A Look at Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

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Unlike liability coverage, comprehensive and collision auto insurance are not required by law. The protection they offer, however, is worth considering, particularly if you own a vehicle of considerable value. Understanding how these two types of coverage work will enable you to make a wise decision concerning this protection. At the Select Insurance Agency, Coppell, TX, we can answer any questions you may have about this coverage to fulfill your insurance needs.  

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance is pretty straightforward: it covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle if you collide with other vehicles or stationary objects (a tree, telephone pole, etc.) If you are at fault for the accident, you can claim collision coverage for damage to your vehicle. If another driver were at fault, his or her liability insurance would cover your vehicle repairs.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance kicks in where collision coverage leaves off. It covers your vehicle repairs or replacement due to damage caused by:  

  • Theft
  • Flood
  • Fire
  • Natural disasters
  • Explosions
  • Falling objects
  • Animal contact or
  • Civil disturbances

Comprehensive and collision coverage are optional, and you can choose one or the other to suit your needs.    

Costs

Many drivers shy away from the collision and comprehensive coverage due to their cost. Coverage prices vary, however, depending on the value of your vehicle, where you live and your driving record. New car owners would do well to retain this coverage to protect their investment. If you own an older vehicle and have the financial means to cover repair costs in the event of an accident, forgoing this coverage would reduce your insurance premium.   

If you’re interested in adding one or both of these insurance options to your policy, contact us at The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX. We can help you find coverage options within your financial means. 

A Simple Task of Changing the Air Filter

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Home heating, air ventilation, and conditioning systems, or HVACs in Coppell, TX modern homes are extremely sensitive these days. Tuned to detect the slightest fluctuations towards a problem, and controlled by computerized motherboards, modern HVAC systems will automatically shut down in safety mode if they sense themselves overworking. And the one area that consistently causes a safety override to kick in is a dirty air filter.

Much like an oil and air filter change on a car, the air filter for an HVAC system is cheap and generally easy to replace, according to the Select Insurance Agency. In fact, a smart homeowner replaces the filter in his home monthly, getting a new one with the right sizing at a local hardware store for a few dollars. The difference and benefits are multiple. First off, a new filter catches grit better and ensures better breathing in the home, which is a big issue for those with allergies and sensitivity to dust, spores or pollen. Secondly, a clean filter lets the HVAC system run smoother with less pressure than trying force air through dirty filter layer. And that means less dollars spent on energy costs as well as a better performing system when it matters on cold or very hot days outside.

To find out more tips on how to easily maintain your Coppell, TX home and keep its environmental systems running right, give the Select Insurance Agency a call or email. Their agents can easily provide great information on home maintenance that avoids costly problems later on as well as troublesome claims. Why learn about problems the hard way? Prevention is key in saving time, energy and your money.

How to Identify Home Foundation Problems

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If you own a home in the Coppell, TX area, you want to keep an eye on small foundation concerns that could lead to big headaches.  There are early warning signs that indicate foundation problems and the sooner you catch them, the easier and less expensive they can be to correct.  Houses will settle over time and create some unevenness, but this is not a cause for panic.  Watch for the warning signs and take these steps to check on your foundation periodically.

4 Indoor Warning Signs

  • Any door in the home that begins to jam or fail to latch
  • New cracks develop in walls, particularly where the wall meets the ceiling or the space above windows or doors
  • Concrete floors covered by vinyl or ceramic tile begin to crack open
  • Easy to open and close windows starts to stick or won’t completely close

Easy Regular Foundation Checks

Check the outside of the home to see if the foundation is straight by looking at the length of the foundation wall from each corner.  If there is a curve or bulge in the foundation, it could mean the foundation has shifted.  If the home has a concrete perimeter foundation and you see flaking or chipping, check it by poking it with a sturdy screwdriver.  It should be hard enough that you can’t damage it.  If you can, the concrete could be deteriorating.  Check for puddles or rotting wood in the basement or crawl space.

The Select Insurance Agency

At the Select Insurance Agency in the Coppell, TX area, we care about helping you protect your home investment.  A homeowner’s policy may not help to cover foundation issues, but we can help you sort through policy options that can provide coverage for all kinds of situations.

3 ways to save money on your home insurance policy

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Homeowners insurance is a necessity in Coppell, TX, not only for emergency situations, such as a natural disaster, but for your own peace of mind as well. Since saving money during these tough financial times is important, here are 3 of the best ways to save money on your homeowner insurance through The Select Insurance Agency.

Improve Your Homes Safety Status

It is essential that you know your family is safe and improving the status of your home safety may also help you to save money on the cost of your homeowners insurance policy. Installing safety devices, such as fire alarms and smoke detectors is essential, but you should also consider installing security devices such as dead bolt locks, burglar alarms and/or motion detectors to help save on your premium.

Consolidate Insurance Policies

Bringing all of your insurance policies together into a single package may help to significantly reduce your policy costs. In most situations you can combine auto and home as well as other policies. An added benefit to combining your policies with one agency is that you only have one company to deal with and you may be able to have all policy payments due at the same time, which saves you both time and money.

Increase the Deductible

The deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket and up front, before your insurer will pay the claim. Increasing the cost of your deductible can help to save a substantial amount on the cost of your policy. However, it is important to only consider a deductible amount that you are know you can afford and that you are comfortable paying out-of-pocket in the case of an emergency.

Residents of Coppell, TX who are interested in reviewing their current insurance policies, updating a policy or learning more about discounts you may qualify for on a homeowners insurance policy should contact The Select Insurance Agency.

How to Get Auto Insurance After a DUI

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Being convicted of a drinking and driving charge can have a huge impact on your life. You will have a criminal record, you may lose your ability to drive for some time, you will likely have to pay huge fines, you may have to spend time in jail or doing community service, and once you are able to drive again, you may find that your auto insurance company will not reinsure you. Here is some information you need to know about getting insurance after you have been convicted of a DUI.

Find a Company That Offers SR-22 Auto Insurance

If you have been convicted of a DUI, your driver’s license will likely be suspended. Once the suspension is up, you will have to obtain SR-22 auto insurance in order to reinstate your license and drive again. However, not every insurance agency offers this type of insurance. If you need to obtain it, you will need to call various insurance agencies to figure out which ones in Coppell, TX offer SR-22 auto insurance.

Expect to Pay More

SR-22 auto insurance will cost you significantly more than standard auto insurance. This is because you are now considered a huge liability to an insurance company due to your inability to follow laws behind the wheel. Once you find a company that offers this type of insurance, expect to pay more for anywhere from five to ten years from the date of your conviction. Many companies will slowly lower your rates, but the DUI will show up on your driving record for 10 years, so your insurance may be higher for this length of time.

If you have gotten a DUI, you can expect to pay much more for your auto insurance policy. However, this does not mean that you still can’t shop around for the best possible price. If you are looking for a quote, Contact The Select Insurance Agency, serving the greater Coppell, TX area. We can help determine what your auto insurance needs are and then put together a policy for you at a competitive rate. Contact us now to get started.

Items to Consider Recycling in Coppell, TX

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Recycling is such an important part of our society today but some people may not realize everything they can recycle from their home. To help you with your recycling, we have complied a list of things you can recycle fairly easily in your home.

Recycle Glass

Recycling glass is one of the easiest things to do but many people do not consider it. All you have to do is rinse out the glass container and take it to your recycling center. It doesn’t take much time or effort at all and it can really help the environment.

Recycle Paper

Recycling paper is probably one of the most common things to recycle but it has not reached its full potential. For many people, this means that they recycle newspapers and various other paper products. However, so many other things can be recycled such as junk mail, bills after you have shredded them, paper cups, paper plates, and much more.

Recycle Plastic

Plastic is another item that people recycle already if they recycle at all but there are so many things you can recycle in this category that it is not fully tapped either. While most people recycle plastic bottles, plastic can be found everywhere from candy wrappers to grocery bags. Make sure you are recycling everything possible that you have in your home.

Recycle Batteries

This is a category that most people are not informed about. After your batteries die, you can recycle them and you may even find a place that will pay you for them. Not only can you recycle your typical AA or AAA batteries, but you can also recycle laptop batteries, cell phone batteries, and pretty much any other battery you can think of.

If you are interested in exploring your options with home insurance, be sure to contact The Select Insurance Agency, serving Coppell, TX, today for free quotes.

Quick Tips to Keep Your Vehicle Clean

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It’s hard to keep your car clean. Most people practically live in their vehicles. It’s like an office on wheels. With all of the things that happen in your car every day it’s no wonder that it’s hard to keep it clean and organized. The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX has a few tips to declutter your driving space.

Paper or Plastic?

When you’re at the grocery store, every once in a while get plastic bags. Hang one from the glove compartment as a trash bag. Put several inside the glove compartment as backup. When your garbage becomes full, you can easily replace it with a new bag always keeping your floor and seats free from papers and other trash.

Keep Wipes Handy

If you’re a mom, you probably have baby wipes in your purse or car already. Use them to clean the hard surfaces of your vehicle. Dust, crumbs, and spill stains begin to pile up. If you wipe it immediately, it’ll keep your vehicle tidier. If you don’t have kids, a small container of antibacterial wet wipes will fit in most cup holders.

Pay Attention to Cup Holders

Cup holders attract dust, dirt, and become sticky quickly. As hard as you try, coffee, soda, and juice seep into the deep pockets and it becomes more and more difficult to get rid of with a tissue or wet rag. Use a cotton swab to remove any tiny debris. Wet the tip with soap and water to clean any small sticky messes.

Cars Need Therapy Too

Take good care of your car and it will take care of you. Make sure that you pick a day every month and do a thorough cleaning of the interior and exterior. Having a regular cleaning schedule will help keep your vehicle clean.

Drop by The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, TX when you are ready to purchase auto insurance. They can also assist you with various other types of insurance, including home, boat, business, and life insurance.

What should your home insurance policy cover?

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Homeowners in Coppell, TX know how important it is to have home insurance that covers everything that could potentially go wrong with a house.  Fortunately, the agents at The Select Insurance Agency know how crucial it is to find a good home owner’s policy for each of their clients.  If you’re currently in the market for a new policy, consider whether the policies you’re comparing cover these things.

  1. Natural disasters.  As it becomes harder to predict the frequency of storms and other events, some insurance companies are dropping coverage for events such as hurricanes and sinkholes.  If you opt for a policy that excludes coverage for these events, make sure you have ample savings to fall back on.
  2. Small items.  While items such as jewelry and cell phones are technically covered by most home policies, most people don’t make claims for them because of their high deductibles.  Ask your agent about adding a rider for these items.  You’ll pay a much lower deductible if you have to make a claim, and you’ll get better coverage than most store-bought warranties for these items.
  3. Detached buildings and structures.  If your property has a shed, pool house, or a dock, then it is possible that they aren’t covered by your home insurance policy. In many cases, these buildings are specifically excluded, particularly if they were added without a permit.  If they are covered, make sure that the coverage limits give you enough funds to completely replace them in the event of a disaster.  Many policies offer relatively low coverage limits for these items.

If you’re thinking about investing in a new home policy, call the agents at The Select Insurance Agency.  They have years of experience helping Coppell, TX residents find policies that are right for them and their families.

Comprehensive coverage protects you from loss due to storm damage and falling trees

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There are a lot of perils out there to consider when buying automobile insurance in Texas. Of course there are traffic accidents, and that is usually the major concern, but there are also storms that can do damage to your automobile. Other things, like boats, RV’s and other motorized vehicles can also be damaged by storms.

In Texas, storm damage to your vehicle is usually covered under your automotive comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive is "everything else" type coverage and comes in when your car is damaged by something other than driving it. If you only have liability coverage you may not be covered. This would also be true for something like a boat that might get damaged by a falling tree while parked in your yard.

It does not matter whether the tree came from your yard or a neighbors yard, though you might be able to make a clam in their property if it came from their yard.

In coastal areas of Texas there is also a deductible for hurricane damages. In this case it must be an actual hurricane, as oppose to a watch or warning in place. Hail and high wind also carry special deductibles.

Call or visit the Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, Texas, to get auto insurance that will keep you covered when storms wreak havoc on your neighborhood. Each customer has a slightly different situation, so we can adjust it to fit your needs. Existing customers may also stop by to get their policy updated to make sure you have proper coverage. Boats or RV type vehicles should also have comprehensive coverage to make sure you will be covered if there is damage to that property as the result of a storm.

Fall Preparation Tips New Texas Home Owners Miss

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If you’re new to Texas, you might not realize that winter can sometimes be a little harsh here. We at the Select Insurance Agency know it’s important to master the following items on your fall preparation checklist. They can help you keep your home safe from any problems that winter may bring.

Clean Out Your Gutters

During the fall, your gutters are likely to get clogged up regularly with dead leaves and other pieces of debris. During the fall, you’re going to see an increase in rain and snow, so your gutters need to be cleaned regularly in order to prevent roofing damage.

Check Your Attic

Early in the fall, check your attic to see how well it is insulated. If you see little to no insulation, try to add at least 10 inches on your attic walls. This will help reduce your heating bills and keep your family warm during the cold of a Texas winter.

Replace Your Air Filter

Every fall, you need to check and replace your furnace’s air filter. A clogged and dusty air filter will decrease the efficiency of your furnace and even spread dangerous allergens through your home. Don’t just remove it and knock off the dust: install a new one.

Preventing Mold Growth

All the water and moisture caused by fall can lead to mold growth in your home. Cold air drafts need to be sealed up as soon as you find them, as they can promote mold growth and put your family in danger of living with black mold.

Keeping Your Pipes Safe

Though winter rarely gets cold enough to cause burst pipes in Texas, it may still happen. Make sure to wrap your pipes with insulation (even something as simple as an old piece of carpet) to keep them warm and to avoid burst pipes.

Let Us Help You Prepare

At the Select Insurance Agency, we can help you understand how to get your home ready for fall and winter and how to avoid problems that may cost you a bundle in home insurance deductibles.

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