Welcome to Buckalew Financial Services, your trusted independent insurance agency in Florida. For over two decades, we’ve been helping Florida residents navigate the complex world of insurance — from Medicare planning to life insurance, health coverage, and retirement strategies. As Florida’s population continues to grow, the need for knowledgeable, local insurance guidance has never been greater. Whether you’re a new Florida resident, a longtime local, or someone approaching retirement, we’re here to help you find the insurance coverage that fits your needs and budget.
Why Florida Residents Choose Buckalew Financial Services
Florida is unique. With no state income tax, a large retiree population, hurricane-risk considerations, and specific insurance regulations, Florida presents insurance challenges you won’t find anywhere else. At Buckalew Financial Services, we’ve spent years mastering the Florida insurance landscape.
As an independent insurance agency, we don’t work for any single insurance company. Instead, we work for YOU. This means we can shop across multiple A-rated insurance carriers to find the coverage that best fits your Florida lifestyle. Our relationships with over 30 top-rated insurance companies give us leverage that captive agents simply don’t have.
Medicare Insurance in Florida
Florida has the highest percentage of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States — over 4.5 million Floridians rely on Medicare for their healthcare coverage. If you’re one of them, or if you’re approaching your 65th birthday, understanding your Medicare options is essential.
At Buckalew Financial Services, we specialize in Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement insurance, and Part D prescription drug coverage. Whether you prefer the flexibility of Original Medicare with a Supplement plan, or the all-in-one convenience of a Medicare Advantage plan, we’ll help you compare your options and choose the plan that works best for your healthcare needs and your budget.
Our Florida Insurance Services
- Medicare Advantage Plans — All-in-one plans including hospital, medical, and often prescription drug coverage with additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.
- Medicare Supplement Insurance — Optional coverage that pays the 20% Original Medicare doesn’t cover, giving you peace of mind.
- Part D Prescription Drug Plans — Standalone drug coverage to help manage the cost of your medications.
- Life Insurance — From affordable term life policies to permanent coverage like whole life and indexed universal life (IUL).
- Health Insurance — Individual and family plans, including ACA marketplace coverage, for those under 65.
- Final Expense Insurance — Affordable burial and funeral coverage to ease the financial burden on your loved ones.
- Annuities — Tax-deferred retirement vehicles that can provide guaranteed income in retirement.
- Social Security Optimization — Strategies to maximize your Social Security benefits.
Serving Communities Across Florida
Our office in Valrico, Florida puts us in the heart of the Tampa Bay area, but we serve clients throughout the entire Sunshine State. We proudly assist clients in:
Central Florida: Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Lakeland, Kissimmee, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Palm Bay
South Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Hollywood, Miramar, Naples, Fort Myers
North Florida: Gainesville, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Ocala, Panama City
West Florida: Sarasota, Venice, Englewood, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva
Florida Insurance Considerations
Living in Florida comes with unique insurance considerations. From hurricane season preparation to understanding how Florida’s no-fault insurance law affects your auto coverage, being properly insured requires local knowledge. We help Florida residents navigate:
- Hurricane and windstorm coverage options
- Flood insurance considerations (standard policies don’t cover floods)
- Florida’s specific Medicare rules and enrollment windows
- ACA marketplace coverage and Florida’s Medicaid expansion
- Life insurance for snowbirds and part-time Florida residents
Get Your Free Florida Insurance Quote
The best part? Our consultations are always free, and there’s never any pressure to buy. We believe in education first, sales second. When you call or visit Buckalew Financial Services, you’ll get honest, straightforward advice about your insurance options.
Ready to get covered? Call us today at (813) 863-5917 for your free, no-obligation insurance quote. Whether you’re in Miami or Jacksonville, Tampa or Tallahassee, we’re here to help.
Buckalew Financial Services · 3031 Mojave Oak Dr, Valrico, FL 33594 · (813) 863-5917
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Insurance
When can I enroll in Medicare in Florida?
Florida follows federal Medicare enrollment periods. Your Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after. There’s also the Annual Election Period (October 15-December 7) when you can change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Florida residents with certain qualifying life events may be eligible for Special Enrollment Periods.
Do I need flood insurance in Florida?
Standard homeowner’s insurance does NOT cover flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone area or near the coast, flood insurance is strongly recommended. Florida’s tropical climate and hurricane history make flood events a real possibility even miles inland.
Why is Florida auto insurance so expensive?
Florida has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country due to high population density, a large number of uninsured drivers, and frequent severe weather. However, rates vary significantly by location and driving record. We can help you compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the best rate.
What’s the best Medicare plan for Florida residents?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Florida offers many Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums and extra benefits. Medicare Supplements offer more flexibility but higher premiums. The best choice depends on your health needs, budget, and whether you travel frequently or split time between Florida and another state.
Licensed in Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Michigan.