What is sewer back up coverage?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Sewer back up coverage protects Texas homeowners (and homeowners around the nation) against damages and losses resulting from a sewer backing up. In addition to sewers backing up, some homeowners have problems with downspouts and septic tanks too. Sewer back-up coverage is typically an optional part of the homeowners insurance policy, which is added as an endorsement to the policy.

When sewers back up, they can seep through the drains in the home, causing flooding and extensive damage inside the house. Sewer back-up coverage covers property damage as well as the cleanup (floors, ductwork, flushing piping fixtures, disinfecting, spillage removal, etc.)

Causes of sewer back up are many. Roots from shrubs and trees can make their way into cracks in sewer lines, causing blockages. Aging sewer systems are increasingly becoming a problem as the nation’s sewer systems continue to age. Frequent water basement flooding can be an indication of a problem. Another area of concern is when systems are designed to combine both storm water drainage and raw sewage drainage within the same pipeline. Even a blockage in the sanitary main can cause water to seep through the drains if not caught early enough.

But typically, regardless of the cause, sewer back-up coverage added to a Texas homeowners insurance policy will keep you protected from property damage and water damage due to a backed-up sewer.

Does Home Insurance Cover Termites?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Homeowner’s insurance in Texas is designed to protect you financially from the potential disasters that could cause damage to your home. Although most policies cover damage caused by storms, wind, theft and fire, almost no standardized homeowner’s insurance policies in Texas cover damage caused by termites.

Unfortunately, termites are a very real problem in Texas. The western half of the state is categorized as having a moderately high presence of termites, while areas in the eastern half of the state experience a very high presence of termites. Treating an infestation of termites can cost thousands of dollars, and without quickly ridding yourself of the pests, they could devour your home’s support structure in a very short amount of time.

Because your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover the damage, the best treatment is prevention. By submitting to regular termite inspections, you can detect the insects before they cause a serious problem and before the costs to treat your property get out of hand.

Signs of an infestation include hollow-sounding wood, mud tubes leading into your home, small piles of wood shavings near window sills and collections of shed wings. Even if you see no signs of termite infestation or have no wood on the outside of your home, termites can still find their way into your home’s structure through cracks and crevices in the foundation, basement and windows. Be sure to keep these areas sealed and caulked to help keep the pests away.

Texas Insurance Recommendations

Posted on by AgentInsure

Texas requires all drivers to have minimum liability insurance coverage, which covers bodily injury to people involved in auto accidents with your vehicle. This state requires somewhat higher minimum coverage when compared to other U.S. states. In Texas, you must have liability coverage to pay up to $30,000 of medical expenses for each injured person, with a combined total coverage per accident of $60,000 for everyone who was injured.

Drivers also need a minimum of $25,000 protection for property damage, including replacing the other driver’s auto, if necessary. With the costs of medical care and automobiles, this minimum coverage will be insufficient for many Texas drivers. Understand that injured persons, requiring medical expenses that exceed your limits, can sue you for the difference, which can put your other assets (home, boat, bank accounts, etc.) at risk of loss.

Remember, your property damage coverage will pay for the other driver’s car, if you were at fault, but it will not repair your vehicle. You need to add collision coverage to repair your damaged auto. Your medical bills are likewise not covered unless you add Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to pay your medical costs if you are injured.

Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage should always be active to protect your home and/or personal property for covered losses. Pay particular attention to coverage for natural disasters (wind, lightning, water) as some policies exclude coverage for "acts of God," as they are sometimes called.

Having minimum coverage is budget-friendly and better than nothing. However, you should consider buying the most extensive coverage you can afford, as large losses can be calamities to your entire financial health.

Can I Change Insurance Companies Before my Renewal

Posted on by AgentInsure

In Texas, it is easy to change insurance companies before your renewal. If your circumstances change or if you buy a different car, it is a perfect time to re-evaluate you insurance policy. Today, you can find an independent insurance agent who will compare quotes from all of the major providers and make sure you are getting the best deal on your insurance. It is important to look over your policy at least every six months to a year to make sure you have the coverage you need and that you are not paying too much money.

The first thing you will need to do is contact your new insurance provider. Once you have discussed all of the options and decided that you want to change companies, you will need to contact the old provider. Inform the company that you are planning to switch to a new insurance provider and cancel your current policy. Depending on how much time you have left before your renewal, you may get a refund for money you have already paid.

Before you change insurance companies, make sure you are covered by the new provider. You do not want to find yourself without insurance coverage in Texas. It only takes a few minutes to ask your independent agent to compare quotes online today.

Finding Kind

Posted on by Jeri McShan

CISD and the City of Coppell present the documentary Finding Kind. This powerful film is part of the Kind Campaign, a movement that brings awareness and healing to the effects of meanness within “girl world.”

The free screening will be hosted on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in the Coppell Middle School West Auditorium from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. For more information about the movie, visit www.KindCampaign.com.

Secure Your Smartphone

Posted on by Jeri McShan

Here is some great information from LegalShield.com…

6 Legal Tips to Secure Your Smartphone

The number of Americans using smartphones is rising dramatically. As smartphone speed and technology improve, individuals are using their phone to access personal information. Many users now access and manage business and personal email as well as banking and other financial data from their phone. This can make a hacked or stolen phone a one-stop shop for would-be thieves and scammers. These tips will help protect personal information on your phone.

  1. Set a screen lock and password for your phone. Leaving your phone without a password is asking for trouble.
  2. Enable the remote location feature on your phone. This may help you track a lost or stolen phone. Not all phones have this feature built in, but there are apps available for purchase. Some will allow you to remove personal information from your phone after it has been stolen.
  3. Only allow your phone to join trusted networks. Scammers sometimes set up fake wireless networks in public places to lure users into joining the network. This may allow the scammer to track any data to and from your phone.
  4. Update your phone’s software. Software updates frequently include security patches. Failing to update your phones software may leave you vulnerable to hackers.
  5. Do not “jail-break” your phone. The practice of “jail-breaking” a phone involves opening up the operating system to applications that were not designed to work on it. This will make your phone vulnerable to hackers.
  6. Only download well-reviewed and tested applications. Some apps may include malicious software designed to capture your personal information.

Temporarily Lowering Insurance Costs

Posted on by AgentInsure

In today’s economy people are struggling to pay all of their bills. If you are considering letting your insurance lapse in Texas, think about another alternative. There are ways you can temporarily lower your insurance costs. If you currently carry full coverage on your older, paid off vehicle – save money by cutting back to liability insurance. If you have a low deductible on your homeowners insurance, raise the amount and it could save you hundreds of dollars each year.

While working with an independent insurance agent, you can find the answers to all of your questions. These agents can compare quotes from multiple providers to find the lowest rates possible. You should review your insurance policy every six months or at least every year to make sure you are getting the best deal possible. It is easy to save money by making a few adjustments in your policy and still maintaining coverage.

You can also lower your insurance bill by asking for discounts. If you have more than one car, you should be getting a multiple car discount. If you have not had any accidents recently – this should also save you money. If you combine your home and auto insurance with the same company, this also qualifies for a savings. Your knowledgable independent agent will help you save money on insurance and give you peace of mind.

Coppell Residents Write Relationship-Preserving Book

Posted on by Jeri McShan

Coppell residents, John and LaNelia Ramette, have written a book about things that might get said during a crisis, but may not be appropriate. Say What?! Blurts That Hurt proposes relationship-preserving alternatives to well meaning but inappropriate “blurts” across a wide spectrum of today’s most challenging conversational situations. Check out their website at http://saywhatbooks.mobi/

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