Acentria Insurance Blog

Life Events that Affect Your Insurance Needs 

As we age and reach different milestones in our lives, our insurance needs change. In order to ensure adequate coverage, contact a licensed insurance agent at Acentria Insurance if you’re affected by any of the following life events:

• New homeownership— Purchasing a new home is a big investment—one that you will want to protect. After purchasing a home, ensure that you have homeowners insurance to protect against things like fire, weather damage, theft, vandalism and accidental damage. This advice also holds true if you are buying a new condo or vacation home.
• Home renovations—Once you own a home, you may want to make updates to create a better living space. Be sure to report major home improvements to your insurance company to protect any increased value to your home.
• New children—Having or adopting children is not only a huge life change, but it’s also a major financial commitment. As such, it’s important to purchase the right policy to secure your child’s future. Add your child as a beneficiary on any life insurance policies, and make sure your coverage is sufficient.
• Teenage drivers— Teen drivers often carry the highest risk of auto accidents. While you want your teen driver to remain safe on the road, costly accidents can happen without warning. Consider adding your teen driver to your auto policy, as it is generally cheaper than purchasing a separate policy.
• Retirement—When you retire, you may change residences. If you have more than one home, this is a good time to let your insurance provider know where you plan to spend your time.
• Valuable purchases—A standard homeowners policy has limited coverage for highly valuable items. Supplement purchases and gifts that exceed the policy’s limits with a floater—a separate policy that provides additional insurance.
• Marriage—When your marital status changes, so do your insurance needs. Marriage typically leads to the combination of households, vehicles and other property, so it is critical to update your insurance policies accordingly. What’s more, life insurance is vital to married couples as it can ease the financial burden in the event of an untimely death of a partner. Ask about discounts on car insurance for married policyholders.
• Purchasing or selling a business—If you’re an entrepreneur, there will likely come a time when you will either buy or sell your business. During these times of major change, the proper coverage is crucial.

Insurance is critical for nearly every stage of life. Seeking coverage should be an active process, and individuals shouldn’t assume their insurance needs remain steady over time. Contact us today to better understand your insurance and prepare for your future needs.

*Know Your Insurance is offered courtesy of Acentria Insurance and Zywave, Inc. The above statements should not be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or speak with a licensed insurance professional for appropriate advice.

For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories - whether at home or away from it all. 

But for some families, the holiday is a nightmare. Homes each year in Florida and across the Southeast are damaged by wayward fireworks. Thousands of people are injured in accidents. 

At Acentria Insurance, we want your holiday to be happy, but also safe. So here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your property on the Fourth.

Protecting yourself (and others)

• To minimize the risk of injury, don’t use consumer fireworks. Attend a public display conducted by professionals in your city or elsewhere.
• If using consumer fireworks, always follow instructions. Do not attempt to re-light “duds” or create homemade fireworks.
• Never let children handle or light fireworks. Even sparklers, which burn at more than 1,000 degrees, can cause third-degree burns. Kids under the age of 15 account for approximately 40% of fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
• A responsible adult should always be present when children - even teenagers - are around fireworks. More than half of fireworks injuries happen to those younger than 20 years old.

Protecting your home

• According to the National Fire Protection Association, the best way to protect your home is to not use fireworks at home. 

• Remember, fireworks can cause grass fires and other types of blazes as well. Make sure you light fireworks in a safe area, away from homes and buildings, as well as other combustible material. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency.

• Look out for tree limbs or bushes that could catch fire. Trimming vegetation to keep it away from your home is a good idea anyway, but it could save you from a catastrophic fire on the Fourth of July.
• If your gutters have accumulated leaves, pine needles or other flammable material, clean them before using fireworks near your home.
• Finally, if you won’t be home on the holiday, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house if others in your neighborhood will be using fireworks.

With some common sense and planning, the Fourth of July can be both safe and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re staying at home or heading out to your local public displays, we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating our independence!

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Acentria Insurance!

Summer brings us together (and outside) to enjoy longer days and fun-filled memories. But with the joys of summer come the hazards, too.

At Acentria Insurance, we want to help you enjoy this season – while staying safe and healthy. Let’s dive into some common summer scenes and learn how to mitigate the risks surrounding them.

Scenario 1: An Outdoor Picnic or Barbeque

Outdoor gatherings over a meal are a great way to enjoy one another’s company while taking in the warmer weather. But with higher temps comes an increased risk of foodborne illnesses. The CDC estimates that 48 million people get sick every year from foodborne illnesses.

Follow these tips to make your next get-together memorable – for all the right reasons:

• Maintain proper temperature: With ongoing conversations and late grazers, it’s easy to let food sit out for too long during an outdoor gathering. Make sure perishable food doesn’t sit out for more than two hours – or one hour if it’s hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Chill correctly: Pack your coolers well, particularly in regard to meat, poultry and seafood. Keep your refrigerated food separated by category (such as fruits, drinks and meat) to avoid cross-contamination. To keep your contents colder longer, keep your coolers closed when you’re not using them.
• Keep your hands clean: If you have access to soap and water, wash your hands regularly – especially after handling raw meat or before eating. No sink? All that hand sanitizer you collected during 2020 comes in handy.
• Wash your produce: Rinse all fruits and veggies with running water, scrubbing if needed. You can skip this step if you buy pre-packaged produce that’s labeled “washed” or “ready to eat.”
• Serve your guests well: Avoid re-using plates and dishes that you used with raw meat, as the bacteria from the raw meat can contaminate food. Serve all food on clean platters and with fresh silverware.

Scenario 2: An Afternoon Drive or Summer Road Trip

Whether you’re driving to a destination or enjoying a leisurely ride through your neighborhood, it’s important to exercise all safety precautions. According to the CDC, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in the US for people under the age of 55. In addition to securing a proper auto insurance policy (we can help you out with that), you should exercise the following precautions:

Watch for Animals

Over 260,000 road collisions occur between drivers and animals each year. Stay alert, watch your speed and use your brights at night to provide better vision. Wildlife warning signs are typically displayed in areas with a heavier wildlife population, allowing you to better prepare.

If an animal does cross the road, use your brakes and don’t swerve, especially if there are other cars around. If you do hit a large animal like a deer, find a safe spot to pull over – then call the police.

Keep Your Children Safe

Proper installation of car seats and booster seats is crucial to protecting your child – and potentially saving his/her life. Children who are properly restrained in child seats have a lower risk of fatal injury during a car accident. Unfortunately, car seats are often installed wrong or not used properly. Always follow instructions when installing these seats, check before use – and abide by these tips:

• • Infants (0-2 years old): Use an infant-only or convertible rear-facing seat and place it in the back seat only. Select a specific seat based on the baby’s age and weight. Secure the seat by the seat belts or by the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system. The seat should recline at a 45-degree angle and harness straps should fit snugly, sitting at or below the baby’s shoulders.
  • Toddlers (2-4 years old, 20-40 pounds): Toddlers should sit forward in a proper car seat that’s secured by seat belts or the LATCH system. They should always sit in the back seat. Harness straps should fit tightly, sit at/above the shoulders, and the clip should be at armpit level.
  • Young Children (4-12 years old or shorter than 4’9” tall): Put these children in a belt-positioning booster base or a high-back, belt-positioning booster that is used with lap and shoulder belts (never with lap-only belts). Children should continue to sit in the back seat and maintain proper seatbelt use (the belt fitting tightly across the chest, never behind their arms, etc.).

Scenario 3: Swimming in a Backyard Pool

Installing a pool at your home is a great way to stay cool while having a good time. But safety comes first when it comes to swimming.

First, remember that as a homeowner, you could be held responsible for accidents that occur at your pool. Protect yourself (and your assets) with a homeowners insurance policy and possibly personal umbrella insurance. Reach out to one of our Acentria agents to learn more!

You should also take safety precautions ahead of any swimming dates. Consider a fence with a latch that you keep closed when the pool is not in use. Ensure the area around your pool is a nonslip surface. And keep your pool clean with filters and chemicals (just be sure these chemicals are kept out of reach and in a safe spot).

Children can be especially vulnerable around pools, particularly younger ones. Make sure any kids using your pool can properly swim or have a guardian accompany them. Keep a first-aid kit handy in case of an accident and ensure you know how to properly respond in an emergency. Here are some additional tips about keeping kids safe around pools.

Mitigate Summer Risks with Acentria

Regardless of where your summer adventures take you, it’s important to make sure you’re protected by an insurance policy that covers all of you and your family’s needs. Contact Acentria to obtain a free quote today.