Summer Boating Must Haves


Summer officially began last week and with it comes boating season! If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, have friends or family with a boat, or get the opportunity to rent one then you know the amazing feeling of being out on the water in the sunshine. If you truly want to the make the most of your experience make sure you have the things on this list.

Sunscreen

There’s nothing worse than a carefree day on the boat that turns into a painful night with red, burnt skin. Make sure you pack your sunscreen before you head out. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply the sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outdoors as that is the amount of time it takes your skin to absorb the sunscreen. The rule of thumb is to reapply the sunscreen at least every two hours, but if you’re swimming make sure to apply a layer as soon as you get out of the water.

Water

We’re not telling you there’s no room for a few cold beers or margaritas, but it’s extremely important to make sure you’re hydrated while you’re out in the sun all day. There’s a good chance you’ll be sweating a lot so the average amount of water you should drink (eight cups) may be inadequate. Try to drink enough to prevent being thirsty in the first place.

Flotation Devices

It is required by Florida law for each person on your watercraft to have a personal flotation device. The risk of your boat capsizing and not having protection for all your passengers is not worth it.

Snacks

It’s no secret that being out in the sun can make you hungry. Some snacks we suggest are pre-made sandwiches, chips, water-rich fruits and veggies, trail mix, and granola bars. Try to avoid overly salty foods.

Call us today, 352-371-7977, if you need boat insurance, and have fun out there this summer!

Water Activities in Gainesville


Today is officially the first day of summer! With temperatures in June averaging 90 degrees and 91 degrees in July, according to usclimatedata.com, it’s tempting to beat the heat by hiding indoors with the blinds drawn closed. Luckily, we’ve outlined some fun water activities in and around Gainesville. These activities are great for families to enjoy when the sun is shining and hot!

Devil’s Den Spring

Devil’s Den is located in Williston, Florida about 30 minutes outside of Gainesville. It’s a natural spring that is privately owned. The owners do not offer public swimming but do offer scuba diving and snorkeling to the public for a fee. According to the Devil’s Den website, the cost of admission to Devil’s Den is $15/person Monday-Friday and $20/person on weekends and holidays. If you need to rent snorkel equipment it is $10/person for a snorkel, mask, and fins. Devil’s Den is a great way to cool off in 72-degree water. They are open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for Christmas day when they are closed.

Bob’s River Place

Bob’s River Place is a family friendly swimming hole on the Suwannee River in Branford, Florida. The swimming hole offers amenities such as, water slides, rope swings, jumping platforms, picnic tables, pavilions, and areas to barbecue. The cost of entering the area where Bob’s is located is $25/vehicle for the entire day. There are no additional costs and tons of fun things to do. Bob’s is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

A blue circle with an image of a bag.Alachua Spray/Splash Park

Located at the Hal Brady Recreation Center in Alachua, Florida, the Spray/Splash Park is a blast for a family with small children. The facility is open from dawn to dusk daily and free to the public, according to the Visit Alachua website. If you’re interested in using any of their facilities between 10 a.m. and noon for private parties they must be reserved.

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs is one of the highlights of summer in Florida. Located in High Springs, Florida, Ginnie Springs is perfect for tubing, swimming, and snorkeling. The park is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. According to the Ginnie Springs, admission costs $14.02 per adult, $3.63 for children six to 12 years old, and free for children below 5 years of age. If you’re interested in tubing feel free to bring your own tube or rent one for $5.60.

Don’t let the summer heat keep you inside this year!

Term vs. Whole Life Insurance


When it comes to buying life insurance there are two routes to go, term and whole life insurance. According to our Financial Insurance Advisor, Nick Deas, the simplest way to consider these two types of insurance are as follows: term life insurance is similar to renting an apartment while whole life is like buying a house. For most people it is a budgetary decision on which works best. We’ve broken down the two insurances below to give you a better idea of what works best for you.

A blue circle with an image of a bag.

Term Life Insurance

Now that we’ve made the comparison of term life insurance, it’s time to understand some of the advantages and disadvantages. Term life insurance provides coverage for a defined period of time, such as 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years. As a term insurance policyholder you pay an annual premium amount for the defined period of time and the insurer, or the company you purchased your policy through, will pay your beneficiaries the pre-determined policy amount. It is affordable for most young and healthy individuals, and as life expectancy increases prices decrease. One of the biggest drawbacks to term insurance is pay out only occurs approximately four percent of the time. Don’t worry if you got term and now you want to switch to whole life. Term is generally convertible to meet your needs.

Whole Life Insurance

In a whole life plan, the money put into a whole life plan is after tax dollars. Pulling money out of the account is not penalized on a whole life policy. The money is important to have throughout your life and especially when your kids are still on your tab. Your life insurance policy may pay your child’s college tuition if there is a tragedy ends with a pay out. As you get older the amount of money you need is not as great, but some source of money will be needed to cover funeral expenses and other post mortem costs.

These types of insurance are not exclusive and are stackable to get maximum coverage. Understand that life insurance premiums are a commitment and as such they require payment year after year to benefit you. If you have any other questions about your insurance give Nick a call at 352-371-7977 or email him at [email protected]

Are HSAs Recommended?


When it comes to purchasing health insurance it can be a difficult and tough road to travel. There are so many options and benefits you can obtain. What is a PPO or an HMO? What exactly is an HSA, and is it right for me?

Health Savings Account

A health savings account, or HSA, is, from a bank or savings perspective, a type of account you set up with a participating bank with designation for health-related expenses only. The money you put in to this account is tax-free but cannot be used on anything but health-related things such as doctor’s visits, procedures, prescriptions, dental and vision services, etc. Health Savings Account funds cannot be used for premiums.

Is an HSA right for you?

Would you rather your money be set-aside on a pre-tax basis? The plans will normally have higher deductibles but lower premiums, according to HealthCare.Gov. These pre-taxed funds can be used to pay for costs before you reach your deductible. In many cases, using this type of account can lower health care costs. All the funds that are left unspent will roll over year-to-year. In some instances you can earn interest on the money put into an HSA.

If the tax benefits are of significant importance to you then an HSA may be your best option for health coverage.

If you fall under a special circumstances category for health insurance coverage and are looking for more information for gaining or changing coverage give us a call today, 352-371-7977.