http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/blog/View Dershimer Insurance Agency's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.celebrationinsuranceagency.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:d3c6c58a-2757-4ae3-bcc4-b05c644b9b37urn:uuid:05dab127-906b-4381-8f29-61b37e5a4dcb<img src='http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/house_flood.jpg' align='left' />The location of your new home isn&rsquo;t just important for the comfort and happiness of your family; it is also a factor in how much your insurance premiums will be. You might be surprised at the amount of things you should take into consideration ...Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:12:55 -0600<img src="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/house_flood.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 8px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="House flood" />The location of your new home isn&rsquo;t just important for the comfort and happiness of your family; it is also a factor in how much your insurance premiums will be. You might be surprised at the amount of things you should take into consideration when choosing your home&rsquo;s location. Things like: <ul> <li><strong>The proximity of fire hydrants:</strong> If your home is near a fire hydrant or fire department, you could get a price cut on your home insurance premium. Because the easier it is to respond to a fire in your home, the less damage your insurer will anticipate you experiencing, and the lower your premium will be as a result. </li> <li><strong>Oceanfront property:</strong> Homes on the ocean are exposed to many risks and harsh weather conditions that can deteriorate the home and reduce its ability to withstand damage. This is going to result in a higher premium and the possibility of flood insurance requirements. </li> <li><strong>Flood zone:</strong> Speaking of flood zones, you don&rsquo;t have to live in front of the ocean to be in one. You could be in what looks like a very dry neighborhood and still be exposed to heavy flooding during a storm. </li> <li><strong>High crime:</strong> If you move to an area that is high in crime, you have more risk of being exposed to vandalism and theft. Your home insurance company will compensate that risk with a higher insurance premium. </li> <li><strong>Natural disasters:</strong> In some states, residents are expose to higher incidents of natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes. If you move to one of these areas, you might not just face higher insurance expenses but you might also be required to buy special coverages or get special endorsements for incidents such as earth movement.</li> </ul> Where you live plays a role in how much time you spend driving each day, how many other kids your children have to play with, how happy you are with your day-to-day life and how much your insurance premiums are. Choose your location wisely and give us a call at&nbsp;<strong>(863) 299-8330</strong> to get an idea of what kind of <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/homeowners/default.aspx" title="Home Insurance">Orlando home insurance</a> premiums and discounts you can expect based on your proposed location.urn:uuid:f9b5cf97-0886-4ce7-a243-97ae748266b4<img src='http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000002139482XSmall.jpg' align='left' />In order to save on expenses, health insurance plans offer several different options with various network possibilities. The two most often discussed types of plans are: Health maintenance organizations or HMOs: These have closed networks of doc...Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:23:45 -0600<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000002139482XSmall.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Health Insurance" />In order to save on expenses, health insurance plans offer several different options with various network possibilities. The two most often discussed types of plans are:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Health maintenance organizations or HMOs</strong>: These have closed networks of doctors that you can choose from when you need medical attention. HMOs do not offer benefits to policyholders when they decide to visit doctors outside the network. Instead those policyholders are expected to pay the entire expense of the visit to the out-of-network healthcare provider on their own.</li> <li><strong>Preferred provider organizations or PPOs</strong>: These plans also have networks but they extend benefits to policyholders who want to visit physicians or medical facilities outside the network. Rather than paying a fixed price to the doctor outside the network, as they can with an in-network doctor, a PPO generally shares a percentage of the cost with the policyholder. </li> </ul> <p>The decision to stay in-network or to go outside your network depends on several factors:</p> <ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: decimal;"> <li><strong>Referrals</strong>: Sometimes when you need medical attention and you ask friends, family or other medical professionals for a referral, they refer you to a physician who is outside your network. If you feel more comfortable visiting this physician than one who's inside your network, it may be a good idea to do so.</li> <li><strong>Family experience</strong>: If you have long-term experience dealing with a particular medical professional who is not in your new HMO&rsquo;s network, it may be worth the additional expense to continue visits to that professional rather than finding a new doctor who operates within the network.</li> <li><strong>Budget</strong>: If you can afford to see a doctor or visit a medical facility outside of your network and you&rsquo;ve been referred to one or you have a long-term history with one, then it&rsquo;s something you should consider.</li> </ol> The decision of what doctor to visit when you need assistance and what medical facilities to use is not just about your insurance plan. It&rsquo;s about your budget and your personal comfort level with those professionals. If you find yourself wanting to go outside your network more often than not, you may need to explore some new options for health insurance plans that include these doctors within their networks. If you want to start shopping for a new <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/health/default.aspx" title="Health Insurance">Orlando Health Insurance plan</a> or have questions about the networks your favorite physicians are in, <a href="/contact.aspx" title="Contact">give us a call</a> at <strong>(407) 566-8600</strong>.urn:uuid:c24f605c-1ce0-48f1-8763-9f33433e3847<img src='http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000013073275Small.jpg' align='left' />Sinkhole Coverage in Florida As rock and sediment shift underneath some Florida homes, these particles move into the voids created by water-soluble rocks that dissolved after repetitive exposure to water. This movement can create large, empty pockets...Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:39:23 -0600<p><strong><img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000013073275Small.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px; float: left; margin-right: 7px;" />Sinkhole Coverage in Florida</strong></p> <p>As rock and sediment shift underneath some Florida homes, these particles move into the voids created by water-soluble rocks that dissolved after repetitive exposure to water. This movement can create large, empty pockets called <em>sinkholes </em>below homes. Sinkholes cause damage such as cracks in walls, floors, foundations and ceilings. </p> <p>Sinkhole coverage in a home insurance policy is something that every Florida homeowner should have, but it isn&rsquo;t something that is automatically included. In fact, it&rsquo;s not even a coverage that every carrier offers. </p> <p><em>Insurers No Longer Required to Offer Sinkhole Coverage</em></p> <p>A property insurance bill passed in April 2011 permits insurers to decide whether to offer sinkhole benefits to Florida homeowners. While this helps to reduce the overall premiums charged by some insurers, it exposes homeowners to a major, self-insured risk that their savings may not be substantial enough to cover. </p> <p>If your insurance company excludes sinkhole coverage though, all is not lost. You can talk to an agent who has access to multiple insurance carriers about finding one that will allow you to add this coverage to a policy as a rider or a standard benefit. </p> <p><em>Opting Out</em></p> <p>Even when an insurer offers coverage for damages caused by sinkholes, many consumers decide to opt out and take their chances. If you&rsquo;re thinking of opting out, you should consider that The Florida Senate has reported the total number of sinkhole claims presented to one of the state&rsquo;s largest insurers doubled between 2006 and 2009. <br /> <br /> It&rsquo;s clear that the threat is out there and increasing and that makes opting out a mistake for many.</p> <p><em>What Coverage Offers You</em></p> <p>Damage to your property and contents as a result of sinkholes will have the same limitations and deductibles as the other covered incidents in your policy, unless your rider spells out specific terms. Likewise, the damages covered may be actual cash value or replacement value, depending on the details of your policy. Since your home may not be livable while you have it repaired, you can also talk to your agent about adding <em>loss of use coverage</em> so that your policy provides payment of reasonable expenses for temporary housing.</p> <p>If you&rsquo;re concerned about how your policy covers sinkholes and other perils, give us a call. We can review your current coverage and compare it to the benefits offered by other insurers. Together, we can increase your protection before your home is damaged. <br /> <br /> Call us today to inquire about <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com" target="_blank" title="sinkhole insurance in Florida">sinkhole insurance in Florida</a>. Contact our Winter Haven office at (863) 299-8330 or our Celebration office at (407) 566-8600.</p>urn:uuid:81c3e830-a8dc-4491-b36f-c33fc9ad9527<img src='http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/Orlando%20Florida%20Insurance.jpg' align='left' />When you work with an agent on your various insurance policy needs, it is very different from working with an online quoting system. The face-to-face contact and human involvement with an agent is priceless. Of course, they also offer other intangibl...Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:53:31 -0600<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/Orlando%20Florida%20Insurance.jpg" style="float: right; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 7px; width: 270px; height: 203px;" alt="Orlando Florida Insurance Agent" />When you work with an agent on your various <strong>insurance policy</strong> needs, it is very different from working with an online quoting system. The face-to-face contact and human involvement with an agent is priceless. Of course, they also offer other intangible benefits through additional services that you might not even realize they do.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Free educational resource:</strong> Insurance agents are, in some respects, teachers educating their clients on various points about the insurance industry, risk, and financial preservation. Agents are licensed by the states they write insurance in, and as part of their licensing requirements, they must take continuing education classes annually to ensure that they stay on top of their game. When they share information with clients through blog posts, articles, newsletters or one-on-one conversation, the client can feel comfort in knowing they are dealing with an accountable, licensed professional. </li> <li><strong>More complete comparisons:</strong> Online quoting services have a limited ability to compare rates for customers. Not all insurers are quoted through these systems, so you may notice that as you utilize them, the same insurance companies are quoted over and over again. Agents work hand-in-hand with insurance companies and underwriters on a daily basis and can get quotes from many companies not found on online quoting systems. Not only does this give them a broader base for comparing rates, it also means their quotes are more accurate. In addition, they can comparison shop based on more than just price. By keeping your other needs and requirements under consideration, your agent will construct a package tailored for you.</li> <li><strong>Insurance planning:</strong> Insurance agents understand how multi-faceted your insurance plan needs to be in order to protect your family and your assets. They work with you to assess your various risks and design an insurance plan that not only covers your risk but is also affordable and flexible by designing it specifically around your life and needs. </li> </ol> <p>If there is one product that you want to ensure you always receive superior customer service on, it&rsquo;s your insurance policy. Look at your agent as your insurance concierge. At <strong>Dershimer Insurance Agency</strong>, we work with all of our clients to help build the most comprehensive insurance plans possible, with premiums our clients can afford. We specialize in <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/homeowners/insurance_quote.aspx" title="Orlando home insurance"><strong>Orlando home insurance</strong></a><strong></strong> as well as <strong>auto and business Insurance in Central Florida</strong>. Contact us at&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">(863) 299-3879</span> for a free <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/category.aspx?id=QUOTE" title="Florida insurance quote">Florida insurance quote</a>.</p>urn:uuid:55869620-d773-4f19-8cf1-3e836e0fe356<img src='http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/man_van.jpg' align='left' />The IRS has a pretty specific method for determining whether or not a car is used for business and, therefore, is qualified for tax deductions for operating costs. Their criteria include using the vehicle to travel from one job or client to another, ...Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:20:55 -0500<p><img alt="Man with a Van" style="float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/man_van.jpg" />The IRS has a pretty specific method for determining whether or not a car is used for business and, therefore, is qualified for tax deductions for operating costs. Their criteria include using the vehicle to travel from one job or client to another, or using the vehicle to drive from your business office to any location with the purpose of completing a business-related task. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Whether or not you choose to take the IRS up on their opportunities for deductions, however, is not what we want to discuss. IRS guidelines are also a great way to consider whether or not you need <a title="commercial auto insurance" href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/business/Default.aspx">commercial auto insurance</a> on your vehicle&mdash;because if you utilize your car for any of the IRS-sanctioned scenarios, then your insurer may deny claims from accidents that occur during this use unless you have commercial auto insurance. </p> <p>But if you primarily use your vehicle for personal errands and events, then you also need personal coverage for those trips you take that are <em>not </em>business related.&nbsp; Luckily, many commercial policies will cover both business and personal use of a vehicle as long as you clearly outline the extent of use for each purpose, name the driver(s) covered and choose the Drive Other Car endorsement.* </p> <p>Skipping out on commercial auto insurance coverage simply because you only use your personal vehicle for business purposes a small portion of the total time you spend driving, is a needlessly dangerous idea. Instead, get the appropriate coverage for both personal and business use of your vehicle and drive with the knowledge that you&rsquo;re covered no matter what your reasons for driving are. </p> <p>*If you aren&rsquo;t able to provide a separate, personal-driving-only car for your family to drive, you should talk to your agent about adding their names to the endorsement as well.<br /> <br /> Call us today to get a free <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/business/commercial_auto_quote.aspx" title="Florida Commercial Car Insurance">Florida Commercial Car Insurance quote</a> in Winter Haven at (863) 299-8330 or Celebration at (407) 566-8600.</p>urn:uuid:7142438a-746e-41b0-89da-a5467a8d6abd<img src='http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000006648978XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Insurance premium increases are a fact of life. Every year that you renew your insurance policies, you face potential increases based on many factors including: Higher insurance company operating costs An increase in the value of the insured...Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:19:59 -0500<p>Insurance premium increases are a fact of life. Every year that you renew your insurance policies, you face potential increases based on many factors including:</p> <ul> <li>Higher insurance company operating costs</li> <li>An increase in the value of the insured assets</li> <li>Adjustments made based on the claim&rsquo;s experience of a group</li> </ul> <p><img alt="Save Money" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000006648978XSmall.jpg" />You might not have a choice in whether or not to renew your policy, no matter how much the premiums increase, so instead you&rsquo;ve got to look for ways to combat these escalating expenses. </p> <p><strong>Look for discounts:</strong> Many insurance policies have opportunities for an insured to obtain discounts or rate adjustments. Even something as static as a life insurance policy can undergo an adjusted premium, such as for smokers who quit for two years after their policy has been issued and have doctor&rsquo;s records to back that up. Work with your agent to get an overview of all the possible discounts on your various insurance policies and see how many you qualify for. And don&rsquo;t assume that you can&rsquo;t qualify for a discount at renewal time that you didn&rsquo;t qualify for when you initially applied. </p> <p><strong>Be proactive:</strong> You don&rsquo;t have to sit around and look for ways to qualify for discounts&mdash;you can make discounts happen by doing things like:</p> <ul> <li>Taking a defensive driving class to lower your auto insurance premium.</li> <li>Getting a new roof to lower home insurance premiums.</li> <li>Losing weight to get new health insurance premium rates.</li> </ul> <p><a href="/employees.aspx" title="Dershimer Staff">Talk to your agent</a> about the many discounts that are given as a result of changes that you can implement yourself and even if you can&rsquo;t get those discounts this year, you can make the changes necessary to get them at future renewals.</p> <p><strong>Increase self-insurance limits:</strong> You self-insure any claims that are within the scope of your deductible or that exceed your insurance policy limits. If your financial situation permits it, you can increase your deductibles and lower your limits and take on more of the risk of loss yourself. This will result in lower premiums since it reduces the amount of risk the insurance company accepts.</p> <p><strong>Bundle your policies:</strong> Bundling your family&rsquo;s insurance policies and lines of coverage so that they are issued by one insurer can help reduce your overall rates. </p> <p>Insurance policies help you retain the value of your assets after an insurable incident. Increasing insurance premium rates might be frustrating, but they don&rsquo;t make the underlying coverage any less valuable. Using some of the above tactics to reduce premiums or finessing your overall budget so you can afford them more easily are worthwhile steps to take so that you can maintain your coverage. Call us today to discuss any of the options above or for a <a title="Contact us for a quote" href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/contact.aspx">Central Florida Insurance</a> quote at (863) 299-3879.</p>urn:uuid:f636ff9b-a524-4784-bc37-bc481b4432bb<img src='http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/smashed_car.jpg' align='left' />Deciding on car insurance policy coverages can be puzzling because there are so many various options available. This causes many consumers to select the minimum coverages required by their state in order to abide by the law rather than considering th...Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:15:04 -0500<p>Deciding on <a title="Car Insurance" href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/automobile/default.aspx">car insurance policy coverages</a> can be puzzling because there are so many various options available. This causes many consumers to select the minimum coverages required by their state in order to abide by the law rather than considering their own need for financial security. The states have low standards when it comes to car insurance and leaving your family&rsquo;s future in their hands is a risky move. </p> <p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/smashed_car.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Smashed Car" />So, review this guide with the <span style="color: #047ac1;"><strong>7 common personal car insurance coverage types</strong></span> and decide for yourself which are the most important to your family. </p> <ol style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <li><strong>Bodily injury liability:</strong> If you are at-fault in a car accident, you could injure people who are inside or outside of your car. Bodily injury liability coverage offers insurance against the medical expenses and personal claims resulting from these injuries. You can purchase two different limits&mdash;single-person injuries and multiple person injuries.</li> <li><strong>Collision:</strong> Whether you hit a vehicle or a vehicle hits you, your collision coverage will pay for the damages. </li> <li><strong>Comprehensive coverage:</strong> There are some real risks to your vehicle that don&rsquo;t involve driving including theft, flood, fire and vandalism. Comprehensive coverage from your insurance company covers the claims they bring in. </li> <li><strong>Medical payments:</strong> If you are injured in an accident, the medical payments coverage will pay for your medical expenses. </li> <li><strong>Personal injury protection:</strong> If you are in an accident, regardless of who is at fault, personal injury protection (or PIP) will pay your medical expenses. &nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Property damage liability:</strong> If you are at-fault in an accident you may cause damage to someone else&rsquo;s personal property, for example their car, residence or other property, property damage liability can pay off claims associated with the damage.</li> <li><strong>Uninsured (or under-insured) motorist coverage:</strong> Unfortunately, even though your state requires it, not every driver has the proper car insurance coverage. With uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage, your insurance company will reimburse you in place of the other driver&rsquo;s missing (or insufficient) policy. </li> </ol> <p>The next time you are shopping for a car insurance policy, consider the kinds of risks you are exposed to every day and then, instead of purchasing insurance because your state requires you to, buy insurance that will actually protect you from those risks. That is the only way to ensure that you have the coverage you need and your family deserves. <br /> <br /> Call us to discuss your options, and what coverages are best for you and your family. Call us today at&nbsp;(863) 299-3879 or fill out an online <a title="Get a free quote" href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/automobile/quick_insurance_quote.aspx">car insurance quote</a> form.</p>urn:uuid:b50cb22b-7d21-4faf-8f80-d09eaf5bd25b<img src='http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/umbrella_policy.jpg' align='left' />How often have you heard on the news about the wounded victim of car accident who received a million dollars in damages because another car accidentally crossed the double yellow line or ran a red light? We all sympathize with the victim, but have yo...Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:49:59 -0500<p><img src="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/umbrella_policy.jpg" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Umbrella Policy" />How often have you heard on the news about the wounded victim of car accident who received a million dollars in damages because another car accidentally crossed the double yellow line or ran a red light? We all sympathize with the victim, but have you ever questioned who pays that million dollars? It&rsquo;s the other driver. And what if that other driver&mdash;who had no malicious intent but who momentarily lost their concentration&mdash;were you? And what about the small business owner who must close down his shop after someone slips and falls in his store and he can&rsquo;t afford to stay open while paying the awarded injury claim?</p> <p>Put yourself in that unfortunate driver and business owner&rsquo;s position. You&rsquo;ve been ordered to pay a million dollars in damages. Your car or business insurance policy covers $300,000, and then the courts decide to pursue your personal and business assets. Before long, you&rsquo;re cleaned out&mdash;all because of a thoughtless error. Fortunately, you can prevent this by protecting your liability with a <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/contact.aspx" title="Contact for a Quote">personal umbrella insurance policy</a>.</p> <p><strong>For a small added premium each year you can purchase another million dollars of insurance coverage as a safeguard between you, the courts, and financial ruin.</strong> Umbrella insurance policies offer protection against a wide range of insurable events, like:</p> <ul> <li>Injury on your property</li> <li>Awards for accusations of slander</li> <li>Liabilities arising from employee mistakes</li> </ul> <p>Even if you are sued and a large judgment does not result, you may be responsible for legal and court fees that eat into your resources. An umbrella insurance policy can prevent that from happening. </p> <p>Before purchasing an umbrella insurance policy, make sure to check your limits and deductibles on your current policies. Your insurer will likely declare you responsible for bridging any gaps between policy limits and umbrella policy amounts so make sure you have enough insurance and resources. </p> <p>Accidents, moments of carelessness, or even frivolous lawsuits happen every day. If you have possessions that you have worked hard to build and protect, don&rsquo;t lose them due to one mistake or an unexpected lawsuit. Purchase an umbrella insurance policy and add a buffer between your assets and financial ruin.<br /> <br /> Since 1977 the Dershimer Insurance Agency has focused on your insurance needs at every stage of your life. As an independent agency we partner with many top rated <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/content/links.aspx">insurance carriers</a> to find the right company at the best price for your individual needs. Call us today at <strong>863-299-8330</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/contact.aspx" title="Contact for a Quote">Winter Haven umbrella insurance</a> quote.</p>urn:uuid:6b68c56a-abda-49c6-9221-f54f234217eb<img src='http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000004641538XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Having insurance to provide benefits when your automobile is stolen is great&mdash;but do you know what is even better? Not having your automobile stolen. Not only can a claim for a stolen vehicle possibly increase your auto insurance rates, it is il...Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:42:20 -0500<p><img alt="Car theft prevention" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000004641538XSmall.jpg" />Having insurance to provide benefits when your automobile is stolen is great&mdash;but do you know what is even better? Not having your automobile stolen. Not only can a claim for a stolen vehicle possibly increase your auto insurance rates, it is ill-timed and problematic. So instead of leaving it to fate, reduce your risk by following some of these auto theft prevention tips:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Purchase an automobile alarm:</strong> Automobile alarms are terrific gadgets to prevent auto theft. The annoying din they make brings attention to your automobile when someone gets too close or attempts to break in. Even though they are almost accepted as a natural sound in our current times, bystanders still look when they are set off.</li> <li><strong>Lock your doors:</strong> It seems so obvious, but locking your doors is a big deterrent against auto theft. The longer it takes for someone to get into your automobile, the less likely they are to actually steal it. Keeping your doors unlocked is like sending out a gilded invitation. </li> <li><strong>Stop hiding the spare:</strong> It is common for people to hide a magnetized key case in their wheel well. While it is a handy trick, whenever you accidentally lock your keys in your automobile, to walk over to your wheel well and fish out the spare; it also serves as a handy trick to get your automobile gets stolen. It will help the crook avoid the <em>breaking</em> part of the breaking and entering making it nice and easy for him to finish the job.</li> <li><strong>Invest in a steering wheel lock device: </strong>The more obstructions to entry and operation that you put up the less likely it is that a thief will decide to take your automobile. When an automobile is locked a thief must crack open the lock; when the keys are gone a thief must hotwire the automobile; and when a steering wheel is locked with a locking device, a thief must figure out how to remove it before he can drive it away. Simply peeping in your window and seeing one of these devices may be enough to discourage them.&nbsp; If not, having one when someone breaks in could mean they can&rsquo;t drive away with your vehicle. </li> <li><strong>Add a tracking device:</strong> There are many electronic tracking devices that will help alert the police to the location of your vehicle in the case of theft. While this won&rsquo;t stop the vehicle from being stolen, it will help you get it back&mdash;hopefully in one piece. </li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/automobile/default.aspx" title="Comprehensive Auto Insurance">Comprehensive auto insurance</a>:</strong> Comprehensive coverage won&rsquo;t actually protect you against theft, but it will reimburse you if it should happen. Without comprehensive coverage you could be forced to pay completely out-of-pocket for repairs to your stolen vehicle or a replacement.</li> </ol> <p>Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and to avoid all the paperwork, phone calls, and claims involved in an auto theft that quote has never been truer. <br /> <br /> Since 1977 the Dershimer Agency has focused on your insurance needs at every stage of your life. As an independent agency we partner with many top rated insurance carriers to find the right company at the best price for your individual needs. Whether you&rsquo;re shopping for <strong>auto or home insurance in Winter Haven</strong> or any of our surrounding communities including <strong>Auburndale</strong>, <strong>Celebration </strong>and <strong>Kissimmee</strong> we are committed to serving you today and for many years to come.&nbsp; Please visit any one of our offices or call us at 863-299-8330 for a <a title="Auto quote" href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/automobile/quick_insurance_quote.aspx">Winter Haven auto insurance</a> quote.</p>urn:uuid:7bc92c9a-1d01-4e8d-a6a3-bee4f3692f44<img src='http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000000489578XSmall.jpg' align='left' />If a catastrophe occurs, the last thing you want to stress out about is writing an inventory of all of your possessions.&nbsp; Making a home inventory beforehand can prevent a tremendous amount of stress at the most inconvenient time, assists you in ...Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:53:53 -0500<p><img alt="" width="261" height="167" src="/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000000489578XSmall.jpg" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px;" />If a catastrophe occurs, the last thing you want to stress out about is writing an inventory of all of your possessions.&nbsp; Making a home inventory beforehand can prevent a tremendous amount of stress at the most inconvenient time, assists you in figuring out the right amount of insurance to have, and will get your claim resolved quicker.</p> <p>It seems like an intimidating task, listing all that you own, but there are many options that can ease the process along.&nbsp; Some decide to jot everything on paper, room by room.&nbsp; Other alternatives include snapping pictures or taking a video your property.&nbsp; If you select any of these approaches, just be certain to hide the catalog someplace other than your residence.&nbsp; Another option is to obtain the free home inventory program at <a href="http://www.knowyourstuff.org/">www.KnowYourStuff.org</a>. </p> <p>Remember to amend your home inventory from occasionally, particularly if you have a significant acquisition.&nbsp; Specific articles such as collections, jewelry, and art may need to be covered individually, so have your home itemization available when considering <a href="http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/homeowners/default.aspx">home insurance</a> necessities with your agent.</p> <p>Find out even more about your own&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/homeowners/default.aspx">Winter Haven Home Insurance</a> with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/locations.aspx">Dershimer Insurance Agency</a> today!</p>urn:uuid:420cd6ac-f96f-407c-8dda-530784e8f93f<img src='http://www.celebrationinsuranceagency.com/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000000210932XSmall.jpg' align='left' />How&nbsp;insurance premiums are calculated can deviate from insurance company to insurance company, however, the bulk of companies will use the following when deciding what to charge you for your house insurance. Location - Insurance companies w...Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:27:19 -0500<p><img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" alt="House Insurance" src="/img/~www.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000000210932XSmall.jpg" />How&nbsp;insurance premiums are calculated can deviate from insurance company to insurance company, however, the bulk of companies will use the following when deciding what to charge you for your <a href="/homeowners/insurance_quote.aspx"><strong>house insurance</strong></a>.</p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 7px;">Location - Insurance companies will take into account the amount of crime in your area, the proximity of your home to a fire department, and the potential for weather-related claims. </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7px;">Kind of construction - whether your home is made of wood, stucco siding, brick, or stone. </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7px;">Age of home - new homes can typically qualify for discounts.&nbsp; </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7px;">Degree of coverage - the amount of coverage you purchase on your house, the contents of the house, and the liability restrictions will determine the cost of your policy. </li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7px;">Loss valuation - how your policy will handle payment for your house in the eventuality of a claim, whether it will pay the actual cash value or the amount it costs to recoup the items lost. </li> <li>Deductible - how much damage you are willing to pay for before you insurance kicks in.&nbsp; If you have a mortgage on your house, the maximum amount of your deductible often times will be appointed by your lender. </li> </ul> <p>Find out even more about your own&nbsp;<a href="/homeowners/default.aspx">Winter Haven Home Insurance</a> with&nbsp;Dershimer Insurance Agency today!</p>urn:uuid:87b89bfe-774b-4b1e-810f-7e42ace8269a<img src='http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000000383449XSmall.jpg' align='left' />As everyone's needs are not the same, it is best to consult&nbsp;your agent&nbsp;to help assess your needs and find the insurance policy that is right for you. What is Homeowners insurance? Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against ...Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:52:12 -0600<img style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; width: 200px;" src="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.dershimerinsurance.com/iStock_000000383449XSmall.jpg" alt="Florida House" />As everyone's needs are not the same, it is best to <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/contact.aspx">consult</a>&nbsp;your agent&nbsp;to help assess your needs and find the insurance policy that is right for you.<br /> <br /> <strong>What is Homeowners insurance?</strong><br /> Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against disasters. A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.<br /> <br /> Homeowners insurance is a package policy. This means that it covers both damage to your property and your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or members of your family cause to other people. This includes damage caused by household pets.<br /> <br /> Damage caused by most disasters is covered but there are exceptions. The most significant are damage caused by floods, earthquakes and poor maintenance. You must buy two separate policies for flood and earthquake coverage. Maintenance-related problems are the homeowners' responsibility.<br /> <br /> <strong>Winter Haven, Florida</strong><br /> The Winter Haven Lifestyle is a unique way of life inspired by more than 50 lakes, 24 of which are connected; the warm climate conducive to outdoor recreation and activities; a close-knit community with a diverse population and historic neighborhoods; a City that provides for it&rsquo;s residents including jobs, education, recreation, shopping and medical opportunities; and a progressive local government dedicated to enhancing the community it serves.<br /> <br /> Whether you&rsquo;re shopping for <strong>auto or home insurance in Winter Haven</strong> or any of our surrounding communities including <strong>Auburndale</strong>, <strong>Celebration </strong>and <strong>Kissimmee</strong> we are committed to serving you today and for many years to come. Call us today at (863) 299-8330 for a free <a href="http://www.dershimerinsurance.com/homeowners/insurance_quote.aspx">Winter Haven home insurance quote</a>.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.mywinterhaven.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">MyWinterHaven.com</a>)