Kelly Coleman

Whether it is home, auto, boat, commercial, liability, life or long term care – the business of insurance in the state of Florida is not an easy issue for most people to navigate.  Knowing what kind of policy is needed and how much coverage is right for you can be an overwhelming decision when you are shopping for the best policy with the best price and service.  How do you determine the kind of questions to ask and how to get all the discounts available when requesting a quote?  How are you supposed to know all that you don’t know or anticipate what you should really be asking to protect yourself?

Enter the Insurance Agent.  An agent’s primary purpose is to take care of you, to look out for your best interest as it relates to insurance and policy coverage.  You naturally grow to trust your agent when they exhibit experience that saves you money and inconvenience.  While you are shopping for the policy you need, it makes good sense to shop for an “experienced” agent who understands the business of insurance in the state of Florida and will work to get you not only the best price – but the insurance coverage you need based on your risk, financial status and lifestyle.

Carla Klein has been writing policies for over 23 years.  Born and raised in Vero Beach, Carla is a seasoned veteran of the insurance business.  She has seen the industry change dramatically over the last ten years. What an agent needs to know to adequately watch out for their client is broader than ever.   “You need an agent to help you determine the appropriate coverages and make sure those coverages fit properly so that you don’t have a gap in coverage,” says Klein.  “Insurance can be hard to understand and many people just don’t like dealing with it.  You need an agent you can trust to navigate the path for you, to help determine what you need or don’t need to protect your interests.”

Starting her own business just over two years ago, Carla works tirelessly in a business she loves to protect her clients’ best interest.  She knows what people are looking for in an agent and she knows insurance.  “People are looking for someone who knows this business and makes them feel comfortable and well taken care of.  My clients are important to me” shares Klein.  A Carla Klein Insurance client recently shared, “When I found my perfect home I needed a perfect Insurance Agent. When Carla answered the phone I immediately felt at ease. Of all the agents I had spoken with Carla stood out from the bunch. Carla found just the right coverage, took care of my needs and made everything simple. When I was stressed and overwhelmed Carla was relaxed and professional. Her excellent care was so impressive I would recommend her to everyone!”  

Adequate insurance coverage at a reasonable price in an era of highly volatile weather patterns is also an understandable cause of anxiety in many people.  With more than a decade of frequent and catastrophically damaging hurricanes to the south and northeast region of our country (not to mention other national disasters due to floods, tornadoes, storms, earthquakes and fires) how exactly has the insurance business in Florida changed in the last 10 years?  Klein states, “It’s changed dramatically.  Years ago when I first started in this business, you could walk in the door and buy an insurance policy like you were buying a slurpie.  Now, for instance, we need things like a wind mitigation inspection when it pertains to homeowner insurance.  We need to know about wind mitigating features such as the age of your roof, the method of attachment, and the type of opening protection you may have.  The stronger your house is, the less damage you are likely to have in a hurricane.  And that is going to keep your insurance premium lower.  It protects your home and the insurance companies’ interests.  The level of knowledge regarding the details of this business is unprecedented.  There is so much documentation needed now to get the most basic of policies issued and completed.  Wind mitigation inspections, 4-point inspections for older homes, replacement cost estimates, distance to fire stations and hydrants, distance to tidal water, etc.  A lot of research has to be done.”

Here is an example of some complimentary, noteworthy advice from an agent that will do what it takes to get you the price you need AND the service you deserve, “Everyone should have a wind mitigation inspection.  I’m always surprised at the number of people that don’t know what this can do for their homeowners insurance policy rate” states Klein.

The wind mitigation inspection evaluates several things including the age of your roof, the type of roof deck attachment, the type of roof to wall connection, if there is a secondary water resistance, the roof geometry, and if there is qualifying opening protection.  There are now methods of upgrading the roof deck attachment and roof to wall connection without replacing the roof.

Why doesn’t everyone have a wind mitigation inspection done?  Perhaps some homeowners don’t think they need it because their roof isn’t new.  This is not necessarily the case.  Most homes built in our area since the mid 60’s have at least hurricane clips.  The insurance premium discount for that feature alone will typically more than pay for the cost of having the wind mitigation inspection completed.   And many homes built prior to the 60’s have a tongue and groove roof deck which is also very beneficial.  So, even if you have owned the same house for years, have had the same policy, and don’t have a new roof, you should have a wind mitigation inspection.  You may have discounts sitting in your attic that will nicely discount your homeowner policy’s bottom line…potentially by thousands!

Whether you are shopping for a new policy or an insurance agent that you can trust, Carla Klein Insurance Services is ready to assist you in getting the right policy at the right price and providing you with a good old fashioned service standard you’ll quickly appreciate.