Month: June 2013

Texas Property Owners: Why Landlords Need a Landlord Protection Policy

Posted on by AgentInsure

Your rental property is valuable to you. In Texas, it is a good idea to have a landlord protection policy in place to protect your property from the mistakes of others. Because it is more than just a home or business, with threats from those who live in the building, it is important to have a comprehensive level of protection on this real estate. Keep in mind that you stand to lose an income not just an asset should something go wrong with this property.

What Does Landlord Protection Policies Offer?

In situations where the people cannot live in the home as the result of a covered loss, this type of insurance will allow you to claim the rental income you would have received if your tenants could be in the property. For example, if the tenants are forced to move out due to a covered occurrence, this policy will pay out for a specific length of time, usually for up to twelve months. This will continue to pay to you until the unit is repaired or rebuilt, or when the policy term is over.

This type of protection covers many of the risks your property is facing. This includes damage from vandalism, theft, fire, and other types of malicious and unprovoked incidents. Policies tend to have specific restrictions in place, though. Be sure you read through the policy to know what is covered and what is not.

For those in Lufkin, Texas, getting this type of protection for your property is a must. No owners or landlords should be without this type of protection since it can mean significant loss of income, not to mention your assets.

To find out what your options are, contact an independent agent for more information. In fact, you can get a quote for the services you need right here.

Does having an Auto Alarm System Save you on your Car Insurance in Lufkin, Texas?

Posted on by AgentInsure

If you have an alarm system on your car, you probably feel better about the increased security. Naturally, that’s important, but it’s also important to see if you can get a discount on your Texas car insurance because of the extra protection against theft the alarm system gives you. It’s possible that you can save big money on your auto insurance in Lufkin by protecting the security of your car with an alarm. Not all security systems are created equal, though, and talking to your agent to see what qualifies would be a good idea.

We can help you with that, so you can find the best policy for your needs and save money by having an alarm on your car. If you buy a new car that comes with a security system, you should be able to get a discount from just about any insurance company without any problem. If you buy an older car and want to put a system on it, though, it’s better to come and talk to us first. What kind of system you’re thinking of using and whether you install it or someone else does will both matter.

You don’t want to spend a lot of money on an alarm system and then find out that you can’t use it for an insurance discount because it doesn’t qualify. Additionally, different companies might have different policies on alarm systems. That’s why working with us is so helpful. As an independent agent, we can advise you as to which companies will offer you the best rates and the highest discounts for your alarm system. When you work with an independent agent, you can get information from a number of companies and then pick the best one for you. That way, you’ll get the most value for your money.

What you Need to know about Insuring your Boat in Lufkin, Texas

Posted on by AgentInsure

Chances are you already have car insurance, but did you know you can also insure your boat, as well? Boat insurance isn’t required in Lufkin, Texas, but it’s handy to have in the event of an accident or mishap. Without it, you could very well end up having to pay out of pocket for damages and other costs.

What Policies Are Available and What Coverage Can I Expect?

These are the most common insurance policies available to boaters:

  • Hull and Machinery – This policy takes care of the costs to repair a damaged vessel or replace a lost vessel, regardless of what caused the damage and why. It also covers damage or loss due to collision, theft, fire and accidental sinking. Some policies only cover explicitly named hazards while others cover a broad range of losses, save for those specifically named.
  • Protection and Indemnity – Similar to car insurance policies, it covers you in case you’re sued for damage or injury caused by your boat. It also covers medical expenses for passengers and third-parties, as well as damage caused by collision, fire and ramming, just to name a few. P&I policies only cover those who are aboard the vessel and activities such as water skiing may not be covered.

How Can I Keep My Premiums Low?

There are plenty of ways you can reduce your premiums over the long run without sacrificing coverage. Additional safety equipment, including extra fire extinguishers, GPS and VHF radio, can bring additional discounts. Boats that are less than 10 years old are also cheapest to insure. Completing a boating safety class and having a clean boating and auto driving record can also help save you money on premiums.

As your independent agent, we can help steer you in the right direction when it comes to ensuring your boat. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more about the benefits of having boat insurance.

The Facts About Cell Phone Use While Driving in Texas

Posted on by AgentInsure

Since Texas governor Rick Perry vetoed HB 242 in June of 2011, there is law prohibiting cell phone use in the State of Texas. Additionally, Texas has yet to enact a state law that would ban texting and driving, despite the known facts regarding the dangers of using a cell phone while driving and the high risk of accidents associated with driving while texting or talking on a cell phone. As your Lufkin independent agent, we can help you by advising you of the specific laws that do exist in the state. Specific Texas Laws Pertaining to Minors and Cell Phone Use and Texting While Driving

  • Texas law prohibits anyone who has a learner’s permit from using a cell phone for any reason during the first twelve months of driving.
  • Drivers who are under age 17 and have restricted licenses are prohibited from using a cell phone for talking or texting while driving.
  • It is against Texas law for any school bus driver who has passengers under the age of 17 on board, to use a cell phone for any purpose while driving.
  • Federal employees are prohibited to use a cell phone for texting – either to send or receive messages, while driving.

Other Texas Laws Regarding Cell Phone Use and Texting While Driving

  • Texas law prohibits bus drivers (not school bus drivers) from using a cell phone regardless of whether or not they have a hand held device, while driving . Furthermore, Texas law prohibits bus drivers from texting while driving.
  • Texas drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone (even with a hand’s free device,) or texting while driving in school zones in the state.
  • Texas law prohibits drivers age 18 or under from using a cell phone for any reason, or from texting while driving , anywhere within the state – under any circumstances.
  • Texas law prohibits all drivers from using a cell phone or texting while driving on any road that is marked as a school crossing zone, regardless of whether they are near the school, or whether children are present.

The facts regarding the dangers of talking on a cell phone or texting while driving are well-known and well publicized. The statistics regarding accidents caused by cell phone use or texting while driving are staggering. We can help you find ways to lower your auto insurance premiums in Lufkin, but you can do your part by refraining from talking on a cell phone or texting while driving.