Bradenton Office: (941) 747-4600
Riverview Office: (813) 672-4100
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:00PM
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Bradenton Office:
(941) 747-4600
Riverview Office:
(813) 672-4100
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:00PM
Follow Us On :
Back-to-school season is here, and for many families, the return to school also means changes that can affect their insurance coverage. From adding a teen driver to your auto policy to sending a college student away from home, a new school year is a good time to...
Moving to Florida 101: Registering an Out of State CarIf you're a new Florida resident, or are thinking of moving to Florida, you may have questions about your car insurance and what steps you need to take to get your vehicle registered. At Pacific Crest...
Driver training isn’t just about safety — it can directly lower your insurance costs. Discover how defensive driving programs and fleet safety training help individuals and businesses in Riverview, Brandon, and Hillsborough County reduce risk and qualify for better insurance rates.
Getting a cancellation notice on your auto insurance can be stressful and confusing. Learn the most common reasons Florida drivers lose coverage, what to do next, and how Pacific Crest Lakewood helps you find a new policy fast — without the runaround.
One of the best ways to keep the cost of car insurance down is to maintain a clean driving record. Not only do you reduce the chance of injuries or damage to your vehicle, you also save money when you avoid tickets or accidents. Whether you’re...
What you need to know about insurance before sending your kid to college in FloridaSending a child to college is an exciting transition for the whole family. While they’re making plans for this step towards independence, don’t forget the importance of...
According to the Federal Highway Administration, about 77 percent of weather-related crashes occur during rain or mist, based on 2019–2023 data. We here in the Brandon, Bradenton, and Riverview area are certainly familiar with navigating frequent summer storms, so...
Tips to Keep you save on your next Summer Vacation Road TripWith long, sunny days and the kids out of school, summer is the perfect chance to see a bit of our beautiful country. If your vacation plans include hitting the road to explore, a little...
New Florida Law Requires Teens to Complete Driver’s Education Before Getting a Learner’s PermitStarting July 1, 2025, a new law in Florida will require all first-time drivers aged 15 to 17 to complete a full driver’s education course before they can receive their...
Does my auto insurance cover a car accident if someone else was driving?Whether it’s a friend, a visiting family member, a babysitter, or even a long road trip, there are times when you need to allow someone else to drive your car. But what happens if they...
Auto Accident Injuries and How they Effect Your InsuranceIt only takes a moment of distraction—or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time—for you to find yourself in an auto accident. Preliminary stats show that in 2024, there were more than...
As you say goodbye to the old year and prepare for the new, you may be reflecting on the events of 2024 as well as thinking of personal and financial goals you’d like to achieve in 2025. You’re probably not thinking about your insurance needs—and that...
The holiday season is a great time to share traditions, attend festive parties, and plan fun family outings, However, it’s also one of the most dangerous times to drive, mainly because of the increase in alcohol- and drug-related accidents and driving fatalities....
Making Car Insurance More Affordable for Young Drivers in Tampa, Brandon, and FloridaYour teenager just got their driver’s license. How exciting—and how expensive!When your teen starts driving, it can mean more freedom both for them and you. But you might...
Why a "Free" Windshield Might not be such a good deal A rock flies up from the highway and hits your windshield, chipping it. You’ve heard that if you have full coverage auto insurance, you can get your windshield repaired or replaced for free. Is this true? And if...
Distracted Driving - We’ve all done it. Taken our eyes off the road just for a second to check our phones. Or maybe we’re sipping a quick coffee on the way to work, chatting with a friend while driving home, or even consulting our navigation...
Every week, clients ask us why their insurance keeps getting more expensive, even though they haven't made any claims. They're surprised and frustrated when they receive their renewal offer with rate increases from their home or auto insurance company. We’ve...
As your small business grows, you might consider purchasing a vehicle to use for business purposes. If you or an employee are often using your personal vehicle to drive to multiple job sites or transport clients, a company vehicle can make good sense. Note: Any car,...
At the start of a new year, many people resolve to get their finances in order. Pacific Crest Lakewood would like to remind you that appropriate insurance coverage is one of the best ways you can protect yourself from financial disaster....
While skyrocketing home insurance rates in Florida have gotten all the press lately, Florida drivers are finding the cost of auto insurance is also steadily rising. Major insurers in Florida, such as Progressive, Geico, Liberty Mutual, and State Farm, have raised...
When you buy insurance, you’re paying for something you hope you won’t need to use. But if you have a loss—your car is damaged in an accident, or a fire destroys your kitchen, for example—you’ll be thrilled that you have insurance in place! The right insurance policy...
In 2022, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the U.S.—an increase of 7 percent over the previous year. And industry experts say that nearly half of the time, owner errors contributed to the theft of the vehicle! You may not think your vehicle is of interest to...
When high prices make you feel financially pinched, you look for ways to save money on your expenses, including insurance premiums. One way to do this is to improve your credit score. Even though they aren’t the same, there is a connection between credit scores and...
This is a common complaint among our customers who find their home and auto insurance rates continue to rise, even when they haven’t had any claims. We know this can be frustrating and we always do our best to find the most competitive insurance rates, no matter what...
As you’re shopping for home or auto insurance, you might come across the concept of the credit-based insurance score, or simply the insurance score. Hmm, that’s odd. What does credit have to do with insurance risk, and how does it affect the cost of your insurance?...
Most of us are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends during this holiday season. These get-togethers might take place in our own communities or at a far-off home of a loved one. Unfortunately, there’s always an uptick in traffic accidents,...
The high cost of home and auto insurance in Florida has us all thinking about ways to save money on policy premiums. While many factors are beyond your control, one that may help save money is your policy deductible. Generally, a higher deductible means lower...
Florida residents already pay some of the highest auto and home insurance rates in the country—and now inflation is making it worse. Some of the same factors driving inflation in general are driving premium increases across nearly all lines of insurance. These factors...
If you’ve purchased or renewed homeowners insurance lately, you know that premiums are skyrocketing. While there are several factors driving Florida’s insurance crisis, our high insurance prices are, in part, due to fraud and assignment of...
After years of declines, traffic fatalities* are rising again. For decades, seat belt laws and improved vehicle safety features helped to contribute to roadway safety. In 2020, for the first time in years, roadway deaths increased, despite there being fewer cars on...
Of all the many decisions Florida business owners have, choosing the right commercial insurance coverage is one of the most important. Without proper insurance protection, you could easily find yourself in serious financial trouble—you might even lose your business....
Almost every day we receive calls or emails from upset clients whose insurance premiums are going up, even when they’ve never made a claim. Some policies are going up by hundreds of dollars per year—what is happening? The Florida insurance market is in crisis,...
Florida drivers already pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the nation, and those rates are likely to go up in the near future. Why? Because insurance companies’ claims costs are skyrocketing, and strange though it may seem, supply chain and other...
Many factors determine what you’ll pay for car insurance—things like how expensive your vehicle is, how old you are, and how good your credit is. But don’t forget one of the most important rating factors if you want the cheapest car insurance: keeping your driving...
You’ve probably seen TV commercials that talk about bundling your insurance coverage, and you may be wondering if bundling—buying more than one type of insurance policy from the same insurance carrier—is right for you. Could you save a significant amount of money by...
When you need insurance coverage, you have many decisions to make. One of the first ones may be whether to go with a captive insurance agent, or an independent insurance agent. What’s the difference? The main one is this: a captive agent works for one insurance...
Even though many insurers offered pandemic discounts during 2020, car insurance rates in Florida continue to be some of the costliest in the U.S. You may wonder how insurance companies decide what to charge, anyway—and if there’s anything you...
Independent insurance agencies like Pacific Crest Lakewood, offer many advantages to insurance consumers. One of the main ones is that we are independent—we represent many different insurance carriers, and therefore are able to offer our clients a choice of...
One day as you’re out running errands, another driver runs a Stop sign and smacks into your car. You’re both able to move out of the intersection, but when you go get his insurance information, he tells you he doesn’t have insurance. That’s just great—now what?...
Just like any specialized industry, insurance has its own vocabulary. When you’re shopping for a new policy—or trying to make sense of the policy you already have—it helps to understand some of the most commonly used insurance terms. Plus, understanding these terms...
We know car insurance in Florida can take a big chunk out of your budget. Choosing an independent insurance agency like Pacific Crest Lakewood is one way to get the best deal—our agents are experts in the local insurance market and we represent dozens of great...
Since Florida auto and homeowners insurance rates are some of the highest in the nation, we understand why you’re looking for ways to save on your insurance premiums. However, before you search for your next insurance policy, remember the purpose of insurance: to...
Summer is here, and just about everyone is longing for a getaway. As Florida opens back up, more residents and tourists will be on the roads. More driving can mean more accidents and breakdowns, but one way to avoid the dangers of summer...
Living in the Tampa Bay area has many advantages, but cheap car insurance isn’t one of them. In fact, the Sunshine State has the third costliest car insurance premiums in the nation. Florida consumers pay about 48 percent more per year that the national average. So...
No one wants to pay too much for their insurance, but Tampa Bay area consumers need to be cautious if they get insurance quotes that seem too cheap. There’s usually a reason for that—such as the cheap insurance policy being quoted is stripped...
The start of a new year has many of us thinking of new goals. Maybe one of yours is to start or expand a business. If that’s so, remember that an important protection is the right insurance. Commercial auto insurance is not just for businesses with a fleet...
Texting while driving has been illegal in Florida since 2013, but law enforcement could only ticket you for it if they pulled you over for another violation. Not anymore. The Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law went into effect July 1, but officers have been...
As you prepare to gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, Pacific Crest Lakewood wants to thank you for your business, and wish you a happy holiday. We also want to remind you of a few Thanksgiving safety precautions to take to ensure that you also have a...
Insurance companies use many factors when they calculate what to charge for their policies, and more than 90 percent of them consider credit history when setting auto insurance rates. Insurers have found a strong correlation between bad credit...
Now that you’ve opened the presents and returned from your honeymoon, it’s time to consider some of the changes getting married will bring to your financial life. For instance, if you haven’t done so already, you should review, compare and consolidate your insurance...
What does your credit score have to do with insurance rates? Plenty. Since the 1990s insurance companies have been using consumers’ credit scores to help set insurance premiums. Industry studies have indicated that using credit-based scores helps insurance companies...
As an independent insurance agency, Pacific Crest Lakewood represents many quality insurance carriers—not just one. We pride ourselves in finding YOU the best match for your individual insurance needs and financial situation. From time to time, we’ll draw attention to...
Despite the fact that insurance is required, too many Florida drivers go without it. In fact, Florida has the highest rate of uninsured drivers in the nation at 26.7 percent! If an uninsured driver injures you and/or your passengers, you’ll have to pay your own...
Even though summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, we’re already experiencing increased thunderstorm activity in Riverview, Brandon, and nearby areas. Florida is the lightning capital of the United States, with more than 2,000 lightning injuries in the past 50...
Why are Florida Insurance Premiums so high? Florida consumers pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country for auto and homeowners insurance, and it’s not because we are worse drivers or live in a state where hurricanes are prevalent. A major contributor...
We’ve all done it. We hear the telltale ping or ring of our cell phone while driving. Surely it will be OK just to sneak a peek at the screen to see who is trying to reach us? Maybe even answer the phone? Unfortunately, all too often it’s not OK. Instead of focusing...
Roadside Emergency Kit Benefits Even though you take good care of your car, you never know when an emergency will arise. Stocking your car with a roadside emergency kit will may help you get back on the road more quickly if you have a breakdown. At the very least,...
Shopping for insurance is no one’s idea of a good time, but here at Group, we try to make it as simple and painless and cost-effective as possible. We are an all-lines, local independent agency based in Riverview, and we work hard to get you the best insurance...
Challenges to Safe Driving in Florida While Floridians don’t have to cope with driving in extreme winter weather the way other parts of the country do, just like everywhere else, we do have challenges to safe driving. Challenges like distractions, traffic,...
Congratulations—your child is going off to college! While you’re packing up your student’s belongings and offering last minute advice, take a few minutes to think about how this new adventure affects your own and your college student’s insurance needs. Car Insurance...
What Auto Insurance Coverage do Uber and Lyft Drivers Need Thinking of making a little side income by becoming a rideshare driver* for Uber or Lyft? Before you sign up, make sure you’ve got insurance coverage. Will your personal auto policy be enough? Or do you need a...
What you need to know about Classic Car Insurance in Brandon, Florida You might think that if your classic car is damaged or destroyed by fire while locked in your garage that your homeowners insurance would cover the loss. Think again. Your homeowners...
If you’re in the difficult position of putting your life back together after a DUI conviction, we can help. Since 2008, Florida has required that drivers who’ve been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carry an FR-44.What is an...
If you're in the market for a used car, be aware that hundreds of thousands of flood-damaged vehicles were left behind by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. And many of these vehicles may have hit the used car market. These vehicles, often sold at...
Let’s say you’ve been hurt in an auto accident, and the other driver is at fault. Under current Florida requirements, all drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, and even though you weren’t at fault in the accident, in order to have your...
If you’ve just relocated to the Tampa Bay area, welcome! We’re glad to have you here. While you’re unpacking and checking out the beaches, remember that you’ll need to purchase auto insurance and tag your car in your new state—and Florida auto insurance can be...
Money is always tight, especially during the holiday season. The last thing you want is to spend any more than you have to on your auto insurance. Aside from the obvious thing—maintaining a clean driving record—is there anything else you can do to lower your auto...
Whether you do it yourself or hire a trusted mechanic, regular car maintenance not only keeps your vehicle running well and safely, it also may prevent an accident. Since every vehicle is different, be sure to read your owner’s manual for information specific to your...
As an independent insurance agency, Pacific Crest Lakewood has the ability to help non-standard drivers who have risk factors that make it hard to get insurance at standard or preferred rates—factors such as accidents or a blemished driving record. But did you know L...
Congratulations! Becoming an independent adult can be both exciting and scary. Finding your first job and apartment are milestones to be proud of. Buying your first auto insurance policy? That can be a milestone, too, as it’s one more step in taking responsibility for...
We know buying insurance can sometimes be a confusing and frustrating experience. Sorting through coverages, deciding what you need and finding a cost-effective policy can be challenging. That’s where going with an independent agency like Pacific Crest Lakewood can...
Now that the holidays are winding down, you may be thinking about your goals and plans for next year. If one of those plans is improving your financial condition, one way you can do this is to conduct a review of your current insurance coverage. Your goal is to have...
While we generally don’t recommend dropping insurance coverage, there may be an instance where it makes financial sense: If you have an older vehicle and do not make payments on it, you may want to consider reducing or dropping your comprehensive and collision...
It’s almost Halloween! Time for jack-o-lanterns, scary costumes, bowls of candy, excited children, haunted houses, and a whole host of spooky fun. We don’t want to scare you, but do remember Halloween brings increased risk of vandalism (home or vehicle), fire,...
Florida roads are about to get a little trickier to navigate as many of our children go back to school Aug. 10. More vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians will be taking to the road during the before- and after-school hours, and Pacific Crest...
Rising Auto Insurance Costs Make Comparison Shopping Crucial Florida has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the U.S, with policies costing about 25% more than the national average—this according to an Insure.com study based on the rates from six large...
Florida Commercial Auto Insurance Policies Including Brandon, Tampa, and Riverview, Florida Do I need commercial insurance on my truck or can I leave it on my personal auto policy? That's a great question and one that I hear a lot. There are many issues to consider...
Can I save money with a multi-policy discount? Why Bundling Insurance Might Cost You More Another way I hear this question asked is; if I bundle my auto and home insurance with you, will I get a discount? It's a great question, and there are...
Choosing the right Insurance Agent Can Make a big difference in your Insurance Rates Does It Really Matter Where You Buy Insurance? Yes, and making the wrong choice could be costing you money, service and coverage protection. Purchasing insurance for your car, home,...
Need SR-22 Insurance in Florida? We’ve Got You Covered! At L&M Insurance Agency in Riverview, Florida, we specialize in helping high-risk drivers secure the necessary SR-22 auto insurance coverage. We specialize in SR-22 policies for both owners and...
Auto Insurance Coverage Explained Tampa and Brandon Car Insurance Experts Explain Auto Insurance Coverage Purchasing car insurance can be a daunting task. There are multiple coverage options and state requirements to consider, and if you have a leinholder...
If you’re looking for a new auto insurance policy, you may have come across the term “non-standard insurance.” What does this mean? Non-standard insurance is simply a category of auto insurance especially for people who are considered higher risk by...