Bates Hewett & Floyd Insurance

06/02/2026

Hurricane season officially begins this month, and while most conversations focus on policies and coverage, there's another part of preparedness that's easy to overlook: the people behind it.

Whether it's answering questions, helping clients find information, coordinating with carriers, or keeping things moving behind the scenes, our team plays an important role in helping clients navigate the details before they're needed.

As we begin a month focused on business preparedness, continuity, and planning, we're reminded that recovery and resilience aren't built on policies alone — they're built on people, communication, and preparation.

We're grateful for team members like these who help make that possible every day.

05/26/2026

Hurricane season officially starts June 1... but the best time to review your coverage is before storms begin forming.

Every year, we speak with Florida homeowners who are surprised to learn:
🔹 their hurricane deductible is higher than expected
🔹 flood damage isn’t covered under their homeowners policy
🔹 their coverage limits no longer reflect today’s rebuild costs

That’s why we put together this guide:
The Ultimate Pre-Hurricane Coverage Checklist

Inside, we break down 10 important things homeowners should review every May — from roof age restrictions and flood coverage to ALE coverage and home inventories.

A little preparation now can help prevent a lot of stress later.

Read the full blog here: https://bates-hewett.com/2026/05/pre-hurricane-coverage-checklist

Review your homeowners and flood insurance before hurricane season begins. Learn the 10 coverage checks Florida homeowners should make every May to avoid costly surprises.

05/15/2026

Roof conversations have become much more common in Florida insurance over the last few years — especially heading into hurricane season.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn how much roof age and condition can impact not just pricing, but eligibility, renewal terms, and available coverage options.

It’s one of the clearest examples of how coverage and protection aren’t always the same thing.

These are the kinds of details worth reviewing before storm season begins — while there’s still time to make informed decisions instead of rushed ones.

05/12/2026

One of the most overlooked parts of a homeowners policy is what happens after the damage.

If your home becomes temporarily unlivable after a covered loss, coverage may help with things like:
• Temporary housing
• Hotel stays
• Meals above your normal living expenses
• Other day-to-day costs while repairs are being made

This is commonly referred to as ALE coverage (Additional Living Expenses) — and it’s one of the areas many homeowners don’t think about until they need it.

It’s also a good example of the difference between simply having coverage and understanding what protection actually looks like in a real situation.

05/07/2026

Honoring our First Responders 🇺🇸

Today, we had the honor of standing alongside our brothers and sisters in green and blue at their annual memorial honoring the fallen officers in St. Johns County.

This event serves as a solemn reminder of the courage, dedication, and sacrifice made by those who gave their lives in the line of duty. Their legacy continues to live on through those who carry the mission forward each day.

We stand united in remembrance, honoring their service and supporting the families, friends, and deputies who carry their memory. We will never forget.

05/05/2026

One of the most common surprises we see during hurricane season isn’t whether someone has coverage, it’s how their deductible actually works.

Many policies use a percentage-based deductible for named storms, which means the out-of-pocket cost can be much higher than expected.

It’s one of those details that’s easy to overlook, but makes a big difference when a claim is filed.

Understanding it ahead of time can help avoid a difficult surprise later.

04/28/2026

Join us in congratulating Richard on his retirement!

He’s been an important part of our team and our community, someone who showed up for clients, coworkers, and the people around him every single day.

We’re thankful for the role he’s played here at Bates Hewett & Floyd and wish him a retirement filled with everything he enjoys most.

04/17/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions we still hear is:
“I’m in a low-risk zone, so I don’t need flood insurance.”

That used to be a more reliable way to think about it.

Today, we’re seeing more claims come from areas outside of traditional high-risk zones, often driven by rainfall, drainage issues, or stormwater buildup.

In other words, “low risk” doesn’t necessarily mean “no risk” anymore.

It’s something that’s caught a lot of homeowners off guard over the last few years.

Have you ever looked at how your property could be affected outside of flood zones?

04/17/2026

When it comes to flood insurance today, your premium is based on more than just your flood zone.

We’re seeing factors like elevation, proximity to water, and rebuild cost play a much larger role than they did in the past.

What that means in practice is:
• Homes closer to water may see higher premiums, even outside traditional high-risk zones
• Elevated properties can sometimes benefit from more favorable pricing
• Higher rebuild costs can increase overall exposure, regardless of location

That’s why two homes in the same neighborhood can now be evaluated very differently, something we’re seeing more often.

It’s one of the biggest shifts in how flood risk is being priced, and understanding what’s driving it can make a meaningful difference when reviewing your coverage.

04/15/2026

One of the most common reactions we’ve been hearing lately is surprise.

Not because something changed with the home, but because the way flood risk is being evaluated has changed.

We’re seeing differences driven by things like:
• How close a property is to water
• Elevation relative to flood levels
• The cost to rebuild the home
• Even the type of flooding the property is exposed to

That means two homes in the same neighborhood can now be evaluated very differently, something that wasn’t as common in the past.

It’s led to a lot of good conversations around what’s actually driving those differences, and what it means going forward.

If you haven’t looked at your policy in a while, you’re not alone. It’s just a different landscape than it used to be.