May is National Motorcycle Month

Written by admin on May 15, 2012 — Leave a Comment

May is National Motorcycle Month and as the weather warms, bike riders everywhere are hitting – or thinking about hitting – the road. The Ormond Beach area is a bikers’ haven when we have our annual events and just a fantastic place to ride any time of the year.

Once again, we’d like to remind you that your Ormond Beach Insurance Agency offers some of the most comprehensive motorcycle insurance coverage available. We serve both Volusia and Flagler counties, which are home to one of highest concentrations of motorcycles in the country, so we know that one of the most important services we can provide to our residents is good insurance.

Quality motorcycle insurance protects more than your bike and the great things you’ve added to it. It protects you, others out there on the road, and just as important, peace of mind while you’re out there cruising.

This is what an Ormond Beach motorcycle insurance policy includes:

Collision: Just as the word implies, if you collide with another vehicle, a building or a tree, it covers the cost of repair or replacement of your bike.

First-Accident Waiver – Forgives the first accident after the policy has been in-force for two years.

Optional or Added Equipment – Provides coverage for custom parts and accessories.

Towing & Labor Costs – Reimburses you for the cost of towing and related labor.

Liability – Provides coverage if you or a covered driver are legally liable for property damage, personal injury or death.

Uninsured Motorist – Protects you if you are injured by an uninsured motorist.

Medical Payments – Provides additional coverage for medical costs or funeral expenses.

Lease/Loan Gap Coverage – Will usually pay the difference between your motorcycle and the balance of your loan or lease.

Rental Reimbursement – Helps cover the cost of a rental if your bike gets stolen or damaged in an accident.

Comprehensive – Provides coverage if your bike is damaged by falling objects, fire, vandalism, or theft.

So, before you join the thousands of bikers out there on the roads and highways, talk to one of our agents about an affordable package of coverage that’s just right for you.

The O’Quinn Insurance Agency can also provide insurance for your auto, truck, boat, home and life. Learn more about our various insurance products by contacting a friendly representative about your insurance needs. We think you’ll be glad you did.

Posted in Home, In the News, Safety, Service | Tagged ,

Keep April Showers from Damaging Your Home

Written by admin on April 13, 2012 — Leave a Comment

The first signs of water damage might seem innocent, but by the time you see those signs, the damage to your home has already begun.

Warnings such as a water stain on your ceiling or a leak from the washing machine or underneath a sink can mean a real problem – a weakened roof or rotting floorboards –  eventually. Water damage that happens spontaneously such as a burst pipe can damage  your furniture, carpets and other personal possessions, and here in Florida, any flooding  can very quickly lead to mold and all the problems it brings with it.

Why take a chance with perhaps your family’s biggest investment? Learn how to prevent water damage in the areas of your home that are most likely to suffer from it.  It’s a good idea to start with the rooms or areas where the most water is involved – the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, roof and pool.

Here are some easy ways to keep April showers (and other water sources) from wreaking havoc around your home.

Install rain gutters, keep them cleaned out and in good shape, and extend downspouts at strategic angles to control runoff and take rainwater far from the house.

Smart landscaping techniques can also help divert rainwater and prevent water damage. Try drainage swales, rain gardens, and other landscaping solutions that will keep your yard absorbing the water it should.

Dry out a wet basement, garage, Florida Room, enclosed porch or other ground level room with affordable steps and products to help deal with condensation, high groundwater, and poor drainage.

Use rain barrels to collect water during powerful downpours.

Give your roof a checkup occasionally, and look for spots where water may be getting in.

Take note of any especially wet areas near and around your pool that don’t seem to dry out, and an increased need to add water to the pool. These could be signs of a leak.

It is always a good idea to check with your Daytona Beach insurance agent to know exactly what your homeowners insurance covers and what it doesn’t, and we are happy to answer any questions.

The O’Quinn Insurance Agency, which serves the East Central Florida area, can also provide you with insurance for your automobiles, boat, motorcycle and your life.

Posted in Home, In the News

Keeping Your Car Clean & Valuable

Written by admin on March 29, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Overall, your car may look like it is handling the salt air, sand and harsh temperatures of this area pretty well, but remember that your car’s paint is exposed to Florida’s damaging forces all year long.

In addition to the loss of your car’s original luster, according to AOL Autos, a car with faded paint and a worn look sells for 10-20% less than an otherwise identical vehicle that just looks nicer.

Here are some helpful tips from your Daytona Beach Insurance Agency to keep your automobile looking good and retaining its value.

Start with a good coat of wax. When parking under a tree, although the shade provides coolness and helps protect your dash and seats, a good coat of wax is your best defense against the sap and little twigs or branches that occasionally fall on your car. If you find tree sap on your paint, clean it off immediately.

Bird droppings and high speed collisions with bugs take their toll on your car’s paint, and you can believe they will wreak havoc. Both are very acidic. When a bird dropping or smashed bug makes contact with your vehicle’s paint, the best thing you can do is remove it quickly. Just a wet cloth works well, but remember to wipe with a lifting motion so that you’re not grinding it into the paint. When it’s ‘Love Bug’ season, just wash your entire car frequently, and use bug and tar remover on the stubborn spots as soon as possible!

While filling up at the pump, spilled gasoline isn’t just a safety hazard, it can cause long-term harm to your paint, so clean up any accidental drips immediately.

Giving your car the ‘once over’ on a regular basis is a good way to catch anything that can damage your car’s paint, and getting your car washed frequently to eliminate abrasive dirt, sand and the effects of salt air and water from your car’s surface helps keep it looking its best. Any light scratches can sometimes be removed with polish or scratch remover after the car is clean.

Remember, when choosing an automatic car wash, look for one that advertises a “touchless” wash that uses high pressure water jets to clean your car.

Happy driving!

Posted in Home, In the News

Buying a Home and Bundling with your Ormond Beach Insurance Agency

Written by admin on March 21, 2012 — Leave a Comment

The spring and summer seasons always see an increase in home buying, and with the median price of area houses, loan interest rates and inventory level remaining low, this year could be a good time to buy a great home that’s more affordable than you ever dreamed.

Making an appointment to speak with one of our insurance agents about the best homeowner’s insurance coverage could also surprise you when it comes time to do the monthly expenses math.

According to a recent report, the Central Florida real estate median home price for January 2012 is a bit higher than last January, but that’s still good news for home buyers, because it means the inventory levels have dropped and the quality of remaining homes on the market has most likely improved. Remember, just five years ago the median price was around $250,000. It is now closer to $110,000. Such a deal!

In addition, rates on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans are still hovering around 4%.

Your Ormond Beach insurance agency does want to remind you that your new home’s price is just a portion of your final costs. You’ll also have your homeowner’s insurance and annual taxes.

We can at least help you control your insurance costs, especially if you ‘bundle’ them, meaning you’ll receive a better rate if you not only insure your home, but also your automobiles, boat or motorcycle, with the same company.

The time to talk to your local insurance agent is before you really start house hunting, because estimating the cost of your new home, taxes and insurance into your budget is easier when you get all the costs together at once. You may also be happily surprised to learn that insurance costs can vary on different age and style houses that cost about the same.

In addition to “location, location, location,” remember the other 3 keys to buying real estate – “preparation, patience and perseverance.” With record low prices, interest rates and inventory, it is a great time to buy a home, and your Ormond Beach insurance agency is here to help you during the process.

The O’Quinn Insurance agency can also insure your automobiles, boat, motorcycle and life.

Posted in Home, In the News

Bike Week, Daytona Beach Motorcycle Insurance All Year

Written by admin on March 14, 2012 — Leave a Comment

As Bike Week 2012 rolls into town, we’d like to remind you that your Daytona Beach Insurance Agency offers some of the most comprehensive motorcycle insurance coverage available.

We serve both Volusia and Flagler counties, which are home to one of highest concentrations of motorcycles in the U.S. year-round, so we know that one of the most important services we can provide to our residents is good insurance.

Quality motorcycle insurance protects more than your bike and the great things you’ve added to it. It protects you, others out there on the road, and just as important, your peace of mind.

Here’s a rundown of what a Daytona Beach Motorcycle Insurance policy includes:

Collision: Just as the word implies, if you collide with another vehicle, a building or a tree, it covers the cost of repair or replacement of your bike.

First-Accident Waiver – Forgives the first accident after the policy has been in-force for two years.

Optional or Added Equipment – Provides coverage for custom parts and accessories.

Towing & Labor Costs – Reimburses you for the cost of towing and related labor.

Liability – Provides coverage if you or a covered driver are legally liable for property damage, personal injury or death.

Uninsured Motorist – Protects you if you are injured by an uninsured motorist.

Medical Payments – Provides additional coverage for medical costs or funeral expenses.

Lease/Loan Gap Coverage – Will usually pay the difference between your motorcycle and the balance of your loan or lease.

Rental Reimbursement – Helps cover the cost of a rental if your bike gets stolen or damaged in an accident.

Comprehensive – Provides coverage if your bike is damaged by falling objects, fire, vandalism, or theft.

So, before you join the thousands of bikers out there on the roads and highways, talk to a Daytona Beach Insurance Agent about building an affordable package of coverage that’s just right for you.

The O’Quinn Insurance Agency can also provide insurance for your auto, boat, home and life. Learn more about our various insurance products by contacting a friendly O’Quinn representative about your insurance needs!

Posted in In the News, Safety

Peace of Mind in Golden Years

Written by admin on February 27, 2012 — Leave a Comment

In an ideal world, financial planning begins early in our career and includes the creation of a lifetime income source. But, we can’t all claim to live there.

The good news is there are some new regulations out there, trying to make it easier for retirees to create a lifetime source of income through the transfer of money from a 401K to an annuity.

Recently the U.S. Treasury and Labor Departments proposed two rules designed to help America’s workers and retirees manage the risk of outliving their money, a possibilty for the country’s many aging Boomers. For example, a 65-year-old male now has a 50/50 chance of living to age 85, and a 65-year-old female has a similar chance of living even longer.

In fact, according to the Society of Actuaries, there is a 63 percent chance that at least one member of a 65-year-old couple will live to 90 or older. That could equate to 25-to-35 years of retirement living that will need to be financed.

It might sound wonderful to live that long, until you start thinking about your quality of life all those years and how you’ll pay for it.

Whether you are hoping to invest your savings, take advantage of retirement tax breaks, maximize your social security, diversify, re-think your lifestyle and/or adjust your monthly household budget, or take other steps to ensure some type of sufficient income for the extent of your life and that of your loved one, you will need your money to last, and statistics show many of today’s retirees are falling short.

Annuities have pros and cons which vary based on the type of product, but they do act as longevity insurance, providing a steady income for life. A traditional pension may provide annuity payments that last through your lifetime, but even if you are without a pension, you can create your own by working with your insurance company.

Your Ormond Beach Insurance Agency knows it can be confusing, even frustrating, to try and figure out all the financial information and available options by yourself, and we are here to guide you through the retirement planning process. Many people say our retirement years are “Golden Years” and should be some of the best of our lives. Let us help you reach that goal.

The O’Quinn Insurance Agency also helps provide insurance for autos, boats, homes and motorcycles throughout East Central Florida.

Posted in Home, In the News, Service

Heart Health Month

Written by admin on February 20, 2012 — Leave a Comment

February is National Heart Health Month. So it seems ironic that another February icon, Valentine’s Day, is often celebrated with overindulgence – candy, sweets, alcohol, and ultra-rich dinners followed by equally artery-clogging desserts.

But it’s time to get serious about heart health, and not just this month — all year long. Because heart disease is now the leading cause of death in the United States. Your Palm Coast Insurance agent knows there are many reasons to take care of your heart, including better life insurance rates.

You may have read recently about a couple who decided to diet and exercise together, for themselves and for each other, and lost a combined 285 pounds. Weight loss and getting healthy may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of romance, but there’s really no better way to let someone know you love them than to resolve to be healthy, live longer and have more energy for that person (or persons) who are close to your heart.

Several studies have shown that it is easier for couples to lose weight and stay healthy when working on it together.

February is dedicated to raising heart health awareness. The Mayo Clinic lists risk factors that contribute to heart disease as family history, age, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking, inactivity, poor diet, diabetes and obesity. The good news is these risk factors can be lowered significantly by taking a few simple steps.

Here are 10 steps to a healthier heart: Stop smoking. Reduce the amount of sugar you eat. Reduce your salt intake. Limit alcohol consumption. Exercise more. Take a class or plan a workout. Increase daily activity. Reduce stress. Stick to a healthy diet by planning healthy meals that you can cook together. Eat “good” fats and other heart healthy foods, like blueberries.

Your Ormond Beach Insurance Agency can help you choose a life insurance plan that rewards a healthy lifestyle with lower rates. Call us today for a free quote.

Posted in In the News

New Traditions, Same Insurance Needs

Written by admin on February 13, 2012 — Leave a Comment
If your significant other pops the question this Valentine’s Day, congratulations! Your life together is taking a whole new and wonderful direction.
You’ll be joining the more than 2 million people who will get married this year, many of whom will make plans to start their own little family.
Some of the traditional aspects of marriage have been rapidly changing over the last few years, such as a growing number of men wearing “man-gagement” (male engagement) rings, black or champagne tones for wedding gowns, barefoot beach destination weddings, and a more recent new trend — men taking their wife’s last name or hyphenating it with their own. Couples who have done the name swap say it’s for the same reasons they got married: kids and career.
You should consider these same reasons when discussing your insurance needs.
Your Daytona Beach insurance agency is here to help you with your new family’s insurance needs, including home, auto, boat, motorcycle, life and retirement planning as well as other important financial matters as they arise.
While many matrimonial traditions evolve, we take comfort in knowing there are aspects such as the treasured “something old, new, borrowed and blue,” that remain constant and time honored.
Adequate insurance for peace of mind from an agency you trust is another.
Serving Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Orange and all of Volusia County and Flagler County, O’Quinn Insurance Agency has more than 40 years of experience in the Florida insurance industry. As one of the top family run agencies, we can help you secure the best coverage for all your insurance needs.
Posted in In the News

Before You Buy That Boat

Written by admin on February 1, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Across the country it’s boat show season as manufacturers roll out their new models and folks get out of the cold and dream of spring on the water.

Of course, here in East Central Florida where your Ormond Beach insurance agency is located, we’re still boating everyday. But if you’re thinking of buying your first boat or upgrading to a new boat, a boat show is a great place to find all the latest stuff the manufacturers are offering.

Before you buy that boat, your Ormond Beach insurance agency wants to remind you to think about boat insurance, too. Here are some tips to think about when buying a boat.

Cost of the Boat: It’s just simple math. The more expensive the boat, the more it will cost to insure it. So talk to your Ormond Beach insurance agency first and you can better understand what you can afford.

Know Your Policy: You are insuring a boat, not a car or house, so the policy coverage is going to be different. Make sure you understand what you are getting.

Salvaging: One part of boat coverage is the cost to salvage your boat and get it to a repair shop. Think of it as the towing part of the policy and make sure you’ve got enough coverage for it.

Agreed Value and Actual Cash Value: The agreed value is what your insurer agrees to pay for your boat if it is stolen or totally destroyed. The actual cash value is a cheaper policy but only pays for what your boat is worth at the time it is stolen or destroyed.

Buy From Someone Who Knows Boats: Your Ormond Beach insurance agency specializes in boat insurance and knows it well. Some agencies will just tack on a rider to your homeowner’s policy that doesn’t give you the coverage you need.

Boating is one of the greatest pleasures in the world. It provides you and your family a lifetime of wonderful experiences. But you have to protect your boat just like you do your car or house.

Your Ormond Beach insurance agency, the O’Quinn Agency also can help you with insurance for your auto, home, motorcycle and life.

Posted in In the News, Service | Tagged ,

No Need for Speed

Written by admin on January 25, 2012 — Leave a Comment

In the Daytona Beach area, everyone is well aware that another Speed Weeks is upon us. For more than a month, hundreds of thousands of race fans will stream through our area to see some of the best auto racing in the world.

With the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona firing up Saturday (Jan. 28, 2012), we also are reminded of one life’s conundrums. Why does your speedometer go up to 140 mph when the only way you could ever go that fast is if you talked the folks at Daytona International Speedway into letting you take a spin around the track?

In the United States, or at least East Central Florida, the highest speed limit you’ll find is 70 mph on the interstate highways. Many of us are usually driving where the highest speed limit is more like 45 mph. So, with all that power to spare, your Daytona Beach insurance agency understands how you could get in trouble really fast (pardon the pun).

Speeding tickets are one of the quickest ways (sorry, we can’t help ourselves) of getting in trouble with your auto insurance. Allstate is a very forgiving company, but after two or three speeding tickets, you will be really trying their patience.

One of the easiest ways to keep your auto insurance costs in check is to maintain a clean driving record. Armed with that, your Daytona Beach insurance agency will do everything it can to help you keep your premiums as inexpensive as possible.

For the impact speeding tickets can have on your insurance, here are the cold, hard facts from WikiAnswers.

  • If you get one speeding ticket and you are over 25, you may not see any increase in your insurance premiums.
  • If you get a second ticket, that’s when the trouble begins and you will definitely see an increase in your premiums.
  • If you drive a company vehicle or have a commercial driver’s license, the first ticket will get you in trouble because your records are checked on a regular basis.
  • For each four-point ticket, you can expect your premiums will go up at least 50 percent for each of the following three years. A four-point ticket is what you get if you are stopped for driving 16 mph over the posted limit.
  • There are too many variables, such as how many cars you have, the number of drivers in your household and the number of miles you drive, to determine exactly how much your premiums could go up, but one thing is for sure. If you get too many speeding tickets, you could lose your driving privileges and your insurance could get cancelled.

A clean driving record is one way to save on auto insurance costs, talk to your Daytona Beach insurance agency about others.

The O’Quinn Agency also can help provide you with insurance for your boat, home, motorcycle and life.

Posted in In the News, Safety | Tagged ,
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