Texas Auto Home Insurance Archives - 06/2006
News, questions and answers about Texas automobile and home insurance. To have your question featured here, click here to submit your inquiry.
DID YOU KNOW
Friday June 30, 2006Most policyholders are aware of the discount available for passing a Defensive Driving course.
To very important facts that sometimes go undiscovered are the requirement that you obtain a state approved certificate from the driving school in order to receive the discount.
Secondly, the discount is good for three full years from the date on the certificate. Three years of 10% reductions on Liability, Personal Injury Protection, and Collision coverage is probably worth the 6 to 8 hour course.
OLDER CAN STILL MEAN BETTER
Thursday June 29, 2006Before you give up on your present carrier, review some of their advertising regarding seniors discounts. Then call your agent armed with the facts.
Auto insurance for seniors seems to be the category with the most hidden discounts in many cases.
The discounts are far to many to list, but starting with the present usage of the auto should provide considerable benefits.
BETTER RATES DUE TO PRIOR INSURANCE
Wednesday June 28, 2006Requesting proof that you have been insured elsewhere may seem like just another way to charge a higher rate to those who have not own a car recently.
There are some very legitimate reasons why insurers want to see where you have been insured last and for how long.
The first reason is obvious, carriers want the most accurate and up to date record of your past insurance performance and secondly, they would like to observe your allegiance to your prior carriers. Some insurers are offering discounts of over 20% to customers who have histories of 3 years or more without interruption.
If you are having problems finding the
best car insurance rates due to a prior insurance issue, there are exceptions to the rule. Using public transportation with no vehicles in the household may qualify for an exception, as well as being out of the country for an extended period or having an extended illness.
Remember do the research before settling for the first offer.
PARENTAL PREMIUM CONTROL
Tuesday June 27, 2006As parents of teenage drivers, we shudder at the idea of consulting the auto insurance agent about the massive premium increase associated with the addition our young driving enthusiasts.
Parents should recognized, that they do have considerable options regarding carriers, types of policy coverages, young driver discounts and rating categories. Some carriers offer lower rates to adult drivers while charging more than their competition for adding a young driver. This allows the carrier a better balance in risk exposure. Savvy shoppers should search the market for carriers offering lower young driver rates, then compare the increase in their adult rate to determine if a carrier change is appropriate. Review coverages to be sure the premium justifies the exposure consider the value of the auto the teenager is operating. Due to the number of
Young Driver Discounts and many variations of the same, look at several policies before making a decision. Rating categories range from the Young Driver's usage of the vehicle to determining where the car is garaged.
Research is vital!
TEXAS DRIVERS WITHOUT INSURANCE
Monday June 26, 2006There are some alarming statistics available concerning the number of vehicles on Texas highways without the required liability insurance.
Should you encounter an auto accident that is not your fault and find the guilty party can not provide proof of liability insurance be certain to acquire the auto owner's name and address. Remember in Texas the insurance follows the car not the driver.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is available on every Texas auto policy unless it is rejected by signature.
TEXAS CATASTROPHES SINCE MARCH 2006
Sunday June 25, 2006We believe the following information is beneficial in that it provides Texas policyholders the opportunity to see where storm activities are occurring within the state of Texas.
These storms were all considered catastrophes by at least one major insurer in Texas even if the Texas Department of Insurance did not recognize the storm as such. Consider the peril causing the damage in the designated area and then determine if your
Texas Homeowners Insurance policy and your
Texas Automobile Insurance policy has coverage to protect against that peril or perils.
1. 03/30/06-03/31/06 Widespread Wind and Hail far North Texas.
2. 04/18/06-04/19/06 Hail in an area encompassing Austin and Round Rock.
3. 04/20/06-04/21/06 Hail and High Wind Austin, San Marcos and Dallas Fort Worth.
4. 04/28/06-04/29/06 Widespread High Winds in far North Texas.
5. 05/02/06-05/03/06 Hail and High Wind effecting San Antonio lighter damage Austin.
6. 05/04/06-05/06/06 Wind and Large Hail impacting Houston.
7. 05/09/06-05/10/06 Wind and Hail at Childress, Wichita Falls, and Paris.
8. 05/13/06-05/15/06 Wind and Hail thru the Laredo, Eagle Pass, and Rio Grande Valley.
9. 05/28/06-05/31/06 High Winds causing minimal to moderate damage in Houston.
10.06/18/06-06/20/06 Torrential Rains considerable Flooding in Houston area.
Remember, repeat wind and hail can wear away at roofs and siding, be sure to perform periodic checks to insure proper claim reporting on your Texas Homeowner Insurance policy.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS - GULF COAST
Saturday June 24, 2006Well, here it is again!!
Almost without warning we are faced with rains of catastrophic proportion in the Houston area.
Many areas have encountered over 10 inches of rain and the unique aspect of this disturbance is that it isn't even a named tropical storm.
Texas Homeowners Insurance Policy verification is extremely important in order to understand your coverage as it applies to flood perils.
