W3 Insurance

Life Insurance: The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Present

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Take Valentine’s gifting to a new level this year with the ultimate present: life insurance. Chocolate says: You’re sweet. Roses declare: Our relationship is beautiful. Life insurance promises: I’ll take care of you even if I’m gone. Which is the most meaningful option?

We’re here to help you make this February the month your loved ones find peace of mind. Read below as we answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the purchase of life insurance:

  • How do I know which type of life insurance is right for me? Learn the difference between term life insurance, which locks in your rate for the just the duration of the term and whole or universal life options that accrue cash value. One size of life insurance does not fit all, and that’s why the advice of an experienced advisor is so helpful.
  • Do I need life insurance if I’m single? YES. Others may not be depending on your income, but if something were to happen to you, your family will incur the expense of final arrangements. Also, it’s advantageous to lock in your insurability while you are healthy and qualify for favorable rates.
  • I’m young and healthy, so why do I need a life policy? Congratulations – it’s the perfect time for you to apply! The healthier you are when you request life insurance, the lower your cost is likely to be. There’s a common saying that life insurance isn’t for the living – it’s for those they leave behind.
  • My health isn’t the best – should I still seek to purchase life insurance? Of course! And if your health conditions improve, your rate may as well. For example, if you are a smoker and are 30 pounds overweight at the time of policy purchase, you may be able to seek a re-evaluated rate if your health changes for the better in the future.

Take the next step by contacting Abbey J. Bowersox CLU, your W3 Insurance life insurance advisor, at 727-522-7777 x150. She specializes in finding the right policy for each client.

Keep the flowers. Buy the chocolates. And inside the card, tuck a printout of a life insurance policy with the message:

New Year, New Exposures – The Importance of Holiday Gift Insurance

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importance-of-holiday-gift-insuranceEveryone who fit a trampoline, puppy, drone or diamond under the tree, listen up: you are not only popular in your home right now, but you also likely need to adjust your personal lines insurance. For many of us, the New Year came with new exposures. Here’s how to back some of those fun and precious gifts from Santa with the proper holiday gift insurance protection.

  • Puppy owners – Congratulations on your new addition! Along with new bowls and chew toys, it may be time to purchase an umbrella policy. No, not because cuteness is now raining down upon your family, though it most certainly is. Many a Florida homeowners policy excludes animal liability. If protection is available through homeowners insurance, it usually offers a lower limit of liability coverage. A personal lines umbrella can extend your limit or close that coverage gap. Also consider purchasing pet health insurance, especially if your fuzzy bundle of joy is of a breed known to develop health problems.
  • Drones – These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are classified by the FAA as bonafide aircraft. That leaves your Florida homeowners insurance carrier to decide whether you receive personal liability protection under your current policy. There’s a reason for this. Plenty of accidents have been attributed to drone use. UAVs have been reported to literally fall out of the sky and damage people and/or property. They’re not just ‘remote control cars in the wide blue yonder.’ Check your residential insurance policy with your agent and gauge any additional coverage needs.
  • Golf cart – We’ll ignore for the moment that you obviously purchased that vehicle for yourself. But know this: that cart and your liability arising out of its ownership and operation is likely unprotected. Specific insurance policies or endorsements for golf carts exist precisely for this reason.  Note: When you call your insurance agent for options, be prepared to say, “This sounds like auto insurance!”  Florida golf cart insurance is really very similar, with coverage offered for elements such as bodily injury, collision and property damage.  It’s also important to note – if your golf cart or low speed vehicle has a 17 digit vehicle identification number (VIN), you are then required by the state to have an auto policy with PIP coverage in place at all times.
  • Baubles and other bling – Jewelry may be insured under your Florida homeowners policy – or it may not be. Get an appraisal and work with an insurance expert to properly protect your investment.
  • Additions to existing policies – So you went for the whole bow-on-the-car Christmas morning shock factor? Good for you! Make sure to call your insurance agent and add that SUV to your auto policy. The same goes for a new boat or home expansions.

For all these new exposures and more, you can trust W3 Insurance to offer solid guidance and comprehensive personal lines insurance. Call us today at 727-522-7777. We’ll insure your New Year treasures with peace of mind protection.

The Truth About Jewelry Insurance – Give the gift of COVERAGE

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It’s time to amend the diamond shopper’s guide referred to as ‘The 4Cs.’ Cut, clarity, color and carat are all important, but what about coverage?

Make sure that you consider insurance for that gorgeous tennis bracelet. The ring nestled as a stocking surprise needs protecting, too. Jewelry insurance is a part of most bauble purchases, yet few consumers understand how the process works.

Here’s the truth about jewelry insurance.

  • Your homeowners policy may probably does not fully cover jewelry. Most have limited coverage, if any.
  • Purchased a jewelry floater? That’s a great start, but if you schedule only certain items as part of that floater, those items are all that are covered. Unscheduled coverage is also imperative for smaller items.
  • The appraisal application is extremely important in securing jewelry coverage, so make sure it’s complete. You’ll be asked for a clear picture of the item as well as essential details unique to the piece. For example, up to 50% of the value of a diamond is derived from cut. If this information is missing, the insurance company cannot denote value.
  • A Graduate Gemologist who is also a Certified Insurance Appraiser is the ‘gold’ standard of jewelry insurance. Not only will this professional reveal the true worth of your piece, but his word is golden when it comes to securing proper coverage limits for it.
  • Appraisal forms vary widely. Some are long, some are short – most are downright confusing. Contact your W3 insurance agent to learn more about solutions for jewelry coverage.

Beautiful jewelry isn’t meant to collect dust inside a drawer. Insurance gives the owner piece to the fullest. For more information about jewelry insurance and how you can protect that which you hold dear, contact W3 Insurance at (727)522-7777.

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Secure Your Business – Here’s How:

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Thanks to all the news stories of businesses toppling amidst cyber attack, you’re likely convinced that the threat is real. As cyber insurance advisors, we can assure you that the battle is ongoing and that hackers and other miscreants show no sign of calling for a cease fire. How can you win the war? Besides purchasing cyber attack coverage, there are some relatively simple measures you can take to ensure your organization does not become a cautionary tale. Below is a short list of steps you can take:

  • Securely back up confidential information/important files in a remote location NOT connected to you business’s main network.
  • Update software as new updates are released to stay up-to-date with the latest security updates.
  • Be aware of logins and passwords
    • Take special care when dealing with passwords to portals that contain banking information, health insurance, PayPal information, etc.
    • Select long passwords with two factor authentication
    • Don’t reuse passwords
  • Always verify any change requests from vendors/clients by calling a pre-determined number. Never call the number ON the change request; it may be fraudulent
  • Keep employees current regarding all types of cyber scam techniques and the best ways to combat them.
  • Stay educated through reputable sites and share pertinent information with directors and officers, as well as employees. These include: iii.org, IC3.gov and idtheftcenter.org.
  • Recognize that prior to your business being targeted by phone or email, your computers likely will have been breached. Consult with computer technology experts and use updated cyber security software, secure Wi-Fi networks, and two factor authorization.

If you haven’t yet purchased cyber insurance, find your coverage here. All it takes is a few minutes to complete the application; afterward we’ll present you with a bindable quote. W3 Insurance is on your side in the fight against cyber attack. Thanks to extensive coverage options, we’re able to be part of the shield that keeps businesses like yours from becoming a statistic.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

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Every year for the holidays we gather with friends and family to celebrate. We spend quality time with family and cherish what we’re grateful for. Leading up to the holidays there are rituals of putting up your favorite holiday ornaments, lights, knick-knacks, and more. One of these holiday rituals can present a risk in your home when it comes to causing fires; a Christmas tree.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 200 home fires per year that began with Christmas trees, both real and artificial. These fires caused an annual average of 6 civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $14.8 million in direct property damage.

Tips for preventing a Christmas tree fire:

  • Dry Christmas trees are the biggest reason for why a tree fire starts. When picking out your tree, look for fresh green needles that do not fall off when touched.
  • Add water to your tree daily.
  • Make sure your tree is at least three feet away from any heat source.
  • Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
  • Make sure you clean up any needles that do fall off the tree on a regular basis.
  • Check your holiday lights for split or fraying wires.
  • Always turn off the lights on a tree when leaving your home or going to bed.
  • Check that your smoke alarm is working correctly.
  • Have a fire extinguisher close by and know how to use it.
  • Remove your tree immediately after Christmas. A tree will dry out and the longer the tree is in your home the more at risk you are for a fire.

Of course, these tips may not completely remove the risk of having a Christmas tree fire, but they will lower your risk. Want to see what happens when a Christmas Tree is not properly maintained? Watch this video:

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