3 Ways to Protect Your Home From a Break-in

Every homeowner looks for ways to protect their homes from break-ins and other types of vandalism. In Davie, FL, local residents can contact the agents of Zot Insurance Agency whenever questions arise concerning break-ins and ways they can keep their homes secure. With today’s technology, keeping your home and family safe has never been easier.

Install a Home Security System

DIY and professionally installed home security systems are a great way to protect your home. Many home security systems also include home automation features that allow for timers to be used to turn lights on and off per your daily routine. These advanced systems also allow you to use apps to connect with your homes’ video cameras and doorbells.

Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting that is strategically placed in landscaped areas and motion-sensitive lights are great for keeping your home well-lit to avoid burglars from gaining unhindered access to your home. Dusk to dawn lights that turn on after the sun goes down is also available. 

Tell Your Neighbors When You Will Be Away

If you plan on leaving on vacation, ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your home. Most are very observant and will be more than happy to keep watch over your home and report any strange activity to the proper authorities.

The agents of Zot Insurance Agency understand how important it is to keep your home safe from break-ins. Residents who live in the Davie, FL area can rely on them for sound advice and helpful hints concerning different ways to keep burglars from gaining access to their homes. Call the agents today and learn effective ways to keep your home safe and secure.

Three things you should know about trucking insurance

Trucking insurance is a necessity if you are running your own owner-operator business. Truckers in Davie, FL can purchase a trucking insurance policy from Zot Insurance Agency.

The following are three things you should know about trucking insurance. 

Not having adequate trucking insurance coverage can lead to severe penalties.

If you’re caught without adequate trucking insurance coverage, it could put you out of business. You could be hit with costly fines or even completely shut down. 

You need to understand what trucking insurance requirements you need to meet. Remember that trucking insurance is a type of commercial insurance. This makes it different from personal auto coverage. 

Make sure you’re meeting insurance requirements for running a trucking business through your insurance policy. 

There are numerous types of commercial trucking insurance coverage.

Trucking insurance is a complex product. There are numerous types of coverage you should be aware of. These include general liability coverage, non-trucking liability insurance, cargo coverage, trailer interchange, and more. 

You can write off trucking insurance premiums as a business expense. 

Trucking insurance is a necessary and important expense you need to cover as part of running your business operation. However, it’s important to realize that commercial trucking insurance premiums qualify as a business expense.

What this means is that you can write off your premiums to bring down the tax liability of your commercial operation. It’s important to remember to include your premium costs among your business expenses. Saving money on business taxes wherever possible is important for maximizing the profit of your commercial venture. 

Get the right trucking insurance policy in Davie, FL. We’re standing by to assist you with your insurance needs at Zot Insurance Agency. 

Top 4 Things to Consider When Choosing Commercial Insurance

If you are a business owner in Davie, FL,  Zot Insurance Agency is here to meet your commercial insurance needs. Before you purchase commercial insurance, you should consider these four things. 

1. Do I Have Obligations That Require Certain Insurance Coverage?

Obligations that require you to have insurance include laws, lease agreements, and loan contracts. All states require vehicles to be insured. If you use your vehicle for business purposes, you will probably need commercial auto insurance. You may need worker’s compensation insurance if you have employees. Lenders often require you to ensure the collateral of the loan. When you lease property, the lessor may require you to have property insurance. 

2. Do I Need Insurance to Gain Clients or Perform Work?

Some businesses need specific insurance policies to perform their work, particularly if they work with vendors. Other businesses may have to meet insurance requirements to complete licensing. You may also be more attractive to clients if you have insurance. For example, construction and repair businesses are seen as more credible when they have commercial insurance coverage. 

3. Do You Need Professional Liability Insurance? 

Some businesses benefit from protection beyond the standard policies. Professional liability is important if a mistake in your work can be costly. Doctors, architects, and lawyers are a few examples of businesses that need professional liability. Your standard liability policy covers accidents. It does not cover damages for mistakes with your product or service. 

4. Do You Need Business Interruption Insurance?

If you own a physical business, you should consider business interruption insurance. if your place of business is damaged and needs repairs, you will still have bills to pay. Property insurance will cover the damage to your building and inventory, but it will not cover your business losses while your business is closed. Business interruption insurance can help you stay afloat until you are up and running again. 

Commercial insurance isn’t just for large businesses. Small businesses can also benefit from the right commercial insurance policies. At Zot Insurance Agency in Davie, FL, our agents will speak with you about your business and help you select the policies you need. 

Why do I need to get home insurance for my Florida home?

The Davie, FL area can be a great place for anyone to work and live. If you are going to move to this area of Florida, there are a lot of important decisions to make. One important choice will be whether you should buy or lease your home. If you do decide to purchase a property, you need to make sure you get appropriate insurance in place. There are several reasons why you will need to get home insurance in Florida.

Required by Lender

One reason to get a home insurance policy in Florida is that your lender will likely require it. A mortgage lender today is going to have requirements around your insurance needs. This will often include making sure that you have a year premium paid in full at loan closing. Additionally, you may need to escrow for the payments for the next annual policy on a monthly basis. 

Condo Rules

Many people in Florida choose to live in condo communities. While these offer a variety of amenities, they also come with their own set of rules. One rule will govern your insurance requirements. Most of the time, they will want you to have a full policy to ensure you can cover liability claims and rebuild your property. If you do not have evidence of this insurance at all times, you could face penalization. 

It is clearly very important that people in the Davie, FL area get a proper home insurance policy. When you are looking for your next home insurance policy, you should reach out to the team at Zot Insurance Agency to further discuss your needs. The insurance team at Zot Insurance Agency can help you to get into a policy that provides you with the protection you need for yourself and your property. 

3 Questions to Ask Your Agent About Trucking Insurance

If you have a trucking company or you’re about to start one, you’ll want to make sure you have the right trucking insurance to meet your needs and protect your employees, as well as other drivers on the road. At Zot Insurance Agency, we can help you and all our Davie, FL customers with the insurance they need to get — and keep — their businesses moving. The trucking business has specific requirements that have to be met, and insurance regulations are a big part of that. You want to make sure you’re following all the rules, and an experienced insurance agent can help make that easier. That way you can have peace of mind, and so can your drivers. Here are three important questions to ask your agent.

1. Does your insurance policy meet or exceed the state’s requirements for insurance for your commercial vehicles?

2. Who do you contact if you have questions or concerns about the policy or you need to make changes to it?

3. Are there options for quotes from multiple companies to find the insurance that’s right for your trucking business?

When you’re ready to get a quote on trucking insurance, get a policy, or update an existing level of coverage, reach out to us at Zot Insurance Agency. If you’re in the Davie, FL area, we can help you get the right type and level of coverage for your trucking business. Then you’ll have the opportunity to get started on your business venture with security and address any worries your drivers have about proper coverage, as well. Knowing your following proper rules and regulations can make it easier for you to focus on the business itself, and keep your drivers operating your fleet of trucks. Whether you’re traveling around your town or across the country, the right insurance can make a difference.

What are the Benefits of Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance can bring homeowners peace of mind in many ways. Often, it can be the difference between getting something repaired or fixed or having to make do with some damaged or worn out part of your home. Like most insurance, homeowner’s insurance can prevent you from having to pay out of pocket for damage or other unforeseen circumstances regarding your house. The Zot Insurance Agency helps homeowners of Davie, FL understand the benefits of homeowner’s insurance and choose the type of coverage that compliments their unique situation.

What is Homeowners Insurance?

In essence, the homeowner’s insurance is property insurance. It protects your private home or residence. Like auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance is also designed to cover damage to other people’s property while on your property as well as injury to others that may take place on your property. 

In Short…

Think of homeowner’s insurance as packaged coverage. It covers damage, liability, and legal situations that involve your home and its property. It protects both the homeowner and others from unforeseen injury and property damage that may take place at your home or on your property. This coverage even extends to cover damage or injury to others from your household pet. 

How Does it Work?

The best way to explain homeowner’s insurance is by likening it to a group of bundled coverages that all fall under one hat. This insurance can help repair your home, or if your home is damaged, destroyed, or uninhabitable, replace it. Homeowners insurance can even replace your possessions as well. If you have personal items that become damaged or stolen, homeowner’s insurance often covers these types of circumstances. Another benefit is the coverage that can replace or compensate someone for damage to someone else’s property while in your home or on the premises. It can also cover visitors who may sustain an injury in your home or on the premises. 

We want you to understand homeowners insurance and why it’s a wide investment. Give us a call.

What are the benefits of trucking insurance?

The trucking and shipping industry is a very important one that ensures that people all over the world are able to get the products that they need. Those that are in the trucking industry and transport products take on a lot of responsibility and risk. Due to this, getting insurance is very important. There are several benefits that come when you get trucking insurance for your business in Davie, FL. 

Covers Cargo

One of the advantages of trucking cargo is that it can protect your cargo. Depending on the shipment, you could have millions of dollars of cargo in your truck. Due to this, it is very important that you always have plenty of insurance to protect this cargo. Trucking insurance will give you protection and coverage in the event your cargo is damaged in an accident or stolen. 

Liability Protection

Another advantage of trucking insurance is that it will provide you with liability protection. Operating a large truck is challenging and accidents do happen from time to time. If you are involved in an accident and are at fault, you will be held responsible for any damages that are caused. Fortunately, when you get a trucking insurance policy, you will end up getting the coverage that you need to ensure you continue to be covered if you are in an accident. 

For someone in the Davie, FL area, having trucking insurance is a practical necessity. If you are going to get a trucking insurance policy, you will be doing a lot to protect yourself and your business. To ensure you pick the right policy, you should reach out to Zot Insurance Agency. The Zot Insurance Agency knows all of the complexities that exist with trucking insurance. They can help you to review your situation and ensure that you pick the right policy for you and business. 

Do business owners in Davie, FL need business interruption insurance?

Davie, FL is one of the best places to live in Florida, which is saying a lot. But even in such a great place, the unexpected can happen. Sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that cause your small business to close. While your business is closed, you don’t have the income you need to pay for the operating expenses you still need to pay for.

At Zot Insurance Agency, we try to help our clients prepare for the unexpected. Business interruption insurance is one of the best ways to do that. 

What is Business Interruption Insurance? 

Business interruption insurance is a special kind of policy that protects the insured during times a business is closed for restoration or repairs because of damage to the property. When your business is closed, even it the circumstances are completely beyond your control, you still have to keep paying your bills.

Operating expenses like your rent and mortgage still come due every month, and you still have to make monthly loan and utility payments. Normally you can expect to be taking in money to offset all your costs and expenses, but you won’t be able to while your business is shut down.

What Does Business Interruption Insurance Actually Cover?

The amount of lost income depends on your financial records, which you will provide when purchasing the policy. You need to be able to prove how much income you could have expected during the closure.

Your business interruption policy could also cover additional expenses related to the closure, such as a new temporary location for the business and related signs. You can tailor your Davie, FL business interruption policy to the specific needs of your business and add it to your regular commercial insurance. If you want to see how business interruption insurance can help your small business, please feel free to call Zot Insurance Agency today.

How Much Home Insurance Is Enough?

When it comes to shopping for home insurance, some advance planning is required. This means knowing the value of the home as it sits, and deciding which type of policy works best for that particular situation. There are a few different types to choose from. However, it is crucial to understand that some policies may not cover all of the repair or replacement costs if there is a covered incident.

How Much Insurance is Necessary?

The amount of coverage needed can depend on a few different factors. First, determine if the policy should be replacement cost insurance or face value. Although face value may save on premiums, it may leave homeowners paying out of pocket expenses for labor and other items necessary to complete the project. The next thing to consider is the value of the home and an accurate inventory of personal contents items if there is a contents clause or add-on included in the policy. For those who have a substantial amount of belonging, contents insurance is a must to avoid potential losses. Consult with a professional insurance agent before deciding on a policy. They can help guide clients through the process and outline the meaning of the terms and conditions. 

Working With an Agent

The process of working with a skilled home insurance agent is much easier and less stressful than trying to navigate shopping for home insurance without assistance. They have answers to all the important questions and can help negotiate additional coverage while helping avoid pitfalls and gaps in coverage. Those who are looking for quality home insurance near the Davie, FL area can rely on Zot Insurance Agency to provide one on one customer service to help secure top quality insurance. 

Don’t wait to get the coverage necessary to have peace of mind. Call or stop by Zot Insurance Agency serving Davie, FL today, and have home security tomorrow. 

Top questions to ask about trucking insurance

Whether you operate your truck in Davie, FL, or all over the country, it is critical to have a comprehensive trucking policy in place. The specialists at Zot Insurance Agency would be happy to guide you through the process of putting together a policy that is customized to your trucking needs. 

How do I know what type of policy I need for my truck?

Trucks are classified into three different categories, and depending on the type of truck you have, we will be able to determine the right policy. A truck will either be insured as a light, medium, or heavy-duty truck. Each one of those classes of trucks requires a specific policy. 

What type of coverage do I need?

While each truck company is different, below are the basic coverages most trucking companies carry. 

  • Commercial Auto Liability: A commercial auto policy will help pay for liability and property damage in the event your truck is in an accident with a third party.

  • Physical Damage coverage: Unlike the commercial auto policy that only covers third party damages, the physical damage coverage will help repair or replace your truck in the event of an accident. 

  • Motor Truck Cargo: Truck cargo insurance will help recover the cost in the event the load you are carrying is lost or damaged.

What is the insurance company rating? 

This is a critical question to ask as you want to make sure the insurance company will be around in the event you need to file a claim. A high rating indicates a financially sound insurance company. 

Do I need an umbrella policy? 

Considering an umbrella policy is never a bad idea. As you know, trucking accidents can cause a large amount of damage, and an umbrella policy will offer you additional protection. 

If you would like to learn more about trucking insurance, reach out to an agent at Zot Insurance Agency in Davie, FL today. We proudly serve Florida and nearby states.