5 Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Start Saving Now!

Don’t wait till you decide that you want to purchase a house to begin saving. Instead, start squirreling away money every month that can not only be used for the down payment but also closing costs and an emergency fund. 

Research Mortgage Options

From conventional mortgages to FHA loans to VA loans there are a number of mortgage options available to first time home buyers each with their own pros and cons. For instance, FHA loans require down payments as little as 3.5% of the asking price, but typically have income restrictions attached. 

Determine How Much Home You Can Afford:

Whether you are in Coppell, TX or downtown Dallas, you’ll want to purchase a home that allows you to have financial flexibility. There are a number of online calculators that can help you pinpoint how much home you can afford. Don’t forget to set aside money for additional costs like insurance. At The Select Insurance Agency, we will work to get you an affordable policy. 

Choose Neighborhood Carefully!

Start by researching schools because even if you don’t plan to have children, the quality of the school district in the neighborhood helps dictate home value. Additionally, look at crime safety statistics, drive through the neighborhood and different hours and map the distance of the home to nearby places of interest like the grocery store and hospital. 

Don’t Go Overboard!

While it can be tempting to look at homes that are higher than your budget because the monthly payments are only slightly higher, avoid this pitfall. You’ll want to have money on hand for when the appliances break or the roof leaks. 

At the Select Insurance Agency, we know that the home buying process can be stressful so we want to make the homeowner insurance process as easy as possible. Give us a call or stop by our office for more information. 

How to Insure Your ATV

Even though some may think of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) as a “toy,” they may be quite valuable. A new one that is a major brand name unit can cost over $15,000. If, there is any custom work done, then, they can be worth even more than that. Just think about what you are going to do. You are going to take it out in the roughest areas and maybe drive it over a cliff. You best have good “toy” insurance if something goes wrong.

Getting an ATV Insurance Quote

The time to talk with your insurance agent is best before you buy an ATV to have insurance coverage from the minute you buy it. Call us to talk with your agent at The Select Insurance Agency serving Coppell, TX and the surrounding area.

Your agent will want to know the model and year, the price you paid for it, where you plan to use it, who will ride on it, and how to plan to transport it and store it. It is a wise idea to have your agent check your auto insurance to make sure that there is adequate coverage if you plan to use a trailer to tow it around.

Be Safe

When riding your ATV, always wear a helmet and safety gear. If not using it on your property, then, operate it only in areas where it is legal to use an ATV. Depending on the model, and whether it is registered with license plates, you may not be allowed to drive it legally on the streets. If you get in an accident while doing something illegal, usually your insurance will not cover the problem, so be careful.

Contact your agent at The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX to get a quote for ATV insurance or for coverage of any other “toys” including your actual toys from childhood that are now valuable collector’s items.

3 Quick Tips for RV Beginners

Whether your family enjoys occasional camping outings or you are retired in Coppell, TX and want to travel full-time, as an RV beginner, there a few things to know before you head off on your first journey in an RV. Traveling by RV is a great way to see the country and to save money, but the first time you travel by RV it may seem slightly overwhelming. So, to help acquaint you with traveling by RV, The Select Insurance Agency has put together a few tips to consider before you head out.

Decide Whether to Rent or Buy

There are advantages and disadvantages to both renting and buying. Renting will allow you to pick up a clean and maintained RV just before you leave and renting will give you an opportunity to decide if you’re ready for the commitment of buying. If you plan to travel by RV regularly and you have a place to store the vehicle when you aren’t traveling, then buying may be the best option.

Get Familiar With the RV

One of the most important tips for RV beginners is you should take the time to get familiar with the RV. This means learning how an RV works, even if you are renting, you’ll need to know how to diagnosis and fix something if it breaks. Knowing your RV will help save you time and money and the better you know the RV, the less likely you will make operational mistakes.

Have Campsite Setup Checklist

One of the first things many RV beginners overlook is a campground routine. The routine will include everything from finding the ideal campsite to set up camp. Your campsite list should include:

  • Carefully check the campsite for obstacles on the ground and low branches
  • Park as close to the electrical, sewage and water hookups as possible
  • Level the RV with stabilizing jacks
  • Connect to the electrical hookups
  • Attach to the drain hook-up (wear gloves)
  • Set-up your campsite

It’s important for RV beginners to have a travel plan in mind before taking off. You should be aware of the roads you will be driving on and how the RV handles in certain weather conditions. Keep in mind that an RV is heavier than an automobile and it may take a few short drives to fully get the feel of handling an RV.

Residents of Coppell, TX interesting in learning more information about insuring your RV or to review your current policy, contact The Select Insurance Agency.

Can individuals get umbrella insurance, or just businesses?

Who Needs Umbrella Insurance?

If you live in Coppell, TX, you get to enjoy all the area has to offer, and you may think, as many do, that you never want to live anywhere else. But sometimes bad things happen even in Coppell, TX, and you may be wondering if you and your family have enough protection in case of a small or large disaster.

At The Select Insurance Agency, we assist both businesses and individuals in finding umbrella insurance policies that can provide that peace of mind.

What Is an Umbrella Policy?

An umbrella policy is basically extra liability coverage that goes far beyond that of a traditional policy. Even though umbrella insurance is surprisingly inexpensive, it can offer a great deal of protection. Umbrella policies usually start out with a one million dollar limit.

That may seem like a lot, but you would be grateful to have it when you did need it. Your umbrella policy won’t kick in until your traditional policy has hit its limit, and your umbrella policy starts paying to immediately bridge that coverage.

How Umbrella Insurance Helps

So, for instance, say that you are in an automobile accident and it is determined that you were at fault. There were only two vehicles involved, but the other driver’s brand new car was totaled and the passenger spent a month recovering in the hospital.

Typical auto insurance policy limits won’t come close to covering that amount of property damage and injury. If you have an umbrella policy, though, it will kick in and start paying out when you max out.

Paying for even one small disaster out of pocket could cause a great deal of financial hardship, but you can save yourself the worry if you know you have umbrella insurance. If you have any questions about umbrella insurance or if you just want to discuss your current policies, please feel free to call  The Select Insurance Agency today.

You’re Never Too Young for Life Insurance

When you’re young, you feel indestructible. Why would an immortal need life insurance? While life is still very much an open book in your younger years, there are some important reasons to start building your life insurance safety net as early as possible. Here are some of the reasons why young adults and guardians of minor children in the Coppell, TX area should consider working with the Select Insurance Agency for life insurance policies.

  • Lock in low rates. Young adults are typically at their healthiest. This means insurance agents are likely to offer them far lower rates than their older and less well-maintained counterparts. Starting a life insurance policy in your younger days often means lower premiums throughout your contract’s lifespan.
  • Whole life policies build cash value over time. By starting a whole life policy early in life, subscribers can slowly build a cash reserve that can be used to buy property, fund their education, start a business, or other finance a brighter future.
  • When you live life to the fullest, you’re more likely to encounter dangerous circumstances. Term life policies are a great way to ensure financial viability for active youngsters who enjoy high-risk activities like snowboarding, frequent foreign travel, other physically risky yet fun behaviors.
  • Dependents aren’t just children. For many young people, their parents are part of their financial concerns. Your life insurance policy could provide necessary funds to your older dependents in case you can’t work.
  • As you age, a combination of genetics, life choices, and complete accident can affect your ability to get the right coverage. Secure your life insurance policies now to ensure you can get the coverage you need.

Find the right life insurance coverage for your Coppell, TX lifestyle at the Select Insurance Agency.

Commercial Insurance Tips for the New Business Owner

Are you setting up shop near Coppell, TX and need to know more about how commercial insurance from The Select Insurance Agency works? Use this quick FAQ to learn which types are needed to protect your new business venture.

Service-Oriented Business Focus on Liability

If your new business focuses on offering a service rather than a product, you will need to make sure you have the right liability insurance in place. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, and other advice-based ventures can face struggles when a client receives what they consider the wrong news. In our litigious society, proper liability coverage is the cost of doing business.

Protecting Your Employees

It doesn’t matter if you have one, twenty, or a thousand employees on the payroll. You will need worker’s compensation coverage that provides access to medical support for them in case of an injury while protecting your bottom line. Commercial auto insurance also allows your driver access to a company car without taking on the burden of being liable for conducting business on the road. Don’t forget about health insurance options, too.

Factory Space and Machinery Require Their Own Coverage

When you are building a new product, your manufacturing space, and equipment located in or near Coppell, TX should be properly insured against loss due to fire, theft, storm damage, and even economic uncertainty. Make sure to check with your agent about protecting property whether it is on your own or leased land. Farming? Request quotes for livestock and crop insurance, too.

Commercial insurance offers many products all ready to protect different aspects of your new business. Take the time today to speak with your personal agent at The Select Insurance Agency and make sure you have the coverage needed for a long and prosperous business venture.

What is the Difference Between Property Insurance and Homeowners Insurance?

You’ve probably heard of property insurance and homeowner’s insurance. And in fact, many people throw these two terms around interchangeably. This use is not quite correct, however. Though related, the truth is that property insurance and homeowners insurance are actually two different forms of coverage.

If you own any kind of property in the Coppell, TX area, it’s important to know what kind of coverage options you’re looking at. The experts at The Select Insurance Agency are here to answer all your questions and help you get the insurance policy you need. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the difference between property insurance and homeowners insurance:

Homeowner’s Insurance is Technically a Form of Property Insurance

Think of it like this: all homeowner’s policies are property insurance, but not all property policies are homeowner’s insurance. And in the insurance world, the two terms are used separately to refer to specific types of coverage. Homeowner’s insurance is a form of property insurance that focuses primarily on personal dwellings. Unlike property insurance, homeowner’s policies often cover other structures on the premises that may or may not be attached to the primary dwelling structure (your house). Homeowner’s insurance is also important for a lot of people because it also can cover your personal possessions in addition to the structure.

Property insurance meanwhile refers to policies that cover the physical property. This kind of coverage can be used for both dwellings and commercial property, and it safeguards against scenarios that could cause damage to the structure itself. Liability coverage may also be included in a property policy, but usually as a requested addition. Property insurance policies may also take the forms of renters, flood and even earthquake insurance (though obviously this last one is not a common risk in Texas).

Reach out to the experts at The Select Insurance Agency today to learn more about your property insurance options. We’ve been insuring property owners across the Coppell, TX area for years, and

Coppell, TX Home Insurance and Tree Removal

Just because we don’t get hurricanes up here in Coppell, TX, it doesn’t mean homeowners shouldn’t be worried about storms knocking down trees. Violent windstorms and thunderstorms can cause even visibly healthy trees to topple, sending branches crashing into your roof, shed, or atop your vehicle. Since most of these storms happen in the fall and winter, now is a good time to review your homeowner’s policy from The Select Insurance Agency and examine the conditions of trees on your property.

Does Home Insurance Pay for Tree Removal of Standing Trees

In most cases, home insurance policies won’t pay for the removal of trees that are still standing. Instead, as a homeowner, most insurers will consider it your responsibility to maintain your home and grounds — which includes the care and maintenance (pruning and trimming) of trees that could pose a danger to yours and your neighbor’s property. 

If you notice that a standing tree on your property is no longer producing leaves or otherwise appears to be sick, dying, or dead, then it’s a good idea to be proactive and pay for the removal of the tree. If a tree is known to be at-risk falls, you may be held liable for the damages it caused.

Does Home Insurance Pay for the Removal of Fallen Trees?

Yes, in many cases your home insurance policy will help cover the costs of tree removal for trees and large branches that have fallen on your property or that have fallen and damaged your neighbor’s property.

However, exceptions and limitations do exist. Generally, the tree must have been in otherwise good condition before the storm or similar disaster that sent it crashing. Additionally, you likely will have policy limits on each tree removal. 

Questions? Contact Your Agent Today

For more information about tree removal and what’s covered by your policy with The Select Insurance Agency policy, contact our team today.

How does the other drivers option work?

The Select Insurance Agency wants you to understand the complexities of your auto insurance so you can drive the roads of Coppell, TX more safely. One thing many people do not understand that can help them is how adding other drivers to your insurance can help you lower your premiums.

You remain the primary driver on the policy. You simply add named drivers to the policy as occasional drivers of the vehicle. It is a good idea to add all of the licensed drivers in a household to the policy.

If someone would typically present a high risk to insure, such as a teen driver, they can lower their insurance rates by adding their parents as other drivers. This works for young adults, too. Those aged 26 and younger can do this to lower their insurance costs.

Conversely, parents adding a teen to their policy will raise their rates since that adds a high risk named driver. The same effect occurs if a spouse adds their spouse who has a poor driving record. Moving violations, DUI’s and an on record accident will result in higher premiums.

Adding your spouse will not negatively affect your rates if you add an experienced driver with a clean record to your policy.

You can add a driver simply by phoning your insurance agent. You will need to provide the full name and driver’s license number of the named driver. Your agent will ask a few questions and get back to you with an updated policy and premiums.

Contact The Select Insurance Agency of Coppell, TX to add a driver to your policy today.

Considerations for Insuring Off-Road Vehicles

Insuring an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is a special type of insurance. Work with your agent at The Select Insurance Agency, serving Coppell, TX and the nearby communities, to make sure your insurance is adequate before taking an ATV out for an off-road adventure.

Things to Consider about ATV Insurance

You probably want to have replacement insurance that would cover the cost of a new ATV that is the same or similar to the one you have if it is completely wrecked or stolen. Replacement coverage is better than simply covering the value of your ATV.

Replacement Value

When you only cover the value and not the replacement, you may be sad that you do not get enough to be able to pay for a new ATV when yours goes missing. Also, talk with your agent about the benefits of installing an anti-theft device with a GPS tracking system.

Authorized Users

Insurance needs for an ATV differ depending on who is authorized to use it and is covered under a policy. Inform your agent who you will allow to use and to drive the ATV, especially if you are going to allow any teenagers or children to operate it. In this way, you will be able to avoid having some unfortunate news that an accident is not covered because someone was not an authorized user.

Incidental Things

One thing that many forget to check is the effect of ATV use on other insurance policies, such as life insurance or health insurance. You may be surprised to find out that these policies may have specific disclaimers regarding the use of ATVs as an uncovered risk. Ask your agent to conduct an insurance review of all of your existing policies to make sure you understand the details.

Contact your agent at The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX by calling 972-315-7299 to get a quote for all your insurance needs.