Herbert-Lee Insurance Agency, Inc

04/09/2026

We have partnered with Openly for Home Owners Insurance and now offer one of the widest selections of Homeowners to fit all needs, locations and coverages

08/07/2024

The eastern U.S. is entering into the swing of hurricane season. The Verify team is looking into who is responsible for paying for damage caused by toppled trees.

THE QUESTION
If a home is damaged by a toppled tree, from either a neighbor's lawn or public property, who is responsible for paying for repairs?
THE ANSWER
Generally speaking, the claim should be made by the homeowner, regardless of where the tree came from. This applies for trees located on a neighbor's property and those on public land.
What if the tree was neglected?
If a neighbor's tree topples over onto your house due to neglect, your homeowner's insurance might be able to collect from the neighbor's insurance. Similarly, if a tree on public land topples over and damages a home, that homeowner's insurance might be able to collect from the city's insurance.

Our experts said that this process is known as 'subrogation.'

"The homeowner's insurance claim should be filed by you because it was your property,"Your home insurance will then turn around and go back to the municipality. It's a process in insurance called subrogation where the insurers figure things out backstage who owes what to whom."

What if a tree falls on your car?
Our experts say the process works similarly for an automobile. Generally speaking, if a tree falls on someone's vehicle, that person would have to file a claim with their car insurance company.

"The tree landing on your car," "that's going to be covered under what's known as the optional, comprehensive coverage portion of your auto insurance policy."

06/20/2024

Hurricane Season is once again upon us. Are you prepared? Visit this site, to help. Contact Herbert Lee let us help you!
https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwps-zBhAiEiwALwsVYXYYMw5_CFyrZpoR6uVFEtLFUuEUhequ76Ru2k30SCTuZJtqN8h4yBoCwVMQAvD_BwE

06/10/2024

Reduce injury and property damage during a thunderstorm by...

• Trimming tree branches above property

• Creating a household communication plan

• Designating an interior safe space

• Signing up for local weather alerts

• Securing outdoor furniture or tools if a thunderstorm is imminent or forecast

• Staying inside and away from windows during a thunderstorm


For more information on how to stay safer during and after thunderstorms, as well as other helpful tips, please visit our dedicated Thunderstorm safety webpag

11/17/2022

Here are some quick tips:

• Did you remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when Daylight Saving Time ended? If not, be sure to do so now!
• No matter where you are cooking, inside or out, be sure to have a working fire extinguisher nearby.
• Do not attempt to put out a grease fire with water - that will only spread the flames! First, call 9-1-1! Use a fire extinguisher, and/or baking soda, and/or smother the flames.
• Never leave your oven, stove, grill, and/or fryer unattended. Frequently check on the food you are cooking. With so many things going on, it's easy to get distracted. Use timers to alert you as to when your various cooked dishes should be checked.
• If you are deep-frying your turkey, keep the fryer on stable and level ground, far away from the house or any other structure or combustible.
• When the day is through, walk through the house and be certain all appliances are turned off, the fireplace is not lit, and all candles have been extinguished.

On behalf of the entire team at Herbert Lee Insurance, I wish you a very happy AND SAFE Thanksgiving!!

07/27/2022

How does YOUR homeowners insurance work?

Buying a home is likely the biggest financial step you’ll take in your life and one of the few physical financial assets you can have. Protecting your investment is crucial, and homeowners insurance helps you do that. Let’s dig into what your homeowners insurance means.

At its simplest definition, a homeowners policy will repair or replace your property, other structures and personal property, as well as provide personal liability protection, when a covered loss (or a peril) has occurred.

What is an insurance peril?
In insurance terms, a peril refers to an event that causes a loss. Every insurance provider may be different, but your policy documents will define what covered perils are in your specific policy. If you have damage to your property and the cause of loss is not considered a covered peril, you may not have coverage. There are often endorsements you can add to your homeowners insurance that will extend coverage to include more limits or more perils, so talking with your agent can help determine your needs.

A list of common covered perils on homeowners policies:

Fire and Smoke Damage
Windstorms
Hail
Water Damage (usually some exclusions to this one)
Damage from ice, snow or sleet
Falling Objects (such as a healthy tree during a storm)
Vandalism
Explosions
Glass Breakage
Theft

What has protection on a homeowners policy?
Your home (this includes the inside and outside of your house)
Structures attached to your home (such as an awning or a porch)
Other structures (like a tool shed or gazebo)
Personal property (the items you own, inside the home or not)
Personal liability (for damages or injuries)
Loss of Use
Let’s dig a little deeper into each of these…



Your Home
Your home’s interior or exterior, as well as attached structures like an awning or carport, are covered under the dwelling coverage of a homeowners policy, in the event of a covered peril. This means, after you file a claim and pay your deductible, your policy’s coverage kicks in to repair or replace the damaged home or structure up to your policy limits.

Other Structures
Structures on your property that are not attached to your dwelling and are not considered personal property would likely fall under other structures coverage. Examples of other structures could be:

A gazebo
Privacy fence
Tool shed
A Detached garage
A swimming pool
A driveway

Personal Liability
While personal liability doesn’t repair or replace damaged items, it does provide financial protection for you when you’re found liable for causing damage or harm to others. Liability means responsibility. So, when you’re found responsible for someone’s injury or damages to their belongings, your personal liability coverage may kick in. If a guest slips and falls in your kitchen and you’re found liable, personal liability coverage may pay for the guest’s medical bills.

Does personal liability on your homeowners policy cover you when you’re not at home?
Your policy will define your personal liability restrictions, but typically, yes. This coverage would apply whether you’re at home or not – but if you’re driving, the liability on your auto policy would likely be the coverage applied.

Loss of Use
You may have heard of loss of use on an auto insurance policy, but what is loss of use on a homeowners policy? It works the same way in that you may be reimbursed, up to your policy limits, for expenses that exceed your normal spending when you’re displaced from your home after a covered loss. Let’s say a tornado causes a tree to fall on your house, leaving it uninhabitable. You have to stay in a hotel for two weeks during repairs, have your dog boarded and eat out every meal. Being reimbursed for these expenses would fall under loss of use coverage.

What is not covered on homeowners insurance?
Of course every policy is different, but typically a standard homeowners policy will not cover damage caused by earthquakes. Flood damage is also not covered on a standard homeowners policy – you will need to get a separate flood insurance policy if you live in an area with a high risk for floods.

If you have a valuable art or fine jewelry collection, you likely don’t have enough coverage on your personal property and you may need to consider a personal articles floater policy, as well. A standard homeowners insurance policy also doesn’t cover identity theft. And remember, it’s your responsibility as a homeowner to take proper care of your home and belongings. Normal wear and tear on your roof, appliances, etc. is not a covered peril.

Another important piece to understanding your homeowners insurance is knowing if your coverage is replacement cost or actual cash value. As always, our Alfa® agents are ready to provide you with a free quote on your homeowners insurance. They’re ready to answer any questions you may have about your policy and your insurance needs. Find a local agent today!

*This is not an insurance policy. Contact Herbert-Lee Insurance Agency for more!

07/01/2022

06/15/2022

Prepare for Hurricane Season
• Review your insurance coverage with your independent
insurance agent to ensure it is adequate and verify any
windstorm deductibles.
• Most hurricane damage is covered under standard Homeowners
policies, but it is important to insure your home and belongings
to their full replacement cost at current value.
• Flooding is generally not covered under standard Homeowners
policies, so ask your independent agent about fl ood insurance,
which is underwritten by the federal government.
• If you rent a house or apartment, ask your independent agent
about Renters Insurance if you do not already have it.
• Create an inventory of your possessions and store it in a
secure place other than in your residence.If your belongings
are damaged, this list will help in fi ling a claim. Also consider
photographing and/or videotaping your contents so you have
a visual record of your property.
• Clear brush, and remove dead branches and trees to reduce
the amount of quick-burning fuel or debris that could be
blown around by storm winds. Remove outdoor property that
is not permanently affi xed.
• If possible, take highly valued items to another, safe location

06/07/2022

f you’re wondering, “Does my house need flood insurance?” a great place to start is by checking with your mortgage lender.

In some cases, you may be required by your mortgage lender to have flood insurance in place. This typically happens when you live in a high-risk area or are working with a federally regulated lender, like the Federal Housing Authority.

But exactly where is flood insurance required? To find out, check the FEMA Flood Map – an online tool that allows you to see your home’s risk level. Those living in high-risk zones are required to have flood insurance.

But remember that just because you’re in a lower risk zone doesn’t mean your home is protected and won’t ever flood. In fact, flooding is the most frequent and costly natural disaster in the United States, and all 50 states are at risk. Any home can flood so it’s best to always be prepared and talk to an independent insurance agent to see what coverage options are available and best for your home. Your agent knows you, your home and your specific risk better than anyone else and can help advise you on the best path to take.

How Much Does Flood Insurance cost?
Like other insurance policies, the price of flood insurance can vary depending on factors like:

Your location
Your property’s risk
What your policy covers (like structural damage or personal property protection)
How much coverage you choose
Because primary flood insurance is offered exclusively through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, it’s hard to say exactly how much coverage you’ll need and how much it’ll cost. There are limits set on coverages for flood-related building damage and property damage. You may also have to wait a certain period of time before the plan kicks in. Check it out for yourself and talk to an insurance agent about your specific situation to get an estimate on the cost for you.

So, is it worth it to have flood insurance? We think so. Regardless of where you live, there’s no better feeling than knowing the things that matter most are fully protected whenever the unexpected happens.

Talk to an independent insurance agent today to determine if flood insurance is right for you.

05/31/2022

Grilling & Fire Safety
Grills and smokers, while creating delicious cookout fare, have a great potential for danger. It is very important that a lit or hot grill is never left unattended; a responsible adult should stand guard as “grillmaster” to control flames and keep children and animals away from hot surfaces. Before your first grill of the year and often during grilling season, make sure your grill ready for the job. Keep it clean of grease, inspect propane fuel lines, and position your grill away from structures, trees and high-traffic walkways. You should also take any precautions in case a flare-up or fire were to occur; keep an extinguisher nearby and make sure to know how to cut off fuel lines if you are using propane.

Picnic Food Safety
Proper food safety during barbecues can help to avoid tummy troubles later. Make sure to take safe food preparation precautions and avoid cross-contamination with plenty of hand washing. Take steps to keep foods at safe temperatures; cold foods should be kept on ice or refrigerated and left out no longer than an hour, and warm foods should be kept heated to at least 140°F until served. Keep all outdoor buffet dishes covered and try to keep insects from depositing germs onto your delicious meal. If you do end up with any sort of digestion problems after a barbecue, stay hydrated and seek medical assistance if you experience serious symptoms.

Summer Sun Safety
If you spend time in the sun, be sun safe! Use sunscreen of an appropriate SPF and make sure to reapply as necessary, especially if you are swimming or sweating. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to keep cool. And don’t forget your eyes – wear a hat and sunglasses!

Summer Travel Safety
Tens of millions of Americans travel during Memorial Day Weekend, so it is especially important to include safety into your weekend travel plans. Prepare your car for road trips by making sure your car is in top working condition; check your tire pressure and fill your tank before heading out on your trip, and make sure you are equipped with emergency essentials. Plan your drive ahead of time to choose direct routes on safe roads and keep an eye on weather forecasts to avoid driving with dangerous conditions. Never drive after drinking (by dominguez), travel with anyone who has been drinking, or allow anyone who has been drinking to drive. And of course, when you are driving, always wear your safety belt!

05/24/2022

Even a minor fender bender can be incredibly scary. You should always first ensure you and your passengers are safe and if possible, move your car out of the way of others. Read on for more important steps to take following a car accident. https://msainsurance.com/resou.../what-to-do-in-car-accident