🛥️ Attention Marine Artisan Contractors! 🛥️

🛥️ Attention Marine Artisan Contractors! 🛥️

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Florida Insurance, Marine Insurance

Navigating insurance can seem like navigating rough waters, but we’re here to make it smooth sailing for you! Did you know that packaging your Marine Operator Legal Liability (MOLL) insurance with a standard General Liability Insurance can be simple and affordable?

Introducing Davina Kornegay, your trusted Independent Insurance Agent with Barefoot Insurance Brokers! Davina specializes in assisting clients in Coastal Indian River county, including Vero Beach, Sebastian, Satellite Beach, Patrick Shores, Indialantic, Cape Canaveral, and throughout Merritt Island with all insurance needs, including coverages for Marine Contractors and Marine Artisan Contractors.

Let Davina guide you through the process and help you find the right coverage tailored to your needs. Protect your business with confidence! âš“đź”’

Contact Davina today to learn more and secure your coverage! Davina is best reached via email davina@barefootins.com or by call/text to 321-222-7965

#MarineInsurance #MOLLIinsurance #GeneralLiability #BarefootInsuranceBrokers #CoastalInsurance #VeroBeach #Sebastian #SatelliteBeach #Indialantic #CapeCanavera l#MerrittIsland

Meet our licensed agent Roxanne Martinez

Meet our licensed agent Roxanne Martinez

by | Jan 17, 2023 | Commercial Insurance, Marine Insurance, Personal Insurance

Meet our licensed agent Roxanne Martinez!

Roxanne Martinez, licensed insurance Broker with Barefoot Insurance Brokers is working with over 18 unique auto insurance carriers at present to bring you the most competitive pricing for the following Florida insurance products:

  • Automobile Insurance
  • Motorcycle Insurance
  • Antique/ Classic Auto
  • Commercial Auto
  • Heavy Truck Insurance
  • Boat, RV, and ATV Insurance
  • Renter’s Insurance
  • Condo Insurance
  • Homeowner’s Insurance
  • SR-22
  • FR-44
  • Owner’s & Non-owner’s policies
  • Contractor’s General Liability
  • Commercial Lines (Retail, Storefronts, Auto Repair Shops, Offices, etc.)
  • Life Insurance & Annuities
  • Personal Umbrellas
  • & More!

Most consumers are currently paying more than they’d like for their Florida insurance Products and I’m interested in helping you find a better value for your Florida insurance needs. I can also work with clients who don’t presently have Florida car insurance but are in immediate need for coverage—I can quote and bind auto insurance on the same day!

The market for insurance is always changing in Florida. Obtaining free quotes is a simple step in finding out whether there is money to be saved or at least become more knowledgeable about that type of insurance you’re purchasing for yourself.

For auto insurance, it might be useful to know how you plan on using your vehicle such as pleasure, commuting, or business use on the Florida Roadways. Especially with heavy trucks, which can carry an assortment of goods or services, it is always best to know exactly what it will be used for, your mileage radius from your home or business headquarters, and how often you’ll be visiting jobsites or new clients. This can be particularly important because it gives me, your insurance agent, a better idea of what carriers will underwrite your particular risk and offer you affordable coverage.

 Personal or Commercial auto insurance in Florida may be just a portion of the insurance coverage needed. I could also put you in direct contact with other insurance professionals within my office that can run commercial general liability or homeowner’s insurance quotes in Florida, even in the Coastal Regions of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Hutchinson Island and Cocoa Beach.

 

Roxanne Martinez will strive to offer you the most competitively priced insurance options for your needs across the State of Florida. Call (954)368-0060, extension 9, text (954) 399-3349 or email me at roxanne@barefootins.com today to complete a NO OBLIGATION analysis of your current insurance policies and FREE QUOTES to save you some money on your Florida insurance coverages.

#bestcarinsurance #affordableinsurance #commercialauto #heavytrucks #cargoinsurance #liabilitycoverage #$1millioncoverage #financialprotection #freequotes #refrigeratedtrucks #RVinsurance #ATVinsurance #classiccar #Renter’sinsurance #Homeowner’sInsurance #CondoInsurance #Lifeinsurance #financialstrength 

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

by | Dec 21, 2022 | Personal Insurance

In the month of December, a handful of organizations have banded together to bring social awareness to impaired driving in the United States. The organizations that have deemed this month: “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month”

The Organizations involved in this alliance include:

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • U.S. Department of Transportation
  • White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy
  • U.S. Department of Health
  • Human Service’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

More vehicular related deaths occur during the holiday season than any other time of year making it the clear choice that December was chosen as the awareness month to prevent impaired driving on American roadways and especially within the State of Florida.

Drunk driving, one of many possible impairments while behind the wheel of a car, contributes to a third of traffic fatalities. According to data collected in 2018, the last week of the year drunk driving fatalities increased to half of all traffic fatalities in the United States and almost laterally to the statistics in the State of Florida.

In 2021 there were over 10,000 deaths due to impaired driving across the United States; out of those 799 deaths occurred on Florida roadways.

The most dangerous cities on Florida Roadways are two of our top travel destinations: Orlando and Daytona. In 2016 Orlando was ranked as the 6th most dangerous city in Florida and Daytona ranked the 9th, according to data published by FLHSMV.

If you’re caught, or worse, involved in an accident while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Florida you are subject to some strict penalties including fines, fees and possible jail time. You’re also, as always, responsible for your third-party Bodily Injury Liability that could arise from an incident on a Florida roadway which could directly translate to a lawsuit. The average amount spent on the costs associated with a DWI/DUI in the State of Florida in 2022 is $14,000 for one driver caught driving under the influence without considering the possibility of an injury or accident. 

In addition to the costs, your license would most likely become suspended or revoked and you’d end up needing to take specific advanced driver education within Florida and be forced to carry a Florida FR44 for 3 years from the date of the conviction. 

What is a Florida FR-44?

An FR-44 certificate is a notice to the State of Florida’s FLHSMV that you’ve obtained the proper coverage to be legal to drive on the roadways, with insurance supervision from the state officials. The FR44 is a requirement for people with severe driving offences, such as a DUI/DWI conviction occuring on a Florida roadway. An FR-44 requires higher liability coverage than a SR-22 which is only a $10,000 per person liability requirement to the Florida DMV or FLHSMV. The cost range is typically $600-$2000 every 6 months for a non-owner policy (like if you need the Florida FR-44 Filing but you don’t own a vehicle) and can range in cost between $700-5000 (sometimes more if your car needs physical damage coverage) every 6 months for the required $100,000 per person liability on the Florida FR44 as a vehicle owner. If your license has been suspended and you then become convicted of a DWI in Florida, an FR44 certificate is required in order to reinstate your license and must be maintained continuously without lapse for 3 years.

In the month of December you can display a blue ribbon to bring awareness to impaired driving on the Florida roadways. 

Are you interested in more information on how to prevent impaired driving and what you can do as a consumer and citizens?

Do you need assistance with your Florida FR-44 Insurance filing? If you’re in the market for new FR44 quotes, rates, a new policy or information, call 321-218-3880, extension 6 to speak with Allie Horblitt. 

Allie Horblitt, Insurance Agent with Barefoot Insurance Brokers, works out of both the South Florida and Central Florida offices and can write Florida FR44 Insurance across the state, but specializing in Car insurance coverage in Duval County, Nassau County, Jacksonville, St Johns County, St Augustine, Yulee, all through the Space Coast and the Greater Tampa Area. 

Holiday Shopping & Comprehensive Insurance

Holiday Shopping & Comprehensive Insurance

by | Dec 6, 2022 | Personal Insurance

The winter holidays are here and our shopping has commenced! While gift shopping for your loved ones this winter season, your Insurance agent at Barefoot Insurance Brokers wants to make sure to take extra precautions to protect your valuables and yourself from all of the perils of the holiday season.

 

Some safety tips to keep in mind this holiday season are:

 

– Keep your shopping bags out of plain sight and in your trunk if possible. Take the “out of sight, out of mind” approach to protecting your holiday purchases and keep thieves from breaking into your car in crowded parking lots. Did you know that your comprehensive insurance on your Florida auto insurance policy doesn’t cover the cost of replacement for your side windows if broken, unless you exceed your deductible amount?

– Lock your vehicle. Locking your car can prevent unnecessary theft of your vehicle and it’s contents during the shopping rush. Many criminals will walk through rows of cars in shopping mall parking lots checking door handles to steal your belongings without forceful entry. 

– Park your vehicle in well-lit areas. The more well-lit the parking lot is while shopping at night, the more you’d deter unwanted entrance in your vehicle or even people approaching you while you’re in public.

– Have your keys in hand when approaching your car. Many victims of theft aren’t paying attention to their surroundings. Your prospectus in a parking lot should be to enter your vehicle and safely pull away as quickly as possible and not to loiter around. You don’t want to attract any unnecessary attention when you exit a store alone with expensive merchandise.

 

When and if an incident does happen, it’s important to know that there are car insurance coverages that protect and help ease the financial burden of a loss. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage is an optional coverage on your Florida auto insurance policy that protects you against non-collision damage to your vehicle: theft, vandalism, glass (exceeding the deductible) and windshield damage, weather related damages and other acts of nature. Your comprehensive auto insurance can be included on your existing state required PIP and Property Damage Liability coverage and you likely carry this portion of physical damage coverage if you’re currently financing or leasing your vehicle. In the State of Florida when you have comprehensive insurance coverage and your windshield has a crack, your insurance will cover a replacement, unlike your side windows and rear windshield that may be subject to your deductible.

 

In the event of theft of your personal belongings or purchased merchandise from your vehicle, your existing renter’s insurance, Florida Condo Insurance or homeowner’s insurance could couple with the auto insurance company to provide financial relief. Comprehensive will cover components and features that are permanent in your car but not the merchandise.

 

Your major credit card company like Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover may also have sublimits within the user agreement that help to reimburse you for expenses or costs related to lost or stolen merchandise. If you’re a victim of a  burglary related crime in Florida this holiday season, you may have several options available to recuperate the expenses related to your circumstance.

 

A licensed insurance broker with Barefoot Insurance Brokers of Florida can better help you understand what’s covered on your existing auto insurance as well as help you find more affordable and efficient insurance products. We recommend that you reach out to Julia Dourvetakis via call or text at 954-866-5723 this holiday season for helpful insurance insight, advice and quotes to protect you and your loved ones.

 

Julia Dourvetakis can service your property insurance needs across the State of Florida with a focus on the coastal regions of Central and South Florida including Titusville, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and Indialantic Florida and an emphasis on high-risk regions in Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe Counties.

New Business Ventures in Trucking – Learning about your Filing numbers with Roxanne Martinez

New Business Ventures in Trucking – Learning about your Filing numbers with Roxanne Martinez

by | Jun 24, 2022 | Commercial Insurance

Are you new to the trucking world or owning your own trucking company? I’d love to help you navigate the roadways to Long Haul and trucking options in the State of Florida, especially regarding your insurance.

The first step of getting into trucking in Florida, once you’ve obtained your hauling unit and CDL License is obtaining your USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) number, FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) number or both. You may be asking yourself, “Which is the one I need or do I need to acquire both?”

What is a USDOT number and why do I need it?

Businesses or sole proprietors that operate a commercial vehicle hauling cargo in state lines must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Registry Number. It is the identification number used “when collecting and monitoring a company’s safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections” according to FMCSA.

What is a FMCSA number and why do I need it?

The big difference between the DOT number and the FMCSA is that the latter is for interstate commerce. Also, a business may need to register for more than one type of authority to support their planned operations such as but not limited to freight forwarder, passenger transportation, and Mexico-based carriers to operate in the US. The USDOT designation is free to those who successfully register for a FMCSA number.

First timers will begin the application process online on the Unified Registration System (URS). You will be provided a DOT number at the completion of the URS registration. You will be contacted after 30 days by FMCSA to validate information and correspond with you about the New Entrant safety program. Then you will be able to obtain your permanent DOT or FMCSA number.

What are my BOC-3 and Insurance filings?

You will also need to keep in mind additional requirements such as the Process Agent Designation, or BOC-3 form. The BOC-3 form will be e-filed by the processing agent on your behalf. A processing agent can be found near you on the FMCSA website. You can also find information about the required insurance outlined on the FMSCA’s website at Insurance Filing Requirements | FMCSA (dot.gov). The insurance company will electronically file with the FMSCA with your credentials satisfying the insurance requirement.

What is a New Entrant safety audit?

For the New Entrant Safety Assurance program, you can expect to be monitored during the initial 18-month period where you must demonstrate you can operate safely, maintain up-to-date records, conduct periodic inspections, and perform maintenance on CMVs. If pass you, you will be granted permanent authority.

How long will it take to get my FMCSA number?

The FMCSA takes approximately 4-6 weeks for processing the application. From the completion of the URS application, you will have 90 days to comply with the application requirements. If you do not comply with all the requirements, then you will have to pay the fees again to reapply.

How do I proceed with insurance once I’ve registered with the USDOT and/or FMCSA?

Once you’ve registered with these governing authorities, you’d want to complete your Commercial Auto Insurance with your required filings.

Typically these administrations require a minimum operating Liability of $750,000 if you’re crossing state lines. I’d be elated to discuss the intricacies of the insurance requirements with you as soon as you’re ready to take the next step to get on the road.

Roxanne Martinez, Insurance AgentMy name is Roxanne Martinez and I specialize in Commercial Auto Insurance coverage. I can be reached Monday – Friday from 10 am until 5 pm by calling 954-368-0060, x 9 or by email at roxanne@barefootins.com. I look forward to assisting your new trucking venture get on the road with all of your insurance needs: Commercial Auto coverage, Motor Carrier Cargo coverage, Bobtail, Physical Damage, driver’s Workers Comp and more! Contact me today for a free consultation.