Category: Home Insurance

Florida is known for many things, including having more sinkholes than any other state in the U.S. To protect your Jacksonville, FL home, Skyline Insurance LLC offers an optional coverage for your home insurance policy to guard against this specific risk.

Homeowners’ Policies Do Not Automatically Include Sinkhole Protection

Sinkholes are common in only seven U.S. states; therefore, standard home insurance policies do not provide coverage against this hazard. Each of these seven states – Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas – have laws regarding the availability of sinkhole protection. Florida mandates that its insurance agencies offer optional coverage for catastrophic ground cover collapse. Every Florida policyholder can add this coverage as an endorsement or an add-on to their homeowners’ policy. In Florida, sinkhole insurance is not automatically offered and needs to be specifically requested.

Understanding Sinkholes

Sinkholes are defined legally, geologically, and by the insurance industry. Florida Title XXXVII, Chapter 627, 627.706 (h) incorporates the geological definition into its legal definition of a sinkhole. According to Florida law, a sinkhole refers to any landform that develops when the bedrock or soil underneath the surface subsides due to dissolution by groundwater.

In the insurance industry, catastrophic ground cover collapse (sinkholes) is defined as a geological activity that meets four criteria:

• Abrupt collapse of the ground cover
• Depression in the ground cover that is visible to the naked eye
• Structural damage to a building
• The affected building is designated for condemnation by a government agency.

Therefore, if your home sustains damage from a sinkhole but is still habitable according to code enforcement, the damage does not qualify for coverage under a catastrophic ground cover collapse endorsement. However, sinkhole insurance would cover the damage.

Coverage Types

Florida homeowners can choose to include a catastrophic ground cover collapse endorsement, a sinkhole insurance endorsement, or both in their homeowners’ insurance. Sinkhole insurance covers all damage caused to a home or unattached structures, such as a garage or workshop, and personal property. Catastrophic ground cover collapse coverage requires that you meet the four criteria discussed above.

Contact Skyline Insurance Today

Decide on the necessary coverage for your unique situation. Contact Skyline Insurance LLC to learn how you can best protect your Jacksonville, FL, home.

Jacksonville, FL, homeowners who seek a comprehensive policy will typically trust Skyline Insurance LLC, for good reason. With the help of our team of experienced professionals, you are able to learn everything you need to know about these policies and how they can assist you. Thanks to the following expert tips, it has never been easier to select the best comprehensive home insurance for your needs.

Learn About Your Qualifications

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that you will automatically qualify for a comprehensive home insurance policy. For example, those who own older homes may not be eligible, and the same applies to those who reside in high-risk neighborhoods. If you reside in a neighborhood that is prone to landslides or flooding, you will need to speak with an experienced insurance broker to find out if you qualify for comprehensive home insurance.

Know Your Exclusions

There are instances where even comprehensive home insurance will have certain exclusions. Whether these exclusions are related to animals you own, local ordinances, personal neglect, or avoidable wear and tear, you need to know about them before making any decisions you may wish to have back later.

Ask About Replacement Value Vs Cash Value

If the policy is centered around replacement value instead of cash value, this means that the homeowner will be paid enough to purchase a new version of the item in question. A policy centered around cash value pays out what the item is worth when the damages have occurred.

The process of choosing a comprehensive home insurance policy does not have to be challenging. Thanks to the expert assistance of Skyline Insurance LLC in Jacksonville, FL, homeowners can overcome all of the typical pitfalls and find the policy that best suits their needs. Give us a call or stop by as soon as possible to learn more.

Homeowners’ insurance creates peace of mind for many people. Many people would be ill-prepared to pay out of pocket for many unexpected events regarding their homes. Homeowners insurance provides a lot of bundled coverage areas. Homeowners are able to get coverage for many things that would be difficult to handle without the help of homeowners insurance. Our Jacksonville, FL team at Skyline Insurance LLC is committed to helping residents understand homeowners insurance. 

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance is property insurance with many different forms of coverage that pertain to liability, your home’s interior and exterior, your land, assets, and any other structures on your property. It’s bundled coverage meant to cover many different things related to your house, property, and assets that fall under the heading of homeowners insurance. However, as with any insurance policy, the terms of coverage are explicitly outlined and should be understood thoroughly by the homeowner. 

Will homeowners insurance cover the repair of my cracked foundation?

It depends. Homeowners insurance will cover the repair of your foundation if it was damaged as a result of a covered event or circumstances. Normal wear and tear, neglect, and other circumstances that could result in damage to your foundation often aren’t covered by homeowners’ insurance. However, there are some situations that would meet the terms of your homeowners’ insurance policy that would allow your foundation to be covered for repair. Typically, a homeowners insurance policy will pay for damage caused by some natural events. However, floods and earthquakes are excluded. It will also cover structural damage depending on how the damage came about.

We Are Here To Help

If you have questions regarding homeowners insurance and what’s covered, we’d be happy to answer them. Give our Jacksonville, FL team at Skyline Insurance LLC a call. We’re standing by. 

While Jacksonville, FL lives up to the state’s nickname of “The Sunshine State,” the populous city does encounter occasional bad weather. From minor thunderstorms to catastrophic hurricanes, seasonal storms can bring damage and destruction to residential homes. At Skyline Insurance LLC, we understand the importance of homeowners insurance for financial protection in the event of an accident or disaster involving your home.

Storm Damage Coverage for Homeowners

Storms can wreak havoc on Jacksonville, FL homes, both inside and out. Power surges can cause irreversible damage to electronic circuit boards, powerful winds can blow off shingles, and siding can be dented by large hail. Fortunately, storm coverage is part of your homeowner’s insurance policy and can help cover the cost to repair or replace damage after a storm.

A standard homeowners policy may cover the following perils:

• Wind: Homeowners insurance generally covers damage to a home’s structures or belongings from high winds, including those that stem from major weather events like hurricanes.
• Hail: Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover hail damage minus the cost of your deductible.
• Lightning: If you have experienced damage to your home or personal property due to lightning, your homeowner’s policy may cover any repairs or replacements.
• Wildfires: Damage caused by wildfires can be significant. Fortunately, homeowners insurance provides coverage for this type of peril.

Filing an Insurance Claim for Storm Damage

When you experience damage to your home due to severe weather, it’s important to contact your insurance provider immediately to file a claim and minimize further damage. The insurance experts at Skyline Insurance LLC are available to help you navigate the claims process and financially recover after a major storm. Contact our office today to get started.

Living in Jacksonville, FL, you know how unpredictable the weather can be. We experience thunderstorms, high winds, and even hailstorms, which can severely damage your roof. Although you cannot prevent hail from falling, Skyline Insurance LLC knows some ways to protect your roof from hail damage.

Protecting Your Roof from Hail Damage

Invest in Impact-Resistant Shingles

Impact-resistant shingles are designed to withstand hail damage with minimal or no damage. These shingles use protective technology, such as a polymer coating, to absorb the impact of hailstones without cracking or breaking. An impact-resistant shingle roof will provide a long-term solution to protect your home from future hailstorms. Check with your insurance company as they might offer discounts for impact-resistant shingles.

Trim Overhanging Branches

Overhanging tree branches can fall on your roof during strong winds or hailstorms, causing significant damage. Trim any large overhanging branches to prevent these hazards from happening. Branches should be at least eight feet away from your roof to avoid any chances of damage.

Cover Roof Vents 

Roof vents are essential for air circulation in your attic but can also be vulnerable to hail damage. When hail hits the vents, it can break or damage them, causing water to seep inside your home, leading to much damage. To prevent this, invest in vent covers made of hail-resistant materials to protect them from damage.

We Are Here To Help!

Protecting your roof from hail damage is essential. Protecting your roof from hail damage in Jacksonville, FL can save you money and stress in the long run. Regular roof inspections, investing in impact-resistant materials, trimming overhanging branches, covering roof vents, and installing a hail-resistant roof can significantly reduce the risk of hailstorm damage. Consult with your insurance provider to determine the best policy to cover damages from hailstorms. Contact Skyline Insurance LLC for any insurance questions.

Jacksonville, FL has continued to be one of the fastest-growing parts of the country. It is also a good place to own a home. If you are looking to purchase a property in this part of Florida, getting insurance needs to be a priority. There are a few reasons why someone in this part of the state will want insurance on their home.

You need to have this coverage for the following reasons:

Be in Good Standing

A reason that you will have to get a home insurance plan is so you can remain in good standing. If you choose to buy a home, it is important that you follow any rules that you have. For those in this part of the country, it is common to take out a mortgage when buying a home, and many properties are in home associations. In these situations, both your loan agreement and condo rules will require you to get insurance. 

Financial Coverage

Even if you are not obligated to carry insurance, the financial coverage it offers still makes it worthwhile. if you buy a home, you will want to ensure your investment and assets are protected. Further, you will want to know that you have support if you are found liable for an accident and have to pay damages. With home insurance, you can obtain coverage for both of these concerns. 

Give Us A Call

A Jacksonville FL property wonder needs to get the right insurance. When you are obtaining coverage and buying a home, calling our team with Skyline Insurance LLC is a good idea. The professionals with Skyline Insurance LLC know how important this coverage is and we will help you choose a policy that will properly protect your home and meet your needs. 

Being a property owner in the Jacksonville, FL area has been a good investment and housing option for many people for a long time. If you are a property owner here, you will have a consistent place to live and call home and can build equity over the years. As you are looking to purchase a property here, you need to make sure you get the right insurance.

There are multiple reasons owners in Florida need coverage

Protect their Assets

An important reason you will want to have a home insurance policy is so you can protect your assets moving forward. When you are going to buy a home, you will have a lot of valuable assets, including the actual dwelling and personal belongings. If you choose to invest in home insurance, it will offer the support needed to ensure these assets are all fully covered. 

Stay Compliant

You should also get home insurance to make sure you remain compliant with any obligations. Most people that own a home are going to have some type of insurance obligation. If you take out a mortgage, your bank will require that you always carry home insurance. Also, any home association will require that you have a home insurance plan in place as it can offer protection for the entire community as well. 

Get Home Insurance Today

Owning a property in Jacksonville, FL can be a good idea, but also comes with various responsibilities. One responsibility that you will have is the need to have a home insurance plan in place. If you would like to own a home here, you should call Skyline Insurance LLC to talk about your home insurance needs. The professionals with Skyline Insurance LLC will offer support as you build a plan that can provide you with ideal coverage. 

Owning a home is a huge responsibility. So many things can go wrong, many of them you have no control over. That is what home insurance does; it mitigates some of the bad effects of perils that your home faces. Having an independent insurance agent who knows you and is there to help customize your policy is important.  Skyline Insurance LLC in Jacksonville, FL has a team of experienced insurance professionals ready to provide all the insurance services you need. 

Types of coverage home insurance provides:

Property coverage

Property coverage is what will replace your home if it is damaged or totally destroyed by a covered peril. This covers your entire home as well as any attached structures such as a deck, porch, or garage. It also covers other buildings on your property, like a detached garage, shed, or a casita. The insurance carrier will determine what the replacement cost is for your home, taking construction costs in your area into account. 

Liability coverage

Protecting everything that you have worked so hard to accumulate is important. Suing has become something that is almost a national pastime. If someone is injured while visiting your home, you could be looking at huge legal and judgment expenses. Knowing how much coverage to have depends on the amount of risk you have. Having a dog adds to your liability,  as do a trampoline and a pool. 

Content coverage

Replacing your personal possessions is important. Making sure you have enough coverage and the right kind of coverage is vital. You have a lot more than you realize and making an inventory helps. 

Loss of use

Knowing that if your home becomes uninhabitable you will not be on the street is important for your peace of mind. This insurance does that. 

Contact Skyline Insurance LLC in Jacksonville, FL for all your home insurance needs.