Float Like a Butterfly Shouldn’t Necessarily Sting Like a Bee
When Your House Goes Up, Your Coverage Shouldn’t Go Down!
The hot topic around town these days? All those homes perched up on blocks after last year’s hurricanes. It’s made the news, flooded social media feeds, and sparked one big question:
What happens to the homeowner’s insurance when the house is lifted?
The Problem
Once a home lift begins, traditional homeowners insurance stops coverage—whether the carrier is notified or not. Those policies simply don’t insure a structure that’s being lifted off its foundation.
Under normal, non-lifting renovations, a builder’s risk policy would typically step in. Builder’s risk (also known as course of construction insurance) is a temporary property policy that protects a structure while it’s being built, renovated, or rebuilt. Think of it as a project insurance plan that covers the structure, materials, and supplies from start to finish.
A well-written builder’s risk policy protects against things like:
- Fire or lightning
- Theft or vandalism
- Hail, wind, or hurricanes
- Explosion or other accidental physical loss
It can even include "soft costs" like loan interest, real estate taxes, or lost rental income if the project gets delayed. Coverage can extend to scaffolding, debris removal, or materials stored off-site or in transit.
Coverage usually begins once the contracts are signed and materials start arriving, and it ends when the project is complete, occupied, or in use. Sounds like the perfect solution for a house lift, right?
Not so fast. Traditional builder’s risk policies exclude structural lifting or foundation work altogether—right when you need protection most.
The Solution
We’ve been working hard with our carrier partners to create something new: a structural elevation builder’s risk program for homeowners lifting their houses that fills that exact gap. This policy stays in force through the lifting, rebuilding, and renovation phases—and yes, it includes wind coverage.
That means for the first time, homeowners can protect their property during the lift process itself, not just before or after.
Melissa Ems Insurance Agency is proud to offer what no one else in the market currently can: true builder’s risk coverage for homes being lifted.
We’ll be adding more details to our website soon — things like what documentation you’ll need (proof of the lifting contractor’s insurance, coverage highlights, and more) — because changing the rules of coverage deserves its own spotlight. Until then, reach out anytime. We’re happy to show off our latest shiny insurance toy!
Thanksgiving: Because Fire Extinguishers Deserve a Holiday Too
Thanksgiving might be about gratitude, family, and carbs — but from where I sit, it’s also the Super Bowl of insurance claims. Between open flames, slippery floors, and that one relative who insists on deep-frying a turkey next to the garage, things can go sideways fast.
Here in Florida, the same top five claim types show up year after year: kitchen fires and burns, slip-and-fall accidents, pet mishaps, turkey fryer disasters, and — of course — car accidents. Let’s break them down before someone sets something on fire.
1. Kitchen Fires & Burn Injuries
If you’ve ever seen a YouTube video of a Thanksgiving kitchen fire, you know exactly how fast things can go wrong.
Common causes: Unattended cooking, flammable towels near the stove, or little hands grabbing for hot pans.
How to prevent it: Stay in the kitchen, keep oven mitts handy, and make sure your extinguisher isn’t older than your youngest child. If you’re multitasking, timers are your best friend.
(Pro tip: You don’t need to "peek" inside the oven every five minutes. The turkey isn’t going anywhere.)
2. Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Turns out, Aunt Carol’s sweet potato casserole isn’t the only thing that can take you down on Thanksgiving.
Common causes: Spills, wet floors, shoes scattered by the door, or a house packed tighter than a Publix parking lot.
How to prevent it: Wipe up spills right away, keep walkways clear, and maybe skip that extra decorative rug that likes to migrate across the tile.
3. Pet-Related Injuries & Food Toxicity
It’s all fun and games until the dog bites a guest — or the cat steals a turkey bone.
Common causes: Guests feeding pets “treats” they shouldn’t have, or stressed pets reacting to the crowd.
How to prevent it: Give your furry friends a quiet space away from the chaos and politely remind guests that onions, grapes, and chocolate aren’t on the dog menu.
(And no, turkey bones are not "fine just this once.")
4. Turkey Fryer Injuries
Every year, someone tries it. Every year, we get the calls.
Common causes: Fryers too close to the house, too much oil, or an only-partially-thawed turkey.
How to prevent it: Fry outside on flat concrete, keep kids and pets away, and triple-check that your bird is fully thawed and dry.
Think of it this way: If your deep fryer is closer to your siding than your mailbox, you’re doing it wrong.
5. Car Accidents
The roads during Thanksgiving weekend are a mix of traffic, exhaustion, and bad decisions.
Common causes: Fatigue, distractions, and holiday chaos.
How to prevent it: Leave early, stay alert, and give yourself extra time. And maybe — just maybe — don’t try to make it home after that third slice of pie.
Bottom Line:
Thanksgiving should be memorable for the food, not the emergency call. Take a few extra precautions, keep the fryer away from the house, and make sure the pets and relatives all survive the weekend unscathed.
If you’re not sure whether your current coverage would handle one of these holiday curveballs, reach out. I can’t baste your turkey, but I can make sure you’re covered if something catches fire while you do.
Let's Clear That Up
Because your cousin's Thanksgiving insurance advice came with confidence, not credentials.
"Citizens can’t just dump my policy!"
Actually… they can. Citizens is a "pseudo-government" entity so their rule book is a little different than private market insurers. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we explained it last month: Citizens is legally allowed to transfer (or "depopulate") policies to private carriers. Think of it like your mortgage getting sold — not always fun, but totally legal.
Your Homeowner’s Policy Loves Your Side Hustle
Not exactly true! If you run your business from home — whether that’s a baking empire, an Etsy or Amazon shop, or a garage full of tools — your homeowner’s policy probably stops at your front door. Most home policies exclude business-related property, liability, and equipment, which means that laptop, inventory, or client meeting could be uncovered if something goes wrong. The good news? You don’t have to risk it. A small (often inexpensive) Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) & cyber liability policy can fill those gaps and protect your side hustle like the real business it is.
You’re Building is Covered, Your Income Can’t Be
Your shop burns down — insurance replaces the building, but who replaces your income? That’s where Business Interruption (Loss of Income) coverage comes in. It helps cover lost revenue, ongoing expenses, and even temporary relocation costs while you get back on your feet. Without it, you could be staring at an empty storefront and a stack of bills. Think of it as your “pause button” protection — because the rent and payroll don’t stop just because business does.
Snack Break: Insurance Flavor
Quick bites of need-to-know industry nuggets.
- Progressive recently made headlines with plans $1 billion refund for Florida drivers! Thanks to recent reforms by Gov. DeSantis in the last few years that cut down on frivolous lawsuits, Progressive is sharing the savings — nearly a billion dollars’ worth — with Florida auto customers. Fewer frivolous cases, fewer inflated costs, and, finally, some good news for drivers.
- Just in time for the holidays! Carriers have been quietly updating their discounts across home, auto, and business insurance — are you getting all of them? Let’s find out. We’ll review your portfolio (no pressure, no cost) and let you know if your current setup is still the best fit — or if there’s a smarter, more affordable way to insure what matters most.
- This year, give the gift that actually matters. Not another gadget, not another sweater — the gift of peace of mind. Life insurance isn’t about you being gone — it’s about keeping life moving forward for the people you love. Melissa Ems Insurance offers smart, flexible life insurance options that make sure your family’s future stays protected — no wrapping paper required.
Oliver Off-Duty: The Doxie Diaries
A newsletter within a newsletter, about anything other than insurance, because Oliver refuses to be left out.
Thanksgiving 2025, Oliver Edition: Fun Facts to Ruin Boring Small Talk
Settle in, snackers. Before you dive face-first into stuffing, I’ve got a few trivia nuggets for you. We’re talking ancient wishbone battles, a lady who spent 17 years nagging five presidents, and a parade that started as one giant ad. So grab a treat, drop a few down here for me, and get ready to be the biggest know-it-all at the table this year.
How Thanksgiving Became "a Thing"
So apparently, we have one very determined lady named Sarah Josepha Hale to thank for Thanksgiving — literally. She spent 17 years writing letters to five different presidents trying to make it a national holiday. (Seventeen. Years. I respect that kind of persistence. I beg for snacks for maybe five minutes.)
When she finally got through to Abraham Lincoln in 1863, he said, "Fine, let’s make it official," and boom — Thanksgiving became a national holiday meant to help the country heal after the Civil War.
Before that, states just celebrated whenever they felt like it — October, January, some not at all... Now it’s turkey, stuffing, and stretchy pants for everyone.
Sarah also wrote Mary Had A Little Lamb. With this kind of schedule did she even sleep?!
My take: "One woman wrote her way into history, all so you could eat pie and nap. I salute her."
Because Apparently Dinner Needs a Winner
Every year, humans dry out a turkey bone, grab each end, and pull like their lives depend on it. But here’s the kicker — this isn’t a modern invention. The tradition started with the ancient Romans, who believed birds could predict the future.
They’d make wishes on the "furcula" (that little V-shaped bone) for good luck. The Pilgrims brought the tradition to the colonies, and it stuck — because nothing bonds a family like mild violence over poultry.
My take: "Humans have been fighting over bones for thousands of years. I respect the hustle. But I’m calling dibs on the next one."
Pumpkin Pie’s Rough Draft
Everyone treats pumpkin pie like the Thanksgiving MVP, but the first one was… questionable. In 1621, there were no pie crusts, no sugar, and no ovens — just hollowed-out pumpkins stuffed with milk, honey, and spices, roasted in hot ashes. The version we actually recognize didn’t show up until the 1800s.
My take: “So basically, the OG pumpkin pie was just a spicy gourd smoothie. Hard pass.”
Because Apparently Thanksgiving Needed Balloons
Everyone knows "helping in the kitchen" is code for "I’m watching the parade" but the first one wasn’t about Thanksgiving at all. It was a 1924 Macy’s marketing stunt to boost holiday shopping. It featured animals from the Central Park Zoo and store employees in costumes. It became so popular that it became an annual tradition, with the famous giant balloons introduced in 1927.
My Take: Because nothing embodies the Thanksgiving spirit like a three-hour commercial with marching bands.
Black Friday: The Great American Stampede
Black Friday wasn’t originally about doorbusters or discounts — it was a police term coined in 1960s Philadelphia to describe the gridlock, crowds, and general chaos that hit the city the day after Thanksgiving. Streets were jammed, shoppers flooded downtown, and officers dreaded working the shift so much they started calling it "Black Friday."
Retailers didn’t love the bad PR, so they rebranded it — claiming it represented stores going from "red ink" (loss) to "black ink" (profit). Fast-forward a few decades and now it’s the unofficial sport of competitive cart-pushing.
My take: "Ah yes, nothing says gratitude like wrestling a stranger for a toaster at 2 a.m. in your fluffy slippers."
Sweet & Smoky Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Why it works: They hit every craving — crunch, salt, sweet, fat, and a little bite of magic. Also, they travel beautifully and reheat like a dream.
Ingredients
- 2 cans whole water chestnuts, drained
- 1 lb thin-cut bacon (cut each strip in half)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup soy sauce or teriyaki sauce (optional marinade upgrade)
- Toothpicks
Directions
- Optional but worth it: Marinate the drained water chestnuts in soy or teriyaki sauce for 30–60 min. Pat dry before wrapping.
- Wrap each chestnut with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Roll the wrapped chestnuts in brown sugar until fully coated.
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment (they get sticky).
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bacon is crisp and caramelized. Drop bacon on floor for me to clean up. Repeat #5 from the beginning, dropping for me (not) optional.
- Let them cool a few minutes before serving — the sugar turns into molten lava if you rush it.
Tips
- Want more punch? Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne to the sugar before rolling.
- To transport, reheat uncovered for 5–7 minutes at 350°F to recrisp.
- Toothpicks double as built-in portion control (in theory).
My take: Crunchy, smoky, covered in sugar, and wrapped in bacon — basically my personality in snack form. Bring these, and you automatically win Thanksgiving.
Have a topic or question? Email us at csr@melissaems.com and we will address it in upcoming newsletters!