Month: April 2012

Comparing Texas Insurance Quotes Online

Posted on by AgentInsure

In the state of Texas, saving money is a number one priority. Although we all know we need to carry insurance on our cars, homes and lives, we do not want to spend too much money. One of the easiest ways to find a great deal on insurance is to work with an independent agent who is comparing Texas insurance quotes online. He will compare quotes from all of the top providers quickly and easily and do all the hard work for you.

If you are looking for inexpensive auto insurance in Texas, make sure you compare rates before making any decisions. Auto insurance prices will vary from company to company depending on where you live, how far you drive and if you have had previous problems with your driving record. You may also qualify for discounts for multiple cars or a safe driving record. Let an independent agent find you a great deal while you spend the day hanging out with friends.

Home insurance is also a necessity whether you live in a single family house, apartment or condo. You need to make sure you protect your belongings so you can get life back to normal quickly after an accident or natural disaster. If you want the most coverage, for the least price, let an independent insurance agent compare rates and find you the best deal possible.

Spring Maintenance Tips for North Texas Homeowners

Posted on by Jeri McShan

Spring cleaning and spring maintenance tips go hand in hand. Take a cue from the tips below and spruce up your gutters as you spruce up your rose garden.

  • Inspect your smoke detectors, and make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them monthly, and change the batteries annually or as needed.
  • Check the light bulbs in all your fixtures to be sure they are the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Replace all high-intensity bulbs (such as incandescent) with fluorescent bulbs that don’t produce as much heat.
  • Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.
  • Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible, filled and ready for operation.
  • Have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Check for damage to your roof, and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
  • Check water heater for leaks and corrosion.
  • Clean or replace your furnace filter.
  • Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material.
  • Remove all dead trees in your yard, and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires.
  • Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.
  • Repair cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walkways to provide a level walking surface.

How to Better Protect Your Car Without a Garage

Posted on by AgentInsure

There’s no doubt that weather can wreak havoc on your car, to both its exterior and interior motor parts. Hail, rain, ice, and snow can all damage and ding a car, causing it to age faster than it would had it been protected by a garage. But a garage is not the "be-all, end-all" of automobile protection.

Here are a few tips you can implement to better protect your car in Texas without a garage:

  • Wax it and then wax it some more. A good coat of wax can do wonders to protect your car. Dirt and debris will be less likely to adhere to your car’s paint finish. A good coat of wax can help shield your car against road debris, including damaging road salt.
  • Keep it covered. Cars are one of the biggest expenses people make, so it makes sense to protect them. However, if you don’t have a garage, consider purchasing a car cover. Car covers protect your vehicle against hazardous weather or flying debris. Today’s car covers are available in universal covers or custom covers. You can even purchase accessories, such as locks, for your covers.
  • Invest in a steel carport. A steel carport not only protects your car’s paint from the sun’s rays in the Texas summer, but prevents ice and snow buildup in the winter. Steel carports offer great protection from dings from a spring hail storm, too.

The Select Insurance Agency is an authorized AARP agent.

Posted on by Jeri McShan

Authorized to offer AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford

For over two decades, the AARP Auto and Home Insurance Program from The Hartford have provided AARP members with outstanding value and protection.

Who are AARP’s Members?
  • Currently millions of members including those age 50 plus or a spouse, partner, or sibling.
  • AARP members receive outstanding customer service tailored to their needs and policy features designed to keep their lives moving and uninterrupted

What does AARP stand for?

  • Financial security
    Social Security, pensions, investments and savings, the option of working, security from financial harm, affordable and reliable utilities
  • Healthcare coverage and quality
    Healthcare coverage, improving Medicare, affordable prescription drugs
  • Helping older workers
    Choosing a career, job loss help, finding a job, self-employment, workplace flexibility
  • Long-term care
    Living arrangement assessments, cost comparisons, general support and resources

Contact The Select Insurance Agency today to get started on your new life plan with AARP and The Hartford.

What is sewer back up coverage?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Sewer back up coverage protects Texas homeowners (and homeowners around the nation) against damages and losses resulting from a sewer backing up. In addition to sewers backing up, some homeowners have problems with downspouts and septic tanks too. Sewer back-up coverage is typically an optional part of the homeowners insurance policy, which is added as an endorsement to the policy.

When sewers back up, they can seep through the drains in the home, causing flooding and extensive damage inside the house. Sewer back-up coverage covers property damage as well as the cleanup (floors, ductwork, flushing piping fixtures, disinfecting, spillage removal, etc.)

Causes of sewer back up are many. Roots from shrubs and trees can make their way into cracks in sewer lines, causing blockages. Aging sewer systems are increasingly becoming a problem as the nation’s sewer systems continue to age. Frequent water basement flooding can be an indication of a problem. Another area of concern is when systems are designed to combine both storm water drainage and raw sewage drainage within the same pipeline. Even a blockage in the sanitary main can cause water to seep through the drains if not caught early enough.

But typically, regardless of the cause, sewer back-up coverage added to a Texas homeowners insurance policy will keep you protected from property damage and water damage due to a backed-up sewer.

Does Home Insurance Cover Termites?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Homeowner’s insurance in Texas is designed to protect you financially from the potential disasters that could cause damage to your home. Although most policies cover damage caused by storms, wind, theft and fire, almost no standardized homeowner’s insurance policies in Texas cover damage caused by termites.

Unfortunately, termites are a very real problem in Texas. The western half of the state is categorized as having a moderately high presence of termites, while areas in the eastern half of the state experience a very high presence of termites. Treating an infestation of termites can cost thousands of dollars, and without quickly ridding yourself of the pests, they could devour your home’s support structure in a very short amount of time.

Because your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover the damage, the best treatment is prevention. By submitting to regular termite inspections, you can detect the insects before they cause a serious problem and before the costs to treat your property get out of hand.

Signs of an infestation include hollow-sounding wood, mud tubes leading into your home, small piles of wood shavings near window sills and collections of shed wings. Even if you see no signs of termite infestation or have no wood on the outside of your home, termites can still find their way into your home’s structure through cracks and crevices in the foundation, basement and windows. Be sure to keep these areas sealed and caulked to help keep the pests away.

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