News Archives - Charles D. Talley Jr. Insurance, Inc.

Buying A New Car in 2020? Keep These Auto Insurance Tips in Mind!

Thinking about buying a new car for you or a loved one in the new year? Buying a new car does not simply mean searching for and purchasing the car that works for you. It also comes with other considerations, such as getting the auto insurance you need to properly protect your new vehicle and anyone driving it. Keep reading to discover some great auto insurance tips for purchasing a new car.

What are the Minimum State Insurance Requirements?

The first thing to look at when considering your insurance needs for your new car is what are your state’s minimum insurance requirements. Many drivers will elect to purchase policies that go beyond the minimum coverage required by the state, but it is important to know what you need to be legally insured.

If you are considering purchasing a new car in Florida, there are some state coverage requirements to keep in mind. In Florida, the law requires drivers to carry two types of car insurance policies, a personal injury protection policy and a property damage liability policy.

The first policy, personal injury protection or PIP, protects you in the event of a car accident resulting in bodily injuries. Your PIP will help cover the costs of medical bills due to an accident regardless of who was at fault. In Florida, the minimum requirement for personal injury protection policies is $10,000 per accident.

You will also need a property damage liability policy or PDL. Property damage liability policies typically help you cover the costs to another person’s vehicle or property when you are at fault in an accident. Again, Florida requires you to have a minimum PDL policy of $10,000 per accident.

It is important to note that many people choose policies higher than the minimum state requirements. Why you ask? In the event of a very serious accident, medical bills and property damage costs could be exorbitantly high. This could lead to you paying a lot of money out of pocket beyond what your insurance covers.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

The next step when thinking about purchasing car insurance for a new vehicle is determining how much coverage you really need. Deciding how much coverage you need is a personal choice and can depend on the level of risk you are willing to take on with your vehicle.

One thing to consider when thinking about how high of a policy limit you want to purchase is what the total value of your assets are. Be sure to get a policy high enough to protect your assets in the event that you are at fault in an accident.

For example, if you have $40,000 in assets and cause an accident, but only have a $20,000 policy, the other party could go after your $20,000 worth of assets not covered by insurance. However, if you do not have assets to be claimed, you may not need more than the state minimum requirements.

Another important factor to consider is your driving habits and history. If you are often in fender benders or have a tendency to hit inanimate objects, you may want to think about purchasing more complete coverage.

Many people also choose to purchase comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive auto insurance helps protect your vehicle from damage that occurs while you were not behind the wheel. This could be a branch falling on your car while parked or someone vandalizing your vehicle.

Look For Competitive Pricing

Once you know just what kind of policy you are looking for, it is time to shop insurance providers for a quote that best works for you. Be aware that your past driving record can play a very important role in determining the prices of the quotes you receive.

Now this may not be the most exhilarating aspect to buying a new car, but taking the time to thoroughly research your insurance options and get multiple quotes can end up saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run. A reward that is well worth the time and effort.

The easiest ways to get car insurance quotes are to either look up the information online by visiting insurance company websites and entering in your desired coverage needs, or to call companies and speak with an insurance broker. Keep a pen and paper handy so you can take diligent notes during this process.

Once you have a list of quotes that best work for you, it is time to compare. Keep an eye out for discounts offered by certain companies, such as discounts for safe driving or for certain safety and security equipment that comes with your car. Some companies will even offer discounts for bundling your home and auto insurance.

Another consideration when comparing auto insurance policies is to look at the companies themselves. Finding a price that works for you is important, but you also want to be confident that your insurance provider is going to treat you right and take care of you in your time of need.

Ready to Drive!

After you have compared the quotes available to you and found just the right insurance policy for you, you are almost ready to take that new vehicle out for its inaugural drive. Make sure you review your policy thoroughly before committing to it. When you are satisfied that everything is in order you can seal the deal and get behind the wheel!

If you are looking to purchase a policy to insure your vehicle in 2020, but need help getting your search started, Talley Insurance is here for you. Contact the experts at Talley Insurance and learn more about auto insurance options today. Give us a call at (813) 685-9393!

December 31, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Auto Insurance, News

Should You Purchase Your Car Insurance Online?

Today, you can purchase just about anything for your car online — parts, accessories, gadgets. You can even buy a new car with just a few clicks, so it comes as little surprise that car insurance is now available online, too. Your choice of car insurance is an important decision, one with potentially long-lasting ramifications.

Whether you purchase car insurance online or in person, you want to be certain that your policy provides the coverage you need to feel secure every time you hit the road. This isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly, which is why we’re breaking down the pros and cons of purchasing car insurance online in this article.

The Benefits Of Purchasing Car Insurance Online

It’s not hard to see why many people are purchasing car insurance online. Like most things people buy on the internet, convenience plays a huge factor. But convenience can only take you so far when it comes to protecting one of your most valuable assets: your vehicle. That said, purchasing car insurance online has plenty of positives that should be considered before you decide to go all-in on a policy.

You Can Buy Your Insurance Anytime – Day Or Night

Life can be downright chaotic at times. Whether it’s work, school, taking care of of your children, or any combination of the three, life comes at you quick, and once you’re busy, it can be hard to find the time to take care of things like purchasing car insurance. Unfortunately, when a police officer pulls you over and asks to see proof of insurance, they’re not going to be pleased when you tell them that you haven’t had time to purchase a policy. By purchasing car insurance online, you don’t need to worry about taking too much time out of your day. Online car insurance providers are always open for business, so you can shop policies whenever.

You’ll Get Instant Access To Your Car Insurance Documents

Another neat feature is the ability to print your insurance documents whenever and wherever you want. As long as you remember your login credentials, you’re in business, which means you’re less reliant on an insurance card. Plus, you’ll have access to your policy information at all times.

There Are Aggregators That Help You Compare Options

With so many coverage options available, you’re going to need to do some research before you find the right policy. Fortunately, aggregator websites can hep you compare policies. They typically start by asking you some simple questions (name, address, car make and model, miles, year, etc.) before generating a list of suitable policies. It’s not an exact science, but it should net you a competitive rate, even if it’s not exactly what you’re looking for. If you want to research policies on your own, there’s plenty of information out there to help you make an informed decision.

What Are The Drawbacks To Purchasing Car Insurance Online?

When shopping policies online, you need to take extra care as you’ll be faced with a dizzying number of options. Literally. There are thousands of insurance providers online vying for your business, which can be daunting without an agent on hand to answer your questions and guide you to the right policy for your needs. If that sounds intimidating to you, buying car insurance online might not be the right decision for you

May Feel Overwhelmed If You Don’t Have Prior Insurance Knowledge

Needless to say, there’s not going to be an agent in your living room while you browse through policies on your laptop. Prior insurance knowledge is a tremendous asset when shopping for car insurance online. Most websites have agents that can be reached by phone, but you never know how long it’s going to take to get someone on the line (or if they’re going to be of help). If your issue isn’t resolved the first time and you’re forced to call the helpline again, you’ll have to start the entire process all over again. This can take days whereas a single in-person consultation can match you with a policy in one session.

Online Car Insurance Isn’t As Cheap As You May Think

One of the most frustrating aspects of buying car insurance online is the lack of guaranteed quotes. Online quotes can jump from one day to the next, and you’ll never be entirely certain of the final price until right before you pay. Furthermore, if you chose the wrong policy, you could end up overpaying for insurance that doesn’t do what you need it to do. Keep in mind that policy prices reflect their coverage. You can always keep digging to find a cheaper policy, but that doesn’t mean it will be a good policy. When you work with an agent, they can take your budget into consideration as they explore your options, ensuring that you’re comfortable with your policy’s cost and coverage.

You Might Miss the Option To Bundle Home & Auto Insurance

There are some terrific discounts available for homeowners that bundle home and auto insurance. These multi-policy discounts can help you obtain strong coverage for a great price. This is one luxury that most online insurance companies rarely offer, and it’s one that most people who rely on brick and mortar insurance companies take advantage of. Seriously, multi-policy discounts can save you a pretty penny, and bundling with an agent’s help ensure that all of your most valuable possessions are protected.

Call Talley Insurance Instead

Shopping for car insurance online certainly has its merits, but there’s no denying the fact that a lot of guesswork goes into the process and there’s no guarantee that you’re getting the best price, the best coverage, and the best service. Just as quickly as you can search for car insurance online, you can dial 813-685-9393 to speak directly to an agent from Talley Insurance. Our experienced agents can answer all of your insurance-related questions and provide you with a free quote. By working with more than 25 carriers, we can tailor a policy to your needs and ensure that your vehicle is fully protected.

November 25, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Auto Insurance, News

Do You Need Comprehensive Auto Insurance in Florida?

Different drivers have different insurance needs. Depending on how (and how much) you use your vehicle, your policy could run the gamut from the bare minimum required by the State of Florida to something much more robust. At the very least, you must have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) automobile insurance to get on the road, but that’s not going to take you very far when bad luck strikes.

According to auto insurance industry estimates, the average person will be in four accidents over the course of their life, which means your next insurance claim is a matter of when, not if.

Some of these accidents will be minor, like fender benders on the way to work and garage door scrapes when you’re in a hurry. Others will be significant, rendering your vehicle inoperable for days or weeks at a time. And then there will be acts of God that you could have never seen coming. If you seek peace of mind, comprehensive auto insurance can help you fill in the gaps in your existing coverage. You’ll enjoy the security of worry-free driving, and your car will enjoy the perks of 360-degree coverage.

What is Comprehensive Auto Insurance?

Comprehensive auto insurance helps protect your vehicle by safeguarding it against the unexpected. Superstitious folks prefer comprehensive auto insurance because it protects them from black cats and broken mirrors. That’s a joke, but this type of policy is anything but; and it will protect you from the types of cruel, random phenomena that can only be attributed to bad luck.

What Does This Insurance Cover?

Your comprehensive auto insurance policy is like a bubble around your vehicle protecting it from harm. Unlike your liability insurance, which covers anything involving personal injury or property damage, comprehensive insurance covers non-vehicle related accidents, including:

Earthquakes
Falling objects (i.e., tree limb)
Fire or explosions
Floods
Hail
Hitting an animal
Lightning from thunderstorms, hurricanes, etc.
Theft
Tornadoes
Vandalism and other cases of civil disobedience (i.e. riots)
Windshield damage

Comprehensive auto insurance is just that — comprehensive. But it doesn’t cover everything. Damage to your car or another person’s car from a collision are still going to cost you, as are medical expenses for you and your passengers.

Comprehensive vs Collision Insurance Coverage

There’s more than one way to expand your insurance coverage to protect your assets against the unexpected. Collision insurance will help you pay for any needed repairs in the event of a car-on-car accident. It covers collisions with other vehicles and collisions with stationary objects (i.e., fences, light poles, etc.). It also covers single-car rollover accidents, which can be beneficial for those navigating Florida’s slick highways during during the summer months.

Similar to comprehensive coverage, collision coverage will require the policyholder to pay a deductible in order to receive the actual cash value for any necessary repairs or replacements for a damaged vehicle. What it does not cover is damage to another person’s vehicle. In other words, if you were involved in a crash with another driver, and it was later determined that you were at fault for the crash, your collision insurance would cover your vehicle exclusively. Our advice? Drive safe, follow all traffic laws, and watch out for expensive imports!

Is Comprehensive Coverage Required by Law in Florida?

As we discussed earlier, Florida’s mandatory minimum insurance requirements for drivers is a mere $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL. Although not required by Florida law, comprehensive coverage is typically required for individuals looking to lease or finance a vehicle. Lenders will require you to obtain full coverage before your loan can be processed. They need to be certain that the vehicle they’re loaning is taken care of; comprehensive coverage plays an important role in achieving this goal.

For more information about Florida auto insurance, check out this video from Adam Talley:

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Limits

Policy limits are determined by the type of coverage the policy provides. Whereas limits for liability coverage vary based on the particulars of your policy, comprehensive auto insurance limits are consistent. You need not worry about whether or not your policy will cover damage to your vehicle caused by theft, vandalism, or weather damage; simply pay your deductible and let your insurance provider handle the rest. You will receive the actual cash value of your vehicle (accounting for depreciation) at the time of the accident.

Ways to Save Money on Your Premium

Comprehensive coverage is going to cost you more than a barebones liability policy, but you can save money by working with a trusted insurance provider. Independent insurance agents (like us) can help you shop for the policy that best fits your needs. Whether your lease agreement requires you to purchase comprehensive coverage or you’re taking the initiative yourself to protect your investment, you should compare plans from several providers before committing. This is one of the only surefire ways to get the best rate.

An independent insurance agency can help you save money on your premium, because they understand what impacts drivers in the local area. By working with multiple insurance carriers to find you the policy that bests fits your needs and budget, you’ll be able to see for yourself that you’re getting the best deal possible. When you shop directly, the insurance provider will generate a quote predicated on vague criteria. There’s a low level of personalization, and because of this, you don’t always end up with the policy you need.

Conclusion

Deciding whether or not you need comprehensive auto insurance will take a little introspection and a lot of back and forth with your insurance agent. Every time you sit down in the driver’s seat, you don’t want to be afraid to leave the garage. You want the right policy that makes you feel confident on and off the road.

We believe comprehensive auto insurance is an invaluable asset for the right candidate. Rideshare drivers, long-distance commuters, frequent travelers, and those who put miles on their vehicles expose themselves to more opportunities for non-car-related accidents.

Add to this the fact that natural disasters are a yearly occurrence in Florida, and it’s easy to see why many Floridians choose to expand their coverage. At best, you can save yourself the trouble of having to pay out of pocket for a vehicle that was flattened by a palm tree. At worst, you pay a little extra for peace of mind. Personally, we think this is a pretty fair trade-off, and we’re happy to help you obtain a policy that provides you with the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Are you interested in learning more about comprehensive auto insurance for your vehicle? The experts at Talley Insurance are happy to answer all of your questions! Give us a call at (813) 685-9393!

September 29, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

News

Independent Insurance Agents – 8 Reasons They’re Great!

These days, you can do just about anything online, including purchase insurance. But while we may live in a self-serve universe, there are still times when it’s better to let others serve you.

Take this Google Review, for instance:

“I didn’t know that insurance savings like this existed prior to working with Talley Insurance! I had done some research online ahead of time, and Adam blew everything I’d found out of the water. My husband and I are saving a ton of money on our car and renters insurance, and will most certainly be going back when it comes time to buy a home. It pays to go through an agent with a ton of experience and knowledge, who won’t settle for anything but the best for his clients!”

While this reviewer was able to find options online, we were able to provide her with far better prices (and coverage!) than she was able to find on her own. It’s what we do! We may be biased, but we think independent insurance agents are great and here are 8 reasons why.

1) Unrivaled Local Knowledge

At Talley insurance, we are real people located right here in the Tampa Bay area―Brandon to be precise. Our office is near to our homes, our childrens’ schools, and our favorite local restaurants. We live and breathe Tampa, and we also live and breathe Florida insurance.

As local residents, we have lived in Brandon, FL for years and will use our knowledge of the area to help you protect your family’s assets and reduce a variety of risks. This is one of the many benefits associated with a local insurance agent. For instance, would an insurance agency in Montana (even if they are a great company overall) be familiar with Tampa Bay area flood zones?

When your independent insurance agent is right here in Brandon, FL, they will meet all your specific needs with the personalization and precision that can only be delivered by a local agent.

2) Get An Insurance Expert That’s Only a Phone Call Away

One of the most frustrating things about buying insurance online is that there is often no one to help you once your business has been secured. You may find yourself on hold for an hour… only to talk to a call center rep who cannot properly answer your questions.

At Talley Insurance, the same people who sold you your policy will pick up the phone when you call. We will never direct you to an outsourced customer service rep or send you to a generic online “help center.” When you call, you will be put in touch with someone who has devoted their entire career to becoming an expert in insurance. Your questions will be answered promptly, cheerfully, and with utmost attention to detail.

3) Independent Insurance Agents Help Support the Local Community

In case you couldn’t tell from item #1, we love living in Tampa! And at Talley Insurance, we believe in giving back to the community we call home.

The Talley family participates in myriad charity events, most notably the Rotary Club. Father-son duo Chuck and Adam Talley are both proud Rotarians, and Adam was named Rotarian of the year in 2018.

(Also… does being fiercely loyal to the Bucs count as supporting our community, too?!?)

4) Independent Insurance Agents Provide You With a Range of Choices

As independent insurance agents, we are not “captives” of a particular insurance provider. We can sell policies from a variety of insurers, because we are not employed by a specific insurance company. This means we are free to give you our honest opinion and use our expertise to get you the best deal!

5) Independent Insurance Agents Will Save You Time & Money

This is a nice segue into our next list item: independent insurance agents will save you time and money! Saving you time and money on insurance here in Brandon, FL (or anywhere else in the Sunshine State) is a product of the fact that we can shop around. We are not employed by one particular insurance agency, but we are intimately familiar with all of them.

As independent insurance agents, we will put our years of knowledge to work for you. Every one of our clients is unique and has their own list of wants, needs, and priorities. We take this list and match it to the plan that would be best suited for you and your family. We will find hands-down the best plan for your budget, which saves you time and money.

6) They Can Help With All Your Insurance Needs

Home? Auto? Business?

Independent insurance agents can help! You can take care of all your insurance needs at once, streamlining your personal organization processes. If you own a small business, we can help. We can also provide the best coverage for the best price for your car and your home―whether you rent or own.

7) Independent Insurance Agents Have Your Back If You Have a Claim

Independent insurance agents are in it with you for the long haul! Though we are happy to sell you the best insurance plan for your needs, we are far more than just salespeople. We are strategic partners, customer service providers, and your own personal advocates.

Life happens, and at the end of the day, that’s what insurance is for! We recommend looking for independent insurance agents in Brandon, FL who can help you report your claim and subsequently navigate the claims process. If you choose to go with an independent insurance agency, make sure they have the experience needed to clarify procedures and can answer your questions.

8) Get Unbeatable Customer Service

When you work with an independent insurance agent, it’s their job to provide the best customer service possible. At Talley Insurance, we pride ourselves on going the extra mile. We treat our clients the same way we would our own family. After all, this is a family business!

Conclusion

Insurance is a personal and important decision. It protects your assets and thereby protects you and your family. When making the decision regarding your insurance agent, the person who knows best is YOU.

We think independent insurance agents are great! Of course, we may be a little biased, but we also know that independent insurance agents have more options available to them, which means more savings for you. As a general rule, we also tend to be more willing to go above and beyond for our valued clients. Want to chat and see whether you think working with Talley Insurance would be right for you? Give us a call at (813) 685-9393!

Not ready yet? We understand! Take a peek around our site and do some more research. We will be here if and when you decide you need us.

August 25, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Home Insurance, News

How Home Insurance in Florida Is Calculated

The cost of your home is far more than just the cost of the house itself. From taxes to utility bills, any homeowner knows that there are far more pieces to the puzzle than just his or her mortgage. Whether you’re buying a home for the first time or the tenth, you are likely surveying all the pieces of the puzzle and visualizing how they will fit together. If you want to slide the home insurance piece snugly into place, look no further!

If you’d like to save this piece for later and just skip to some actual estimates, give us a call at (813) 685-9393 or fill out the form on this page.

Location, Location, Location!

It can be a heartbreaking moment to fall in love with a home… and then learn that the flood insurance would shatter your budget. In the same way that location plays a large role in determining the price of the home itself, it also plays a major role in determining your insurance payment.

In general, the following factors will drive your insurance costs up:

Densely populated neighborhood
High crime area
Far away from fire hydrants and/or fire station
Location vulnerable to natural disasters or severe weather

Please note that floods, earthquakes, and mudslides aren’t usually covered by regular home insurance. If any of these risks apply, you will need an additional policy!

Certain Characteristics of a Home Affect Premiums

Now that we’ve covered the location, the next consideration is the home itself. First and foremost, your home’s value will have a major impact on the premium. If your home is destroyed in a fire or other covered disaster, your home insurance will pay to rebuild it. This is called dwelling coverage. Dwelling coverage can generally be calculated by multiplying the home’s square footage by local construction costs.

There are also a variety of other characteristics that come into play when it comes to insurance premium calculations. These often include:

Age of your roof
Type of your roof
Whether you have impact-resistant roofing
Your home’s electrical system (circuit breakers are usually less than fuse boxes)

There’s Also Protection for Personal Items & Liability

Of course, your home is more than just your house! The vast majority of homeowners insurance policies include protection for your furniture and personal belongings. They also include liability in case someone is injured on your property.

Don’t forget that the things you love may require a little more coverage! This includes items like swimming pools, hot tubs, and trampolines, as well as certain breeds of furry friends.

Your Credit Score Also Affects Your Home Insurance

Remember, insurance is all about assessing risk! This means that your credit score will impact your home insurance premium as well. The better your score, the lower your premium will be.

Past claims can also affect what that final number is going to be. If you’ve made a number of insurance claims in the past, you will appear more likely to make a claim in the future. That said, insurance is meant to be used when you need it. This should never defer you from making a claim, as an experienced insurance agent (link to contact or about us) will be able to find you the best price.

How to Discount Your Home Insurance Premium in Florida

Speaking of finding the best price, there are certain actions you can take to decrease the amount you’ll pay for coverage. One of these is bundling your home and car insurance, which can lower your premium up to an impressive 20%. Of course, the exact savings depend on your provider and other considerations, but it is often a good idea. We are happy to advise as to whether or not bundling would be the best idea for you!

Insurance discounts are also typically a great idea! Some providers offer 5% off of premiums for having a smoke detector and some also grant a discount of up to 15% for home alarm systems. Please note that figures are estimates that depend on state and provider. If you’re here in Brandon, FL (or anywhere in Florida!) we will use our extensive knowledge of Florida insurance to find any available discounts for you.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever put together one of those 500-piece puzzles, you already know it’s faster and more efficient with a partner and a strategy!

The insurance experts here at Charles D. Talley Jr Insurance, Inc are ready to help protect your masterpiece with the best coverage for the best price. With over 35 years of experience, we are proud to say we’ve had client after client say, “We didn’t know THIS level of coverage existed at THIS low of a price.”

Want to see if we can do the same for you? Give us a call at (813) 685-9393.

July 30, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Commercial Insurance, News

Why You Need Commercial Auto Insurance – Not Just Personal

Do your employees use their personal vehicles to transport equipment, other employees or deliver goods? This can pose a bit of a problem. Can you get by with just personal auto insurance, or do you need commercial auto insurance?

At our insurance agency in Brandon, this is a discussion we’ve had with many small business owners. A lot of them are worried that commercial auto insurance is more expensive than personal auto insurance. Others didn’t realize there were such a big difference, especially if their employees are using personal vehicles.

The reality is that personal and commercial auto insurance have significant differences. If your small business owner in Hillsborough that doesn’t operate a fleet of business vehicles, you may never have given commercial auto insurance much thought. You should know that if you’re using your own vehicle for work purposes that extend beyond commuting, then it’s time to talk about investing in a commercial auto insurance policy.

There’s a lot to talk about in this post, so let’s start by taking a closer look at the difference between these two types of auto insurance.

Commercial Auto Insurance or Personal Auto Insurance?

Our expert insurance agents will tell you that the primary difference primarily lies in the types of liabilities that each policy covers. Both personal and commercial policies will cover against vehicle repairs and medical bills following an accident. However, a commercial auto insurance policy in Florida have higher claims limits, cover a variety of different vehicles and account for the more complex legal issues that could arise from an accident involving a commercial vehicle.

If you’d like to learn more about what a commercial auto insurance policy covers, then please check out this blog post.

Why Personal Auto Insurance Usually Isn’t Enough

Personal auto insurance will only cover you if it’s an accident that occurred while using your car for personal reasons. This would include commuting to and from your place of work as well as travel that is unrelated to your normal job duties. Most personal auto insurance policies our clients purchase ensure the owner of the vehicle plus one or two immediate family members.

If you are a budding entrepreneur or sole proprietor, there are limited cases where the liability coverage from your personal auto insurance policy might be enough. This does not happen all the time. Call our agency if you’d like to ask about modifying your policy to include specific business uses.

Please keep in mind that this is would be for a very specific circumstance (ridesharing, part-time seasonal work, etc.) and not something that would apply to every business owner. That being said, this is why we see so some small business owners forgo investing in a commercial auto insurance policy. A personal policy that has been modified to cover specific business uses would typically be less expensive than a commercial auto insurance policy in Hillsborough.

Why You Probably Need Commercial Auto Insurance

Take your time reviewing these examples, because they should give you a clear picture of when commercial auto insurance is needed.

While running your business in Hillsborough, do you or your employees ever…

Deliver food or some type of product to paying customers?
Regularly drive long distances in order to meet with a client or survey a job site?
Haul equipment or tools to job sites where you’ll be working?

The Problem with Using Your Personal Vehicle to Transport Stuff

Let’s dive into each of these examples a little bit further. There’s a good reason why your personal auto insurance policy won’t cover an accident that occurred while you were transporting goods. It’s primarily because the risk is too high. For insurance companies, using a vehicle to deliver goods on a regular basis would increase your risk of getting into an accident.

Now, if you’re using your vehicle to take some of your office friends to lunch, that would be covered by your personal insurance policy. A lot of people have been asking us if they need commercial auto insurance to earn money as a Rideshare driver. This has represented a more challenging case for insurance companies. what we’re seeing now is that a growing number of insurers are offering Rideshare specific insurance policies. This type of policy would typically be cheaper than traditional commercial auto insurance. if you have some more questions about this, please contact us at (813) 685-9393.

It’s Not About the “Where,” It’s About the “Why”

So we want to make it clear that there is no limit to how much you can drive under a standard personal auto policy. That is as long as it’s for personal reasons.

Let’s look at a real world example from a small business in Tampa. This business employs a sales manager who regularly uses their personal vehicle in our to visit sales lead locations around the entire county of Hillsborough. If this employee gets into an accident on one of their sales runs, you could be facing significant liability.

What You’re Hauling Matters Too

As we mentioned before, commuting to a job is covered by personal auto insurance. Transporting heavy tools or equipment as a part of your commute is another matter. For example, a construction worker is using their personal vehicle to transport a trailer full of expensive, ladders, drills, etc. To an insurance company, this is a dangerous scenario due to the higher risk of property damage and theft compared to the average commuter. If that sounds familiar, you should speak to an insurance agent about commercial auto insurance.

Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance

There’s another type of insurance we wanted to cover briefly in this post and that is hired and non-owned auto insurance. This type of policy will cover vehicles that are used for business, but that your business doesn’t actually own. This includes…

Vehicles that are owned by employees and used for business errands
Vehicles that you rent for business

Hired and non-owned auto insurance would be used in a situation where you have an employee that is running an errand with their car and get into an accident. Say you send your assistant out to purchase some supplies and they end up rear-ending someone on the way back to the office in Tampa. If you didn’t have the right commercial auto insurance, your company could be liable for the resulting damages.

Modifying Your Auto Insurance Policy in Hillsborough

This blog post should have answered many of your questions when it comes to commercial auto insurance versus personal auto insurance. That being said, there are a lot of unique circumstances that could be impacting your situation. There’s no way for us to cover all of them in this post, so we do encourage you to contact our agency if you would like to learn more and you’re a business owner in Florida.

If you’re only using your car occasionally for business purposes, then an expert insurance agent might be able to modify your personal auto policy so that it covers these work-related uses. We’re often asked if commercial auto insurance is more expensive than personal auto insurance. While it may be more expensive to purchase a commercial auto insurance policy initially, the money it could save your business is significantly greater. A Florida business that relies on vehicles to operate can’t afford to not have a commercial auto insurance policy.

Charles D. Talley Jr Insurance Inc has been helping business owners in Hillsborough for over 35 years and we can help you too. if you have more questions about Commercial Auto Insurance or would like to save money on a better policy, then please contact us today at (813) 685-9393.

June 22, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Commercial Insurance, News

What Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cover?

If you use a vehicle for work in Florida, then you should consider getting commercial auto insurance. If you’re not familiar with this type of insurance policy, then you have come to the right place. This post will show you exactly what commercial auto insurance covers and why it is such an important investment.

Most people aren’t surprised that semi-truck drivers need to have commercial auto insurance. The same typically goes for dump truck drivers and even food trucks. Where our insurance agents often see issues are with business owners who use their personal vehicles for work in one way or another. They believe things will be fine because their vehicle is covered under their personal auto insurance policy.

That is a line of reasoning that could lead to significant problems down the road. Please read on to see why…

What’s Included With Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage in Florida?

It is understandable why there is some confusion here for business owners in Hillsborough. A commercial auto insurance policy includes several types of coverage that should sound familiar to anyone with a personal auto insurance policy. These include:

Liability Coverage

This type of coverage would kick in if an employee caused bodily injury to another person while driving the covered vehicle. This coverage also includes property damage liability that would pay for any damages done to the injured party’s car or other property.

Note that while these liability coverages are typically separated out in personal auto insurance policies, they are combined into a single liability limit in a commercial auto insurance policy.

Medical Payment Coverage

Sometimes referred to as personal injury coverage, this would pay the medical expenses incurred by an employee driver and/or any passengers that were in the covered vehicle. Medical payment coverage will be applied regardless of who was at fault in the car accident.

Collision Coverage

This type of coverage will be used to pay for the damages inflicted to your commercial vehicle in an accident. Just like with the medical payment coverage, collision coverage will be applied regardless of who was at fault in the car accident.

Comprehensive Coverage

If you were wondering what would happen if one of your vehicles were damaged in a hurricane, then that’s where comprehensive coverage comes to the rescue. This type of coverage will be used to pay for damages sustained from theft, vandalism, mother nature or other non-crash incidents.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

What happens if one of your delivery trucks gets backed into by someone who has no insurance? This could be a bad day just waiting to happen, but it doesn’t have to be if that truck is covered under a commercial auto insurance policy in Hillsborough. Uninsured motorist coverage would pay for those damages.

Specialized Coverages in Commercial Auto Insurance Policies

So now that’s out of the way, you should also familiarize yourself with the more specialized types of coverage that you wouldn’t see on a personal auto insurance policy.

Trailer Interchange Coverage – If you are hauling trailers with your commercial vehicles that are owned by other companies, then you’ll be happy that you have this type of coverage.
Rental Reimbursement with Downtime – This will be used to cover any costs your business incurs to rent a temporary replacement for a vehicle that is undergoing repairs.
Hired Vehicle Coverage – If you need to rent a car or van for your employees (or possibly for a client), commercial auto insurance provides hired vehicle coverage.
Non-owned Vehicle Coverage – This is a very important type of coverage. Some business owners in Hillsborough have employees use their own cars when conducting business. If they end up getting into an accident while operating their vehicle for work, you would be held responsible as the business owner. Non-owned vehicle coverage is included in commercial auto insurance policies for this reason.

Do You Need Commercial Auto Insurance if You Have Personal Auto Insurance?

As mentioned before, there are still plenty of business owners that mistakenly believe commercial auto insurance isn’t worth the investment if they have personal auto insurance.

To illustrate why this doesn’t work, you need to think of your auto insurance policy as a contract you have with your insurance carrier. They agree to cover damages inflicted on your car in an accident granted that you are using it for personal reasons. If you use the car for business reasons, then you are violating that contract. This gives your insurance carrier ample reason to reject your claim.

A commercial auto insurance policy differs from personal auto insurance in several distinct ways, including:

A commercial auto policy will have a higher liability limit than a personal auto policy
The cost of your commercial auto insurance policy is tax-deductible
A commercial auto policy can be used to cover specific named employees or blanket coverage can be applied for all employees
A commercial auto policy includes additional coverage for equipment like trailers and forklifts (something that personal auto insurance won’t include)

Do You Need Commercial Auto Insurance as a Rideshare Driver in Florida?

Driving for a rideshare company like Lyft or Uber is a viable way to earn a living, but the job comes with some extra considerations when it comes to auto insurance. The first thing to note is that rideshare drivers in Florida are required to have their own auto insurance policies. This is because there will be times you’ll be driving when not actively logged in to the rideshare app as a driver.

So do you really need a commercial auto policy as well? An insurance expert would say “yes” and here’s why. An insurance carrier can deny coverage to you during the time that the rideshare app is on.

For the time when you are driving with the app on, the state of Florida requires you to carry a higher insurance limit. Drivers can purchase the necessary insurance coverage themselves, but it is notable that companies like Uber and Lyft are required to provide coverage for any drivers with insufficient policy limits. Here are the specifics for when you have the rideshare app on:

When there is no passenger assigned – At least $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident and $25,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident.
When there is a passenger assigned – You’ll be covered by the company’s third-party liability insurance policy, with at least $1 million coverage for bodily injury and property damage.

If you want full coverage while working as a rideshare driver, you should call us at (813) 685-9393. There are certain requirements that these companies have in order for their drivers to qualify for comprehensive coverage. This working situation can be stressful and confusing, so it is recommended that you speak to an insurance expert.

Additional Information for Business Owners

Commercial auto insurance is a great investment for any Hillsborough business owner who relies on vehicles in their day to day operations. Just remember that it won’t cover an employee who gets in an accident while driving their own personal vehicle. A simple errand could result in a significant accident and your business could be held liable.

If you are ready to make that investment, we can get you a commercial auto insurance quote ASAP. Complete our online form to get started or give us a call at (813) 685-9393. Our insurance agency has been helping Hillsborough business owners protect their livelihoods for over 35 years and we’d like nothing more than the opportunity to help you.

June 7, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Flood Insurance, Home Insurance, News

Florida’s Hurricane Sales Tax Free Holiday Starts May 31

Hurricane season, which starts on June 1st, is fast approaching to the dismay of Florida homeowners. our insurance agency consider those 6 weeks to be one of the more turbulent times of the year. The good news this year is that Florida lawmakers approved a tax holiday that will overlap with the start of hurricane season.

If you have yet to hear about this “ tax holiday,” here’s what you should know.

The Sales Tax Free Holiday Starts May 31st

At the end of the legislative season, Florida lawmakers approved a $121 million tax break package. They also approved a tax holiday that remains in effect through the start of the hurricane season this year. This means that many of the important supplies that are recommended when preparing for a hurricane won’t be subject to a sales tax.

Do you need to buy a new generator? How’s your supply of batteries or tarps? Even with comprehensive home insurance and a great flood insurance policy, you don’t want to be unprepared during this time of year.

If you have them thinking about stocking up on these types of supplies for this year’s hurricane season, then this is great news. From May 31st until midnight on June 6th, you won’t have to pay a sales tax when purchasing any of these items. This tax-free holiday is only going to last for a week, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Which Hurricane Supplies Will Be Included?

Here is a comprehensive list of the various hurricane supplies that are included in this sales tax free holiday:

Flashlights and other portable self-powered light sources (as long as they cost $20 or less)
Portable self-powered radios like two-way and weather-band radios ($50 or less)
Gas or diesel fuel tanks ($25 or less)
Waterproof sheets like tarps, plus ties and ground anchors ($50 or less)
Batteries including AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries ($30 or less)
Note that sales tax will still be applied for car and boat batteries during this tax holiday
Portable generators ($750 or less)
Non-electric coolers ($30 or less)
Reusable ice ($10 or less)

Conclusion

With the amount storms we have seen threatening the Tampa Bay area over the last few years, it’s nice to see that this type of tax break was approved. Additionally, Florida lawmakers have approved a back to school sales tax holiday which will be in effect in early August. If you are a parent, then you’ll be happy to know that there will be no sales tax for the purchase of important items like computers, new shoes, clothes and other various school supplies.

Have questions about your insurance that you’d like answered BEFORE hurricane season? Speak to one of our insurance experts by calling (813) 685-9393.

May 13, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Home Insurance, News

What’s Included In Your Florida Home Insurance Policy?

In today’s post from Charles D. Talley Insurance Agency, Inc, our resident Insurance expert, Adam Talley, is going to walk you through the different coverages included in a home insurance quote that you would receive from an independent insurance agency like ourselves. For any homeowner who has had questions about their home insurance in the past, this is information they don’t want to miss!

Be sure to take careful note of everything that was covered in this video. If you feel like you have more questions about your home insurance policy or you’re looking to save money on a better policy in Florida, then please give us a call today at (813) 685-9393. Adam would be happy to help you and your family.

Dwelling Coverage

When you receive a home insurance quote, the first thing you should see is your dwelling coverage. So what does this actually cover? Dwelling coverage is the limit that your insurance carrier has set for rebuilding a damaged home. For instance, say a home was severely damaged in a massive storm in Tampa. We’ll assume that the homeowner had the appropriate home insurance in this scenario. Their dwelling coverage will cover the costs to repair or rebuild their home.

Other Structures Coverage

The next item you should see in your home insurance quote is other structures coverage. If you’re wondering about what this actually covers, we understand because the name is a little vague. Other structures coverage is for other structures that are on your property, but are not part of the house.

Covered other structures can include:

Detached garages
Fences
Sheds
Bird baths
And more…

Personal Property Coverage

The next item in your home insurance quote is personal property coverage. What’s included as covered personal property on a home insurance policy in Florida? Imagine that you are holding your house in your hand. Now imagine that you can take the roof off the house with your other hand and turn this mini version of your house upside down. Then you start to shake it like you would a shoe you’re trying to empty of sand. Think of all the items in your home that would fall out in this hypothetical scenario. To your home insurance carrier, all these items are considered personal property.

With a home insurance policy in Florida, there are two ways to cover your personal property.

Actual cash value – This would be the depreciated value of your personal property.
Replacement cost – This would be the cost to replace the item for a brand new version.

(Insurance Insider Tip: Make sure you ask your insurance agent about scheduled personal property.)

The Flat Screen TV Scenario

If you’re still a little confused about personal property, here’s another good example. A homeowner has a big flat-screen TV that is about 10 years old. During a serious thunderstorm in Tampa, lightning strikes the home and destroys the TV. If this homeowner was using actual cash value to cover their personal property, then they’re probably not going to get more than $100 from their insurance carrier for the TV. That’s because this is what the actual cash value of a 10 year old TV would be (if it was in relatively good condition). However, a homeowner that was using replacement cost could get $800 to $1,000 to replace that destroyed flat screen TV. This would be equivalent to the price for a new TV at a electronic store or online in Tampa .

Loss of Use Coverage

The next item in your home insurance quote is loss of use coverage. This is an important item to note for homeowners living in Tampa or other places that are at risk from massive storms like hurricanes. This is coverage for homeowners that can’t live in their house due to a covered claim.

Let’s say that a hurricane ends up causing significant water damage to a home in Hillsborough. The residents of the home must vacate the property while repairs are being made. The cost of having to stay in a hotel and purchasing meals over an extended period of time can be significant. Fortunately, loss of use coverage will cover those extra costs.

Liability and Medical Payment Coverage

The next items in your home insurance quote are going to be personal liability and medical payment coverage. These two types of coverages are tied pretty closely together when it comes to home insurance in Florida.

Personal Liability Coverage

Let’s say a homeowner decides to throw a party for their neighbors at their home in St Petersburg. Everyone’s having a great time, but then something very unfortunate happens. One of the guests ends up tripping as they are walking around the pool in the backyard. Even more unfortunate is that this person decides to sue the homeowner who threw the party. Personal liability coverage will protect that homeowner in this scenario.

Medical Payment Coverage

As we mentioned before, this form of coverage is closely tied to personal liability and here’s why. Let’s imagine the same scenario that we did before — a homeowner in St. Petersburg throws a party for their neighbors and some of their close friends. However, this time it’s a good friend of theirs that trips and falls during the party. While we’ll assume that they aren’t going to sue their friend, they may need some help paying for their medical bills. This is where medical payment coverage comes in.

Conclusion

In this post and video, Adam Talley wanted to cover some of the essential coverages included in your home insurance policy. But there could be other coverages and endorsements included in a home insurance quote in Florida. If you have any questions about items on your quote that weren’t covered in this post, then please don’t hesitate to contact us at (813) 685-9393.

April 25, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley

Auto Insurance, News

Florida Auto Insurance – What You Should Know

In the latest post and video from Charles D Talley Insurance Agency, Inc, our resident insurance expert, Adam Talley, is talking about auto insurance in Florida. If you’re a driver in Hillsborough county, this is a video that you really need to check out.

When it comes to the State of Florida, there are two coverages that you absolutely need to have – these are state-mandated. You need to have at least $10,000 worth of property damage and personal injury protection coverage – otherwise known as PIP. Personal injury protection coverage for Florida drivers is also at a $10,000 limit.

As far as the State of Florida is concerned, these are the only two coverages that you need in order to be insured on the roads. That being said, you could find yourself in a bad situation if that this is the only thing that you have on your auto insurance policy in Hillsborough. We have a few more things we’d like to discuss if you want to be fully protected in case you ever get into a car accident.

How To Protect Your Car In The Event Of An Accident

To protect your car, you’re going to need to have comprehensive and collision coverage. Both of these usually come with deductibles. At Talley Insurance, these deductibles start out at $500. You can go as low as $100 or go as high as $2500.

Usually, $500 deductible will give you the best value for the resulting out-of-pocket expense.

If you combine comprehensive and collision coverage with bodily injury coverage, this is typically what other insurance agents in Florida consider to be full coverage for your car. However, this still doesn’t necessarily mean that you are fully covered in the event of an accident.

Bodily injury coverage starts as low as $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. Please know that these coverages are for when you are at fault for the car accident.

Will Your Auto Insurance Be Enough To Cover Your Medical Bills?

In 2019, $10,000 for one person usually isn’t enough to cover the medical costs incurred by their car accident injuries. That’s why these coverages can go all the way up to as much as $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident.

There are a lot of different options when it comes to the level of coverage that you can get on your auto insurance policy. This is why clients like to work with independent insurance agencies like Charles D Talley Insurance Agency. You can reach one of our agents at (813) 685-9393 and they can go over all the options with you to ensure you’re getting the best value for your budget.

Other Coverages To Consider for Your Auto Insurance Policy in Hillsborough

Next we’re going to go over some other types of coverages that aren’t always included in a Florida auto insurance policy. While a lot of drivers forego these options, they are worth considering and we want to make sure each of our clients understand that.

Uninsured Motorists Coverage

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were in an accident that is caused by another driver that doesn’t have insurance? Sounds like a nightmare scenario right? Well this is why there is uninsured motorist coverage. This will protect you in the event of an accident where the at-fault driver does not have the proper auto insurance coverages.

In 2019, we feel this is a type of coverage that all of our clients need to consider for their auto insurance policy. As the price of insurance continues to climb, more drivers are choosing to forgo insurance altogether and run the risk. If you’re hit by one of these uninsured or underinsured drivers, you could end up paying for those expensive medical bills and car repairs out of pocket.

Please talk to your insurance agent about uninsured motorist coverage in 2019.

Roadside Assistance Coverage

This is the type of coverage that’s going to help you out when you’re stuck in those unexpected situations on the road. We’re talking about situations like getting a flat tire, running out of gas, a dead car battery or locking your keys in your car. These are the types of situations that could ruin an otherwise perfect day on the road.

Fortunately, roadside assistance coverage tends to be very, very affordable for drivers in Florida. Our agents usually are able to add this to a policy for as little as $10 to $25 for the entire year. That’s a really low cost, especially if you consider that it will probably cost you a hundred dollars to have someone come out to unlock your car or provide roadside assistance.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage

Now this is a type of coverage that you might not have ever heard about before. Rental reimbursement provides money for when you’re in a covered accident and you need to have a rental car. Essentially its protection against having to pay for a rental car out of pocket which can get really expensive really fast.

It’s coverage usually starts at $30 a day and is always for 30 day periods. So for a single month, you’re looking at about $900 in coverage for a rental car.

Conclusion

You’d be surprised to learn how many other coverages we still could go over when it comes to auto insurance in Florida. If you have questions about your current policy or if you are fully covered, and please give us a call today at (813) 685-9393.

March 27, 2019/0 Comments/by ctalley