Whether you rent a home or an apartment in Coppell, Lewisville or Irving, it is necessary to purchase your own renters insurance policy. A typical insurance policy owned by the landlord of your home or building does NOT cover the personal belongings of the tenant(s). You must obtain your own policy to cover all of your personal property inside of the apartment or home. Contact an agent here at The Select Insurance Agency in Coppell, to be sure all of your belongings are well covered in the event of a fire or other disaster to the home or apartment.
I Was Injured as a Passenger in a Car and my Medical Bills are Piling up in Coppell, Texas. What Should I do?
When a passenger is injured in a vehicle in Coppell, Texas, it may be possible to obtain compensation to help pay for medical bills from an auto insurance claim. Although your insurance may or may not offer a solution, any individual who is insured will have personal injury protection for passengers in a vehicle.
Make a Claim
Contact the individual who caused the accident or the driver of the car and ask for their insurance information. As a passenger who did not cause the accident, you are not held responsible and your insurance policy may not pay for your medical bills. However, the insurer of the driver of the vehicle or the third party driver who caused the accident can be held responsible for your medical bills and injuries.
File a claim with the other individual’s insurer. Provide any required details, such as a police report about the accident and documentation that you were injured and have medical bills.
Ask Your Insurer
If you discover that the driver was underinsured, then you may be able to make a claim on your own insurance plan. Underinsured coverage means that you can make a claim on your own policy if you cannot afford to pay for the full cost of medical bills from the amount that you are provided by the driver’s insurer. Talk to your insurer about your options and find out if you have underinsured driver coverage on your plan.
It is hard when your bills are piling up, but solutions are available. You can ask for compensation from the driver who caused the accident or the driver who was operating the vehicle that you were in at the time of the accident. Contact us to talk to an independent agent to learn more details.
Do I need my automobile and homeowner policies, in spite of having an umbrella policy in Coppell, Texas?
It’s excellent that you have an umbrella policy because it helps to protect you above your basic homeowners, renters and auto coverage against catastrophic accidents and losses that might happen if you end up being sued.
As your independent agent, it’s always something that we recommend, but this is no way replaces the need for auto or homeowners insurance in Coppell, Texas or any other state. An umbrella policy can be an add on as a separate policy, but the insurance company will require proof that you already have basic existing liability coverage in the form of homeowners or renters insurance, and auto insurance.
The Importance of Umbrella Coverage
In your basic policies you have limits on your coverage, but with the addition of an umbrella policy you have added coverage that will cover any part of a claim that is in excess of your basic liability insurance policy, and for losses that are excluded.
Why you shouldn’t wait with this decision
We live in a society where it’s not at all unusual to hear of lawsuits and judgments in the millions if a person is injured in your home, on your property, or with in a serious automobile accident. Without an existing umbrella liability policy years prior to, or when the accident happens, any amount that exceeds the limits of your existing insurance policies will be your personal responsibility.
Circumstances such as these can present major financial and emotional problems that you don’t need to deal with if you take the time to explore and purchase an umbrella policy.
With an average ULP, these advantages apply:
* Protection for claims of bodily injury or property damage claims due to hazards on your property, or as a result of actions by you, or your family members
* Coverage for personal liability incidents that happen on or off your property
* Added protection for auto-related liabilities over and above your existing auto policy
These are just some of the advantages with this coverage. Contact us so we can discuss this with you in even greater detail.
What if the repair shop finds additional damage that wasn’t covered in the first estimate of my car in Coppell, Texas?
After you get into a car accident in Dallas or the greater DFW area of Texas, you will need to call your auto insurance company to begin the claim process. You will be assigned a claims representative to handle your case and he or she will arrange to have someone come out to your Coppell home and give you an estimate of the damage.
You can then take the written estimate to a body shop in Fort Worth, Dallas or any other convenient location and have your vehicle repaired. Before any work is actually done on your car, the repair shop will look at the estimate and decide if they are able to do the necessary repair work for the amount of money approved by the insurance company.
Your insurance policy will pay for any required parts and repairs to restore your vehicle to the same condition it was in before the accident occurred up to the limit of your collision coverage. They will cut a check for the approved amount of the repair less any deductible you have on the policy.
If, while working on your car, the mechanic or body repair specialist discovers that there is some additional damage that was not part of the original estimate, they will contact the insurance carrier and either get additional funds or the insurance company will send out an appraiser to do a second estimate.
While a professional estimator is usually right on target when making an estimate, occasionally, when the fender or other parts of a car are disassembled, hidden damage is revealed. As long as the damage is related to the accident, your insurance company should pay the extra cost to properly repair your vehicle.
If you are having trouble getting your car repaired, give us a call. An independent agent can help explain the process and you will be driving around the DFW area in your fully repaired auto in no time at all.
If my vehicle is repaired with aftermarket parts, will those parts void my auto insurance warranty in Coppell, Texas?
When you read through your Coppell, Texas auto insurance policy provisions, you will come across a clause related to the type of repair parts that will be used when your vehicle needs to be prepared. Most standard car policies that you can buy in Dallas, Fort Worth or the greater DFW area, do not say that all of the parts used to fix your car must be OEM or the exact same manufactured parts when your car came off the assembly line.
Instead, the clause will read something like the parts must be of like and kind quality of that they are functionally equivalent to the old parts. Some insurance companies will pay for the more expensive OEM parts and others will only pay for less-expensive aftermarket parts. You should check your specific policy to see what is allowed when your car needs to be repaired. You can always choose either type of part when getting your car repaired, but you may have to pay extra if you want OEM parts.
You will not void your auto insurance warranty by using an aftermarket part. The manufacturer’s warranty will cover you if the part fails within the warranty period. Every reputable repair shop that accepts payment from a customer’s car insurance company, will also guarantee their work. You should not worry that you will be stuck with an inferior part if it is not an OEM part.
As your independent agent, we represent a wide number of insurance companies who all have slightly different standards about how repairs are done. Most have a large list of approved shops where you can bring your car to get repaired. Both the insurance company and the repair shop stand behind the quality of the work that is done. If you have any questions about whether your policy covers OEM parts, give us a call and an independent agent can answer that question.
My Car isn’t Listed in Coppell, Texas. Can I Still Get a Quote?
When you are looking for auto insurance in Coppell, your car must be identifiable to the insurance company. You cannot request a policy without having the appropriate information for the company. Depending on the situation, you might be able to obtain a quote in Coppell, Texas if your vehicle is not yet listed in the area, but only if you meet certain circumstances.
Moving
If you are moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, then you will be able to obtain a quote from an insurance company before the move. Inform the company that you are moving to the area and your vehicle is not yet listed in Coppell.
You will need to provide the VIN number on your vehicle and all of the details related to your car before you are able to obtain a quote. Although you will not receive coverage on your vehicle until after you’ve moved and obtained Texas plates through the local DMV’s office, many companies will give you an estimate on the coverage you want for your vehicle.
Other Factors
Although moving will provide a legitimate and obvious reason that your car is not yet listed, you might not be able to obtain a quote on an unlisted car until after you have listed it with the DMV’s office. The only way to determine whether it is possible to obtain an estimate on your vehicle’s insurance coverage is talking an independent agent about the circumstances that are preventing you from listing your vehicle.
The situation will ultimately dictate the ability to obtain a quote. As your independent agent, we can help you obtain a quote that is appropriate for your circumstances and the vehicle you want to cover. Contact us today to talk to an agent for more details.
How Long Does it Take to Process a Life Insurance Claim in Coppell, Texas?
When your significant other or another family member has died and named you as the beneficiary to a life insurance policy in the Coppell area, you will want to make a claim on the policy. After you make a claim on a policy in the Coppell, Texas area, you can expect a prompt reply from the insurance company.
Texas Laws
In the state of Texas, life insurance companies are required to give you a prompt acknowledgement of any claim you make. State laws dictate that you will receive an acknowledgement of the death of your loved one within 15 days of giving the information to the company.
In Coppel, you can also expect to receive a lump sum payment within 45 days if there are no complications with the death.
Possible Delays
Although the state requires a prompt reply and a payment within 45 days, it is possible to face payment delays in certain situations. The most common reason for a delay is a pending investigation into the circumstances of the death.
If the circumstances are causing a delay or the company has other reasons for a late payment, then you will hear about the reason within the same maximum time period. The state requires the company to either pay according to the settlement you select or give you a reason for a late payment if circumstances are causing a delayed payment for any reason.
You will not need to wait long after making a claim as a beneficiary in the state of Texas. Since the state laws have specific guidelines, you can expect a reasonably short wait to obtain financial relief. To learn more about the state laws, contact us to talk to an independent agent.
Can a Will Override a Life Insurance Policy Regarding Beneficiaries in Coppell, Texas?
Working out a will in the Coppell area is an important part of your personal peace of mind. Even though you want to organize your will so that you are giving an inheritance to the Coppell, Texas family members who are foremost in your mind, you also need to use caution when you are working out the details so that you do not make any accidental mistakes.
Beneficiaries Vs. Inheritance
A beneficiary on your life insurance policy is separate from your will. When you are working out inheritance, you are not able to override the current beneficiaries on your policy. The only way to change the beneficiary on an insurance policy is by talking to the company and making a change. Your last wishes cannot override the contract you made previously with the company.
Inheritance is a separate issue. Your last wishes can designate who receives your home, personal assets and belongings. For example, if you want to leave your house to your child, then your will can specify the individual above other family members.
An insurance policy and a will are separate contracts. The individual stated on your coverage contract is the person who will receive funds from your life coverage.
Working With the Company
If you want to change the beneficiary on your coverage, then you must discuss the issue with the company. Only the company can make a change and it is usually based on legitimate or legal reasons. For example, if you are divorced, then you can use the divorce paperwork to change the beneficiary to another individual.
Protecting your loved ones from financial burdens in Coppell is not the same as organizing your inheritance. Making a change on an insurance policy will require a change to the original contract with the company. It is separate from your last wishes. To learn more about adjusting your coverage, contact us to talk to an independent agent.
Does my umbrella policy cover me if my kid falls in my neighbor’s swimming pool in Coppell, Texas?
An umbrella insurance policy provides additional liability protection above and beyond the liability coverage you already have with your home or auto insurance policy. If your kid is playing in your Coppell, Texas neighbor’s swimming pool and gets hurt, neither your home insurance policy nor your umbrella policy will pay for the medical bills that you might incur. Health insurance is a separate type of policy that you can buy to protect your child and your family if they are hurt either on or off your property.
Now, if your kid is injured while jumping in the swimming pool at your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s home policy or umbrella policy may cover the cost of medical care if it is determined that your neighbor was at fault for the injury. Most insurance companies consider a swimming pool to be an attractive nuisance that, just by being there, presents a risk.
Homeowners throughout Coppell have liability for injuries to others or for damage to other individual’s property. While a standard home policy will usually be more than adequate to cover the cost to replace personal property that is broken or stolen, it may not be enough to cover a serious injury or death that happens in your home or on your property.
If you hold a birthday party for your kid and one of his friends falls down the staircase and breaks his neck, the medical bills could hit $500,000 or more. Your home liability insurance may only be sufficient to cover the first $100,000 of expenses. Umbrella insurance will pay the additional expenses.
There are many good reasons to have an umbrella policy. The extra coverage only kicks in after your primary policy reaches its limit. The cost of such coverage is minimal for the amount of protection it can provide. Why not give us a call and talk to an independent agent about adding this valuable coverage to your existing coverage?
What is the Difference Between Accidental Death Life Insurance and Regular Life Insurance in Coppell, Texas?
Accidental death life insurance and regular life insurance are very different forms of coverage in the DFW area. As a resident of Coppell, Texas, you want to understand the differences between the two forms of coverage to determine the best solution for your needs or the needs of your family.
Accidental Death
An accidental death policy is related specifically to the conditions that caused death. It will only provide funds if the death occurred as a result of an accident. For example, if you or a loved one died in a car accident, then the beneficiary on the account would obtain the funds. If the death was related to a health condition or the cause of death was not an accident, then the funds are not provided to the beneficiary.
Accidental death policies are best when you are very young and you have excellent health. Since the risk of dying is low, it will provide some peace of mind in case an accident occurs that causes your death or the death of a loved one.
Regular Life Coverage
Life insurance that is not related to accidental death is a regular policy. Your beneficiary is paid if an accident, health condition or other problem causes your death. Depending on whether you select a term or whole-life policy, the specific details of your coverage will vary slightly.
In the case of regular coverage, the cause of death does not impact the funds in Coppell,Texas. The downside is that the coverage will cost more than an accidental death option. You might also be limited in the amount of funds provided.
Selecting the right type of coverage will depend on your specific situation. If you are not sure about the right type of coverage for your needs, contact us today to talk to an independent agent.
