How much auto insurance do you need in Dallas?

The state of Texas is experiencing quite the population boom, which has some people wondering about car insurance. How much auto assurance do you need to be covered in the Lone Star state? Are there specific requirements for insurance of which every Dallas, TX resident should be aware? The Select Insurance Agency is here to answer your questions.

Texas Auto Insurance Insurance Requirements

The Lone Star state requires all drivers to have insurance to operate a vehicle in the region. An adequate policy, according to the law, is one that provides payment of up to $30,000 per injured person and at least $60,000 for damages per accident. You must also have coverage for property damage that amounts to at least $25,000 per incident.

You do not need to have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to operate a vehicle in the state of Texas. It is never a bad idea, though, to explore the benefits of such addition to your policy.

Providing Proof Of Insurance

Residents driving through Dallas, TX and other parts of the state must have proof of insurance at all times. You must furnish such proof of indemnity coverage when requested to do so by a police officer or face the risk of being cited for failing to show evidence of assurance. Showing proof of insurance is also necessary when you are involved in a car accident. Such is especially true if you are the driver at fault. You will need to furnish evidence of your having an indemnity policy during your vehicle’s annual inspection.

Let A Professional Help

The world of auto insurance can be daunting for the average consumer. Many drivers often find that minimum policy limits as set forth by the state are not enough to protect them from financial turmoil in the instance of a car accident. You need to contact the representatives at The Select Insurance Agency to find the plan that best suits your needs.

The Importance of Liability Coverage in a Home Insurance Policy

You have a home insurance policy that you know will protect you and your family from a wide variety of threats such as fire, theft and storm damage but you should also understand the liability coverage that your policy contains.  This is an important piece that will protect you financially should an accident occur where you are found liable.  Simply put, if someone has an accident or there is damage where you are at fault, the liability coverage will go to work to pay for medical expenses for the injured party.  Should they decide to sue you, it can help with legal expenses, as well.  Medical and legal expenses are very costly so understating the coverage is important.  In the Coppell, TX area, the team at The Select Insurance Agency can help you get the right coverage so that your family is always protected. 

With liability coverage, the bodily injury piece covers medical expenses such as x-rays, doctor visits, ambulance and hospital stays.  Again, these situations can include a variety of situations such as a dog bite, a slip or fall or a cut.  For instance, if someone comes to your home and develops food poisoning, this policy will cover their care.  If you damage someone else’s property such as breaking a window, the policy will also address that situation. 

Liability coverage will pay out to certain limits.  Should an injured party decide to sue, the policy will cover the expenses and judgment up to a certain level.  While it may not cover everything, it is still an important financial protection.  At The Select Insurance Agency, the agents work with homeowners through the Coppell, TX area to help them understand liability coverage and have the appropriate amounts of coverage.  Call today!

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Life is unpredictable, and if you have a lot of at-risk assets or you regularly take on high-liability activities, it is advisable to consider purchasing a personal umbrella policy. In other words, people with significantly valuable assets are prime targets of lawsuits, and having umbrella insurance is a great way of protecting yourself financially. The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX can help you protect your assets in different scenarios through umbrella insurance coverage.

What does umbrella insurance cover?

It is vital to remember that umbrella insurance policy only offers you secondary coverage. Meaning that you need to have a primary insurance policy and exhaust its limits before the umbrella insurance coverage kicks in for additional protection. For example, if a guest gets injured on your property during an open house party and he or she successfully manages to sue you for $800,000 in damages but your homeowners insurance liability coverage limit is $300,000, the $300,000 has to be paid out first before the umbrella insurance pays the remaining $500,000. Without the umbrella insurance, you will have to pay the $500,000 out-of-pocket.

The work of umbrella insurance is to provide you with additional protection by protecting you from liability in the event that you cause injuries to other people or damage to their properties. Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP) is a form of liability that is not only cheap but also allows for increments of $1 million. Umbrella insurance from the Select Insurance Agency in Coppell TX can protect you in the following scenarios:

  • If you are involved in a car accident and you are determined to be at least at fault
  • When someone falls or gets injured while on your property
  • Your dog bites a neighbor
  • Flooding in your bathroom causes water damage to your neighbor downstairs
  • If you are found guilty in a defamation case

If you have worked so hard in your life to buy assets, you need to be wise in protecting your hard-earned wealth by purchasing a PUP. Contact us at The Select Agency in Coppell, TX, and our friendly staff will guide in buying the right coverage suitable for your specific needs.

 

What Does Property Insurance Cover?

Buying a home in the Coppell, TX area is a big investment. When you are looking for a new home, getting property insurance is very important. Property insurance can protect you and your home several different ways.

Structure of Property

The most important type of coverage you will receive when you get property insurance is insurance for the structure of your home. When you have a property insurance policy in place, it will cover your home in the event of a fire, natural disaster, or other casualties. This could be very beneficial if something very damaging happens to your home.

Personal Belongings

If your home is damaged, there is also a chance that everything that you own underneath the roof is also at risk. When you have a property insurance policy in place, you will receive coverage for these items. You generally will have a policy that will declare how much coverage you will receive for your personal belongings. This generally does not include coverage for more expensive valuable items, such as jewelry or art.

Valuables

If you have a lot of personal items that are also expensive and valuable, you also should consider getting additional property insurance riders added to your policy. A property insurance rider will provide you with coverage up to the appraised amount of individual items. This is ideal if you have a variety of different types of collectibles.

For those that own a home in the Coppell, TX area, going to The Select Insurance Agency for a property insurance consultation could be a great option. When you go to The Select Insurance Agency, you will receive more insight into what type of coverage you should get. The company will also help to ensure you get all the coverage that you need.

Life Insurance Coverage Considerations for the Stages of Life

The needs for life insurance change over the course of a person’s life. The agents at The Select Insurance Agency, serving Coppell, TX and the surrounding area, offer this guide showing how to get the benefits from life insurance for the different stages of life.

Youth (infants to 18 years old)

Is there life insurance for babies and children? Yes, there is. Parents who get life insurance for their children usually do so because whole life insurance is an investment that increases in cash value over time. The investment in life insurance is very modest for children and it makes a nice present to give them on their birthday when they turn 18.

Millennials (age 18 to 30)

These young adults are starting out in life with opportunities to make good financial decisions. Those who get life insurance at a young adult age reap the benefits much sooner than others who wait until later. If they choose a whole life or universal life insurance policy, it can be fully paid up within 15 to 20 years. This means the cash value will exceed the total amount of insurance premiums paid at that time providing a nice asset that can be borrowed against or cashed in.

If they choose a term insurance policy or one of the many other insurance variations available, which provides insurance coverage but does not accrue cash value, they will pay lower premiums for the coverage they need. For many young adults who are on a tight budget and those that get married and have children, these life insurance solutions are a good choice.

Mature Adults (age 30 to 65)

During this stage of life, life insurance becomes an effective tool for retirement planning, estate planning, and protection of family members.

Elderly (65+)

Wise people who reach this age with paid-up whole life insurance will be very satisfied with the asset they created. The value in the life insurance can be used for retirement, healthcare expenses, vacations, or become part of an estate left to heirs. Term life insurance is also available in many variations, depending on the needs and goals.

Conclusion

At every stage in life, having life insurance is a good idea. Consult with an agent at The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX to learn more about how to get the benefits from life insurance during the different stages of your life.

How Do You Know if You Have the Right Commercial Insurance?

Choosing the right commercial insurance in Coppell, TX can be difficult, and there are a lot of factors that can play into finding the right policy. An agent at The Select Insurance Agency can help and it’s a good idea to discuss all policies with your agent to find the right one.

Figure Out Coverage Needs

Remember coverage will be based on what type of business you have. For example, a tech company will require different types of policies then a lawyer. If you have employees you will need workers compensation coverage, and a tech company may want to consider cyber liability coverage. To help figure out coverage needs, make a list of things that could pose a risk to the survival of your business. This should include anything from natural disasters to cyber attacks. This will help narrow down policies that you will need.

Compare Policies

Don’t just look at the premiums in order to choose your coverage. Compare policies in order to figure out which one will best suit the needs of your business. It’s not always clear what is covered in each policy, so make sure you get clarification in order to properly compare policies.

Don’t Overlook Different Coverage

Even if coverage is not required for your business, it doesn’t mean that you should overlook it. Business interruption coverage can save you a lot of money if you have to file a claim.

Review Coverage Yearly

As your business grows, it’s a good idea to review coverage and see if you need to update your coverage options to suit the needs of your growing business. Review at least once a year to make sure you still have enough coverage to cover your risk, or if you need additional coverage.

Contact the Select Insurance Agency serving Coppell, TX to get a quote on commercial insurance.

Do I Need Property Insurance if I’m Renting?

If you’re renting a house, you might not think you need property insurance. After all, you don’t own the house and fixing or insuring the property is the landlord’s responsibility. And while a reputable landlord will certainly have homeowners insurance, never assume your landlord’s policy covers you. The tenant should also be insured for their personal property they store inside of the home. Luckily, The Select Insurance Agency, serving Coppell, Texas, has a variety of insurance policies to suit your unique needs.

Renters insurance includes protection for items of value including clothing, furniture, jewelry and expensive electronics. It may also include liability coverage for injuries and accidents caused by you through negligence. If your home is damaged, your insurance may cover living expenses if you need to rent elsewhere while the house is being repaired.

When thinking about your choices, keep your most valuable items in mind. You can get special coverage for things like irreplaceable antiques and fine art. A Replacement Cost Coverage policy is more expensive than an Actual Cash Value plan, but this plan gives renters more money for their losses. The Cash Value policy subtracts the age and condition of your insured property before paying out the claim.

If you pay for a higher premium, your replacement cost coverage can be more substantial. Named-Perils policies focus on specific events, like property lost in a fire or burglary. The All-Risk policies insure you in every situation, and they are therefore more expensive. However, you may feel more comfortable knowing that you are completely covered for the unexpected.

If you believe you are uninsured or underinsured, contact The Select Insurance Agency serving Coppell, Texas. They have an expert staff on hand to guide you in the right direction. You’ll feel the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re protected.

Rv Safety and Maintenance

RVs serve as homes to many families. Protecting your belongings and loved ones is probably at the top of your priority list. There are options to help keep you protected. The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX can answer any questions you have about coverage.

Self Reliance

Make sure that your RV is in good working order. Keeping everything clean and all of the moving parts well maintained will help you to save money in the long run. Also, always have ample food, water, gas, and firewood.

Owning and operating an RV is similar to a motor vehicle, but there are differences to keep in mind in order to be safe. For example, RVs use air brakes, not hydraulic brakes, and the driver might experience a slight delay. Take it easy on the brakes and stay on top of any maintenance that needs to happen. This is a part that should be checked every 6 months to make sure everything is okay and to prevent any expensive repairs.

As well as being a moving vehicle, the RV has the added bonus of being a home. Home repairs that should be regularly maintained include roof maintenance. Prevent leaks and make sure all of the seals are tight. Be sure to clear it of any leaves or accumulated debris or snow. Putting a tarp over the top of your roof while it is raining will help.

Insurance Benefits

RV insurance keeps your mobile home covered while you’re on the road.  Take action to protect your investment and have services available that can potentially help you if you are driving the RV. Depending on the size of your RV, the policy will change. It is another step you can take to better take care of your home, family, and belongings. Contact The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX today.

Keeping It Safe on the Road in Texas

Most of us live busy lives. During our commutes between home, work, and other destinations, we occasionally have distractions. Some of these occur as part of the drive, such as construction detours that require extra vigilance. Other distractions include the buzzing, ringing, and vibrating of mobile phones and similar devices. 

As your neighbors, the agents and team at The Select Insurance Agency want to inform you of new legislation that has an important impact on those who text while driving: The Alex Brown Memorial Act.

Drivers in and around Coppell, TX should become aware of this statewide law that took effect on September 1, 2017. The Alex Brown Memorial Act prohibits anyone operating a motor vehicle in the Texas from using mobile phones, smartphones, or similar devices to send or receive texts while behind the wheel. Texting and using apps while driving have caused many accidents. This legislation hopes to curb the practice of texting while driving by making it a primary offense. Under this act, a law enforcement officer may pull over any driver who is caught reading or sending text messages. 

If you are on the road and receive a text message, find a safe location where you can park your vehicle and review the message while your vehicle is not in motion. Whether you are expecting a text or receive one that you did not anticipate, the law requires that drivers read or respond to messages while off the road.

The Select Insurance Agency encourages drivers in Coppell, TX and throughout the Lone Star State to learn about this important legislation. Getting caught driving while texting may have an adverse effect on a person’s driving record and insurance rates.

Contact our firm to learn about how we can assist you with your insurance needs. 

What You Need to Know About Your Toy Insurance

When it comes to insuring your toys, like ATVs, personal watercraft, and more, there are a number of good options for the right kind of policy. Toy insurance in and around Coppell, TX can be purchased through The Select Insurance Agency, where you can get the kind of service and quality you expect and deserve. It’s a great way to make sure you’re protected and talk with knowledgeable agents about the policy you need. These types of toys aren’t always covered on a standard vehicle or homeowners policies, so getting a different type of policy that’s specifically for them can be a much safer choice.

Be sure to tell your agent exactly what types of toys you have and want to insure, so you can get the policy that’s going to cover you the right way. In some cases, there are different types of requirements that have to be met, and you don’t want to make a claim and find out you aren’t covered. That can be a serious problem and one that could make you liable for damages. Instead of taking that risk, work with your agent and insurance company to get the kind of toy insurance you need, want, and can rely on.

That will give you more peace of mind when you insure your Coppell, TX toys, and choose The Select Insurance Agency also means you will work with knowledgeable agents who can answer all of your questions, and make sure you get the type of policy that meets your needs. Your toys are undoubtedly important to you, and you want to be able to enjoy them without worry about whether they’re covered properly. You can avoid all of that worry and risk with the right insurance company and agent on your side.