Unfortunately, hurricanes are an inevitable part of living in Florida. Along with a beautiful, temperate climate come the risks of severe storms, high winds and flooding, all of which could damage your rental property and your possessions. Although your landlord may have coverage against hurricane damage to your building, have you considered whether your renters insurance in Florida would provide you with a high enough level of protection if a hurricane tore through your home and destroyed your property?
For residents of Florida, hurricanes are an all too familiar event. While you are preparing your home and family for hurricane season and making sure you have hurricane insurance in addition to your Florida homeowners insurance, don’t forget to give some thought as to how you can take care of your beloved pets in the event of a hurricane.
Moisture can be a problem for Florida residents. The main sources of water damage to your home are generally considered to come from outside, mainly flooding and rain, but moisture damage can also come from internal cracks in the plumbing and can lead to extensive damage, costly repair bills and even a claim on your Florida homeowners insurance. Regular inspection of sink and tub areas is a good habit to get into to help you prevent a minor leak becoming a major repair bill and headache.
Is your Florida kitchen cramped and crowded or commodious and comfortable? Talk to your insurance agent if you are considering remodeling your kitchen to make it more spacious. Your plans may have implications for your Florida home insurance coverage if the remodeled kitchen would cost more to replace than the previous one.
Even if no young children live in your rental property, you never know when friends or relatives are likely to bring their children to visit you. A home where only adults live may have quite a few hazards for active, inquisitive children who are not aware of risks like falls, burns and electric shock. While the renters insurance Florida tenants purchase may provide compensation if your property is accidentally damaged or a guest is injured in your home, it’s a good idea to look around to check how safe it is and address any gaps in safety.
“Location, location, location!” is the mantra of real estate professionals all over the world, and Florida is no exception. Location is also important to insurance companies, and matters like the level of crime in a neighborhood or how close a property is to a fire station can influence Florida home insurance premiums.
The renters insurance Florida tenants purchase may help provide financial compensation if belongings are stolen by a burglar, but as a first line of defense against burglary it’s important to help prevent apartments being targeted by thieves. Be vigilant about security in your apartment building, both for your own benefit and for the benefit of other residents of the building.
While you don’t spend much time in the foyer or entrance hall of your apartment, condo or house, it’s the first room that you and your guests enter after coming through the front door. When planning a home makeover, put some of your energy into creating an entrance hall that is welcoming and attractive. Talk to your insurance agent if you are planning major changes to your home as investing in home improvements may warrant adjusting Florida homeowners insurance coverage.
Do you take your freezer for granted? Many people don’t give much thought to their freezer until it stops working for some reason. The renters insurance Florida tenants purchase may provide compensation for the cost of having your freezer repaired in certain circumstances (such as after a covered peril), but even this would be little consolation if your store of frozen food has been spoiled.
When you’ve taken your first steps on the property ladder by investing in a home in Florida and purchasing Florida homeowners insurance to protect your investment, it might be time for a celebration!
