How are you Covered Under Minimum Auto Liability Insurance in Lufkin, Texas?

A lot of people have only the minimum auto liability insurance coverage on their vehicles. They do this for a couple of reasons. First, they may feel they don’t need anything more. Second, they might be tight on money and not be sure if they can afford better coverage. In a place like Lufkin, Texas you’re pretty safe, but there’s always the chance of a theft, a broken car window, or another driver who doesn’t have insurance hitting you. With that in mind, it might not be the best choice to only have minimum coverage.

As an independent agent, we can help you decide whether minimum coverage is enough, or whether you need more than that for your car. Under the minimum auto liability policy you’ll be protected if you cause an accident. The damage to the other person’s car will be paid by your insurance company, up to the amount of coverage you have. That amount is generally more than would be needed to fix or replace a vehicle, and you can raise the limit if you want to. Unfortunately, that’s where your coverage will stop.

You won’t have anything left over to fix your own damaged vehicle, and you won’t have any protection from things like fire, theft, or glass breakage. By talking to us, you’ll know more about your options for insurance. Even if money’s very tight, there may be policies that can provide you with more coverage for what you’re already paying. If that’s the case, why wouldn’t you want to get that value? Anytime you can get more value, you should look at doing that – and we can help you find the right choice for you. Even if all you need and want is the minimum auto liability insurance, we can still help you locate the best price and policy for your needs.

Overlooked Texas Auto Insurance Benefits

Liability coverage for property damage and injured persons is required for Texas drivers. Some auto insurance buyers focus simply on making sure that they are meeting the minimum coverage types and amounts set by their state. Although Texans can operate vehicles legally when they hold policies with the minimum coverage, they may be overlooking other benefits that add value and convenience to their policies. Purchasing higher coverage amounts, additional coverage types, and benefits such as rental car services can be worthwhile for many policy holders. For example, a minimum liability limit of 30,000 per injured person may only begin to cover the actual costs of medical care for persons injured in a collision. Although the monthly policy payment is lower for lower coverage amounts, insurance buyers must remember that the benefits are also lower. Buyers must also consider what they can afford to pay out in case of an accident or whether they would be able to repair or replace their car because liability does not cover damages to it. A local independent agent can help you make sure your needs are covered.

Some insurance providers build benefits into their policies that their clients fail to use even when they qualify. When insured persons are in auto accidents or otherwise incur damages, they should check with their insurance company to see which benefits apply to each situation. When making an insurance purchase, buyers may look for certain features in their policies but fail to read or remember all the finer details of the policy. So checking to find out if your Texas auto insurance provider will cover your rental car while you are awaiting repairs to your damaged vehicle is a sensible thing to do. Otherwise you may be failing to take advantage of all the benefits you are purchasing through your policy. Driving legally and having some coverage in case of emergencies are essential, but the other benefits offered by Texas auto insurance providers should not be overlooked.

How Top Five Insurers’ Rates for Homeowners in Texas Compare

You have many choices for your homeowners insurance in Texas. Unfortunately, if you work directly with just one provider, you may not be getting the best rates possible. Comparing rates from the top five insurance providers can help you determine if you are paying the lowest possible rates.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, the number one homeowners insurance company in 2010 was State Farm Lloyd’s. Allstate Texas Lloyd’s and Texas Farmers Insurance Company were rated as the second and third on the list for number of premiums written. Rounding out the top five were United Services Automobile Association and USAA Texas Lloyd’s Company. This information is provided as guidance and updated at undetermined intervals.

As an independent insurance agent in the state of Texas, we can help you make comparisons. It is important to keep in mind that premiums can vary by the county you live in. For example, the rate for a 10-year old frame home, valued at $150,000 in Anderson, can range from approximately $700 to well over $1900.

This same home in Austin could have a rate under $600. In Dallas, this home can cost $900 to over $1400 to insure. These sample rates are also based on claim history and credit rating. It is also important to know that the top providers do not always offer the lowest prices. When you consider all the variables, you can really benefit by having an agent that works for you instead of an insurance company.

As your independent agent in Texas, we can provide you with multiple quotes. You have no obligation when you use our fast online service. You also save a great deal of time compared to contacting individual companies directly. Contact us to compare rates and find the homeowners insurance that meets your needs.

Recent Workers’ Compensation Enforcement Actions in Texas

Insurance providers are responsible for responding to workers compensation claims properly, and medical providers are responsible for completing and filing the appropriate paperwork as it applies to their patients. The fact that there have been recent workers’ compensation enforcement actions in Texas indicates that some workers have experienced difficulties in claiming the workers’ compensation benefits due to them. However, those who have difficulties do have recourse. Fortunately, the Division of Workers’ Compensation at the Texas Department of Insurance, or TDI–DWC, provides oversight for workers’ compensation. If a Texan is injured at his place of business, he can expect a reasonable response from his insurer and medical provider or an irresponsible party could be held accountable through enforcement actions.

Workers’ Compensation Compliance

For workers in the state of Texas, workers’ compensation is governed by the Texas Labor Code as well as rules set forth by the Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation. Insurers and medical providers are required to respond adequately to an injured person’s claim, or they could become subject to workers’ compensation enforcement actions.

Recent Failures and Enforcement Actions

Insurers or medical providers who fail to take the appropriate actions for workers can be subject to penalties such as mandatory participation in a compliance plan developed by a TDI–DWC medical provider, payment of a fine, or restriction from the Designated Doctor’s List. Recent fines have ranged from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

Recent enforcement actions indicate that the failure of insurers to pay medical bills in a timely manner, the failure to pay income benefits in a timely manner, and attempts to decline payment for preauthorized medical services are not acceptable and will not go unnoticed. Medical professionals are also being held to certain standards, including the completion of TDI-DWC paperwork, proper determination of impairment and other duties related to providing sufficient care for workers.