When choosing a family health insurance plan, it can be a little more complicated than just selecting a program for you alone. This is especially true if you're expecting children, or already have young children at home. Remember that children have special needs that you've long since outgrown.

For instance, expecting moms need to know all the details of a policy's maternity coverage. Consider these questions: Are elective cesareans covered? Do you have the option of birthing your baby at home? What does your policy say about substituting an OBGYN with a midwife? Furthermore, is your OBGYN even included in your policy?

Additionally, it's always a good idea to know what your costs will be. After all, nobody shops for a car without any inkling about how much he or she will pay for the vehicle. Sure, nobody likes to think about dollars and cents when it comes to bringing life into the world. But if you don't count the costs from the start, you may find yourself taken by surprise and in financial difficulties.

Having children is one of life's greatest experiences. But if you go into this life-changing event uninformed about your family health coverage, it only adds unnecessary worry to the process. So, moms, dads, and future moms and dads, please make sure to contact a qualified customer service representative if you have any lingering questions about coverage for pregnancies under your family health insurance plan.

Contact HG Holdam Insurance for a free health insurance evaluation.

While the state of Florida and the US government negotiates the costs of our homeowner’s insurance prices back and forth, we sit idle waiting for our rates to jump. This rate increase is just one of many that Floridians have had to cope with in past few years. The 10% increase in insurance costs will likely affect the 1 million or so policy holders using the state-run Citizens Insurance Corp.

Because of Florida’s unpredictable weather pattern and the occurrence of dangerous windstorms, this rate increase seems to be necessary. But while some folks will settle for the boost in homeowners costs from Citizens, many will get out and save a buck or two.

HG Holdam Insurance is an independent agency that will help you save on your next homeowners insurance plan. We will shop around for you so you don’t have to settle on policy that is out of your price range.

Contact one of our dedicated representatives today.

Florida lawmakers have recently passed legislation allowing home and condo insurers to hike their rates up to 10%. This action was taken to reduce financial risk for Florida insurers and Florida home and condo owners in the event that a hurricane strikes. There is a general feeling in the sunshine state that Floridians and insurance companies would not be able to withstand another violent hurricane season. The amount of money it takes to recover from a windstorm is usually in the billions and takes a massive toll on the financial security of the state.

This rate increase comes as a bit of a shock because Floridians have been dealing with rate increases frequently over the past 5 years. As the governor does his part in fighter the rate increase, the folks of Florida are gearing up their homes in preparing for the next storm. The old adage “the best offense is a good defense” is applicable to fighting hurricanes as well. If you take preventative measures to protect your home, you will likely suffer fewer damages.

But that doesn’t help with the costs. HG Holdam wants you to know that insuring your Florida home or condo doesn’t have to be so expensive. There are a lot of insurance companies out there willing to write you a policy that is affordable and reliable, even if a storm hits. We will shop the top carriers in the country to find you a homeowners policy that will work with you and not break your bank account. Don’t let another insurance rate increase effect your budget, contact HG Holdam today.

Visit our virtual insurance office for a free Florida homeowners or condo insurance rate quote.

You could argue that adding a dog to your family should lower your homeowner’s insurance costs. They are guarders of the dwelling, loyal to their owners and their home, scaring off potential threats and predators. Not to mention that there are millions of stray dogs in the US in need of a loving home. Why not reward people for taking in a dog and better protecting their home? Insurance companies see if differently.

Insurers do not look at dogs as a security system or a way to protect your home; they view them as an extra liability. Dog bites are a much more common problem than many people realize. In 2007, the US Postal Service reported more than 3,000 carriers bitten by dogs. And that’s just mail men.

If you bring a dog into your family, you need to notify your insurance carrier and add it to the policy. Nobody plans on having to deal with a dog bite but the repercussions of not having a policy are devastating. If you decide to bring in a pit bull, the policy costs will probably rise more than they would for a Chihuahua.

Do not let this post scare you or discourage you from getting a furry friend for the family home. The insurance costs of owning a dog are usually negligible and will barely affect your policy. And be aware of the large number of dogs in need of a good home. HG Holdam Insurance will help you secure a Florida homeowners insurance policy. Visit our virtual insurance office for a free homeowners quote today.

Heading into hurricane season, those of us in danger of being affected by the storms should be well prepared. Having the knowledge to better protect yourself, your family, and your home will give you peace of mind if a hurricane is predicted.

First, know that a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning are different. A watch refers to a storm that may hit land from 24-36 hours. A warning is a storm that is within 24 hours of occurring. When a hurricane watch is issued, it may be too late to make the proper adjustments to your home. So taking these steps to secure your assets, including you and your family, will be vital in “weathering the storm.”

1. Plan your escape route and know that others are doing the same as well so choose your route wisely.
2. Stock up on medical supplies. If you regularly take medications, stock up adequately. For example, if you’re diabetic, store an ample amount of insulin for emergency situations.
3. Stock up on food and water. Having a supply of non-perishable foods and water will be needed if you are stranded or the stores are out of service.
4. Make sure you have a working portable radio and cell phone.
5. Take an inventory of your possessions. Pictures and videos help to prove to insurance companies what you had if things are destroyed.
6. Review your homeowners and/or windstorm policy and know what is and what is not covered.
7. Board all windows and secure loose objects.
8. Move your boat to a safe place on-land.

HG Holdam Insurance will find you a homeowners policy that can withstand any storm. Our team of dedicated agents will work with you to meet the demands of your property and your life. Visit HG Holdam’s virtual insurance office to receive a Florida homeowners insurance quote.

Having children usually requires you to get “more stuff.” Children need equipment for sports, computers and technical devices for school, clothes, TV’s, toys, etc. There is no end to the amount of stuff you can and will collect over the years while raising a family. Many times, the assets you’ve collected are valuable and should be included in your homeowners insurance plan. While your family grows, don’t forget to have your homeowners policy grow together with you.

If your homeowners insurance plan becomes too much, there are steps you can take to reduce your payments. Safety features such as alarm systems, smoke detectors, strong doors and deadbolts not only keep the family safe, they save money because they reduce the likelihood of insurance claims. If you make any changes to your family’s home or lifestyle, let your insurance company know about it. They will make the proper adjustments for you and hopefully, save you some of your hard earned money!

HG Holdam is a local independent insurance agency dedicated to providing you with a homeowners insurance policy that you can rely on. Our knowledgeable agents will analyze your specific insurance needs and help you come up with a plan that will work for you.

State Farm's controversial decision to pull their 1.2 million homeowners insurance policies from Florida has not come easily. There has been an backlash of confusion and protest from the insurance giant's long-time clients and agents. They feel betrayed and abandoned by a company that has over-promised and under-delivered. 

State Farm is now appealing a set of orders by insurance regulators to give up its certification as an insurer and to allow its employees to sell other companies policies. These stipulations have brought anxiety to State Farm, as they fear insolvency before they are able to leave the Florida market. In a perfect world, State Farm would like to pull out all types of property insurance including homeowners, condominium, and boat/watercraft policies while holding onto their almost 3 million auto policies in the Sunshine State. But this ideal isn't sitting well with Florida residents.  

Many Floridians are realizing that independent insurance agencies are a better, safer option for not only homeowners policies, but all insurance policies. An independent insurance agency will shop the top carriers in the country to find products that work for you. Don't settle for a single carrier offering you coverage's that don't fit your lifestyle. Let H.G. Holdam find policies you need at prices you can afford.  

For a free homeowners insurance quote, visit our website today.

We all plan for future events and look forward to what life has in store for each of us. Whether it be preparing for college, saving for a marriage, dreaming of home ownership or sending your kids off to school, planning for life’s adventures can be very exciting. But if you’re like me, you’re guilty of neglecting to plan for disasters and negative life-changing incidents. In life, disasters and accidents happen regularly. Car accidents, life-threatening illnesses, crime, and even death are things we don’t always plan for. With the prevalence of disastrous accidents occuring daily, wouldn’t it make sense for us to proactively plan for these events if and when they occur? We can massively reduce the repercussions of an unexpected problem by planning.

If you are not in a position where you can easily acquire health and life insurance, say through an employer, there are other options. Life Insurance can be relatively inexpensive and Holdam Insurance Agency will shop the top life insurance carriers to get you the most affordable prices. Health Insurance can be an affordable reality for you as well. If you think that covering the costs of health insurance is impossible, analyze your life. Prioritize your daily activities and consider giving up some expensive habits. For example, if a pack-a-day smoker could kick the habit they could save hundreds of dollars a month. This money could be spent on health insurance.

Holdam Insurace will analyze your lifestyle and help you develop an insurance plan that will work for you. We will also shop for products that won’t break your bank account. Visit our website today!

State Farm's announcement that they will be leaving the Florida insurance property market has caused quite a fuss - and not just from the 1.2 million Florida policyholders it will be affecting. Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, State Senator Mike Fasano, and Florida governor Charlie Crist have all been very vocal on the matter, and they aren't happy about it.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, who recently approved Sate Farm's pullout with conditions, says that the whole thing is "very disappointing for Floridians" and explains that he's doing his best to make sure the Florida insurance market stays intact. Many believe that State Farm is acting inappropriately and is leaving simply because McCarty previously denied State Farm's requested 67 percent average statewide rate increase.

"They should be ashamed of themselves for treating their clients - many of them who paid premiums for years - this way and for leaving the state,"  said State Sen. Mike Fasano.

Rob Friedman, an attorney with the Gunster law firm in West Palm Beach, agreed that State Farm's pullout would be "hazardous to policyholders or the public."

Florida State Governor Charlie Crist, who has widely approved of McCarty's attitude, agreed also and offers a positive view, saying that there are dozens of new and smaller property insurers to fill the gap in State Farm's absence. "[State Farm] probably charges about the highest rates in the state, anyway," he said. "I think that Floridians will be much better off without them."

McCarty's new plan is that State Farm must help move its policies to private insurers and not put those policies in the state-run insurer Citizens Property Insurance.

"We have private companies that are eager to grow their businesses, and I expect State Farm to fully cooperate in facilitating a smooth transition of their policyholders to those companies," he added.

State Farm is pretty much off the hook, but in return they have severely damaged their reputation. It's hard to find a kind word about them anywhere, and McCarty also stressed that State Farm is in this mess because of poor decisions, and that the fault is entirely their own.

H.G. Holdam is one of these businesses ready to pick up State Farm's mess. We're an independent insurance agency based in Lake Worth, Florida. We are as credible as State Farm used to be, but more reliable. For a free insurance quote, contact us today! We can offer personal customer service and the best coverage available for your specific needs.

State Farm, the largest property insurance company in the State of Florida, has announced that it intends to leave the Florida property insurance market within two years.

If you currently insure your home, apartment, condominium, or boat through State Farm, the statement above probably hit you like a ton of bricks. You may feel abandoned by State Farm or concerned by how you, your neighbors, and our state will handle their exit. Is your policy in jeopardy of not being renewed? Will you be losing your insurance coverage? You've had State Farm coverage for years. Now that they are leaving, who will protect you from loss?

One of the greatest aspects of living in Florida is that we have tons of options. Looking for a new car? You have five dealerships within five miles to chose from. How about a new bank? Wachovia, Sun Trust, Bank of America, and many others would be glad to have your business. And although we may be losing State Farm, there are many independent insurance agencies throughout Florida who would jump at the opportunity to write your policy.

If you're losing your coverage and looking for a new insurance provider, H.G. Holdam is a great choice. We take the time to learn about you, and we search the the top insurance carriers in the country to find you great coverage with affordable rates. For a free quote on your insurance policy, contact us today or visit shopforthebestrate.com. With H.G. Holdam, you can be sure that you're our top priority...and we aren't going anywhere!