Florida | Rolfs Insurance Services

March 5, 2023 By Rick Rolfs

Commercial Insurance: Essential for Businesses of All Sizes

Commercial insurance is an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. It provides protection against a variety of risks and helps companies recover from financial losses in case of accidents, natural disasters, lawsuits, and other unexpected events. Whether you own a small business or manage a large corporation, having the right insurance coverage is critical to your success.

There are several types of commercial insurance that you should consider when creating your insurance plan. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most common types of commercial insurance, explain what they cover, and highlight why they are important. Businesses should review their insurance coverage annually since coverage terms can vary depending on many factors. Standard policy coverage terms serve as the basis for the following examples.

Property Insurance

Property insurance is designed to protect your business’s physical assets, such as buildings, equipment, inventory, and other property. This type of insurance typically covers losses due to fire, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and other events. Property insurance can also cover the cost of rebuilding or repairing your property if it is damaged.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance protects your business from financial losses in case you are sued for damages or injuries caused by your products, services, or operations. This type of insurance covers the cost of defending against lawsuits, as well as any settlements or judgments that may be awarded. Liability insurance is essential for businesses of all sizes, as lawsuits can be costly and disruptive.

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance covers the loss of income that your business may suffer due to a temporary shutdown caused by an insured event, such as a fire, natural disaster, or other unforeseen event. This type of insurance can help keep your business running by covering expenses such as rent, employee salaries, and other operating costs while your business is closed.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance is required by law in many countries, including the United States. This type of insurance provides financial and medical benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Workers’ compensation insurance covers the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages for affected employees.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, protects your business against lawsuits related to professional services. This type of insurance is important for businesses that provide professional services, such as consultants, accountants, and lawyers. Professional liability insurance covers the cost of defending against lawsuits, as well as any settlements or judgments that may be awarded.

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance protects your business against lawsuits related to the products you sell. This type of insurance covers the cost of defending against lawsuits, as well as any settlements or judgments that may be awarded. Product liability insurance is especially important for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell products, as lawsuits related to products can be costly and disruptive.

Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber liability insurance provides protection against losses due to cyber attacks, data breaches, and other types of cybercrime. This type of insurance covers the cost of responding to a cyber attack, as well as the cost of notifying affected customers and repairing any damage to your business’s reputation. With the increasing number of cyber attacks, cyber liability insurance has become an essential type of insurance for businesses of all sizes.

Transportation Insurance

Transportation insurance protects your business against losses related to the transportation of goods and products. This type of insurance covers the cost of replacing lost or damaged goods, as well as any legal costs associated with transporting the goods. Transportation insurance is important for businesses that rely on the transportation of goods to deliver products to customers.

In conclusion, it’s important for businesses of all sizes to have the right insurance coverage. Without it, they may be exposed to significant financial risks that can jeopardize their ability to continue operating. However, with the right insurance coverage in place, businesses can protect themselves and their assets, and have peace of mind knowing that they are prepared for unexpected events. It’s also important for businesses to work with experienced insurance professionals who can help them understand their coverage options and make informed decisions about their insurance needs. By taking a proactive approach to insurance, businesses can help ensure their long-term success and financial stability.

This article contains information which was generated by artificial intelligence and has been professionally reviewed before release to the public.

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September 30, 2022 By Rick Rolfs

Tips to Save Money on Homeowners Insurance

Here are some basic questions and answers which you should consider when looking at the cost of homeowners insurance and your home or home improvements.

How can comparing quotes help homeowners save money on expensive endorsements or additional coverage like flood insurance?

Comparative shopping is always prudent. Certain carriers have appetite for risks that other carriers do not and the premiums are commensurate with that appetite. The current Florida insurance marketplace does not offer a wide variety of choice in that many carriers are not freely writing insurance, but for those that are, it is a good idea to see what they have to offer to optimize coverage for the best possible premium.

Is it possible and wise for a homeowner to compare insurance companies based on more than just cost, such as the percentage of claims that are denied?

It is always prudent to seek multiple offers of insurance. Comparing factors such as financial solvency, coverage terms, conditions, and limitations is smart but not always easy to do. A good agent with knowledge of these things can make this easier for a client to understand as the layman may find this very challenging without a deep knowledge of the issues. This information for comparison is not always readily available in the public forum.

What are your top tips for saving on the cost of homeowners insurance?

Cost savings are best achieved with full wind mitigation, water leak mitigation, theft deterrence such as a central station monitored alarm system, and the obtaining of multiple offers of insurance to the extent to which they are available. Today many people are doing without valuable endorsements, such as, replacement cost coverage on contents in order to save money as well as attempting to reduce the dwelling coverage by working the replacement cost estimate. While these moves can produce savings they also may leave the insured without proper coverage in the event of an occurrence. Premium savings must be carefully considered in terms of the risk/reward benefits.

How does the home’s construction type impact insurance or other costs?

Construction type as well as the year built of the dwelling are significant factors which impact the cost of insurance. Typically, masonry constructed homes are less expensive to insure than frame constructed homes while homes with steel reinforced concrete roof decks are less expensive to insure than homes with wood truss roofing systems. Homes that have opening protection that meet the Miami-Dade County code are less expensive to insure than those homes that do not have these features. When looking for a home with insurance premiums being an escalating ongoing cost, it is important to find a dwelling that has the best construction type and features to maintain the lowest possible insurance costs.

Call us at 954-251-3312 or contact us for more information or to have a more detailed discussion regarding your specific situation.

March 6, 2022 By Rick Rolfs

Your First Spring Garden

How to Create Your First Garden This Spring

From genetically modified crops to the environmental and health effects of pesticides, more and more Florida residents are questioning whether they should grow what they eat.

Wherever you stand on the issues surrounding today’s food supply, however, there are several good reasons to start your own garden:

You’ll know exactly where your food was grown, and what went into growing it.
You and your family can enjoy great-tasting vegetables — better than store-bought, some believe.
Many people find gardening provides both physical and mental benefits and gives them an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Finally, there’s that sense of satisfaction that comes with eating food that you have grown yourself!

Clearly there are plenty of benefits to gardening. But, how do you get started?

Here are some important tips from the Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service, which, like similar services around the country, provides helpful community resources on agriculture and other topics.

Pick the Right Site

“Choosing a garden site is as important as selecting the vegetables to grow in it,” according to the OSU Extension website. “All vegetables need sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil, and they will contract fewer diseases if the site has good ventilation.”

Here’s what to consider before marking your garden plot:

Sunlight. Look for a shade-free site. Vegetables need a minimum of six hours of sunshine a day.
Soil. How is the natural vegetation? If weeds and grass are healthy on the site, the soil will probably be good for vegetables, too.
Surroundings. The roots of trees and large shrubs can suck nutrients away from your vegetables.
Proximity. Make it easy on yourself, with water access nearby. Otherwise, you might be less enthusiastic about caring for your garden.

Choose What to Plant

Check with a local gardening organization or search the Web for what vegetables are best for your specific situation and climate. Here are three factors to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to plant, according to the OSU extension:

Season. Plant your seeds at the right time to avoid damage from temperatures that are too hot or too cold. Follow the instructions on the seed packet.
Depth. If you plant your seeds too shallow, they can wash away or dry out, but if they’re too deep, they might not come up at all.
Spacing. Each plant needs its share of sunlight, nutrients and water. Don’t make them fight for it! Putting seeds too close together usually results in smaller vegetables, too.

Water Wisely

The best way to water is by monitoring your garden, rather than simply adhering to a set schedule. Follow guidelines for your specific plants, and avoid these common problems, as noted by the OSU Extension website:

Frequent, shallow watering. This can promote root development in surface layers of the soil, making plants very susceptible to stress and damage.
Overwatering. Yes, you can “drown” plants; too much water can leave little to no oxygen in the soil.
Postponing watering. Check your plants regularly. If they appear to need water, don’t wait.

For more specific advice on gardening in Florida, check with the local university extension program. And, don’t worry; you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy homegrown food. You just need to be willing to put in a little time and effort — and get your hands dirty!

January 2, 2022 By Rick Rolfs

Home Insurance Rates Are Skyrocketing in Florida. Here’s Why.

Despite legislative reforms passed during the 2021 Legislative Session, Florida’s homeowners have continued to see dramatic property insurance rate increases. At the same time, the insurance industry is losing billions to unnecessary lawsuits from third-party contractors. In the first three quarters of 2021, financial results show that property insurance had $1.22 billion in underwriting losses.¹

So, what does this have to do with your property insurance rates going up? Everything.

Florida’s insurance marketplace has been plagued by unscrupulous cottage industries whose business model is capitalizing on consumers’ insurance policies. Bad actors in the construction, roofing, public adjusting, and legal industries have used abusive solicitation and marking tactics to manipulate the claims process for their benefit.

Only 8.15% of all U.S. homeowners claims were opened in Florida in 2019. Yet, Florida accounted for more than 76 percent of property claim lawsuits in the U.S.²

Between 2013 and 2020, Florida’s property insurers paid out fifteen billion in claims costs. Only eight percent of that was paid to consumers, while 71% was paid to attorneys.³

In 2020, Florida’s homeowners paid $651 more than people in nearby states like Georgia and Alabama. This year, that gap is projected to grow to $866.

The cost of bad actors and third parties filing false or inflated insurance claims is passed along to all of us.
Tasha Carter, Insurance Consumer Advocate

If you’re one of the thousands of homeowners in Florida who can’t afford property insurance rate increases, NOW is the time to tell your elected officials to ACT.

1. Guy carpenter Industry Financial Reporting
2. National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Market Conduct Annual Survey (MCAS) Report
3. Florida's P&C Insurance Market: Spiraling Towards Collapse

Information provided by the Florida Association for Insurance Agents

December 5, 2021 By Rick Rolfs

Want a Safer Home? Consider these Inexpensive Fixes

Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too.

But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can handle to make your home safer – whether you’re handy or not. And you won’t have to break out the power tools (or any tools at all in some instances) or worry about getting in over your head.

Water Works
You need running water in your home – but not water running in your home, if you know what we mean. Even minor leaks can cause major problems, from higher water bills to damage requiring costly repairs (maybe even the kind you can’t tackle yourself). Here are some easy ways to make sure your water stays where it should:

Check your appliances. They’re the most common source of water leaks in homes, so it’s worth taking a look at least once a year to check for problems. And the hoses that come with your washer and dishwasher can mean big trouble – they break down over time. Look for kinks and cracks, and replace if needed. Consider using reinforced hoses, too; those with steel braiding or mesh won’t hold up forever, but they’re stronger than rubber or plastic.
Watch the pressure. Water pressure that is set too high can cause pipes, hoses and water lines to leak or burst. Inexpensive gauges are available at home-improvement stores to test your pressure.
Consider installing water sensors. These can alert you to a leak or other problem soon after it occurs – some can even send messages to your smartphone.

Keep Your Family (and Your Guests) On Their Feet
Millions of Americans – many of them older adults – are injured in falls each year. About 2.5 million were hurt in 2013 alone, according to the National Safety Council and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Look around your home. Should you make some of these fixes?

Reduce clutter. Everything from small pieces of furniture to area rugs can pose a hazard, so make sure they’re in appropriate places and out of the way if possible.
Add stability to stairs. Make sure stairways have sturdy rails, and maybe even non-slip strips, particularly outdoors.
Let there be light. It’s hard to walk safely when you can’t see obstacles or potential trouble spots. Make sure your home is well-lit, and don’t forget night lights, too.

Give Everyone Some Air
Pollution isn’t just an outside thing – the air in your home can be unhealthy, too. But helping people breathe a little easier isn’t hard when you follow these steps:

Test the air (and your detectors). Make sure you have working carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors and test them regularly. Also, consider testing your home for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be dangerous over time.
Check your filters and ducts. Keeping your furnace filter and air ducts clean will keep your air cleaner as well. And consider adding some of nature’s air filters: plants.
Keep your home clean. Dust doesn’t just build up on the furniture – it ends up in the air as well. Regular cleaning means cleaner air (just be sure to use safe products).

Home improvement doesn’t have to mean a kitchen remodel or finishing the garage. Making your home safer, in fact, just might be the best improvement of all.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.

Top image by Flickr user CORGI HomePlan used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

September 29, 2021 By Rick Rolfs

Selling on Amazon.com? We can help!

Amazon sellers which exceed a certain amount of gross proceeds in sales are required by Amazon to obtain liability insurance (review the Business Solutions Agreement with Amazon for complete details). We have access to the appropriate markets which provide this coverage through companies with excellent financial strength as rated by AM Best, the industry standard for determining an insurance carrier’s financial strength.

When is this insurance coverage required by Amazon?

Amazon makes the process as easy as possible for their sellers. The complete details of their requirements are located within the Business Solutions Agreement which can be located on their seller central website. Amazon may also send an email denoting their insurance coverage requirements, why their insurance coverage requirements apply, and explaining how to communicate proof of insurance to them, typically via seller central. Amazon commonly requests that their sellers obtain and maintain liability insurance with a limit of at least $1 million per occurrence and in aggregate, and cover liabilities caused by or occurring in conjunction with business operations, including products, products/completed operations and bodily injury.

Well, how much will this insurance coverage for Amazon cost?

Probably much less than the average cost of insurance coverage. These policies are primarily rated based on estimated total gross annual revenues. Therefore, higher gross annual sales would equate to a higher insurance premium. Another factor which affects the cost of this coverage are the products which are being manufactured and/or sold. This is accounted for by insurance companies under what is referred to as a class code.

There are also other factors and details which contribute to the cost of insurance. In order to determine the precise cost call us at (954) 251-3312 or click here to get in touch and we’ll provide a formal offer of insurance which will satisfy Amazon’s seller insurance requirements. Please also feel free to contact us for additional information.

August 1, 2021 By Rick Rolfs

Should You Be Worried About Your Appliance Hoses?

There’s a ticking time bomb in your South Florida house right now, waiting to strike when you least expect it. In fact, there might even be more than one. And each can cause thousands and thousands of dollars in damage.

We here at Rolfs Insurance Services are talking about faulty appliance hoses, of course.

Consider your humble washing machine: According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), washing-machine failures cost an average of more than $5,000, and faulty hoses are responsible for more than half of those failures.

You can take steps to defuse these ticking time bombs — or at least make them less likely to go off. Here are the common hoses and tubes you should be checking:

Washing Machine
Most washing machines come with rubber hoses that connect to your water supply — hoses that can wear out and eventually burst. The IBHS says to check frequently for blisters, worn tubing, stress cracks and loose connections. Even if there is no obvious wear, replace hoses every five years. Use a reinforced steel-braided hose, as they are less likely to fail.

Dryer
Although you should clean the lint trap in your dryer with every load, danger lurks behind the dryer as well. Flexible plastic or foil ducting can easily trap lint and increase the risk of fire, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency recommends the use of a rigid or semi-rigid metal duct instead. Whichever you use, be sure to disconnect and clean the ducting annually.

Refrigerator
If your refrigerator has an icemaker or water dispenser, it also has a hose connecting it to the water supply. Replace the standard hose with a steel-braided line for added security.

Dishwasher
Dishwasher leaks can easily go undetected, so it’s important to check these connections regularly as well. Make sure that hoses and lines have no kinks, and periodically remove and clean the filter in the dishwasher, which is designed to stop food pieces from making it into the drain hose.

Gas Grills
At least once a year (typically when you fire up the grill for the first time after winter), check the hose connecting the fuel source to the burners. Simply brush it with some soapy water, turn the gas on (do not light the grill) and check the hose for air bubbles. If you see any, replace the hose and fitting.

In addition to checking your hoses regularly and replacing them when needed, there are monitoring systems available now that can automatically shut off your water supply in the event of a failure. Some detect leaks with moisture indicators, while at least one new system actually checks your water meter for unusual activity.

To further protect you, your homeowners insurance may cover certain damage that results from appliance hose failures. But, it all depends on the circumstances of your situation and on your specific policy. You may find that an appliance hose failure is not covered by your insurance, so it’s best to maintain your appliances to avoid damage in the first place.

If you have questions about your homeowners insurance coverage or need help with a claim, we here at Rolfs Insurance Services are happy to help.

June 5, 2021 By Rick Rolfs

Hurricane Preparation & Resolution | A Plan for Before & After the Storm

Hurricane preparation is frequently on the minds of Floridians as hurricanes are often racing towards our shoreline. When under a hurricane warning or hurricane/tropical storm watch, the forecast track may put us all in peril as the looming storms threaten property damage, mass power outages and communications breakdowns.

Hurricane preparation prior to a storm arriving.

Clear the immediate area of debris that could potentially become airborne. Install hurricane shutters, and take photographs to illustrate the quality of your property prior to damage caused by a storm. Safeguard and prepare beforehand when the threat of a disastrous storm is imminent.

In the wake of a storm’s passing, if property damage has occurred:

Take immediate steps to keep additional loss from happening.
Take photographs evidencing the property damage.
Save all receipts and keep track of all expenses associated with securing the property from additional damage.
Immediately report the loss to your agent, or if communications and electricity are unavailable, report directly to the insurer.

Additional tips & related safety information may be found at The United States Department of Homeland Security website https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

Listed below are the claims phone numbers for many of the insurers that we represent.

In the event that we are not contactable please call your insurer directly to report the loss as it is imperative that claims be reported immediately.

AIG	1-888-760-9195
American Bankers Insurance Company	1-800-654-4895
Anchor Insurance	1-844-365-5588
Bankers Insurance Group	1-800-765-9700
Burns & Wilcox	813-558-9560
Chubb	1-800-252-4670
Citizens	1-866-411-2742
Edison Insurance Company	888-683-7971
Elements Property Insurance Company	1-866-709-8749
FedNat	1-800-293-2532 & press 2, followed by 2
Florida Peninsula	866-549-9672, option 3
Frontline	1-800-675-0145
Geovera	1-800-735-8086
Heritage Property & Casualty	1-855-415-7120
Homeowners Choice	1-866-324-3138
Intact Specialty	1-877-248-3455
Ironshore	1-800-466-9165
Lexington Insurance Company	1-800-931-9546
Mercury	1-800-503-3724
MetLife	1-800-854-6011
National Specialty Insurance Company	844-878-2567
Olympus Insurance Company	1-866-281-2242
Onebeacon Entertainment	1-877-248-3455
Progressive	1-800-776-4737
ProSight Specialty Insurance Company	1-800-774-2755
Pure	1-888-813-7873
Safeco	1-800-332-3226
Safehold Special Risk	1-800-842-8917
Safepoint Insurance	1-855-252-4615
Scottsdale Insurance Company	1-800-423-7675
Southern Oak Insurance Company	1-877-900-2280
Tower Hill	1-800-342-3407
Travelers Insurance Company	1-800-238-6225
United Property & Casualty Insurance Company	1-888-256-3378
Universal Insurance Company of North America	1-866-999-0898
Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company	800-470-0599
Vault	1-844-388-5677
Velocity Risk Underwriters	844-878-2567
Weston Insurance	1-877-505-3040
Wright Flood Insurance Group	1-800-725-9472

April 4, 2021 By Rick Rolfs

Heavy Rain? Be on the Lookout for Heavy Water Damage

Your home protects you from the elements, but heavy rains can weaken that protection. With a little maintenance and a lot of vigilance, it’s not hard to stay safe and dry.

Spring rainstorms are a fact of life in many areas of the country, and they help keep things green, even if they keep you inside. But when they get heavy, it’s time to start thinking about the potential impact all that water has on your home. The first step is finding and fixing any immediate problems as soon as it’s safe to do so. Then, you’ll want to take measures to prevent those problems from happening during the next downpour!

A homeowners insurance policy may provide coverage for water damage with or without limitations, but does not provide coverage for flooding. Obtain flood insurance coverage to insure your home for floods.

Where is all that rain going? Check the roof and gutters to avoid interior water damage.

Your roof and gutters form a key line of defense for your home – and in a storm, they’re vulnerable, because so many things can damage them. Trees, hail, and other objects can create weaknesses that might lead to leaks in your roof, so check for missing shingles and other issues. And keep your gutters clear so all that water drains properly.

Are you checking everywhere? wind driven rain can lead to water damage from the exterior walls and openings.

Water dripping from the ceiling is hard to miss. Water in your crawl space, however, can easily go undetected because hardly anyone ever checks there. Don’t forget to look down there after a storm (or have a professional do it) to make sure everything is nice and dry. If you do see moisture, you’ll want to get it out with a sump pump as soon as possible to avoid further water damage.

And don’t just look up – another place to check is your home’s exterior, whether it’s siding, brick, or another material. Weak spots can be hard to see, so look at various times of the day in different lighting conditions.

Of course, you’ll want to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed to keep the elements out, too. Consider purchasing electronic water sensing devices to detect interior water intrusion. Should water make its way inside your home these water sensors can alert you to help immediately begin mitigating any water damage. The most basic water sensors can be purchased for as little as $10 a sensor.

What about around your property?

Storm water has to go somewhere, and if your property doesn’t drain well, or if runoff goes toward your foundation, you could have problems. So watch for patterns, and grade property so it drains away from your home if possible. Always be wary of hillsides and tilting trees after heavy storms, because the land might not be stable.

And don’t forget to keep storm drains clear of leaves and other debris. This can prevent flooding both on the streets and your own property.

What should you do during the storm?

During powerful storms, stay inside. This is not the time to check your roof, your exterior, or your property unless there’s an emergency and you know it’s safe to go out. Monitor your interior, making sure no water is getting in. If it is, do what you can to alleviate the situation in the moment, even if it means just placing something under a leak to collect the water to prevent further water damage. For more serious problems, though, remember that safety is the most important thing. If your basement is flooding, for example, don’t go down there – you could be trapped and even drown.

Thankfully, powerful storms only hit once in a while. Preparing for them, however, should be on your mind a lot more frequently, because the next one could be tomorrow.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.

Top image by Flickr user Victor U used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

February 28, 2021 By Rick Rolfs

Certificate of Authenticity…

A certificate of insurance is a document which evidences proof of insurance to its holder. It conveys an indication of insurance coverage including special designations such as additional insured status to its holder, as well as endorsements which may or may not extend and/or limit coverage. It is a legal document used to consummate contracts such as leases or loans, and may be utilized to imply coverage with regard to municipalities and other public entities to facilitate the issuance of permits for construction or other public events. The question is, how does a consumer know that the certificate is authentic?

One day, in walked a man with a document in his hand and he was looking for “you know who.” He said he was from the Division of Insurance Fraud Investigations and he needed to verify if a certificate had been issued by our agency. Upon a scan of our database and an examination of the form looking for tell-tale diagnostic signs as to whether or not it had come from our system, it was determined that the form was not produced by us. A sworn statement was requested and given to the investigator as a result of this due diligent process for use in the continuation of the investigation surrounding the potential fraud. Since insurance is woven into the fabric of our society and is mandated by law as well as in the support of business relationships, this kind of crime tears at the fabric of the public good. When fraud is discovered it should be reported to the proper authorities as these acts cost us all money, time and aggravation.

It is up to the consumer to mitigate this kind of skullduggery.

Prudence dictates that when requesting a certificate of insurance from a third party, that the document should be forwarded directly from the issuing agent to the certificate holder in order to prevent or limit the potential for chicanery. The document should be examined and understood by the holder, and if any questions should arise either the issuing authorized agent should be contacted and questioned or your own agent may be used as a resource to limit the possibility of shenanigans.

At Rolfs Insurance Services we provide our clients with advice and consultation when it comes to these matters. Feel free to talk to us if questions should arise when faced with these kinds of issues. Think of us as in your inner circle of advisors for knowledge and consultation with regard to these kinds of questions.