Can I file a claim for something that happened to my boat during the off-season in Coppell, TX?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Your boat is an investment not only in the financial side of things but also in the memories that you can build by using it on the water. It is imperative that you protect it from damage while you are using it and while it is in storage during the winter months. Here are some things for you to think about before you file the next claim during the off-season.

Filing an Insurance Claim While the Boat is in the Off-Season

  • You boat policy comes in two sections much like an auto policy. There is the liability side and then there is physical damage section. The liability aspect of the policy is usually used when the boat is being used and the physical damage aspect is used throughout the year.
  • While your boat is in storage consider suspending the liability side of the insurance. You will lower your premium until you are ready to use the boat.
  • You will want to keep the physical damage benefits of the policy applied to the boat year round. If there is some damage that happens because of a storm then you would file a claim using these benefits.
  • If you live in Coppell, Texas, then you can file a claim in the off-season. Damage can happen at anytime of the year so you will need coverage throughout the year.

As your independent agent in the Coppell, Texas areas we can help answer all of your boat insurance questions. We are here to provide you with the services you need to protect your investment during the off-season. Give us a call today and let us put together a policy that will provide coverage for your boat year round.

What type of insurance covers pontoon boats and other unique boats in Coppell, Texas?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Coppell, Texas is an ideal location for owning a pontoon. You can take a day trip to several of the Coppell-area parks or enjoy a day trip to the Gulf of Mexico for a weekend vacation. However, like any other watercraft, it is important to protect your pontoon with proper insurance before you take it out on the water.

What is Pontoon Insurance?

A pontoon is a unique boat that is basically a floating raft that contains a motor. Because of its hybrid status, you will have trouble getting the pontoon covered by traditional boat insurance. What you may not know is that many companies hold a special line of insurance just for your pontoon. Several top insurance providers offer pontoon boat insurance that addresses the risks that are unique to pontoons.

What Pontoon Insurance Covers?

Like boat insurance, pontoon insurance includes liability coverage to protect you from lawsuits that may occur if a guest or bystander is injured while you are operating your pontoon. It also offers medical coverage in the case of an accident. You may also opt to add coverage for theft, vandalism, or expensive upgrades to your pontoon. Some companies also offer extra services, such as towing if your pontoon breaks down on the water.

Insurance for Other Unique Boats

An independent agent can help you insure your pontoon or any other unique boat that you own. because an independent agent carries insurance from multiple companies, you can select from several policies to obtain the best rates for your boat. Your independent agent can also determine the level of coverage that you need for your boat based on your boating activities. Contact us today to receive thorough coverage for pontoons or other unique boats.

If I Buy a Condominium in Coppell, Texas, Will my Homeowner’s Insurance Policy be Different From The One I Had When I Owned a House?

Posted on by AgentInsure

When you purchase a condominium in Coppell, Texas, you are purchasing a unit within a building, not an entire building. As a homeowner, you own the entire house and any other physical structures that are on your property. Condominium associations are responsible for insuring the physical property, and that includes most of the building(s.) Although you may not be paying the insurance on the physical condominium property, the monthly condo fees you pay (in addition to your mortgage,) will include your portion of the condominium association’s home insurance policy.

Insuring the Primary Dwelling

The primary dwelling typically refers to the physical structure that people live in. Condo associations will be responsible for insuring most of the physical structure, but there may be specifications that though typical of a condo policy, are vastly different from what you could expect to find in a home insurance policy. The condo association may insure the wall studs of your condo outward. This means that you’re responsible for everything from the wall studs all the way into the condominium.

Insuring Your Personal Property

As your independent agent in Coppell, Texas, we can help you find the appropriate home insurance policy for your condominium. You may be responsible for insuring everything from the wall studs to the inside of the unit. Most homeowner’s insurance policies include anything that is built into the house such as kitchen cabinets, built-in bookshelves, closet shelving, etc. Your condo policy will not include those things, so we would advise you to insure your personal property for a higher dollar amount.

In almost all other aspects, your condo insurance will have most of the same provisions that existed in your home insurance policy. You will have loss of use protection, and your condo insurance will pay medical payments to others who may be injured in your condo. Talk to your independent agent in Coppell, Texas to get more information about a home insurance policy to fit your specific needs.

Whom can I contact if I encounter technical problems when making online payments in Coppell, TX?

Posted on by AgentInsure

There are still plenty of people in Coppell, Texas who do not want to sign up so they can make online payments with their insurance company. Instead, they prefer to pay their monthly or quarterly premiums the old-fashioned way by writing a check, putting it in an envelope and mailing it to the payment processing address.

Most people are comfortable with computers, cell phones and today’s modern technology and have no problem paying their mortgage, electric bill and other regularly recurring bills through online payments. Online payments are a convenient and safe way to pay your insurance premiums as well.

It only takes a few seconds to log into your account and make your payment. Most insurance companies also give you the option of making your payment with your smartphone or other electronic mobile devices. You are in control and money will not be transferred until you confirm that you want to make the payment.

It is very rare that anything will go wrong when you make an online payment towards the balance you owe on your annual insurance premium. The software used to accept payments are designed to be easy and user friendly. If you should make a mistake with the amount or accidentally press the wrong key, you are in no danger of emptying out your bank account.

On the rare occasion that you lose your internet connection or some other technical issue arises, you can always call us and an independent agent will be happy to address your problem. You can also call the insurance company directly and explain your problem. They will be sure to quickly resolve the issue so you can check your account and make your online payments without further delay.

You should not let the possibility of encountering a technical problem stop you from making your insurance payments online. If your computer blows up, or you change your mind, you can always go back to the old-fashioned way of paying your insurance premiums by mail.

In Coppell, Texas, Can I exclude my spouse or teenager from my auto insurance policy to lower my premium or avoid being canceled?

Posted on by AgentInsure

As a policy owner you will find that the more driver’s you have on your auto insurance policy the more it will cost to own. This has led to policy owners wanting to remove teenage driver’s and even their spouse from the policy. Only to find that they are not able to remove the other driver’s. Here are some things to think about before removing any driver from your policy.

Can I Remove a Driver to Lower My Premium?

  • Most insurance company’s in Coppell, Texas are going to require that every licensed driver in the household be insured on a policy.
  • In order to remove a teen from your auto insurance policy they will have to be old enough to have their own policy.
  • Once they have their own policy you can exclude them from the policy but they will still have to be listed as a potential driver in the house. Of course you will have to provide proof that they are insured elsewhere before you can exclude them from your policy.
  • A spouse can have a different auto insurance policy but only if the car is registered in their name. The same rules apply in order to exclude, proof of insurance will be required by the excluding company.
  • The premium may go down or then again it may go up. Some people end up getting the discounts of a good driver only to realize it once the other driver has come off the policy. Check into all your options before making the choice to exclude driver’s.

If you have any questions about your auto insurance policy, as your independent agent we can help answer them. It’s important that you give us a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances. We can help put your auto insurance policy the way you want it.

Is it legal for my insurance company to non-renew my home insurance because I have too many claims in Coppell, TX?

Posted on by AgentInsure

You have homeowner’s coverage in Coppell, Texas and the only way your company can legally cancel your coverage is if, you fail to make your scheduled monthly payments or when you filled out your application, you committed fraud. We can help you. Contact us to speak with an independent agent and we will sort out all of your details.

However, you or your company can chose not to renew your homeowner’s coverage at the end of the policy period. Your company must give you notice and a reason why they are not going to renew your homeowner’s policy. You will need to contact your independent agent for details. When a company makes this decision, you can pursue this decision through your department of insurance in Texas. This non-renewal coverage on your home insurance can be something you did, such as turning in too many claims or possibly the area you live in had too many claims.

If you submit too many claims on your homeowner’s coverage, you stand a good chance of getting a black mark against your name and you could receive a non-renewal of your policy. It is not illegal if your insurance company decides not to renew your coverage.

You as a homeowner can run into any number of problems when your company did not renew your homeowner’s coverage. You do have the options of speaking with your agent, and your neighbors as to what company insures their home. You can call the Texas Department of Insurance for help in getting coverage through another company.

Many companies keep a permanent record on how you handled your coverage. When you mishandle your coverage a few times, it can put you on a watch list. This information is available to all companies.

When you file a homeowner’s claim, all the claim information is stored in a shared database, and the information sits as a history on your account. It is important that you give your independent agent in Coppell, Texas a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances.

My Husband Quit Smoking Cigarettes 7 Years Ago, But Occasionally Chews Nicotine Gum. Would he be Considered at Smokers Rates, When Applying for Life Insurance?

Posted on by AgentInsure

When you are looking for life insurance in Coppell, Texas, determining whether you are classified as a smoker is an important part of getting the best deals. Although every insurance policy varies, as your independent agent, it is our responsibility to ensure you know the basics of classification before you apply for any coverage. Life insurance requires complete honesty, so you need to apply for the right type of coverage to get the best rates and options.

Time from Quitting

Every company will have a different length of time before an individual qualifies for non-smoker rates. In most cases, non-smoker rates are available within one to three years of quitting, though the exact amount of time will vary.

Impact of Nicotine Gum

Although you may quit smoking actual cigarettes, the tests used to determine if you are a non-smoker are often related to materials within the cigarette, including nicotine. As a result, most life insurance companies will consider you a smoker, even if you are not actually using cigarettes, cigars or other forms of tobacco.

Being a nicotine user in any form means that you are often classified as a smoker, even if you have not touched a cigarette for several years. Despite the fact that most companies will still classify you as a smoker, it is important to realize that every company has different policies and some may allow you to get a non-smoker rate in certain situations.

Quitting cigarettes or any other form of tobacco is usually a great way to cut back on your life insurance rates. The downside is that nicotine gum or patches can interfere with accurate determinations and you might not qualify if you use nicotine gum. If you want to know more about qualifying for non-smoker rates, talk to one of our independent agents today.

What protection do I have against unreasonable surcharges or policy terminations in Coppell, TX?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Before an insurance company can cancel or decide not to renew your auto insurance policy that you bought through an independent agent in Coppell, Texas, they must provide a valid reason and proper notice. The Texas Department of Insurance has a Consumer’s Bill of Rights that helps protect you against unreasonable practices by your car insurance provider.

Under Texas law, once your initial auto insurance policy has been in effect for 60 days, your policy can not be canceled by your carrier without a legitimate reason. Legitimate reasons include such things as not paying your premium when it is due, filing a fraudulent claim or having your registration and/or driver’s license suspended or revoked. Your car insurance can not be canceled just because you had an accident.

While your insurer has certain restriction for when they can cancel a policy, you are free to cancel your policy at any time and for any reason. You are entitled to a refund of any excessive premium you paid. Your insurer can not keep the money that was intended to pay for coverage for the whole year, once you no longer have that coverage.

It is illegal for an insurance company to cancel your policy without mailing you written notice of their intentions at least 10 days prior to the date of cancelation. If your insurance carrier decides not to renew your coverage or reduce your coverage when your renewal date comes up, they must give you at least 30 days notice, or you can force them to renew your coverage if you so choose. If you are denied coverage, you also have the right to ask for a written explanation of exactly why your carrier took such action.

No one likes to open up the mail and find a letter saying that their insurance is going to be canceled. If it should happen to you, don’t panic. Give us a call and an independent agent can help you find a new company to provide you with the auto insurance you need before you lose coverage on your current policy.

Can my insurance company in Coppell, Texas, cancel my auto insurance policy if I am found guilty of drunk driving?

Posted on by AgentInsure

If you have auto insurance and are found guilty of drunk driving in Coppell, Texas, you must contact your independent agent at once. When the insurance company knows you have this DUI on your driving record they will increase your policy rate. Some companies will raise your rate at least 30 percent and others will raise your rate 100 percent or more.

DUI charges are considered intolerable crimes. Most states will tack on several points to your driving record and when this happens, your rate will increase over 300 percent. A DUI will place you in a special group known as high risk drivers. Do not become upset with your independent agent, because they have nothing to do with the outcome of your DUI.

When your insurance company finds out about the DUI, the company could cancel your policy when it comes up for renewal. Any rewards or benefits that you once received through your company is going to be lost. If this happens, you will have to research companies that insure high-risk drivers.

Your state will determine how long you are a high-risk driver, three years or more is a normal sentence. This one DUI could remain on your driver’s record for up to 10 years. Along with this comes higher rates.

It takes five to ten years to drop a DUI, you will then be required to carry a driver’s responsibility with you when your license is reinstated. The state of Texas determines the minimum rate on your car policy. Texas will then verify that you have the coverage you need. This driver’s responsibility must be carried with you for another three to five years. Do not cancel your high rate car policy, because Texas will suspend your license and registration.

It is important you give your independent agent in Coppell, Texas a call as soon as possible. We are here to help you. It is important that you give us a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances.

Will my auto insurance pay for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts after an insured loss in Coppell, Texas?

Posted on by AgentInsure

You may believe that original equipment manufacturer parts are always better to use instead of aftermarket parts when you need to repair your car. Opinion is divided over whether or not aftermarket parts are just as good, or sometimes even better, than the same parts that were installed in your car when it rolled off the assembly line. Regardless of the various opinions, you always have a right to use OEM parts if your car has been in an accident.

If you have an insured loss as a result of an auto accident in Coppell, Texas, your insurance company may or may not pay for original equipment manufacturer parts. You must ask your independent agent before you sign-up for a new auto insurance policy if it specifically will pay for OEM replacement parts if you need to file a claim.

Insurance companies vary in the type of parts they will allow you to use to get your car repaired. They are required to at least use replacement parts that will restore your vehicle to the same condition as it was before the accident. Some policies specifically state that they will pay for OEM parts after an insured loss, while others may say they will only pay for some types of OEM parts.

The main reason that insurance companies like to use aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts is that they can cost up to 60 percent less and those savings help them keep premiums low for all drivers they insure. In some cases, you may have to pay a higher premium if you want a guarantee that you will receive OEM parts for repairs after an accident.

If you are looking to find an insurance company that will let you use OEM parts and not charge you a crazy premium for the privilege, give us a call and an independent agent will research the different auto insurers. With just a little research, he or she will get you an affordable car policy that will meet your needs.

Categories

Archives