Union County
Driving in Union County
There are over 18 million automobiles registered in the state of Florida and around 12,212 of them can often be found on the roads of Union County. This figure represents 0.07% of all the registered vehicles in the entire state of Florida.
Ridesharing to and from work is not very popular in Union County as 80% of the vehicles used for daily commutes only transport the driver and no one else. Almost 2 out of 5 of these drivers are behind the wheel for more than 30 minutes.
With about 20% of Florida drivers uninsured, roughly 2,400 automobiles in Union County alone could be uninsured or underinsured.
Approximately every eighth crash in Union County is a hit and run.
Motor Vehicle Crashes in Union County
Motor vehicle fatalities in Union County statistically occur at a rate of 19.74 per 100,000 vehicles on the road: roughly 2 fatal crashes per year.
In 2021, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported over 155 crashes in Union County: 8 fatal crashes, with a resultant 10 deaths (including 1 motorcyclist). Alcohol is determined as the main factor for the fatal crashes in Union County in an estimated 40% of all driving fatalities.
Auto Insurance Analysis
Over 12 thousand automobiles registered in Union County need insurance coverage. Basic Liability and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverages are required for all vehicles on the road to protect others from the damage you may cause in an accident. Depending on the type of vehicle and its use, the additional required insurance may be: Collision Coverage, Comprehensive Coverage, Non Owners car insurance, Gap, Inland Marine, Commercial or Farm Auto, Short term car insurance, and so on.
The longer daily commute of nearly 3,900 Union County residents raises the cost of auto insurance because it increases the amount of time a driver spends on the road. Being on the road longer increases the likelihood of being involved in a traffic accident.
With an eighth of crashes as a hit-and-run and with 20% drivers uninsured, Uninsured Driver Coverage remains important for Union County residents.
The majority of Union County is rural, and although vehicles that utilize rural roads are less susceptible to vehicular collisions, wildlife-vehicle collisions are more likely to happen — this is especially true for Florida with its diverse ecosystem, where animals (such as deer, black bears, alligators, and various birds) frequently cross the road. According to a study reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), there has been a 92% increase in the black bear population in northern Florida from 2002 to 2015, making rural road crossings more likely. Although Personal Injury Protection coverage can cover your medical expenses and loss of income, having Comprehensive Auto insurance will help with the cost of repairing the car after hitting an animal.
To discuss your auto insurance needs in Union County, contact a knowledgeable Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent licensed in the state of Florida.
Union County Housing
There are around 4,794 housing properties in Union County, which are mostly occupied by the owners themselves (66%), just like the majority of Florida (≈65%). Approximately 34% of the homes are possibly tenant-occupied.
All of the neighboring counties are also dominated by owner-occupied homes, with Baker County leading the group with 75% of its homes inhabited by the owners. Columbia County has the second-highest figure at 71% (with roughly 29% of homes for rent). Next to Columbia County is Bradford County with 69% of its residential real estate occupied by owners and lastly, Alachua County is split 55% owner-occupied / 45% for rent.
Approximately 16% of housing units in Union County experience housing problems, overcrowding, lack of plumbing, or issues with the kitchen. In 25% of homes, residents spend more than half of their income on housing.
Housing Insurance Analysis
Close to 5 thousand housing units in Union County need insurance coverage. At a minimum, all owners of these properties should have Homeowners, Condo insurance, and/or Business property insurance (for apartment complexes) to protect the underlying financial investment from possible loss or damage.
With over 1,600 housing units in Union County as rentals, landlords obtain Landlord Insurance, which covers the property itself and from the possible liability claims arising from the tenants and their guests.
Rental insurance Lake Butler: Tenants buy Renters Insurance coverage to protect their belongings from possible damage or loss. Typically, renters’ insurance is affordable and usually covers the tenant's property from theft and damages caused by fire, smoke, water, and vandalism. Some landlords in Union County may require Renters Insurance before putting pen to paper on a lease.
For consultation and advice about Homeowners, Renters, Condo, Flood, and other types of insurance in Union County, contact a Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent licensed in the state of Florida.
A Florida P&C insurance agent:
analyzes your needs and restrictions,
reviews your current policy, to make sure that the coverages are reflective of the current needs and housing market- helps to update, if needed,
researches the locally available plans that fit your needs,
checks for available savings and bundling discounts,
provides you with the available options of coverage,
explains how the differences between the options affect you once you start using each insurance product
assists you with the application process
does not affect your cost of insurance. (agent’s service is usually paid by the insurer)
Union County Health Statistics and Analysis
In Union County, approximately 16.7% of the adults do not have proper health insurance coverage, which is lower than the state average (≈19.2%). It is also the highest percentage compared to its immediate neighbors. Bradford County and Columbia County come close with both counties having roughly 16% of its adults uninsured. Meanwhile, Baker County and Alachua County have the lowest uninsured adult rates with both at around 13%-14%%.
More than 1 in 4 adults (or nearly 4,200 residents) in Union County report problems with health.
Approximately 32% of the Union County population do not participate in physical exercise activities.
Over 37% of the Union County residents are considered obese (with a BMI of 30 or more), which is higher than the Florida average of 27.2%. Among the neighboring counties, all areas are also above the Florida average: Alachua County reports the lowest – with having the same average as Florida at 27.2% of the residents, while Baker County has the highest rate of adults with obesity at 38%. Meanwhile, roughly 37% of adults from Bradford County (37.1%) and Columbia County (36.8%) may be considered obese.
In 2022, there were 14 health insurers in Union County, offering affordable and frequently subsidized ACA health insurance on the Florida health marketplace.
Health Insurance Analysis
Health insurance is the most vital type of insurance coverage, and over 2 thousand residents of Union County lack this necessity.
Floridians are allowed to purchase multiple types of health insurance and supplemental health insurance inside the state. This makes it easier for them to obtain coverage that fits their specific needs (both medically and financially): Group or Individual Marketplace ACA health insurance, Various types of Short-term insurance (up to 3 years in coverage), Hospital Indemnity, Accident & Health, etc.
Understandably, not everyone is able to afford health insurance due to the costs involved. In such cases, those who do not have the funds for this coverage are advised to apply for government subsidies that can significantly lower or even almost eliminate the out-of-pocket costs of insurance.
If you do not have pre-existing conditions, Short term health insurance may provide an alternative saving path. (* Some Florida multi-year short-term health insurance plans may cover certain pre-existing conditions after a year or more of coverage).
Discuss your health insurance needs with a state-licensed Florida health insurance professional with access to a variety of health insurance options available to Union County residents.
A Florida health insurance agent: analyzes your needs and restrictions, researches the locally available plans that fit your needs, provides you with the available options of coverage, and explains how the differences between the options affect you once you start using each insurance product. The agent assists you with the application process and at any time you need to make a change to the policy, or shop for replacement coverage.
Union County Mortality and the End of Life Statistics
A Union County local has an average life expectancy of 68.3 years old, which is lower than the state average of 80.2 years and the lowest among its neighboring counties and the lowest in the whole state of Florida. In its area, Alachua County has the highest life expectancy of 79.2 years, 1 year less than the state average.
The other neighboring counties, Columbia County, Bradford County, and Baker County, have relatively similar life expectancies, with all of them with average life expectancy range of 75-76 years.
In 2022 there were approximately 2,300 seniors (65 and older) residing in Union County.
Life Insurance Facts
In 2022, 47% of Americans did not have an active life insurance policy of any type.
Life insurance premiums are based on the age of the insured when the policy begins, among other factors. The younger you are when you acquire it, the more you save in premiums over the course of the policy.
Nearly 29% of the adults in Union County smoke, and this habit will likely increase the life insurance costs of these individuals by up to 4 times compared to non-smokers. A smoker’s life expectancy is deemed shorter, making them more of a risk than people who do not smoke.
Besides the death benefit, Cash Value life insurance can be used for Living Benefits by the insured while they are still alive, to borrow against it, or used as a source of tax-free retirement income.
Union County - Funeral Expenses Statistics and Analysis
A traditional funeral in Union County could cost the family and friends of the deceased $5,400, which is lower than the Florida state average of $5,900. Union County’s and Columbia County’s average funeral costs are some of the most expensive in the region, with both of them averaging $5,400 — second to Alachua County’s $5,700. At the bottom of the list is Bradford County, with a $4,800-average followed by Baker County with $4,900.
Collier County has the most expensive funeral cost average in the entire state (or around $9,600), while Putnam County and DeSoto County have the lowest, both at closer to $4,600.
Life Insurance Analysis
With 46% of Americans dying with savings of less than $10,000, the families and friends of Union County senior residents may have to set aside their mourning as they have to focus their energies on making sure their loved one’s funeral will be paid for. (Note: If using life insurance as payment for the funeral services, most funeral homes require the policy to be “assignable”)
On top of the burial costs, the departed often pass away with unpaid debts and taxes for the family to take care of. Understandably, this adds to their woes.
The most frequently used life insurance policies to cover “final expenses” up to $50,000 are: Term Life Insurance and Final Expense Insurance.
The most commonly used life insurance policies to leave money to the family are the variations of: Term Life Insurance and Cash Value insurance, such as Whole Life insurance, Universal Life insurance, and Final Expense.
To find out more about life insurance options in Union County, speak with a knowledgeable state-licensed and experienced life insurance professional who has access to multiple insurers and plan types for comparison.
Union County - Business
Commercial insurance needs vary between each of the over 200 business establishments in Union County. The three largest job creating sectors, accounting for approximately 82% of all employment in the county in 2020 were:
Government (57.3%)
Manufacturing (17.1%)
Professional & Business Services (7.8%)
Commercial Insurance Analysis
Manufacturing facilities usually require insurance coverage for:
Production areas and the property stored there,
Employees’ health, safety, retirement, and life insurance needs,
Product liability coverage to protect both the consumers and the manufacturing company itself, in case if the product hurts someone.
Professional services and consulting businesses in Union County can benefit from Errors and Omissions insurance. E&O insurance is a type of professional liability insurance, which protects the clients in case if the received professional advice causes them damages or losses. In case of a lawsuit against the professional, their E&O coverage will pay.
Assess your business insurance needs in Union County by speaking with a knowledgeable commercial insurance agent licensed in Florida, who has access to multiple insurers and premium finance options.
