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407 S Court Street
Florence, AL 35630

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McBride Benefit Solutions Blog

Four important things to know about boat insurance

If you own a boat in Florence, AL and surrounding communities, McBride Benefit Solutions can provide you with insurance coverage. There are a few important things that boat owners need to know when it comes to insurance coverage for their watercraft. 

The following are four important things to know about boat insurance:

Boat insurance policies generally place limits on how much personal property coverage they offer.

Policyholders should pay attention to how valuable the items they keep in their boats are. While boat insurance policies do typically come with some personal property coverage that reimburses policyholders for damaged property within their boat, this coverage is limited. 

Boat owners with especially valuable electronics or other expensive items in their boats should definitely look into increasing their personal property coverage policy maximums. 

Boat insurance may be required by your marina.

Many boat owners keep their boats stored at a marina. If you use a marina to moor your boat, you need to research the policy of your marina. If your marina requires boat insurance coverage, you’ll have to purchase a policy to make sure you’re following the rules. 

Boat insurance coverage is typically either actual cash value coverage or agreed value coverage. 

The two main types of coverage are actual cash value coverage and agreed value coverage. Actual cash value coverage will cover you for the market value of your boat at the time that it is destroyed. Agreed value coverage will cover you for a certain amount regardless of how much your boat is worth at the moment. 

Boat owners should be aware of added coverage options.

Policyholders should research added coverage options. You might be interested in ice and freeze damage, oil spill cleanup, depreciation waiver, and other types of coverage that you can add to your policy. 

Reach Out To Us Today

Get a quote today on a boat insurance policy that will protect you financially when you’re enjoying your watercraft. Boat owners in Florence, AL can rely on us at McBride Benefit Solutions to get the coverage that they’re looking for. 

What is umbrella insurance?

At McBride Benefit Solutions, we offer comprehensive insurance methods to protect your financial security, home, and business in Florence, AL. Many individuals and businesses need umbrella coverage, but few know about it and its benefits.

In the insurance industry, we refer to umbrella insurance as secondary insurance. That means you must own a primary insurance policy to purchase umbrella coverage. Regarding umbrella coverage, the primary policy must contain liability coverage. Umbrella insurance provides additional liability coverage, and a typical policy provides about $1 million of coverage.

What primary policies qualify?

Essentially, any liability policy qualifies for this type of secondary coverage. We can help you add umbrella insurance to any of the following insurance policies:

  • Auto insurance,
  • Boat insurance,
  • Classic car insurance,
  • Commercial insurance,
  • Condo insurance,
  • Homeowners’ insurance,
  • Motorcycle insurance,
  • Recreational vehicle insurance,
  • Toy insurance.

As long as you purchase liability coverage in your primary policy, whether it’s a bodily liability in auto insurance or general liability in a homeowners’ or condo policy, you can add umbrella coverage.

How does umbrella insurance work?

When you incur liability for any reason, from causing an auto accident to a slip-and-fall accident at your place of business, your main policy pays out any settlement first. Once paying the settlement exhausts it, your umbrella policy kicks in and pays the rest.

Here’s an example. The police find you at fault for an auto accident. You injured two people whose hospital bills total $80,000. Your auto insurance contains only the minimum coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability with a $50,000 maximum per accident. That means your auto coverage pays out $50,000 of the $80,000.

With umbrella coverage, it kicks in to pay the other $30,000 as soon as the payout exhausts the auto insurance. Without umbrella coverage, you must pay the $30,000 out of pocket.

Contact Us Today

Let McBride Benefit Solutions serving the Florence, AL area help protect your financial security with the right insurance policies to protect you.

Questions to ask before choosing your health insurance

It can not be stressed enough what an important decision choosing your health insurance is. This insurance will cover you for the next year, so it is vital that you look at coverage options at your earliest convenience. At McBride Benefit Solutions in Florence, AL, we have a team of experts who will help you to make the correct choice for you and your family. 

Health Insurance FAQs

What will health insurance cost me a month?

Even though cost should not be the only benchmark, it doesn’t matter how great a policy is if you can’t afford it. It is a fine balance to get the best coverage and still be affordable. Having an insurance agent who knows their products and what you can do to get good coverage and still get affordability is important. 

Is my doctor in the network?

Each company has a network of providers who they have contracted to provide services to their members. The cost for these services has been prearranged. Not every doctor is in every network, and if you have one or more doctors who you prefer, it is important that they are in the network. Depending on the type of managed care you have, you may still be able to use them, but not at the arranged price. 

What is the plan deductible?

The deductible is the out-of-pocket amount you must meet to activate the coverage. High deductibles are very popular since they are often the way to get affordable health insurance, but if the deductible is too high, you will never get any insurance coverage. It is important to make sure your deductible is just right. 

Give Us A Call

Contact McBride Benefit Solutions, serving the greater Florence, AL community, when you need to get or update your health insurance policy.

How much life insurance do I need?

When it comes to life insurance, there are a lot of things to consider. One of the first questions you ask yourself should be: "How much life insurance do I need?" Our team of insurance experts at McBridge Benefit Solutions in Florence, AL is here to help you have a better understanding of what life insurance is and how to get the most out of it.

Life Insurance: What You Need To Know

First, you need to consider your personal financial situation and goals. How much do you need to replace your income in the event of your death? Do you have any outstanding debts or ongoing expenses that would need to be covered? And how long do you want your life insurance policy to last?

Once you’ve thought about these factors, you can begin to calculate how much life insurance you actually need. One common method is to consider your current and future income, as well as any debts you may have, to estimate what it would cost to replace all of those things in the event of your death.

A mortgage, for example, is a big commitment, and it’s important to consider it when figuring out how much life insurance to get. A mortgage typically lasts for 30 years, so you want to be sure that your life insurance policy will last at least that long. You’ll also want to make sure that your policy has enough coverage to pay off your mortgage in the event of your death.

Contact Us Today

Of course, there are a lot of other factors to consider when choosing a life insurance policy, and it’s important to speak with an expert to find the policy that’s right for you. Give McBride Benefit Solutions a call today. We proudly serve the Florence, AL area.

Tips to Help You Stay Safe When Driving in the Fog

If you are driving to work early in the morning or leaving work late in the evening, you may see the fog rolling in. Most people are not used to driving in heavy fog, and as such, they may not know how to safely adjust to these new conditions. Here at McBride Benefit Solutions, serving the greater Florence, AL area, we are committed to doing everything we can to help keep drivers safe.

Here are a few tips that can help you stay safe when you are driving in foggy conditions:

Always Use Your Headlights But Avoid Using Your High Beams

Anytime you are driving in foggy conditions, you want to use your headlights to let other drivers know where you are and to help you see. If you have fog lights, you should use that setting. However, you should always avoid using your high beams when you are driving in the fog. 

Reduce Your Speed

Another tip that can help you to stay safe when you are driving in the fog is to reduce your speed. You cannot see as clearly in front of you, and as such, you should go slower. This helps you to hit the brakes in case you see a hazard at the last second. 

Increase Your Following Distance

Finally, always increase your following distance when you are driving in the fog. Other drivers may have to slam on their brakes, and if you are following too closely, you can cause an accident. Give yourself and them more distance between your cars. 

Get Insurance Coverage For Your Vehicle

Unfortunately, the number of accidents that happen on the roadway increase when there is heavy fog. This is where having the right insurance policy can come in handy. The right insurance covers you and your vehicle should an accident happen. Here at McBride Benefit Solutions, serving the greater Florence, AL area, we want to help you get the best insurance policy for your needs. Call us now to get started. 

I Run A Small Business Out Of My Home. Do I Need To Purchase A Separate Policy For My Business?

Many small business owners run their businesses out of their homes. This can be a great way to save money on overhead costs, but it also raises some questions about insurance. Do you need to purchase a separate policy for your business, or will your homeowner’s policy cover you?

There are different options available to small business owners who operate out of their homes. McBride Benefit Solutions in Florence, AL can help you decide whether or not you need a separate policy.

Why Do You Need a Separate Business Policy?

There are a few key reasons you might need to purchase a separate business policy for your business, even if you’re running it out of your home.

1. If you have employees, they’ll need to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This is a type of insurance that covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who are injured while working. Workers’ compensation insurance is required in most states, so if you have employees, you’ll need to purchase a policy.

2. If you have customers or clients who come to your home, you’ll need liability insurance. This insurance protects you if someone is injured while on your property. For example, if a customer slips and falls on your stairs, liability insurance would cover their medical expenses.

3. If you have any expensive equipment or inventory, you’ll need to make sure it’s covered by insurance. Most homeowners’ policies have limits on the amount of coverage they provide for business property. So if you have valuable items, you may need to purchase a separate policy from a reputable company such as McBride Benefit Solutions in Alabama.

4. If you’re selling products or services, you may need product liability insurance. This type of insurance protects you if someone is injured by a product they purchased from you. For example, if you sell cosmetics and a customer has an allergic reaction to one of your products, product liability insurance would cover their medical expenses.

Give Us A Call

If you’re running a small business out of your home, you may need to purchase a separate policy to insure your business. Be sure to speak with an insurance agent from McBride Benefit Solutions in Florence, AL to determine what type of coverage is right for you. Our team is experienced in insuring small businesses and can help you find the right policy for your needs.

I’m Selling My Home. Do I Need To Cancel My Home Insurance?

Home insurance is an integral part of protecting your home and your possessions. However, what happens when you sell your home? Do you need to cancel your policy? In this article, we will discuss the steps you need to take when selling your home and whether or not canceling your home insurance is one of them!

Will Your Home Insurance Policy Transfer To Your New Home?

If you are selling your home and moving into a new one, you may be wondering if your home insurance policy will transfer with you. The answer to this question depends on your circumstances and the type of policy you have. If you have a standard homeowners insurance policy, it’s unlikely to transfer to your new home.

However, if you have a particular type of policy, such as a builder’s risk policy, it may be possible to transfer your coverage. You will need to speak with your insurance agent to determine whether or not your policy is transferable.

When Should You Cancel Your Home Insurance Policy?

If you sell your home in Alabama and will no longer live there, you must cancel your home insurance policy. You should cancel your policy as soon as the sale of your home is final. If you have a mortgage on your home, your lender will require you to maintain coverage until the loan is paid off in full. Once the loan is paid off, you can then cancel your policy.

Can I Get a Refund After Canceling?

You may be eligible for a refund if you cancel your home insurance policy before the end of your policy term. The refund amount will depend on how much premium you have paid and how long it is left in your policy term. You’ll likely receive a pro-rated refund if you have paid your premium in full. However, if you cancel your policy mid-term, you may not receive a refund. That said, most reputable companies such as McBride Benefit solutions Insurance are always willing to come to an agreement with clients.

Conclusion

You’ll need to cancel your home insurance policy when selling your home. You should cancel your policy as soon as the sale of your home is final. If you’re moving to Alabama, contact McBride Benefit Solutions for a new insurance policy. We would be happy to help you find the coverage that you need.

Partner Carriers

  • Aetna
  • Aflac
  • Beazley
  • Chubb
  • Cigna
  • Colonial Life
  • Dearborn
  • Foremost
  • Guardian
  • Hagerty
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • National General
  • New Era Life
  • Openly
  • Orion 180
  • Principal
  • Progressive
  • SafeCo
  • State Auto
  • The Hartford
  • Travelers