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

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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.

How to prevent identity theft in Coppell, TX?

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Having your identity stolen is one of the most traumatic experiences anyone can have and it’s something we hope will never happen to us. Even in places like DFW and Coppell, identity theft is fast becoming one of the most prevalent crimes out there. Not only is it easy for criminals to commit identity theft, it doesn’t help that there’s a vast amount of personal information that’s easily available to criminals. By the time you discover your identity’s been stolen, the damage has already been done.

How Can I Prevent Identity Theft?

You can’t completely prevent identity theft, but you can make yourself less of a target. Here are a few tips that can help you reduce your risk of being an identity theft victim in Texas:

  • Make sure your Social Security card is kept somewhere safe. Only bring it along with you if you need it.
  • Collect your mail as soon as it arrives in your mailbox. Consider a post office box if you can’t be there to pick up your mail immediately.
  • Always shred documents that contain personal or financial information.
  • Be wary of phone calls or e-mail correspondence with companies you’ve never done business with.
  • Never click on links found within your e-mails. Verify the validity of the link and copy/paste it into the address bar instead.
  • Keep your credit card and debit card receipts in a safe place until you’re ready to shred them. Go through each receipt at the end of the month, tally up your expenses and compare those to your current balances.
  • Never give out your banking information online via e-mail or through unfamiliar and unverified links.

Give us a call to speak to an independent agent about other ways to prevent ID theft, as well as to find out more about the benefits of having home insurance.

What Does Replacement Cost Coverage Mean on my Home Insurance Policy?

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Regardless of whether you are living in Coppell, elsewhere in the DFW area, or anywhere else in the state of Texas, you have several options as to the extent of insurance coverage you get with a home insurance policy. Your independent agent will educate you regarding the different types of home insurance you can get for your Texas home. We will help you see where and how you might benefit from having coverage that includes replacement cost rather as opposed to actual cash value coverage for your property. Named Perils Home Insurance A named perils home insurance policy will only cover you for damages that are related to things that are specifically named in the policy. Because you get substantially less coverage with this type of home insurance, you will pay less for your policy. All Risk Home Insurance All risk is the most comprehensive type of home insurance you can get. It is designed to provide you with coverage for everything. Any exemptions must be clearly stated in the policy. Comprehensive protection is significantly more expensive, but in the long run, it can wind up saving you money. If you opt for a higher deductible, the rates for your coverage in Coppell, the DFW metroplex or elsewhere will be lower. Understanding the Meaning of Replacement Cost Texas homeowners and renters can choose between replacement cost or actual cash value for their property. Replacement cost is significantly more expensive, but it will pay for the cost of replacing your personal property — or your home as long as the damage was caused by something that is covered. The essential difference between actual cash value and replacement cost coverage is that a policy that only reimburses you for actual cash value will consider what you paid for the damaged property. Since things depreciate over time and with use, a home insurance policy that only covers the actual cash value of things will deduct depreciation for however long you’ve owned the item(s.) If your home was totally destroyed, as long as the cause of that devastation is covered under your home insurance plan in Coppell, DFW or anywhere else in Texas, and you opted to insure your home and its contents for replacement cost, you would get the full cost of replacing the home and its contents from your insurance company. You could easily afford to rebuild your home, something you couldn’t do if you opted for actual cash value.

Should I buy insurance when renting a car?

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One of the most common questions that is asked of an insurance agent is “Should I buy insurance when renting a car?” The car rental agency will often try to talk you into an additional policy when you rent the car. The agents are trained to make it seem like you need to purchase this insurance or you will not be covered if you have an accident in the rental car. This is not always the case.

It may be that you are already covered for a rental car with your normal auto insurance policy. Read through your current policy and find out if it includes coverage for these situations. If you are covered with this policy, you do not need to worry about paying for the coverage through the rental agency. Just make certain you inform them of your existing coverage and perhaps you will even need to give them your policy number.

Another way you could be covered is through a credit card. Some of the major cards include rental car insurance as a benefit for holding the card. This is another case where you need to look through your documentation and find out if this is the case.

No matter what your situation, talking with your independent agent is always a good idea. If you are located in or around Coppell or DFW Texas, let our agents discuss your options with you. We can run a real-time scan of your insurance options and we may be able to find you a better rate or find a policy that includes benefits such as rental car insurance. Come in and experience our excellent customer service and our dedication to meeting your needs. Auto insurance does not have to be a hassle when you work with us!

What Should Homeowners Do After Wind Damage in Texas?

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Whether you live in Coppell, elsewhere within the DFW Metroplex, or anywhere else in Texas, you are certainly aware of the intensity of Texas winds. Additionally, Coppell and the entire remainder of the DFW area, and much of the rest of Texas are located in the heart of tornado alley. This means that there is a greater likelihood that those living in this area will incur some sort of weather-related wind damage. It also means that there’s a very good possibility that a standard homeowners insurance policy – even one that has additional endorsements, may not cover wind damage to your property.

With the exception of homes within the 14 counties along the Texas Gulf Coast that are most likely to incur flood or wind damage from hurricanes, most Texas homeowners insurance policies will cover windstorm and hail damage.

Things to Do to Be Prepared for Storm-Related or Other Wind Damage

A few simple tips will make the process of dealing with the aftermath of wind damage a lot easier. The things you do to prepare yourself will help you when dealing with your homeowners insurance company.

  • Keep an inventory of all of your property and personal possessions. The Texas Department of Insurance website has a checklist you can download and print, or you can create one for yourself. Go through each room and list the items in there.

  • Make sure you have all of your insurance cards and any documents related to your policy. Be sure you fully understand exactly what your policy covers. Keep all of this information in a safe place

  • Be sure you know the monetary limits of your policy, and whether or not you insured your property and possessions for actual cash value or replacement value.

When you call or go to see your independent agent to report wind damage to your property, be sure you have all of the paperwork with you. Unless you insured your property and possessions for replacement value, and unless your policy is an All Perils homeowners insurance policy, you may not have sufficient coverage to pay for wind damage to your home in the DFW area or Coppell, Texas.

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