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Bobbie Sage

Gulf Coast and Florida Storms Will Increase Your Insurance?

By , About.com GuideMay 24, 2006

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According to a recent ABC News story, people are already feeing the effects of past and upcoming Gulf Coast and Florida storms. The effects they are feeling are higher insurance rates and possibly loosing their homeowners insurance coverage altogether.

Regardless of where you live, the more insurance companies have to pay out for damages to storms across the country, the more the cost of those payments will be spread out among all people who purchase insurance. So, are we just at the mercy of Mother Nature?

Not necessarily. People closer to possible storm areas will pay more. Local, state, or the federal government could make better building code laws such as storm resistant construction along the coast or even restrict the development of coastal homes and business. These measures would reduce the amount of damage due to storms, and in return there would be less damage claims that insurance companies would have to pay out for.

What can people do now if they are loosing their insurance due to the ripple effects of these storms? Thankfully there is a government sponsored Fair Plan that will provide insurance to people who otherwise may not qualify for private insurance..but it will cost much more than many are used to paying. Another solution? Move! Although rates will go up for everyone, if an area seems to be at a higher risk, moving to a lower risk area will be cheaper. If one would rather stay put, they can improve their home structure to be more resistant to storms, shop around for a better rate, and make sure they are getting all the insurance discounts they are entitled to.

Comments
July 4, 2006 at 12:20 pm
(1) sake :

enjoyable!!! blenker.awisconsin.com

May 13, 2011 at 12:32 pm
(2) Sal Raimondi :

Aftermarket parts are NOT equivalent to Genuine parts. Most are not coated with an equivalent OEM primer, do not fit as OEM parts and tend to rust more rapidly (metal) or fatigue faster. Plastic parts tend to be of an alternate, cheaper composition, where the adhesion between the object part and substrate coats are not compatible … which is NOT the fault of the body shop. After a vehicle has a collision repair performed, the value of that vehicle decreases significantly. e.g. Diminished Value. If the parts used in that repair were aftermarket, ” Quality Replacement ” , Quality Recycled parts … the extent of the diminished value accelerates rapidly. For example, a vehicle repaired by the Dealership or a Restoration specialist would retain the most value while still having a diminished value. Sal Raimondi, AAFS Associates, Inc. / Model Garage of Palm Beach

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