Car Insurance Premiums Rise In Florida

Floridians have seen an average auto insurance premium increase of almost 14% since January 1.  This article from the Tampa Tribune lays out the various reasons for the increase- Click Here.

Make sure you are receiving every possible discount on your auto insurance policy.  Many companies give discounts for the following:

Paperless- receiving all your correspondence through email.
EFT- Electronic Fund Transfer for all payments
Paid In Full- Paying a policy in full at the beginning for the policy period often results in substantial savings.
Senior Driving Course- Drivers 55 years and older can take an online course and receive a discount from many companies
SnapShot- Progressive offers discounts to drivers who install the "Snapshot".  The devise tracks your driving habits including the amount of driving you do and applies discounts to your policy.

Of course if you are like me and have two drivers under the age of 25 you will be paying very high rates no matter what.

For a free no hassle insurance review, call Boca Insurance Group at 954-596-0691.

Citizens to Shed another 81,500 Homeowners Insurance Policies

Citizens is shedding more policies to new, private insurers. IF this happens to you, make sure you call your insurance agent and review the specifics about the new company and the coverage offered. Many of the "take out" companies offer enhanced coverage compared to the Citizens policy you previously had. Also, be aware that many of the new companies have a "right to repair" clause in their policy which means they can choose the contractor to repair damage. Stay informed about your options and call Boca Insurance Group- 954-596-0691.  

For more information please read this article that outlines Citizens plans- Click Here

Citizens To Reduce Premiums

Finally some relief for Citizens Property and Casualty customers appears to be on the horizon.  Citizens plans to file for a rate reduction for 2015.  This would bring down Palm Beach County homeowners insurance rates by 7% and Broward County by 7.4% for standard homeowners insurance policies.

Its not all good news as Palm Beach county wind only rates would rise by 5.7%.

Click here to read the entire Palm Beach Post article

Boca Insurance Group always advises customers to avoid Citizens if at all possible.  If you are currently with Citizens, Boca Insurance Group wants to help you find better coverage for a better premium.  Call us today to see how we can help or e-mail us at pat@bocainsgroup.com

Florida No-Fault Auto Insurance Law to lower premiums?

So far, changes enacted by the Florida legislature have helped lowered PIP premiums by an average of 2.5%.  This is a far cry from the 25% anticipated when the changes were being discussed.  Click Here for the Miami Herald article discussing these changes. 

The key to seeing meaningful decreases in premium is lower PIP claims costs and a decrease in fraud.  Florida- south Florida in particular- is home to some of the highest fraud rates in the country.  Until fraud is under control, Florida will continue to see higher than average rates.

Boca Insurance Group represents a number of quality auto insurance companies allowing us to quote numerous carriers to find the best possible rate for your insurance dollar.  Call us today at 954-596-0691 and see how we can help lower your auto insurance premiums.  You may also e-mail us at pat@bocainsgroup.com to request a quote.

Are you covered for all that a hurricane can bring?

Many consumers erroneously believe their homeowners insurance policy will cover them for all damage caused by a hurricane.  Please be aware that Homeowners Insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding- this includes flooding from a hurricane, including storm surge.  Flood insurance is relatively inexpensive and is administered by FEMA and the Federal Government. 

These two articles, from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, give some good information about flood insurance and the need for this special coverage.

Did you know a policy that covers your home for $250,000 and $100,000 in contents can be as little as $365 annually in a non-high risk flood zone.

Not sure if you are in a high risk flood zone?  Call us at 954-596-0691 or e-mail us at pat@bocainsgroup.com and we will check for you. 

Please do not miss out on this affordable important coverage.  Flood insurance has a 30 day waiting period- meaning you will not be covered for thirty days once you purchase flood insurance.  Don't delay.

Boca Insurance Group is a full service independent insurance agency specializing in hurricane coverage.  Please call us today to see how we can help you.  954-596-0691.

Tropical Storm Sandy Should Miss Florida

Tropical Storm Sandy is forcast to miss Florida but it still bears watching.  Click Here for a link to the National Hurricane Center's updates on Tropical Storm Sandy.

Boca Insurance Group provides all forms of insurance with special expertise in hurricane insurance in Florida.  Please call us today at 954-596-0691 to find out how we can help you save on your hurricane insurance.

Florida Workers' Comp rates may rise 6.1%

A proposed statewide average 6.1 percent increase in Florida’s workers’ compensation rates could spur the first major legislative changes in the state’s system since 2003. 

The National Council on Compensation Insurance filed for the 6.1 percent increase in August, marking the third consecutive rate increase after seven consecutive decreases following a 2003 rewrite of the state’s workers’ compensation law. Even if regulators approve the current rate filing as submitted, those reforms have seen Florida’s rates drop by 56 percent.

This article on the Insurance Journal's website explains more about the proposed 6.1% increase and more impending increases if the legislature fails to act to curb some of the costs.

Boca Insurance Group handles all forms of insurance including workers compensation.  Call us today to discuss your options 954-596-0691 or e-mail us at pat@bocainsgroup.com.
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State Farm Approved for Rate Increase

Economically strapped Floridians continue to receive bad news.  State Farm Florida has been approved for a rate increase that averages 6%.  Click Here for the full story from the Sun Sentinel.

State Farm Florida is the state's third largest insurer behind Citizens Property and Casualty- the state run insurer and Universal Property and Casualty- the largest private insurer.  Boca Insurance Group is an agent for Universal Property and Casualty.

Florida continues to struggle with insurance coverage for homeowners and businesses.  For a free no obligation review of your homeowners or business insurance, call Boca Insurance Group today at 954-596-0691 or e-mail us at pat@bocainsgroup.com. 

Citizens is Shedding More Policies

Citizens Property and Casualty is in the process of moving close to 300,000 policies to private insurers.  Click Here for more from the Sun Sentinel. 

If you are currently insured by Citizens you may receive, or may have already received, a notice that Citizens is transferring your policy to an admitted private insurer.  The new company is prohibited from raising your premium more than 10% per year for the first three years and must offer comparable coverage.  While, this sounds great, companies will almost certainly review your coverage and confirm you are receiving property wind mitigation discounts.  This can often increase your premium substantially.

I always advocate finding coverage with another insurer other than Citizens.  I would encourage consumers that receive this letter to take the time to explore your options, not just with the company that is taking over the policy, but with other companies.  As an independent insurance agent, Boca Insurance Group represents a number of quality companies that are issuing new policies.  As a tip, it is much easier to find coverage when it is not hurricane season or it is getting close to the close of hurricane season. 

Call us today at 954-596-0691 or e-mail us at pat@bocainsgroup.com  to learn how we can help you achieve BIG Insurance Savings! 

As always, visit our website www.bocainsgroup.com for more information and tips.

Car Insurance Savings Tips

Car insurance premiums seem to rise every year.  Much of this in Florida can be traced to the massive fraud occuring with claims.  Insurance companies are there to pay claims, but they have really been hurt by the fraud occuing with PIP claims.  This aricle Click Here, gives you some tips on lowing your premiums and keeping them low. 

One other note for Progressive customers.  You may wish to check out "Snapshot", Progressives new discount program.  Its a simple plug in for your car that can save you up to 30% based on your driving habits.  The great thing with Snapshot is that your rates can not go up using this program. 

Call us today at 954-596-0691 to find out how we can help you save. 

Boca Insurance Group is the Home of BIG Insurance Savings!