News
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recently released a ForeCAST report that analyzes thefts of 2009, 2010, and 2011 model year sport utility vehicles (SUVSs) and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) reported stolen between Jan 1, 2008 and June 30, 2012. In total, 19,961 vehicles were reported stolen during that period. Click here to see if your utility vehicle made the list.
Quick Quiz
When preparing to send your child to college be sure to review:
1. Their college essay
2. Your bank account
3. The film "Animal House"
4. Their insurance coverage
If you selected insurance coverage, you go to the head of the class. When your child moves from home to college there are a number of insurance questions to consider, especially if he or she is planning to live off-campus. Remember, not all insurance policies have the same terms and conditions. Consult your Agent to determine the limits and types of coverage that apply to your family's lifestyle.
Insurance companies consider college students living in dorms to be residents of their parents' home. They also consider your dorm-room contents to be "personal property, located off premises". Most homeowners/renters policies limit coverage up to 10 percent of personal property, off premises. Now if your college student lives off-campus, most insurance companies consider this to be a permanent residence. Therefore, the apartment will not be covered under the parents' homeowners/renters policy for contents or liability. Make sure you know and understand the college 101 insurance facts. Click here to read more about what you need to prepare for college.
Sticker shock is hitting everyone as they open their insurance bills recently. Insurance rates are increasing at skyrocketing rates of 10 to 40 percent all over the state of Texas. The number one question consumers want to know is why? Explaining to customers why costs are rising is not easy. The problem is it's hard to put your finger on it; it's not an exact science. Insurance Companies typically look at a combination of past disasters to plan for the future. When it comes to homeowners insurance in the state of Texas there are some obvious reasons rates have jumped on average 21 percent. Hurricane Ike, several hail storms in Central and North Texas and the Bastrop County wildfires to name a few. These events have made it harder for insurance companies to cover claims.
There are several preventative measures customers can take to help save their pocketbooks.
- Shop around for the best insurance rate. This is why being with a reputable Independent Agent is so important. An Independent Agent will shop your insurance for you on an annual basis to ensure you always have the best value and coverage available.
- Bundle your insurance. By combining all of your insurance policies (home, auto, umbrella, etc.) with the same carrier you receive a multiline discount. This will provide a significant difference in your overall insurance premium.
- Have your Insurance Portfolio reviewed by an Agent. Take the time and arm yourself with the knowledge to understand your insurance policies. Ensure you have the proper coverages needed and have taken full advantage of every discount offered to you by your insurance company.
Insurance premiums are no doubt on the rise, but there is no reason to overpay for something when you can get the identical (or better) product elsewhere for less.
Food for Thought... Have you ever really thought about the mammoth insurance companies? Who do you think is paying for all of their advertising? How many more roofs do you think they replaced than some of their smaller A+ rated counterparts over the past few years? Want to save some money? Give us a call today!
As the holiday season approaches, millions of Americans will take to the roads to visit family and friends. Since many will make the trip in a rented car, it's an appropriate time to discuss one of the most frequently asked questions of agents all over the country: "Should I buy the insurance from the rental car company?"
The good news... In most cases, a personal auto insurance policy will cover damage to a rented vehicle. However, there are other costs associated with damage to a rented vehicle that may not be covered by your personal insurance policy. For this reason, it has always helpful to understand your personal insurance coverages. Click here to read the full article.
Halloween is a fun time of year with costumes, pumpkins and decorations. But what makes October 31st so entertaining also makes the holiday dangerous. Homeowners need to beware and read more about the five biggest Halloween risks and how to avoid them. Click here to learn what these insurance risks are and how they effect you!
