Questions we hear most.

An independent agency is appointed by several insurance companies and is not owned by any of them. That lets us compare options and place you with the insurer that fits, and move you later if a better option appears.

No. Insurers file their rates with the state, and the premium is the same whether you buy through an agent or directly from that insurer. We are paid a commission by the insurer.

Home, condo, renters and landlord policies, flood, auto, individual and family health, Medicare, life and business insurance.

Our office is at 214 W Brandon Blvd in Brandon. We work with clients across Hillsborough County, including Riverview, Valrico, Seffner, Bloomingdale, Lithia, Plant City and Tampa.

Yes. We can check whether a private insurer will offer comparable coverage, explain a takeout letter, and arrange the flood policy that Citizens requires on wind policies from January 1, 2027.

Often, but not always. Insurers stop accepting new policies when a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued for any part of Florida, and flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period. It is best not to wait for a storm.

No. Coverage starts only when a licensed agent confirms it. A request through this site is a request for a quote.

The Florida Department of Financial Services has a public licensee search where you can look up any agent or agency by name or license number.

It is a separate deductible that applies only to damage from a declared hurricane. It is normally a percentage of your home's insured value, not a flat amount, and it applies once per calendar year if you stay with the same insurer.

Not on age alone if the roof is under 15 years old. For a roof of 15 years or more, you have the right to an inspection, and if it shows at least five years of useful life the insurer cannot refuse solely because of age. Individual insurers still set their own rules on condition.

Often, for homes more than about 20 years old. It covers the roof, electrical, plumbing and air conditioning. Citizens requires it for homes over 20 years old, and private insurers set their own thresholds.

Only if no private insurer authorized in Florida offers you coverage, or if comparable private coverage costs more than 20% above the Citizens premium. We check the private market for you first.

To register a vehicle with four or more wheels you need $10,000 of personal injury protection and $10,000 of property damage liability, from an insurer licensed in Florida.

No. Bills to repeal the no-fault law were filed in 2025 and 2026 and did not pass. PIP is still required.

It is not required to register a car, but it is the coverage that pays when you injure someone else. It becomes mandatory after certain crashes and convictions. Most drivers should carry it.

Both are certificates your insurer files with the state, not types of insurance. An SR-22 certifies standard liability limits, usually for three years. An FR-44 follows a DUI and requires much higher limits.

No. Flood from rising water is excluded and needs its own policy.

It is not required by a lender in Zone X, but it is worth considering. A large share of flood claims come from outside high-risk zones, and a Brandon street in Zone X flooded during Hurricane Milton in 2024. Policies in lower-risk zones usually cost less.

Hillsborough County publishes a flood zone viewer, and FEMA's Flood Map Service Center lets you search by address. We can look it up with you.

Up to $250,000 for a home and $100,000 for its contents. Private flood insurers can offer higher limits.

You may, if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level and you are not offered affordable employer coverage. Above 400% there is no tax credit for 2026 or 2027.

Open enrollment for 2027 runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 if you want coverage from January 1.

Report it promptly so your tax credit is adjusted. Any excess credit paid during the year has to be repaid when you file your taxes.

Not for a Marketplace plan. Short-term plans are different: they can decline applicants and exclude pre-existing conditions.

Your Initial Enrollment Period is the seven months around the month you turn 65. If you are still covered by an employer plan through active work, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty.

Advantage plans usually have low premiums, a network and copays as you use care. Supplements have a monthly premium, no network and predictable costs. The right choice depends on your doctors, health and budget.

In Florida you usually have to pass health underwriting to do so, outside a few protected situations. That is why the first choice deserves care.

Medicare pays the plan to provide your benefits. You still pay your Part B premium, and copays when you use care, up to the plan's yearly limit.

A common starting point adds up your debts, the income your family would need for a number of years, your mortgage balance and education costs, then subtracts savings and existing coverage. We will work through it with you.

Term costs much less and covers the years when others depend on your income. Whole life lasts for life and builds cash value. Many people need term, and some need a mix.

Not always. Many insurers issue policies from health questions and records. An exam can still lead to a better price for some applicants.

Often, yes. Price and options vary by insurer, and there are policies with simplified or guaranteed acceptance.

It depends on your trade and size. Workers' compensation is required above the employee thresholds, vehicles need auto coverage, and licensed contractors must carry liability coverage. Leases and contracts often add their own requirements.

In construction, yes, from the first employee. In other industries it is required from four employees. Corporate officers can apply for an exemption in some cases.

A package that combines general liability, property and lost income coverage, usually at a lower price than buying each separately. It suits offices, shops, restaurants and service businesses.

A one-page proof of your coverage that customers, landlords and building departments ask for. We can usually issue one the same day.