Are there different types of insurance coverage options for brand new cars?

Posted on by AgentInsure

When you purchase a brand new car, a quick chat with your auto insurance provider will reveal plenty of options available for protecting your most important investment:

Collision coverage. Unlike your standard liability insurance, collision coverage takes care of the damage caused to your vehicle if it hits another vehicle or object. Collision coverage usually makes sense only if the vehicle’s value is high enough to justify it, making it ideal for newer vehicles.

Comprehensive coverage. Any damage caused to your vehicle that’s not crash-related may be taken care of with this coverage. Such events include vandalism, theft, falling objects, animal damage, severe weather and natural disasters.

Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance. In the event of an accident, this covers the difference between the vehicle’s actual cash value and the remaining amount owed on the loan or lease. GAP coverage helps prevent owners and leases from being “under water” on their loan or lease agreements by owing more than insurance payout amount.

If you have a lease or if you’re financing your vehicle, you may be required by your financial institution to carry these coverage options. Other auto insurance options include rental reimbursement, which covers the costs of renting a vehicle while yours is undergoing repairs and personal umbrella insurance, which provides additional coverage in the event a claim or judgment exceeds your liability limits.

To set up the above insurance options, simply get in touch with us to speak to an independent agent. We can also help you fine-tune your auto insurance policy to best benefit you and offer potential discounts depending on your particular circumstances.

Spring Check-Up for your Roof

Posted on by Jeri McShan

After our winter weather here in Coppell, it’s a good idea to check your roof for damage.

1. Look for loose shingle tabs,  broken or missing tabs, cracks in shingles, buckling or curling shingles, blistering of tabs, or majority of granules worn off tabs.

2. Check roof penetrations to be sure they are sealed and tight, check for gaps or signs of missing sealant, check for badly or deteriorating holes or gaps.

3. Inspect ridge vents to be sure they are tightly screwed down.

4. Check for leaks inside and outside the home.

Do I need special coverage if I install new stereo or audio equipment in my car?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Most auto insurance policies provide coverage for personal property inside the vehicle. However, to have this coverage you need a Comprehensive policy. A Collision only policy does not protect your belongings. In addition, aftermarket equipment may not be protected by your auto insurance in Dallas, Texas.

Comprehensive Insurance

Your comprehensive policy should cover factory-installed components. If you add a new stereo or complete audio package, it may not be covered. Aftermarket portable or plug-in equipment is also not normally cover as it is easy for a thief to steal. These items should be removed from your vehicle, or placed in the trunk, when you park your car. This equipment may be covered under the personal property portion of a homeowner or renter’s policy, if you have one.

If you are having a high-dollar system installed in your vehicle, you should consider having extra insurance or a rider added to your current policy. You will most likely be required to provide documentation of the equipment value to your company. It is also important to consider the deductible on your insurance. If you have a deductible of $500 or more, your $450 stereo would not be covered. However, keep in mind that if damage is done to your vehicle because of the theft, the total can add up to more than your deductible.

Companies that issue auto insurance policies can differ in the exact protection that you are provided. This makes it extremely important to look over your policy carefully and take the time to understand the fine points. As your independent agent, we will go over your current insurance with you. You can also compare quotes to make sure you have all of the protection you need at the lowest cost.

What type of insurance coverage do I need if I’m just a renting a house?

Posted on by AgentInsure

When you rent a property, you need a different type of insurance protection than you would if you owned the home. You should realize that you do need your own policy; the landlord’s policy does not cover your belongings. While rental policies differ by the insurer, some features are standard.

Facts About Rental Policies

A renter’s policy provides you with protection similar to a homeowner’s plan. The main difference is that the structure itself is not part of your package. Your possessions are protected from the same common perils including theft, fire, storm and vandalism. When you have a rental policy, you do need to choose from cash value or replacement costs for your property.

Cash value means that you would receive the depreciated amount for your items. For example, the sofa you paid $500 for three years ago might only have a value of $300 at the time of your claim. With a replacement policy, if an equivalent new sofa now costs $600, that is what you would receive. Remember that deductibles still apply.

Your policy provides you with liability protection and medical payments for someone injured in your rental unit. Most policies will also cover your additional expenses if you need to relocate if your rental unit is unlivable due to a covered event. This is beneficial protection to look for.

Additional features can include a certain level of credit card protection. You may also elect to have extra protection if you have expensive jewelry, art or other collections. Some landlords will require you to have renters protection. Fortunately, these policies are normally very affordable.

As an independent agency, you can use our service to compare quotes online. This allows you to get the information you need at your convenience. We will be there for you to answer any questions you have and make sure you have the insurance coverage you need.

If my house is damaged by a natural disaster, will my homeowner’s insurance cover my house?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Damage to your home can come from many sources, including a natural disaster. Depending on the type of disaster and your homeowner’s policy, the solutions that may be available for your house in Texas can vary.

Type of Disaster

The type of natural disaster that strikes your home may make a difference on your coverage. Some insurers will offer coverage for certain disasters, like tornados, but other situations may not be covered.

In most cases, floods are not covered by the standard policy. Some insurers may not cover earthquakes. Other types of disasters may or may not be covered, depending on the policy that you purchased. A standard policy will usually only offer limited coverage for disasters that are caused by nature, so it is important to recognize the situations that are covered before you face a serious situation.

Obtaining Additional Coverage

Since some situations may not be covered in your policy, it is usually a smart idea to obtain additional protection under your current plan. Some insurers will allow you to add to a particular policy or you can purchase a separate policy to address your specific concerns.

Identify the situations that your insurer covers in the current policy and then purchase additional protection based on the situations that are not covered. For example, you may need to purchase flood and earthquake protection, but you may already be covered against wind damage or tornados.

Ultimately, the type of disaster that occurs may determine if you are covered or not. Some insurers may not offer protection against natural disasters, so you might need to purchase additional protection for your house. Contact us to speak to an independent agent for more information about protecting your assets.

Am I entitled to a discount on my homeowners policy if I recently installed more smoke alarms in my home?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Some costs of home ownership are beyond our control, but others can at least be adjusted or reduced with a little bit of effort from the homeowner. Home insurance is one of those costs that can be reduced with certain home improvements or safety additions, such as smoke alarms.

The theory of insurance premiums in general is pretty simple–people pay based on their risk of needing to file a claim. In the case of homeowners insurance, premiums tend to go up if you are more likely to experience a fire, weather event or burglary, and they go down as those events become less likely. It stands to reason, therefore, that taking an action to reduce risk, such as adding a smoke alarm or two, should bring your premiums down.

Fire alarms, sprinkler systems and burglar alarms are all safety systems that many insurers will consider giving premium discounts for. If you already have these systems, sometimes upgrading them or adding a few features or a smoke alarm can still get you an increased discount. Larger projects that might result in a discount because of the reduction in risk they provide include replacing aging pipes or electrical wiring in your home.

Every home insurance policy and insurer is different, so if you are making changes to your home just to save on your insurance premium, you should definitely check with your agent first. If you have general questions about insurance, you should call us today. As an independent agent, we have a wealth of insurance knowledge and we can not only answer your questions, but we can also get you quotes on homeowners insurance to make sure that you’re getting the best possible rate.

I want to change my auto insurance coverage. When can I make changes to my policy in Coppell, TX?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Many people sign up for auto insurance policies that span a lengthy period of time – typically six months or a year. While many times that insurance policy provides adequate coverage for the entire year, sometimes it does not.

Insurance providers understand that circumstances may cause you to need to make changes to your existing auto insurance policy. That is why most auto insurance providers offer customers the opportunity to make changes to their existing policy at any point in time. When you make changes to your policy, there might be a slight increase or decrease in the amount of money you pay each month.

Insurance customers who wish to make changes to their policy must notify their insurance provider. Notification can be done in person at one of the offices, online, or by phone.

When you are making changes to your existing auto insurance policy, you will have two options – the ability to make the changes effective immediately or to schedule a date when the changes will go into effect. The option that is chosen will depend upon what changes you are making and when you will need the reduced/increased coverage.

Determining when you need to make changes to your existing policy, how to make the changes, and when to make the changes effective can be difficult. We, working as your independent agent, can help you navigate the complex world of auto insurance.

We offer you the opportunity to shop and compare auto insurance quotes for companies that provide coverage in Coppell, Texas. Give us a call today to discuss your specific situation. We can help you determine if your unique situation calls for you to make a change to your existing auto insurance policy.

I have a property Coppell, TX that is not in use, should it be insured?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Even if your property in Coppell, Texas is not in use, you should have it covered by insurance. Although homeowners often have property that they do not use on a daily basis, such as storage shed on another piece of land or a family cottage on the lake they haven’t used in years, you should still have insurance on the property. When property is left abandoned for any length of time, there is more chance for theft, vandalism, or other types of disasters. An independent agent in Coppell can help you determine exactly how much home insurance you need.

Although you do not need to be covered with a large amount of protection for a piece of property you are not using, think about what would happen if the property were destroyed. Whatever the value of the structure and any possessions left inside, if not insured, you would take a loss. You need to speak with an independent agent in Texas about they type of insurance you need. There are affordable policies that will give you basic protection without breaking the bank.

Homeowners need to think about the insurance they currently have for both their primary residence and property they are not currently using. Our independent agent can help you compare quotes to find a rate that will fit in your budget and give you enough coverage to make sure you do not lose money if there is a loss due to theft, vandalism, fire, or another disaster. You will want to have protection for both the structure and the possessions. If the unused property is a family cottage, there may be antiques or other items that need to be insured. Let us help you get started today.

Spring in Coppell…Time to Plan in Case of a Natural Disaster

Posted on by Jeri McShan

Springtime in Coppell hopefully brings rain and new growth. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of storms and possibly a disaster. The time to plan for such an event is now. Here are a few things you should do to be prepared if a disaster hits Coppell, Lewisville, Carrollton or other nearby surrounding areas:

Review your insurance policy to be sure you have sufficient coverage.

Create a safety plan for your family which should include an evacuation plan that tells everyone where to go and how to keep in touch during an emergency.

If you own a business, write a business continuity plan that outlines what you will do and who you can call on to keep your business running in the event of a disaster.

Build a content inventory to document the items in your home or at your business.

Prepare a survival kit of things you might need if disaster strikes.

Perform routine maintenance such as tree-trimming, gutter cleaning and debris removal around your home or office building. Make sure drains and sump pumps are clear.

Be ready before the storm hits!

Will My Homeowner Insurance Policy Give Me Any Coverage for My RV in Coppell, TX?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Your homeowner’s insurance policy should cover some of the losses for your RV in Coppell, Texas. Although you will also need specific RV insurance, your homeowner’s policy should cover some of the home accessories you have in the RV. Items such as your laptop or IPad would probably be covered by your homeowner’s policy. If the built-in refrigerator is damaged, your RV insurance would need to cover that type of claim. Speaking with an independent agent will help you understand how much and what type of insurance coverage you need.

Often people who own an RV in Texas do not completely understand their policy. There are specific items RV insurance covers and you will want to find out what your homeowners plan will cover so you are not paying for double protection. Most home items should be covered by the home plan. This usually includes the items you bring from home when you take the RV out on the road. You will want to speak with our independent agent to make sure you have enough insurance to replace the home accessories that might be lost or stolen when traveling in the RV.

It is best to compare rates and quotes for homeowners and RV insurance in Texas. An independent agent can do this for you and find a great plan that will fit both your budget and your coverage needs. If you have questions about what your plan will and will not cover, our agent can help answer these questions and give you and your family peace of mind. Before taking the RV out on the open road again, check on your insurance coverage and make sure you have protection for all types of losses.

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