is serious business. If possible take pictures of the area immediately after the injury and make sure they are time-stamped through your phone. After reporting the injury to your employer and seeking the appropriate medical attention, your next step is filing your claim. There are many deadlines that you need to be aware of when filing a Workers’ Compensation claim. This is why filing your claim immediately is so important.

Seek Medical Attention

Seek medical attention as soon as possible and ask for copies of all your paperwork, including the doctor’s notes. While you will also be required to see a third-party doctor provided by your employer, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible so that all of your injuries can be properly documented and recorded.

Meet All Deadlines

Once you have filed your claim and visited the doctor, you will also have other deadlines that must be met. This includes responding to requests for information and updating your claim as necessary. It will also be up to you to contact an attorney if you think having one is necessary.

At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., the agents are always available to assist residents living in Pinecrest, FL with all of their Workers’ Compensation insurance needs. Call or visit their office today!