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Florence, AL 35630

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McBride Benefit Solutions Blog

Is Renter’s Insurance Really Necessary?

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If you’re renting an apartment or space in a private home, then you’ll need renters insurance. The basic structure is covered under homeowners or commercial property insurance in the case of an apartment complex. The contents are covered to a point, but not in an apartment building. McBride Benefit Solutions explains why renter’s insurance in Florence, AL is necessary.

Define Necessary

Your personal possessions are worth something to you, especially if you have works of art or professional equipment. You’d want reimbursement for these things if an emergency happened.

If something happens to the structure such as fire or flood, then you’ll need a place to stay while the structure is repaired. This and more costs money you might not have. The coverage from the renter’s insurance will help.

If you’re like most of us, your financial records, your work, your family pictures, and more are stored on your computer. Lose that, and the information could be irreplaceable. This may be one of the most important reasons to get renter’s insurance.

What If I’m Away From Home?

Many policies cover you when you’re not home. Let’s say you were visiting Aunt Harriet in Idaho, and you stopped for a meal. If your phone or laptop is taken, then your renter’s insurance could cover the loss. Check with your insurer to make certain.

What If I Don’t Have Renter’s Insurance?

Possibly nothing. Possibly you could be on the hook for replacing your belongings in the case of an emergency. It’s up to the renter if the small savings are worth the loss of their possessions. It isn’t legally required, so it’s ultimately up to the renter.

Reach Out To Us

Insurance is there to replace things in our lives when things go south. Even renters enjoy protection normally given to homeowners. Drop by our office in Florence, AL, or call us at McBride Benefit Solutions to learn more about it.

RV Insurance FAQs

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As a team of qualified professionals at McBride Benefit Solutions in Florence, AL, we hear certain questions about RV insurance more often than others. To help you decide if RV insurance is right for you, we’ve compiled some answers to our most frequently asked questions. Of course, our team is always here to answer more specific questions and discuss our policies in greater detail at our office in the area. For general answers to FAQs, keep reading the article below.

What does insurance on an RV cover?

While every policy has different terms, some general issues that RV insurance might cover fall into the categories of damage, liability, and theft. If your vehicle is harmed by certain qualifying natural disasters, vandalism, or a wreck, RV insurance may help you cover the costs associated with fixing the vehicle or replacing certain parts. If your RV is stolen, the RV insurance might cover the costs of replacing the RV up to a certain amount. Specifics of what an RV insurance policy covers will be detailed in your policy.  

Does RV insurance cover items inside the vehicle?

With some RV insurance policies, you may be able to cover valuables inside the vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged. Some have limits on the types of items covered. It all depends on the terms of your policy.

Is it a good idea to get RV insurance?

In our opinion, if you have an RV, it is best to get RV insurance. Even if you don’t intend for it to become damaged or stolen, there’s no way to predict the future. If you are covered today, you won’t have to worry about what tomorrow holds.

To learn about our RV insurance coverage, call our office at McBride Benefit Solutions in Florence, AL today!

Understanding the Basic Coverage Options for Motorcycle Insurance

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If you ride a motorcycle, you need motorcycle insurance. Just like with automobiles, having the right insurance coverage can help protect you financially if you are involved in an accident or if someone steals your bike. But what exactly does motorcycle insurance cover? Here at McBride Benefit Solutions, we have put together a quick, comprehensive guide to help riders from the Florence, AL area know their options.

Protecting Yourself from Third-Party Claims

One of the main components of motorcycle insurance is liability coverage. This insurance protects you from financial loss if you are found responsible for injuring someone else or damaging their property while operating your motorcycle. In the event that you are sued for damages, your insurance will pay for legal fees and any damages you owe up to your policy limit.

Covering Damage to Your Bike in an Accident

Motorcycle insurance can also help you pay for repairs or replacement if your bike is damaged in an accident. Collision coverage can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement to your bike after a collision with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive coverage can protect against other types of damage like fire, theft, or vandalism.

Insuring Against Theft, Vandalism, and Other Risks

Many motorcycle owners invest a lot of time and money in their bikes, which can make them targets for theft or vandalism. Additional coverage options like theft or vandalism coverage can help protect your investment. It’s important to note that if you have a loan or lease on your motorcycle, your lender may require you to have this coverage.

Medical Payments, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists, and More

In addition to the previously mentioned coverage options, motorcycle insurance also offers other forms of protection. Medical payments coverage can help pay for medical expenses for you or your passengers in the event of an accident. Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage can protect you financially if you are involved in an accident with someone who either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance.

We Are Here To Help!

As you can see, there are many different types of coverage options available for motorcycle insurance. Choosing the right coverage for your motorcycle is important for ensuring that you are protected financially in the event of an accident or other damage. At McBride Benefit Solutions, our experienced agents can help you choose the right coverage options to meet your needs and budget. Contact us to learn more about coverage options for residents of the Florence, AL area. 

Four important things to know about boat insurance

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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?

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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

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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?

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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

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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?

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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?

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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.

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