Mike Bell Insurance Agency, located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is referred by clients because we’re honest about their options. Take a moment to review these insurance FAQs. If you have any additional questions about policies or smart packages, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
FAQs
Q: If my current company does not renew my homeowners policy, can I get another policy?
A: Mike Bell Insurance Agency contracts with over a half-dozen homeowners insurance companies and writes for citizens (the State of Florida’s property insurance facility). There are very few situations where we can’t provide a quote for you. We want to find the best policy with the best coverage at the best price for you.
Q: What makes one house easier or cheaper to insure than another?
A: There are many factors that affect availability and price of homeowners insurance. Because Florida’s building codes became more stringent in 2002, homes built that year or later are easy to insure regardless of value and location and often receive substantial discounts. If a house is coastal or close to the ocean, it can often cost more than the same house further inland. All other things being equal, masonry houses cost less than wood frame houses. Monitored security systems result in discounts universally, and houses in gated communities sometimes receive discounts. Older homes usually cost more to insure and may even require documentation of updates to the roof and other essential systems to write a policy.
Q: How does your agency decide which quote to give?
A: Regardless of the type of insurance, our only consideration is giving you the best coverage at the best price. We never take a commission rate, production requirements, or any other factor into consideration. When we do what is best for you, Mike Bell Insurance Agency ultimately benefits by improving the company’s reputation, gaining referrals, and retaining customers. We give you all the relevant information to help you decide what is best for you.
Q: What is flood insurance, and why would I have it?
A: Please refer to our flood coverage page to learn some of the basic terms and considerations about flood policies. It’s important to know if your house is in a higher risk flood zone as determined by FEMA, in which case any mortgage company would require you to purchase a flood policy. If it is in a lower risk area, the mortgage company will not require you to purchase a flood policy, but you still can buy one. You are then eligible to buy a preferred flood package at a lower cost. (FEMA says that a third of all flood damage claims paid are for buildings not in the high-risk zones). The costs for flood insurance are low—no more than $317 per year in a low-risk zone and typically under $450 even in high-risk zones—for the maximum limits sold ($250,000 on the house and $100,000 on the contents).